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Birder Murder Mystery #4
A Shimmer of Hummingbirds
Sometimes, the wrong choice is the only choice you have.
Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune is hoping an overseas birding trip might hold some answers in his fugitive brother‘s manslaughter case. But there are people on the tour who seem keen to keep their secrets, and the rainforest can be a dangerous place for those who ask too many questions.
Back in Saltmarsh, in Jejeune‘s absence, his former boss and longtime nemesis has been brought in to investigate the murder of an accountant. Marvin Laraby is proving so effective that Superintendent Colleen Shepherd is considering making his replacement for Jejeune a permanent arrangement.
With the manslaughter case poised to claim another victim, Jejeune learns that an accident back home involving his girlfriend, Lindy Hey, is much more than it seems. Lindy is in imminent danger. And only Jejeune can help her. But to do so, he must sacrifice his working relationship with Shepherd, opening the door for Laraby‘s appointment as Saltmarsh‘s new DCI.
When Jejeune discovers the truth about Laraby‘s current case, he is faced with a dilemma. He can speak up, knowing it will cost him his job on the north Norfolk coast he loves. Or he can stay silent, and let a killer escape justice.
As he weighs his alternatives, Domenic Jejeune begins to realize that, sometimes, the wrong choice is the only choice you have.
Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune is hoping an overseas birding trip might hold some answers in his fugitive brother‘s manslaughter case. But there are people on the tour who seem keen to keep their secrets, and the rainforest can be a dangerous place for those who ask too many questions.
Back in Saltmarsh, in Jejeune‘s absence, his former boss and longtime nemesis has been brought in to investigate the murder of an accountant. Marvin Laraby is proving so effective that Superintendent Colleen Shepherd is considering making his replacement for Jejeune a permanent arrangement.
With the manslaughter case poised to claim another victim, Jejeune learns that an accident back home involving his girlfriend, Lindy Hey, is much more than it seems. Lindy is in imminent danger. And only Jejeune can help her. But to do so, he must sacrifice his working relationship with Shepherd, opening the door for Laraby‘s appointment as Saltmarsh‘s new DCI.
When Jejeune discovers the truth about Laraby‘s current case, he is faced with a dilemma. He can speak up, knowing it will cost him his job on the north Norfolk coast he loves. Or he can stay silent, and let a killer escape justice.
As he weighs his alternatives, Domenic Jejeune begins to realize that, sometimes, the wrong choice is the only choice you have.
376 pages, ebook
First published March 11, 2017
58 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Steve Burrows
17 books147 followersSteve Burrows has pursued his birdwatching hobby on five continents, while researching articles on a wide range of environmental issues. He has a degree in English from York University and is a past editor of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society Magazine. After travelling the world together, Steve and his family now live in Oshawa, Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 4, 2018
I was interested in this book because of the "Birder Murder" tag. It seemed like a unique twist on the crime/detective genre. This is book 4 in the series, but this was the first one I have read.
The book follows the story of Domenic Jejeune. He is a detective and also an avid bird enthusiast. His brother has done something illegal and is on the run. Domenic goes to Colombia on a birding expedition, with an ulterior motive of trying to find out more about whether his brother really is guilty.
There is also another plot running alongside that of the DCI. Whilst he is in Colombia, his team is investigating a murder, and another detective is drafted in to help out in his absence.
Both storylines are detailed and interesting. They are not connected as such, apart from some contact between the characters, but they run alongside each other very well. The chapters more or less alternate between the two stories, and they run cleverly in tandem in terms of pace and tension, finishing at the same time.
The descriptions of the countryside and birds are beautifully written and very detailed. Both the jungle and rural English countryside settings are idyllic as seen through the eyes of the author, in spite of the murder and intrigue contained within the described scenes.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Both of the mysteries were clever and unusual. I must admit that at times, particularly at the start of the book, I was a little lost and it took some time for me to get to know the characters. I put this down to not having read the earlier books in the series, and the author assumes that the characters are already well-known to the reader at this point. However, this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book as a whole and I am keen to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a more traditional detective or mystery novel. There is no extreme suspense or tension in the book and it is not contemporary in terms of the characters, locations, speech or the lack of violence, sex, drugs, internet usage, etc. This is just a beautifully written, adult, quite serious and fluently descriptive, good old detective story.
The book follows the story of Domenic Jejeune. He is a detective and also an avid bird enthusiast. His brother has done something illegal and is on the run. Domenic goes to Colombia on a birding expedition, with an ulterior motive of trying to find out more about whether his brother really is guilty.
There is also another plot running alongside that of the DCI. Whilst he is in Colombia, his team is investigating a murder, and another detective is drafted in to help out in his absence.
Both storylines are detailed and interesting. They are not connected as such, apart from some contact between the characters, but they run alongside each other very well. The chapters more or less alternate between the two stories, and they run cleverly in tandem in terms of pace and tension, finishing at the same time.
The descriptions of the countryside and birds are beautifully written and very detailed. Both the jungle and rural English countryside settings are idyllic as seen through the eyes of the author, in spite of the murder and intrigue contained within the described scenes.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Both of the mysteries were clever and unusual. I must admit that at times, particularly at the start of the book, I was a little lost and it took some time for me to get to know the characters. I put this down to not having read the earlier books in the series, and the author assumes that the characters are already well-known to the reader at this point. However, this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book as a whole and I am keen to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a more traditional detective or mystery novel. There is no extreme suspense or tension in the book and it is not contemporary in terms of the characters, locations, speech or the lack of violence, sex, drugs, internet usage, etc. This is just a beautifully written, adult, quite serious and fluently descriptive, good old detective story.
May 2, 2017
While this is the 4th in the Birder Mystery series, it is my second, after A Cast of Falcons. And like that book it offers well described physical settings, some wonderful birds for those inclined, and very complex characters who exist on many levels. This time, the action is divided between the Colombian rainforest and the winter-cold Norfolk coast of England, very opposite sites. Two situations unfolding: a murder at home in Saltmarsh which brings in a Jejeune adversary from earlier in his policing days to cover his position while Domenic is on "vacation" in Colombia attempting to learn more about what happened that has left his brother an international fugitive for murder. The beginning of the novel feels somewhat muted because major characters are not in their usual "habitats" but this is more than made up for as action progresses on both fronts. The story is told in alternating chapters.
I do like Domenic Jejeune, not the typical lead detective in a mystery series, a man who looks for patterns in human behavior as carefully as he attends to his high-level bird watching. And he also cares very much for those close to him. And these people seem to respect and care for him too while also wondering about his secrets. Only his partner Lindy seems to truly know him.
Birds are everywhere in this book, as part of the plot but also part of everyday life. but this is by no means a "cozy" mystery as some novels with such subtitles might be. It is a police procedural with something extra: more depth of character and motivation of the lead and secondary characters, more attention to detail and description of setting. I will definitely be on board for the next installment and hope to fit the first 2 books in to my reading schedule before long.
Definitely recommended for mystery lovers. Those who enjoy birding will find a definite bonus.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I do like Domenic Jejeune, not the typical lead detective in a mystery series, a man who looks for patterns in human behavior as carefully as he attends to his high-level bird watching. And he also cares very much for those close to him. And these people seem to respect and care for him too while also wondering about his secrets. Only his partner Lindy seems to truly know him.
Birds are everywhere in this book, as part of the plot but also part of everyday life. but this is by no means a "cozy" mystery as some novels with such subtitles might be. It is a police procedural with something extra: more depth of character and motivation of the lead and secondary characters, more attention to detail and description of setting. I will definitely be on board for the next installment and hope to fit the first 2 books in to my reading schedule before long.
Definitely recommended for mystery lovers. Those who enjoy birding will find a definite bonus.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 20, 2018
couldn't really get into this book abit disjointed for my liking
April 11, 2019
The best part of these multi-volume mystery series? One mystery is solved during the course of the book, but the overarching storyline develops more slowly. Burrows doesn’t rush things and he assumes that the reader will be able to fill in the blanks without too much coaching. He gives enough details so that if the reader, like me, has been away from the main characters for a while we can fit them into their places quite easily. But he doesn’t do like some of the cozy mystery authors, who repeat their characters’ life details far too often and in too much detail.
Being a birder myself, I could see the lure of Columbia as a destination, a good cover for what we know Domenic is really up to. As in real life, many other people can also see through his smoke screen--and unlike me, they don’t understand the lure of the bird.
Burrows leaves us with a tiny bit of a cliff hanger in this volume….I’ll be headed on to the next installment soon.
Being a birder myself, I could see the lure of Columbia as a destination, a good cover for what we know Domenic is really up to. As in real life, many other people can also see through his smoke screen--and unlike me, they don’t understand the lure of the bird.
Burrows leaves us with a tiny bit of a cliff hanger in this volume….I’ll be headed on to the next installment soon.
June 29, 2017
I agree heartily with those who say this is the best in the series so far. How can I wait until the next one is published? You do have to read them in order, though. I think I would have missed a lot of the sub-text in the introductory chapters if I hadn't just completed A Cast of Falcons. The secondary characters are developing nicely as the series progresses. Constable Salter in particular grabs my interest. Wish the man she so admires would show an interest.
April 28, 2022
Suspense and intrigue as DI JeJeune spends birding and sleuthing time in Steve Burrows' Colombia . Poetic descriptions as each series installment has proven his unique turns of phrase.
Another welcome addition to my #Canadian reading shelves.
#eBookLove #ReadAneBookDay 2017
Another welcome addition to my #Canadian reading shelves.
#eBookLove #ReadAneBookDay 2017
January 6, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Dundurn for an advance copy of A Shimmer Of Hummingbirds, the fourth title in Domenic Jejeune birding series of police procedurals.
Domenic takes off for a birding holiday in Colombia, partly to see the birds, partly to work out the full facts behind why his brother was charged with murder there. In the meantime his old adversary, DI Marvin Laraby, is seconded to Saltmarsh to replace him temporarily. He soon has his hands full with the murder of Erin Dawes, a local accountant. The narrative is split between the two scenarios.
I found this novel a much easier and more absorbing novel than the previous one, A Cast Of Falcons, where I joined the series. With this in mind I think it is fair to say that the novels do not work particularly well as stand alones because of the on going story line about Domenic's brother, Damian, and his fugitive status. A Shimmer Of Hummingbirds not only does not clear up this ongoing plotline but also leaves another plotline unresolved which serves, I assume, as an appetiser for the next novel. It doesn't work for me - I'll have forgotten by the time the book comes out so I prefer novels to have all loose ends tied up nicely at the end.
Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed A Shimmer Of Hummingbirds. As most of the birding is done in the heat of Colombia it is exotic enough not to be pervasive, annoying and anoraky. The two plot lines are well done and had me turning the pages to see what was coming next.
The real strength of the novel, however, is the characterisation. The way Laraby worms his way into the team and their reactions to it are fascinating, realistic and well done. Obviously the reader, as the outsider, can see some of the manipulation but it's all very plausible and you could see yourself falling for it.
It is a good read and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Domenic takes off for a birding holiday in Colombia, partly to see the birds, partly to work out the full facts behind why his brother was charged with murder there. In the meantime his old adversary, DI Marvin Laraby, is seconded to Saltmarsh to replace him temporarily. He soon has his hands full with the murder of Erin Dawes, a local accountant. The narrative is split between the two scenarios.
I found this novel a much easier and more absorbing novel than the previous one, A Cast Of Falcons, where I joined the series. With this in mind I think it is fair to say that the novels do not work particularly well as stand alones because of the on going story line about Domenic's brother, Damian, and his fugitive status. A Shimmer Of Hummingbirds not only does not clear up this ongoing plotline but also leaves another plotline unresolved which serves, I assume, as an appetiser for the next novel. It doesn't work for me - I'll have forgotten by the time the book comes out so I prefer novels to have all loose ends tied up nicely at the end.
Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed A Shimmer Of Hummingbirds. As most of the birding is done in the heat of Colombia it is exotic enough not to be pervasive, annoying and anoraky. The two plot lines are well done and had me turning the pages to see what was coming next.
The real strength of the novel, however, is the characterisation. The way Laraby worms his way into the team and their reactions to it are fascinating, realistic and well done. Obviously the reader, as the outsider, can see some of the manipulation but it's all very plausible and you could see yourself falling for it.
It is a good read and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
February 24, 2017
Book 4, in A Birder Murder Mystery series
This is the 2nd book I have read in the series, I simply couldn’t resist asking for it when it became available from Dundurn via NetGalley and I was most happy to have received an advance copy, thank you.
This birding series is an original police procedurals and a delight to read featuring the debonair detective Dominic Jejeune. The drama in each is cleverly thought and excitingly transmitted but I do think it is preferable to read this series in sequence, otherwise you will wonder what is going on with Damian, Dominic’s fugitive brother “A Simmer of Hummingbirds” does touch the subject but does not clear up the mystery. In fact it left me so intrigued to learn more that I must read “A Pitying of Doves” and “A Cast of Falcons”, book 2 &3, the installments I missed.
In this latest, the storyline has two scenarios and the narrative alternates between the two. We have Dominic on a birding holiday in Colombia while doing so he takes a side trip and seeks for clues that would exonerate his brother: Damian was charged with murder. Meanwhile back in the UK the team have their hands full with a murder investigation of a local accountant.
This is an absorbing story from start to finish. Switching from one scenario to the other flows smoothly, definitely, Mr.Burrows is a master storyteller and knows how to keep the tension on and feeding it to us one drop at the time. The real strength is the characterisation: the players are realistic, well-drawn and are the driving force in this book. Although part of the Birder mystery I found this installment doesn’t overwhelm us with names and descriptions of hummingbirds.
For mystery buffs who love originality have a go at this series.
This is the 2nd book I have read in the series, I simply couldn’t resist asking for it when it became available from Dundurn via NetGalley and I was most happy to have received an advance copy, thank you.
This birding series is an original police procedurals and a delight to read featuring the debonair detective Dominic Jejeune. The drama in each is cleverly thought and excitingly transmitted but I do think it is preferable to read this series in sequence, otherwise you will wonder what is going on with Damian, Dominic’s fugitive brother “A Simmer of Hummingbirds” does touch the subject but does not clear up the mystery. In fact it left me so intrigued to learn more that I must read “A Pitying of Doves” and “A Cast of Falcons”, book 2 &3, the installments I missed.
In this latest, the storyline has two scenarios and the narrative alternates between the two. We have Dominic on a birding holiday in Colombia while doing so he takes a side trip and seeks for clues that would exonerate his brother: Damian was charged with murder. Meanwhile back in the UK the team have their hands full with a murder investigation of a local accountant.
This is an absorbing story from start to finish. Switching from one scenario to the other flows smoothly, definitely, Mr.Burrows is a master storyteller and knows how to keep the tension on and feeding it to us one drop at the time. The real strength is the characterisation: the players are realistic, well-drawn and are the driving force in this book. Although part of the Birder mystery I found this installment doesn’t overwhelm us with names and descriptions of hummingbirds.
For mystery buffs who love originality have a go at this series.
March 25, 2020
Nicely done! I wasn’t sure if Steve Burrows would be able to smoothly weave together two main story lines unfolding on different continents all the while bringing in hummingbirds, but he did. I always enjoy it when subsequent books in a series keep up my interest. Inspector Dominic Jejeune is on leave and on a birding holiday in Columbia while his police station officers, Danny Maik and Lauren Salter, are tracking down murder suspects in Norfolk, England. DCS Shepherd brings in a temporary replacement for Jejeune, Marvin Laraby, who had worked with Jejeune in London in the past and clashed over work styles and decisions. Laraby begins to enjoy working in the countryside with Maik and Salter, relationships form and there are indications that the station might be happy for Jejeune not to return! And, as circumstances between some of the members of the birding group in Columbia become intense and downright dangerous, Laraby’s wish to take over from Jejeune could be filled.
A slow burn of a mystery which had me reading until the wee hours to finish it. Great ending. Highly recommended and I suggest you read these books in order to gain the most out of the characters’ back stories.
A slow burn of a mystery which had me reading until the wee hours to finish it. Great ending. Highly recommended and I suggest you read these books in order to gain the most out of the characters’ back stories.
February 7, 2017
A Shimmer of Hummingbirds is Steve Burrows fourth birder mystery. I have read all of them with delight. They are a different kind of mystery — the Canadian main character is Jejeune, a detective transplanted into Norfolk in the UK, a birders' paradise. He is a passionate birder too and a wily solver of murders on the windswept and bleak eastern shore of England. He is also difficult to read and his superior finds him obtuse.
In the latest book, Jejeune is on holiday trying to assist his brother who is in jail. The vacation disguise is a birding tour in Columbia. Back home his position has been taken by a former colleague who is trying to solve a murder. The book swings between the two. I'm not going to spoil the story here.
Burrows is a master at tension, pacing, characterization, and plot. You won't be able to put it down until the very last page.... I love his books!
Highly recommended for bird lovers and mystery hounds.
In the latest book, Jejeune is on holiday trying to assist his brother who is in jail. The vacation disguise is a birding tour in Columbia. Back home his position has been taken by a former colleague who is trying to solve a murder. The book swings between the two. I'm not going to spoil the story here.
Burrows is a master at tension, pacing, characterization, and plot. You won't be able to put it down until the very last page.... I love his books!
Highly recommended for bird lovers and mystery hounds.
June 18, 2020
I felt that the combination of birding and detective novel didn't work. It seemed like too much of a contrivance to have birding be an ongoing plot device. The structure was tedious, with one chapter in Columbia, and the next in England. There were many far-fetched situations that seemed to have been thrown into the book for a short-term effect, that were never resolved. I wasn't keen on the writing itself. I read a lot of detective books, and I really felt that the people and relationships were strained and unnatural, and I had to force myself to complete the book. Having not read the previous books shouldn't make this book difficult to follow, but it did.
August 9, 2017
The best yet, of Steve Burrows' birder murder mysteries! The man knows whereof he writes: he has integrated into his Chief Inspector Jejeune's experiences, his own history of birdwatching on 6 continents! The proof, as always, in the pudding, Burrows' exquisite details of birding in the depths of the Amazon jungle are in themselves well worth the read; that he also gives us dynamite sleuthing skills in his main character, who has oodles of integrity, makes the book a super star among murder mysteries!
May 5, 2018
DCI Jejeune, British policeman and avid birder, takes a trip to Colombia to see some unusual birds. There is another plot going on at home in Britain where an accountant has been murdered. I did find it all a bit confusing--shady financial dealings, previous rivalries, a vengeful murderer released from prison early, a fugitive from a murder conviction in Colombia--I think my mistake was in trying to read this mystery as a stand-alone when it's number 4 in a series. It would definitely be worthwhile to start this series from the beginning.
May 7, 2017
They just keep getting better and better! Satisfying read with a perfect cliffhanger.
June 6, 2017
For me this was the best in the series so far. Good intrigue!
June 2, 2018
Just yesterday, a friend mentioned that she could not read books that featured different characters in alternate chapters. She'd hate this one! I wish I'd started this series with the first, rather than the fourth, but until I picked it up off the shelf, I hadn't been aware of it at all. DCI Jejeune, a Canadian working and living in Norfolk, goes to Colombia nominally to birdwatch, but actually to find out about the crime his brother is accused of committing. Fortunately, his old college roommate is on the birdwatching tour and can watch his back. Meanwhile, in Norfolk, a woman is murdered and his temporary substitute, a man who hates him, sets about endearing himself to Jejeune's crew. And there may be someone stalking Jejeune's girlfriend, whose office "accidently" explodes. So you have three mysteries, one of which you only gradually understand (just what is Jejeune's brother accused of?), and one of which is left unresolved at the end of the book. And a lot of birdwatching!
March 27, 2018
3.5 out of 5 stars
I received this librarything giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I thought A Shimmer of Hummingbirds was wonderfully written. The author excels at moving the story along with the descriptive narratives of places and actions (plus the plot twist that I did not see coming).
However (and there is always a "however"), I do not recommend this if you have not read any of the other books in the series. This was the first I'd heard of Steve Burrows and was intrigued by the description. Sadly, I always felt like the third wheel on a blind date. There was a lot of insinuated backstory between all of the characters (plus the whole thing with Jejuene's brother) and while I liked the overall story I just could not get a feeling for any of the characters. Please don't get me wrong though. I am now interested in reading the first three books just to see how these characters wound up the way they did, I just don't recommend jumping blindly into this series.
I received this librarything giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I thought A Shimmer of Hummingbirds was wonderfully written. The author excels at moving the story along with the descriptive narratives of places and actions (plus the plot twist that I did not see coming).
However (and there is always a "however"), I do not recommend this if you have not read any of the other books in the series. This was the first I'd heard of Steve Burrows and was intrigued by the description. Sadly, I always felt like the third wheel on a blind date. There was a lot of insinuated backstory between all of the characters (plus the whole thing with Jejuene's brother) and while I liked the overall story I just could not get a feeling for any of the characters. Please don't get me wrong though. I am now interested in reading the first three books just to see how these characters wound up the way they did, I just don't recommend jumping blindly into this series.
June 28, 2025
this is the 4th I've read in this series and they just keep getting better. First each features lots of info on birds, birding, and environmental issues from all over the world which I find very interesting. This one featured hummingbirds from their habitat in Columbia. There is always a police murder inquiry to solve and there is the recurring cast of characters and their backstory. the further we go in the series the more obvious it becomes of the authors skill in plotting and pace. Many of these ongoing events have been planned from the start of the series and the pieces are revealed in bits and pieces to reveal a different perspective on events in previous books much as Louise Penny has done in her series. This is not a well known series but well worth the read.
January 5, 2020
Although I’m not a birder, I love the characters and settings of these Birder Mysteries. This is the 4th book of the series that I have read, however it’s been some time since I read the first 3. I felt a little disadvantaged that I could not remember the details of the first 3 books but that didn’t keep me from enjoying this police procedural. If you’re a mystery lover like me, I highly recommend this book and the others of the series.
February 9, 2024
I am so enjoying this series, which seems to draw me further in with each book. The settings, character interactions, and clever turns of phrase.
“The cold lay across the land like a punishment.”
How’s that for an opening line to set the scene? In this classic mystery, the cold land is coastal northern England in December. When readers start getting too vicariously chilly, the next chapter will take us to the heat of Colombia.
Not only is there a murder for the local British constabulary to solve, but Detective Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune has left the country. After a rival is brought in to replace him—one who appears easier to work with—will Jejeune have a job to come back to?
And will his impulsive birding trip to Colombia turn up anything that can clear his brother of the serious criminal charges against him?
A Shimmer of Hummingbirds is book 4 in the Birder Murder Mystery series: clean, engaging mysteries with vibrant settings, complex characters, and clever turns of phrase. I am so enjoying this series, which seems to draw me further in with each book.
Readers could begin here and not feel lost, but to fully appreciate the characters’ backgrounds and relationships it’s worth beginning with book 1, A Siege of Bitterns.
Readers with an interest in birds and birding, in the English countryside, and in environmental issues will most appreciate the series, but it’s an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates well-told mysteries that make you think.
“The cold lay across the land like a punishment.”
How’s that for an opening line to set the scene? In this classic mystery, the cold land is coastal northern England in December. When readers start getting too vicariously chilly, the next chapter will take us to the heat of Colombia.
Not only is there a murder for the local British constabulary to solve, but Detective Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune has left the country. After a rival is brought in to replace him—one who appears easier to work with—will Jejeune have a job to come back to?
And will his impulsive birding trip to Colombia turn up anything that can clear his brother of the serious criminal charges against him?
A Shimmer of Hummingbirds is book 4 in the Birder Murder Mystery series: clean, engaging mysteries with vibrant settings, complex characters, and clever turns of phrase. I am so enjoying this series, which seems to draw me further in with each book.
Readers could begin here and not feel lost, but to fully appreciate the characters’ backgrounds and relationships it’s worth beginning with book 1, A Siege of Bitterns.
Readers with an interest in birds and birding, in the English countryside, and in environmental issues will most appreciate the series, but it’s an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates well-told mysteries that make you think.
April 19, 2023
I usually do like murder mysteries but this book couldn’t keep me interested. It was confusing and boring.
September 15, 2019
I think each book in the series gets better with character development and plot. I really liked this one but wanted to be in Columbia birding with Dom and Traz. :)
November 12, 2021
Time - contemporary
Location - Norfolk Coast, Great Britain and the Chiribiquete National Park, Columbia
Genre - police procedural, murder mystery
Rating - 4.5 - 5
This is the best book in the series so far. There is a murder in Norfolk, and Dominic Jejeune's team is being led by DC Marvin Laraby while Jejeune is in Columbia on "holiday." Laraby had worked in London with Jejeune and there is some bad blood between them. Laraby ingratiates himself with the Norfolk team and their boss, DCI Shepherd.
Meanwhile, in Columbia, Jejeune's friend from university, Jauan "Traz" Perez joins him, much to Dominic's delight. He also is an enthusiastic birder and they both hope to see many exotic species, especially hummingbirds, seen nowhere else in the world. Traz is aware that Dominic may also have an another reason for being in Columbia. He suspects that Dominic wants to find what he can about his brother Damian's possible involvement in the deaths of four indigenous people who live in the region.
The narrative alternates between England and Columbia. As usual, the author paints a picture with his words enabling the readers to feel that they can see, smell and hear the locations in the novel.
I learnt a lot about Columbia, its rainforests, flora and fauna. There is also warnings of the destruction of natural habitat that is disastrous for birds, animals, and humans.
There is a sense of tension and foreboding that increases, with unexpected twists. The book also ends with a few things unresolved, that could be very damaging for Jejeune and his gilfriend, Lindy!
Location - Norfolk Coast, Great Britain and the Chiribiquete National Park, Columbia
Genre - police procedural, murder mystery
Rating - 4.5 - 5
This is the best book in the series so far. There is a murder in Norfolk, and Dominic Jejeune's team is being led by DC Marvin Laraby while Jejeune is in Columbia on "holiday." Laraby had worked in London with Jejeune and there is some bad blood between them. Laraby ingratiates himself with the Norfolk team and their boss, DCI Shepherd.
Meanwhile, in Columbia, Jejeune's friend from university, Jauan "Traz" Perez joins him, much to Dominic's delight. He also is an enthusiastic birder and they both hope to see many exotic species, especially hummingbirds, seen nowhere else in the world. Traz is aware that Dominic may also have an another reason for being in Columbia. He suspects that Dominic wants to find what he can about his brother Damian's possible involvement in the deaths of four indigenous people who live in the region.
The narrative alternates between England and Columbia. As usual, the author paints a picture with his words enabling the readers to feel that they can see, smell and hear the locations in the novel.
I learnt a lot about Columbia, its rainforests, flora and fauna. There is also warnings of the destruction of natural habitat that is disastrous for birds, animals, and humans.
There is a sense of tension and foreboding that increases, with unexpected twists. The book also ends with a few things unresolved, that could be very damaging for Jejeune and his gilfriend, Lindy!
August 19, 2025
Ooh, nice cliffhanger!
Like other murder mystery series I've tried, I'm much more interested in the long story than the individual murder in each installment. It would maybe be more engaging if the present murder had something to do with the long story in the end, but so far, that doesn't seem to be the case.
I'm going to stick with this series for now, though, since I'm learning things about birds.
Like other murder mystery series I've tried, I'm much more interested in the long story than the individual murder in each installment. It would maybe be more engaging if the present murder had something to do with the long story in the end, but so far, that doesn't seem to be the case.
I'm going to stick with this series for now, though, since I'm learning things about birds.
August 20, 2017
Another good birder murder mystery. One thing I would ask, would it be possible to add pictures of the birds in each volume. I would like to see the birds that are mentioned in the book. Just a thought.
August 10, 2019
There are two settings for this installment of Jejeune's series. DCI Jejeune is in Bogota and the surrounding jungle of Columbia on a birdwatching tour and to find out how his brother Damien got into the pickle that resulted in an international warrant. His brother had taken a man who had meningitis into Chiribiquete National Park where the indigenious Karijona live, exposing them to the disease that resulted in the death of four of these fragile people. But Dominic believes there is more to it. The tour is led by Mas Aves the same company that Damien used. But the guide for most of that tour was Muriel Huaque, a legendary and mystical woman, who speaks to hummingbirds. During the tour when Dominic finds her she reveals that in fact she took the same man into the area looking for the elusive Chiribiquete Emerald, and met up with a wandering band of Kairjona, thus exposing them to the illness before Damien had. He pleads with her to go the authorities to clear Damien, which she ilitially refuses to do.
During the tour, accompanied by Traz, a former school friend, whom Lindy has hired to protect him, they meet Dr. Carl Walden and his native Columbian daughter Thea, who Traz begins a relationship with. Thea later tries to kill Jejeune. Jejeune quickly returns to England when he hears that Ray Hayes is out, and Jejeune believes will go after Lindy, and probably already has with a warning explosion at the magazine office.
During this time Erin Dawes is murdered, and DCS Colleen Shepherd calls in DI Marvin Laraby to fill in for Jejeune. DCS Shepherd's relationship with Jejeune is rocky following the last case involving is brother Damien, and she is now thinking that perhaps Jejeune should move on. In this new case four people, three of them part of the landed gentry, Gerald Moncrieff and Robin Oakes, along with Dawes put an option to purchase shares in a new venture involving drones and reforestion. Each put in L50ooo except Oakes who put in his land. But the transaction was never completed and Dr. Amendal, who is in charge of the project, found other backing. The money has disappeared and it seems Dawes took it. Connor James, and investment broker was brokering the deal and is now suspected of killing Dawes. Laraby thinks in the beginning it is Oakes, but is easily swayed by some new evidence. But once Jejeune returns jhe realizes it cannot be James and sets out to push Laraby in the right direction through DS Danny Maik, because of the bad feelings of DCS Shepherd, and Laraby and Jejeune not getting along. The reason for this is not understood by the local law enforcement, but both Maik and DC Lauren Salter, who is at first romantically interested in Laraby, soon realize that Laraby is not all he appears to be. He is willing to set people up and manipulate the evidence to get a result.
In the end after telling Jejeune that he is to be transferred to a new constabulary, Laraby disappears and Jejeune has his job back. We are left in the end with Ray Hayes in the background following Lindy menacingly, setting up the next installment.
During the tour, accompanied by Traz, a former school friend, whom Lindy has hired to protect him, they meet Dr. Carl Walden and his native Columbian daughter Thea, who Traz begins a relationship with. Thea later tries to kill Jejeune. Jejeune quickly returns to England when he hears that Ray Hayes is out, and Jejeune believes will go after Lindy, and probably already has with a warning explosion at the magazine office.
During this time Erin Dawes is murdered, and DCS Colleen Shepherd calls in DI Marvin Laraby to fill in for Jejeune. DCS Shepherd's relationship with Jejeune is rocky following the last case involving is brother Damien, and she is now thinking that perhaps Jejeune should move on. In this new case four people, three of them part of the landed gentry, Gerald Moncrieff and Robin Oakes, along with Dawes put an option to purchase shares in a new venture involving drones and reforestion. Each put in L50ooo except Oakes who put in his land. But the transaction was never completed and Dr. Amendal, who is in charge of the project, found other backing. The money has disappeared and it seems Dawes took it. Connor James, and investment broker was brokering the deal and is now suspected of killing Dawes. Laraby thinks in the beginning it is Oakes, but is easily swayed by some new evidence. But once Jejeune returns jhe realizes it cannot be James and sets out to push Laraby in the right direction through DS Danny Maik, because of the bad feelings of DCS Shepherd, and Laraby and Jejeune not getting along. The reason for this is not understood by the local law enforcement, but both Maik and DC Lauren Salter, who is at first romantically interested in Laraby, soon realize that Laraby is not all he appears to be. He is willing to set people up and manipulate the evidence to get a result.
In the end after telling Jejeune that he is to be transferred to a new constabulary, Laraby disappears and Jejeune has his job back. We are left in the end with Ray Hayes in the background following Lindy menacingly, setting up the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2020
I almost didn't finish this one. Here the protagonist, DCI Jejeune, is off to Columbia ostensibly on vacation to view hummingbirds, but really to investigate his black sheep brother's alleged crime there. Apparently he led a sick bird watcher into a protected area which led to the deaths of some indigenous people there.
Meanwhile there is a murder to be investigated in the North Norfolk constabulary involving landed gentry and some wannabes. It involves drones, marsh lands and scaring the owls at night.
The author uses the ploy of placing Jejeune in Columbia and out of the way to introduce a new character. DCI Laraby, Jejeune's former boss in London. These guys have history all bad and Laraby takes every opportunity to badmouth Lejeune and win over the locals.
The two story lines proceed in alternating sequence, awhile in the UK, awhile in Columbia, back to UK, etc. Boring. And annoying. I like my mysteries to evolve, not have them set on hold while we pursue a nothing burger in Columbia. Put me in mind of the old Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan books, or old timey radio "meanwhile, back at the ranch. . ."
But, I stuck with it and it turned out okay. I say okay because Jejeune finds exculpatory evidence in Columbia that will help his brother before returning the the UK. Meanwhile the local (UK) folks think they have solved their case, but are pursing the wrong perp. Upon his return, DCI Jejeune saves the day in under a fortnight, even while assigned desk duty and admonished to have no contact with the case team. He does so with such stealth, however, that the poser from London gets the credit and only Sgt. Danny Maik knows the truth.
Some false tension was created when it looked like the poser from London was going to be given Jejeune's job in Norfolk for successfully solving the local murder. But clever constable Salter (she who used to hanker after Sgt. Maik but is now being wooed by the poser) discovers the truth and threatens the wanker with disclosure if he doesn't refuse the job.
Oh, and at the end, the author includes a little dialogue that indicates that new troubles lie ahead for DCI Jejeune and his journalist girl friend in the next novel in the series. Like "to be continued.." in the old Flash Gordon serials.
I'm in no hurry to read it, but probably will.
Meanwhile there is a murder to be investigated in the North Norfolk constabulary involving landed gentry and some wannabes. It involves drones, marsh lands and scaring the owls at night.
The author uses the ploy of placing Jejeune in Columbia and out of the way to introduce a new character. DCI Laraby, Jejeune's former boss in London. These guys have history all bad and Laraby takes every opportunity to badmouth Lejeune and win over the locals.
The two story lines proceed in alternating sequence, awhile in the UK, awhile in Columbia, back to UK, etc. Boring. And annoying. I like my mysteries to evolve, not have them set on hold while we pursue a nothing burger in Columbia. Put me in mind of the old Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan books, or old timey radio "meanwhile, back at the ranch. . ."
But, I stuck with it and it turned out okay. I say okay because Jejeune finds exculpatory evidence in Columbia that will help his brother before returning the the UK. Meanwhile the local (UK) folks think they have solved their case, but are pursing the wrong perp. Upon his return, DCI Jejeune saves the day in under a fortnight, even while assigned desk duty and admonished to have no contact with the case team. He does so with such stealth, however, that the poser from London gets the credit and only Sgt. Danny Maik knows the truth.
Some false tension was created when it looked like the poser from London was going to be given Jejeune's job in Norfolk for successfully solving the local murder. But clever constable Salter (she who used to hanker after Sgt. Maik but is now being wooed by the poser) discovers the truth and threatens the wanker with disclosure if he doesn't refuse the job.
Oh, and at the end, the author includes a little dialogue that indicates that new troubles lie ahead for DCI Jejeune and his journalist girl friend in the next novel in the series. Like "to be continued.." in the old Flash Gordon serials.
I'm in no hurry to read it, but probably will.
September 8, 2017
This is the fourth book in the birder murder Mysteries by Canadian author Steve Burrows. The main character is a Canadian Detective Inspector working in Norfolk in England which happens to be a great place for him to practise his hobby of birdwatching. I always enjoy mysteries and crime dramas more if there is what I call "added value". By this I mean that I learn something about a particular topic or a place. Steve Burrows delivers this in spades. Part of the book is set in Columbia where DI Jejeune has gone on a birding trip with a hidden agenda which is to exonerate his brother who is wanted for a crime there. The description of the rain forest and the birds is fantastic, especially the wide variety of hummingbirds. Meanwhile, back in Norfolk, a murder is committed by a member of a group who had plans to invest in a reforestation project using drone technology. The project is called Picaflor which just happens to be the name for hummingbird in Spanish. I have one tiny quibble. I am not a terribly enthusiastic follower of political correctness but I do object to the words 'girlfriend' and ' boyfriend' when applied to partners of mature years. I hope Mr Burrows could change that habit. In any case, I am hoping there will be a #5 in the series. The back story alone is enough to keep me reading.
December 7, 2017
A new author and series for me. Even though I've missed the first three books and a lot of the back story, it was fairly easy to get the lay of the land, or in this case, the constabulary in Saltmarsh, Norfolk, U.K. The principle characters are many layered in ways different from other mystery/crime series I've read recently.
What is fascinating is the marriage of detecting with transplanted Canadian DI Dom Jejeune's passion: birding.
Something from a previous book has Dom travel to Bogota to the rainforest in search of, presumably rare stunning hummingbirds. (A bird lover, but not a birder, I learned so much!) But Dom was really there because of a 'crime' his brother committed.
Back in coastal Saltmarsh, there's a murder, a handful of characters to choose the perp from, several motives involving land sales and drones but very little in concrete evidence for the acting, and full of himself, DI Laraby to nail down.
And, Dom's partner, Lindy's life is in danger.
A lot going on, a slow burn way to unravel, very refreshing. Saltmarsh could be a character in itself, the sea just hums!
Jejeune is a quiet contemplative guy, one none warm to but he's respected and gets the job done, better than others.
I have to read the next book.
The ending to this one promises a big story in the next one!
What is fascinating is the marriage of detecting with transplanted Canadian DI Dom Jejeune's passion: birding.
Something from a previous book has Dom travel to Bogota to the rainforest in search of, presumably rare stunning hummingbirds. (A bird lover, but not a birder, I learned so much!) But Dom was really there because of a 'crime' his brother committed.
Back in coastal Saltmarsh, there's a murder, a handful of characters to choose the perp from, several motives involving land sales and drones but very little in concrete evidence for the acting, and full of himself, DI Laraby to nail down.
And, Dom's partner, Lindy's life is in danger.
A lot going on, a slow burn way to unravel, very refreshing. Saltmarsh could be a character in itself, the sea just hums!
Jejeune is a quiet contemplative guy, one none warm to but he's respected and gets the job done, better than others.
I have to read the next book.
The ending to this one promises a big story in the next one!
April 28, 2019
I enjoyed this mystery, which is written around a backdrop of the inside world of birdwatchers, globally. There are some clever twists, and some inspired bits of writing. However, full of facts on birding as it was, I found a few factual assertions to be disturbingly wrong. For example, the author makes a big deal about the debilitating heat of Bogota--I have had the good fortune of being very involved in Colombia since 2004--it is rarely above 80 degrees fahrenheit and a quick check on google shows the average temperature (without monthly variation given its near equatorial situation) at less than 70 degrees fahrenheit. I see no reason to doubt the other facts Burrows includes where I know nothing (including the facts about birds and England's Norfolk region--sounding beautiful and cold, but one big error had the effect that I was never really sure either.
More problematic was the relatively frequent disjointed nature of the plot--clever yes, but also with to my view inadequate foundation for some of the important assumptions--for example, the person who may be interested in killing the inspector's girlfriend in England while the inspector is in Colombia, or the turn in the characters developed only partially or to my mind somewhat inconsistently.
All in all, a decent book to read over a long airplane voyage, but not an unmissable one.
More problematic was the relatively frequent disjointed nature of the plot--clever yes, but also with to my view inadequate foundation for some of the important assumptions--for example, the person who may be interested in killing the inspector's girlfriend in England while the inspector is in Colombia, or the turn in the characters developed only partially or to my mind somewhat inconsistently.
All in all, a decent book to read over a long airplane voyage, but not an unmissable one.
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