Water the Color of Slate - by Mary Ann Noe (Paperback)

About the Book

Mid-19th century white woman Louise Wright and Walking Elk fall in love, resulting in a daughter he never knows about. Three generations later, Louise's great-granddaughter struggles to face her prejudices

Book Synopsis

"A mystery, love story, family saga filled with memorable characters you care about deeply. The author moves between generations with a sure hand, keeping the reader securely grounded in each life and storyline." -Karen Osborne, author of Reckonings

Three women of different generations are bound together by history and mystery: Louise Wright, 19th century; her 20th century great-granddaughter, Lou McManus, and Kapi McManus, Lou's teenaged step-granddaughter, each full of conflicts, questions, and contradictions.

Two historical storylines run parallel, converging as Lou and Kapi explore the mystery of Louise Wright. Louise Wright, soon to marry the reverend's son, falls in love with a Native American, and gives birth to their multicultural baby. Three generations later, Lou McManus and Kapi, seeming to share nothing, are saddled with each other when Kapi's mother dies. However, they discover a shared love of history, local and personal.

In their explorations of Louise Wright's story, Kapi is convinced Louise was Native American, infuriating Lou, who was brought up to revile natives. The two of them try to work through devastating losses, generational differences, snarled opinions, and historical excavations in their searches.

Review Quotes

"I couldn't put it down. It's a slow burn that just kept pulling me in. I loved this story that moves back and forth in time. A mystery, love story, family saga filled with memorable characters you care about deeply. The author moves between generations with a sure hand, keeping the reader securely grounded in each life and storyline. The plot twist snuck up on me. Jolted me. Brava!" -Karen Osborne, author of Getting It Right, Tangled Lies, and Reckonings

"Meander through the woods and byways of Wisconsin as you uncover the astounding secret of three women separated by time and tradition yet bound by their mysterious connection to the native indigenous community." -Dale A. Morgan, author of String Too Short to Tie

"A beautifully written historical fiction that delves into the mysterious truths of the past, as slowly revealed by the present. The careful study and care seen throughout the work shows passion for a difficult topic. The interweaving tales of family and self-discovery make this historical fiction a worthwhile read that will stick with you." -Julie Boglisch, author of The Requiem of Stone series, The Elifer Chronicles series and Ghost of a Memory