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Across Oceans #1
The Tourist Trail
Biologist Angela Haynes is accustomed to dark, lonely nights as one of the few humans at a penguin research station in Patagonia. She has grown used to the cries of penguins before dawn, to meager supplies and housing, to spending most of her days in one of the most remote regions on earth. What she isn't used to is strange men washing ashore, which happens one day on her watch.
The man won't tell her his name or where he came from, but Angela, who has a soft spot for strays, tends to him, if for no other reason than to protect her birds and her work. When she later learns why he goes by an alias, why he is a refugee from the law, and why he is a man without a port, she begins to fall in love-and embarks on a journey that takes her deep into Antarctic waters, and even deeper into the emotional territory she thought she'd left behind.
Against the backdrop of the Southern Ocean, The Tourist Trail weaves together the stories of Angela as well as FBI agent Robert Porter, dispatched on a mission that unearths a past he would rather keep buried; and Ethan Downes, a computer tech whose love for a passionate animal rights activist draws him into a dangerous mission.
The man won't tell her his name or where he came from, but Angela, who has a soft spot for strays, tends to him, if for no other reason than to protect her birds and her work. When she later learns why he goes by an alias, why he is a refugee from the law, and why he is a man without a port, she begins to fall in love-and embarks on a journey that takes her deep into Antarctic waters, and even deeper into the emotional territory she thought she'd left behind.
Against the backdrop of the Southern Ocean, The Tourist Trail weaves together the stories of Angela as well as FBI agent Robert Porter, dispatched on a mission that unearths a past he would rather keep buried; and Ethan Downes, a computer tech whose love for a passionate animal rights activist draws him into a dangerous mission.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2010
139 people are currently reading
2036 people want to read
About the author
John Yunker
16 books79 followersUPDATE: John Yunker is co-author (with Midge Raymond) of the mystery DEVILS ISLAND, coming in September 2024 from Oceanview Publishing.
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John Yunker is a writer of plays, short stories and novels focused on human/animal relationships.
He is co-founder of Ashland Creek Press, a vegan-owned publisher devoted to environmental and animal rights literature. He is author of the novel The Tourist Trail and the sequel Where Oceans Hide Their Dead.
His full-length play Meat the Parents was a finalist at the Centre Stage New Play Festival (South Carolina) and semi-finalist in the AACT new play contest. Species of Least Concern was a finalist in the Mountain Playhouse Comedy Festival. His short play, Little Red House, was published in the literary journal Mason's Road, and produced by the Studio Players Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. The short play Of Mice and Marines was workshopped and given a staged reading at the ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) conference in Las Vegas.
His short stories have been published by literary journals such as Phoebe, Qu, Flyway, and Antennae.
- - -
John Yunker is a writer of plays, short stories and novels focused on human/animal relationships.
He is co-founder of Ashland Creek Press, a vegan-owned publisher devoted to environmental and animal rights literature. He is author of the novel The Tourist Trail and the sequel Where Oceans Hide Their Dead.
His full-length play Meat the Parents was a finalist at the Centre Stage New Play Festival (South Carolina) and semi-finalist in the AACT new play contest. Species of Least Concern was a finalist in the Mountain Playhouse Comedy Festival. His short play, Little Red House, was published in the literary journal Mason's Road, and produced by the Studio Players Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. The short play Of Mice and Marines was workshopped and given a staged reading at the ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) conference in Las Vegas.
His short stories have been published by literary journals such as Phoebe, Qu, Flyway, and Antennae.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 11, 2018
3.5 stars
Penguins. That's what got me to read this book. As soon as I read in the synopsis the setting was a penguin research station, I knew I had to check this book out.
Angela Haynes is used to spending most of her time alone. Well, not entirely alone as there are her co-workers at the research station and of course the penguins she spends her days tracking. But given she works in a remote part of the world, it is highly unusual that a strange man seemingly appears out of nowhere on the shore. Bit by bit she learns more about the man and how he is on the run from the law. Soon Angela will begin questioning what is most important to her.
This book was like an interesting mix of the documentary style show, Whale Wars, the documentary film, March of the Penguins, and a general FBI thriller. I'll admit this was a bit out of the norm of books I typically read, but that's probably why I enjoyed it. The writing wasn't exactly top-notch but the story was unique and it held my interest. I definitely recommend if you are wanting to read something a bit different and want to support an independent publisher. This is the type of book that reminds you that we as humans are just a small part of this big and beautiful world.
I won a free copy of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers program and Ashland Creek Press. I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
Penguins. That's what got me to read this book. As soon as I read in the synopsis the setting was a penguin research station, I knew I had to check this book out.
Angela Haynes is used to spending most of her time alone. Well, not entirely alone as there are her co-workers at the research station and of course the penguins she spends her days tracking. But given she works in a remote part of the world, it is highly unusual that a strange man seemingly appears out of nowhere on the shore. Bit by bit she learns more about the man and how he is on the run from the law. Soon Angela will begin questioning what is most important to her.
This book was like an interesting mix of the documentary style show, Whale Wars, the documentary film, March of the Penguins, and a general FBI thriller. I'll admit this was a bit out of the norm of books I typically read, but that's probably why I enjoyed it. The writing wasn't exactly top-notch but the story was unique and it held my interest. I definitely recommend if you are wanting to read something a bit different and want to support an independent publisher. This is the type of book that reminds you that we as humans are just a small part of this big and beautiful world.
I won a free copy of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers program and Ashland Creek Press. I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
July 3, 2010
As a rule I read nonfiction to learn. Fiction is for entertainment. In “The Tourist Trail” I found what I wanted and expected. It contains adventure. There are characters you’ll quickly start caring about and a lot of conflict to overcome. You’ll find plenty of romances to spice things up. All the elements of a good thriller are here and, if that’s what you’re looking for, you should come away satisfied.
Fiction, however, can also teach you things that nonfiction can’t. It can help you understand a point of view that, given your life experiences, would be difficult. By putting yourself in the shoes of another you can better understand them. This was the case with “The Tourist Trail.”
As in Edward Abbey’s environmentalist classic “The Monkee Wrench Gang,” the group at the center of this story, the Cetacean Defense Alliance (CDA), is out to sabotage their foes – the scene has just moved from the desert to the ocean. They object to whaler’s who continue indiscriminate harvesting of what they believe is an endangered species. They oppose long-line fishermen who they think kill too many birds and other seagoing life as “incidental catch.” Their philosophy was summed up in this quote:
“When you raise cattle, you at least feed them. But fishermen don’t feed fish. They just take. They even take the food the fish eat. Sheer avarice.”
But not everyone agrees with the CDA’s methods, calling them “eco-terrorists.” That’s what the FBI thinks (although the FBI agent chasing them is conflicted). You’ll have to decide for yourself. Regardless of what you decide you’ll come away with a better understanding of the ocean-environmentalist movement and a good read.
Fiction, however, can also teach you things that nonfiction can’t. It can help you understand a point of view that, given your life experiences, would be difficult. By putting yourself in the shoes of another you can better understand them. This was the case with “The Tourist Trail.”
As in Edward Abbey’s environmentalist classic “The Monkee Wrench Gang,” the group at the center of this story, the Cetacean Defense Alliance (CDA), is out to sabotage their foes – the scene has just moved from the desert to the ocean. They object to whaler’s who continue indiscriminate harvesting of what they believe is an endangered species. They oppose long-line fishermen who they think kill too many birds and other seagoing life as “incidental catch.” Their philosophy was summed up in this quote:
“When you raise cattle, you at least feed them. But fishermen don’t feed fish. They just take. They even take the food the fish eat. Sheer avarice.”
But not everyone agrees with the CDA’s methods, calling them “eco-terrorists.” That’s what the FBI thinks (although the FBI agent chasing them is conflicted). You’ll have to decide for yourself. Regardless of what you decide you’ll come away with a better understanding of the ocean-environmentalist movement and a good read.
February 15, 2019
The Tourist Trail is an eco-thriller with romantic tension. To me, a successful eco-thriller should have both mystery and suspense while exploring environmental conflicts. The Tourist Trail delivered on all these fronts. I happened to finish up this novel at the start of Whale Week, which couldn't be more fitting since the story revolves around whale activists. Throughout the novel, the perspectives switch between Angela, a naturalist studying penguins, and Robert, a federal agent whose mission is to arrest an animal rights activist named Aeneas. We also get close to a character named Ethan, who falls for an activist working with Aeneas' organization. The different POVs throughout the novel helped to create tension and mystery; I was eager to understand how these character would relate to each other, if at all.
What this book excelled at was having these fleshed out characters; for example, another novelist may have presented to either extreme: portraying Aeneas as a flawless hero or as a lunatic. Instead, we saw a complicated man, whose decisions may not align with the people around him. Robert was also a complex character in that he was afflicted by inner turmoil: he needed to do his job, but at the same time it was his job - going undercover as an animal rights activist - that had lead him to sympathize with the cause. Robert is also dealing with a traumatic experience, which was losing a woman he loved. Angela devoted her life to studying and helping penguins, but was what she was doing enough? This conundrum will likely be relatable to animal advocates, who always ask themselves if they can be doing something more. Because of this, I found Angela to be my favorite character.
It is clear from the novel that its author, John Yunker, researched animal welfare issues thoroughly to present a realistic portrayal of the whaling industry. I went into the novel with very little awareness about penguins, but by the end I felt like I learned quite a bit about them. I appreciated that the author also lets readers get close to some of the penguins who Angela is studying; I like it when stories feature an emotional connection to animals.
It was also refreshing to read a book in which there are many vegetarian and vegan characters. But if you're worried that the story is going to beat you over the head with a vegan message, fear not. I'm sure an omnivore would find that it doesn't proselytize.
As a longtime vegan and animal advocate, I'm quite partial to stories that explore animal rights. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy thrillers and who care about the environment and/or animals.
The sequel to the novel is currently available now, and my review for that is to come!
What this book excelled at was having these fleshed out characters; for example, another novelist may have presented to either extreme: portraying Aeneas as a flawless hero or as a lunatic. Instead, we saw a complicated man, whose decisions may not align with the people around him. Robert was also a complex character in that he was afflicted by inner turmoil: he needed to do his job, but at the same time it was his job - going undercover as an animal rights activist - that had lead him to sympathize with the cause. Robert is also dealing with a traumatic experience, which was losing a woman he loved. Angela devoted her life to studying and helping penguins, but was what she was doing enough? This conundrum will likely be relatable to animal advocates, who always ask themselves if they can be doing something more. Because of this, I found Angela to be my favorite character.
It is clear from the novel that its author, John Yunker, researched animal welfare issues thoroughly to present a realistic portrayal of the whaling industry. I went into the novel with very little awareness about penguins, but by the end I felt like I learned quite a bit about them. I appreciated that the author also lets readers get close to some of the penguins who Angela is studying; I like it when stories feature an emotional connection to animals.
It was also refreshing to read a book in which there are many vegetarian and vegan characters. But if you're worried that the story is going to beat you over the head with a vegan message, fear not. I'm sure an omnivore would find that it doesn't proselytize.
As a longtime vegan and animal advocate, I'm quite partial to stories that explore animal rights. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy thrillers and who care about the environment and/or animals.
The sequel to the novel is currently available now, and my review for that is to come!
November 8, 2011
Finally! A cool story about "eco-terrorists" that's well written. Great plot, fascinating setting,and very well-written characters with strong personalities that ring very true. Plus, it has penguins in it!
August 27, 2010
I confess, I am guilty of judging books by their cover. The cover of The Tourist Trail is quiet and unassuming. A bunch of penguins coming out of their perches in the ground, doesn't scream "ADVENTURE" to me. Glad to know I was wrong.
Biologist Angela Haynes lives in her own little world. She spends her days at a research station--The Tourist Trail-- in Patagonia counting and observing the behaviors of penguins. Angela lives in a world with little human contact or deep human relationships. She has a crush on a colleague, Doug, but chooses not to act on it because he is younger.
Her only real connection is with a male penguin--Diesel. But even Diesel manages to find a mate, leading to pangs of jealous for Angela. Her bubble is about to burst when mysterious animal activist Aeneas appears. Having been labelled an "eco-terrorist," Aeneas is on the run not only from the law, but most of all from FBI agent Robert Porter. The charismatic, and equally volatile Aeneas has developed a loyal following through his group, the Cetacean Defense Alliance (basically they don't like whale poachers). But his group has gone beyond the normal boundaries of protest. Resorting to violence, arson and murder--all in the defense of animals.
Early on Aeneas comes off as a zealot, but his interactions with Angela offer a softer side to him. He helps her care for the penguins, and develops an understanding for her connection with Diesel. Angela initially fights her attraction to Aeneas, but the enigmatic man is too much to resist. She heads off with him on a ship to Antarctica, with Robert on their trail.
Robert is looking for redemption, having let Aeneas slip through his fingers before. While undercover as "Jake," Robert lets his feelings for the beautiful Noa, cloud his judgment. As Jake he can do all the things Robert can't--be carefree and take life as it comes.
The book lost me a little bit in Part II, which is when we are introduced to Ethan. The young computer programmer has fallen in love with Anna--another CDA follower. It took me a couple of chapters to realize the author John Yunker had gone back in time. After being invested in Angela, Aeneas and Robert, I thought the book was shifting focus. Angela is completely absent in Part II, but Part III sees the return of all the characters.
The conclusion is filled with action. Robert's relentless pursuit, and it's conclusion are very suspenseful. I was trying not to speed through the last 30 pages, but I wanted to know what happened. I won't give it away, but it is very satisfying. The story is told from the point of view of Angela, Robert and Ethan. I was surprised, that Aeneas didn't get a turn at-bat, but the different points of view offer a complete picture of him. Angela's view is one of love, confusion and at times fear. With Robert, Aeneas is that old foe he can't get rid of. At first Ethan fears Aeneas, but even he can't resist the charm. Author John Yunker's own experiences travelling to Patagonia, Norway and Antarctica served as the inspiration for The Tourist Trail. If you don't already, you will come away from this novel with a better understanding for nature.
Rating: Superb
Notes: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. For more information about The Tourist Trail and author John Yunker visit:http://www.thetouristtrail.com/
Biologist Angela Haynes lives in her own little world. She spends her days at a research station--The Tourist Trail-- in Patagonia counting and observing the behaviors of penguins. Angela lives in a world with little human contact or deep human relationships. She has a crush on a colleague, Doug, but chooses not to act on it because he is younger.
Her only real connection is with a male penguin--Diesel. But even Diesel manages to find a mate, leading to pangs of jealous for Angela. Her bubble is about to burst when mysterious animal activist Aeneas appears. Having been labelled an "eco-terrorist," Aeneas is on the run not only from the law, but most of all from FBI agent Robert Porter. The charismatic, and equally volatile Aeneas has developed a loyal following through his group, the Cetacean Defense Alliance (basically they don't like whale poachers). But his group has gone beyond the normal boundaries of protest. Resorting to violence, arson and murder--all in the defense of animals.
Early on Aeneas comes off as a zealot, but his interactions with Angela offer a softer side to him. He helps her care for the penguins, and develops an understanding for her connection with Diesel. Angela initially fights her attraction to Aeneas, but the enigmatic man is too much to resist. She heads off with him on a ship to Antarctica, with Robert on their trail.
Robert is looking for redemption, having let Aeneas slip through his fingers before. While undercover as "Jake," Robert lets his feelings for the beautiful Noa, cloud his judgment. As Jake he can do all the things Robert can't--be carefree and take life as it comes.
The book lost me a little bit in Part II, which is when we are introduced to Ethan. The young computer programmer has fallen in love with Anna--another CDA follower. It took me a couple of chapters to realize the author John Yunker had gone back in time. After being invested in Angela, Aeneas and Robert, I thought the book was shifting focus. Angela is completely absent in Part II, but Part III sees the return of all the characters.
The conclusion is filled with action. Robert's relentless pursuit, and it's conclusion are very suspenseful. I was trying not to speed through the last 30 pages, but I wanted to know what happened. I won't give it away, but it is very satisfying. The story is told from the point of view of Angela, Robert and Ethan. I was surprised, that Aeneas didn't get a turn at-bat, but the different points of view offer a complete picture of him. Angela's view is one of love, confusion and at times fear. With Robert, Aeneas is that old foe he can't get rid of. At first Ethan fears Aeneas, but even he can't resist the charm. Author John Yunker's own experiences travelling to Patagonia, Norway and Antarctica served as the inspiration for The Tourist Trail. If you don't already, you will come away from this novel with a better understanding for nature.
Rating: Superb
Notes: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. For more information about The Tourist Trail and author John Yunker visit:http://www.thetouristtrail.com/
June 25, 2013
In my mind, good characters populate a good book. Yunker has drawn some memorable characters...individuals who admit and understand their flaws, who indulge their self-doubts, who interact imperfectly with others and display all the frailties and strengths of human beings. It's easy to connect with them, to both empathize and sympathize with them, to admire them and to loathe them.
The Tourist Trail offers eco-terrorism suspense, interpersonal conflict, conflicting emotions and high seas action. Not normally the type of fiction I read, I was nonetheless drawn to the people and the places they inhabit. I began to enjoy being pushed out of my genre comfort zone. The narrative flows smoothly, reminding me of the spoken word.
I liked Yunker's book, and I recommend it to my Goodread's friends.
The Tourist Trail offers eco-terrorism suspense, interpersonal conflict, conflicting emotions and high seas action. Not normally the type of fiction I read, I was nonetheless drawn to the people and the places they inhabit. I began to enjoy being pushed out of my genre comfort zone. The narrative flows smoothly, reminding me of the spoken word.
I liked Yunker's book, and I recommend it to my Goodread's friends.
September 11, 2018
Well-written, well-plotted eco-thriller. Showed good side [the Patagonian station banding the penguins and its rationale: tracking the birds to discover their habits but not killing them] and bad side [too zealous groups wanting to "save-the-insert your animals here"] with the story of FBI agents on the trail of a murderer. There are several romances in the mix, but nothing gratuitous. The ecological bits intrigued me the most. I thank LibraryThing for an ARC.
January 4, 2022
Excellent mix of thriller, drama, and even education! I cried sad tears and happy tears. The characters’ emotional lives were a little underdeveloped but I made up for that by feeling those feelings myself.
One thing I may email the author about is his use of the word “it” to refer to animals in certain instances. Animals are not objects - a message that is clear in the book - so the language should sync up with the message.
I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to start book two!
One thing I may email the author about is his use of the word “it” to refer to animals in certain instances. Animals are not objects - a message that is clear in the book - so the language should sync up with the message.
I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to start book two!
July 4, 2012
Really loved this book. The characters are flawed but normal, and entirely likable. The author's little lessons on the vegan lifestyle and big lessons/messages on animal rights activists were engaging and even persuasive. All in all, it was a good read!
September 22, 2018
The Tourist Trail is the story of people driven by a mission. Angela Haynes studies penguins, hard, tedious, and isolated work that breaks her heart because she is documenting their decimation. Robert is an FBI agent who has a dedication to justice that is brought into question by his empathy for the cause of those he has been hunting. Aeneas is a leader of the Cetacean Defense Alliance, a fictional and inexact analog of the Sea Shepherd Society, using direct action to stop illegal whaling or the fraud of whaling through phony research vessels. Ethan is a computer programmer in love with Annie, an environmentalist. His mission is to get Annie to love him as he loves her.
They all come together in the Antarctic Ocean where they discover that people with a mission often have to pay a deep personal price for their beliefs. That is if they want to do right, not just be right.
If I have a reading obsession, it is the Antarctic. I have read travel memoirs, histories, and just about everything, even the fictional diary of a cat and oh, hell, did it make me cry and cry and cry. I have never thought of tuna the same way again. I am also someone who criticizes the purists who make the perfect the enemy of the good and who prefer losing to imperfect victories. I think of Rebecca West who wrote:
Often I wonder whether I would be able to suffer for my principles if the need came, and it strikes me as a matter of the highest importance. That should not be so. I should ask myself with far greater urgency whether I have done everything possible to carry those principles into effect, and how I can attain power to make them absolutely victorious. But those questions I put only with my mind. They do not excite my guts, which wait anxiously while I ponder my gift for martyrdom.
The people in this book act to carry their principles into effect and yes, they suffer personal losses. They are, in their minds, doing right even when in some ways they are not being right. There are important ethical questions asked in John Yunker’s The Tourist Trail and the answers are not obvious and not easy.
While Robert is conflicted, dismayed and disgusted by the murder of the whales, he does not question the accuracy of the eco-terrorist label for organizations whose tactics are economic sabotage and harassment, not murder. I would have liked him to think about that question. Aeneas seems single-minded and he would be more interesting if he expressed the cost of his dedication. Ethan is a tragic figure, though probably more tragic for male readers than for women who might think he’s a stalker. Angela, for me, is the most intriguing. Her heart is broken by penguins and and by people, but she never loses her strength of purpose.
I received a copy of The Tourist Trail from the publisher through a LibraryThing drawing. This is the second edition recently released in advance of coming sequel called Where Oceans Hide Their Dead which comes out next year. I didn’t read the preview because then I would be impatient for the sequel and then find the sequel less engaging because I read the first few chapters already. I am terrible that way.
The Tourist Trail at Ashland Creek Press
John Yunker author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
They all come together in the Antarctic Ocean where they discover that people with a mission often have to pay a deep personal price for their beliefs. That is if they want to do right, not just be right.
If I have a reading obsession, it is the Antarctic. I have read travel memoirs, histories, and just about everything, even the fictional diary of a cat and oh, hell, did it make me cry and cry and cry. I have never thought of tuna the same way again. I am also someone who criticizes the purists who make the perfect the enemy of the good and who prefer losing to imperfect victories. I think of Rebecca West who wrote:
Often I wonder whether I would be able to suffer for my principles if the need came, and it strikes me as a matter of the highest importance. That should not be so. I should ask myself with far greater urgency whether I have done everything possible to carry those principles into effect, and how I can attain power to make them absolutely victorious. But those questions I put only with my mind. They do not excite my guts, which wait anxiously while I ponder my gift for martyrdom.
The people in this book act to carry their principles into effect and yes, they suffer personal losses. They are, in their minds, doing right even when in some ways they are not being right. There are important ethical questions asked in John Yunker’s The Tourist Trail and the answers are not obvious and not easy.
While Robert is conflicted, dismayed and disgusted by the murder of the whales, he does not question the accuracy of the eco-terrorist label for organizations whose tactics are economic sabotage and harassment, not murder. I would have liked him to think about that question. Aeneas seems single-minded and he would be more interesting if he expressed the cost of his dedication. Ethan is a tragic figure, though probably more tragic for male readers than for women who might think he’s a stalker. Angela, for me, is the most intriguing. Her heart is broken by penguins and and by people, but she never loses her strength of purpose.
I received a copy of The Tourist Trail from the publisher through a LibraryThing drawing. This is the second edition recently released in advance of coming sequel called Where Oceans Hide Their Dead which comes out next year. I didn’t read the preview because then I would be impatient for the sequel and then find the sequel less engaging because I read the first few chapters already. I am terrible that way.
The Tourist Trail at Ashland Creek Press
John Yunker author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
April 18, 2018
This was a great story of animal activists, naturalists and researchers, and FBI agents set in the wondrous beauty of Patagonia and Antarctica with a bit of a love story between two of the main characters. I enjoyed the storyline which moved along mostly at a steady pace although the book slowed down somewhat in the middle but picked up again as it steamed towards the end. I liked the characters, especially Angela, and watched them all change and grow as the story moved forward. It was interesting seeing eco tourism through different eyes and getting a new perspective on fishing and whaling in the region, as well as discovering the motivations of those joining the eco warriors. There were some touching moments between a naturalist and her penguins and there was a lot of empathy coming through for the wildlife and the trials they suffer in nature as well as by human hands. The book was well written and I loved the ending. A very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who loves Antarctica and who is interested in our precious wildlife in the southern most parts of our world.
June 12, 2017
The Tourist Trail by John Yunker
Starts out with Angela and she's viewing the penguins as they are going through mating season.
One is waiting for his mate and they know it won't return so he will find another next year. She is taking inventory of the penguins and the species there.
Alternating chapters and Robert is on his way to Buenos Aries. He has many nightmares about the ice and it envelops him til one wakes him on the plane.
He lands at the Argentina far southern parts at the research camp. He's an uncovered investigator and needs to keep under the radar.
Scenes go back in time to the present, alternating so you are brought up to date as to when they all travel together. Learned so much more about oil spill on animals.
Lots of action and adventure, mysteries and a bit of romance.
Like learning about the habits and habitat of the penguins, interesting facts.
Got this review copy via InstaFreebie and this is my honest opinion.
Starts out with Angela and she's viewing the penguins as they are going through mating season.
One is waiting for his mate and they know it won't return so he will find another next year. She is taking inventory of the penguins and the species there.
Alternating chapters and Robert is on his way to Buenos Aries. He has many nightmares about the ice and it envelops him til one wakes him on the plane.
He lands at the Argentina far southern parts at the research camp. He's an uncovered investigator and needs to keep under the radar.
Scenes go back in time to the present, alternating so you are brought up to date as to when they all travel together. Learned so much more about oil spill on animals.
Lots of action and adventure, mysteries and a bit of romance.
Like learning about the habits and habitat of the penguins, interesting facts.
Got this review copy via InstaFreebie and this is my honest opinion.
May 18, 2020
This is a fictionalized account of "eco-terrorists". It has plenty of action, adventure and some romance. It is very well written. I felt I was at the locations described in the book, and could see the penguins, or whales, smell the colony, feel the cold and the wind.
It was a book that changed my mind about several things pertaining to eco-tourism, activists, and the animal rights movement. I really enjoyed all the sections about the penguins. Who dosesn't love penguins! I had never heard about Magellanic penguins before this novel. The main characters include an F.B. I. agent, a female scientist who studies the penguins,and a man who is the head of an animal rights, anti-whaling organization. Some of the descriptions of the cruelty towards the animals is absolutely heart breaking. This was written 10 years ago and apparently has a sequel. I most certainly will read it.
It was a book that changed my mind about several things pertaining to eco-tourism, activists, and the animal rights movement. I really enjoyed all the sections about the penguins. Who dosesn't love penguins! I had never heard about Magellanic penguins before this novel. The main characters include an F.B. I. agent, a female scientist who studies the penguins,and a man who is the head of an animal rights, anti-whaling organization. Some of the descriptions of the cruelty towards the animals is absolutely heart breaking. This was written 10 years ago and apparently has a sequel. I most certainly will read it.
August 11, 2017
The Tourist Trail is superb.
The book is billed as a literary thriller about endangered species in the world's most remote areas, and those who put their lives on the line to protect them, but it is so much more. Yunker is a very skilful, thoughtful writer, and The Tourist Trail delivers a poignant consideration of the dark and light, the right and wrong, the flawed and the noble motivations of anyone living a full life within ourselves and within the environmental movement.
The book is billed as a literary thriller about endangered species in the world's most remote areas, and those who put their lives on the line to protect them, but it is so much more. Yunker is a very skilful, thoughtful writer, and The Tourist Trail delivers a poignant consideration of the dark and light, the right and wrong, the flawed and the noble motivations of anyone living a full life within ourselves and within the environmental movement.
November 30, 2020
I really liked the basic premise, the remote location and the wildlife biology and eco-activists angles. However, the delivery fell flat and I never managed to care about the characters.
July 5, 2011
This novel ties together the beauty of nature with the reality that is life in all its raw splendor. The bulk of the events occur in Patagonia at the Penguin Research Station, both are places that actually exist too (check out The Penguin Project for details on the penguin census the author took part in...the link to which is available on his site at www.thetouristtrail.com). Here we find biologist Angela Haynes following her passions and working with the local penguin population when a stranger washes up on their otherwise peaceful shores. He's not just any man though...he's an eco supporter and a known felon. Yep..things are about to get a bit sticky especially when she finds herself falling for him. Will she risk her life, her career, and the birds that she loves just to protect this one man?
Turn the page and we discover another storyline unfolding with Ethan and Noa....soul mates or ships passing in the night? In either case the ending may be traumatic than either counted on. Then we have FBI agent Robert Porter who let a renowned criminal slip through his fingers once and is determined it won't happen again. Sometimes it's the smallest most unexpected connections we make that bind us for life.
The multiple character story lines all weave together by book's end though it's not always apparent how the author will pull it off. Trust me, he does and with enough flair to keep you interested. The beauty of the landscapes and creatures seen is not lost on the reader nor is the attention to detail paid when reviewing the knowledge imparted on the lives of these beautiful, resilient and yet fragile creatures. You'll walkaway with not only a great story under your belt but a wealth of knowledge and perhaps even a renewed desire to lend a helping hand to preserve their ecosystems.
All in all, I'd say this is one for young adult readers through adults. The few sensuality tinged scenes are managed demurely so the the message of the story remains in the spotlight. What is that message? Well to me it was one of following your passions and making a difference in the world during our brief time here. To you...it may speak differently, but speak it will. For more information on this title as well as links to other eco and wildlife causes, be sure to check out the authors website.
Turn the page and we discover another storyline unfolding with Ethan and Noa....soul mates or ships passing in the night? In either case the ending may be traumatic than either counted on. Then we have FBI agent Robert Porter who let a renowned criminal slip through his fingers once and is determined it won't happen again. Sometimes it's the smallest most unexpected connections we make that bind us for life.
The multiple character story lines all weave together by book's end though it's not always apparent how the author will pull it off. Trust me, he does and with enough flair to keep you interested. The beauty of the landscapes and creatures seen is not lost on the reader nor is the attention to detail paid when reviewing the knowledge imparted on the lives of these beautiful, resilient and yet fragile creatures. You'll walkaway with not only a great story under your belt but a wealth of knowledge and perhaps even a renewed desire to lend a helping hand to preserve their ecosystems.
All in all, I'd say this is one for young adult readers through adults. The few sensuality tinged scenes are managed demurely so the the message of the story remains in the spotlight. What is that message? Well to me it was one of following your passions and making a difference in the world during our brief time here. To you...it may speak differently, but speak it will. For more information on this title as well as links to other eco and wildlife causes, be sure to check out the authors website.
November 2, 2015
A few weeks back I searched Amazon.com, looking for something out of the ordinary to read. Eco-fiction? Amazon doesn't have such a category! Fortunately, John Yunker's gem, "The Tourist Trail," found its way onto my computer screen.
I love fiction that holds your interest, with a compelling plot, but also contains enough reality to be informative. The Tourist Trail does that and more.
From a personal standpoint, I could relate to this book. This was especially true when one of the characters was trying to be vegan, only to have a small mistake expose his imperfect quest. Having been involved with an activist group that almost lost its direction because of frequent spats between vegans and non-vegans, I thought Yunker did an effective job on this subplot. Good characters, and even good causes, are seldom perfect.
I have also been to many of the locations described in this book. Experiencing them again, through Yunker's writing, brought those locations back to life.
Despite all the realism, The Tourist Trail's plot twists were obviously fiction--and that's a good thing. You'll find yourself guessing: "how is this going to end?" And even if you figure out the ending early--as I did--you'll feel satisfied that both you and the author had the same conclusion in mind. So pick up The Tourist Trail and be swept me away!
If John Yunker keeps writing, he could soon be the standard-bearer for eco-fiction. I'm looking forward to his next book.
Marty Essen, author of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents
I love fiction that holds your interest, with a compelling plot, but also contains enough reality to be informative. The Tourist Trail does that and more.
From a personal standpoint, I could relate to this book. This was especially true when one of the characters was trying to be vegan, only to have a small mistake expose his imperfect quest. Having been involved with an activist group that almost lost its direction because of frequent spats between vegans and non-vegans, I thought Yunker did an effective job on this subplot. Good characters, and even good causes, are seldom perfect.
I have also been to many of the locations described in this book. Experiencing them again, through Yunker's writing, brought those locations back to life.
Despite all the realism, The Tourist Trail's plot twists were obviously fiction--and that's a good thing. You'll find yourself guessing: "how is this going to end?" And even if you figure out the ending early--as I did--you'll feel satisfied that both you and the author had the same conclusion in mind. So pick up The Tourist Trail and be swept me away!
If John Yunker keeps writing, he could soon be the standard-bearer for eco-fiction. I'm looking forward to his next book.
Marty Essen, author of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents
December 10, 2018
I might have avoided this book, had I understood the sort of eco-fiction it held, the beauty it would be mixing with heartbreak and terror, or the way it would bring me to tears over and over again. At the same time, I might have run toward it in a full-on sprint if I'd known how dangerous and beautiful and dark it would be.
Because the truth is that this book, for some people, will be inspiring enough that you might fear handing it to your children, just for fear of what good passion it might inspire. If I'd come across this book as a teenager, it might have offered a whole host of passion-inspired and well-meaning, environmentally driven damage to me turning into a semi-respectable creative. I'm both glad it didn't, and also wishing it also had. This book is one that actively works against apathy, and in fact pushes for a deeper and more careful understanding of commitment to activism.
The story is about passion, ecology, and men and women who embrace causes higher than themselves. It's heart-breaking, hard to swallow, dangerous, wonderful, and beautifully written.
Absolutely recommended, with the caveat that this exquisite book is often difficult to read, and impossible to look away from.
Because the truth is that this book, for some people, will be inspiring enough that you might fear handing it to your children, just for fear of what good passion it might inspire. If I'd come across this book as a teenager, it might have offered a whole host of passion-inspired and well-meaning, environmentally driven damage to me turning into a semi-respectable creative. I'm both glad it didn't, and also wishing it also had. This book is one that actively works against apathy, and in fact pushes for a deeper and more careful understanding of commitment to activism.
The story is about passion, ecology, and men and women who embrace causes higher than themselves. It's heart-breaking, hard to swallow, dangerous, wonderful, and beautifully written.
Absolutely recommended, with the caveat that this exquisite book is often difficult to read, and impossible to look away from.
July 10, 2015
You can tell it's a first novel; there was more telling than showing in several instances - a bit more nuance would have been welcome, but since I've never written a novel, I'm not going to slam someone for giving it their best shot and going for it. The subject matter is near and dear to my heart and it's clear that the plot was heavily influenced by Sea Shepherd. Paul Watson has come under some criticisms that parallel one of the mains character's behaviors - and the hero worship and high profile activist men sleeping with multiple, often younger, women who are enamored with them is common, too. Worth reading if only for the novelty of reading animal rights fiction.
May 14, 2014
I wasn't as imprssed by this book as I wanted to be. It had a very negative depressing undertone that had nothing to do with the subject matter (animal rights, activists, sea animals in danger, etc). I had hoped it would be more of a popular science book (with maybe a romance thrown in?) but I quickly got confused by the layout of the book. By the end I'm STILL asking who's who and questioning who's really dead and who's not. A lot of unanswered questions, but not in a good way.
June 12, 2014
When I read the book description for this book one of the statements was that it would change the way you viewed the ocean. Even with my background in biology, I can say that was a very true statement. The descriptions of whale hunting today were very graphic. The book gives a great view of arctic life especially of penguins and whales and wraps it in a story of following your beliefs and passions. The last quarter of the book was riveting.
September 4, 2012
Since I love books with animal themes and I love a good romance, this book was a great combination of the two and a great escape! I would especially recommend this book to people who are passionate about animal rescue. It's thought provoking in what a person is willing to give-up in order to pursue their passion/life's work.
February 3, 2012
Loved it. Exciting and different. I loved learning about the penguins, and appreciate the fact that author is so knoweldgeable about his subject and can raise awareness of the penguins' plight. An exciting read, with some romance thrown in for good measure!
April 4, 2023
(3.5 rounded to 4.0)
Penguins 🐧! They are one of those book elements that can grab my attention immediately and get me to at least try whatever book the penguins are part of. This story is set in a Penguin Research Center in Patagonia. Angela Haynes is a biologist working on the station specializing in penguins. Angela makes it a habit to work in separate locations from her teammates in order to maximize the number of penguins and she can capture and tag for tracking.
One day she finds a man washed up on the beach. Angela tends his wounds but he won’t tell her his name or where he came from. Angela begins to become more and more fond of him. She finds his name and he is part of a group devoted to reducing whaling. There is another couple who are also falling in love. The group (Cetecean Defense Alliances) proceeds in documenting the carnage and intervene wherever possible. They are also sabotaging the whale operations.
This book is fiction but it is also very informative with background of the whaling industry. This book almost is a narrative nonfiction. The POVs shifted among all of the central characters very effectively. The last 40% of the book is setting up the situation for the intense climax. The twist at the end was in one way a total surprise and in another way rather routine. This is the first in a series titled “Across Oceans”. There’s a second title in the series that carries over some of the characters from this book and the synopsis seems to indicate it will be just as frenetic. Recommend to readers interested in mysteries, romance, Vegan, thrillers, adventure, nature and animals. (Oh spoiler alert there were some penguins harmed in the writing of this novel.)
Penguins 🐧! They are one of those book elements that can grab my attention immediately and get me to at least try whatever book the penguins are part of. This story is set in a Penguin Research Center in Patagonia. Angela Haynes is a biologist working on the station specializing in penguins. Angela makes it a habit to work in separate locations from her teammates in order to maximize the number of penguins and she can capture and tag for tracking.
One day she finds a man washed up on the beach. Angela tends his wounds but he won’t tell her his name or where he came from. Angela begins to become more and more fond of him. She finds his name and he is part of a group devoted to reducing whaling. There is another couple who are also falling in love. The group (Cetecean Defense Alliances) proceeds in documenting the carnage and intervene wherever possible. They are also sabotaging the whale operations.
This book is fiction but it is also very informative with background of the whaling industry. This book almost is a narrative nonfiction. The POVs shifted among all of the central characters very effectively. The last 40% of the book is setting up the situation for the intense climax. The twist at the end was in one way a total surprise and in another way rather routine. This is the first in a series titled “Across Oceans”. There’s a second title in the series that carries over some of the characters from this book and the synopsis seems to indicate it will be just as frenetic. Recommend to readers interested in mysteries, romance, Vegan, thrillers, adventure, nature and animals. (Oh spoiler alert there were some penguins harmed in the writing of this novel.)
June 8, 2017
This novel is set in one of the world’s most remote areas, Patagonia, where a researcher, Angela a dedicated loner, is living an isolated and driven life cataloging the nesting and breeding habits of an ever-dwindling population of penguins including one particularly endearing penguin named Diesel. But the day the tourist trail opens Angela’s life changes forever when a mysterious and weathered stranger, Aeneas an animal activist who has declared war against whale poachers, washes up on the shore.
Yunger having been a penguin researcher himself delivers a narrative teeming with magnificent scenic backdrops, navigates the terrain of animal activists who dedicate their lives to saving wildlife, and offers valuable insight into how humans and the inhabitants of the sea interact and affect one another. This is a novel written from someone who has seen, so be prepared for a shock when you read how whales meet their end at the hands of whalers. It’s a scene so terrifying and life-altering that it makes undercover cop, Robert, the FBI agent tailing Aeneas, forget the job he was sent in to do.
There’s romance and lost love, environmentalism and eco-terrorism, diverse characters whose lives have collided, and action-packed adventure that builds up to a fast-paced, thrilling conclusion that will leave you gasping for breath.
The Tourist Trail is a fascinating narrative delivering a powerful message that every species on earth deserves a hero fighting for them. This book will stay with me for some time. Bravo!
Yunger having been a penguin researcher himself delivers a narrative teeming with magnificent scenic backdrops, navigates the terrain of animal activists who dedicate their lives to saving wildlife, and offers valuable insight into how humans and the inhabitants of the sea interact and affect one another. This is a novel written from someone who has seen, so be prepared for a shock when you read how whales meet their end at the hands of whalers. It’s a scene so terrifying and life-altering that it makes undercover cop, Robert, the FBI agent tailing Aeneas, forget the job he was sent in to do.
There’s romance and lost love, environmentalism and eco-terrorism, diverse characters whose lives have collided, and action-packed adventure that builds up to a fast-paced, thrilling conclusion that will leave you gasping for breath.
The Tourist Trail is a fascinating narrative delivering a powerful message that every species on earth deserves a hero fighting for them. This book will stay with me for some time. Bravo!
September 11, 2018
The Tourist Trail
By John Yunker
2010
Ashland Creek Press
Fast paced literary eco thriller about the passion and respect for endangered species, and a romance that enlightens both partners on their views and beliefs of animal advocacy.
Angela Haynes works as a marine biologist at a penguin research station in Patagonia. She spends many long, lonely nights in very harsh conditions tagging and charting penguins, it's what she loves most in the world. One night she discovers a man washed ashore. He will not reveal his name but tells her he is a fugitive, constantly at sea. She gives up the penguins and follows him to his ship. As they become more involved both have to consider the others very different and divergent views of what humane animal advocacy means.
Robert and Lynda are FBI agents tracking this fugitive, following their ship......
Beautiful and exciting story, with an excellent premise and plot. Although the dialogue is weak and contrived, over all, this is an exceptional novel I'd recommend to anyone who is looking for a good thriller. And esp to animal activists or fans of thriller romance.
Thank you Literary Thing, Ashland Creek Press, and John Yunker for sending me this book in exchange for a review.
"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward."
"Animals take only what they need to live, and sometimes less. Humans have buffet lines."
By John Yunker
2010
Ashland Creek Press
Fast paced literary eco thriller about the passion and respect for endangered species, and a romance that enlightens both partners on their views and beliefs of animal advocacy.
Angela Haynes works as a marine biologist at a penguin research station in Patagonia. She spends many long, lonely nights in very harsh conditions tagging and charting penguins, it's what she loves most in the world. One night she discovers a man washed ashore. He will not reveal his name but tells her he is a fugitive, constantly at sea. She gives up the penguins and follows him to his ship. As they become more involved both have to consider the others very different and divergent views of what humane animal advocacy means.
Robert and Lynda are FBI agents tracking this fugitive, following their ship......
Beautiful and exciting story, with an excellent premise and plot. Although the dialogue is weak and contrived, over all, this is an exceptional novel I'd recommend to anyone who is looking for a good thriller. And esp to animal activists or fans of thriller romance.
Thank you Literary Thing, Ashland Creek Press, and John Yunker for sending me this book in exchange for a review.
"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward."
"Animals take only what they need to live, and sometimes less. Humans have buffet lines."
December 10, 2018
I might have avoided this book, had I understood the sort of eco-fiction it held, the beauty it would be mixing with heartbreak and terror, or the way it would bring me to tears over and over again. At the same time, I might have run toward it in a full-on sprint if I'd known how dangerous and beautiful and dark it would be.
Because the truth is that this book, for some people, will be inspiring enough that you might fear handing it to your children, just for fear of what good passion it might inspire. If I'd come across this book as a teenager, it might have offered a whole host of passion-inspired and well-meaning, environmentally driven damage to me turning into a semi-respectable creative. I'm both glad it didn't, and also wishing it also had. This book is one that actively works against apathy, and in fact pushes for a deeper and more careful understanding of commitment to activism.
The story is about passion, ecology, and men and women who embrace causes higher than themselves. It's heart-breaking, hard to swallow, dangerous, wonderful, and beautifully written.
Absolutely recommended, with the caveat that this exquisite book is often difficult to read, and impossible to look away from.
Because the truth is that this book, for some people, will be inspiring enough that you might fear handing it to your children, just for fear of what good passion it might inspire. If I'd come across this book as a teenager, it might have offered a whole host of passion-inspired and well-meaning, environmentally driven damage to me turning into a semi-respectable creative. I'm both glad it didn't, and also wishing it also had. This book is one that actively works against apathy, and in fact pushes for a deeper and more careful understanding of commitment to activism.
The story is about passion, ecology, and men and women who embrace causes higher than themselves. It's heart-breaking, hard to swallow, dangerous, wonderful, and beautifully written.
Absolutely recommended, with the caveat that this exquisite book is often difficult to read, and impossible to look away from.
March 17, 2023
This is my first eco-thriller. I learned a lot from the first half, liked and related to Angela, but then it went back in time to outline the back story of other characters and I ended up skipping ahead to Angela again after several chapters because if was like exposition that was already alluded to and now was being shown in more detail than I wanted. It stressed me out, reading so many details when I knew what was coming and wasn’t invested. I feel like some people might like this, but it didn’t work here for me. I like books that jump back and forth in time, but only when used to slowly reveal the story without the point already being revealed.
The impetus of the book is noble. The plot pacing and general outline could have user more thoughtful editing, which again, as I’ve said elsewhere mostly about historical romances, makes me wonder about the availability of editors and the education level of everyone involved in the publishing process understanding story narratives. This could easily be pushed from pulp to literature with a little more work.
I think I just get irritated with books I give three stars, i see all the potential and just want all books to be amazing.
The impetus of the book is noble. The plot pacing and general outline could have user more thoughtful editing, which again, as I’ve said elsewhere mostly about historical romances, makes me wonder about the availability of editors and the education level of everyone involved in the publishing process understanding story narratives. This could easily be pushed from pulp to literature with a little more work.
I think I just get irritated with books I give three stars, i see all the potential and just want all books to be amazing.
February 20, 2020
Exciting and romantic adventure set on the high seas
This novel captured immediately as it begins from the point of view of a lonely researcher who studies and tags penguins. Then, a mysterious stranger washes ashore and opens up an entire tale that involves eco-terrorism, wanted fugitives, romance, and danger.
Things I really loved about this novel:
The characters were very real. Angela is quite honest about how lonely she is and you feel empathy for her as she falls for a man that could be dangerous and also pines for the souls of missing penguins.
Aeneas, Robert and Ethan are all interesting characters and very distinct from each other.
The action is great ! There are battles against whaling boats on the choppy seas and enough suspense to crack your teeth !
This novel really opens your eyes to the very real dangers the dedicated activists suffer as they battle poachers and fight for penguins on a daily basis. For anyone who might sneer at vegans or those with bleeding hearts for animals they should really read this novel and have their eyes opened.
This novel captured immediately as it begins from the point of view of a lonely researcher who studies and tags penguins. Then, a mysterious stranger washes ashore and opens up an entire tale that involves eco-terrorism, wanted fugitives, romance, and danger.
Things I really loved about this novel:
The characters were very real. Angela is quite honest about how lonely she is and you feel empathy for her as she falls for a man that could be dangerous and also pines for the souls of missing penguins.
Aeneas, Robert and Ethan are all interesting characters and very distinct from each other.
The action is great ! There are battles against whaling boats on the choppy seas and enough suspense to crack your teeth !
This novel really opens your eyes to the very real dangers the dedicated activists suffer as they battle poachers and fight for penguins on a daily basis. For anyone who might sneer at vegans or those with bleeding hearts for animals they should really read this novel and have their eyes opened.
December 18, 2017
Angela is a naturalist studying penguins deep in South America near Antarctica. When a man washes ashore, she falls for him and is tempted to join him on his boat fighting to save whales from ships hunting them at sea. Meanwhile, Robert, an FBI agent, is heading their way to arrest this eco-terrorist, who calls himself Aeneas. This leads to chases through icebergs, treachery, false identities, sex and debates over the value of people vs. animals. It’s a gripping story with plenty of twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. I admit to some trouble keeping track of where and when things were happening. A few more cues would be helpful, but the story pulled me along, and I know a lot more about penguins now.
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