2.5 stars

I just couldn't get into this book and had to force myself to finish. I didn't connect with any of the characters or the central crime. The ending felt forced and too perfect. There also wasn't much suspense. It was almost written like a true crime book. The Narrator did an OK job with what he was given.

I restarted this multiple times and struggled to make it through. Nothing against the book just wasn’t for me, didn’t seem to grab/hold my attention.

This was a really good book. I loved the characters and the setting, spent time in Arizona. I had never heard of the Wham tribe, so I had to do a little research. The book was very good and kept me entertained, and taught me some things, which I always like in a book.

I enjoyed The Wham Curse, by Virgil Alexander. I found it to be a mellow easy listen with interesting characters. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Virgil Alexander's informative mystery story is one that I listened to on audio, narrated by Curtis Michael Holland, 8 hours and 20 minutes long, clear and easily understood, if a little over enunciated at times. It is set in the ranch country of eastern Arizona, Graham County Deputy Branden Allred and San Carlos Tribal Police Officer Allen Victor look into the strange death of a young Apache teenager, hit in the back of the head by a rock. At first sight, it appears to be an unfortunate accident, but doubts gnaw at them, and further investigations prove that it is murder, but why? The victim's grandmother is a gifted woman, but whilst her insights are to prove enlightening, the police are going to need to dig deep before the truth emerges.

This is a compelling and gripping narrative in which the author smuggles in a vast amount of history, culture, differences, reservation living, knowledge of the Apache tribe and the problems and issues that affect the tribe,such as the impact of heavy drinking by pregnant mothers. Some of this is achieved with the relating in full of guest lectures by Victor. The mystery behind the murder becomes a fascinating lesson in history, a century previously. US Army Major Joseph W. Wham, Paymaster, and his twelve-soldier escort were ambushed and the payroll in gold and silver coins was taken. Though several men went to trial for the payroll robbery, they were found not guilty. However, the loot was never recovered.

Alexander's storytelling is infused with compassion, forgiveness and humanity, detailing the repercussions of serious health issues. Along with the main crime, there is racist graffiti on the Beautiful Land run by a commune, the poisoning of sheep, and the case of the stolen chickens. This will appeal to those readers interested in the Apache tribe, the Arizona location, landscape, and history, and whilst I really enjoyed this, some may find this a little too overly earnest and serious in its aim of educating readers through the vehicle of a crime mystery. If this appeals, I can recommend the audio. Many thanks to Tantor Audio for a ALC.