HEYOKA BLOOD
HEWITT SCHLERETH
ISBN: 0-373-26556-5
February 2006
Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
225 Duncan Mills Rd., Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9
Paperback
$5.99
250 Pages
Mystery
Rating: 3 Cups

First, just a little information from the front of the book. “Heyoka is a small oil-producing American Indian nation in coastal New England. Governance is traditionally entirely female… It consists of a mainland portion and three islands: Arkady, Eskar and Flyaway. The word Heyoka is said to mean The Strong Woman.”

Hadrian Wallace lives aboard his boat in the Arkady Island Marina, dock A. The mystery begins when a friend, Tom, comes aboard to report something spooky floating in the water. Although Hadrian is certain the blob that Tom spied is nothing more than drifting garbage, Tom’s insistence prompts Hadrian to bring out his binoculars. The two huddle on the boat’s bow trying to decipher what the mass could be, but in the end, they row out in a dinghy to discover a bloated and almost unrecognizable body. If not for the strawberry mark on her neck, Hadrian would not have known it was Ann Summerlune, an old friend and past lover.

Hadrian’s peaceful days of writing and inspecting boats for an insurance company ends with Ann’s demise. Although her death is ruled accidental, Hadrian starts to piece together suspicious events in Ann’s final days—her regretful marriage, activities that involved her in the local oil reserves, and even something as minute as the fact that she had her sock on the wrong foot. Ann was an impeccable dresser and she would never switch her red and green socks in the familiar garb she wore at the time of her death. His quest for evidence leads him on a path that may mean danger for him, as well.

Heyoka Blood by Hewitt Schlereth was quite a different read for me. I expected something more of the American Indian lore but instead found quite an encompassing mystery. Mr. Schlereth did a fine job of drawing me into the story, but shortly thereafter, I got lost amidst the myriad of characters and what role they played in the story. I had to go back and read parts over to totally understand what the author was trying to tell me, but that could just be my own comprehensive issues. I am still not clear on how the all female governance came into play or affected the story. The book was written in a very descriptive manner and despite my lack of total involvement in the storyline, I still recognize an accomplished author when I read one. If you enjoy mystery, boats and an exciting conclusion, then Heyoka Blood will fill the bill for you.

Brett Scott
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About Books