Life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation is challenging for the vast majority of its residents. When bad things happen, the Feds don't always ensure justice prevails. That's where Virgil Wounded Horse comes in, meting out justice with his fists (and feet) in exchange for a few dollars. But when interlopers bring hard drugs to the Rez, Virgil is moved to take action without remuneration. For all the problems faced by the indigenous people of Rosebud - poverty, depression, oppression - there is also much beauty and dignity in the customs and proud heritage.. This is a great addition to the social justice fiction bookshelf.

When I got to the end of this debut thriller, I could not help but hope that a follow-up was in the works. The setting and characters pulled me into the story from the beginning and I would love to spend more time in this world if this becomes a series. Even if this remains a standalone, I hope to read more novels by this author that are set in South Dakota and offer similar insights to life on the Rosebud Reservation. This novel is a gritty one, but if you like mysteries with a noir flavor, add this one to your TBR list today and pick up a copy as soon as possible. This modern noir feels both familiar and fresh, and is action-packed from start to finish.

The main character, Virgil Wounded Horse, is the local enforcer on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Virgil delivers justice on behalf of those whom the American legal system has failed. When the story opens, we meet Virgil waiting in front of a bar to mete out justice to a powerful local man who abused a young girl. Virgil's waived his usual fee for the opportunity to kick this guy's butt pro bono. The school system fears retaliation, so vigilante justice appears to be the only option for the family in ensuring that this man gets what he deserves. The confrontation between Virgil and the scumbag gives the reader a feel for the type of person Virgil is and the ride he's going to take the reader on.

When heroin finds its way to the reservation and his teen nephew, Nathan, Virgil's vigilantism becomes very personal very quickly. He enlists the help of an ex-girlfriend, Marie Short Bear, to determine the source of the heroin that is threatening the community and to cut it off before it becomes an even bigger problem. Marie's father is an influential tribal councilman and is closely following Virgil's investigation. History, politics, and complex legalities all factor into the race to stop a drug cartel from gaining a foothold in the reservation.

The author's note and acknowledgements are must reads. Although this was a work of fiction, I liked how the author wove in real elements of life on the Rosebud Reservation, including the fact that private enforcers like Virgil actually exist, and how felony crimes committed on Native lands are prosecuted (or not). I also appreciated how much care the author took in presenting aspects of Lakota spirituality as part of the story. I felt that added another dimension to both the story and Virgil.

This review was based on the advanced digital copy I received via NetGalley. Many thanks to Ecco/Harper Collins for the early look at this exceptional debut novel!

Lakota winter counts are documents of recorded history. "Usually drawn on buffalo skins or deer hide, Lakota winter counts are comprised of pictographs organized in spiral or horizontal rows...Waniyeti is the Lakota word for year, which is measured from first snow to first snow".
-Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

"By federal law, tribal police couldn't prosecute any federal crimes that happened on the rez. A murder on the rez in 1880's...the killer was banished, but not jailed...upset by the Native way of justice...a law [was passed] taking away our right to punish our own people". On Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, Virgil Wounded Horse is a vigilante for hire, an enforcer. In Virgil's words, "I'd been hired to beat the hell out of Guv Yellowback [gym teacher] by the father of the little girl at the school. He had raped her. The school had refused to take any action. Tribal police couldn't do anything."

Virgil Wounded Horse, half-Lakota, was adrift, caught between two cultures. "I didn't feel any mystical bond with the rez...unpaved roads and our falling-down houses...good kids, decent kids-got involved with drugs and crime...there was nothing for them to do here...why not leave...get a job and make a clean break...putting aside Native ways and assimilating...the sound of the drummers at a powwow, the smell of wild sage...could I ever really leave the reservation?...".

Virgil was a reformed alcoholic. He lived with his fourteen year old nephew, Nathan. Nathan's mother had died in a car accident. "I'd quit drinking for good. The money I saved would pay for Nathan's college". Like most teenagers, Nathan had become secretive, more distant...tragedy strikes...Nathan overdoses on heroin, a free "hit" made available to him.

Virgil's ex-girlfriend, Marie, was the daughter of Ben Short Bear, a candidate for Tribal President. Marie's parents were upwardly mobile, sought prestige. Marie was expected to reach for the stars, become a doctor...her parent's dream. She'd attended tribal college studying Lakota language and culture. She currently worked for the commodity food program. Marie was learning how to prepare indigenous, healthy cuisine.

A sweep of Nathan's school locker...an arrest...possible long term jail sentence. Ben Short Bear wanted Virgil to "take out" those instrumental in bringing heroin to the reservation. He offers Virgil a substantial payday for "setting Rick Crow straight". Removing drugs has now become personal for Virgil, with Nathan's life in the balance. Marie insists on working with him and has ideas of her own where to find and how to handle Rick and other suppliers.

"Winter Counts" by David Heska Wanbli Weiden is a character driven crime thriller, a debut by Weiden, an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota nation. This fast-paced, gritty tome involves the collaboration of the FBI, the Tribal police and Virgil, who is determined to clear Nathan of wrongdoing. Support from Marie Short Bear and many secondary players was invaluable. These players were well characterized.

Virgil felt that Native traditions-the ceremonies, prayers, teaching- were empty rituals... but"...one day, the words my mother used to say finally came to me...Wakan Tanka nici un. May the Creator guide you".

This reader anxiously awaits the next offering in the series with Virgil Wounded Horse. Highly recommended!

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I generally don't read crime fiction, but I'm trying to read more books by BIPOC and seeing that the author came from the IAIA MFA program was enough for me to give it a chance. The story is incredibly engrossing. It took me awhile to get into it, but I read the second half in one sitting without putting it down. It's a very Lakota story, and does a good job explaining things for non-Indigenous folk but also doesn't feel the need to translate every word or phrase in Lakota for a white audience. I was briefly concerned about the Lakota mythology that is depicted, as I know other Indigenous authors have been criticized for sharing too much private information even when they are discussing their own people and customs. However, there is an author's note in the back that explains his approach to writing about Lakota spirituality and ceremonies that is well thought out and gave me confidence that he had done his due diligence on the subject.
I recommend this book, even if you aren't interested in crime fiction. It's a real ride.

A gripping crime thriller! Could not put it down.
Virgil Wounded Horse is an enforcer on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. When heroin begins showing up on the reservation and becomes a problem for his nephew, he takes matters into his own hands and begins an investigation. Thus begins the gripping tale of Virgil's tracking of the criminal elament and while linking the pieces together, faces his own demons and works to reclaim his Native identity.

The story feels very real - incorporating Native American history, FBI crime units, while maintaining a warm human interest story of romance of a former girlfriend. I highly recommend the book!

"Winter counts were the calendar system used by the Lakota, but they weren't like modern ones. I'd loved the little pictures in the calendars, each image showing the most significant event from the past year.

If you are a lover of slow burning, character driven crime fiction, please halt your scroll and immediately add Winter Counts to your 2020 TBR. I know that time and money are limited resources for many readers these days, but I highly recommend planning ahead and making this book a priority if it is within your realm of reading preferences. As a privileged white woman, I'm always actively seeking out books beyond my personal scope of experience, and it's surprisingly hard to find Indigenous crime fiction written by Indigenous authors! This debut blew my expectations out of the water, and managed to provide an educational experience to readers unfamiliar with Indigenous, and more specifically Lakota, ways, while also throwing out a gripping, heart-pounding plot.

"Back in the time before Columbus, there were only Indians here, no skyscrapers, no automobiles, no streets. Of course, we didn't use the words Indian or Native American then; we were just people. We didn't know we were supposedly drunks or lazy or savages. I wondered what it was like to live without that weight on your shoulders, the weight of the murdered ancestors, the stolen land, the abused children, the burden every Native person carried."

Winter Counts introduces us to Virgil Wounded Horse, a bit of a pariah within the perimeters of his reservation, but also a man with skills that the other residents find necessary. Virgil is the person you call when the American government has failed you; when the FBI chooses not to prosecute those committing rape, abuse, theft, and murder on Indigenous land, you hire Virgil as muscle to deliver the justice you are owed. When word spreads that someone has been selling heroin on the reservation and local teenagers are overdosing, one of the council members hires Virgil to take care of the problem. Teaming up with his ex-girlfriend, Virgil decides to take on the case when the epidemic hits too close to home.

While the mystery behind the drug problem is certainly engaging and entertaining, I found the real beauty of this story is the deep look we get into Virgil and his demons. As a biracial man, he isn't fully excepted into his community, but also isn't awarded the privilege associated with the half of him that is white either. This struggle of finding belonging in a world that had been stacked against him is peppered throughout the criminal investigation, but these personal touches are clearly what makes the story shine bright amongst a sea of mundane mysteries. There are even prejudices within the reservation, classism and elitism and privilege based on your family, and Virgil also deals with past loss, a faith that has failed him, and religion tied into cultural practice and beliefs.

I don't want to give anything away, but the way that this story wrapped up was beautiful and tinged with just the right amount of bittersweet sadness. As I am unsure if this is truly a standalone, or the beginning of a new series, I will say that I would follow Virgil on future adventures if the author so chose to create them. Highly, highly recommended!!

Justice does not come readily on the reservation. Crimes often go unsolved and criminals unpunished. It is up to the hired enforcer to ensure reprisal. Virgil Wounded Horse is one such enforcer. Bullied in childhood, he has become a force to be feared, abandoning all tribal ways. Nathan, the nephew he is raising, becomes embroiled in the drug life that is seeping onto the reservation. Virgil must make difficult decisions in order to save his deceased sister’s child, even if it means returning to tribal rituals. David Heska Wanbli Weiden writes a gripping thriller but, even more important, exposes the injustices heaped on Native Americans and offers the reader a glimpse into the daily life and needs of this people.

There is no justice, only vengeance. In the gap left between the tribal council and the federal government stands Virgil Wounded Horse.
As he hunts down the people bringing heroin onto the reservation, he starts piecing together a much larger puzzle.

This book is a must read for anyone who has never set foot on a reservation. And a reminder of home for anyone who has left.

David Heska Wanbli Weiden tells the story of the reservation as only one who has been there can. This story took me home and reminded me of things that I had allowed myself to forget. This is the first book that I have read by this author. It will not be the last.

#WinterCounts #NetGalley

Winter Counts caught my attention on page one. I love the idea for this book, a Native American paid vigilante getting justice for his people when the law won't. Virgil is a solid lead character to lead a long storied series. I was a little disappointed when the story veered off and Virgil had to deal with the cops instead dishing out his own punishments but the story is still solid entertainment. Virgil is still tough as nails and delivers plenty of satisfying fists to the faces of the bad guys. With unexpected twists and plenty of action, the story is an exciting read and I am excited to see future adventures with Virgil. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc.
I originally chose to read this because I honestly wanted to read more diverse books and the premise of the story seemed interesting. During this pandemic, I had read a lot of books and was (sort of still in) a reading slump. I thought this book would help me get out of it.
Instead, I found this book to be average to me. My main problem with the novel was the pacing of the story. It felt slow for me and the story was not that interesting. I DNF at about 20% into the story.
I hope this doesn't discourage the author because it simply was not my cup of tea. I hope others will enjoy it.

I enjoyed reading this book overall. It tells the story of a Native American living on a reservation. Not knowing much about life on the reservations, I found several of the actual statements made in the book depressing and disturbing since they were true. I assume that is what the writer wants the reader to feel. I thought the writer did a good job of character development especially with the main character. Occasionally, some native American terms were used but their meaning was not explained.

This is a powerful debut novel, Winter Counts, by Sicangu Lakota author David Heska Wanbli Weiden. It is an entertaining, humorous, endearing and well-written crime novel. Both the characters and the setting were wonderful. Virgil Wounded Horse is the local enforcer on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. When justice is denied by the American legal system or the tribal council, Virgil is hired to deliver his own punishment, the kind that’s hard to forget. But when heroin makes its way into the reservation and finds Virgil’s nephew, his vigilantism suddenly becomes personal. He enlists the help of his ex-girlfriend and sets out to learn where the drugs are coming from, and how to make them stop. If you love gritty crime fiction, honest portrayals of Native American reservation life, and vigilante justice, this book is a great first in a series.

I read this book because I thought it would be a different kind of mystery/thriller and it was. The location of the story on the Rosebud reservation alone is different. Winter Counts takes a different approach and focuses on the present day tragic issues of the Lakota: substance abuse, cultural destruction and isolation. I did find the dialogue somewhat stilted and in places too long, but other than that it was a great weekend read. If you are interested in learning about the Lakota and still have a fast, exciting story I would recommend trying this book out.

This "crime thriller" is honest and thoughtful, and it doesn't pull any punches when it comes to complex interpersonal and spiritual challenges. Everyone depicted in this book is so human, and their motivations were raw and believable (for the most part). There were times that were so tense, I read a little faster just to hurry and find out if everything was going to be okay!

My favorite parts were actually the brief flashes into Virgil Wounded Knee's past. Things he had seen, things he had done, things that he couldn't escape...beautifully written and hauntingly vivid. Justice and injustice are around every corner throughout this thrilling novel. Virgil tried so hard to balance the Lakota way, the wasicu way, and his own way.

I was so close to giving this novel five stars because it is beautiful and unique for a crime thriller, But my cutoff between four and five stars basically boils down to "if you're into this genre, read it!" and "I don't care who you are, everyone should read it!" So if you like crime, or thrillers, or anti-heroes, or suspense, or unique voices, then this is a book you should not miss this year.

On a lighter note, I also loved the little local touches - it's not every day you read a novel that mentions Carhenge and Runza!

<i>Winter Counts</i> is a really fine example of a mystery novel that is definitely rougher around the edges than a pure cozy, but doesn't rely on shock value. Fans of Craig Johnson's Longmire, Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak, and Jane Harper's Aaron Falk series will be really pleased with this first entry in what will hopefully become a series following Virgil Wounded Horse. Virgil is an enforcer (or, in less polite terms, a "hired thug") on the Rosebud Reservation. He steps in when justice isn't provided by the tribal systems or the federal law enforcement, such as when abusers of women and children are left free to continue harming women and children on the reservation. It is a rough life, without much respect, but its good enough for Virgil. Until Virgil's teenage nephew, Nathan, gets tangled up in drugs and the police. As Nathan's guardian and almost only remaining relative, Virgil is responsible for Nathan and feels the responsibility with great seriousness, even as he has no idea what to do or how to move forward. The novel then focuses on Virgil's efforts to take care of Nathan and help him through these difficult and scary times. Shit goes down from there.

The actual mystery element of <i>Winter Counts</i> is a touch predictable, but that's okay. The standout element is Virgil's emotional journey. Throughout the book Virgil learns how to trust himself, his friends, and his community. Integral to this is his experience as a Native person who has witnessed his people, both in the immediate sense and the more abstract sense, be maligned and deeply hurt. Additionally, we see how Virgil's sense of identity has felt contested, complicated and unsure. There's a real sense of fraught growth, and that, imo, establishes a firmer ground for an ongoing series than a real unpredictable novel with meh characterization.

For me its somewhere between a three and a four, but is still a firm recommendation especially for readers who value characterization first and foremost.

When the Rosebud Reservation’s resident vigilante fixer Virgil Wounded Horse finds out that heroin is starting to be pushed, it’s not long until the new threat suddenly sweeps up his own teenage nephew. Suddenly he is drawn into a tangle of federal agents, Denver-based drug gangs, local crooks, and tribal politicians, with not a lot of time for him to try and find some measure of justice for his family in a world that has long treated people like himself with anything but any fairness.

I’m not normally one for thriller-mystery reads, but I found myself fast drawn into this story. The plot was gripping, but often this took second place to what really made “Winter Counts” stand out - a deep delve into reservation life, and the internal debate many Native Americans face over just what it means to be an indigenous American today. And given that author David Heseka Wanbill Weidan is Sicangu Lakota, I can rest assured that he’s provided accurate (and resultingly heart-rending) portrayals of both wrapped up inside this fast-paced tale of drugs and vigilantism.

Virgil Wounded Horse is the man people turn to on the Rosebud Reservation when they can't get justice through federal law enforcement, which ignores nearly all crimes short of murder. For a price, he'll provide the punishment the courts won't. When his teenage nephew becomes embroiled in a drug scandal, Virgil makes it his mission to find out where the drugs are coming from and stop them from getting onto the reservation. Along the way he has to confront and come to terms with his Native identity.

Though a work of fiction, Winter Counts is an eye-opening glimpse into life on a Native American reservation in the 21st century. The book is well-plotted with a great cast of characters. The mystery and action pull the reader through the story. A great read for any thriller fans or fans of the movie Wind River.

Wow this book is so good and gripping and gritty and GOOD. I haven't finished it yet but it's gonna be a 5 star review from me. Winter Counts is coming out in August, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an #ownvoices Native American read. Virgil Wounded Horse is the resident fixer for his reservation in South Dakota; what federal and local law enforcement won't do for his community, he will--be it protection, investigation, or punishment. When his reservation becomes inundated with heroin and he learns it's being dealt from the local high school, with his young nephew being caught in the middle, Virgil goes on a journey to bring the individuals responsible to justice and try to find some peace to his people.
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Virgil is an awesome anti-hero, and the commentaries running throughout this novel regarding gentrification, capitalism, and the oppression and simultaneous white-washing and commodification (just go with it, k?) of Native American people are so on point and powerful. This is @wanbliweiden 's debut fiction novel (he has also written a biography of the Lakota leader Spotted Tail) and I cannot wait to read whatever comes next. As always thank you to @netgalley and @harpercollins for this ARC.

Great Book! Fast paced - easy read - page turning mystery.

Well developed characters trying to solve a crime while living within the confines of life on the reservation.

Virgil Wounded Horse is known around the Rosebud Indian Reservation as someone that can unofficially fix problems. He doesn’t necessarily like doling out punishment, but he finds he has a skill that is in need. When the nephew he is raising overdoses on Heroin Virgil decides to find out how the drugs are coming into the Reservation and putting a stop to it. This is good storytelling and you too may be surprised to learn how the drugs are being brought in to the Reservation.