This August, I’m thrilled to release my newest Harlequin novel—my 40th, though I’ve admittedly lost count. But the thrill of publishing never fades. My latest series, “Big Sky Country,” holds a special place in my heart as it explores characters of indigenous heritage solving long-neglected cold cases, ultimately seeking justice for the victims.

Growing up with Native American roots was a complex experience. While I cherished being part of a once proud people, I also faced relentless teasing for my heritage. In those days, racial slurs were commonly unchallenged, and racial belittlement was shockingly normalized.

As a child with Native and Irish/German roots, I experienced the systemic challenges firsthand—limited healthcare access, severe poverty, and devastating addictions that shattered families and perpetuated grief across generations. The racial bias in criminal justice was particularly glaring.

Today, thanks to increased awareness and education, most understand that derogatory terms like “squaw” are not harmless endearments. Furthermore, efforts like the No More Stolen Sisters campaign, initially launched in Canada and now extended to the U.S., aim to combat violence against indigenous women.

This movement inspired the core of “Big Sky Country.” The series features a fictional Bureau of Indian Affairs task force dedicated to reopening overlooked cold cases involving indigenous women, seeking long-delayed justice.

While my novels are entirely fictional, they are crafted with elements inspired by true events. If you’re interested in the No More Stolen Sisters movement, you can learn more through these resources:

Native Hope: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

(https://www.nativehope.org/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-mmiw)

Amnesty International: No More Stolen Sisters

(https://www.amnesty.ca/what-we-do/no-more-stolen-sisters/)

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

(https://www.niwrc.org/about)

Red Road Institute

(https://redroadinstitute.org)

I’m also excited to announce that I’ve recently contracted to write three more novels in the “Big Sky Justice” series for 2025-26, further exploring these compelling themes and stories.

“Cold Case Secrets” is available now.

Kim Van Meter is a former full-time reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News; she continues to provide a monthly column. She can be reached at kvanmeter@oakdaleleader.com.