Deputy Tempe Crabtree is awakened by a call from the dispatcher about a three-year-old girl who is missing from a campground at the lake in Bear Creek, a small community in the foothills of California. At the campground Tempe speaks with the girl's mother, Jan Redhawk, her boyfriend, and her other three children. The suspicion immediately falls upon Vicky's father, Billy Redhawk, who is supposed to be off fighting fires. But the words of Vicky's five-year-old sister, Sarah, give Tempe reason to think otherwise. Sarah asks Tempe if the tall giant got Vicky. Jan explains that her ex-husband's grandmother told the children a tale about a giant that took kids away when they didn't obey their parents, but Tempe wonders if there isn't more too it than just a little girl's imagination. An extensive search ensues for the child, while Tempe goes to question Billy's grandmother and Jan's aunt. Much to her minister husband Hutch's dismay, Tempe is drawn into the mystical customs of her American Indian heritage while trying to find the little girl. Hutch tries to be supportive and helpful but their disagreement drives a wedge between them as Tempe goes against his wishes and takes part in an Indian ritual that is hoped will help locate the child. But when the child is found dead the focus is put on who could have killed her, with the primary suspect becoming the mother's boyfriend, who has a history of abuse. Tempe becomes instrumental in finding the evidence that has the boyfriend arrested, but still feels that something isn't quite right and continues to search for evidence that will make her certain of the killer's identity. UNEQUALLY YOKED is an intriguing mystery that takes you into a world of Indian culture that few of us are familiar with. The conflict between Tempe and her husband provide a very interesting side plot. This is the second in the Deputy Crabtree series, with more to come.
Lorie Ham Author of MURDER IN FOUR PART HARMONY AmErica House October 2000 Read the first 3 chapters at: http://www.angelfire.com/la2/lorieham/
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