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The year is 1897, and Arizona is still fifteen years away from gaining its statehood. Haseya is a budding private investigator who is looking for business. She is approached by a client who wants her missing nephew found, and Haseya is ably assisted by Raymond, a teenager who wants to clear his reputation of past allegations of disreputable behavior. Haseya would rather work her case alone, but Raymond proves to be tenacious in his request for work.
As quickly as her previous case is solved, a new one arises with the shocking daylight assassination of the mayor of Prescott. The shooting of the mayor happened during a parade, but no one knows who pulled the trigger on the brazen hit. Haseya is asked to investigate the shooting by the mayor's widow, but local law enforcement urges Haseya to back off. However, Haseya isn't inclined to back down despite a little harassment from the sheriff, so she and her new protege decide to ask around about the late mayor. They learn there is a list of viable suspects because the mayor had a habit of rubbing people the wrong way.
Haseya decides to use Raymond to infiltrate the Prescott Rifles, a local militia group, to learn more about their intentions. One of the group's members, Clay Lester, is the twin brother of the interim mayor, Henry Lester. Raymond proves adept at gathering useful gossip and potential leads on the case, but Haseya soon receives help from a known pickpocket whom she dubs "Kid." However, events start to get a little more chaotic when the detective tasked with investigating the mayor's murder is gunned down. The local sheriff turns to Haseya for help, but only on the condition that she shares whatever leads she develops with him and the new investigator. Haseya has a possible suspect or two in mind, but when one of her first suspects turns up dead in another homicide, she is forced to re-evaluate her thinking.
Meanwhile, Arizona has become a hotbed of political activity as the election for the next mayor approaches. Local women are demanding suffrage and are willing to protest to ensure their voices are finally heard. Haseya has questions about the interim mayor and his relationship with his brother, which threatens to cast a pall over election day. Haseya is the recipient of blatant threats warning her from pursuing her case any further, and the possibility of more violence seems inescapable.
The story of a targeted assassination compounded by multiple murders in its aftermath forms a compelling mystery at the heart of this clever narrative. Haseya is an undaunted sleuth forced to battle both sexism and racism as a Native American Woman in late nineteenth-century America. Mitchell portrays Haseya as a determined protagonist intent on performing her job to the best of her abilities and distinguishing herself as an investigator, despite the condescending attitudes of local law enforcement.
The author also shows his lead character's belief in others in Haseya's employment of Raymond and Kid, as she takes a chance on those the town suspects and looks down upon. Yet, she shows herself not to be a pushover either, as she's unafraid to call them out when either has let her down. The plot consistently maintains its edge of intrigue, ending with a climactic twist that will leave the reader spellbound. This dramatic mystery evokes the work of Tony Hillerman, especially Dance Hall of the Dead, and is immensely original and entertaining.