I really like this series. Even if it does take me awhile to get through a book. ( )

Sequel to the excellent Bone Rattler. Duncan McCallum’s continuing adventures among the Indians, British army, and French enemy of Colonial America, featuring his relationship with Conawago, an Iriquois shaman who is accused of the crucifixion style murder of a Virginian officer they both discover in the woods and try to save to no avail.

Hungry for revenge and instant frontier justice, the outpost commander arrests Conawago and threatens to hang him for the murder he didn’t commit. Almost immediately, it’s apparent that “big conspiratorial things” are behind this ritualistic killing, and our Highland hero draws on his medical training, native wit, and the wisdom of his experience from life among Native Americans to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding ongoing provincial treaty negotiations, the struggles between tribal factions, early efforts at creating an “underground railroad” for fleeing African slaves, and secret land deals involving white colonials in 1760s North America.

Pattison is sure and confident, handling historical detail and the occasional historical figure with deftness. Duncan is a sympathetic hero whose own story reflects and parallels the lives of his Native American friends as both their cultures are being destroyed by the onslaught of more powerful and greedy Europeans. So far, the books are lively, full of action as well as human insight. First rate historical fiction. ( )

Eliot Pattison has made a name for himself with his complex Tibetan Buddhist mysteries with disgraced Chinese detective Shan Yao. Now Pattison draws readers into the intricacies of the American Colonial period and the French Indian War. With his characteristic teaming up of what seem to be unlikely suspects, Pattison explores the shared experiences of indigenous American Indians who are systematically being wiped out by the British, French, and fledgling Americans and a Scottish Highlander whose clan has been all but wiped out by the cruel excesses of the British Army in the Clearances. As always, Pattison's history is well researched but not contrived. His characters are bright and warm. And his tale is well told. I couldn't put it down!