Thursday, February 19, 2009

Forgotten Books: David Cole's Laura Winslow Mysteries


David Cole has written a series of mysteries that definitely deserves more attention. The central character, Laura Winslow, is a half-Hopi, one-time-Ritalin-abuser computer hacker who lives on the run in various locations within Arizona. Not only does she fight her own personal demons, she feels compelled to fight against injustice wherever she finds it--which can be tricky indeed when she trusts no one. The first books in the series find her very edgy, very distrustful, but as the series continues, she notches small victories against her anxiety disorder, and she begins to nurture something that's been missing from her life: personal relationships, and this adds even more dimension to her character.

I enjoy these mysteries for the setting, the plots which center on political and social issues within the "shadow land" of the US-Mexico border, and for Laura herself. If you like mysteries set in the desert Southwest that deal with very real issues and Native American themes, and also have a strong female lead, give David Cole's series a try. You'll be glad you did.


To find more books that have flown beneath the radar, check out Patti's series, Friday's Forgotten Books, on her blog Pattinase.


8 comments:

  1. Never heard of this author or the series, but it sounds really interesting. I might give it a try as soon as i have spare time (I don't know when that's gonna happen, considering I'm already buried deep in books)

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  2. Don't you hate when good books like these are overlooked. I'm adding that author to my wish list.

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  3. Great! Whenever you two get a chance to give this series a try, I hope you enjoy it, too!

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  4. I can't say that I have ever heard of this series. She sounds like a great character!

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  5. I've never heard of these books but they sound interesting. I always love when you can find a good series that has a bunch of books ready to go so you don't have to wait and wait!

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  6. Laura is a great character, Caite. I tend to like ones who are strong, a bit edgy, and different from the norm.

    Jenners, I couldn't agree with you more!

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  7. After NY and LA, there must be more mysteries set in Arizona than any other state. Retirement writing?

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  8. Not necessarily, Patti. They're writing about Paradise. ;-)

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