3.75 stars out of 5

This pulled me in and was an easy read. I was interested in the mystery; however, I easily guessed part of the mystery from almost the beginning of the book. It also felt like they just kept throwing everyone around as suspects.

The author shone a light on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement through podcast excerpts in the book and the book’s mystery that the friend group tries to solve. The police investigation and a lot of the character actions felt unrealistic and crazy. More of the author’s focus seems to have been spent on character growth and the portrayal of life on the reservation, which I found interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend to someone wanting to read a YA mystery and willing to overlook some issues with the story line.

I was so excited for this one - it feels like novels regarding the MMIW issues are few and far between. Unfortunately, this one just fell flat for me. There were some great descriptors regarding the culture but the overlying storyline of the missing girls just wasn’t great.

Reese's choices are always really strong so I was looking forward to this one and it delivered! tysm for the arc, 4 stars.

So so good. Going into this one and knowing that one of the main four POVs could be the killer, I didn’t expect one of them to be the killer. The romance owner was sweet and loved how the characters and community came together in the end.

The last chapter also had me open-mouthed in shock.

A gripping story of a group of four teens trying to solve two mysteries, the disappearance of Loren's sister and the murder of Samantha. As they each become the focus of the investigation, secrets come out as they try to clear their names and ultimately find out what happened to their friends. Overall, an emotional story as each of the teens is dealing with their own family situations and their pursuit for the truth leads them close to home. Although this is a work of fiction, it raises awareness for the very real crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that delves into themes of loss, survival, and secrets buried in a small town. The story follows the protagonist’s search for truth after a loved one disappears, leading them into a world of unexpected dangers and revelations. Cobell’s writing is tense and evocative, keeping readers on edge as the mystery unfolds. With its sharp character work and suspenseful plot, this is a must-read for fans of emotionally charged thrillers.

This was absolutely incredible! I felt connected to this one because it was set in my home state. MMIW is an important topic and I found the author did an amazing job of centering this in the story while also creating well developed characters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

"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

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.