A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson

 

I enjoy reading thrillers, but I definitely can't read too many in a row before I get a bit burned out and need to read something completely different. This thriller, however, is so completely different than what I've been reading lately--I was hooked from the cover and it didn't disappoint. 

Alex Carter is a biologist who travels around from job to job studying wildlife in their habitat and advocating for the preservation of their land-often coming up against greed, corporate agencies, and  even private landowners who want to make a buck. 

Her latest job takes her to Montana, where she is looking for wolverines on a wildlife sanctuary that used to be a working ski lodge. Now, thousands of acres are safe from development, but oh boy the townspeople nearby do not like the sanctuary and they certainly don't like Alex. Staying at the lodge by herself, she spends her days setting hair traps and cameras around the mountains to try and find out if wolverines are actually using the area to survive and produce offspring. Yet between the nasty towns folk, threatening notes on her windshield, and feeling like she's being watched, Alex begins to realize something is really wrong. Checking her trail cameras, she sees photos of a man wandering the area, barefoot and in trouble. When she approaches the sheriff with her concerns, his cold shoulder makes Alex realize she's not going to get much help or support from him or anyone else around. 

Things start to heat up, and Alex begins to uncover a whole lot of underhanded, dangerous things taking place all around her. She's in danger, but from whom? And why? 

Oh, this was such a good thriller. The added bonus of Alex's wildlife work made this so interesting. It really brought the wilderness to life. Her smarts and ability to take care of herself out in the wild, her ability to stay cool and calm were all refreshing to read. Alex is no slouch! The opening chapter is also a whiz bang start, too, but I don't want to give anything away. Let's just say the beginning and the end come full circle for Alex, and leave room for more adventures to come and mysteries to solve. 

This is definitely a must read for anyone who loves the great outdoors, hiking, camping, and nature in general. A thriller that builds anticipation and doesn't let up. 

Rating: 5/6 for a fascinating look at wildlife biology, the ongoing battle between preserving wildlife habitats and encroaching humanity, and one heck of an action packed thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So. Good. 

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson

No Offense by Meg Cabot

 

I took a break from reading my haunting reads this month for a sweet romance between a children's librarian and a sheriff. It was what I needed to kick off vacation week! It's a staycation, of course. But I've got things to do around the house, and a big stack of books to read all week. I'm excited for a much needed break, and a little bit of solitude. I'll be working really hard to not give into my desire for a key lime pie, thanks to this book! 

Molly Montgomery is the new children's librarian in Little Bridge Island, Florida. A pretty sweet tourist spot that is beautiful, surrounded by the ocean, and small town enough that everyone knows everyone's business. Molly loves her job, and one day finds an abandoned newborn in the women's bathroom. Not the usual librarian duties, for sure. The Sheriff arrives, and sparks fly immediately. John Hartwell is handsome and swoon worthy, even if he does clash a bit with Molly. Who's baby is this? Another case to solve for John, who is already trying to solve the case of the high school thief, who keeps breaking into homes. He's stymied by this case, and frustrated. John knows who is doing the breaking in, but can't catch him. 

Baby Aphrodite brings Molly and John together; as the case evolves, circumstances find them both at odds with each other. However, they are still falling for each other quickly, and their romance is sweet, hot, and quite believable. Book lovers will enjoy all of the book references-not only from Molly, but the Sheriff, too. The community of Little Bridge Island is full of characters that bring this little paradise to life. I hope Meg Cabot writes more about this community. 

I'll confess-I am pretty sure this is my first Meg Cabot book. I bought it because it was about a librarian, and took place in a small Florida community. An escape from a chilly October here in Iowa. It did the trick-took me away for a few hours, and was perfectly enjoyable and a quick read. Definitely a feel-good read!

Rating: 4/6 for a delightful romance between a librarian and a sheriff. Their clashes are brief but provide a good opportunity to highlight the importance of getting to know someone beyond the physical attraction, and working through those differences. Good chemistry, engaging characters, and a plot that keeps moving towards resolution. I'll be reading more Meg Cabot!

Available in paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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No Offense by Meg Cabot

Lady Cop Makes Trouble (A Kopp Sisters Novel) by Amy Stewart

I like Constance Kopp.  This is the second novel in the Kopp Sisters series, and I must confess I enjoyed it more than Girl Waits With Gun , which I reviewed last year.  

A short time has passed since the action in Girl Waits With Gun , and Constance is a deputy with the sheriff's department of Hackensack, New Jersey.  She's the first female deputy in New Jersey and loves her job.  But there are people who aren't happy with a female deputy, and Sheriff Heath is constantly under pressure to make Constance the matron of the female prisoners at the jail.  Life for a female law officer is difficult in 1915. 

Constance and Sheriff Heath are called to help guard a prisoner at the local sanitarium during a horrible rain storm and in the midst of a terrible train accident that leaves the sanitarium in a chaotic state.  Constance is told to stand outside the door of Dr. Baron von Matthesius, a odd little man who speaks to Constance in German and was put in jail on charges of indecent medical practices.  He's a crafty man, and before Constance can grasp the situation, he slips away and disappears.  

And thus begins the trouble for Constance and Sheriff Heath.  Determined to keep Constance's name out of the press, Sheriff Heath won't tell anyone a woman was guarding the prisoner who escaped.  The sheriff is under pressure to find the escapee because he himself can be tossed in jail and lose his job.  So Constance decides the only thing she can do is to track down Dr. Baron von Matthesius and recapture him herself.  Constance is now a deputy turned detective, and she has her hands full.  

Constance's sisters Norma and Fleurette are part of the story, but not quite as much as in the first novel.  It's good to see how each of them are carving out their place in a family of three women, in a society that expects women to get married and raise a family.  Constance's relationship with Sheriff Heath is evolving through the second novel, and I can't wait to see what happens next.  


 This isn't really a mystery (if it is, it's a very light one) but more of an entertaining historical novel.  And of course it is all the more fascinating because there was an actual Constance Kopp, who was the first female deputy in New Jersey.  She's a lady with smarts, moxie, and a commanding presence:  at nearly 6 feet tall, and 180 pounds, she isn't afraid to tackle a criminal to bring him to justice.  

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the advanced copy.  This is a fun read for anyone who likes to read about female trailblazers, early 20th century crime, and a bit of the criminal element.  There is no horrible violence, or crime scenes to make this objectionable to anyone.  

Rating:  7/10 for a sequel that keeps the action moving, and creates all sorts of possible story lines for future novels featuring Constance Kopp.  

Available in hardcover and e-book.

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Lady Cop Makes Trouble (A Kopp Sisters Novel) by Amy Stewart

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

I love to read a historical novel that is written with careful attention to detail and doesn't fudge facts.  I also love to read about forgotten people, places, and events that were big headlines in the newspapers, but today, no one knows about them.  Just goes to show that even incredibly famous people can fade away from the public consciousness eventually. And of course anytime a woman steps out and stands up I'm ready to cheer!

Girl Waits With Gun is about the Kopp Sisters of Paterson, New Jersey:  Constance, Norma, and Fleurette.  It's 1914, and they live on a farm outside of town.  Constance is the eldest, and a very striking woman:  she stands at 6 ft and can't be missed.  Norma keeps pigeons as a hobby, and Fleurette at seventeen, is the youngest, prettiest, and most naive of the sisters.  One day while driving into town with their buggy, they are hit by a car.  Their buggy is damaged, and Constance wants it fixed.  Unfortunately for the Kopp sisters, their buggy was hit by local silk factory owner Henry Kaufman.  Loud, angry, and used to getting his way, he refuses to pay for damages.  Henry and his gang of bullies then proceed to harass and intimidate the Kopp sisters.  

Constance won't stand for it.  She goes to the local sheriff, and begins her quest to bring Henry to justice.  What starts out as a simple request for $50 to fix her buggy begins a year long test of bravery for Constance.  Henry has no problem sending intimidating letters, threatening to kidnap Fleurette and sell her into white slavery (Fleurette thinks it's all very thrilling), and attempting to drive the sisters into silence. 

The title comes from an actual newspaper article that was written about the Kopp sisters in 1914.  Constance and her sisters became newspaper worthy when they decided to bring their plight to the public in hopes of stopping the harassment.  Her growing friendship with Sheriff Heath is one of the best parts of this novel, as we see his respect for her grow and a true partnership begin to form as they not only work to bring Henry to justice, but find the child of a factory worker that disappeared during a strike at the silk factory.  We learn that Henry Kaufman had his fingers in everything, and wasn't above using money and fists to keep people in line.  This really is the ultimate "besting the bully" story.  

Constance really did exist.  She became the first female deputy sheriff in the United States.  I'd love to read more about her.  Author Amy Stewart has a website that has photos of Constance and some of the actual newspaper headlines of 1914 regarding the Kopp sisters.   I got a real kick out of this story, and if you're a fan of historical fiction with feisty females and a dash of humor, this is the book for you.  It would make a good book club selection with plenty to discuss.  

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin for providing an advanced copy to read and review.  

Rating:  7/10 for well-drawn characters, a story that shifts from seriousness to humor gracefully, and a glimpse into 1914 New Jersey.

Available September 1st in hardcover, e-book, and audio.
 

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Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart