Murder on the Red River
Introducing Cash Blackbear, a young Ojibwe woman whose visions and grit help solve a brutal murder in this award-winning debut.
1970s, Red River Valley between North Dakota and Minnesota: Renee “Cash” Blackbear is 19 years old and tough as nails. She lives in Fargo, North Dakota, where she drives truck for local farmers, drinks beer, plays pool, and helps solve criminal investigations through the power of her visions. She has one friend, Sheriff Wheaton, her guardian, who helped her out of the broken foster care system.
One Saturday morning, Sheriff Wheaton is called to investigate a pile of rags in a field and finds the body of an Indian man. When Cash dreams about the dead man’s weathered house on the Red Lake Reservation, she knows that’s the place to start looking for answers. Together, Cash and Wheaton work to solve a murder that stretches across cultures in a rural community traumatized by racism, genocide, and oppression.
The series
The Cash Blackbear Mystery series immerses readers in the gritty, atmospheric world of northern Minnesota, where the complexities of identity, justice, and the human condition collide. At the heart of this captivating series is Cash Blackbear, a sharp-witted Ojibwe investigator whose quiet strength and unrelenting sense of justice make her a standout in the world of crime fiction. Cash's tenacity and deep connection to her Native American heritage drive each mystery, offering a unique blend of suspense, cultural depth, and intricate storytelling.
Read full series description
Set against the backdrop of the rugged Red River Valley, these mysteries unfold with a delicate balance of tension and reflection. Cash navigates the challenges of both the criminal world and the complex dynamics of Native American life. As she uncovers truths buried beneath layers of history and prejudice, each case pushes her toward new revelations about her own identity and the fragile boundaries between right and wrong.
The series has been lauded for its authentic portrayal of Indigenous culture, as well as its fresh approach to the crime genre. In each novel, Rendon brings forth a rich, immersive world where the past and present intertwine, and where the pursuit of justice is often as much about confronting personal demons as it is about solving the crime at hand. With a distinctive voice that combines mystery with powerful social commentary, the Cash Blackbear Mystery series is more than just a collection of whodunits—it’s an exploration of the untold stories of Native communities, a window into the complex relationships that shape them, and a testament to the resilience of those who fight for what is right.
Whether solving murders, uncovering long-buried secrets, or challenging the societal structures that influence every case, Cash Blackbear’s journey is one of discovery and determination. For those looking for a series that blends gripping mysteries with profound cultural insight, A Cash Blackbear Mystery offers a deeply rewarding experience that leaves readers both satisfied and thoughtful long after the last page is turned.
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