Member Reviews

This was a great thriller and mystery featuring the MMIW movement which is important for teens to read about. I thought the characters were well done and I felt like the POVs were well done.

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This isn’t a happy story. In fact, it’s deeply sad. But it is so incredibly well written with wholly developed characters and important dialogue that I couldn’t help by rate it five stars. There are trigger warnings aplenty to be aware of when diving into this novel. I saw it was now a Reese Witherspoon book club pick so it will definitely get a ton of traction. I’m glad to know this will open the door for more people to understand the challenges Indigenous people experience, in particular related to MMIWG.

I loved the characters and their different quirks and intricacies. I loved Mara’s inner dialogue about what it means to be Blackfeet even though she didn’t grow up within the culture.

There’s so much with this book that was done so well, even through the sensitive topics and the immense sadness of the story. I would definitely read more from K.A. Cobell.

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I found this story thoroughly captivating, particularly impressed by the author's ability to immerse readers in Blackfeet culture. The narrative opens with the annual Indian Days celebration, a multi-day festival that highlights the tribe's rich cultural traditions. I was immediately drawn into the powwow, where the vivid descriptions of the dancers and the lively atmosphere painted a striking picture of the festivities.

The story is told from the perspectives of four teenagers: Maura, Loren, Eli, and Brody. As the plot unfolds, readers will find themselves suspecting each character, along with various supporting figures. The unfolding mystery maintained my intrigue, keeping me guessing about the identity of the culprit until the near conclusion. I appreciate when a narrative skillfully conceals the resolution without leaving the reader feeling deprived of essential information, and this book accomplishes that masterfully.

While fictional, this work addresses pressing issues faced by the Native American community, including the phenomenon of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, drug abuse, violence, and systemic flaws within the justice system. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it. It is suitable for teen readers due to the absence of graphic content, yet I believe it will resonate with audiences of all ages. Overall, this was an engaging read, and I would certainly recommend it to others.

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A powerful, emotional, and gripping book that brings more awareness and attention to an incredibly important issue.

Even though I don’t live in the US, as a Canadian living on Treaty 7 land, which is traditionally land belonging to the Blackfeet, the setting of this story felt like home, and the story itself of girls going missing is one we don’t hear enough about.

Once this book got going, I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened to those girls because feeling those emotions from their friends and families made me so invested.

Everyone should read this book and learn more about Mossing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

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Read for Book Committee 2024 (DNF - 0 - 1 - 2)
Rep: Indigenous (Blackfeet) - Canadian
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
4 different POV’s can be hard to keep straight for me but after I made a little chart of how everyone was connected I was able to follow along. I also listened to the audiobook and so appreciate the effort of casting 4 different voice actors, it really added a lot to the story! I did not guess who did everything but the ending was as fulfilling as it could be with a story like this one. It was well written, I liked the podcast episodes that added a different voice/perspective to the reading of the book and allowed the author to give some basic statistical information. It touches on tough topics such as MMIW ( Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women), the immense poverty some people face when living on reservations and the people struggling with substance use disorder (such as Eli & Cherie’s dad).

I really liked the authors note where Cobell talks about wondering if this was her story to tell, as a fellow biracial person It can be hard feeling like you are taking up space knowing that so many others dont get the opportunity to tell our stories. Her inclusion of Mara and how that character somewhat mirrored her own experience as a biracial indigenous woman helped tell the story from a genuine place.

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Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with an eARC of Looking for Smoke in exchange for my honest review!

I had a solid time with this YA mystery as it navigates the topics of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the fractured nature of our legal system. These are themes that speak to plenty of the injustice in our world, and it adds a devastating facet to the journey. Some parts of the plot do move along more slowly than I'd like, but I'm still generally compelled by this tale and the numerous POVs it includes. Props to the eye-catching cover design, too.

Overall, I'm officially rating Looking for Smoke 3.5 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding down to 3 stars.

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This book was so extraordinary. I meant to review it earlier and completely forgot, but it's the type of book that haunts you. I bought an extra copy as a gift, it's that powerful.

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This was a great indigenous thriller! Loved the whodunnit trope! The audiobook was a great experience for the read! Especially the newscasts!

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I was only 5% into this book when I knew it was going to be one of my best books of the year. For a debut author Cobell has mastered the craft of writing. The way her descriptions immediately put you right into the scene. Whether it was something happy and celebratory during the dancing or the horror of the final scenes. It was all done so incredibly well.

The statistics in this book of the MMIW, while something I already knew, really add impact to the story. I think adding the touch of the podcast element to the story was a nice choice. It gave Cobell the space to really tell the reader about both the MMIW and the Two Feather Project in a way that didn’t feel out of place and also gave us regular insights into the “unknown” character’s POV. I will definitely need another read through to see how many people I think the “unknown” character actually refers to but I know it’s more than one.

The villain reveals in the back half of this book felt so emotionally draining. Getting to know these characters and their backstory and really just having this empathy for them and then learning how everyone fell into place with the crimes was heartbreaking as a reader. When you’re reading about these people and really feeling for them and then to see the kind of people they truly are, it’s a betrayal even though it’s fictional.

I also like that we didn’t get all the answers. There were still questions about some of the crimes and some of the people’s involvement. Not having everything wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end definitely lends to the way this book feels real.

I cannot recommend the author’s note enough. Just hearing from Cobell and how she was able to weave real people and experiences into the story added to the real feel of it all. And if you’ve made it this far and you haven’t read the book, I do recommend that you both pick it up and do some research on the Missing & Murdered Indigenous women in both the US and Canada.

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Looking for Smoke is a well-written debut novel by K.A. Cobell. This YA mystery, told through multiple POVs, follows a group of teens as they try to solve their friend's murder. The story also highlights the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in Indigenous communities.

While I found the mystery well-crafted, the numerous characters and perspectives made the story difficult to follow at times. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been told from a single perspective. With so many viewpoints, it was also challenging to connect with any of the characters fully. Despite this, I liked the writing and the mystery, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

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The novel is a YA mystery where a group of teenagers work together to solve the mystery of their friend's murder. However, it also delves into more complex themes, exploring the neglect of the Indigenous population and shedding light on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) group. The story is narrated from several different perspectives, including Mara, Loren, Brody, Eli, and an "Unknown" viewpoint. Each perspective offers a unique angle, adding layers of complexity to the narrative and creating uncertainty about the real culprit.

The book is a beautifully written debut that follows a group of teenagers dealing with the trauma of discovering their friend murdered, following the disappearance of another friend a few months earlier. The story is set against the backdrop of the Blackfeet reservation in Montana, with the Big Sky and mountains providing a scenic setting. The main character is Mara, who is considered an "outsider" as she did not grow up on the reservation, despite being part of the Blackfeet community through her father. Mara struggles to fit in, but after the disappearance of Ray Bear, Loren tries to befriend Mara and involves her in a giveaway honoring her grandfather.

Mara's struggle to make friends and find her place in the community is a central part of the story. Loren is dealing with her sister's disappearance and the murder of her best friend while feeling let down by the police's efforts to solve these cases. Brody is depicted as a typical teenage boy, worried about the murdered and missing friend and dealing with unrequited feelings for a girl he likes. Eli, on the other hand, is unexpectedly thrust into a parental role for his little sister due to his unreliable father. The town also grapples with a drug problem, which has affected many families.

Overall, the story is filled with heartfelt portrayals of the characters and their struggles, making it a compelling read that delves into important social issues.

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"She will not be silenced."
I've read close to eighty books so far in 2024 and this book, Looking for Smoke, by debut author K.A. Cobell is the one that just grabs me. What a masterful story. The author has taken a hugely serious topic, the horrendous facts of mistreatment, murder and vanishing of indigenous women and created a believable story that demonstrates to the reader what families, friends and communities live with.
I want to thank Harper Collins Books/Heartdrum for my e-copy of this book. I was not required to review the book, but it is an honor to do so. I must say that K.A. Cobell is an author to watch. The murder mystery is excellent. The look into the world of Blackfeet traditions and life itself is so interesting. The beauty of storytelling in dance is intriguing. I just loved this novel.
Told in the voices of four main characters the story moves chapter by chapter filling in the fear for a missing family member, the search, the initial failure of law enforcement and more. A registered member of the Blackfeet Nation, the author takes us to the reservation near Glacier National Park. She lets her characters tell the story which makes it more meaningful. Her introduction of educating readers about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, the stolen sisters, is genius in my mind. I really appreciate how she includes facts, still letting characters tell the story.
The main characters, Mara, the new and seemingly unwanted student at school, Loren whose sister is missing, Eli First Kill a young man with a secret and friend, Brody Clark tell the story. Loren's grandmother Geraldine is a striking character too.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about MMIW and the reality of what is taking place in this country and Canada. It is heartbreaking. Teens, young adults, women, read this book.
Slang language

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This book was so interesting, I had a hard time putting it down. It kept me guessing until the very end! The characters and scene development was great. I was right there throughout the book like a fly on the wall.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the tribes. I know that drum beat in my heart which helped me glimpse the scenes at the pow wow.

The author will be someone I will follow to get to read more of her work!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for giving me this ARC copy for review. This review is my honest review of this book.

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4.5 - Wow! What a powerful debut. I can’t wait to see what other works this author has for us.

I couldn’t put this book down. I was engaged with the characters and the story the whole time. The author did a fantastic job of integrating the very real issue of MMIW into a book that brings awareness and the frustrations that are felt by Indigenous people with these cases.

The author does a fantastic job introducing us to each character through the use of multiple POV. The writing is fantastic and easy to read. I did not feel there were any dips or lulls in the story and I was guessing each time who the actual killer could be.

As this book deals with a very real issue, please be mindful when reading.

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I really, really loved this book. It was so well written, I was totally engaged throughout. I thought the characters were really well done. I was completely invested in the story.

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Cobell sheds light on the harrowing reality that indigenous women face. The rate of missing and murdered indigenous women is higher than any other demographic. With characters that jump off the page and a mystery that grips you and keeps you tuning the page Looking for Smoke accomplishes to be a great story. It's an important one too. Mara, Loren, Eli, and Brody all suffer when tragedy strikes their community. Mara as the new girl had been hoping to make friends when Samantha a friend of Loren and complicated histories with Eli and Brody dies they are all made suspects as they were the last people seen with her. Together they work to unravel the mystery of her death.

I really enjoyed the way the characters grew closer together as they investigated the death of Samantha. Loren's missing sister was heart wrenching to read about. Her anger was righteous and it motivated her to keep digging when the tribal police and the FBI were coming up empty handed. That bit of hope that a missing persons unresolved case brings was so hard for her to deal with while she also held feelings of guilt. Eli and his secrets were so interesting to follow. His cold exterior was softened by his love for his sister. He was truly devoted to taking care of her. Brody annoyed me most of the book. Mara dealing with being the new girl and her less than warm welcome to the reservation was interesting to follow. Her doubt of her identity but also her conviction that she was blackfeet was so revealing of the ways we construct our identity.

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When I saw the cover, LOOKING FOR SMOKE was an immediate must-read. Then, when I read that it was a must-pick for readers of Angeline Boulley and Karen McManus, I knew it was a book for me!

K.A. Cobell’s writing captured me right away. I couldn’t wait to get to know the characters and figure out whodunit. Plus, Cobell does an excellent job of bringing attention to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement.

Reading LOOKING FOR SMOKE was unputdownable for a thriller read, but listening to the book is a fantastic experience you cannot miss! It’s a full cast audio narration that is perfectly cast, which only makes you want to listen to it more!

This is a powerful YA thriller debut you do not want to miss!

Thanks, Heartdrum and Libro.FM, for the arc and ALC!

Content warnings: murder, blood, grief, violence, missing persons, gun violence, drug abuse, abandonment, bullying, mental health issues, animal death

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YA mystery inspired by the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women movement - four Ingenious teens become persons of interest when they are the last to see Samatha alive on the Blackfeet reservation.
Thoughts :
✨Complex whodunit
✨Multiple POV with compelling backstories
✨Blackfeet Culture
✨Unique use of “smoke” woven through the story
✨Themes of b elonging, family, community, respect, and resilience
✨Awareness to MMIW
✨Full Cast Narration - highly recommend

Bottom Line: Powerful YA mystery highlighting MMIW! It’s Good! - 4 ⭐

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LOOKING FOR SMOKE is a beautiful, necessary, twisty thriller that’s perfect for YA mystery/thriller collections. Cobell sheds such an important light onto Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women via the unique, fully realized POVs in this book, and the story brims with compassion, rage, and hope all at once.

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When I see campy murder mysteries, I immediately add to cart. This one was so exception as I immediately sent a request in. Thank you so much for allowing my early access to this amazing book. It’s a short read that I devoured in one sitting.

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