Crow Mary is the story of Goes First, a Crow woman. Covering her childhood with her family to her marriage to a white fur trader, the story follows Goes First (Crow Mary) as she experiences life – from trading posts up north to, later, reservations near where she was raised. This story is unyielding in its glimpse into prejudices against her people, but also enlightening into the ways of the Crow.

While you may have never heard of Crow Mary, the author certainly chose a fine woman to research and write about. Through intelligence, strength, and tenacity, Crow Mary managed to live and trade in a white man’s world, save Nakoda women in peril, among many other things. The novel brings to light the horrendous treatment of indigenous people.

Truly a captivating novel for readers of historical fiction!

Special thanks to the NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.

I saw this book and knew I had to read it based on the title Crow Mary. After reading the title I looked at the author and what a bonus that was, a new book, based on a real person, by Kathleen Grissom. This book was a solid 5 stars, 10 if I could rate it that.

Goes First was the name given to Crow Mary at birth by her indigenous parents who were part of the Crow Tribe. Goes First later marries Abe Farwell, a white fur trader, who changes her name to Crow Mary. Crow Mary knows nothing about this man but decides to marry him, leave her family and follow him to Canada. It takes her the entire book to figure out if he is a good man or a bad man.

I learned so much by reading this book. I learned about the Cypress Hills Massacre, and I learned about how the indigenous children were stolen from their families by the government so that they could educate them. While I knew about the treatment of Native Americans in the 1800’s, reading it solidified how horrific it was and having authors write about this time makes sure we never forget.

Crow Mary was a very courageous woman who diligently fought for what she believed in even if it risked her own life. She was a force to be reckoned with. She did whatever it took to protect the Nakota women. While I despised many of the men in this book, I did find some of the men very giving and loving. Red Fox and Burt were two of my favorite men. All the characters in the book are unforgettable.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a must read in 2023. I would love to see this made into a movie. I hope I don’t have to wait this long to read another book by Kathleen Grissom.

I truly enjoyed the story of Crow Mary. I learned so much about indigenous peoples/Native Americans in general, and about the Crow (Absaroka) nation, specifically. Even about the Mestis community - those of Native and Anglo heritage. And all of it was was presented in an interesing and easy to understand fashion.

The book essentially tells the story of Goes First, a young Crow woman who, when she marries a white trader named Abe Farwell, becomes known as Crow Mary. Hers is a fascinating story about strength, resilience, and most of all, love. I can't give away too many specifics, however, without spoiling the whole plot! Suffice it to say, I think I would have loved getting to know Crow Mary in person, if that were possible. She was strong but not fearless, moral without being sanctimonious, a hard worker, a beloved mother, and not without a sly sense of humor. Grissom brings her, and the world of her beloved Montana and Saskatchewan plains, alive.

I really have nothing critical to say about this book whatsoever - and that is unusual for me because I am usually a pretty tough reviewer! Everything was good about this book, though: the world-building, the dialogue, the character development, the plotting, the pacing, the prose...everything!

I encourage you to pick this one up at your local bookstore or library. You will not regret it.

The preceding is my honest review of the ARC and it was provided without compensation.

3.75 STARS (rounded up): I have been an ardent fan of Kathleen Grissom since reading The Kitchen House and its follow-up, Glory Over Everything many years ago. With this latest book, Grissom once again shows her skill at weaving a compelling story with historical details and focuses on a woman from history who will be new to many readers.

This story centres around the life of Goes First who is a proud member of the Crow nation. She later becomes known as Crow Mary when, as a teen, she weds a white fur trader, and they move to Canada. Life is hard and we witness their struggles and how their complicated bond grows despite their clash of cultures.

This was a slower-paced, character-focused story about Crow Mary's growth as a wife, mother, and proud Indigenous woman. The 19th century setting is a great turbulent backdrop, but despite the era and events, this was a quieter read and I was surprised that the Cypress Hill Massacre was featured only briefly in the story.

The strength of this book is in Grissom's extensive research. This story is a big undertaking and set within a culture to which Grissom does not belong. To be respectful to Crow Mary, Indigenous heritage and culture, Grissom gained permission from and collaborated with Crow Mary's descendants and received guidance from the Indigenous community, giving her story authenticity and respect the story deserves.

This is a quiet, well-researched story about a strong and resilient woman that history has forgotten. I appreciate being introduced to Crow Mary and I hope Kathleen Grissom has plans to write more historical fiction in the near future.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Atria Books for my advanced copy which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

Crow Mary is an interesting story of a young Native American girl who marries a white fur trader. She’s a fierce woman and a really strong female character based on an actual woman. The book itself felt a bit YA to me especially bc Crow Mary ks a young girl for much of the book and 16 when she marries. It felt like some things were just glossed over and I wish there actually was more deep ness and description to the writing. It just felt oddly basic and choppy. I think I’m likely a big outlier and most people will love this book but it was more just OK for me. I’m glad to know the history but the writing style was not my favorite. 3.5 stars rounding up here

An astonishing fictionalized account of a true story about a young Crow woman, Goes First, who marries a white fur trader. They move from Montana to Saskatchewan, where her husband intends to start a trading post. Along the way, her name is changed to Crow Mary. One night she witnesses a group of ne'er do well whiskey traders who murder over 40 members of a Nakota tribe and take several of their women back to a neighbouring fort. When her husband refuses to get involved, Crow Mary takes two guns, goes to the Fort and rescues the women. This sets in motion a series of events that will pit Crow Mary against a Wolfer named Stiller for many years.

This story is based on true accounts of the massacre at Cypress Hills, which spurned the Canadian government to establish the RCMP. The author writes a fantastic account of this horrific attack and does so from the female point of view. The author wrote this book with permission from Crow Mary's great-granddaughter, hoping it would bring more compassion and insight to the people in our world.

I previously read and enjoyed Kathleen Grissom's book The Kitchen House. This book was hard to put down. I believe readers who have enjoyed her writing in the past will fall in love with this fresh historical fiction of Crow Mary and her brave heart!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars out of 5
Available June 6, 2023

This was a pretty decent read overall. The author definitely took some liberties with the story but it was laid out well and easy to read. Mary was compelling to read about. If only we had more historical information on her life and that of her descendants. I would love to read a non fiction book about her life

This is historical fiction at its finest.
The time and location this book centres around was so unknown to me, but that is the wonder of this genre. To teach.
I found the language and character names rather a lot to get used to, but I was so moved and enthralled by this story, I still find myself thinking about it weeks later.
There is constant drama and I shed several tears at a few scenes.
A truly excellent book.

I remember being enveloped by The Kitchen House, so when I heard that Kathleen Grissom had a new novel - I pounced. Crow Mary is a tough novel about growing up in the late 1800’s as the United States begins to take away everything Native Americans had. Goes First is as brave as any warrior and determined to do what is right for herself and her family. It’s a hard book to read when you realize all the atrocities that were brought down on these people.

Accurate and personal Indigenous People history is sometimes difficult to find so this wonderful historical fiction novel is a great find. Taking place primarily in the Montana territory and Canada, it follows the life of a young woman member of the Crow tribe during the period of disappearing buffalo herds and the appearance of reservations as “home” for tribes. Told from the point of view Crow Mary, the story details her strength and struggle to maintain a way of life between two cultures. It is very well researched, sympathetic to the Native viewpoint, and explores the reality of Native children being forcibly taken from their parents to teach them how to be white, the effects of introducing whiskey and communicable diseases to the tribes, and the strong bonds between family members.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, Inc. for the ARC to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced e-copy of this book - publish date 6/6/23.

Goes First, a Native Crow woman, marries a white fur trader named Abe Farwell in 1872. She then becomes known as Crow Mary and struggles to find a balance between these the world of the "Yellow Eyes" and that of the Crows. She witnesses white whiskey traders murder 40 members of the Nakota tribe and assault Nakota women. Frustrated that Abe will not take any action, Crow Mary takes matters into her own hands and frees the women. The ramification from Crow Mary's action and Abe's inaction impact each of them for the remainder of their lives. Their adventure take them from Montana into Canada and back again with a cast of endearing characters and some unsavory ones. Grissom brings to light the angst of those were displaced, whose traditions were misunderstood, and whose customs were ignored. A hard but important read.

I love reading about ordinary people that lead extraordinary lives and this is one of those books! Any reader that enjoyed this author's previous books, The Kitchen House or Glory Over Everything, will undoubtedly relish this book also, even though it is not a continuation of those stories.

Crow Mary is based on the true-life story of an indigenous woman, originally known as Goes First in her Crow tribe in Montana. At sixteen years old, in 1872, she marries a white fur trader, and they travel to Saskatchewan, Canada to establish a trading post. While longing to return to her family and her native roots, Crow Mary must acclimate to her new surroundings and a seismic cultural shift in her life. As this story follows her through the decades of her life, I was astounded by Mary's strength, courage, determination and resilience, as well as her deep and abiding love for her family.

This was a fresh, creative, adventurous story that immediately grabbed my full attention and didn't let go. I will definitely be recommending it over and over again. My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: June 6, 2023.

Wow! This book blew me away. I am speechless. An excellent historical fiction novel that kept me on the edge of my seat, and educated me on the culture of some Native American tribes, and their lives when coming into contact with the settles that kept expanding into their land. This gorgeously written historical thriller was amazing. It was absolutely lovely! Think Kate Quinn or Michelle Moran - that level of quality of writing. There are so many historical fiction books in the market nowadays, but this one stands out from the rest because of its unique setting and the wonderful atmosphere of the novel. Every phrase was poetry, and the descriptions were so vivid it was like I was there. It short, it was unputdownable.
This book was everything I had been wanting and missing. Excellent dialogue, solid world building, an independent, likeable heroine. I just savored each page and was very sorry when it ended. I will definitely be buying this book in print! TEN STARS!

Crow Mary is the story of a native Crow woman who marries a white fur trader, Abe Farwell. We get to see what her life is like when she leaves her tribe and travels to Canada to help her husband establish a trading post. While there, what today is called The Cypress Hill Massacre occurs —- when a group of American wolf hunters attacked and kill a group of Nakoda who were camping there.

One thing I love about Kathleen Grissom is that she takes her time to research a topic and then writes one hell of a story that sticks with you.

For me, this was an emotional read. The tragedies that so many encountered and endured so that we could become who we are today shouldn’t easily be dismissed. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys American history.

I read a lot of novels set in the West so it felt a little like I already know this story but the pace picked up in the middle of the book and the ending was satisfying. Recommended if you are looking for a historical novel that's not WWII.

4.5 stars

I love HF when it’s based on real people from the past. Such is the case with this book.

It's 1872 when 16 year old, Goes First marries Abe Farwell. One is a Crow Native woman, and the other a white fur trader. What follows is Mary‘s journey (her name was changed) to Saskatchewan. Its at their trading post where everything changes. Told from her point of you, she tells what her life is like, from her strong friendship with a Métis woman, to her marriage, and of obstacles and tragedies she faces along the way. Yes I did Google Crow Mary and love how the author stayed true to history.

Crow Mary is a sad piece of Canadian history along with the repercussions that follows Mary and Abe. It’s a past that doesn’t let go many, many snows later. What’s happens to the Crow people is sad, I felt many emotions reading the last half of this book.

The author notes tells how the author has been researching Crow Mary’s story since 2000, it definitely shows in her writing. So glad I read this, it’s a story that will stay with me.

Crow Mary hits bookshelves on June 6th.

My thanks to Atria Books (via NetGalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

First of all, I’ll state up front that I’m not getting into the debate about white people writing stories about people of colour and/or people from different cultures. It’s an important topic and one that’s addressed in Kathleen Grissom’s note at the end of the book and in the forward, written by Nedra Farwell Brown, Crow Mary’s great-granddaughter. The topic is too big and important for me to delve into in a short book review, even if I were capable of adding anything meaningful to the discussion.

On to the review…

I loved both Grissom’s earlier novels, The Kitchen House and Glory Over Everything, so I was excited when I heard about this new one. The story of Crow Mary — also called Goes First — did not disappoint. What an amazing woman she was! Courageous and determined, resourceful and resilient. No wonder Grissom was compelled to write about her! And the result is a wonderfully engaging novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A member of the Crow tribe, at the age of 16, Goes First marries a white fur trader, Abe Farwell, in 1872. Needless to say, despite Farwell’s mostly good intentions, it’s hard for Crow Mary to straddle two cultures — and even more difficult after the couple have children.

A central event in the novel — which is in the book description, so this isn’t a spoiler — is the massacre of a group of Nakota by drunken white whisky traders and hunters in a nearby fort. Warriors, elders, women, and children were murdered. (This was a real event. The Cypress Hills Massacre in what’s now Saskatchewan, Canada.) When her husband refuses to intervene, Mary takes her two revolvers, creeps into the fort, and rescues some Nakota women who are being raped by some of the murderers.

Throughout the book, the reader experiences a broad range of emotions. We admire and love Crow Mary; we empathize with her struggles and triumphs. We’re first wary of her husband, then we cautiously like him, then we pity him. However, the strongest emotion elicited is anger. Anger at the whites’ dangerous sense of superiority, despite the obvious failures of their (our, my) society and culture.

I’m so glad to have read this story about Goes First/Crow Mary and look forward to learning more about her and the related history. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend picking up this novel.

3.5 I was so happy to read another book by Kathleen Grissom after The Kitchen House series. I enjoyed this book but it was missing the same tension and umph that her prior books had. I hate writing this because I liked Crow Mary as a character, but her story need something that I just can't put my finger on.
Maybe it was the timing when I read it but who knows.

Formal review and links to come.

Beautiful and heartbreaking story

While this book focused on Goes First, later known as Crow Mary, a proud Crow woman, it is an historical account of the West and the terrible atrocities the white man committed against the Indians. According to the author’s notes, Mary and her family were real, while some of the encounters were fictional.

I’ve learned some of the Indian history over the years as my father was very interested and well-read in the subject. It’s hard to imagine how anyone, much less a 16-36 year old woman could survive what she went through over those 20 years, but she did. Mary was smart enough to know that whiskey was deadly, yet she couldn’t convince her husband Abe to stop drinking.

This was a beautiful story and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This book was a very interesting read. I enjoyed all of the cultural references and view points. The characters were well defined and the settings equally interesting.