A Tale of Mystery and History in the Winding Stair Mountains

In 1990, the remains of three young girls are uncovered in the newly created Horsethief Trail National Park, thrusting park ranger Valerie Boren-Odell, a grieving widow, into a mystery. Despite her boss’s reluctance to investigate, Valerie is determined to uncover the truth, aided by Choctaw tribal police officer Curtis Enhoe. Their investigation soon deepens with the discovery of a teenage boy’s disappearance and an unidentified man’s corpse, linking past and present tragedies.

Parallel to this, the story flashes back to 1909, when eleven-year-old Olive “Ollie” Radley and her Choctaw foster sister flee into the forest to escape abuse. As they seek safety, they encounter other children hiding from similar fates, exposing the broader exploitation of Choctaw children during a tumultuous period in Oklahoma’s history.

Wingate’s skillful storytelling shines through her vivid descriptions and strong sense of place (she grew up in Oklahoma), capturing the vulnerability and resilience of her young characters. The novel provides an insightful look into a dark chapter of history, though some readers may find the Ollie’s narrative overly verbose compared to the more engaging contemporary timeline. In my view, Shelterwood isn’t Wingate’s strongest work, but its emotional depth and historical intrigue make it a worthy read. For those interested in the untold stories of America’s past, this novel is a thought-provoking journey. 4 stars.

** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this novel. The opinions are my own.