WILD MYSTIC
In the thriller WILD MYSTIC, Jamaica is tapped to lead a top-secret effort to find the U.S. Poet Laureate, who vanishes in remote northern New Mexico days before she is to perform at the presidential inauguration. Haunted by dreams and hunted by deadly adversaries, Jamaica tracks the poet through hostile mountain villages, a troubled Trappist monastery, a circle of Puebloan peyote dreamers, and into the mysterious past, where shocking headlines exposed an enigma that remains shrouded today.
WILD MYSTIC
by SANDI AULT
Sandi’s sleuth is the redoubtable Jamaica Wild, a Bureau of Land Management Agent who is part Jack Reacher and part Lara Croft. In the thriller WILD MYSTIC, Jamaica is tapped to lead a top-secret effort to find the U.S. Poet Laureate, who vanishes in remote northern New Mexico days before she is to perform at the presidential inauguration. Haunted by dreams and hunted by deadly adversaries, Jamaica tracks the poet through hostile mountain villages, a troubled Trappist monastery, a circle of Puebloan peyote dreamers, and into the mysterious past, where shocking headlines exposed an enigma that remains shrouded today. With an action-packed plot as rich in mysticism as a Dan Brown novel and a setting just east of Hillerman country among the Native Puebloan and ancient Hispanic cultures of remote northern New Mexico, WILD MYSTIC is a cinematic outdoor adventure thriller that will satisfy fans across many genres.
When you enter Jamaica’s world—where her closest companion is a young wolf she rescued; where a trail of clues leads to Tanoah Pueblo, but tribal taboos prevent pursuit; and where an old Hispanic bruja who lives alone in the hills provides cures, cryptic warnings, and ultimately a stunning show of power—I promise you’ll be rewarded.
Praise
"Sandi Ault's WILD INDIGO is a smashing debut. BLM Range Rider Jamaica Wild (and her wolf, Mountain) are formidable new players in outdoor mystery fiction, and Ault's intense knowledge of Pueblo culture is an added bonus."
— C.J. Box, author of FREE FIRE
"Wow! This novel is why readers like to read! It has everything . . .Read this one, and eagerly anticipate the next."
—Tulsa World
"Sandi Ault uses her knowledge of the high-dry West to give us a look at Pueblo Indian Culture."
— Tony Hillerman
"Rich in Indian lore and lovely description . . .this powerful start shows great maturity and portends great things from Ault."
—Richmond Times Dispatch
Mystery Scene Magazine
The action-packed climax is as exciting as any reader could want.
-Verna Suit
True West Magazine
Witches, shamans, FBI agents, missing children, newspaper reporters, a Forest Service boyfriend and rescued wolf cubs create a flock of oddball characters who liven up this highly-entertaining tale of a self-sufficient heroine trying to understand Pueblo culture.
-Phyllis Morreale-de la Garza
New Mystery Reader
A magical tale filled with grace and vibrancy,this comes highly recommended.
-Stephanie Padilla
Reader's Club
This exciting debut, written with great respect for the Pueblo and their mystical traditions, marks the birth of a great new series.
-reviewed by Mark
Westword
"...an auspicious debut . . . . the compelling mixture of Ault's real-life passions form only a starting point for the adventure that ensues; the beautifully researched page-turner turns downright spooky as the plot thickens into a posole of ancient traditions and bruja magic. This isn't Hillerman country, not one bit: Ault has a sure franchise in Wild, whose second New Mexico exploit is already on the way,
and the series is purely her own."
CA Reviews
WILD INDIGO is an astonishingly assured debut novel. I'm looking forward to the further adventures of Jamaica and Mountain.
—Deborah Hern
WOW: Women On Writing Online Magazine
"When you start to read WILD INDIGO, you'll quickly discover it's a book for all senses . . . . This is a must-read, must-own and must re-read book."
—Beryl Hall Bray
Armchair Interviews
If you are looking for a mystery that has car chases, lots of weaponry and hard-nosed detective work, Wild Indigo is not for you. If you want a great piece of literature that also includes a mystery, this is your next book.
—Jeff Foste
Library Journal, (Starred Review)
"Reviewers and readers will draw parallels between Ault's enlightening, well-researched debut, set in northern New Mexico, and the mysteries of Tony Hillerman, Nevada Barr, and Aimee and David Thurlo;
this is fine because she is that good. Highly recommended for all mystery collections."
Bookreporter.com
While you wait for the next one to come out, this book will keep you fascinated.
—Linda Scott
“Publishers Weekly, (Starred Review)
"Ault’s strong debut . . . Tinged with mysticism, this artfully told story should appeal to fans…”
Berkley Publishing Group
“I have been editing mysteries for close to 25 years . . . Simply put, Wild Indigo by Sandi Ault is the best debut mystery I have read in the past ten years.”
— Natalee Rosenstein, Vice President and Senior Executive Editor
Barnesandnoble.com Editors
“Sandi Ault's impressive debut novel Wild Indigo is simply put, a page-turner of the highest order. Ault's extensive knowledge of Southwest Native American culture aside, the real power behind this novel - the thing that makes Wild Indigo such a unique and compelling read - is the complex relationship between Wild and Mountain… and the intense bond that they share - the pack of two that they create - is as beautiful as it is bittersweet. Additionally, Ault deals with a myriad of sensitive themes . . . . with compassion and class. Carlos Castaneda meets Tony Hillerman.”
—Paul Goat Allen
Booksense
“Sandi Ault’s new mystery series . . . gives the reader a chance to see the Native American world . . .through the eyes of a terrific, fun character…I loved it!”
Booklist
“Ault blends the traditions and ceremonies from several Pueblo cultures, immersing the reader in Pueblo life and the beauty of northern New Mexico. An enjoyable series debut…
Kirkus Reviews
“Ault's portrait of Pueblo life and the conflict of cultures she dramatizes are integral to her rousing debut.”
The Washington Post
"Wild Indigo crackles with life and novelty."
Alfred Hitchcok's Mystery Magazine
"Ault's fluid writing allows her to weave Native American lore, traditions, and mysticism into her narrative naturally and effectively. Jamaica Wild is a name that seems to conjure a free spirit, and in her debut she certainly lives up to that suggestion."
—Robert C. Hahn
"Sandi Ault's WILD INDIGO is a fascinating, deeply mysterious read. I loved it."
— Jayne Ann Krentz