I feel like this was a really good example of what does happen in rural places like this and they all need someone like Quill to help find the truth.

Serial killers are everywhere and women of color are murdered more often than white women and their deaths are often not even reported let alone solved. Here we have Quill, a Native American woman who is so angry and frustrated that she vows justice to missing women on her reservation after hearing a terrifying scream out running. Quill and her family are really interesting characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. Really powerful read.

The abuse of indigenous women and children is given a fresh approach by Marcie Rendon, herself a member of the White Earth Nation. This therefore is a subject close to her heart, a fact that is evident on every page. Quill, a loving wife and mother who has lived on the Rez her entire life, finds herself involved in the disappearance of one young woman, causing her to be more alert than ever while on the trail training for the Boston Marathon. Tribal ties, conditions and traditions are brought to light but this is definitely a novel of the current day, given the consistent texting between the characters and seemingly unending cups of coffee. I definitely plan on reading her earlier books.

Tension is ever present in this fictional depiction of native American women and children missing with out publicity or resources to find them. Quill is the main character who takes matters into her own hands and becomes obsessed with the missing. Putting her marriage to the test, she does what she canto find out what's happening. Man camps established to work on the pipeline and the local casino are where the predators stem from. The traditions on the reservation and the customs provide a rich setting for this story of the abducted and abused.

Copy provided by the publisher and Netgalley

e-ARC from NetGalley.

I really wanted to like this one. Not only is it a mystery/thriller with an interesting premise, but it is based on the very real epidemic of indigenous women going missing at an absurdly high rate, never to be seen again.

It got off to a great start. Our protagonist, Quill, is out for a run when she hears a woman's terrified scream. When the officers sent to investigate don't even drive to the crime scene, Quill decides she needs to take matters into her own hands.

From there, it quickly deteriorated. The writing, for one, was hard to jive with and needed to be pared down: I didn't need to know the history of Crow's pickup, the details of Quill adding this or that to a pot of stew did not need to occur in multiple scenes, and I don't understand why we got the back and forth of Baby Boy watching TV and then interrupting a conversation and then being put back in front of the television when a simple "in between interruptions" would have sufficed.

I struggled to connect with the characters, even when attempting to look past the writing. Punk seemed more a stereotype than a person, and every scene with Gaylynn ended with her saying she was going to be late for work. But it was Quill who really pushed me into "I actively dislike this" territory.

At no point does this woman make a smart decision. She never calls the cops. She routinely lies to her husband. She knowingly brings her children into dangerous situations. She ignores all of her best friend's texts and doesn't even notice when said best friend goes missing. She doesn't lock her doors when she's driving somewhere dangerous.

I'm always on the hunt for books about indigenous people written by indigenous authors, but this was not for me.

I bet my grandma'd like it, though.

This story was a solid 3/5. It was an interesting story that touched on a very important topic surrounding the atrocities that indigenous women face, but there was something about it that wasn’t quite there.

The writing didn’t flow very well so it was hard to stay engaged. It was slow paced, but so many details were over explained that it felt like both too much and not enough was happening. I think if it was in more of a short story format that it could’ve worked better.

I enjoyed the friendship between the three women, but Quill had terrible judgement. It was tough to connect with her when she was constantly making bad decisions.

Overall a good story, I just wish the execution was a bit better.

4 stars

This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last.

Quill is an exceptional main character who grapples with the ways she sees herself and her community versus how they are repeatedly mistreated in the world at large. The most horrifying example of this identity-based abuse comes in the form of missing women, the first of whom Quill actually overhears being taken. Quill devotes herself to learning why these women are being taken, what exactly is happening to them, and how they can collectively end the nightmare. On top of a more than noble and deeply personal quest, Quinn's relationship to her family, her friendships, and even her love of running help make her a compelling character for whom it is impossible not to root.

While Quill is a standout for me, this is also just a well-paced and sinister thriller overall. It's a good read that constantly had me wondering how I was moving through it so quickly, and it's one I recommend to others who enjoy the genre and representation.

I'm a new but enthusiastic fan of Rendon's.

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon is a very intriguing mystery.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
The characters were relatable and very well developed.
This was hard to read at times. But such a beautiful story.

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon is a satisfying read casting light on the tragic and much too frequent incidents of murdered and missing Indian girls and women. The author shared that there are between 2,000 and 5,000 missing &/ already murdered Indian women in the United States. Tribal police departments have limited human and material resources, and some traditional police departments fail to give the cases the time and attention they require. The book is also about the power of the friendship between Quill, the main character, and her friends and running mates, Punk and Gaylyn. It provides insights into the daily lives of Ojibwe tribe members living in the northwest. I liked When They Last Saw Her, however I wish it had had more depth to the storyline. It was easy to read, yet at times too simple and repetitive. Kudos to the author for attempting to increase awareness of the terrible atrocities associated this national tragedy, that alone makes it a worthwhile read. Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC; my review reflects my honest opinion. 3.5 stars

This was a hard book to read. The trauma these women have endured is heartbreaking and often brought me to tears. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult living in that world would be.

I enjoyed this story. At times, I wanted to shake some sense into Quill. She was tenacious and strong minded, and that wasn’t always a good thing. She was lucky. Insanely lucky. I loved that she couldn’t rest until she had answers, but I hated that she decided to put herself, her friends, and her family at risk to try to get those answers herself.

The writing style of this book was different. It felt like there were a lot of unnecessary details that didn’t move the story forward, but perhaps showed a bit of the world in which Quill lived in. Often, it felt like a long list of what happened as everyone went about their days. While it lulled in places, there was enough intrigue to keep me wanting to read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Marcie R. Rendon's *Where They Last Saw Her*, the author delivers a gripping and poignant narrative centered on Quill, a resilient Native American woman from the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota. As a child, Quill witnessed the tragic death of Jimmy Sky and has been running from that trauma ever since. Now a dedicated marathon runner and a loving wife and mother, Quill's life takes a dark turn when she hears a scream during her early morning run and discovers a single beaded earring and tire tracks in the woods.

This eerie event rekindles her determination to confront the injustices facing her community, especially when another woman goes missing. Quill's investigation leads her to the pipeline construction crew working near the reservation, revealing unsettling truths about her home and its inhabitants. As she battles against a backdrop of systemic neglect and personal loss, Quill's quest for justice highlights the profound issues of invisibility, trauma, and resilience within Native American communities.

Rendon’s novel is a powerful and emotional read, exploring the deep-seated horrors faced by these communities with sensitivity and grace. The narrative’s exploration of bystander culture and the repercussions of crime is both searing and thought-provoking. *Where They Last Saw Her* is beautifully written and profoundly moving, making it a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of these critical issues.

The subject matter In this book is important. But the writing of this book was not for me. I also kind of hated the main character. Almost every decision that she made was bad.

I couldn’t pull myself away from this one, I needed to know how it ended and found myself finishing this at 4 AM. The writing was done so well, the story was captivating, and I loved the main characters. Indigenous voices are a favorite of mine, and this one focused on the kidnapping of indigenous women and children that isn’t talk about enough but is happening in our country so frequently. This was my first read by this author, but I will certainly be reading her other work. Thanks to Bantam and Penguin Random House for my eARC. Where They Last Saw Her will be published tomorrow.

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon tackles an incredibly important and heart-wrenching topic: the rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Rendon does a commendable job shining a light on these issues through a fictionalized lens, giving voice to stories that desperately need to be told. The book’s focus on this critical subject matter is both powerful and necessary, and it’s clear that Rendon has poured a lot of heart into bringing these stories to the forefront.

However, the execution falls a bit short. On a sentence level, the writing feels rough —there’s more telling than showing, which can make it hard to fully immerse in the story. The plot is also pretty predictable, lacking the twists and turns that might have kept readers on their toes. Additionally, the main character's choices throughout the book often come across as confusing and inconsistent, making it challenging to connect with her journey.

While Where They Last Saw Her is undeniably important and tackles a significant issue with sincerity, the overall storytelling leaves something to be desired. If you’re interested in the topic and looking for a book that addresses it thoughtfully, this might still be worth a read, but don’t expect a tightly woven plot or fully fleshed-out characters.

A thrilling missing person mystery with a nuanced and rich backdrop of Native American women on the reservation.

Quill is a runner. She runs in the morning and sometimes evening, a mom of two who is in touch with the land and her heritage. One morning she hears a woman scream, and it creates a series of events that leads Quill and her friends Punk and Gaylyn to try to find out what happened to Mabel. It becomes more and more tense, hitting brick wall after brick wall, all the time leading with characterization of main and subsidiary characters, the endless roster of aunties and cousins.

“Here on the rez, shit happened, and you just kept going.”

The mystery is good, and I won’t complain about the plot holes because I can’t do it without spoilers, but what really makes this book are the details. The details of what the character eats, the relationship and maturity apparent in the dialogue, and the description of the land, the sounds and smells, it’s a very sensory book that will be luxurious to those that appreciate the modern indigenous experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam books for the ARC. Book to be released September 3,2024.

#netgalley #bookreviews #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booktok #wheretheylastsawher

Thank you to NetGalley for this free read in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book although the subject matter is incredibly sad. As a Native American, it's so disheartening that women and children continue to be taken and go missing and there is truly no accurate number to reflect this tragedy. I appreciate the authors notes at the end that give some sobering statistics.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Marcie R. Rendon’s Where They Last Saw Her is a poignant and gripping novel that delves into the heart of a Native American community grappling with loss, resilience, and the quest for justice. This book, set on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, offers a powerful narrative that is both a mystery and a profound exploration of cultural identity and trauma.

 The story follows Quill, a Native American woman who has lived on the Red Pine reservation her entire life. Haunted by the memory of a childhood tragedy and the pervasive threat to women in her community, Quill’s life takes a dramatic turn when she hears a scream while training for the Boston Marathon. Investigating the area, she finds only tire tracks and a single beaded earring. 

Rendon excels in creating deeply layered characters. Quill is a compelling protagonist whose determination and courage drive the narrative forward. Her relationships with her friends Punk and Gaylyn, her loving husband Crow, and their two children add emotional depth and highlight the strong community bonds that are central to the story. 

The Red Pine reservation is vividly depicted, with Rendon’s rich descriptions bringing the setting to life. The novel’s atmosphere is charged with tension and a sense of foreboding, reflecting the real-life dangers faced by Native American women. 

Where They Last Saw Her explores themes of justice, cultural identity, and the impact of trauma. Rendon’s writing is both lyrical and incisive, capturing the emotional weight of the story while maintaining a gripping pace. The novel raises important questions about bystander culture, systemic violence, and the long-lasting effects of being marginalized. 

Where They Last Saw Her is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the often-overlooked issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Marcie R. Rendon has crafted a story that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, offering readers a glimpse into the strength and resilience of a community fighting for justice. This book is a must-read for fans of mystery and literary fiction, as well as those interested in stories that address important social issues.

Just like in Marcie Rendon's hard-hitting Cash Blackbear trilogy (Murder on the Red River, Girl Gone Missing, Sinister Graves), When They Last Saw Her gives readers an unflinching portrait of life on the reservation for Native American women. It's a life filled with danger-- especially when "man camps" for pipeline workers are built on reservation land. Even tribal police don't do their due diligence when Quill reports the heart-stopping scream she heard when out running in the woods. When more women disappear, she and fellow runners must go in groups guarded by husbands, brothers, and boyfriends in pickup trucks.

Rendon not only paints a portrait of women living in fear, but she also shows us the loving family life Quill has with her husband, Crow, and her two young children. Quill's refusal to "let it go," to let "boys be boys," is admirable and frightening all at the same time. Readers know how easy it would be for her to disappear, too.

Readers can also learn how government policies, like the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, have changed family dynamics within the Native community. Rendon's books are poetic, life-affirming, informative, and compelling. Quill is a force of nature every bit as strong as Cash Blackbear, and I didn't want When They Last Saw Her to end. I can't wait for Rendon's next book.

This is an example of a book that was never on my radar and wouldn’t be something I’d choose from the bookstore, but one that honestly delighted me!

At first, I didn’t think I’d get very far. The simplistic writing made me think it wouldn’t be a very good read, but it surprised me in the end.

I am currently in the middle of teaching my Indigenous American Literature unit to my juniors in high school, so the timing lined up perfectly for me to read this mystery/thriller about life on the rez (reservation).

I loved the three main characters and their very distinct personalities. I loved Crow and the elders. I loved even the psycho characters.

I hated those pipeline workers. 😡

I truly learned more about the customs and traditions of these Indigenous people and I thought it made the book more realistic. I thought that Quill and Gaylyn were brave (sometimes a little too brave) and strong female characters.

I wasn’t a fan of some of the dialogue - it was often so elementary that it bordered on cringey.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It kept me turning pages until the end!

Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I am a long-time fan of Marcie Rendon, and love the Cash Blackbear series, so I was so excited to read her new standalone novel, soon to be published. It did not disappoint. Quill is a compelling and relatable main character, and her family, friends, and community are brought to life so much that I felt like I could picture them all perfectly.

The mystery at the center of this book unravels bit by bit, taking the reader along with Quill and the other characters as we learn each new piece of the puzzle. While some of the reveals were I think predictable, that doesn't make it any less satisfying how they were revealed, and I think just underscores that the problems outlined in this book are well-known, even if they don't get the attention they deserve, highlighting white supremacy and racial inequalities, as well as systemic power imbalances.

I think what I loved the most about the book was how it shows the community supporting each other and working together to try to solve these issues. Even if Quill sometimes goes off on her own, or rushes ahead without telling her family and friends what she's planning to do, over the course of the book she gains a better understanding of how working with her community of friends and family will be more effective. I loved her so much as a character, and even if it is a standalone, I'd love to read more of her!