The Lady at Batoche is the story of three young people who are changed forever by the brutal simplicities of battle. It shares the same meticulous research and vivid recreation of history as Richards' much-praised first novel Soldier Boys, but it also answers some of the more puzzling riddles of the Metis rebellion: why did Gabriel Dumont, the brilliant soldier and hard-nosed entrepreneur, put such faith in the unworldly visions of Louis Riel? Why were the implacable enemies, Dakota and Cree warriors, both on the Metis side? And how did the Metis get outflanked by General Middleton's forces?