Coyote Wind

By: Peter Bowen

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Montana, "the last best place" of the disappearing American West, is the setting of Peter Bowen's splendid first mystery novel in a series to feature Gabriel Du Pre. A cattle-brand inspector and occasional sheriff's deputy, Du Pre moves easily among the ranchers, cowboys, Native Americans, barflies, dreamers, and Eastern dudes who populate what's left of the frontier.

In the desolate hills of the Fascelli family ranch, a skeleton has been discovered. The sheriff needs Du Pre's long experience in Montana to identify the bones. What Du Pre finds leads him on a search through the history of a troubled family, a search that brings him closer to a secret from his own past. Along the way, Du Pre meets a range of interesting folk, some to his liking, some decidedly not.

©1994 Peter Bowen (P)2003 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gabe's rhythmic, regional voice and his sly wit take the novel to another level....Let's hope Bowen...finds time to give us many more Gabe Du Pre adventures." (Booklist)
"The great story and narration make this a most enjoyable production." (Kliatt)

I love this

The plot was solid, the characters remarkable, but it was a joy just to listen to the words themselves! On more than one occasion I found myself literally laughing out loud at one comment or another. The resigned confusion of a good man dealing with two adult daughters, and a girl friend, all strong, unique women, all well crafted characters, was a joy to witness. And Christopher Lane's voice made the the characters live and breathe for me. It makes me want to go to Montana! Almost.

Very interesting book!

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this. Listened sort of experimentally, wondering if, being an eastern city slicker, I could relate to it. I'm so happy I took the chance! This book was a gem!

Gabriel Du Pre, part french, part Indian, knows Montana in his bones. He is a cattle-brand inspector, but occasionally reluctantly steps in as an extra hand in law enforcement. This story involves the mysterious (and old) plane wreck that is discovered, and how it brings Du Pre to solving a mystery surrounded with that, but also a surprising one about his own past.

Good mystery, but there are plenty of them around. This was at times very serious, as Du Pre contemplates his philosophy of life, and sometimes humorous as he lives by his own philosophy. He has wonderful relationships with his daughters and his girlfriend, and others, and they all love him in return.

I felt I had stepped into a mindset and lifestyle I understand little from my own perspective, but that felt so genuine, it almost made me wish that I could live with such simplicity, such authenticity of living, as Du Pre, who simply follows his own inner code of ethics throughout.

I felt this was a wonderful book, that does not completely yield to trying to explain its great appeal. I truly recommend it, and plan to download some more in the series.

I loved this book

Christopher Lane did a brilliant job narrating this story. I lived in the book for the 5 plus hours. This was a great story and performance. I will be working my way through the rest of the stories in this series.

Short but intriguing

I liked the down to earth observations of Du Pre as he moved through the story. I've met men like him, salt of the earth and no nonsense.

Great mix of dry humor and pathos

Reminiscent of Tony Hillerman. Dry wit with a rarely portrayed American Indian common sense and blunt profane reaction to human bullshit. The protagonist is a gentle thoughtful man with a profane response that I have encountered many times in my life. I'd like to see more of this character in literature.

Interesting Story

I'm not sure I would want to listen to very many of these but I did enjoy this one.

To many story lines

Not my style of book. To much cussing unimportant to the story. That all folks.

Entertaining

Narration is entertaining
Story is convoluted and requires close attention
Very pleasurable read.
Features native culture.

A foreign tongue

Takes a while to “get into.” Like listening to someone with a strong foreign accent. I am glad I persevered. I will research more about this history and people

Good use of dialect and bad language

I never leave reviews but feel compelled to offset some prudish criticism I happened to see. I listened to this book in an afternoon of yardwork and thoroughly enjoyed it. For those who had objection to main character's dialect I guess you have never been around Louisiana cajuns or any others who have Working class French as first language. They end up with 'me' on the end of sentences. The dialect was authentic for a person of French-Native American heritage. As for bad language, I too have objections to books, movies or comedy that curses for no good reason, but to tell the truth I did not really notice bad language, which maybe says more about me and the critics than the author. I thought the adjectives furthered the characters and story rather than detracted. I've read a bunch of Tony Hillerman, all of the Longmire books and about six books of the Cort O'Conner series and this book fit in nicely as to having a protagonist of mixed heritage.