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Bob White Birder Murder Mysteries #1
The Boreal Owl Murder
Birding, the gentle pastime of watching birds, can at times become a competitive sport. Even at its worst, though, when birders don’t give out information of their sightings and try to sidetrack other birders, it seldom rises to the level of serious harm . . . usually. But when Bob White mannered school councilor and dedicated weekend birder, finds a body on a birding trip, the idea that there’s an exception to every rule gets hammered home.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
About the author
Jan Dunlap
27 books56 followersJan Dunlap is the author of the edge-of-your-seat Archangels suspense series (blending cutting-edge science with spiritual revelation), the best-selling memoir "Saved by Gracie: How a rough-and-tumble rescue dog dragged me back to health, happiness, and God," and the Bob White Birder Murder Mystery series.
A resident of the Texas Hill Country, Jan holds two master's degrees: one in English Studies and one in Theology. Her love for nature and science frequently inspires her writing projects, and she often finds herself deep in research as she explores the contemporary issues that underlie her books. Jan welcomes visitors to her website at jandunlap.com, tweets @BirderMurder, and has two Facebook author pages: Birder Murder Mama and Archangels.
A resident of the Texas Hill Country, Jan holds two master's degrees: one in English Studies and one in Theology. Her love for nature and science frequently inspires her writing projects, and she often finds herself deep in research as she explores the contemporary issues that underlie her books. Jan welcomes visitors to her website at jandunlap.com, tweets @BirderMurder, and has two Facebook author pages: Birder Murder Mama and Archangels.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 5, 2023
I guess not all birdwatching murder-mystery stories are created equal.
For the past four years I’ve been reading the birder-murder mystery stories by Steve Burrows. But I’m always on the lookout for another murder-mystery series that revolves around birdwatching.
This particular book that I just finished kicks off a series of birding murder mysteries, but they’re definitely not in the same class as the Burrows books.
They don’t have the same depth and serious tone. Part of that can be attributed to the fact that one is a police procedural style, and one is a cozy style that contains a lot more light-hearted humour – not that there’s anything wrong with humor. But I got through this book in three nights whereas it takes me at least a week to get through one of the Burrows books.
Story-wise the author does a pretty good job of weaving different elements together, creating scenarios where many people are not what they seem to be and pretty much tying it up all right in the end. However, I had a pretty good idea of where the crime was originating from in this story about two-thirds of the way through the book - but it took the protagonist, Bob White, another hundred pages to wake up and smell the coffee.
But where this book really falls down is its (lack of) attention to detail.
A lot of the story revolves around a tree species that the author keeps calling “white jack pine.“ Except when it’s referred to as white pine… Or in some cases, even within the same conversation, jack pine.
So here’s the thing: White pine (*Pinus strobus*) and jack pine (*Pinus banksiana*) are two completely different species. In my three years of studying forestry in university and my five years working at summer forestry jobs in two different provinces, I never heard of anything called a “white jack pine.” I asked a professional forester friend of mine if he had ever heard of it, and he hadn’t. I even looked it up on the website of the American Conifer Society. No reference to it there.
So either the author has not done very good research, or she and her editor are incredibly sloppy referring to the same tree species by three different names. Just pick one!
OK, you say… so she got a tree species wrong. But she is supposed to be a birder herself and most birders are generally pretty good naturalists.
But wait…there’s more.
An even bigger mistake was made by the fact that the story implies that boreal owls mate and nest in forests dominated by pines. They don’t. I looked it up on the Cornell Ornithology Lab App, which states they “nest in tree cavities in forests with spruce, fir, aspen and poplar.” I also looked it up on another site, and there was no pine mentioned there, either.
That seems to me like a pretty big faux-pas to make if you’re writing a series that revolves around birding.
Final kicker: just plain sloppiness, but on one page one of the main characters, whose name is Stan, suddenly becomes Sam. Then he’s back to Stan.
Sloppy-sloppy-sloppy.
I really wanted to like this book, but those kinds of errors drive me NUTS.
I looked at some of the other reviews and ratings of this book on Goodreads, and nobody else noticed this stuff. But I’m a detail freak. One thing I did notice was the fact as the series progressed, the ratings got a little higher with each book, so I’m not sure if that means the writing got better or it’s just a quirk. Chances are if she made those kinds of errors in the first book, there’s a decent chance that would be repeated in future books. At this point I’m not sure if I want to read another book in the series. I probably won’t spend the money on a hardcopy edition, but I might check it out on Kindle.
This reading of three stars was actually rounded up from 2.5. This book is better than a two but I don’t really think it’s a three, overall. It’s probably a four for the story elements and the humor, but it’s a 1.5 with respect to details, basic editing and natural history facts.
For the past four years I’ve been reading the birder-murder mystery stories by Steve Burrows. But I’m always on the lookout for another murder-mystery series that revolves around birdwatching.
This particular book that I just finished kicks off a series of birding murder mysteries, but they’re definitely not in the same class as the Burrows books.
They don’t have the same depth and serious tone. Part of that can be attributed to the fact that one is a police procedural style, and one is a cozy style that contains a lot more light-hearted humour – not that there’s anything wrong with humor. But I got through this book in three nights whereas it takes me at least a week to get through one of the Burrows books.
Story-wise the author does a pretty good job of weaving different elements together, creating scenarios where many people are not what they seem to be and pretty much tying it up all right in the end. However, I had a pretty good idea of where the crime was originating from in this story about two-thirds of the way through the book - but it took the protagonist, Bob White, another hundred pages to wake up and smell the coffee.
But where this book really falls down is its (lack of) attention to detail.
A lot of the story revolves around a tree species that the author keeps calling “white jack pine.“ Except when it’s referred to as white pine… Or in some cases, even within the same conversation, jack pine.
So here’s the thing: White pine (*Pinus strobus*) and jack pine (*Pinus banksiana*) are two completely different species. In my three years of studying forestry in university and my five years working at summer forestry jobs in two different provinces, I never heard of anything called a “white jack pine.” I asked a professional forester friend of mine if he had ever heard of it, and he hadn’t. I even looked it up on the website of the American Conifer Society. No reference to it there.
So either the author has not done very good research, or she and her editor are incredibly sloppy referring to the same tree species by three different names. Just pick one!
OK, you say… so she got a tree species wrong. But she is supposed to be a birder herself and most birders are generally pretty good naturalists.
But wait…there’s more.
An even bigger mistake was made by the fact that the story implies that boreal owls mate and nest in forests dominated by pines. They don’t. I looked it up on the Cornell Ornithology Lab App, which states they “nest in tree cavities in forests with spruce, fir, aspen and poplar.” I also looked it up on another site, and there was no pine mentioned there, either.
That seems to me like a pretty big faux-pas to make if you’re writing a series that revolves around birding.
Final kicker: just plain sloppiness, but on one page one of the main characters, whose name is Stan, suddenly becomes Sam. Then he’s back to Stan.
Sloppy-sloppy-sloppy.
I really wanted to like this book, but those kinds of errors drive me NUTS.
I looked at some of the other reviews and ratings of this book on Goodreads, and nobody else noticed this stuff. But I’m a detail freak. One thing I did notice was the fact as the series progressed, the ratings got a little higher with each book, so I’m not sure if that means the writing got better or it’s just a quirk. Chances are if she made those kinds of errors in the first book, there’s a decent chance that would be repeated in future books. At this point I’m not sure if I want to read another book in the series. I probably won’t spend the money on a hardcopy edition, but I might check it out on Kindle.
This reading of three stars was actually rounded up from 2.5. This book is better than a two but I don’t really think it’s a three, overall. It’s probably a four for the story elements and the humor, but it’s a 1.5 with respect to details, basic editing and natural history facts.
July 23, 2018
Read this book on a weekend stay in Wright County jail. Kept me interested enough to finish. I really liked the accurate references to the north shore and Duluth Minnesota. Good job on that. Also I learned quite a bit about Birding, no interest at all to go do that, but people evidently like it. More power to them. Didn’t really like Bob White’s female companion at 6’2”. I’m 6”2, should have gone at least six inches shorter or more. Good Scandinavian references also, but there are actually more Germans in Minnesota.
If only Bob White was a fisherman.
Good book, thank you Jan!
If only Bob White was a fisherman.
Good book, thank you Jan!
January 31, 2020
An okay book with some fun references to the North Shore in MN only because I love that area. Plot was okay, except there were times the main character missed the obvious. The birding aspect fit in well. Probably my least favorite aspect was the author's style. There was too much "asides" thinking and opinions that got to be disruptive for me. As mysteries go, I think there are better ones, and yet, if you are a MN fan, it's worth reading.
September 9, 2021
For some reason, the very beginning of this book didn't grab me. I put it down and didn't pick it back up for a couple of days, but then the story got interesting, the characters made me laugh and the descriptions of Duluth and the north woods and wildlife were familiar. Definitely a good start to a new series and I'm looking forward to more travels with Bob White.
July 5, 2021
Interesting sub-genre. I like murder mysteries and birds, so it suited me well. The author has a cute sense of humor, and the plot was interesting. It's light reading, but I might try another one when I want a break from more serious literature.
December 28, 2025
Great story with plenty of birds.
Bring a birder, I enjoyed how the author was able to weave birds and bird watching into the story line. Well done. Look forward to reading the next one.
Bring a birder, I enjoyed how the author was able to weave birds and bird watching into the story line. Well done. Look forward to reading the next one.
September 17, 2017
novel-mystery
281 pages
A charming, fast and enjoyable read.
If your into birds, even better!
Want to read more,
281 pages
A charming, fast and enjoyable read.
If your into birds, even better!
Want to read more,
June 14, 2018
A local writer for me, and an excellent birder, Dunlap writes a fun summery read in the settings I love; the woods with it’s birding inhabitants.
December 30, 2018
rounded up from 2.5
August 15, 2015
Bob White is a high school counselor who is a birder, or I should say he's a birder who is a high school counselor. He's a horrible counselor. All the internal monologues mock the children he's supposed to be helping. In fact, most of the internal quips aren't funny, but come off mean spirited and nasty. It's like the kid who tries too hard to be funny, but fails big time.
The main plot is that Bob White goes into the backwoods to track down the Boreal owl which is very, very difficult to find. In his quest, he comes across the frozen corpse of a Boreal owl expert. This gets him in a lot of trouble with nearly everyone, but especially the murderers who turn out to be poachers.
I give this book a two instead of a one because I love books about birding. Unfortunately that's the only part of the book I enjoy. I don't like Bob White. He comes across as arrogant, obsessive, and not that bright when it comes to his own survival. In addition, the writing in the book is strange, rather fragmented and needing a better editor.
The main plot is that Bob White goes into the backwoods to track down the Boreal owl which is very, very difficult to find. In his quest, he comes across the frozen corpse of a Boreal owl expert. This gets him in a lot of trouble with nearly everyone, but especially the murderers who turn out to be poachers.
I give this book a two instead of a one because I love books about birding. Unfortunately that's the only part of the book I enjoy. I don't like Bob White. He comes across as arrogant, obsessive, and not that bright when it comes to his own survival. In addition, the writing in the book is strange, rather fragmented and needing a better editor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2014
This birder mystery is a great, fun read. The characters are believable, distinct and true to themselves. Creepy Stan exuded creepiness! And…he kept showing up. The author thoroughly weaved the murder mystery plot with birding, environmentalism, school counseling, police work, academia politics, strained sibling relationships, friendship and romance. As a bird nerd and a mystery novel fanatic this book thoroughly entertained me. Before reading the book I knew nothing about the Boreal Owl—I learned some unique Boreal Owl characteristics. The humor authenticated the character relationships and story line. The plot spins and turns created a solid story. The author excelled at keeping the hooks coming.
May 25, 2013
The author was on npr and since i love birds --- and mysteries I thought this series of Bob White ( the name of the main character ha ha) would be interesting ...no library in our whole area carried this book - so we bought on line. at first I wanted to buy the whole series - my husband suggested we should start with just one. I am so glad -- this book is not interesting, written in a style that can't be discribed. Plain and simple I found it awfull -- awfully painfull to try to read, and now it will be but in the recycle bin - how can an author find a publisher who would do this. I found some books in middle grades filled with more interesting plots & much better writing.
March 24, 2013
A very good light mystery, and a quick read.
On the plus side, the setting and plot were both very original. I've never spent any time in Minnesota, but the setting seemed accurate and was well described. The characters motivations and actions struck me as believable, for the most part.
I got confused at times by characters with similar names, and some character names were a bit too cute -- yes, the main character is a birder named "Bob White." Also, there were a few more coincidences than I would expect, but it was still a fun read.
Recommended for fans of "cozy" mysteries and amateur ornithologists.
On the plus side, the setting and plot were both very original. I've never spent any time in Minnesota, but the setting seemed accurate and was well described. The characters motivations and actions struck me as believable, for the most part.
I got confused at times by characters with similar names, and some character names were a bit too cute -- yes, the main character is a birder named "Bob White." Also, there were a few more coincidences than I would expect, but it was still a fun read.
Recommended for fans of "cozy" mysteries and amateur ornithologists.
March 25, 2013
I love when I read a mystery and, in addition to an intriguing plot, great setting and interesting characters, I get to learn about a subject I previously knew little about. That was the case with "The Boreal Owl Murder" by Jan Dunlap. It had all the ingredients of a good mystery interspersed with information on the sport of birding. When Bob White, a birding enthusiast, heads for the woods in search of a rare bird, he finds something that will shake up his life and change the way he views his favorite pastime.
March 28, 2016
The Boreal Owl Murder is the first in a series of murder mysteries that revolves around high school guidance counselor and expert birder Bob White. Pun intended I assume. Bob finds a body while looking for a boreal owl. What follows is a plot with a lot of twists and turns involving owl researchers, a former CIA agent, conservation activists and more. This is a fun read. I think it will appeal mostly to birders. Unfortunately this series is hard to find. I had to buy a used copy on Amazon. The used part is great. I happen to love used books.
April 2, 2013
Getting ready for the birding season and seasonal migration in May. Good book to read for mystery lovers who are also birders. Set in Minnesota, Bob White finds a Boreal owl researcher dead in the middle of the night in the deep woods, where he has gone to catch a glimpse of the elusive owl. Now he needs to solve the mystery if he doesn't want to be a target too.
March 9, 2014
Publishers' Weekly nailed it: "A pedestrian plot and a garrulous narrator given to less than compelling interior monologues mar Dunlap's debut." I skimmed towards the end.
I will have to continue to search for a mystery series with a birding theme. So far, the Borthwick novels are the best, although the birding is usually minor.
I will have to continue to search for a mystery series with a birding theme. So far, the Borthwick novels are the best, although the birding is usually minor.
April 18, 2010
Loved it!!! You can tell the author just enjoys birding. And she's got the talent to express all that in really great story. I'm not a birder, but after reading this book I'm interested. Looking forward to the next!!!
November 14, 2012
Once I got into it, I enjoyed it. Good birding information sprinkled throughout, entertaining, lots of dry humor. A fast read. Read the Nook edition but put the print edition as the choice because of the nice cover art.
May 28, 2013
Alright, I read this book mainly because it was about birds and set in Minnesota, and someone else pointed me towards it. The bird-ness and Minnesota-ness were entertaining enough, but I was not a big fan of the the writing.
April 3, 2013
Good mystery with lots of great birding stuff.
April 8, 2013
OK story. Liked the birding tie-in, but not really a great mystery.
June 28, 2013
Fun mystery especially if you are a birder.
April 22, 2014
A fun murder mystery set in Minnesota, I loved reading about places I've been. This book does have a side effect, makes you listen to birds more
July 1, 2014
Enjoyable characters. Will read another.
May 8, 2015
love the birding parts, I too know how a nemesis bird hunt can be.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews