Author: Michael Hutchinson
Publisher: Second Story Press

Windy Lake First Nation is hosting the annual Trappers Festival, and the four Mighty Muskrats are excited about the sled-dog races and the chance to visit with family and friends from far and wide. But during the Teen Sled Race, the lead dog is the victim of a frightening accident that may be more than it seems.

Between mysterious strangers seen lurking by the trail and a loud group of animal rights protestors, the Muskrats have a lot of suspects. Despite the chill of winter, the case is heating up for Sam, Otter, Atim and Chickadee!

The fourth book in the Mighty Muskrats Mystery series, The Case of the Rigged Race is a warm-hearted window into the lives of people living in remote indigenous communities. The plot revolves around the attempted poisoning of sled dogs during the Windy Lake Teen Dogsled Race, and the mystery of who might be behind it.

The descriptions of the community and surrounding environs are vivid. At the grocery store, the Muskrats…

loved the smell of everything newly shipped in, from the chemical pinch of rubber boots to the throat-clogging dust of linens, to the oily sniff of tools and chainsaws. And then, there was the grocery side of the store with its long-cooled baked goods; its bruised, sweet-smelling fruit; the copper tang of frozen blood and meat; and then the acrid tang of chlorine and cleaning goop.

Similarly, outside, “The daylight was dimming as a flood of clouds poured over the sky. The branches of the trees made the racetrack darker still.” The result is a realistic feel of a remote northern community.

In the About the Author section at the end of the book, author Michael Hutchinson explains that he wrote it to “educate young Canadians, build pride in First Nations and impoverished youth, and create a better Canadian and First Nations relationship.” As such, the mystery itself is not very complicated, and most of the Muskrats’ hunches turn out to be correct, which limits the tension over the course of the book. Their detective work also gets interrupted many times in the narration with explanations about life in the community and indigenous perspectives on issues concerning the environment, hunting and respect for elders. These moments are interesting from an educational perspective, but sometimes take us away from the central action and motivations of the characters.

On the other hand, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book is not the mystery but the interactions between the characters. Their playful banter and teasing reveal a close-knit community that is supportive and inclusive of all its people, even when some of those people are not acting in the best interests of others. The characters make clear some of the misperceptions and hardships facing First Nations communities without making themselves victims. They are proud of their culture while humble individually; assertive, yet respectful; and empowered with purpose and dignity. And, they can be quick with a joke.

Verdict: The Case of the Rigged Race is a fine addition to any middle-grade classroom library, with an engaging cast of characters, a realistic mystery and an excellent chance to engage with Indigenous issues and perspectives.

- Mark David Smith