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Catherine Sohon Elephant Mystery #2
White Gold
In this pulse-pounding follow-up to Ivory Ghosts—hailed by Jodi Picoult as “a win for any animal lover or reader with a conservationist’s heart”—wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon ventures into the darkest corners of China to hunt the world’s deadliest poachers.
Catherine Sohon has gone undercover in the Chinese underworld, where the illegal ivory trade is at an all-time high. Posing as a foreign buyer in the backroom of the Beijing Antique Market, she’s closing in on the smuggler who has eluded her since Namibia. Then ruthless gunmen burst in, leaving death in their wake and turning Catherine into a suspect in a triad turf war.
After a close call with a king cobra on a boat full of endangered wildlife, new clues propel her across the country, from open markets to an ivory carving factory in Guangzhou to the forests of southern Yunnan, home to the precious few remaining Chinese-Asian elephants. Her quest pits her against the same vicious trafficking kingpin—only now it’s clear that even high-level officials are looking the other way as the world’s endangered species flood into China from all across Asia and Africa. And when an old lover pays a surprise visit, Catherine is forced to confront the agonizing choices that still haunt her.
As Catherine races to execute a daring sting operation along the mountainous border of Myanmar, a shocking betrayal sends her into a tailspin. Now her life depends on the bond forged with an elephant named Lu Lu. Meanwhile, in the shadows awaits a powerful new adversary—someone with far more at stake than Catherine could possibly know.
Praise for Caitlin O’Connell’s Ivory Ghosts
“The scientist that Caitlin O’Connell is shines through her first work of fiction, a thriller set against the illegal ivory poaching trade in Africa. With descriptions and dialect so real you feel as if you might be turning pages while sitting deep in the bush, and a skillful narrative that teaches while it thrills, this novel is a win for any animal lover or reader with a conservationist’s heart.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Times
“A truly fascinating thriller that beautifully conveys the story of those magnificent creatures, the elephants, and the poachers who try to destroy them. Bravo!”—Mary Higgins Clark, #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’ve Got You Under My Skin
“A vibrant, muckraking mystery that will be difficult to forget.” —Kirkus Reviews
Catherine Sohon has gone undercover in the Chinese underworld, where the illegal ivory trade is at an all-time high. Posing as a foreign buyer in the backroom of the Beijing Antique Market, she’s closing in on the smuggler who has eluded her since Namibia. Then ruthless gunmen burst in, leaving death in their wake and turning Catherine into a suspect in a triad turf war.
After a close call with a king cobra on a boat full of endangered wildlife, new clues propel her across the country, from open markets to an ivory carving factory in Guangzhou to the forests of southern Yunnan, home to the precious few remaining Chinese-Asian elephants. Her quest pits her against the same vicious trafficking kingpin—only now it’s clear that even high-level officials are looking the other way as the world’s endangered species flood into China from all across Asia and Africa. And when an old lover pays a surprise visit, Catherine is forced to confront the agonizing choices that still haunt her.
As Catherine races to execute a daring sting operation along the mountainous border of Myanmar, a shocking betrayal sends her into a tailspin. Now her life depends on the bond forged with an elephant named Lu Lu. Meanwhile, in the shadows awaits a powerful new adversary—someone with far more at stake than Catherine could possibly know.
Praise for Caitlin O’Connell’s Ivory Ghosts
“The scientist that Caitlin O’Connell is shines through her first work of fiction, a thriller set against the illegal ivory poaching trade in Africa. With descriptions and dialect so real you feel as if you might be turning pages while sitting deep in the bush, and a skillful narrative that teaches while it thrills, this novel is a win for any animal lover or reader with a conservationist’s heart.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Times
“A truly fascinating thriller that beautifully conveys the story of those magnificent creatures, the elephants, and the poachers who try to destroy them. Bravo!”—Mary Higgins Clark, #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’ve Got You Under My Skin
“A vibrant, muckraking mystery that will be difficult to forget.” —Kirkus Reviews
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2017
5 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin O'Connell
12 books45 followersDr. Caitlin O'Connell is an Instructor at Harvard Medical School and a world renowned expert on elephants and vibrotactile sensitivity. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed nonfiction science memoir, The Elephant's Secret Sense (2007, Simon & Schuster--Free Press), which highlights a novel form of elephant communication as well as their conservation plight. Her narrative nonfiction photo book An Elephant's Life (2011, Lyons Press) uses a graphic novel approach to revealing subtle and intimate aspects of elephant society. Her co-authored nonfiction children's book, The Elephant Scientist (2011, Houghton Mifflin Children's Books) won five awards, including the Robert F. Sibert Honor and Horn Book Honor for 2012. A Baby Elephant In The Wild (2014, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers) was a Junior Library Guild Select and winner of the 2015 NSTA award for Outstanding Science Trade Book for students K-12. Her second science memoir, Elephant Don: The Politics Of A Pachyderm Posse (University of Chicago Press) came out in 2015. Her debut novel, Ivory Ghosts, also came out in 2015 with Alibi, an ebook imprint of Random House. The sequel to Ivory Ghosts, White Gold, came out in February, 2017 and the first issue of the comic came out in May, 2018. Bridge to the Wild was published in August, 2016 with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. In her latest nonfiction book, Wild Rituals, 2020, O'Connell highlights the importance of ritual to all social animals including ourselves. O'Connell is the co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, Utopia Scientific (www.utopiascientific.org), dedicated to research and science education. She is also co-director of Triple Helix Productions, with a mandate to develop more accurate and entertaining science content for the media. She has taught Science Writing for Stanford University and The New York Times Knowledge Network.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 5, 2017
White Gold is the second book in the Catherine Sohon Elephant Mysteries. Catherine has recently moved from Namibia to China in hopes of capturing, Nigel Lofty, a big time endangered animal smuggler (worst type of person in the world). With the help of her college roommate, Ling Ru who after college returned to China and became a customs agent. Catherine and Ling Ru find themselves in some pretty tight spots which they manage to find a way out off. The book brings to light how brutal the illegal animal trade is, at times it was not enjoyable reading about how we mutilate animals.
The best part of the book was the descriptions of the elephants and their interactions with one another and humans. Elephants are fascinating animals.
Thanks to Alibi and NetGalley for the opportunity to read White Gold.
The best part of the book was the descriptions of the elephants and their interactions with one another and humans. Elephants are fascinating animals.
Thanks to Alibi and NetGalley for the opportunity to read White Gold.
February 13, 2017
2.5 stars
I thought the premise of this book sounded fascinating concerning the illegal ivory trade market between Africa and China. But the actual book didn't quite wow me. The writing seemed rushed. In other words, yes there was action but it never felt fully detailed. I felt I was being pushed along. Does that make sense? The plot is not always believable. If you are willing to suspend belief, you might like this. At times, it had a bit of an Indiana Jones feel to it.
Several scenes are exceedingly gruesome and not for the faint hearted. O’Connell makes sure you understand all the issues concerning the ivory trade, but at times it felt didactic.
There is a decent amount of character development. O’Connell slowly fleshes Catherine out. And Ling-Ru was also well developed.
I had not read the first book in this series and I felt the lapse. There's not a lot of background provided.
My thanks to netgalley and Alibi Books for an advance copy of this book.
I thought the premise of this book sounded fascinating concerning the illegal ivory trade market between Africa and China. But the actual book didn't quite wow me. The writing seemed rushed. In other words, yes there was action but it never felt fully detailed. I felt I was being pushed along. Does that make sense? The plot is not always believable. If you are willing to suspend belief, you might like this. At times, it had a bit of an Indiana Jones feel to it.
Several scenes are exceedingly gruesome and not for the faint hearted. O’Connell makes sure you understand all the issues concerning the ivory trade, but at times it felt didactic.
There is a decent amount of character development. O’Connell slowly fleshes Catherine out. And Ling-Ru was also well developed.
I had not read the first book in this series and I felt the lapse. There's not a lot of background provided.
My thanks to netgalley and Alibi Books for an advance copy of this book.
February 15, 2017
I found the first book in this series an enthralling read and jumped at the opportunity to read this, the sequel. Rarely does any author have such in depth knowledge of the subject matter, bringing her descriptions of people, places, animals and events vividly to life in the imagination of the reader. The first novel focused on event in the beautiful floodplains of Namibia but this one is based on Catherine moving to investigate the Chinese underworld where she’s endeavouring to capture the smuggler she’s tracked from Namibia, Nigel Lofty.
This time starting in the bustling city of Beijing, there are other dangerous wildlife encounters, a triad turf war, betrayal and dangers around every corner. It is, at times, horrendously gruesome as the brutal illegal animal trade is graphically portrayed. Throughout the story, the elephants are the true stars of this fast paced adventure. I do think it will be best appreciated by people who have read the first book, Ivory Ghosts, as it is assumed readers will know about aspects already encountered in that story and now followed through in this sequel. Discovering just who is trustworthy, trusting herself and her instincts as well as discovering more about the illicit wildlife trade, the political, economical and cultural aspects are all enthralling aspects in this very moving, informative and captivating story.
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this novel with no obligation. This is my honest review.
This time starting in the bustling city of Beijing, there are other dangerous wildlife encounters, a triad turf war, betrayal and dangers around every corner. It is, at times, horrendously gruesome as the brutal illegal animal trade is graphically portrayed. Throughout the story, the elephants are the true stars of this fast paced adventure. I do think it will be best appreciated by people who have read the first book, Ivory Ghosts, as it is assumed readers will know about aspects already encountered in that story and now followed through in this sequel. Discovering just who is trustworthy, trusting herself and her instincts as well as discovering more about the illicit wildlife trade, the political, economical and cultural aspects are all enthralling aspects in this very moving, informative and captivating story.
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this novel with no obligation. This is my honest review.
February 20, 2017
A woman investigates ivory poaching in China, where it comes from and how it is being smuggled into China. She is working in assisting the preservation of wild elephants. Parts of the novel were, to me, pure chick lit, parts pure fantasy and the parts that dealt with the elephants were pure enjoyment and knowledge. They alone made the book worth reading. Thanks to Net Galley and Alibi for an ARC for an honest review
April 20, 2017
Very fast paced and exciting. Takes place in and around China. If you're an animal lover you'll enjoy this thriller. Very good mystery. Kept me guessing the whole time. Wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon is a strong female to root for. This is book 2 in a series and I hadn't read the first, but it didn't seem to detract from the story line at all.
NetGalley ARC received for an unbiased review.
NetGalley ARC received for an unbiased review.
February 2, 2017
Ms. O’Connell’s latest addition to the Catherine Sohon elephant mystery series, WHITE GOLD, takes the reader deep behind the scenes within China and the dangerous ivory trade world and does not disappoint. The fast-paced, exciting novel moves quickly, with great attention to detail about the shady, complex characters that continue to challenge Detective Sohon alongside the small handful of people she must trust with her life. Not to be lost, however, is the author’s description of the brutality carried out on innocent animals by various levels within the greedy organized crime organizations. With romantic conflicts, street battles, personal confessions and a multi-continent elephant ivory history lesson intertwined from start to finish, WHITE GOLD is a welcome addition to what will hopefully be a long series of future adventures for Catherine Sohon.
March 23, 2017
An enthralling and absorbing about trafficking and preservation of the worlds wild life but predominantly elephants. A couple of love stories intertwined made the story one of non stop action. Loved every minute of the story.
February 7, 2017
This book is interesting and informative. At first it seemed a little dry, but I learned how much I wasn't seeing as the story progressed. Based on the author's description, everyone is damaged goods, even the animals. What this means is the people are real and easy to relate to. Lots of excitement and continuing danger. This story continues from the first book with Catherine Sohon, but is entirely readable standing by itself. Several characters suggest the folly of trusting anyone, and for the most part are proven right. The action this time is in China, which presents an entirely different culture from the first book. The black side of the culture is continuously on display. This is a great book. It makes a point about the loss of wildlife, but doesn't become preachy, and it provides an exciting story.
February 15, 2017
The second book in the Catherine Sohon series, wildlife biologist and fighter of poaching, Catherine hs left Nambia for China, still after the villain of the last book, Nigel Lofty and quickly becomes embroiled in a large trafficking investigation. She re-encounters her old college roommate, Ling Ru, now an agent with the Customs Department. It quickly becomes apparent that there is some high-level corruption in the case and Catherine isn't sure who she can trust.
This one picks up the action and pace and makes Catherine almost a spy or agent/operative in how she approaches this case which feels a bit different than the first book. There is less about the elephants--although the Chinese elephants certainly play a role and there were several times I had to put the book down due to the graphic scenes of animal cruelty. They aren't over-done or gratuitous but they are difficult to read and help make clear how despicable the practices around animal trade and trafficking are and how they need to be stopped. Riveting and hard to put down. Start with Ivory Ghosts--the first book.
I received an e-book ARC via NetGalley of this book but I was not compensated for my review in any way and my thoughts and feelings are my own.
This one picks up the action and pace and makes Catherine almost a spy or agent/operative in how she approaches this case which feels a bit different than the first book. There is less about the elephants--although the Chinese elephants certainly play a role and there were several times I had to put the book down due to the graphic scenes of animal cruelty. They aren't over-done or gratuitous but they are difficult to read and help make clear how despicable the practices around animal trade and trafficking are and how they need to be stopped. Riveting and hard to put down. Start with Ivory Ghosts--the first book.
I received an e-book ARC via NetGalley of this book but I was not compensated for my review in any way and my thoughts and feelings are my own.
December 14, 2016
Since early school days I have been fascinated the wild life from prehistoric times. The Saber-toothed tiger, the wooly mammoths and other creatures of the earth. Having just finished this book I ponder if sometime in the future some teacher will be showing youngster pictures of extinct animals such as elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses and other creatures mankind has hunted to extinction for their body parts. Is there any scientific data to show that a rhino’s horn is better than Viagra? Likely based on ancient shamans’ snake oil remedies and yet in this modern era mankind continues to destroy their world to profit from the sale of commodities such as ivory from slaughtered elephants, and various body parts from bears, tigers, rhinoceroses and countless other animals all slaughtered illegally. Sharks are caught and their fin removed, then they are tossed away just so someone can enjoy a bowl of soup. The shark dies. An engaging plot with realistic portrayal of the characters. This book is an excellent look at one of the ways mankind hastens to strip the earth of the very things so admired. A well told story with a very important message. A message so often heard and yet so ignored.
February 7, 2017
This second installment of the Catherine Sohon series did not disappoint. In stark contrast to the desolate beauty of the floodplains of the Caprivi described in “Ivory Ghosts”, Ms. O’Connell now drops us in the middle of Beijing, one of the world’s most populous cities, and expands her story to delve into the business side of the ivory trade. Catherine’s wonderfully human character again struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty of who to trust, but her determination holds fast through the quickly shifting landscape and escalating events, each chapter taking us deeper into the complicated world of the illicit wildlife trade. Ms. O’Connell’s ability to tell an entertaining and informative tale, grounded in the realities of economics, politics and culture, kept me captivated and will definitely bring me back for more!
April 22, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this novel.
I have not had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series, but I shall soon.
This book is stand alone, you don't have to read the first one to understand what is going on.
I have always been an animal lover, and it was great to see a great mystery and thriller touch on such a good message without shoving it down your throat. It was an exciting story and I am excited to see much more from this series!
I have not had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series, but I shall soon.
This book is stand alone, you don't have to read the first one to understand what is going on.
I have always been an animal lover, and it was great to see a great mystery and thriller touch on such a good message without shoving it down your throat. It was an exciting story and I am excited to see much more from this series!
May 18, 2017
The greed and ignorance of humans never ceases to shock.
Catherine Sohon is in Beijing, China trying to trace and capture Nigel Lofty; a notoriously unscrupulous ring leader of elephant poachers. He escaped from her in Namibia and she is determined to bring him to justice when he sells the ivory to his triad connections.
Her quest to get justice will put her in great danger and also make her question many of the people surrounding her who she is supposed to trust, including her boss, Craig.
Caitlin O'Connell is superbly qualified to tell this story about the slaughter of whole families of elephants as well as tigers, bears and even nightingales (used for smuggling diamonds). The descriptions of what the Chinese find attractive about certain parts of the animals and birds had me grinding my teeth in anger at the sheer greed and ignorance that has resulted in this diabolical wholesale destruction to the point of extinction that is taking place. Why more is not being done to educate people that these poor defenceless animals really don't possess the supposed healing powers also disturbs and baffles me. However, enough of my personal wish to pick up a gun and shoot every person involved in this wholesale destruction and more on my comments on the storyline!
I'm giving four stars because I feel that I've learnt so much about the operation of triads, illegal poaching and the ridiculous beliefs that people hold on the healing powers that certain animal parts have. However, I am hugely disappointed in the characters as I found them all so stilted and one dimensional and this spoilt the read for me. With her qualifications and work with elephants, I feel sure that she must have stories of events that are really happening which will shock more people into becoming involved in the fight to save wildlife from total annihilation.
Reading this book while being in South Africa has made me more aware of all the sanctuaries that I pass on my daily commute through the Garden Route as I travel with my daughter while she does her rounds teaching equitation. In just this tiny little section of the country, there is an elephant sanctuary, with its close neighbour a wildcat sanctuary (lions, cheetahs and leopards). There is also a giraffe sanctuary close by with a variety of buck also enjoying protection from poachers. Not even five kilometres in the opposite direction is the rapture sanctuary and snake park, trying to educate on how these also play a huge role in the environment. It makes me very sad to think that our next generation may grow up not knowing these magnificent animals in their true environments, but instead in area specifically set up to keep them from harm.
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Catherine Sohon is in Beijing, China trying to trace and capture Nigel Lofty; a notoriously unscrupulous ring leader of elephant poachers. He escaped from her in Namibia and she is determined to bring him to justice when he sells the ivory to his triad connections.
Her quest to get justice will put her in great danger and also make her question many of the people surrounding her who she is supposed to trust, including her boss, Craig.
Caitlin O'Connell is superbly qualified to tell this story about the slaughter of whole families of elephants as well as tigers, bears and even nightingales (used for smuggling diamonds). The descriptions of what the Chinese find attractive about certain parts of the animals and birds had me grinding my teeth in anger at the sheer greed and ignorance that has resulted in this diabolical wholesale destruction to the point of extinction that is taking place. Why more is not being done to educate people that these poor defenceless animals really don't possess the supposed healing powers also disturbs and baffles me. However, enough of my personal wish to pick up a gun and shoot every person involved in this wholesale destruction and more on my comments on the storyline!
I'm giving four stars because I feel that I've learnt so much about the operation of triads, illegal poaching and the ridiculous beliefs that people hold on the healing powers that certain animal parts have. However, I am hugely disappointed in the characters as I found them all so stilted and one dimensional and this spoilt the read for me. With her qualifications and work with elephants, I feel sure that she must have stories of events that are really happening which will shock more people into becoming involved in the fight to save wildlife from total annihilation.
Reading this book while being in South Africa has made me more aware of all the sanctuaries that I pass on my daily commute through the Garden Route as I travel with my daughter while she does her rounds teaching equitation. In just this tiny little section of the country, there is an elephant sanctuary, with its close neighbour a wildcat sanctuary (lions, cheetahs and leopards). There is also a giraffe sanctuary close by with a variety of buck also enjoying protection from poachers. Not even five kilometres in the opposite direction is the rapture sanctuary and snake park, trying to educate on how these also play a huge role in the environment. It makes me very sad to think that our next generation may grow up not knowing these magnificent animals in their true environments, but instead in area specifically set up to keep them from harm.
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
May 13, 2017
A rather different read. I love elephants, so I picked up this book. It stands alone okay. It does bounce all over China, which I think the author might have been there from the writing. This book deals with the ivory trade, something that doesn't make as much sense in today's world as it did in the 30's or 40's when ivory *might* have been needed for something. The book can be a tiny bit dry in places, but in other ways it's like MacGyver. The main charactor see things and knows she will need them, almost subconsciously. I liked that.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
January 30, 2019
The mystery itself in this book was fine, but the way the clues were laid made everything way too obvious, ruining any chance of the reader being surprised by the twists. None of the characters connected or conversed in realistic ways and many of their conflicts could have been easily resolved if they'd bothered to talk to each other for two minutes. The scenes involving elephants were well-written, which makes sense considering the author has real-life experience in that arena, but even those scenes started to feel a little preachy after a few pages.
February 24, 2017
Confronting the Illegal Ivory Trade
Poaching elephants for their ivory is illegal in Asian countries, but with the upsurge in wealth in China the trade is flourishing. Catherine Sohon, in this second book in the series, is in China to try to capture Nigel Lofty, a major figure in the trade. Her first encounter with Nigel leaves her in the hospital, but when she teams up with her college roommate, Ling Ru, the pair uncover a smuggling ring dealing in not only Ivory, but exotic animals.
The best part of this book is the information about the illegal ivory trade and the trade in exotic animals. I also loved the descriptions of elephants in the wild. However, the writing in other parts of the book didn’t come up to the level of the descriptions. My major criticism was the use of dialog to lecture about the ivory trade. At one point, Ling Ru and Catherine are trying to sort out a shipment of exotic animals. There is ivory in the hold and a tiger on the loose, but Catherine still finds time for a lecture. That sort of data dump cuts into the action.
The book was fast paced, aside from the lectures, but some of the action seemed unrealistic. The story was based in modern China and Hong Kong, but some of the action scenes seemed pure fantasy.
I recommend the book if you love animals, particularly elephants. The mystery is interesting, but the animals are the major focus.
I received this book from Random House for this review.
Poaching elephants for their ivory is illegal in Asian countries, but with the upsurge in wealth in China the trade is flourishing. Catherine Sohon, in this second book in the series, is in China to try to capture Nigel Lofty, a major figure in the trade. Her first encounter with Nigel leaves her in the hospital, but when she teams up with her college roommate, Ling Ru, the pair uncover a smuggling ring dealing in not only Ivory, but exotic animals.
The best part of this book is the information about the illegal ivory trade and the trade in exotic animals. I also loved the descriptions of elephants in the wild. However, the writing in other parts of the book didn’t come up to the level of the descriptions. My major criticism was the use of dialog to lecture about the ivory trade. At one point, Ling Ru and Catherine are trying to sort out a shipment of exotic animals. There is ivory in the hold and a tiger on the loose, but Catherine still finds time for a lecture. That sort of data dump cuts into the action.
The book was fast paced, aside from the lectures, but some of the action seemed unrealistic. The story was based in modern China and Hong Kong, but some of the action scenes seemed pure fantasy.
I recommend the book if you love animals, particularly elephants. The mystery is interesting, but the animals are the major focus.
I received this book from Random House for this review.
March 6, 2017
Setting: Various locations in China
Characters:
Catherine, a wildlife biologist working to protect elephants
Craig, Catherine's boss
Ling-Ru, Catherine's college roommate and friend
Plot: Catherine works in a dangerous field, but she's driven by her desire to protect wildlife, elephants specifically. In White Gold, she is tracking illegal ivory poachers. After being attacked while posing as a foreign buyer, Catherine embarks on a series of missions that, on their face, seem poorly timed or inconsequential. What she (and readers alike) can't quite piece together until the end is how each mission, job, and path reveals tiny tips and clues to figuring out what exactly is going on. With her life in danger every step of the way, Catherine relies on Craig and an old friend, Ling-Ru, who shows up in the knick of time to save her life. What she never saw coming was the deception on every side - even from those who she thinks she can depend on the most.
Pacing: Fast
Predictability: Very low
Wild Card: White Gold is the second book by Caitlin O'Connell featuring Catherine Sohon. I haven't read the first, but I didn't feel as though my enjoyment or understanding were compromised in any way by not having done so. This story moves at a lightning pace and there were times when I felt a little lost or confused. Being set in China, the names of people and places are unfamiliar so, for me at least, that meant it was a little more difficult to keep track of everyone and everything.
While it's true there is a complex plot involved, there are also lots of opportunities to see the world through Catherine's (and Caitlin's) eyes. The setting is wonderfully descriptive; I could empathize with Catherine's discomfort in some scenes, and bask in the relaxing scenery of others. That said, I do feel the need to caution readers, especially the more sensitive among us. The subject matter is a difficult one and, having first-hand experience means that the author is able to immerse her readers in disturbing minutiae. The descriptions of what befalls wildlife in some parts of the world were hard to read and heartbreaking. I struggled a little with trying not to be righteous and judgemental when reading about menu options in one unpalatable chapter! For those readers who find it difficult to read about harm coming to any animals, this may not be the best book for you. If you can stomach those cold realities to see the story beyond - and the mission of conservation that both author and character are on - it's a thrilling adventure that will keep you turning the pages.
Hit, Miss, or Draw: Draw; well-written and riveting, but the subject matter may make it difficult for some readers to enjoy
Characters:
Catherine, a wildlife biologist working to protect elephants
Craig, Catherine's boss
Ling-Ru, Catherine's college roommate and friend
Plot: Catherine works in a dangerous field, but she's driven by her desire to protect wildlife, elephants specifically. In White Gold, she is tracking illegal ivory poachers. After being attacked while posing as a foreign buyer, Catherine embarks on a series of missions that, on their face, seem poorly timed or inconsequential. What she (and readers alike) can't quite piece together until the end is how each mission, job, and path reveals tiny tips and clues to figuring out what exactly is going on. With her life in danger every step of the way, Catherine relies on Craig and an old friend, Ling-Ru, who shows up in the knick of time to save her life. What she never saw coming was the deception on every side - even from those who she thinks she can depend on the most.
Pacing: Fast
Predictability: Very low
Wild Card: White Gold is the second book by Caitlin O'Connell featuring Catherine Sohon. I haven't read the first, but I didn't feel as though my enjoyment or understanding were compromised in any way by not having done so. This story moves at a lightning pace and there were times when I felt a little lost or confused. Being set in China, the names of people and places are unfamiliar so, for me at least, that meant it was a little more difficult to keep track of everyone and everything.
While it's true there is a complex plot involved, there are also lots of opportunities to see the world through Catherine's (and Caitlin's) eyes. The setting is wonderfully descriptive; I could empathize with Catherine's discomfort in some scenes, and bask in the relaxing scenery of others. That said, I do feel the need to caution readers, especially the more sensitive among us. The subject matter is a difficult one and, having first-hand experience means that the author is able to immerse her readers in disturbing minutiae. The descriptions of what befalls wildlife in some parts of the world were hard to read and heartbreaking. I struggled a little with trying not to be righteous and judgemental when reading about menu options in one unpalatable chapter! For those readers who find it difficult to read about harm coming to any animals, this may not be the best book for you. If you can stomach those cold realities to see the story beyond - and the mission of conservation that both author and character are on - it's a thrilling adventure that will keep you turning the pages.
Hit, Miss, or Draw: Draw; well-written and riveting, but the subject matter may make it difficult for some readers to enjoy
February 6, 2017
You can tell this author loves animals because the book really connects when she is writing about them. In particular, I enjoyed a scene midway through about an encounter with a tiger (great descriptions and action) as well as all of the scenes involving elephants, which taught me a lot about the ivory trade.
Unfortunately, this wasn't really a book about animals, it was about humans, and I just couldn't connect with them at all. For me, a lot of the dialogue felt inorganic--like one person was explaining something to another merely so things could be explained to the READER. I also felt like a lot of things in this book happened merely because something ELSE needed to happen later. In other words, actions didn't seem necessarily motivated by the character's personality or needs, but by the NARRATIVE'S needs. This was both on a large scale and scene by scene.
For example, at one point the lead character inexplicably picks up a ball of string and puts it in her pocket (does she collect string? does she suspect it will come in handy someday? We don't know.) But it's a good thing she does because she uses it a few minutes later to subdue a King Cobra. This kind of thing happened happened a lot, (e.g.. discussion of tea pots, a discussion of green teas) as well many mentions of things that didn't seem to serve the plot at all (e.g. many mentions of black toe nails, many mentions of her irritable bowels.) Ultimately all of this business proved distracting for me personally and made it hard for me to connect with the plot and characters. But I appear to be in the minority on that one.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this wasn't really a book about animals, it was about humans, and I just couldn't connect with them at all. For me, a lot of the dialogue felt inorganic--like one person was explaining something to another merely so things could be explained to the READER. I also felt like a lot of things in this book happened merely because something ELSE needed to happen later. In other words, actions didn't seem necessarily motivated by the character's personality or needs, but by the NARRATIVE'S needs. This was both on a large scale and scene by scene.
For example, at one point the lead character inexplicably picks up a ball of string and puts it in her pocket (does she collect string? does she suspect it will come in handy someday? We don't know.) But it's a good thing she does because she uses it a few minutes later to subdue a King Cobra. This kind of thing happened happened a lot, (e.g.. discussion of tea pots, a discussion of green teas) as well many mentions of things that didn't seem to serve the plot at all (e.g. many mentions of black toe nails, many mentions of her irritable bowels.) Ultimately all of this business proved distracting for me personally and made it hard for me to connect with the plot and characters. But I appear to be in the minority on that one.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2023
White Gold: A Catherine Sohon Elephant Mystery – Book 2 by Caitlin O’Connell
274 Pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Alibi, Alibi
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Poaching, Endangered Animals, China
Catherine Sohon has left Africa and is in Bejing. She is working with the Wildlife Investigation Agency. They are looking into the illegal activity of elephant poaching. She goes undercover through the market stalls and nightclubs looking for Nigel and the others behind the poaching. She uncovers something she did not expect a group of nightingale enthusiasts. When she spots Nigel haggling over a nightingale in a threatening manner, she is intrigued. What does the nightingale have to do with ivory trading?
The book has a fast pace, the characters are somewhat developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view. Catherine is a strong woman but sometimes I wonder what she is thinking of going into some of these situations. She is unarmed and at time unaware of the people and the circumstances. This is the follow up book to Ivory Ghosts. If you like mysteries with descriptive scenery, you will enjoy reading this book.
274 Pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Alibi, Alibi
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Poaching, Endangered Animals, China
Catherine Sohon has left Africa and is in Bejing. She is working with the Wildlife Investigation Agency. They are looking into the illegal activity of elephant poaching. She goes undercover through the market stalls and nightclubs looking for Nigel and the others behind the poaching. She uncovers something she did not expect a group of nightingale enthusiasts. When she spots Nigel haggling over a nightingale in a threatening manner, she is intrigued. What does the nightingale have to do with ivory trading?
The book has a fast pace, the characters are somewhat developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view. Catherine is a strong woman but sometimes I wonder what she is thinking of going into some of these situations. She is unarmed and at time unaware of the people and the circumstances. This is the follow up book to Ivory Ghosts. If you like mysteries with descriptive scenery, you will enjoy reading this book.
April 26, 2017
I received this free from NetGalley and the publisher.
I found this an engrossing, educational and horrifying read. Horrifying because I have no doubt that the things described have and are occurring. Aside from the conservation parts of the book, there is suspense, action and romance. All in all a great read.
I found this an engrossing, educational and horrifying read. Horrifying because I have no doubt that the things described have and are occurring. Aside from the conservation parts of the book, there is suspense, action and romance. All in all a great read.
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