An Uncommon Enemy is the first book in the Eden Murdoch trilogy, also known as the Mysteries of the Victorian West series. It takes place in fall of 1868, during the time of General George Custer.
Eden Murdoch is a white lady who lives among the Cheyenne Indian tribe. One day, her village is raided and attacked by Custer and his men, and Eden is taken hostage.
While Eden mourns her slaughtered Cheyenne family, she becomes friends with Captain Brad Randall. She opens up to him about her life with the Indians, and about how she came to live with them over four years ago.
Michelle Black paints an eerily accurate picture of Custer and his men. An Uncommon Enemy is based on true events, drawn from a mystery white woman described in Custer’s journals. It’s historical fiction, and not a western.
Eden reminded me a lot of Clare Randall in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon—mainly because she’s ripped from the only home she knows and thrown into a completely different one, with a different culture. Like Clare, Eden spends time devising a solid escape plan.
An Uncommon Enemy was okay and somewhat enjoyable, but it lacks depth and emotion. It’s difficult to connect with this book, and it’s easily forgettable. E for effort, I suppose.
Michelle Black has also written:
- Never Come Down (1996)
- Lightning in a Drought Year (1999)
- Seance in Sepia (2011)
What did you think about An Uncommon Enemy, did you like it?
Last Updated on January 29, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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