A review by bearsincastles
Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch

3.0

As suggested by the title, this book has three main storylines, intergenerational trauma wrought upon a Native American community in North Dakota, the corrosion of a community in the face of an oil boom, and a woman's search for a murdered oil worker. Each of these storylines are thoroughly investigated and documented, but they are poorly integrated. This book tries to do a lot, but doesn't do all of it equally well. Yellow Bird herself is a fascinating subject. The story of political intrigue (including the coverup of a murder) is also well done. The actual investigation into the disappearance of KC, which may draw many "true crime" fans to the book, seems to be an afterthought that at times weighs down the pacing.