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In Velvet
The northwest corner of Yellowstone Park is closed for bear management, and Rachel, a bear biologist, is discovering some very startling animal behavior—grizzlies denning in June, swans at their wintering grounds in summer, what appear to be Irish Elk, an extinct species, with huge palmated antlers. There are also horrific mutations in the young—elk calves with no front legs, earless bear cubs, and eaglets without wings. What has gone wrong? Why is this area closed? Who’s covering up these animal abnormalities in the Park?
A non-stop thriller set in some of North America’s wildest country, In Velvet takes you deep into the hearts of a hard case local detective and a Chicago cop as they take on a corrupt sheriff, a pathalogical poacher, and a lethal black ops manager to solve this ghastly mystery and restore the natural order in Yellowstone National Park.
A non-stop thriller set in some of North America’s wildest country, In Velvet takes you deep into the hearts of a hard case local detective and a Chicago cop as they take on a corrupt sheriff, a pathalogical poacher, and a lethal black ops manager to solve this ghastly mystery and restore the natural order in Yellowstone National Park.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2014
4 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Burt Weissbourd
14 books141 followersBurt Weissbourd is a novelist, screenwriter, and producer of feature films. He was born in 1949 and graduated cum laude from Yale University, with honors in psychology.
During his student years, he volunteered at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris and taught English to college students in Thailand. After he graduated, he wrote, directed, and produced educational films for Gilbert Altschul Productions. He began a finance program at the Northwestern University Graduate School of Business but left in his final semester to start his own film production company in Los Angeles. He managed that company from 1977 until 1986, producing films including Ghost Story starring Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, John Houseman, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr, and Raggedy Man starring Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard, which The New York Times called "movie of sweet, low-keyed charm." In 1987, he founded an investment business, which he still runs.
Burt's first novel, Inside Passage, was published in 2013. Since then, his novels include the Callie and Cash thrillers (Danger in Plain Sight, Rough Justice, and Out of the Past); The Corey Logan Trilogy (Inside Passage, Teaser, and Minos); and In Velvet, which is set in Yellowstone National Park.
Burt currently lives in Long Island, NY with his wife, Dorothy. He has three adult children and three grandsons.
During his student years, he volunteered at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris and taught English to college students in Thailand. After he graduated, he wrote, directed, and produced educational films for Gilbert Altschul Productions. He began a finance program at the Northwestern University Graduate School of Business but left in his final semester to start his own film production company in Los Angeles. He managed that company from 1977 until 1986, producing films including Ghost Story starring Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, John Houseman, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr, and Raggedy Man starring Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard, which The New York Times called "movie of sweet, low-keyed charm." In 1987, he founded an investment business, which he still runs.
Burt's first novel, Inside Passage, was published in 2013. Since then, his novels include the Callie and Cash thrillers (Danger in Plain Sight, Rough Justice, and Out of the Past); The Corey Logan Trilogy (Inside Passage, Teaser, and Minos); and In Velvet, which is set in Yellowstone National Park.
Burt currently lives in Long Island, NY with his wife, Dorothy. He has three adult children and three grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 9, 2020
DNF'd at only 10%. Bad dialogue and characters are stereotypical cliches. I don't expect these things to improve as the novel continues and am bailing out early.
May 19, 2014
Check out my other reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
In Velvet starts off at a break-neck pace. It really had my heart pounding from the first couple of pages. I practically devoured this one and it was in less than 24 hours! It's not very often that I find a book that starts off so well and actually keeps up the pace (and holds my attention) for the entire book. I'd say in 99% of the novels that start off like this have a dropping off point where I really start to question why I enjoy reading so much but this one didn't. I just had to get that out there.
Before I jump into anything, I just wanted to make it known that I don't really know anything about Yellowstone National Park. I know, I know ... I should at least know something about it, but unfortunately, I didn't. And in all honesty, I had to Google it just to see where exactly it was because I had absolutely no clue ... I knew it was up north but that was it. Anyhow, the author was so thorough with his descriptions, I really felt like I was actually experiencing the park and not just reading about it. It was almost as if I was reliving memories ... that is how descriptive Burt Weissbourd was. Now, there comes a point with descriptive authors where you really start to lose interest but that never happened to me. Even with the scientific stuff, my interest was totally unwavering.
The characters ... I fell in love with Rachel instantly. Her love of grizzlies was really endearing and she was actually pretty self aware and honest with herself, which made for an interesting read. She was by far, my favorite character and there were a lot to choose from. A-lot-a-lot. I did find myself a little confused a couple of times, not really remembering who was who with some of the lesser characters but that could have been due to my lack of sleep when pounding through this novel.
Overall In Velvet was intriguing. And terribly frightening. To think that something like this could happen is sad and I truly hope that it never does. After reading this and enjoying it so much, I'll probably pick up another novel by this author and give it a go, if it's half as enjoyable as this one, it won't be a waste of time.
February 15, 2015
In Velvet by Burt Weissbourd is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If the first passage of this book doesn't grab your attention and keep you turning pages, I don't know what will. The pace is set literally in the opening moments and never slows down.
There is something truly off kilter in Yellowstone Park. Rachel is a bear biologist, single mom, and a likeable character. She first notices some subtle things here and there, but when a grizzly she has an interest in starts trying to make a den in early summer, she gets really worried. But, that's not all. Extinct animals have been sited in the park among other really odd happenings. When a cop from Chicago shows up and immediately catches the eye of a former detective, they begin to unearth a plot that will send shivers down your spine.
Greed, corruption, genetic experiments are just the beginning.
I enjoyed this thriller much more than I thought I would. I thought I was getting the sequel to Inside Passage and when I sat down to start this one I realized this book was not a part of that series. I had no idea what to expect.
The plot was quite plausible and I wouldn't put it past someone to try something like this. That of course makes the story that much more tense. The strong female characters are well drawn and I liked the equality they enjoyed while working on the complex case.
There were some moments in the story where I had to slow down and read carefully. There were perhaps a few too many people involved and if you aren't careful you might lose the thread or catch yourself going back and re-reading parts just be sure you have it straight and that took me out of the story a time or two.
Despite that one complaint I thought this was really unique story, and a tense thriller. The main characters each bring something unique to the story and their interactions and relationships develop nicely as the story progresses. It took me a little time to get through this one but it was worth the extra effort in the end. 4 stars
If the first passage of this book doesn't grab your attention and keep you turning pages, I don't know what will. The pace is set literally in the opening moments and never slows down.
There is something truly off kilter in Yellowstone Park. Rachel is a bear biologist, single mom, and a likeable character. She first notices some subtle things here and there, but when a grizzly she has an interest in starts trying to make a den in early summer, she gets really worried. But, that's not all. Extinct animals have been sited in the park among other really odd happenings. When a cop from Chicago shows up and immediately catches the eye of a former detective, they begin to unearth a plot that will send shivers down your spine.
Greed, corruption, genetic experiments are just the beginning.
I enjoyed this thriller much more than I thought I would. I thought I was getting the sequel to Inside Passage and when I sat down to start this one I realized this book was not a part of that series. I had no idea what to expect.
The plot was quite plausible and I wouldn't put it past someone to try something like this. That of course makes the story that much more tense. The strong female characters are well drawn and I liked the equality they enjoyed while working on the complex case.
There were some moments in the story where I had to slow down and read carefully. There were perhaps a few too many people involved and if you aren't careful you might lose the thread or catch yourself going back and re-reading parts just be sure you have it straight and that took me out of the story a time or two.
Despite that one complaint I thought this was really unique story, and a tense thriller. The main characters each bring something unique to the story and their interactions and relationships develop nicely as the story progresses. It took me a little time to get through this one but it was worth the extra effort in the end. 4 stars
August 25, 2014
Like the grizzlies, elk, eagles, and other wildlife vividly depicted in Burt Weissbourd's new novel set in Yellowstone Park, In Velvet moves with strength, independence and surviving grace. Weissbourd has the imaginative chops, and the eye of a naturalist, to give readers both a tense thriller and a complete word-picture of this majestic park. But the novel's true strength is its characters, from devoted park rangers who will do anything to save the animals and the land, to demented lawmen, poachers and government defense workers who will do anything to harness evil from the same resources. Exploding geysers, proteins capable of mass destruction, and a compelling love triangle...In Velvet, like a trout stream in Yellowstone, is full of twists and turns that gets better and better the deeper you venture.
August 5, 2016
Start with a cop from Chicago dealing with her ex, a Yellowstone bear researcher, an ex-investigator fly fisherman, a crazy corrupt cop, then add in various other Yellowstone researchers and investigators, plus the politics of the Park Service, and stir vigorously with hot springs thermoclines. You end up with several murder mysteries, diabolical government plots and wonky park animals. Since Yellowstone is in my back yard, I really enjoyed it and can testify to the eccentric personalities who end up here. Very plausibly put together and the characters are very believable. The next time you go to Yellowstone, get out of the car. Received free copy for review.
February 10, 2014
I was very lucky to receive an advance copy of In Velvet, Burt Weissbourd's second novel. (Not the long-awaited sequel to the Corey Logan trilogy which I believe will be published in fall 2014).
I did not think I could love another book by this author as much as I did his first novel, Inside Passage. But I was wrong! In Velvet is an exciting read, very hard to put down. Great characters and a riveting plot that does not disappoint, a real thriller! I highly recommend In Velvet to anyone who loves strong female characters, mysteries and thrillers and great writing!
I did not think I could love another book by this author as much as I did his first novel, Inside Passage. But I was wrong! In Velvet is an exciting read, very hard to put down. Great characters and a riveting plot that does not disappoint, a real thriller! I highly recommend In Velvet to anyone who loves strong female characters, mysteries and thrillers and great writing!
September 19, 2016
A "thriller" set in Yellowstone Park with lots of details about the park (animal behavior, physical features, management), dynamic characters and a challenging problem. Interesting view of characters' lives on the edges of the National Park. Enjoyable read and made me want to go to Yellowstone.
February 11, 2020
Not very far into it and already every character seems like a trope or cliche. So, it's a no for me...
June 20, 2020
Not what I was expecting at all when I picked this up! For whatever reason I thought the main focus would be simply the abnormalities of the park and was blown away by all the character arcs! It packed a bigger punch than Yellowstone going insane with odd activity. I thought this would have been more dystopian. I am pleasantly surprised!
I saw this book on my trip last year to Yellowstone. The park has my whole heart and I am always looking for fiction about the park. So this caught my eye! I always end up sorrowful after returning home, so I shelved this book for a while and picked it up now.
I was immediately drawn into this book. A Doctor getting eaten by a bear, a snake in a suitcase, a corrupt Sheriff, heck yes I am in!
One aspect I did not enjoy was the constant jumping from character to character. A character would have a paragraph or two and then it would skip to the next. I felt it hard to keep a good grasp of where I was in the moment with the constant jumps.
The characters I felt were all pretty well developed. I loved seeing the growth in Rainey and Gummer especially! Gummer shocked me. I was not expecting so much growth from him, but I felt quite proud that he made such a drastic change, even if he is a bit of a yucky dude. Bleh. And Rainey I was glad came to the romantic conclusion he did. I could see the other path not working so I was thankful he went with his heart. And then there's Rachel who is freaking amazing and I love her! As dedicated as she was to her bear, I knew I would love her!
Overall, I really enjoyed this read!
I saw this book on my trip last year to Yellowstone. The park has my whole heart and I am always looking for fiction about the park. So this caught my eye! I always end up sorrowful after returning home, so I shelved this book for a while and picked it up now.
I was immediately drawn into this book. A Doctor getting eaten by a bear, a snake in a suitcase, a corrupt Sheriff, heck yes I am in!
One aspect I did not enjoy was the constant jumping from character to character. A character would have a paragraph or two and then it would skip to the next. I felt it hard to keep a good grasp of where I was in the moment with the constant jumps.
The characters I felt were all pretty well developed. I loved seeing the growth in Rainey and Gummer especially! Gummer shocked me. I was not expecting so much growth from him, but I felt quite proud that he made such a drastic change, even if he is a bit of a yucky dude. Bleh. And Rainey I was glad came to the romantic conclusion he did. I could see the other path not working so I was thankful he went with his heart. And then there's Rachel who is freaking amazing and I love her! As dedicated as she was to her bear, I knew I would love her!
Overall, I really enjoyed this read!
May 11, 2024
This should have been a book I really enjoyed. Animals acting strange in Yellowstone Park, a mystery... it had all the ingredients to make a great tale. But I've given up on it. The characters are universally impossible to like or root for. Sure, there are the usual 'baddies' (evil sheriff, poachers, corrupt FBI, Black Ops and the like), but the MCs are unpleasant too. Two women, whom I assume we're supposed to think are sassy and kick-ass, come over as just hormonal, annoying and entitled. The third, a man, is just a sap, bouncing between these two awful women.
The book starts out with Jen, one of the female MCs, trying to get her kidnapped son back from her abusive ex. How does she do this you ask? Good question. I'll tell you. She captures two rattlesnakes, gets them 'milked', stuffs them in a suitcase and floats it down a river so that the said hubby, waiting on a bridge with their son, will be curious and fish it out and be terrified by the snakes and run away.
Do you want me to go over that plan again?
She's an inner-city Chicago cop, btw. This is Yellowstone Park. Did I mention that? A cop (best on the force, of course, tough as they come) and that's her plan. Snakes, suitcase, floating, scare him away...
I should have stopped reading after this to be honest, but I ploughed on.
Wish I hadn't.
The book starts out with Jen, one of the female MCs, trying to get her kidnapped son back from her abusive ex. How does she do this you ask? Good question. I'll tell you. She captures two rattlesnakes, gets them 'milked', stuffs them in a suitcase and floats it down a river so that the said hubby, waiting on a bridge with their son, will be curious and fish it out and be terrified by the snakes and run away.
Do you want me to go over that plan again?
She's an inner-city Chicago cop, btw. This is Yellowstone Park. Did I mention that? A cop (best on the force, of course, tough as they come) and that's her plan. Snakes, suitcase, floating, scare him away...
I should have stopped reading after this to be honest, but I ploughed on.
Wish I hadn't.
July 23, 2021
I liked this interesting story about what happens when someone messes with the environment of Yellowstone Park. I received this book for free and I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given it a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers. There is a lot of violence in this from people we should be able to trust. There was many twists and turns in this apparent tell it all from people within the Park System. It's a scary thought if this could happen in today's timing. Published in 2014, it gives me the chills just thinking if something like this would happen. Not a good book to read right before bed. It will make you think about our world around us.
July 26, 2020
This book kept me turning the pages to find out what was happening. The scientific explanations of what is happening are excellent and well researched to the point that when science becomes fiction, it seems completely plausible.There was constant conflict that kept you guessing. That being said, some of the character development was a little unbelievable, especially with the women characters. But if you can get past that, the action, suspense, and science make it worth the read.
October 18, 2020
I tried 3 different times to finish this and just couldn't get into it. Glacial pace and just flat out boring.
May 22, 2014
this is a very complex book with several plots and mysteries going on at once. There is a little love triangle but this is a secondary very very secondary concept to all that this book has going on. This book is not a beach read by any means but it is one to read on a rainy day. I say it's not a beach read because beach reads are usually your I don't want to think fluffy funny reads and this is not that.
what makes this book more fascinating is that with all the plots competing and taking turns around each other, they intertwine and become one in the end. what is this book about? It's about people using a bacteria to get what they want without caring of the consequences, some using this to get richer, some to help make things safer for others but the ones that are the best are those that are fighting this whole thing for the livelihood of a Park and the animals that live within.
I am going to break this down differently than I normally do because it is more complex than past books.
Plot: several at once. 1.The sheriff is a plot and story in himself. His scheming and lawless ways do come back to bite him in the butt but he is freakishly scary. He takes the law and twists it for his pleasure. He is in it for many and uses people as kleenex to dispose of when necessary. Get on his bad side and you are toast. How does he fit into the bigger picture? He is after elk antler for money. Sees this bacteria as the way to get bigger antler and more money. Also wants more control in his business. Doesn't care the consequences of this bacteria just sees dollar signs and along the way he can hurt a few people he doesn't like.
2. The bear: Started the whole issue. he was being studied and killed the professor or that is what is official. Something more sinister happened. Anyways they are all trying to kill him but he is elusive. Meantime people come in to finish up his research and those are the ones taking it a different way.
3. the bacteria: what starts it all. the thermophiles. They are creating mutations that the park workers are scared of. Also they are helping to get the sheriff feeling more greedy, gummer happy in the money zone until he realizes what the effects are, rachel in a uproar and doing something, Rainey and Jen involved.
4. Cockeye: his whole thing with the sheriff and the bacteria is really not figured out. So we don't know his background but we do know this is a murder mystery or is it a murder? His death starts the chain reaction of Jenn and Rainey getting involved.
5. the love story: it's a triangle really. Rainey thought he moved on from Rachel and Jen comes into the picture and teaches rainey things. Meanwhile Rachel finds she still loves Rainey and this is going on while they are evading the law and trying to find out the truth about the Sentry, mutated animals and the bacteria.
All the plots are well written and twist you up. It's incredible how they all end up intertwining in the end.
Characters: very interesting and well vetted to you. Each has a secret whether it is Danny who fools everyone, rachel who is in love and doesn't realize it till it may be to late Rainey who finds himself., Jen who finds peace, Jesse the sheriff who is evil but not as evil as Bodine and gummer the one in the middle. All play a role in what happens to each other like dominoes. Such a intricate web is weaved that one tug and it can fall apart.
Overall: a fascinating and articulately written book that will keep you on your toes as you navigate with the good guys and hope they win.
what makes this book more fascinating is that with all the plots competing and taking turns around each other, they intertwine and become one in the end. what is this book about? It's about people using a bacteria to get what they want without caring of the consequences, some using this to get richer, some to help make things safer for others but the ones that are the best are those that are fighting this whole thing for the livelihood of a Park and the animals that live within.
I am going to break this down differently than I normally do because it is more complex than past books.
Plot: several at once. 1.The sheriff is a plot and story in himself. His scheming and lawless ways do come back to bite him in the butt but he is freakishly scary. He takes the law and twists it for his pleasure. He is in it for many and uses people as kleenex to dispose of when necessary. Get on his bad side and you are toast. How does he fit into the bigger picture? He is after elk antler for money. Sees this bacteria as the way to get bigger antler and more money. Also wants more control in his business. Doesn't care the consequences of this bacteria just sees dollar signs and along the way he can hurt a few people he doesn't like.
2. The bear: Started the whole issue. he was being studied and killed the professor or that is what is official. Something more sinister happened. Anyways they are all trying to kill him but he is elusive. Meantime people come in to finish up his research and those are the ones taking it a different way.
3. the bacteria: what starts it all. the thermophiles. They are creating mutations that the park workers are scared of. Also they are helping to get the sheriff feeling more greedy, gummer happy in the money zone until he realizes what the effects are, rachel in a uproar and doing something, Rainey and Jen involved.
4. Cockeye: his whole thing with the sheriff and the bacteria is really not figured out. So we don't know his background but we do know this is a murder mystery or is it a murder? His death starts the chain reaction of Jenn and Rainey getting involved.
5. the love story: it's a triangle really. Rainey thought he moved on from Rachel and Jen comes into the picture and teaches rainey things. Meanwhile Rachel finds she still loves Rainey and this is going on while they are evading the law and trying to find out the truth about the Sentry, mutated animals and the bacteria.
All the plots are well written and twist you up. It's incredible how they all end up intertwining in the end.
Characters: very interesting and well vetted to you. Each has a secret whether it is Danny who fools everyone, rachel who is in love and doesn't realize it till it may be to late Rainey who finds himself., Jen who finds peace, Jesse the sheriff who is evil but not as evil as Bodine and gummer the one in the middle. All play a role in what happens to each other like dominoes. Such a intricate web is weaved that one tug and it can fall apart.
Overall: a fascinating and articulately written book that will keep you on your toes as you navigate with the good guys and hope they win.
June 19, 2014
In Velvet is a fast-paced thriller set in the mountains of Yellowstone.
From the blurb:
The northwest corner of Yellowstone Park is closed for bear management, and Rachel, a bear biologist, is discovering some very startling animal behavior—grizzlies denning in June, swans at their wintering grounds in summer, what appear to be Irish Elk, an extinct species, with huge palmated antlers. There are also horrific mutations in the young—elk calves with no front legs, earless bear cubs, and eaglets without wings. What has gone wrong? Why is this area closed? Who’s covering up these animal abnormalities in the Park?
A non-stop thriller set in some of North America’s wildest country, In Velvet takes you deep into the hearts of a hard case local detective and a Chicago cop as they take on a corrupt sheriff, a pathalogical poacher, and a lethal black ops manager to solve this ghastly mystery and restore the natural order in Yellowstone National Park.
The complex plot is also host to a complex and quirky set of characters—from a bear biologist who discovers strange happenings and odd animal mutations, an ex-detective fly fisherman, an ex-Chicago policewoman, and disturbed sheriff to a certifiably crazy poacher, and let's not forget top secret government agency involvement.
There's a lot going on in this novel. One thing that disturbed me throughout the story was the rapid point of view changes, many in short, choppy bits. This is just my opinion, but I found many of the head-hops unnecessary and would have enjoyed the story a bit more if the chapters were more cohesive. Despite that, I really liked this book.
The descriptions, especially of Yellowstone, were rich and breathtaking. I thoroughly enjoyed Burt Weissbourd's writing style. Although the scientific explanations behind what the bad guys were up to were a bit complex, they were explained in an understandable enough way to enjoy the story without my eyes glazing over. The characters were realistic, unique, and quirky. I enjoyed them all, even the ones I despised. There's a danger when blending multiple plots and subplots, but it was done seamlessly here.
This heart-pounding thriller will string you along and bring you right to the edge before reaching a most satisfactory conclusion. If this were a movie, it's the type that would have me walking out of the theater only able to initially say, “Wow!” I look forward to reading more from Mr. Weissbourd.
4.25 Stars
More review on my website: www.sarahaisling.com
From the blurb:
The northwest corner of Yellowstone Park is closed for bear management, and Rachel, a bear biologist, is discovering some very startling animal behavior—grizzlies denning in June, swans at their wintering grounds in summer, what appear to be Irish Elk, an extinct species, with huge palmated antlers. There are also horrific mutations in the young—elk calves with no front legs, earless bear cubs, and eaglets without wings. What has gone wrong? Why is this area closed? Who’s covering up these animal abnormalities in the Park?
A non-stop thriller set in some of North America’s wildest country, In Velvet takes you deep into the hearts of a hard case local detective and a Chicago cop as they take on a corrupt sheriff, a pathalogical poacher, and a lethal black ops manager to solve this ghastly mystery and restore the natural order in Yellowstone National Park.
The complex plot is also host to a complex and quirky set of characters—from a bear biologist who discovers strange happenings and odd animal mutations, an ex-detective fly fisherman, an ex-Chicago policewoman, and disturbed sheriff to a certifiably crazy poacher, and let's not forget top secret government agency involvement.
There's a lot going on in this novel. One thing that disturbed me throughout the story was the rapid point of view changes, many in short, choppy bits. This is just my opinion, but I found many of the head-hops unnecessary and would have enjoyed the story a bit more if the chapters were more cohesive. Despite that, I really liked this book.
The descriptions, especially of Yellowstone, were rich and breathtaking. I thoroughly enjoyed Burt Weissbourd's writing style. Although the scientific explanations behind what the bad guys were up to were a bit complex, they were explained in an understandable enough way to enjoy the story without my eyes glazing over. The characters were realistic, unique, and quirky. I enjoyed them all, even the ones I despised. There's a danger when blending multiple plots and subplots, but it was done seamlessly here.
This heart-pounding thriller will string you along and bring you right to the edge before reaching a most satisfactory conclusion. If this were a movie, it's the type that would have me walking out of the theater only able to initially say, “Wow!” I look forward to reading more from Mr. Weissbourd.
4.25 Stars
More review on my website: www.sarahaisling.com
January 1, 2015
This book had a lot of interesting characters and I was never bored with it. I also enjoyed the setting – watching these folks traipse around in small towns, rural areas, and out and out wilderness. Some were equipped for it, others were not. Rachel’s character was probably the most interesting for me as she is a biologist (same as me) and I instantly related to her.
The pace is very fast, with the narrative quickly flipping from one to another. In some instances, we just get to know a character before they are killed off. So if you are concerned you would get stuck on the biology passes, don’t worry. You won’t as they are brief. I especially liked the descriptions of the animals behaviors (both normal and aberrant) and of the mutated animals and what the consequences could be.
While Rainey could be thought of as the main character, I felt he took a back seat as the story progressed. Jesse as the master mind villain took center stage with Rachel flying a close second with her bear knowledge. While some of the characters find Rainey to be a very interesting character, I did not. But that’s OK.
My few criticisms for the book reside with characters making choices that either don’t fit their characterization or those choices not being believably explained. early on, there is a car explosion, with someone in it, and I didn’t feel that the reason behind this was fully explained. Also, Jen the cop comes onto the scene via a snake-infested suitcase. This seemed like a very odd thing and I never really bought into it, especially since Jen doesn’t show much outdoors or animal knowledge later. Also, Jen has been trying to get her son back from her divorced husband. But then she leaves him in the hands of strangers while she goes camping on this adventure, with her new beau. Either she is a questionable parent and that was intended or the character had a great need to leave her traumatized child and the greatness of that need didn’t come across.
Still, in the big picture, these small things did not deter me from simply shaking my head a little and continuing to enjoy the mystery and the thrill. Oh, and there are Irish Elk. This was a new one for me and I enjoyed learning just enough about them to have me go digging for more info.
The pace is very fast, with the narrative quickly flipping from one to another. In some instances, we just get to know a character before they are killed off. So if you are concerned you would get stuck on the biology passes, don’t worry. You won’t as they are brief. I especially liked the descriptions of the animals behaviors (both normal and aberrant) and of the mutated animals and what the consequences could be.
While Rainey could be thought of as the main character, I felt he took a back seat as the story progressed. Jesse as the master mind villain took center stage with Rachel flying a close second with her bear knowledge. While some of the characters find Rainey to be a very interesting character, I did not. But that’s OK.
My few criticisms for the book reside with characters making choices that either don’t fit their characterization or those choices not being believably explained. early on, there is a car explosion, with someone in it, and I didn’t feel that the reason behind this was fully explained. Also, Jen the cop comes onto the scene via a snake-infested suitcase. This seemed like a very odd thing and I never really bought into it, especially since Jen doesn’t show much outdoors or animal knowledge later. Also, Jen has been trying to get her son back from her divorced husband. But then she leaves him in the hands of strangers while she goes camping on this adventure, with her new beau. Either she is a questionable parent and that was intended or the character had a great need to leave her traumatized child and the greatness of that need didn’t come across.
Still, in the big picture, these small things did not deter me from simply shaking my head a little and continuing to enjoy the mystery and the thrill. Oh, and there are Irish Elk. This was a new one for me and I enjoyed learning just enough about them to have me go digging for more info.
June 7, 2014
A non-stop thriller set in some of North America’s wildest country, In Velvet takes you deep into the hearts of a hard case local detective and a Chicago cop as they take on a corrupt sheriff, a pathalogical poacher, and a lethal black ops manager to solve this ghastly mystery and restore the natural order in Yellowstone National Park.
In Velvet is a creepy thriller and so unique! Rachel, a bear biologist, is discovering some very unusual behavior out of the grizzly bear population in Yellowstone Park as well as what appears to be sightings of extinct species and horrific animal mutations. Just exactly what is going on in Yellowstone? This is entirely unlike anything I would normally read but animal mutations, Yellowstone Park and potential government corruption intrigued me so I picked it up for a read and was not disappointed in the slightest. This book starts off with high intensity and it doesn’t let up until the very last page. The situations are eerie, the characters are creepy and the plot is thrilling. It’s everything the synopsis promises and such a good reads!
There are a lot of characters in In Velvet – a Chicago cop, Bear Researcher, Fly Fisherman (who is also an ex-investigator), then add in a corrupt cop, various other Yellowstone employees, researchers and investigators the cast can be complex however they are relatively easy to keep organized. A few of the characters have similar personalities and speak using similar dialogue/dialect and may become muddled but these instances are rare.
The plot itself was thrilling, intriguing and a bit terrifying but only because it is so frighteningly possible. To read about animal cloning in Europe and animal testing in laboratories all throughout the US is it really that impossible to consider corrupt behaviors that result in mutations in what should be protected species?
In Velvet is a thrill from start to finish! While I expected a good read it easily surpassed my expectations.
Review by Ashley LaMar
Closed the Cover
In Velvet is a creepy thriller and so unique! Rachel, a bear biologist, is discovering some very unusual behavior out of the grizzly bear population in Yellowstone Park as well as what appears to be sightings of extinct species and horrific animal mutations. Just exactly what is going on in Yellowstone? This is entirely unlike anything I would normally read but animal mutations, Yellowstone Park and potential government corruption intrigued me so I picked it up for a read and was not disappointed in the slightest. This book starts off with high intensity and it doesn’t let up until the very last page. The situations are eerie, the characters are creepy and the plot is thrilling. It’s everything the synopsis promises and such a good reads!
There are a lot of characters in In Velvet – a Chicago cop, Bear Researcher, Fly Fisherman (who is also an ex-investigator), then add in a corrupt cop, various other Yellowstone employees, researchers and investigators the cast can be complex however they are relatively easy to keep organized. A few of the characters have similar personalities and speak using similar dialogue/dialect and may become muddled but these instances are rare.
The plot itself was thrilling, intriguing and a bit terrifying but only because it is so frighteningly possible. To read about animal cloning in Europe and animal testing in laboratories all throughout the US is it really that impossible to consider corrupt behaviors that result in mutations in what should be protected species?
In Velvet is a thrill from start to finish! While I expected a good read it easily surpassed my expectations.
Review by Ashley LaMar
Closed the Cover
October 25, 2014
Part eco-thriller, part literary fiction, In Velvet was sadly a little bit hit-and-miss for me. The writing is beautiful, and the photographs of wildlife and sceney throughout the book are stunning, however the large cast of characters and their difficult-to-follow loyalties made my reading experience rather slow and, at times, slightly boring.
Rachel is a dedicated biologist, who obviously feels a closer affinity to animals than people. Her difficult relationship with Rainey, who becomes involved in the events occuring in Yellowstone through accident rather than design is the relationship element in the story, and with the addition of Jen, who is in the midst of a personal crisis makes for a rather awkward and clunky love triangle. However Rachel is an excellent lead character in terms of her strength and determination, and it would be difficult not to want to cheer her on as the story progresses.
There are a lot of secondary characters, some more memorable than others, but I found their changing loyalties rather difficult to follow at times, and several of the more ‘hardcore’ characters simply backed off towards the end which felt a little inconsistent.
What Weissbourd excels in is setting a scene – I felt like I was actually in the national park during the scenes where Rachel is tracking her favourite bear, and the descriptions were mesmerising. The plot itself lurches from love story to thriller to scientific mystery which holds the double-edged sword of having interesting aspects but also making the pacing feel a little uneven and the book as a whole a little directionless.
Maybe this just wasn’t the book for me – the synposis was what drew me in, and the ecological/biological elements kept me reading, but In Velvet really ebbed and flowed for me – it was a unique read but just not my style.
Rachel is a dedicated biologist, who obviously feels a closer affinity to animals than people. Her difficult relationship with Rainey, who becomes involved in the events occuring in Yellowstone through accident rather than design is the relationship element in the story, and with the addition of Jen, who is in the midst of a personal crisis makes for a rather awkward and clunky love triangle. However Rachel is an excellent lead character in terms of her strength and determination, and it would be difficult not to want to cheer her on as the story progresses.
There are a lot of secondary characters, some more memorable than others, but I found their changing loyalties rather difficult to follow at times, and several of the more ‘hardcore’ characters simply backed off towards the end which felt a little inconsistent.
What Weissbourd excels in is setting a scene – I felt like I was actually in the national park during the scenes where Rachel is tracking her favourite bear, and the descriptions were mesmerising. The plot itself lurches from love story to thriller to scientific mystery which holds the double-edged sword of having interesting aspects but also making the pacing feel a little uneven and the book as a whole a little directionless.
Maybe this just wasn’t the book for me – the synposis was what drew me in, and the ecological/biological elements kept me reading, but In Velvet really ebbed and flowed for me – it was a unique read but just not my style.
November 20, 2014
Burt Weissbourd strikes again with another riveting thriller - In Velvet.
From the prologue on the action is nonstop, your interest piqued. Weissbourd creates an inventive and complicated narrative with your share of heroes and villains.
Weissbourd has a penetrating style which captures the readers attention from the start. His talent is evident through his varying story lines, you don’t feel as if he follows a formula except ensuring an exciting read every minute.
He also incorporates an incredibly strong and intelligent female protagonist, undoubtedly appreciated by this reader. Regarding In Velvet he manages to give his audience two strong females.
Rachael Stanley is front and center in In Velvet. A woman dedicated to wildlife, she speaks her mind and is resilient. Time after time her mettle is tested and she shines with ease.
All the characters in this book are incredible, you will find yourself cheering on the heroes and hoping for justice against foes. Numerous players in this story but all have a role and no one is merely an accessory.
Combining poaching, mutation and romance isn’t easy to accomplish, proving Weissbourd’s boundless talent to spin quite a yarn.
It is official Burt Weissbourd is my favorite freshman author. I look forward to forthcoming novels from this undeniable master of creative and consuming thrillers.
Fans of thrillers, wildlife preservation, and biology buffs or anyone seeking an excellent read will not want to miss adding In Velvet to your reading list. Innovative narrative with an eclectic and engaging cast of characters.
From the prologue on the action is nonstop, your interest piqued. Weissbourd creates an inventive and complicated narrative with your share of heroes and villains.
Weissbourd has a penetrating style which captures the readers attention from the start. His talent is evident through his varying story lines, you don’t feel as if he follows a formula except ensuring an exciting read every minute.
He also incorporates an incredibly strong and intelligent female protagonist, undoubtedly appreciated by this reader. Regarding In Velvet he manages to give his audience two strong females.
Rachael Stanley is front and center in In Velvet. A woman dedicated to wildlife, she speaks her mind and is resilient. Time after time her mettle is tested and she shines with ease.
All the characters in this book are incredible, you will find yourself cheering on the heroes and hoping for justice against foes. Numerous players in this story but all have a role and no one is merely an accessory.
Combining poaching, mutation and romance isn’t easy to accomplish, proving Weissbourd’s boundless talent to spin quite a yarn.
It is official Burt Weissbourd is my favorite freshman author. I look forward to forthcoming novels from this undeniable master of creative and consuming thrillers.
Fans of thrillers, wildlife preservation, and biology buffs or anyone seeking an excellent read will not want to miss adding In Velvet to your reading list. Innovative narrative with an eclectic and engaging cast of characters.
June 29, 2014
This lovely novel is set in Yellowstone National Park. Above the surface, the park is filled with animals free to roam and nature at it's best. Beneath the surface are a number of people using the park for their own purposes.
Rachel Stanley is a bear biologist. She comes across a scientist's body and believes that a bear has killed him and partially eaten him. She's also discovered bodies of deformed animals, from a bear with three toes, to a bird with no wing and an elk with three legs. She wonders what freak of nature could cause this.
Rainey is a former PI who meets Jen when he was fishing. Jen Donahue is a Chicago cop on leave. She's facing major problems with her husband.
There are multiple story lines in this complex plot, from a sheriff who wants to go into business selling illegal elk horns to a Chinese businessman, to a crazed poacher who thinks the devil is after him and to a black ops agent who is doing experiements in the park.
When Rachel confronts the black ops agent about his experiments and the effect on the animals, it's a memorable scene.
Rainey is a totally honest man who tries to help others no matter what the cost. Both Rachel and Jen are drawn to him as he is pitted against the major antagonists. The reader would think that the characters are great but more than that, they are extroardinary.
It is difficult to describe the novel further without revealing plot but I loved the story and was sorry to see it end.
I received a free book for my honest review.
Rachel Stanley is a bear biologist. She comes across a scientist's body and believes that a bear has killed him and partially eaten him. She's also discovered bodies of deformed animals, from a bear with three toes, to a bird with no wing and an elk with three legs. She wonders what freak of nature could cause this.
Rainey is a former PI who meets Jen when he was fishing. Jen Donahue is a Chicago cop on leave. She's facing major problems with her husband.
There are multiple story lines in this complex plot, from a sheriff who wants to go into business selling illegal elk horns to a Chinese businessman, to a crazed poacher who thinks the devil is after him and to a black ops agent who is doing experiements in the park.
When Rachel confronts the black ops agent about his experiments and the effect on the animals, it's a memorable scene.
Rainey is a totally honest man who tries to help others no matter what the cost. Both Rachel and Jen are drawn to him as he is pitted against the major antagonists. The reader would think that the characters are great but more than that, they are extroardinary.
It is difficult to describe the novel further without revealing plot but I loved the story and was sorry to see it end.
I received a free book for my honest review.
August 5, 2016
Bear biologist Rachel teams up with former private detective and ex-boyfriend Rainey along with Jen, a former Chicago cop and visitor to Yellowstone for complicated reasons of her own. The three are thrown into a complex plot involving secret government research, an out-of-control black ops manager, local politics, a corrupt sheriff and forest ranger, and a crazy poacher – plus a murder or two along the way. Meanwhile more and more strange behavior is occurring among the wildlife in Yellowstone.
There is a large cast of quirky characters, each with their own agenda. The story rapidly shifts between multiple points of view. While initially making it a little challenging to follow, this added a layer of complexity and provided insight into the minds and motivation each character.
I especially liked having strong, no-nonsense female characters with bold personalities. The fictional, secret scientific research in Yellowstone’s hot springs was, at times, believable and at others like the actions of a rogue scientist rather than a calculated, if not incredulous, government plot. Set in 1995, before cell phones and instant communication and rescue, there is a heightened sense of danger and suspense in the remote areas of the wilderness.
Set in the vivid northwest landscape within the beauty of Yellowstone Park, In Velvet combines nature and science into a suspenseful thriller with non-stop action, an engaging mystery, and a hint of romance.
There is a large cast of quirky characters, each with their own agenda. The story rapidly shifts between multiple points of view. While initially making it a little challenging to follow, this added a layer of complexity and provided insight into the minds and motivation each character.
I especially liked having strong, no-nonsense female characters with bold personalities. The fictional, secret scientific research in Yellowstone’s hot springs was, at times, believable and at others like the actions of a rogue scientist rather than a calculated, if not incredulous, government plot. Set in 1995, before cell phones and instant communication and rescue, there is a heightened sense of danger and suspense in the remote areas of the wilderness.
Set in the vivid northwest landscape within the beauty of Yellowstone Park, In Velvet combines nature and science into a suspenseful thriller with non-stop action, an engaging mystery, and a hint of romance.
May 21, 2014
In Velvet is a story about events happening in Yellowstone Park, Rachel is a bear biologist who is seeing horrific changes in the animals in a part of the park. Mutations such as bear cubs with no ears, elk having huge antlers and they are getting the velvet on them in the wrong season and a bear, Woolly Bugger, that she has been tracking for 13 years, is digging a den for hibernation in the wrong season. There is research being done on thermophiles in the hotsprings that may be contributing to the strange animal behaviors.What can be happening? Rachel is determined to find out what is going wrong. With the help of Rainy, a friend and previous lover, she goes up against a corrupt sheriff, a dangerously demented poacher and other government officials.
This is a fast paced, character driven novel that could actually happen, greed and corruption abounds amongst some of the characters. Rachel comes across as a tough woman but she is also very vulnerable, Rainey is a man who has seen his share of troubles but the two of them make for a dynamic couple. There is a lot of scientific jargon but that does not detract from the story. A great thriller for the person who enjoys a story who's characters are tough and gritty, no sugar coated people in this book! I enjoyed it immensely.
I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review
This is a fast paced, character driven novel that could actually happen, greed and corruption abounds amongst some of the characters. Rachel comes across as a tough woman but she is also very vulnerable, Rainey is a man who has seen his share of troubles but the two of them make for a dynamic couple. There is a lot of scientific jargon but that does not detract from the story. A great thriller for the person who enjoys a story who's characters are tough and gritty, no sugar coated people in this book! I enjoyed it immensely.
I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review
June 5, 2014
I liked this book, BUT I found the majority of characters to be really creepy and weird. The two main female characters also seemed to be almost indistinguishable in their speech and thought patterns, which made some scenes rather confusing. I found myself wanting to read more and see how the story ended (like watching a train wreck), despite not really liking or feeling a strong connection to any of the characters.
It was well written, and a complex mystery/thriller that is easy to read.
But man, some of the guys are really creepy weird characters!
I read this as an ARC through NetGalley
It was well written, and a complex mystery/thriller that is easy to read.
But man, some of the guys are really creepy weird characters!
I read this as an ARC through NetGalley
May 22, 2014
This was a thrilling suspense, mystery read set against the stunning back drop of Yellowstone Park. With a cast of complex and well defined characters and a solid plot, it wasn't difficult getting sucked into this fascinating story.
I was riveted, wanting to find out even more about the strange mutations that Rachel found. I knew there had to be a tie in with the experiments taking place. Add to that the many of twists and turns; the corruption and lies, there was just no end to the many layers to this story. It was an intricately woven web, intelligently written, and flawless.
I was riveted, wanting to find out even more about the strange mutations that Rachel found. I knew there had to be a tie in with the experiments taking place. Add to that the many of twists and turns; the corruption and lies, there was just no end to the many layers to this story. It was an intricately woven web, intelligently written, and flawless.
May 4, 2014
Good vs evil. Nature vs exploitation. Who will win?
This vivid, multi-layered, multiple mystery narrative continuously weaves and winds throughout with lots of action, science and a hint of romance. To a point, a suspension of disbelief does assist with parts, but the story is easy to read and flows well.
Characters are authentic, caring, and intriguing.
Overall, a thrilling read.
This vivid, multi-layered, multiple mystery narrative continuously weaves and winds throughout with lots of action, science and a hint of romance. To a point, a suspension of disbelief does assist with parts, but the story is easy to read and flows well.
Characters are authentic, caring, and intriguing.
Overall, a thrilling read.
June 4, 2014
If your looking for a quick summer read with a lot of subplots this is the book for you.It take place in Yellowstone National Park with secret government project causing problems to the wildlife so its up to Rachel,her ex-boyfriend and other to put a stop to it. I like to thank Goodread for giving me a chance to win this book.
August 26, 2014
I just could not follow the various storylines that were all going on at the same time. The cast of characters were all over the place. Just too many things happenings at once. It made truly enjoying the story difficuft.
May 16, 2015
Great wildlife thriller !
This story is great, made even better due to the "what if" you start asking yourself. Love the strong characters, the details that are enough without going overboard, and the story itself. You will find yourself reading long into the night to finish.
This story is great, made even better due to the "what if" you start asking yourself. Love the strong characters, the details that are enough without going overboard, and the story itself. You will find yourself reading long into the night to finish.
March 11, 2018
It may not win a Pulitzer Prize, but Burt Weissbourd's novel is a very exciting read. It's well researched, and informative about the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park, especially grizzly bears & elk. It's also not a half-bad love story.
August 8, 2014
Loved it because I live in the area. Action packed, well written, creative, page turner.
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