Three Sisters is the twelfth book by James D. Doss in his Charlie Moon mystery series.
A brief aside :
James D. Doss (1939 – 17 May 2012) was a noted American mystery author. He was the creator of the popular fictional Ute detective/rancher Charlie Moon, of whom he wrote 17 mystery novels. These mysteries, primarily set on the Southern Colorado Ute Reservation, combine complex mysteries and a glimpse of Native American life and custom.
The police work side of these mysteries is provided by Scott Parris, the Granite Creek chief of police and best friend to Charlie Moon. Charlie Moon is a sometimes tribal investigator, or as in Three Sisters, occasionally, temporarily, deputized by Scott Parris. Never deputized, but none the less vital to the book series, is Moon’s cranky Aunt Daisy Perika, a tribal shaman.
And we’re back
Three Sisters is the saga of the Spencer sisters, Cassandra, Beatrice, and Astrid. All beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy. Astrid’s role in the book is brutally short: While on the phone to her husband, she begins screaming. Scott Parris is alerted and sent to the scene. On his way, he calls his best friend, Charlie Moon, to help with the investigation. They discover poor Astrid gruesomely mauled and quite dead – perhaps a bear?
The plot immediately complicates as both Cassandra and Beatrice are introduced into the plot. Cassandra is a very popular TV psychic with a knack for foreseeing fires and murders. Sophisticated and elegant Beatrice, an artist, immediately sets out to seduce Astrid’s ‘grieving (?)’ widower Andrew Turner. And lastly, Aunt Daisy becomes involved, well, because that’s her, and because she actually can connect to the spirit world.
This book is fast paced, filled with interesting and quirky characters. There is a great deal of humor and warmth despite the body count. The mystery is pretty good and I enjoy the complex main characters. A quick and thoroughly enjoyable read.
I want to add one more bit….. I came to this series a couple of years ago. There was time when I saw Mr. Doss’s book all over – now they’re a bit challenging to find. Even though I usually start a series at the beginning and go through in order, I think this is a series you could grab in whatever order you find the books. That said, I would, however, recommend first book, The Shaman Sings. Originally out in 1994, it does lay the groundwork for the series. Either way, a very enjoyable series.
Thank you for reading and stay safe.
AnotherDay - vmc 