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Poppy McVie #2
Operation Orca Rescue
The ocean’s biggest enemy is back on the water...
...fishing for a major catch worth millions.
One woman will risk her life to keep the orcas safe.
Feisty Special Agent Poppy McVie sails off to Norway in pursuit of a ruthless predator. He’s a notorious orca poacher out for his next prize, but Poppy can’t allow him to profit from the capture of a majestic whale. In an attempt to stop him, she cons her way onto his crew to take his operation down from the inside.
Once aboard the criminal ship, Poppy realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Trapped on a monster’s vessel and surrounded by icy water, she has no way out. Can she destroy the miscreant’s diabolical scheme, or will she wind up chum for the sharks?
If you live for an Indiana Jones adventure or the thrills of Nevada Barr, this book is for you. Find out why fans call Poppy “My hero!” and “Irresistible.”
...fishing for a major catch worth millions.
One woman will risk her life to keep the orcas safe.
Feisty Special Agent Poppy McVie sails off to Norway in pursuit of a ruthless predator. He’s a notorious orca poacher out for his next prize, but Poppy can’t allow him to profit from the capture of a majestic whale. In an attempt to stop him, she cons her way onto his crew to take his operation down from the inside.
Once aboard the criminal ship, Poppy realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Trapped on a monster’s vessel and surrounded by icy water, she has no way out. Can she destroy the miscreant’s diabolical scheme, or will she wind up chum for the sharks?
If you live for an Indiana Jones adventure or the thrills of Nevada Barr, this book is for you. Find out why fans call Poppy “My hero!” and “Irresistible.”
Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2015
633 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Kimberli A. Bindschatel
39 books150 followersKimberli A. Bindschatel is a thrill seeker, travel adventurer, passionate animal lover, wildlife photographer and award-winning author of the Amazon Best-selling Poppy McVie Mystery series.
When she’s not busting bad guys with her pen, she’s out in the wilderness getting an adrenaline fix. She has rappelled down a waterfall in Costa Rica, rafted the Grand Canyon, faced down an Alaskan grizzly bear at ten feet (camera in hand), snorkeled with stingrays, and white-water kayaked a Norwegian river. She’s always ready for an adventure.
She lives in northern Michigan where she loves to hike in the woods with her rescue dog, Josee, share a bottle of wine with good friends, or sail Lake Michigan with her husband on their boat, Priorities. (You gotta have your priorities!)
Kimberli also co-writes the Charity Styles Caribbean Thriller series with Best-selling author, Wayne Stinnett.
She loves sharing her passion for adventure and wildlife with her readers and happily gives away some of her award-winning wildlife photos. Sign up for her newsletter at www.kimberlibindschatel.com and get a free photograph for your desktop.
Follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberl...
When she’s not busting bad guys with her pen, she’s out in the wilderness getting an adrenaline fix. She has rappelled down a waterfall in Costa Rica, rafted the Grand Canyon, faced down an Alaskan grizzly bear at ten feet (camera in hand), snorkeled with stingrays, and white-water kayaked a Norwegian river. She’s always ready for an adventure.
She lives in northern Michigan where she loves to hike in the woods with her rescue dog, Josee, share a bottle of wine with good friends, or sail Lake Michigan with her husband on their boat, Priorities. (You gotta have your priorities!)
Kimberli also co-writes the Charity Styles Caribbean Thriller series with Best-selling author, Wayne Stinnett.
She loves sharing her passion for adventure and wildlife with her readers and happily gives away some of her award-winning wildlife photos. Sign up for her newsletter at www.kimberlibindschatel.com and get a free photograph for your desktop.
Follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberl...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 27, 2020
Another rip-snorting adventure in the Poppy McVie series. In this instalment Fisheries and Wildlife agent Poppy and her partner Dalton are in Norway after a tip off that a notorious whaler is after a pod of orcas. In a bid to halt the attack and ensure the orcas remain free Poppy gets herself into all sorts of trouble, dragging Dalton with her.
A quick and easy to read book, suspend your disbelief that hot-headed Poppy would ever be entrusted to the job she has, and enjoy the wild ride off the coast of Norway. A good read for all fans of action and adventure, and for animal lovers everywhere.
A quick and easy to read book, suspend your disbelief that hot-headed Poppy would ever be entrusted to the job she has, and enjoy the wild ride off the coast of Norway. A good read for all fans of action and adventure, and for animal lovers everywhere.
April 28, 2017
I enjoyed the adventure and its theme of keeping wild orcas out of the hands of unscrupulous dealers.
This is the first I have read in a series about Poppy McVie who is in law enforcement with an American authority. She travels to Norway with a colleague to gain information on an American whale trapper.
Maybe because I hadn't read the earlier work, I wasn't all that invested in Poppy and her male friend. I enjoyed the hang gliding scene but found other scenes less savoury, such as the constant attempts by Poppy to use the fact of her being female around a fishing/ whaling crew to work her way on board ship or into confidences. She could have been seriously harmed, and a bar fight does break out because of her antics. Nevada Barr's park ranger Anna Pigeon would never have behaved this way.
The tale also stays on land a lot, waiting for whales and whalers to show up or get moving, which is perhaps a metaphor for whale watching in real life. Hours scanning the iron-grey waters and then everything happens at once.
I thought it might be worth mentioning that while this pod of whales is said to eat herring, and others eat salmon, orcas are the top predators of the sea and I have seen them filmed by National Geographic killing and eating a great white shark, seals, a blue whale calf and an entire pod of narwhals. That aspect doesn't come across well in the book.
Setting a book around such topical and unusual wildlife was a great idea and I'm interested to see what occurs in the land based books. This is an unbiased review.
This is the first I have read in a series about Poppy McVie who is in law enforcement with an American authority. She travels to Norway with a colleague to gain information on an American whale trapper.
Maybe because I hadn't read the earlier work, I wasn't all that invested in Poppy and her male friend. I enjoyed the hang gliding scene but found other scenes less savoury, such as the constant attempts by Poppy to use the fact of her being female around a fishing/ whaling crew to work her way on board ship or into confidences. She could have been seriously harmed, and a bar fight does break out because of her antics. Nevada Barr's park ranger Anna Pigeon would never have behaved this way.
The tale also stays on land a lot, waiting for whales and whalers to show up or get moving, which is perhaps a metaphor for whale watching in real life. Hours scanning the iron-grey waters and then everything happens at once.
I thought it might be worth mentioning that while this pod of whales is said to eat herring, and others eat salmon, orcas are the top predators of the sea and I have seen them filmed by National Geographic killing and eating a great white shark, seals, a blue whale calf and an entire pod of narwhals. That aspect doesn't come across well in the book.
Setting a book around such topical and unusual wildlife was a great idea and I'm interested to see what occurs in the land based books. This is an unbiased review.
April 1, 2018
Darn. There is no safety information available on this one. Here's to going in blind.
2.5 stars. This was engaging but I’d hoped for a little more relationship development in this one. It read like a one of many in a series instead, where the MCs don’t get together for a long time. I don’t necessarily mind that since it usually means they spend a decent amount of time getting to really know one another, but what I do mind is the constant presence of OP drama.
As it was, I would consider this a safe-ish read. . Since romance isn’t the focus in this series, it didn’t bother me much. Others may feel differently.
I would have appreciated some chapters from the H’s POV. The h can be funny but also starts getting on your nerves after a while. A little break from her narrative would’ve been nice. Maybe the next book.
2.5 stars. This was engaging but I’d hoped for a little more relationship development in this one. It read like a one of many in a series instead, where the MCs don’t get together for a long time. I don’t necessarily mind that since it usually means they spend a decent amount of time getting to really know one another, but what I do mind is the constant presence of OP drama.
As it was, I would consider this a safe-ish read. . Since romance isn’t the focus in this series, it didn’t bother me much. Others may feel differently.
I would have appreciated some chapters from the H’s POV. The h can be funny but also starts getting on your nerves after a while. A little break from her narrative would’ve been nice. Maybe the next book.
April 22, 2023
This series is such a fun, no thinking, quick read. I love the places that Poppy and, now partner, Dalton visit. I love the animal rescues. I love the banter and the growing relationship between Poppy and Dalton. On to the next adventure!
August 28, 2018
Engaging, super-fast pacing (I read it in a day in two sittings), interesting read, timely topic but not over-the-top preachy about the subject of illegal whaling. Good goal for the MC and her agent partner. Sufficiently sinister bad guy. Exotic setting (if coastal Norway seems exotic to you. It does to me.) Style is light and breezy. Dialogue true-to-life real and believable for each character. What's not to like?
An excellent read and a good sequel to the author's first book in the series. Only a slight negative for using too much hard-to-decipher dialogue for the Irish cook, Dylan. Figuring out what he was saying briefly took me out of the story.
One other slight negative was enough mentions of coffee to make me think of Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." In that book, it seems like the characters were drinking coffee about every other page. In Poppy McVie, not nearly as much, but enough that I noticed. Maybe that's where she gets her non-stop energy. ;-)
But highly recommended nonetheless. If you like cozy-style mystery/adventure/law enforcement reads, this one is well worth the money and time.
An excellent read and a good sequel to the author's first book in the series. Only a slight negative for using too much hard-to-decipher dialogue for the Irish cook, Dylan. Figuring out what he was saying briefly took me out of the story.
One other slight negative was enough mentions of coffee to make me think of Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." In that book, it seems like the characters were drinking coffee about every other page. In Poppy McVie, not nearly as much, but enough that I noticed. Maybe that's where she gets her non-stop energy. ;-)
But highly recommended nonetheless. If you like cozy-style mystery/adventure/law enforcement reads, this one is well worth the money and time.
June 27, 2016
Loved, loved, loved!!! I am going crazy waiting for the next book! I wish Poppy would just wake up and realize what she has in front of her, haha...I do have to say the only thing that really drives me crazy is how pushy Poppy can be about wanting to get things done. Some parts of this book I needed to kind of skip b/c I felt Poppy was going overboard on trying to be the hero. You have a partner, woman!! Make sure to include him in the decision making and let him help! Other than that was another fantastic story involving Poppy and Dalton. Can't wait for the next one!
August 11, 2017
As soon as I finished Poppy's first adventure (Operation Tropical Affair) I purchased this one for my Kindle. It's more feminist than the first one, in that Poppy is on par with her partner from the beginning. It's a little more preachy about animal rights, at least in the beginning, but brings the same insight to wildlife. Great plot twist at the end. Looking forward to adventure No. 3.
January 31, 2017
More Poppy
Again a well paced story, with a decent plot having a few (not too many) twists. Poppys passion, commitment and recklessness are central to the story, as is her developing but confusing relationship with Dalton. Ms. Bindschatel weaves her convictions on the evils of the illegal animal trade throughout a well written tale of adventure.
Again a well paced story, with a decent plot having a few (not too many) twists. Poppys passion, commitment and recklessness are central to the story, as is her developing but confusing relationship with Dalton. Ms. Bindschatel weaves her convictions on the evils of the illegal animal trade throughout a well written tale of adventure.
August 18, 2022
Enjoyable, centered action tale
Good series so far! Could have more descriptions here and there, but refreshingly different. Will soon get the rest of the series.
Edit: started book 3 (audiobook), see review there for why I could not finish that and wouldn’t re-read these…
Good series so far! Could have more descriptions here and there, but refreshingly different. Will soon get the rest of the series.
Edit: started book 3 (audiobook), see review there for why I could not finish that and wouldn’t re-read these…
November 6, 2016
another nail biter! Again, filled with action and the bond between Dalton and Poppy is electric.
May 30, 2018
It was a little like a "Greenpeace" movement story.
While I am TOTALLY against whale hunting, or the owning of exotic and/or endangered animals, this one got a little over for me.
Maybe it's just that I find the subject so repugnant that I would find any story on the subject unappealing. Part of the problem I have is that we have a woman making sexual advances toward a man she doesn't know to get on a boat with him and several other men, who are all criminals.
Seriously? Can we say "Stupid"? Even if she can "Handle herself", her words, I don't like the idea the author is presenting. A woman should NEVER put herself in a dangerous position, and the idea of using sex to get what you want throws women back about 100 years.
Sorry. I tried to like it. Glad (spoiler alert) the bad guy gets his in the end (like THAT was a surprise), but I didn't like that part of the story.
The first story was good, this one not so much, I'll give the next one a shot. I hope she's not a bimbo in this one...
While I am TOTALLY against whale hunting, or the owning of exotic and/or endangered animals, this one got a little over for me.
Maybe it's just that I find the subject so repugnant that I would find any story on the subject unappealing. Part of the problem I have is that we have a woman making sexual advances toward a man she doesn't know to get on a boat with him and several other men, who are all criminals.
Seriously? Can we say "Stupid"? Even if she can "Handle herself", her words, I don't like the idea the author is presenting. A woman should NEVER put herself in a dangerous position, and the idea of using sex to get what you want throws women back about 100 years.
Sorry. I tried to like it. Glad (spoiler alert) the bad guy gets his in the end (like THAT was a surprise), but I didn't like that part of the story.
The first story was good, this one not so much, I'll give the next one a shot. I hope she's not a bimbo in this one...
February 16, 2021
Another, second in the series of Poppy McVie books, takes us to Norway where a notorious poacher is determined to illegally capture alive a beautiful killer whale for a life in a mega-aquarium. A cute redhead, Poppy is skilled in a little know martial art she learned in the Philippines, able to defend herself, and take down others. She is also assertive, headstrong, and falling in love with her handsome new undercover partner in the United States Fish and Wildlife Services.
The pace is fast and she uses not only her brains but her brawn to apprehend the poachers so the Norwegians can arrest them, but the baby orca is sick and needs to be returned to the Norwegian ocean and his mother and aunts. All this with the assistance of her knock dead gorgeous special agent partner.
It's a fun read with lots of action and you learn a lot about the welfare of endangered species.
The pace is fast and she uses not only her brains but her brawn to apprehend the poachers so the Norwegians can arrest them, but the baby orca is sick and needs to be returned to the Norwegian ocean and his mother and aunts. All this with the assistance of her knock dead gorgeous special agent partner.
It's a fun read with lots of action and you learn a lot about the welfare of endangered species.
August 18, 2022
This series is fast and fun. It's not life-changing, but it is an entertaining time.
Poppy and her partner, Dalton, head to Norway to save the orcas in this installment. I'll be honest, Poppy is a lot for me. I'm an Enneagram 1, rule follower and she's not. I occasionally see some growth in her but in the end, she just can't help herself and always makes the rash decision. Team Dalton-all the way. I like their will-they-won't-they vibe though. Dalton appreciating Poppy makes me like her more.
The strongest part of these books is the sense of place each one provides. I think Kimberli Bindschatel does a great job of bringing each location to life. The cases are also compelling and interesting.
When I'm in the mood for a quick, action-packed read, this series fits the bill. I may not be a Poppy, but I can enjoy the antics she creates!
Poppy and her partner, Dalton, head to Norway to save the orcas in this installment. I'll be honest, Poppy is a lot for me. I'm an Enneagram 1, rule follower and she's not. I occasionally see some growth in her but in the end, she just can't help herself and always makes the rash decision. Team Dalton-all the way. I like their will-they-won't-they vibe though. Dalton appreciating Poppy makes me like her more.
The strongest part of these books is the sense of place each one provides. I think Kimberli Bindschatel does a great job of bringing each location to life. The cases are also compelling and interesting.
When I'm in the mood for a quick, action-packed read, this series fits the bill. I may not be a Poppy, but I can enjoy the antics she creates!
August 22, 2017
Operation Orca Rescue is the 2nd book in the Poppy McVie series. Although I didn't love the first book, I'm glad I gave this one a try, it was a huge improvement. Poppy and Dalton immediately leave Costa Rica for a new case, involving killer whales. I enjoyed the relationship development between Poppy and Dalton. There is no "insta-love", they are getting to know and respect each other as agents, while learning about each other in process. The case was very interesting and once again, Bindschatel does a great job educating the reader about whaling. Poppy was just as passionate about whaling as she was about the exotic animals in Costa Rica, but she showed some maturity and growth in this installment.
Overall-good read.
Grade: 3/5
Overall-good read.
Grade: 3/5
March 14, 2017
This is the second book I've read in this Poppy series, and if it's possible, this one may be even better than the first. There is a lot of detailed description that put me right on the boats and in the bars picturing everything very clearly, but the description is seamlessly worked into the action. No paragraphs dedicated to fluffy description. This is excellent action-adventure writing that somehow works in a lighthearted aspect. It reads very quickly. I recommend this series to anyone who likes action-filled books or other escapist fiction. This will take you to into a part of the world you've probably never seen before.
January 23, 2018
Bindschatel/operation orca rescue
This is a series story,you need to read the first seri e tropical affair to discover how wild life cop poppy become ops agent for wild life meeting her partner another agent dalton. They were only suppose to gather info for Intel but with poppy passionate for all God's creature and disregard for rules rushes n to save the animals with agent Dalton having no choice but to go with it to keep poppy safe, he also realized she is resourceful and has feelings for her but denies it and she him. This series involved hunting down most wanted list of a poacher stealing whales and selling them for large sum of money. A must read,I enjoyed it
This is a series story,you need to read the first seri e tropical affair to discover how wild life cop poppy become ops agent for wild life meeting her partner another agent dalton. They were only suppose to gather info for Intel but with poppy passionate for all God's creature and disregard for rules rushes n to save the animals with agent Dalton having no choice but to go with it to keep poppy safe, he also realized she is resourceful and has feelings for her but denies it and she him. This series involved hunting down most wanted list of a poacher stealing whales and selling them for large sum of money. A must read,I enjoyed it
February 9, 2018
'Operation Orca Rescue' was a great adventurous read. I absolutely love this series. The story line was well written and the way it played out was very intriguing. The characters are great. Poppy is such a great lead. I love her attitude and sense of humor. She's definitely a force to reckon with. Dalton is a great add to Poppy. He constantly pushes Poppy. I look forward to reading more of this series.
February 17, 2020
I came from Jesse McDermitt & Charity series
I am glad l gave Kimberli a go, after she Wrote her first Charity book. I have not been disappointed.
This adventure was cold, dark, and a dance around darkness in desperate men.
Death is just outside a harbour wall, a man's life is cheap.
Poppy's life is now worth a whole lot less... As she tries hard to get proof for a government that's undecided.
I am glad l gave Kimberli a go, after she Wrote her first Charity book. I have not been disappointed.
This adventure was cold, dark, and a dance around darkness in desperate men.
Death is just outside a harbour wall, a man's life is cheap.
Poppy's life is now worth a whole lot less... As she tries hard to get proof for a government that's undecided.
October 29, 2017
Thrilling read!
A great book, and a truly worthy cause. I am so glad to have found this amazingly informative and adventurous series, and help the wild life with my purchases.
If you enjoy reading about feisty women, strong men, and awesome animals this is the series for you. It feels good to do a small part in helping the animals that share our planet.
A great book, and a truly worthy cause. I am so glad to have found this amazingly informative and adventurous series, and help the wild life with my purchases.
If you enjoy reading about feisty women, strong men, and awesome animals this is the series for you. It feels good to do a small part in helping the animals that share our planet.
June 28, 2018
Poppy and Dalton are back undercover, this time in Norway going after a notorious poacher who's after an orca. Operation Orca Rescue was an excellent second book in the series. Poppy is once again putting it all on the line to save the animals in danger. I absolutely loved the book and highly recommend it.
April 10, 2019
Down with Whale Poachers
Poppie and Dalton have been sent to Norway to aide NOAA in apprehending a notorious whale poacher. As usual, things go sideways and Poppie in her righteous indignation goes out on the frail limb again, dragging Dalton along. And the good news is: there is a happy ending.
Poppie and Dalton have been sent to Norway to aide NOAA in apprehending a notorious whale poacher. As usual, things go sideways and Poppie in her righteous indignation goes out on the frail limb again, dragging Dalton along. And the good news is: there is a happy ending.
February 19, 2021
Great Adventure
I am hooked on Poppy McVie and Dalton too. This third book in the series is fast paced and suspenseful. Kimberli Bindschatel provides well researched stories that underscore the plight of so many of our animals by profiteers.
If you enjoy reading Nevada Barr, Anna Pigeon novels, I am sure you will really enjoy theses well. You will thank me! ☺
I am hooked on Poppy McVie and Dalton too. This third book in the series is fast paced and suspenseful. Kimberli Bindschatel provides well researched stories that underscore the plight of so many of our animals by profiteers.
If you enjoy reading Nevada Barr, Anna Pigeon novels, I am sure you will really enjoy theses well. You will thank me! ☺
November 13, 2017
Once again, a good read! I like the escapades that Poppy finds herself in. But, above that, I love the attention that the author brings to the plight of the animal kingdom by an interesting storyline! We all must pay more attention to the animal kingdom! Kudos!
June 15, 2018
I love a series, especially one that is fun and fast to read. Poppy and Dalton are partners in wild life protection enforcement, with the possibility of being more than partners, of course. In this edition, they are after people who capture and sell killer whales illegally.
June 30, 2018
Poppy strikes again
Poppy McVie can be a little reckless, but she gets the job done—and honestly, it’s so much fun to live vicariously through her as she risks her life on her animal-saving adventures! The author is so descriptive, the books play like movies in my head.
Poppy McVie can be a little reckless, but she gets the job done—and honestly, it’s so much fun to live vicariously through her as she risks her life on her animal-saving adventures! The author is so descriptive, the books play like movies in my head.
December 27, 2018
I had to remember to breathe
I couldn't put the book down. Poppy just doesn't stop. Poor Dylan, how frustrating for him. Like that there was information about the whales. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I couldn't put the book down. Poppy just doesn't stop. Poor Dylan, how frustrating for him. Like that there was information about the whales. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
March 4, 2019
Another adventure for Poppy!
This books keeps you wanting to know what happens next. Love the relationship between her and Dalton. Cant wait to see what evolves from them and what adventure they have next. Love each mission and look forward to reading each book.
This books keeps you wanting to know what happens next. Love the relationship between her and Dalton. Cant wait to see what evolves from them and what adventure they have next. Love each mission and look forward to reading each book.
January 19, 2022
Kindle unlimited is enabling my rapid read-thru of this fun, totally diverting, travel-inspired series. At a time when I can't hop on a plane at a whim it's satisfying my wanderlust and the characters are fun, too.
August 31, 2017
Wow!
Interesting twist in the story. Loved this one almost more than the first book!! Almost. It kept you on the edge of your seat.
Interesting twist in the story. Loved this one almost more than the first book!! Almost. It kept you on the edge of your seat.
November 22, 2017
Great read
I don't know if the fish and wildlife agency actually works in other countries of the world but it is a great setting and undercover plot
I don't know if the fish and wildlife agency actually works in other countries of the world but it is a great setting and undercover plot
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews