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John Marquez #5
Die-Off
John Marquez is back - but his mission is the shut down animal traffickers. Still attached to the California Fish & Game's Special Operations Unit, it's the open, unsolved investigations that now land on his desk.
Then a tip call comes which reveals the location of a gun used to kill two young women camping along the Klamath River two years ago. At the same time, Marquez is on the hunt for a notorious animal trafficker known as Rider, who’s rumoured to have a hideout in mountainous northern California. The subsequent discovery of thousands of invasive northern pike triggers a cascade of clues and questions that draws Marquez away from his pursuit of Rider. Or do they? Is there a connection?
When a Siskiyou County investigator and an ambitious sheriff question Marquez’s interest in the murders of the two women and his relentless presence in the remote northern county, the stakes rise ever higher – and the way forward is fraught with risk.
Then a tip call comes which reveals the location of a gun used to kill two young women camping along the Klamath River two years ago. At the same time, Marquez is on the hunt for a notorious animal trafficker known as Rider, who’s rumoured to have a hideout in mountainous northern California. The subsequent discovery of thousands of invasive northern pike triggers a cascade of clues and questions that draws Marquez away from his pursuit of Rider. Or do they? Is there a connection?
When a Siskiyou County investigator and an ambitious sheriff question Marquez’s interest in the murders of the two women and his relentless presence in the remote northern county, the stakes rise ever higher – and the way forward is fraught with risk.
- GenresMystery
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
29 people want to read
About the author
Kirk Russell
23 books93 followersI aimed at writing long ago but that turned out to more romance than reality. Looking back, I was lucky to learn something about the world first. Never gave up on writing though. It just took longer. I've written five novels with an undercover California Fish and Game warden, John Marquez, three with a San Francisco homicide inspector, and now Signature Wounds and FBI special agent bomb tech, Paul Grale. Grale is living in the world we're in and dealing with the challenges of our times. I'm very hooked into him and working on a new story.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 26, 2014
Excellent Multi-Level Novel about Wildlife Poaching and Human Nature
Kirk Russell scores again with his fifth novel about John Marquez, investigator for California Fish and Game, and about wildlife poaching, trafficking, and other criminal activities. This novel displays Russell's savvy characterizations, multiple/intertwined plotting, and narrative drive. From the first scenes involving Marquez discovering a long-missing murder weapon in the last minutes before the destruction of a dam would hide it forever to the final scenes involving . . . well, let's just say I was definitely hooked and kept on the line the whole time. Marquez's integrity and drive propel us through the novel's action, even as these very qualities lead to his falling under suspicion of being a criminal himself. The threat of invasive species and the ongoing, perhaps inexorable abuse and extinction of rare species are credibly and alarmingly represented. Russell never preaches, but he does work to inform his reader with integrity even as he delivers top quality action and suspense.
Kirk Russell scores again with his fifth novel about John Marquez, investigator for California Fish and Game, and about wildlife poaching, trafficking, and other criminal activities. This novel displays Russell's savvy characterizations, multiple/intertwined plotting, and narrative drive. From the first scenes involving Marquez discovering a long-missing murder weapon in the last minutes before the destruction of a dam would hide it forever to the final scenes involving . . . well, let's just say I was definitely hooked and kept on the line the whole time. Marquez's integrity and drive propel us through the novel's action, even as these very qualities lead to his falling under suspicion of being a criminal himself. The threat of invasive species and the ongoing, perhaps inexorable abuse and extinction of rare species are credibly and alarmingly represented. Russell never preaches, but he does work to inform his reader with integrity even as he delivers top quality action and suspense.
June 27, 2017
Another thought provoking read
An informative read to keep us informed about the depravity of some of our fellows as well as the consequences of ignorance regarding our planet and all the species with whom we must live in concert.
An informative read to keep us informed about the depravity of some of our fellows as well as the consequences of ignorance regarding our planet and all the species with whom we must live in concert.
January 14, 2024
It has been quite a while since I have read one of this series. I enjoyed it for the most part but there were some holes in the story that did not get addressed or resolved. Marquez seems to think he is indestructible, and it gets him into trouble.
February 3, 2019
Kirk Russell write good stories that really enjoy!
December 30, 2013
Number five in a series that is much like C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series but not as well known-and that's too bad. Marquez is a California Game Warden who is unrelenting and patient when it comes to tracking down criminals. Two subplots; one involving murdered activists about dams along the Klamath and who just happened to be friends of his step daughter; the other involves a company that could be behind the intentional planting of Northern Pike, a voracious non-native species of fish that even eats ducklings, into the rivers of California. It's a very futuristic plot about water rights and removing protected species so water can be diverted. Marquez as always brings a personal intensity to the fight and it gets personal with other lawmen who are politicians first and perhaps corrupt. Ending wrapped up too quickly and just ended with a confusing conspiracy of criminals and cops. Still it's a great series for which I wish there was more public acclaim and interest.
December 18, 2014
I like the John Marquez character, and have now read all five books in the series.
This one stayed pretty close to what I think of as a formula. There's less of Marquez' former world in this book however and the reader is the poorer. Marquez is now working alone and no longer has a team, further there is barely a mention of his wife.
This one stayed pretty close to what I think of as a formula. There's less of Marquez' former world in this book however and the reader is the poorer. Marquez is now working alone and no longer has a team, further there is barely a mention of his wife.
April 11, 2014
I am a huge fan of the John Marquez series. This new story is well written with a lot of food for thought, but it didn't have the heart of the former books. I miss that.
September 3, 2016
detailed and documented but lacking character depth
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews