Wisdom Corner, David Heska Wanbli Weiden (Review by Stacey Lorenson)
Rating: 3.8/5 Stars
Wisdom Corner is the second installment of Weiden’s Native American mystery-suspense series featuring the justice seeking, anti-hero vigilante, Virgil Wounded Horse. Hired to compensate for the shortcomings of reservation law enforcement, Virgil delivers his own style of personal karma to those who escape the justice system.
When Virgil is hired to protect a friend from a local gang, things don’t go as planned. The gang retaliates, and a revered friend is murdered. Virgil vows to find the ones responsible for his friend’s death. In doing so, he uncovers a diabolical plot to cover up a residential school burial site located on a highly contested building project. As Virgil untangles the web of lies and secrets, it brings him closer to who killed the elder and why.
Weiden divulges significant, little known Native American historical events, infused with magical realism, mystery, contemporary reservation life, and a glimpse into the complexities of the local, state, county, and federal justice systems. Wisdom Corner begins as a slow burn and accelerates in the latter half. The character of Virgil is not your typical vigilante. He is a father, devoted boyfriend, tribal member, compassionate friend and lastly an enforcer. The characters that support his endeavors are equally dimensional.
Weiden incorporates many issues concerning modern day reservation life along with the aftereffects of systemic oppression. Some of the topics explored are the residential boarding schools, multi-generational conflicts for those who choose reservation life and the conflicted choice to leave, and the litany of limitations that prevent agencies from providing full service to reservation residents. Weiden also places emphasis on Native American cuisine and how food connects them to their land and rich heritage.
This was an enlightening crime fiction novel that exposes readers to critical Native American history and the everchanging landscape of contemporary life on an Indian Reservation. WISDOM CORNER is an excellent contender as a book club selection!