In the heart of the Coville reservation, tragedy strikes as nine-year-old Beth Louie, a vibrant Fancy Shawl pow wow dancer, falls victim to a hit-and-run drunk driver while walking home from the bus stop with her younger brother.
The remote gravel road becomes a crime scene, revealing tire marks and boot tracks that suggest foul play. Colville tribal member Ben Moses and his grandson, Alex, make the grim discovery, suspecting a cover-up and hidden evidence.
As tribal law enforcement and the FBI face obstacles in their investigation, the finger points toward a white cattle rancher from Omak. Set against the backdrop of the racially charged 1950s, the question looms: Will an all-white Spokane jury deliver justice and convict the killer?
The narrative unfolds through a dual lens, exploring both the present-day investigation and the intricate past lives of the characters involved. Pete Louie, a proud Nez Perce man with a military background, and Ben Moses, a respected figure transcending racial boundaries, navigate a complex web of prejudice and injustice. Sally Moses, Ben's daughter, bears the scars of attending Catholic school under oppressive laws, shedding light on the dangerous environment within.
As the story weaves through diverse lives connected by tragedy, "Fancy Dancer and the Seven Drums" delves into the depths of historical trauma, systemic injustice, and the resilience of those affected. John Roskelley crafts a narrative that not only serves as a suspenseful crime investigation but also unearths the complexities of cultural clashes, personal struggles, and the pursuit of justice in a prejudiced era.
