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A Jenny Willson Mystery #1
Full Curl
When her park is threatened, warden Jenny Willson takes it very personally.
Jenny Willson is a hard-edged, caustic-witted warden from Banff National Park who considers poachers and ladder-climbing bureaucrats equally repulsive and worthy of the same painful fate. Does keeping her promise to protect her park from them mean crossing lines and putting her career at risk?
When Willson discovers animals disappearing from Canada’s mountain parks, she begins a complex investigation that follows a trail of deceit, distraction, and murder. With a growing list of victims, both animal and human, Willson finds herself in a race for justice that criss-crosses the Canada-U.S. border and pushes her to a place from which she might not return.
Jenny Willson is a hard-edged, caustic-witted warden from Banff National Park who considers poachers and ladder-climbing bureaucrats equally repulsive and worthy of the same painful fate. Does keeping her promise to protect her park from them mean crossing lines and putting her career at risk?
When Willson discovers animals disappearing from Canada’s mountain parks, she begins a complex investigation that follows a trail of deceit, distraction, and murder. With a growing list of victims, both animal and human, Willson finds herself in a race for justice that criss-crosses the Canada-U.S. border and pushes her to a place from which she might not return.
376 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2017
28 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Dave Butler
5 books62 followersDave Butler is the author of the Jenny Willson mystery series (Dundurn Press). He's a forester and biologist living in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. He's a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal winner, and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Full Curl won the Arthur Ellis award for Best First Crime Novel in 2018, and was short-listed for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer award in the mystery category, also in 2018.
Dave's writing and images have appeared in many magazines and newspapers.
When he's not writing, Dave is a tourism professional, a father, grandfather and rabid fly-fisher.
Full Curl won the Arthur Ellis award for Best First Crime Novel in 2018, and was short-listed for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer award in the mystery category, also in 2018.
Dave's writing and images have appeared in many magazines and newspapers.
When he's not writing, Dave is a tourism professional, a father, grandfather and rabid fly-fisher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 1, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book, finishing it in three days. Thank you NetGalley and Dundurn for sending me this ebook. This is a very good debut police procedural with Parks Canada Warden Jenny Willson focused on finding a team of poachers. The author was a Parks Canada Warden and some of this book is based on an actual investigation which involved various law enforcement agencies in Canada and the US. Since the criminals are revealed early on, it is not a mystery, but a thriller, as Willson tenaciously builds a case against the poachers.
If you like the Anna Pigeon series by Nevada Barr, you will like this book.
A solid 4 star book.
Update February 7, 2018: My wife just read this book and liked it also. She commented that the investigation took about a year, more realistic than many mystery books.
Update June 1, 2018, this book won the Arthur Ellis award. The Crime Writers of Canada present the Arthur Ellis Awards (named after the nom de travail of Canada’s official hangman) to recognize excellence in Canadian crime writing.
If you like the Anna Pigeon series by Nevada Barr, you will like this book.
A solid 4 star book.
Update February 7, 2018: My wife just read this book and liked it also. She commented that the investigation took about a year, more realistic than many mystery books.
Update June 1, 2018, this book won the Arthur Ellis award. The Crime Writers of Canada present the Arthur Ellis Awards (named after the nom de travail of Canada’s official hangman) to recognize excellence in Canadian crime writing.
November 1, 2018
Meet Jenny Willson, warden at Banff National Park with a tough, kick-ass personality. When she discovers that trophy-hunting is going on in Parks Canada, she pursues the perps with determination, not letting anything get in her way, not even governmental bureaucracy. Her father always told her: Where there's a Willson, there's a way," and she seems to have taken that to heart.
The investigation in this police procedural moves at a realistic pace, taking almost a year before the case fully comes together. With an omniscient point of view, we are there with Jenny as she investigates but also with the hunters as they track their prizes through the snowy mountains. But there is more going on here than just illegal hunting!
The setting is amazing, the characters believable and the crime investigation interesting. Those who have read Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon mystery series set in the U.S national parks will probably enjoy this new series as well. I am looking forward to the next adventure featuring Jenny Willson in book two: No Place for Wolverines.
The investigation in this police procedural moves at a realistic pace, taking almost a year before the case fully comes together. With an omniscient point of view, we are there with Jenny as she investigates but also with the hunters as they track their prizes through the snowy mountains. But there is more going on here than just illegal hunting!
The setting is amazing, the characters believable and the crime investigation interesting. Those who have read Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon mystery series set in the U.S national parks will probably enjoy this new series as well. I am looking forward to the next adventure featuring Jenny Willson in book two: No Place for Wolverines.
July 10, 2017
Full review: https://mariazuppardi.wordpress.com/2...
All of the characters are well written, and I absolutely love the different perspectives in the chapters. Some of you know by now that that’s my favourite type of book! I don’t know if these kinds of crimes happen a lot, but the creative ways that Dave shows how animal parts are smuggled across the border…I can’t help but think that he’s seen one too many cases that ended like this.
The plot, the writing style, and the characters really sold me on this book. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect mystery. Usually, I’m not a fan of knowing who the killer is – I like to try and (successfully) solve it myself. But I loved it for this book, and it worked well.
In short, my favourite mystery novel of the year so far. Everything else I read after this, I’m definitely going to be comparing to Full Curl.
All of the characters are well written, and I absolutely love the different perspectives in the chapters. Some of you know by now that that’s my favourite type of book! I don’t know if these kinds of crimes happen a lot, but the creative ways that Dave shows how animal parts are smuggled across the border…I can’t help but think that he’s seen one too many cases that ended like this.
The plot, the writing style, and the characters really sold me on this book. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect mystery. Usually, I’m not a fan of knowing who the killer is – I like to try and (successfully) solve it myself. But I loved it for this book, and it worked well.
In short, my favourite mystery novel of the year so far. Everything else I read after this, I’m definitely going to be comparing to Full Curl.
August 15, 2017
Banff National Park Warden Jenny Willson is outraged when someone begins hunting animals illegally in the park. First a huge elk is discovered shot, skinned, and antlers removed, left to rot. More animals follow. As she investigates the crimes, she comes up against government bureaucracy, reluctant local officials, and international jurisdiction issues. When the crimes escalate to include drug trafficking and murder, she knows law enforcement needs to move quickly to track down the local guides and hunters behind the poaching.
It isn't often that a book makes me angry. But this one did. Hunting is one thing, but killing protected animals within a park for trophies is reprehensible. Cutting off horns, antlers, etc and then leaving the meat to rot....ohhhhh.....very angry feelings. Very. Angry. I had to read a few chapters....then put the book down and watch a sitcom episode or two to calm down. I was never more happy to get to the part where the bastard criminals are caught and get what's coming to them than in this book!!!!
My feelings about poachers and trophy hunters aside, Full Curl is very well-written and suspenseful. I have to admit I was first drawn to this book by the unusual front cover.....and then by the plot outline. As a suspense/crime thriller, this book is different, focusing on park wardens and illegal poaching in a Canadian national park, rather than the usual police procedural fare. Unusual theme -- and utterly enjoyable (yet maddening!) story! When a book elicits an emotional response, it's good story craft! And this book definitely got me going!
Jenny Willson is a strong, intelligent and driven main character. So glad to see a female law enforcement officer depicted as skilled, respected and, frankly, ruthless. She kicked some ass! Great female MC!
The pace of the story was perfect, keeping the suspense going until the end. The characters are believable and not over-done. All in all, a very enjoyable crime thriller.
Full Curl is Dave Butler's debut novel and the first book in the new Jenny Willson series. So glad there will be more books to come! I will definitely be reading more! For more information on the author, check out his website: http://www.davebutlerwriting.com/
*I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Dundurn Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
It isn't often that a book makes me angry. But this one did. Hunting is one thing, but killing protected animals within a park for trophies is reprehensible. Cutting off horns, antlers, etc and then leaving the meat to rot....ohhhhh.....very angry feelings. Very. Angry. I had to read a few chapters....then put the book down and watch a sitcom episode or two to calm down. I was never more happy to get to the part where the bastard criminals are caught and get what's coming to them than in this book!!!!
My feelings about poachers and trophy hunters aside, Full Curl is very well-written and suspenseful. I have to admit I was first drawn to this book by the unusual front cover.....and then by the plot outline. As a suspense/crime thriller, this book is different, focusing on park wardens and illegal poaching in a Canadian national park, rather than the usual police procedural fare. Unusual theme -- and utterly enjoyable (yet maddening!) story! When a book elicits an emotional response, it's good story craft! And this book definitely got me going!
Jenny Willson is a strong, intelligent and driven main character. So glad to see a female law enforcement officer depicted as skilled, respected and, frankly, ruthless. She kicked some ass! Great female MC!
The pace of the story was perfect, keeping the suspense going until the end. The characters are believable and not over-done. All in all, a very enjoyable crime thriller.
Full Curl is Dave Butler's debut novel and the first book in the new Jenny Willson series. So glad there will be more books to come! I will definitely be reading more! For more information on the author, check out his website: http://www.davebutlerwriting.com/
*I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Dundurn Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
November 5, 2018
The book was a 7 out of 10. I'm feeling grumpy so just going to give it three stars. The ending was predictable and no explanationhow they found the bad guy nor how he did in nine guys but there was ample detail on the hunting exploits.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2017
Full Curl is a mystery novel, where the main victims are animals of rare species, being hunted by an evil businessman.
Full Curl is also a mess.
At various points in the book I felt like this had several different authors, where some sequences were actually competent and suspenseful, while others were straight-up ridiculous. The baffling decision to include horribly hamfisted discussion of sexism and feminism stops the books dead in its tracks several times and I honestly felt like dropping the book completely whenever these sequences appeared. Favourite ridiculous discussion point: "Is it sexist to hire pretty people (of any gender)?". You do you, sure, and sexism needs to be addressed. But not in a mediocre mystery novel and not by a person who literally misused the word "sexism", because, psst, sexism is discrimintation based on sex or gender. Hiring pretty people of all sexes is not sexism. It may be somewhat morally iffy, but Butler literally misuses the term. How did that even get in the final draft?
Then there's beautiful writing like: "All the wardens recognized and respected the big bull because his rack was so large and impressive, his will to dominate and procreate so strong and inspiring". Holy hell, this is meant to be taken seriously.
There are flashes of an actually okay book here, when the stakes get a bit higher and we get POVs from characters that are less ridicuously annoying and bad at narrating than Jenny Willson (you know, our actual protagonist). But even these chapters are not always safe, as some of them could be taken out entirely without hurting the plot, feeling more like fat that needs to be trimmed rather than some deep exploration of side characters.
And the mystery, the central force that's supposed to be pushing the plot forward? It just does not work, at all. Taking a "Columbo" approach, Butler reveals the culprit immediately, so what the reader is left to do is follow Willson as she struggles with bureaucracy, incompetence of everybody (except for her, because she's perfect, duh), and the lack of evidence. This might work if it were written better, but in its current state? Yeah, you can probably guess for yourself.
Honestly, there are a lot of things to criticise about the book, far more than there are to praise. But I've already highlighted several major issues and I don't want to turn this into some inane bashing. So I will leave you with this: this book is like a 'cosy mystery' novel mixed with someone's personal blog full of rambling and self-praise. And if you think that combination somehow sounds fun or interesting. Well, uh, good news, I've found the book for you. ("There's dozens of us!" and all that)
Full Curl is also a mess.
At various points in the book I felt like this had several different authors, where some sequences were actually competent and suspenseful, while others were straight-up ridiculous. The baffling decision to include horribly hamfisted discussion of sexism and feminism stops the books dead in its tracks several times and I honestly felt like dropping the book completely whenever these sequences appeared. Favourite ridiculous discussion point: "Is it sexist to hire pretty people (of any gender)?". You do you, sure, and sexism needs to be addressed. But not in a mediocre mystery novel and not by a person who literally misused the word "sexism", because, psst, sexism is discrimintation based on sex or gender. Hiring pretty people of all sexes is not sexism. It may be somewhat morally iffy, but Butler literally misuses the term. How did that even get in the final draft?
Then there's beautiful writing like: "All the wardens recognized and respected the big bull because his rack was so large and impressive, his will to dominate and procreate so strong and inspiring". Holy hell, this is meant to be taken seriously.
There are flashes of an actually okay book here, when the stakes get a bit higher and we get POVs from characters that are less ridicuously annoying and bad at narrating than Jenny Willson (you know, our actual protagonist). But even these chapters are not always safe, as some of them could be taken out entirely without hurting the plot, feeling more like fat that needs to be trimmed rather than some deep exploration of side characters.
And the mystery, the central force that's supposed to be pushing the plot forward? It just does not work, at all. Taking a "Columbo" approach, Butler reveals the culprit immediately, so what the reader is left to do is follow Willson as she struggles with bureaucracy, incompetence of everybody (except for her, because she's perfect, duh), and the lack of evidence. This might work if it were written better, but in its current state? Yeah, you can probably guess for yourself.
Honestly, there are a lot of things to criticise about the book, far more than there are to praise. But I've already highlighted several major issues and I don't want to turn this into some inane bashing. So I will leave you with this: this book is like a 'cosy mystery' novel mixed with someone's personal blog full of rambling and self-praise. And if you think that combination somehow sounds fun or interesting. Well, uh, good news, I've found the book for you. ("There's dozens of us!" and all that)
May 28, 2017
Full Curl is the debut novel for author Dave Butler. It is loosely based on an investigation he was part of when a national park warden in Banff, Canada. It is book 1 of the Jenny Willson Mystery series. And I truly hope there are MANY more installments. His gifted wording and attention to detail for any scene makes it appear in the reader's mind. From scenic views, a character's mind set, creative situations and/or a clock's subtle background sound, marking time. The main character Jenny Willson's job is the national park warden of iconic national park Banff, CA. Her calling, the protector of it's wildlife and natural resources. A tall, athletic woman who is brash, driven and forward. Her frienships true and long lasting. She does not suffer fools. A persistent and intuitive inspector. A case of horrific animal poaching that becomes SOOOOO much more. Developes over a year, covers Alberta, B.C. and US pacific NW, and their legal statutes. Visionary details of mountain ranges, tapestries of color and seasons, majestic animals, brazen bad guys, and heart breaking and horrific scenes. Descriptive character encounters. A well crafted story of one woman and the dedicated people who help solve these viscous crimes. This unpredictable thriller is filled with heart pounding action and suspense. The pages turn NON-STOP till the destruction of the bad guys. AND the punishment they deserve.
May 15, 2019
Really good read! At first I felt a bit swamped by the characterizations of both the protagonist and the antagonist, but once underway it all made sense and was a fascinating look at wildlife and endangered species management through the lens of a police procedural. Butler captures the iconic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies beautifully, and obviously shares his protagonist Jenny Willson's passion for bringing an end to the criminal practice of illegal trophy hunting. The book is fast-paced and the dialogue really works; I am looking forward to the next book in the Jenny Willson series: No Place for Wolverines!
May 17, 2018
This is the first book in the terrific Jenny Willson series. Jenny is park warden at the Banff National Park. She has become my favourite female crime investigator. Ambitious government bureaucrats and local officials put roadblocks in way of her investigation, but she is dauntless, smart and persistent n her pursuit of justice.
The book is well written. There is a vivid sense of place. The characters, both good and evil, have well developed, believable personalities. The plot is far reaching and complicated, but not difficult for the reader to follow.
The plot involves the killing of large animals (elk, mountain sheep, mountain goat and caribou) which are protected in the parkland wilderness. They are being shot by a wealthy, arrogant American for trophies and for the thrill he gets from the killing. The trophies are smuggled across the Canadian/ American border to decorate the walls in his mansion.
His hunting expeditions are led by a greedy, intimidating Canadian guide. The part about the poaching of the animals makes for difficult and emotional reading, and Jenny is deeply disturbed by the acts. Luckily for the reader Jenny is in pursuit of the criminals.
The investigation uncovers a web of drug trafficking, murder, money laundering and shady business practices on both sides of the border and with law enforcement in both countries getting into the act. The story comes to a satisfactory conclusion with a hint of what is next for Jenny in the next book. A most enjoyable mystery series.
The book is well written. There is a vivid sense of place. The characters, both good and evil, have well developed, believable personalities. The plot is far reaching and complicated, but not difficult for the reader to follow.
The plot involves the killing of large animals (elk, mountain sheep, mountain goat and caribou) which are protected in the parkland wilderness. They are being shot by a wealthy, arrogant American for trophies and for the thrill he gets from the killing. The trophies are smuggled across the Canadian/ American border to decorate the walls in his mansion.
His hunting expeditions are led by a greedy, intimidating Canadian guide. The part about the poaching of the animals makes for difficult and emotional reading, and Jenny is deeply disturbed by the acts. Luckily for the reader Jenny is in pursuit of the criminals.
The investigation uncovers a web of drug trafficking, murder, money laundering and shady business practices on both sides of the border and with law enforcement in both countries getting into the act. The story comes to a satisfactory conclusion with a hint of what is next for Jenny in the next book. A most enjoyable mystery series.
January 2, 2018
To call this book a mystery is to be generous in your description. Rather, this book begins with the antagonists and continues to follow their story as it eventually intersects with the protagonist, Jenny Wilson. This book reads more like a police case study than it does a crime novel. The fact that the perpetrator is already known leaves nothing to the imagination beyond when he gets caught. I read this book in anticipation that it would delve into the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, similar to how the Anna Pigeon novels do with the American National Parks. In some small regard it did, however, the small moments of backcountry prose were not enough to distract from the poor pacing, deus ex machina, and total lack of mystery.
October 13, 2017
If you're looking for a new mystery series with a twist, this is it. The detective is Jenny Willson, a Parks Canada warden who wants to track down the abhorrent trophy hunter who is poaching protected animals from our national parks, and winds up involved in a murder investigation. Since I live on the edge of Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, I am familiar with the setting, which added another layer of interest for me. If you don't know about the challenging work done by the Parks Canada folks, this novel is also pretty educational. I enjoyed it.
May 15, 2017
4 and 1 / 2 stars
Jenny Willson is a conservation warden with Parks Canada. Her area is Banff National Park.
She discovers the body of a poached elk in a field. She is thus investigating the crime. I like Jenny Willson very much. She is smart, sassy and tough. More animals are taken. As her investigation progresses, she discovers that the crimes straddle the Canada – United States border.
With two of the culprits identified, but without enough evidence to convict, Jenny and her team try to put pressure on the two to identify the person who is paying them to take the animals out of the parks.
When her bosses order her to quit her investigation, Jenny comes up with a great plan to thwart them.
Then people starting getting killed, and the tension mounts. With her investigation back on track, she meets with a US Fish and Wildlife Special Agent in the United States. They set out the criteria that Jenny needs to convict the individuals named in the poaching. The investigation turns more complex on many levels.
This book is both well written and plotted. The tension is blended with everyday situations that relieve it at points. There is sufficient background information given on the wardens and the suspects so as to enlighten the reader, but not so much that it detracts from the story. This is an exciting and very interesting book. Mr. Butler has a very fine future in writing mystery novels. Hats off Mr. Butler!
I want to thank Netgalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
Jenny Willson is a conservation warden with Parks Canada. Her area is Banff National Park.
She discovers the body of a poached elk in a field. She is thus investigating the crime. I like Jenny Willson very much. She is smart, sassy and tough. More animals are taken. As her investigation progresses, she discovers that the crimes straddle the Canada – United States border.
With two of the culprits identified, but without enough evidence to convict, Jenny and her team try to put pressure on the two to identify the person who is paying them to take the animals out of the parks.
When her bosses order her to quit her investigation, Jenny comes up with a great plan to thwart them.
Then people starting getting killed, and the tension mounts. With her investigation back on track, she meets with a US Fish and Wildlife Special Agent in the United States. They set out the criteria that Jenny needs to convict the individuals named in the poaching. The investigation turns more complex on many levels.
This book is both well written and plotted. The tension is blended with everyday situations that relieve it at points. There is sufficient background information given on the wardens and the suspects so as to enlighten the reader, but not so much that it detracts from the story. This is an exciting and very interesting book. Mr. Butler has a very fine future in writing mystery novels. Hats off Mr. Butler!
I want to thank Netgalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
July 8, 2017
Jenny Willson, an animal warden in Canada's Banff National Park, is horrified when she discovers there are trophy hunters killing the biggest and best animal species in her park. They shoot the animals, remove the heads and horns, leaving the bodies to be eaten by other wildlife. The hunter pays the guide and his helper a premium price for a guaranteed kill. A ruthless power player, he wants trophies from every species that roam the world. The guide is an unscrupulous, angry and nasty bully, trying to keep up with his wife's spending sprees.
His helper, a pitiful, cowering specimen of a man, sick and needing money for medical treatments, is also peripherally involved with the drug trade. His alcoholic wife is involved as well.
The difficult life of a warden trying to work with politicians and the government is well described in this book. The frustration and anger will be felt by the reader; it irritated me no end...you end up wanting to punch the ladder climbing career opportunists. Having lived in Canada for 20 years, but never having visited the West Coast, I loved the mental vacation visiting the areas described. It made me want to go on a long trip to that area in Canada.
I had a bit of a problem with Jenny. Much as I wanted to like her, I couldn't, but I don't know why. Maybe she wasn't fleshed out properly, that I needed more personal information away from her job.
The ending was satisfying and I would definitely read the next in the series, with hopefully an increasing liking for Jenny.
Thank you Netgalley and Dundurn for the eARC.
His helper, a pitiful, cowering specimen of a man, sick and needing money for medical treatments, is also peripherally involved with the drug trade. His alcoholic wife is involved as well.
The difficult life of a warden trying to work with politicians and the government is well described in this book. The frustration and anger will be felt by the reader; it irritated me no end...you end up wanting to punch the ladder climbing career opportunists. Having lived in Canada for 20 years, but never having visited the West Coast, I loved the mental vacation visiting the areas described. It made me want to go on a long trip to that area in Canada.
I had a bit of a problem with Jenny. Much as I wanted to like her, I couldn't, but I don't know why. Maybe she wasn't fleshed out properly, that I needed more personal information away from her job.
The ending was satisfying and I would definitely read the next in the series, with hopefully an increasing liking for Jenny.
Thank you Netgalley and Dundurn for the eARC.
December 4, 2017
Jenny Willson is a sort of Anna Pigeon of Canadian National Parks, which makes Dave Butler a sort of Nevada Barr, I suppose. This is the first of a series based on the Canadian park warden, and we can only hope that the next one follows quickly. Jenny cares deeply for the parks and for the animals that inhabit them so, when it is discovered that a trophy hunter is slaughtering top specimens, she is on the hunt. The reader knows much more about what is going on than Jenny and her fellow wardens do; the suspense is all about how she will figure out who is responsible and bring them to justice. Butler brings the characters alive, providing them with nuance beyond the good or evil roles they play in the plot. His best writing, however, describes the animals and their relationships with humans.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
July 21, 2018
The setting drew me to this mystery. Who doesn't love Banff, Jasper and Radium? Mountains and wild life: curly horned sheep, elk and caribou? In fact I love most of Dundurn mysteries as they are usually set in our most loveable Canadian settings. (my own prejudice is that I write a locally set middle grade mystery series for Dundurn)
The initial crime involves illegal trophy hunting and quickly escalates into drug trafficking and murder. Can't say too much more without spoiling the plot. As a fan of Kicking Horse coffee, I enjoyed some of the product placement humour there. Lots of intriguing characters that readers can enjoy following in the series to come.
The initial crime involves illegal trophy hunting and quickly escalates into drug trafficking and murder. Can't say too much more without spoiling the plot. As a fan of Kicking Horse coffee, I enjoyed some of the product placement humour there. Lots of intriguing characters that readers can enjoy following in the series to come.
August 7, 2017
Banff National Park warden Jenny Willson is shocked when she finds evidence that poachers have been killing several protected animals for trophy hunting, including a bull elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. With the help of newly hired Bill Forsyth and her extended network of contacts, Jenny doggedly works to identify the hunting guide and his notorious, ruthless client. It takes almost a year of investigation and since the trail crosses the Canada-USA border into Alberta, British Columbia and the American Pacific Northwest region. authorities in both countries get involved in the plan to find proof and ultimately arrest the culprits.
This is a fine debut mystery that won the 2015 Unhanged Arthur Ellis award, and I hope that this strong protagonist is featured in future books.
I received this book for free from Netgalley and Dundurn Press in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fine debut mystery that won the 2015 Unhanged Arthur Ellis award, and I hope that this strong protagonist is featured in future books.
I received this book for free from Netgalley and Dundurn Press in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2018
An interesting mystery novel. I liked the move away from the classic murder mystery genre and the exploration of animal poaching in a national park.
March 1, 2019
I loved this book, so great to read a book that is set in an area I am familiar with. Strong believable characters. This is one series I will keep reading.
February 17, 2019
Great to read a crime novel based in Western Canada/Pacific Northwest parks & wilderness,which also explores the serious challenges to wildlife survival in the face of illegal hunting and other habitat issues (including being loved to death in national parks such as Banff). It sheds light on the broader mandates of park staff in both Canada & the US, and their investigative & prosecution mandates, along with other enforcement agencies such as the RCMP & border agencies. The interlinking aspects of many kinds of crimes, once someone has made the decision to operate in that manner, are well shown. In this case, it also involves the illegal drug trade, among others, & shows how a number of "successful business people" achieve their goals. There is also an interesting, sometimes diverting aspect, of the functioning of a bureaucracy & the "career bureaucrats" & the effects of the political framework within which they vie for their piece of the pie. This is the first novel in a series. The first third of the book was a real slog & I found it hard to get invested in reading it. While much of it was scene setting, both for this volume, & likely for the series, it was rather stodgy. The editing of that section didn't seem to match that of the last half, which really hit its' stride & pace. I look forward to reading the next volume in the series.
April 8, 2020
A mystery set in National Parks with a female detective? what's not to like? I do like this - found on Hoopla from my public library in ebook format.
As I am reading, love the details of Banff NP, descriptions of people who know the country.
As I am reading, love the details of Banff NP, descriptions of people who know the country.
March 6, 2019
First book in a new mystery series featuring Jenny Willson, a park warden in Banff National Park. She starts investigating a poacher of protected animals, and ends up with an international investigation of not just poaching but drugs, money laundering, smuggling, and murder.
August 18, 2021
For me, this one is between three and four stars, but I rounded up because it was closer to four. Plus, this is a first book of a series, and (I think) first book by this author, and first books always have bugs to work out.
I very much enjoyed the introduction of this protagonist, an assertive, strong, vulnerable, competent but mistake-making person who is passionate about her work and dedicated to doing a good job at it. I am actually angry at the person who wrote the blurb for this book calling Jenny 'caustic' because that word almost stopped me from reading the book, and because Jenny is in no way caustic at all. I will leave alone the fact that had this been a male protagonist no one would have thought to call any of Jenny's behaviour in this book 'caustic', because none of it was.
I also appreciated the characters that made up Jenny's supporting cast, and her adversaries. I admit, in some cases, I thought there were too many and using their first and last names alternatively made it difficult to keep track of some. Also, Butler was a bit heavy-handed at times in fitting the people into their roles, but, again, this is a first book and that bit of clunkiness seems common in first books. And, it never really distracted me from what was going on in the plot.
The plot overall was solid and I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game between Jenny and her team and the bad guys. At times, things seemed a bit convoluted but again that seems to be a function of first-book growing pains. And, again, I was able to follow all of the plot lines and see how they all came together.
Finally, it must be said, I give bonus points to Butler, a male author, who wrote an entire book with not just a female protagonist but also several interesting female characters and never once had anyone tell me about any of their breasts. By the end I had to double check that the book was, in fact, written by a male author - well done Mr. Butler!
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I very much enjoyed the introduction of this protagonist, an assertive, strong, vulnerable, competent but mistake-making person who is passionate about her work and dedicated to doing a good job at it. I am actually angry at the person who wrote the blurb for this book calling Jenny 'caustic' because that word almost stopped me from reading the book, and because Jenny is in no way caustic at all. I will leave alone the fact that had this been a male protagonist no one would have thought to call any of Jenny's behaviour in this book 'caustic', because none of it was.
I also appreciated the characters that made up Jenny's supporting cast, and her adversaries. I admit, in some cases, I thought there were too many and using their first and last names alternatively made it difficult to keep track of some. Also, Butler was a bit heavy-handed at times in fitting the people into their roles, but, again, this is a first book and that bit of clunkiness seems common in first books. And, it never really distracted me from what was going on in the plot.
The plot overall was solid and I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game between Jenny and her team and the bad guys. At times, things seemed a bit convoluted but again that seems to be a function of first-book growing pains. And, again, I was able to follow all of the plot lines and see how they all came together.
Finally, it must be said, I give bonus points to Butler, a male author, who wrote an entire book with not just a female protagonist but also several interesting female characters and never once had anyone tell me about any of their breasts. By the end I had to double check that the book was, in fact, written by a male author - well done Mr. Butler!
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
January 21, 2019
In Full Curl, the story follows the necessary steps to bring all the loose ends of animal protection together and get all the details in proper alignments so that the perpetrators can be arrested. In her quest to stop the senseless killings of trophy animals in the National Parks, Jenny Willson must face secrets, terror and murder in both Canadian and US Rockies. The investigation moves at a realistic pace, taking almost a year for the case to fully come together.
There are three main characters in the book but my favorite was definitely Jenny. She is a strong female lead. She's a Warden is Canada's National Parks and her strength really comes from her beliefs in what is right and what is wrong, as well as her love for the Parks.
The story was fast-paced and interesting. Although the reader knows who is behinds the crimes from early on, their true involvements are only revealed as the story goes on. The suspense in this book comes from when or if the culprits will get caught.
Full Curl is a well written book where the reader can feel the author's love for the Canadian National Parks and it's wildlife. The descriptions of the environment are real. You could almost picture yourself where the action takes place.
I really enjoyed this first book in the Jenny Willson series and looking forward to reading the next ones!
Thank you to the Publisher, Dundurn, for my finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are three main characters in the book but my favorite was definitely Jenny. She is a strong female lead. She's a Warden is Canada's National Parks and her strength really comes from her beliefs in what is right and what is wrong, as well as her love for the Parks.
The story was fast-paced and interesting. Although the reader knows who is behinds the crimes from early on, their true involvements are only revealed as the story goes on. The suspense in this book comes from when or if the culprits will get caught.
Full Curl is a well written book where the reader can feel the author's love for the Canadian National Parks and it's wildlife. The descriptions of the environment are real. You could almost picture yourself where the action takes place.
I really enjoyed this first book in the Jenny Willson series and looking forward to reading the next ones!
Thank you to the Publisher, Dundurn, for my finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2017
This is a crime novel with a difference. The murder victims are protected animals poached from Canada’s National Parks, and most of the investigating officers are National Park Wardens. OK, so a few murdered humans pop up too, and the national police of both Canada and USA get involved – but the main focus is on the illegal poaching of the animals for sport.
The shot animals are described in loving detail, in the prime of their lives, by people who have seen and admired them, and in particular by the wildlife photographer, Canon: “In both horizontal and vertical shots, the ridges of the ram’s horns popped in the dramatic sidelight of the morning. Each horn, a triangle-shaped combination of bone core and horn sheath that grew over the core each year, showed the transverse ridges that marked the passing of time. … The two horns curled down and backward from the top of the skull, and then upward and forward again, encircling its ears in a complete circle. It was full curl” (hence the book title). All the animals are glorious mature males and superior examples of their species, with extraordinary antlers or horns. Unfortunately, that makes them prime targets for the rich American hunter, who refuses to let laws or morality get in the way of completing his collection of stuffed animal heads. The rarer (more endangered), the better.
There are three main characters in this book: the park warden, Jenny Willson; the outfitter, Eastman, who arranges the illegal hunts; and the hunter. For each of them, the paths they take are defined by their relationships with their fathers. Jenny wants to make her dead father proud, prove that she made the right decision to become a park warden, rather than follow her uncle into a career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police: “My uncle Roy, … tried hard to persuade me to join the force. But I really love the mountains and couldn’t risk being posted (away)… So I went to UBC and got a degree in natural resource conservation.”. For Jenny, the animals and the park are everything, and she will stop at nothing to protect them: her “mind centred on the stark image of the slaughtered elk, the coppery smell of blood splashed on snow, the lonely whisper of wind in the grasses. This was personal, very personal. … Willson promised herself to follow the case to the end, even if her bosses didn’t approve”.
Eastman’s “father had taught him to hunt and had always impressed on his son the need to act ethically. Hunting, he’d said, was a source of food for the family table, nothing more”. He “knew that his father would be angry, ashamed, disgusted at how far his son had strayed from the path he’d tried to set”. But for Eastman “it was the money that mattered. If that kept flowing, he’d ignore the rest”.
For the hunter, “not only did his father’s hunting protect the local crops from the voracious animals, but those animals then became food for the family, and often for other local families in need. … For his father, it was not about the thrill of the hunt, and it wasn’t a deep-seated spiritual appreciation for the lives of the wild animals he harvested. Instead, it was about providing for his family and about his position in the community; he was a provider, protector, predator rather than prey, a man not to be taken lightly. Since then, Castillo had always associated a successful hunt with the admiration of friends and family”. So, Castillo displays his ill-gotten trophies to work colleagues and associates, believing that his hunting prowess will gain him the approbation he feels he deserves.
The photographer, Canon, has an (unsurprisingly) different view: “how can someone be so arrogant and selfish that they feel it’s okay to shoot an animal in its prime so they can stick it on their wall? I can take pictures of the same animals over and over again, and others can enjoy the same experience. That’s the definition of a renewable resource. But killing an animal for a trophy, and the only person who enjoys it is the sad guy who lives in his parents’ basement and stares at it on the rec room wall”.
So, three main characters. All driven and obsessed by the different things they love: the national parks and their animals; money; the respect and esteem of others. All will do anything to achieve their aims, and woe betide any who stand in their way.
There is also an array of well-developed minor characters. Jenny has many friends, and law enforcement associates on both sides of the border, whom she is able to call upon for help in her mission. She is demanding of, and often terse with, her junior warden, Bill Forsyth. But their relationship is that of teacher and pupil, and both share a love for the Parks, and a desire for justice. Eastman and Castillo are bullies. They have unappreciated underlings beholden to them, but bearing them no loyalty: Charlie Clark (Eastman’s sorry hunting guide); and the anonymous ‘Sprague’ (Castillo’s building inspector). It is the turning of these ‘worms’ that eventually decide the case.
The pace is rapid throughout. Although you know the main guilty parties from the start, the full scale of their guilt is only revealed piecemeal. The suspense comes from the When, How and If they will finally be caught.
The writing is superb, with the author’s love for the beauty of the Canadian National Parks and their wildlife coming forcefully through in the descriptions of the environment and in the actions of the characters he clearly admires.
Jenny is a strong female lead. Her strength comes not from her femininity, but from her resolute belief in what is right and her love for the Parks. To my mind, this makes her a greater role model (for both males and females), than a woman who makes a big play of her gender, and her efforts to confound associated preconceptions.
I loved everything about this book, and look forward to many more Jenny Willson stories.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The shot animals are described in loving detail, in the prime of their lives, by people who have seen and admired them, and in particular by the wildlife photographer, Canon: “In both horizontal and vertical shots, the ridges of the ram’s horns popped in the dramatic sidelight of the morning. Each horn, a triangle-shaped combination of bone core and horn sheath that grew over the core each year, showed the transverse ridges that marked the passing of time. … The two horns curled down and backward from the top of the skull, and then upward and forward again, encircling its ears in a complete circle. It was full curl” (hence the book title). All the animals are glorious mature males and superior examples of their species, with extraordinary antlers or horns. Unfortunately, that makes them prime targets for the rich American hunter, who refuses to let laws or morality get in the way of completing his collection of stuffed animal heads. The rarer (more endangered), the better.
There are three main characters in this book: the park warden, Jenny Willson; the outfitter, Eastman, who arranges the illegal hunts; and the hunter. For each of them, the paths they take are defined by their relationships with their fathers. Jenny wants to make her dead father proud, prove that she made the right decision to become a park warden, rather than follow her uncle into a career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police: “My uncle Roy, … tried hard to persuade me to join the force. But I really love the mountains and couldn’t risk being posted (away)… So I went to UBC and got a degree in natural resource conservation.”. For Jenny, the animals and the park are everything, and she will stop at nothing to protect them: her “mind centred on the stark image of the slaughtered elk, the coppery smell of blood splashed on snow, the lonely whisper of wind in the grasses. This was personal, very personal. … Willson promised herself to follow the case to the end, even if her bosses didn’t approve”.
Eastman’s “father had taught him to hunt and had always impressed on his son the need to act ethically. Hunting, he’d said, was a source of food for the family table, nothing more”. He “knew that his father would be angry, ashamed, disgusted at how far his son had strayed from the path he’d tried to set”. But for Eastman “it was the money that mattered. If that kept flowing, he’d ignore the rest”.
For the hunter, “not only did his father’s hunting protect the local crops from the voracious animals, but those animals then became food for the family, and often for other local families in need. … For his father, it was not about the thrill of the hunt, and it wasn’t a deep-seated spiritual appreciation for the lives of the wild animals he harvested. Instead, it was about providing for his family and about his position in the community; he was a provider, protector, predator rather than prey, a man not to be taken lightly. Since then, Castillo had always associated a successful hunt with the admiration of friends and family”. So, Castillo displays his ill-gotten trophies to work colleagues and associates, believing that his hunting prowess will gain him the approbation he feels he deserves.
The photographer, Canon, has an (unsurprisingly) different view: “how can someone be so arrogant and selfish that they feel it’s okay to shoot an animal in its prime so they can stick it on their wall? I can take pictures of the same animals over and over again, and others can enjoy the same experience. That’s the definition of a renewable resource. But killing an animal for a trophy, and the only person who enjoys it is the sad guy who lives in his parents’ basement and stares at it on the rec room wall”.
So, three main characters. All driven and obsessed by the different things they love: the national parks and their animals; money; the respect and esteem of others. All will do anything to achieve their aims, and woe betide any who stand in their way.
There is also an array of well-developed minor characters. Jenny has many friends, and law enforcement associates on both sides of the border, whom she is able to call upon for help in her mission. She is demanding of, and often terse with, her junior warden, Bill Forsyth. But their relationship is that of teacher and pupil, and both share a love for the Parks, and a desire for justice. Eastman and Castillo are bullies. They have unappreciated underlings beholden to them, but bearing them no loyalty: Charlie Clark (Eastman’s sorry hunting guide); and the anonymous ‘Sprague’ (Castillo’s building inspector). It is the turning of these ‘worms’ that eventually decide the case.
The pace is rapid throughout. Although you know the main guilty parties from the start, the full scale of their guilt is only revealed piecemeal. The suspense comes from the When, How and If they will finally be caught.
The writing is superb, with the author’s love for the beauty of the Canadian National Parks and their wildlife coming forcefully through in the descriptions of the environment and in the actions of the characters he clearly admires.
Jenny is a strong female lead. Her strength comes not from her femininity, but from her resolute belief in what is right and her love for the Parks. To my mind, this makes her a greater role model (for both males and females), than a woman who makes a big play of her gender, and her efforts to confound associated preconceptions.
I loved everything about this book, and look forward to many more Jenny Willson stories.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
October 24, 2017
A mystery with a twist — not your average murder victims! No spoilers here....
Author Dave Butler has written a thrilling tale set in one of Canada's national parks. The story is well crafted, with enough tension to keep you reading all night. His knowledge of the region comes shining through and so the setting is deftly portrayed. There's action galore and well-differentiated characters. I liked the tough, female protagonist who won't give up!
Full Curl is a very satisfying read and I hope Butler is writing a series. I can't wait for another like this one.
Highly recommended to all who love a good mystery with a twist.
Author Dave Butler has written a thrilling tale set in one of Canada's national parks. The story is well crafted, with enough tension to keep you reading all night. His knowledge of the region comes shining through and so the setting is deftly portrayed. There's action galore and well-differentiated characters. I liked the tough, female protagonist who won't give up!
Full Curl is a very satisfying read and I hope Butler is writing a series. I can't wait for another like this one.
Highly recommended to all who love a good mystery with a twist.
July 31, 2017
Goodreads Advance Reading Copy Win
Jenny Willson is a caustic warden at Banff National Park. When a dead animal is found in her Park and it appears to be a victim of trophy poaching as she finds herself digging into the case. Turns out incidents has occurred as well.
The more she investigates things not only dead animals but dead humans are found. Turnsout this is more than just illegal hunting but it involves Canada/US relationship.
It gives insight to illegal hunting industry.
Jenny Willson is a caustic warden at Banff National Park. When a dead animal is found in her Park and it appears to be a victim of trophy poaching as she finds herself digging into the case. Turns out incidents has occurred as well.
The more she investigates things not only dead animals but dead humans are found. Turnsout this is more than just illegal hunting but it involves Canada/US relationship.
It gives insight to illegal hunting industry.
October 30, 2017
This is a well written initial entry into what I hope will be a series set in Canada's national parks. Jenny Wilson is a truly intrepid and determined investigator searching for the truth about who has murdered wildlife under her guard. She's a great character- feisty, thoughtful, and well rounded. Loved the settings. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Fans of Nevada Barr will like this one as will anyone who likes a different sort of procedural (and the outdoors.). Looking forward to more.
June 3, 2017
I was very excited that I won this book at a bookstore draw and that it was about places I was about to visit. It really showcases our geography and scenery, but like some other Canadian books, overdoes the Canadiana at times. I don't need to hear that Jenny is listening to 3, yes 3, iconic Canadian bands or that Kick Ass coffee is the best thing going and that Tim's is a waste of a coffee mug. I did like hearing about the wildlife and how Park services work.
December 11, 2017
First of all, you can tell this is written by a man, even though the story is written in the 1sp person with a female as lead. I don't know of any female that refers to her friends by their last names....it gets confusing when you can't distinguish men from women in the story. And, I know the book takes place over a long amount of time, but there's just things that are missing in the story. Not the best female forest ranger book I've ever read.
May 29, 2019
Rounding up from 3.5. Set in the national parks of the Canadian Rockies, Warden Jenny Willson solves mysteries that expand well beyond danger to animals to include murder. These books focus mostly on the crime solving procedure, and a bit less on either the magnificent setting or individual characters. Jenny herself is a loose canon, but it's fun to watch her plow through obstacles on her way to truth, justice, and the Canadian way!
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