The Knotted Strings by Jake Page

Mo Bowdre #3

by Jake Page

The movie in progress is based on a historical event, a Native American victory over Spanish invaders. But some Indians deeply resent the movie company's filming on tribal land. Shooting has just begun when a deadly real-life scenario rapidly eclipses the one slated for the the man who leased the Santo Esteban Pueblo to Hollywood suddenly dies, and the leading man is murdered.Blind sculptor Mo Bowdre, whose beautiful Hopi girlfriend has a small role in the movie, is fascinated. Who are the players and what are the stakes? Finding the answer tests Mo's inner vision to its limits.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

Hardcover

First published February 7, 1995

About the author

Jake Page was a celebrated editor, science writer, and novelist who made complex topics accessible through wit and clarity. Though he never studied science formally, his role editing Natural History Books at Doubleday sparked a lifelong passion for explaining science to general readers. As science editor and columnist at Smithsonian magazine, he wrote with elegance and humor on a wide range of subjects, from aspirin to Zane Grey. Page authored dozens of books, including works on birds, earthquakes, and Native American history. His fascination with the American Southwest led to a mystery series featuring a blind sculptor-detective. Collaborating with his wife, photographer Susanne Anderson, he produced detailed cultural studies like Hopi and Navajo. His major nonfiction achievement, In the Hands of the Great Spirit, traces 20,000 years of American Indian history. Whether exploring anthropology or writing fiction, Page championed curiosity, clarity, and the belief that science was too important to remain only in expert hands.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jake Page's mystery series set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love his hero, Mo Bowdre, a blind girl friend and his Hopi girlfriend, Connie, police detective Tony Rodriguez, and FBI Agent Collings. But especially Mo, with whom I think I'm a little bit in love with. I enjoy Pages's writing and plotting, although mostly I like the setting, characters, and scenes.

The Knotted Strings is an excellent book. It explores themes of exploitation of Native Americans, the art world of Santa Fe (although less so here than in other books), and the movie world (especially interesting in such a visual-despite its blind hero-series).

Someone is killing off the cast and crew of a movie being filmed near Santa Fe. Is it a group of activist Indians angry about sacred land being used? Is it someone with something against this movie or this director? Is it politics or greed or some combination of both?

I won't say more for fear of spoilers but I greatly recommend this book for mystery lovers and fans of New Mexico.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was something of a disappointment. I had thoroughly enjoyed "The Stolen Gods" and "The Deadly Canyon," but "The Knotted Strings" wasn't as interesting, there were extraneous characters, and the ending was decidedly flat.

[Tarn Taran]

good story, characters, new mexico mystery

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, but I thought the first two were better.