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Alex Carter #1
A Solitude of Wolverines
The first book in a thrilling series featuring an intrepid wildlife biologist who's dedicated to saving endangered species...and relies on her superior survival skills to thwart those who aim to stop her.
While studying wolverines on a wildlife sanctuary in Montana, biologist Alex Carter is run off the road and threatened by locals determined to force her off the land.
Undeterred in her mission to help save this threatened species, Alex tracks wolverines on foot and by cameras positioned in remote regions of the preserve. But when she reviews the photos, she discovers disturbing images of an animal of a different kind: a severely injured man seemingly lost and wandering in the wilds.
After searches for the unknown man come up empty, local law enforcement is strangely set on dismissing the case altogether, raising Alex’s suspicions. Then another invasive predator trespasses onto the preserve. The hunter turns out to be another human—and the prey is the wildlife biologist herself. Alex realizes too late that she has seen too much—she's stumbled onto a far-reaching illegal operation and now has become the biggest threat.
In this wild and dangerous landscape, Alex’s life depends on staying one step ahead—using all she knows about the animal world and what it takes to win the brutal battle for survival.
While studying wolverines on a wildlife sanctuary in Montana, biologist Alex Carter is run off the road and threatened by locals determined to force her off the land.
Undeterred in her mission to help save this threatened species, Alex tracks wolverines on foot and by cameras positioned in remote regions of the preserve. But when she reviews the photos, she discovers disturbing images of an animal of a different kind: a severely injured man seemingly lost and wandering in the wilds.
After searches for the unknown man come up empty, local law enforcement is strangely set on dismissing the case altogether, raising Alex’s suspicions. Then another invasive predator trespasses onto the preserve. The hunter turns out to be another human—and the prey is the wildlife biologist herself. Alex realizes too late that she has seen too much—she's stumbled onto a far-reaching illegal operation and now has become the biggest threat.
In this wild and dangerous landscape, Alex’s life depends on staying one step ahead—using all she knows about the animal world and what it takes to win the brutal battle for survival.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2020
410 people are currently reading
14028 people want to read
About the author
Alice Henderson
29 books813 followersAlice Henderson's love of wild places inspired her thriller series which begins with A Solitude of Wolverines, and continues with A Blizzard of Polar Bears and A Ghost of Caribou. The latest novel is The Vanishing Kind, about jaguars in New Mexico. The series features a wildlife biologist who encounters dangerous situations while working to protect endangered species.
She has also written media-tie in novels, including official novels for the TV shows Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While working at LucasArts, she wrote material for several Star Wars video games.
She was selected to attend Launchpad, a NASA-funded writing workshop aimed at bringing accurate science to fiction.
In addition to being a writer, Henderson is a wildlife researcher, geographic information systems specialist, and bioacoustician. She documents wildlife on specialized recording equipment, checks remote cameras, creates maps, and undertakes wildlife surveys to determine what species are present on preserves, while ensuring there are no signs of poaching. She's surveyed for the presence of grizzlies, wolves, wolverines, jaguars, endangered bats, and more.
Please visit her at www.AliceHenderson.com.
She has also written media-tie in novels, including official novels for the TV shows Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While working at LucasArts, she wrote material for several Star Wars video games.
She was selected to attend Launchpad, a NASA-funded writing workshop aimed at bringing accurate science to fiction.
In addition to being a writer, Henderson is a wildlife researcher, geographic information systems specialist, and bioacoustician. She documents wildlife on specialized recording equipment, checks remote cameras, creates maps, and undertakes wildlife surveys to determine what species are present on preserves, while ensuring there are no signs of poaching. She's surveyed for the presence of grizzlies, wolves, wolverines, jaguars, endangered bats, and more.
Please visit her at www.AliceHenderson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,187 reviews
December 5, 2021
The Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson is a William Morrow publication.
White-knuckle suspense!
After Alex experiences an unsettling act of violence, she is offered an opportunity to study Wolverines at a wildlife sanctuary in Montana. This is just the break Alex needs, and without even thinking it over properly she jumps at the chance.
Upon arrival, at the spooky camping location, Alex gets the distinct impression she is not wanted there. Determined to proceed with her mission, Alex’s cameras pick up the Wolverines and something quite unexpected- a badly injured man.
Her reports to authorities are mostly dismissed, but the danger to Alex is most assuredly real…
I love a good environmental thriller- though I haven’t stumbled across one in a while- until now, that is. There is something about humans versus nature, about wildlife and isolated locations that creates a stronger level of suspense.
There was a lot going on in this novel- the landscape, the dangerous weather, the awe of tracking the wolverines, the greed of human nature, an unsettling backstory, as well as a very puzzling mystery.
I was hooked right from the get-go and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! This new series has a gotten off a fabulous start and I’m very excited about tagging along with Alex Carter on her next big adventure!
White-knuckle suspense!
After Alex experiences an unsettling act of violence, she is offered an opportunity to study Wolverines at a wildlife sanctuary in Montana. This is just the break Alex needs, and without even thinking it over properly she jumps at the chance.
Upon arrival, at the spooky camping location, Alex gets the distinct impression she is not wanted there. Determined to proceed with her mission, Alex’s cameras pick up the Wolverines and something quite unexpected- a badly injured man.
Her reports to authorities are mostly dismissed, but the danger to Alex is most assuredly real…
I love a good environmental thriller- though I haven’t stumbled across one in a while- until now, that is. There is something about humans versus nature, about wildlife and isolated locations that creates a stronger level of suspense.
There was a lot going on in this novel- the landscape, the dangerous weather, the awe of tracking the wolverines, the greed of human nature, an unsettling backstory, as well as a very puzzling mystery.
I was hooked right from the get-go and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! This new series has a gotten off a fabulous start and I’m very excited about tagging along with Alex Carter on her next big adventure!
October 6, 2020
A SOLITUDE OF WOLVERINES by Alice Henderson is the first book in the Alex Carter mystery series. After the opening scenes in Boston, Massachusetts, the rest of the book takes place in Montana. Dr. Alex Carter is a wildlife biologist who had moved from California to Boston to be with her corporate lawyer boyfriend. However, they are now taking a break in their relationship. When she gets the opportunity to study wolverines on a wildlife sanctuary in Montana, she immediately packs and takes the job. However, the locals aren’t welcoming and incidents start occurring. Will Alex survive? Will she continue to study whether wolverines are even back in the sanctuary? Will she reconcile with her boyfriend? What is really happening on the sanctuary?
Alex is a likeable character that is three-dimensional and had depth. She is supported by an array of secondary characters that enhanced the story, but were not fully developed. However, the relationships seemed believable and not contrived. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was with Alex as she carried out her research. The plot had some twists and turns and several surprises. It was engrossing, heartfelt, well-researched, and action-packed. I’ve seen comparisons to Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series and I can see the similarities. Note: There are some descriptions of animal abuse and more that may disturb some readers.
Overall, this was both a mystery and a survival novel. Not only was this a fascinating mystery that kept me fully engaged, but I learned a lot about wolverines and other wildlife that Alex encountered. The story was compelling, shocking at times, intense, and a great start to a new series. While the ending was over-the-top, it was gripping and dramatic. If you enjoy action-packed mysteries set in rural areas with lots of wildlife during late fall then this may be the next novel to read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
HarperCollins Publishers and Alice Henderson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Alex is a likeable character that is three-dimensional and had depth. She is supported by an array of secondary characters that enhanced the story, but were not fully developed. However, the relationships seemed believable and not contrived. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was with Alex as she carried out her research. The plot had some twists and turns and several surprises. It was engrossing, heartfelt, well-researched, and action-packed. I’ve seen comparisons to Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series and I can see the similarities. Note: There are some descriptions of animal abuse and more that may disturb some readers.
Overall, this was both a mystery and a survival novel. Not only was this a fascinating mystery that kept me fully engaged, but I learned a lot about wolverines and other wildlife that Alex encountered. The story was compelling, shocking at times, intense, and a great start to a new series. While the ending was over-the-top, it was gripping and dramatic. If you enjoy action-packed mysteries set in rural areas with lots of wildlife during late fall then this may be the next novel to read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
HarperCollins Publishers and Alice Henderson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
September 23, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up
All it took was a comparison to Nevada Barr to get me interested in this book. There’s something perfect about combining nature and mystery.
Dr. Alex Carter is a wildlife biologist, who accepts a job tracking wolverines on a nature preserve in Montana. The locals don’t want her there and within days she’s had threatening notes and been forced off the road. And the sheriff keeps dismissing her concerns.
The book includes plenty of nature descriptions, making the comparison to Barr apt. I enjoyed learning about not only wolverines but the other wildlife Alex is lucky enough to witness.
The mystery part moves at a fast pace and there’s a constant level of suspense. Henderson has created a realistic, interesting main character with Alex. I would never want to live alone in the wilderness, but she made me understand the appeal.
The plot took a twist I didn’t see coming. It’s unbelievable at the end, but a fun read.
My thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book.
All it took was a comparison to Nevada Barr to get me interested in this book. There’s something perfect about combining nature and mystery.
Dr. Alex Carter is a wildlife biologist, who accepts a job tracking wolverines on a nature preserve in Montana. The locals don’t want her there and within days she’s had threatening notes and been forced off the road. And the sheriff keeps dismissing her concerns.
The book includes plenty of nature descriptions, making the comparison to Barr apt. I enjoyed learning about not only wolverines but the other wildlife Alex is lucky enough to witness.
The mystery part moves at a fast pace and there’s a constant level of suspense. Henderson has created a realistic, interesting main character with Alex. I would never want to live alone in the wilderness, but she made me understand the appeal.
The plot took a twist I didn’t see coming. It’s unbelievable at the end, but a fun read.
My thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book.
August 28, 2020
"The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will." (Theodore Roosevelt)
It's been the mantra of Dr. Alex Carter throughout her career as a wildlife biologist. She's been the protector of the Wetlands and the mountain regions and anywhere and everywhere that there is a desperate need for animal preservation.
But somehow she's not been able to preserve her relationship with her long-standing boyfriend, Brad. She and Brad had a vision that was unified at one time. Alex moved across the country to Boston to be with him. The change in Brad occured when he swapped his civil rights law practice to that of corporate law. His head seemed to be turned in the wrong direction.
Alex yearned to be in the wilderness where she belonged. When the opportunity availed itself to study wolverines in Montana, Alex knew it was time to move along.
Wolverines had not been spotted in this part of Montana since 1946. Their strength and persistence were renowned in the animal world. Although weighing only about 35 pounds, they could take down a moose.
Little did Alex know that she would be stationed at a run down ski resort that was purchased by the Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation. It was in the middle of nowhere and miles from the nearest town. As the solo biologist, Alex quickly sets up her areas for observation and for recording movement.
But when Alex's sites are trashed time and time again, she knows she isn't welcome in this wooded area. Contacting the local police only leads to frustration as they don't take her claims seriously. Soon enough, Alex will meet head-on with an unnameable force who wants her away for good.
Alice Henderson creates quite an adventure here. Her character of Dr. Alex Carter is strong-willed, dedicated and determined. The tension starts out slowly and widens like pooling water. As readers, we begin to suspect everyone and anyone that has had interaction with Alex. Hey, that includes the possibility of a Sasquatch......or maybe not. At any rate, there's some bad business going on here and Henderson reveals something wild behind every door. This one hits the ground running.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and to Alice Henderson for the opportunity.
It's been the mantra of Dr. Alex Carter throughout her career as a wildlife biologist. She's been the protector of the Wetlands and the mountain regions and anywhere and everywhere that there is a desperate need for animal preservation.
But somehow she's not been able to preserve her relationship with her long-standing boyfriend, Brad. She and Brad had a vision that was unified at one time. Alex moved across the country to Boston to be with him. The change in Brad occured when he swapped his civil rights law practice to that of corporate law. His head seemed to be turned in the wrong direction.
Alex yearned to be in the wilderness where she belonged. When the opportunity availed itself to study wolverines in Montana, Alex knew it was time to move along.
Wolverines had not been spotted in this part of Montana since 1946. Their strength and persistence were renowned in the animal world. Although weighing only about 35 pounds, they could take down a moose.
Little did Alex know that she would be stationed at a run down ski resort that was purchased by the Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation. It was in the middle of nowhere and miles from the nearest town. As the solo biologist, Alex quickly sets up her areas for observation and for recording movement.
But when Alex's sites are trashed time and time again, she knows she isn't welcome in this wooded area. Contacting the local police only leads to frustration as they don't take her claims seriously. Soon enough, Alex will meet head-on with an unnameable force who wants her away for good.
Alice Henderson creates quite an adventure here. Her character of Dr. Alex Carter is strong-willed, dedicated and determined. The tension starts out slowly and widens like pooling water. As readers, we begin to suspect everyone and anyone that has had interaction with Alex. Hey, that includes the possibility of a Sasquatch......or maybe not. At any rate, there's some bad business going on here and Henderson reveals something wild behind every door. This one hits the ground running.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and to Alice Henderson for the opportunity.
September 27, 2020
Wolverines don’t run in bands, packs, or gaggles; they are solitary animals. Wildlife biologist and vegan Alex loves the outdoors and studying different species in their natural habitats. So, when Alex is offered the opportunity to do a population study of wolverines in Montana she jumps at the chance.
The fact that Alex must be onsite for the study within 24 hours is a plus. She wants to put a terrifying experience in Boston out of her mind and the persistent press out of her reach. All Alex needs to do is throw her personal items in a pack and jump on a plane—all equipment needs, etc. will be provided by her new employer The Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation and the site of the study, the closed Snowline Resort. Alex will be alone and she looks forward to that.
Some locals are not happy that the LTWC has taken over approximately 20,000 acres. This has been prime hunting property for the locals since the resort closed down and was abandoned. Trespassing is illegal, but hikers and poachers sometimes don’t read the signs. The closest town, Bitterroot, is 26 miles away and interactions with some of the people there are “frosty”. None of this discourages Dr. Carter. She is quite self-sufficient; a little bit of a female “MacGyver”. Alex is up to the challenge. But will the challenge be too big for her?
I must say, if I hadn’t had interruptions, I would have read this book through non-stop. It was well written, suspenseful and breathtaking. The premise was a good one and I loved the partnered information about the wildlife and Montana surroundings that were expertly woven into the storyline. I definitely think anyone would like this book. I rate it 4.5 stars.
Thanks to Alice Henderson and William Morrow for their gift of A SOLITUDE OF WOLVERINES in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: October 27, 2020.
The fact that Alex must be onsite for the study within 24 hours is a plus. She wants to put a terrifying experience in Boston out of her mind and the persistent press out of her reach. All Alex needs to do is throw her personal items in a pack and jump on a plane—all equipment needs, etc. will be provided by her new employer The Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation and the site of the study, the closed Snowline Resort. Alex will be alone and she looks forward to that.
Some locals are not happy that the LTWC has taken over approximately 20,000 acres. This has been prime hunting property for the locals since the resort closed down and was abandoned. Trespassing is illegal, but hikers and poachers sometimes don’t read the signs. The closest town, Bitterroot, is 26 miles away and interactions with some of the people there are “frosty”. None of this discourages Dr. Carter. She is quite self-sufficient; a little bit of a female “MacGyver”. Alex is up to the challenge. But will the challenge be too big for her?
I must say, if I hadn’t had interruptions, I would have read this book through non-stop. It was well written, suspenseful and breathtaking. The premise was a good one and I loved the partnered information about the wildlife and Montana surroundings that were expertly woven into the storyline. I definitely think anyone would like this book. I rate it 4.5 stars.
Thanks to Alice Henderson and William Morrow for their gift of A SOLITUDE OF WOLVERINES in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: October 27, 2020.
November 25, 2021
3.5 stars
This was an exciting action novel featuring biologist Alex Carter. The story opens with a thrilling beginning. At a dedication ceremony in Boston honouring the opening of a new wetlands reserve for birds, Alex is being interviewed by a female reporter. A shot rings out, and the reporter is badly injured. His next bullet is probably meant for Alex. A distant unknown sniper brings the man down, saving Alex's life. She has flashbacks and nightmares of the terrifying event. Her long-time boyfriend is breaking up with her, and she is longing for the solitude of a wilderness area. She loves working outdoors, and when offered a job in the Montana mountains, she jumps at the opportunity. Her work will be enumerating and studying the habits of wolverines.
A wide stretch of land has newly opened as a sanctuary where endangered animals can roam freely. Hunting and cattle grazing are strictly prohibited. Vivid descriptions of the mountain flora, the animals, snow, and the rugged terrain give the book an atmospheric setting. Alex has gained her wish of a solitary lifestyle, but it is far from quiet and not without danger. People resent the land being used for conservation.
Alex is forced off the road by a truck. Later, her car is sabotaged. Her observation cage is destroyed, and the camera is missing. A mountain lion bursts into her room. She is followed in the forests. Fortunately, Alex is resourceful, brave, athletic, and well trained in martial arts. She sees an injured, barefoot man on her camera. When she finds him, he is more seriously wounded. Due to foot and leg damage, he cannot crawl, and it looks as if he were tortured. She tells him she will send a search party to rescue him, but he is nowhere to be found. She observes only a small number of wolverines in her tracking and a gorilla and polar bear wandering on the parkland. What could possibly be going on? A gruesome, horrific discovery leads her to a ruthless, corrupt group of deadly men. These men are opposed to the nature reserve, and her death is imminent. They have snowmobiles and rifles and are now pursuing her through the snow and the rugged mountain landscape.
I had some difficulty with her very long run to escape these men shooting at her. The book is described as having propulsive action. It does have that, but I found some of the scenes during her escape difficult to visualize and confusing. My other problem was not any fault of this book. I recently read a similar book featuring a female park warden studying wolverines in the Canadian Rockies. I admire the emphasis these books place on the importance and necessity of studying and maintaining these elusive and endangered animals in the wild. I felt after reading these two books that I had learned more about wolverines thanI cared to.
The book ends with the police chief and his friend, the cattle rancher, confronting the villainous men still alive and able to move about. Alex has enough proof of their crimes to send them to prison for a long time. The police chief is shot, and Alex is next. A mysterious sniper kills the gunman.
The conclusion was satisfying with crimes solved, but I see a sequel for Alex as there was more I wanted to know. Who is the unknown sniper, and was he at the Boston and the Parkland site? What is the fate of some injured people taken to the hospital? There may be a new romance beginning for Alex.
This was an exciting action novel featuring biologist Alex Carter. The story opens with a thrilling beginning. At a dedication ceremony in Boston honouring the opening of a new wetlands reserve for birds, Alex is being interviewed by a female reporter. A shot rings out, and the reporter is badly injured. His next bullet is probably meant for Alex. A distant unknown sniper brings the man down, saving Alex's life. She has flashbacks and nightmares of the terrifying event. Her long-time boyfriend is breaking up with her, and she is longing for the solitude of a wilderness area. She loves working outdoors, and when offered a job in the Montana mountains, she jumps at the opportunity. Her work will be enumerating and studying the habits of wolverines.
A wide stretch of land has newly opened as a sanctuary where endangered animals can roam freely. Hunting and cattle grazing are strictly prohibited. Vivid descriptions of the mountain flora, the animals, snow, and the rugged terrain give the book an atmospheric setting. Alex has gained her wish of a solitary lifestyle, but it is far from quiet and not without danger. People resent the land being used for conservation.
Alex is forced off the road by a truck. Later, her car is sabotaged. Her observation cage is destroyed, and the camera is missing. A mountain lion bursts into her room. She is followed in the forests. Fortunately, Alex is resourceful, brave, athletic, and well trained in martial arts. She sees an injured, barefoot man on her camera. When she finds him, he is more seriously wounded. Due to foot and leg damage, he cannot crawl, and it looks as if he were tortured. She tells him she will send a search party to rescue him, but he is nowhere to be found. She observes only a small number of wolverines in her tracking and a gorilla and polar bear wandering on the parkland. What could possibly be going on? A gruesome, horrific discovery leads her to a ruthless, corrupt group of deadly men. These men are opposed to the nature reserve, and her death is imminent. They have snowmobiles and rifles and are now pursuing her through the snow and the rugged mountain landscape.
I had some difficulty with her very long run to escape these men shooting at her. The book is described as having propulsive action. It does have that, but I found some of the scenes during her escape difficult to visualize and confusing. My other problem was not any fault of this book. I recently read a similar book featuring a female park warden studying wolverines in the Canadian Rockies. I admire the emphasis these books place on the importance and necessity of studying and maintaining these elusive and endangered animals in the wild. I felt after reading these two books that I had learned more about wolverines thanI cared to.
The book ends with the police chief and his friend, the cattle rancher, confronting the villainous men still alive and able to move about. Alex has enough proof of their crimes to send them to prison for a long time. The police chief is shot, and Alex is next. A mysterious sniper kills the gunman.
The conclusion was satisfying with crimes solved, but I see a sequel for Alex as there was more I wanted to know. Who is the unknown sniper, and was he at the Boston and the Parkland site? What is the fate of some injured people taken to the hospital? There may be a new romance beginning for Alex.
November 21, 2020
Too preachy, info-dumpy, and has a big question mark ending
As an academician trained in the study of mammals, who cares deeply about conservation, and who loves the mountains, I thought this book would be a perfect fit for me. It should have been, but the author never did, to my mind, find the right way to strike a balance between the scientific and technical information she wanted to teach her readers, her passion for all things conservation (seriously, 2 pages on the evils of beef?), and the actual story itself. So I felt that sometimes I was reading a textbook or instruction manual, sometimes a political manifesto, and only sometimes a mystery/thriller.
I also seem to be in the minority in not particularly caring for the protagonist. Not that she's unlikeable, so much as that she's one-dimensional and just too perfect to be true. She also seems to have martial arts skills that even my own teachers, many of whom have been training steadily for 40 years or more, don't have. Just saying.
Finally, there's the ending. The main story is wrapped up well, and I have no problem with that. But the hook she sets up for the next book in the series is just too much. I don't like that kind of reader manipulation: write good books and I will buy everything you produce. But don't try to force me into a state of breathless anticipation for the next book in the series.
So all in all a disappointing read, but mostly because I had very high expectations to begin with. I may even try the second book to see if the author finds her footing...
As an academician trained in the study of mammals, who cares deeply about conservation, and who loves the mountains, I thought this book would be a perfect fit for me. It should have been, but the author never did, to my mind, find the right way to strike a balance between the scientific and technical information she wanted to teach her readers, her passion for all things conservation (seriously, 2 pages on the evils of beef?), and the actual story itself. So I felt that sometimes I was reading a textbook or instruction manual, sometimes a political manifesto, and only sometimes a mystery/thriller.
I also seem to be in the minority in not particularly caring for the protagonist. Not that she's unlikeable, so much as that she's one-dimensional and just too perfect to be true. She also seems to have martial arts skills that even my own teachers, many of whom have been training steadily for 40 years or more, don't have. Just saying.
Finally, there's the ending. The main story is wrapped up well, and I have no problem with that. But the hook she sets up for the next book in the series is just too much. I don't like that kind of reader manipulation: write good books and I will buy everything you produce. But don't try to force me into a state of breathless anticipation for the next book in the series.
So all in all a disappointing read, but mostly because I had very high expectations to begin with. I may even try the second book to see if the author finds her footing...
March 23, 2025
The last part was really exciting! What a fire cracker Alex was.
October 28, 2020
4.25 strong female character stars
This book was a fun surprise, it started out in a pretty straight-forward manner with a wildlife biologist starting a new project studying wolverines. Except for an action-packed press conference shooting in the first half, I was engrossed in how Dr. Alex Carter was doing her work trying to track down and monitor wolverines in the wilds of Montana. It was fascinating that an old ski resort had been turned into a wildlife preserve. I enjoyed reading about how she set up traps to capture fur samples with alligator clips and cameras to identify them.
Then, around the half-way part, things took a wild turn – literally—and Dr. Carter showed her stuff and that she can take care of herself. I was remined just a bit of Lisbeth Salander from the “Girl with a Dragon Tattoo”. I would be fine to have Lisbeth or Alex on my side in a fight.
I rooted for Alex in almost impossible odds and this was a fast-paced sprint to the finish. I did not predict how this one would end, nor did I do a good job of figuring out who the bad guys were in this one. Thoroughly enjoyable and then I remembered that this is the first in a series.
Thank you to Scene of the Crime/Harper Collins/William Morrow for an early copy to read.
This book was a fun surprise, it started out in a pretty straight-forward manner with a wildlife biologist starting a new project studying wolverines. Except for an action-packed press conference shooting in the first half, I was engrossed in how Dr. Alex Carter was doing her work trying to track down and monitor wolverines in the wilds of Montana. It was fascinating that an old ski resort had been turned into a wildlife preserve. I enjoyed reading about how she set up traps to capture fur samples with alligator clips and cameras to identify them.
Then, around the half-way part, things took a wild turn – literally—and Dr. Carter showed her stuff and that she can take care of herself. I was remined just a bit of Lisbeth Salander from the “Girl with a Dragon Tattoo”. I would be fine to have Lisbeth or Alex on my side in a fight.
I rooted for Alex in almost impossible odds and this was a fast-paced sprint to the finish. I did not predict how this one would end, nor did I do a good job of figuring out who the bad guys were in this one. Thoroughly enjoyable and then I remembered that this is the first in a series.
Thank you to Scene of the Crime/Harper Collins/William Morrow for an early copy to read.
April 13, 2023
2.5 stars? It could have been four, but things got pretty ridiculous by the end. Alex Carter has managed to get some wetlands protected from development and is pretty pleased about it until the dedication ceremony, where a disgruntled developer shows up, determined to kill her. Instead, a lone gunman materializes, shoots the would-be killer, and melts back into the landscape.
Alex is understandably shaken by this event. She is tired of Boston and it seems that her relationship with her boyfriend is kaput. When she calls an academic colleague and is offered a position conducting wolverine research in Montana, she jumps at the opportunity. Once on site, she realizes that the land trust that she is working for is a polarizing issue for the small community of Bitterroot.
This is where things start to go wrong for me as a reader. The hunters, the ranchers, the sheriff, all seem to be actively hostile to Alex. Small communities can be like that, but these people aren't mustache-twirling bad guys, as they all seem to be depicted here. Plenty of them love wildlife, just not the same way that vegetarian city conservationists do. So that frustrated me. One or two truly hostile people is believable, but every man in town? I just don't think so.
Then, the author made Alex into someone who'd been trained in survivalist skills by her mother. A wildlife researcher needs outdoor skills for sure, but to also be very proficient with firearms and know her way around dynamite? That stretched my credulity even further. But wait, there's more! An absolutely bananapants wildlife smuggling ring, hiding in the mountains of Montana? Possible, but not probable, especially when some of the animals they are holding is revealed. From there on, this just spirals into Jack Reacher levels of unreality. Nevertheless, I kept my nose in the book right to the end to figure out who all the villains were. Alex is a one-woman wrecking crew, who later gets an admiring note from the pyscho (remember him, back at the beginning?) who has been watching over her since she prevented one of his burial sites from being developed.
As I said, bananapants. I don't think I'll be reading further in the series. By the way, if actual wolverine research interests you, pick up The Wolverine Way. It's all the factual goodness without the nuttiness.
Alex is understandably shaken by this event. She is tired of Boston and it seems that her relationship with her boyfriend is kaput. When she calls an academic colleague and is offered a position conducting wolverine research in Montana, she jumps at the opportunity. Once on site, she realizes that the land trust that she is working for is a polarizing issue for the small community of Bitterroot.
This is where things start to go wrong for me as a reader. The hunters, the ranchers, the sheriff, all seem to be actively hostile to Alex. Small communities can be like that, but these people aren't mustache-twirling bad guys, as they all seem to be depicted here. Plenty of them love wildlife, just not the same way that vegetarian city conservationists do. So that frustrated me. One or two truly hostile people is believable, but every man in town? I just don't think so.
Then, the author made Alex into someone who'd been trained in survivalist skills by her mother. A wildlife researcher needs outdoor skills for sure, but to also be very proficient with firearms and know her way around dynamite? That stretched my credulity even further. But wait, there's more! An absolutely bananapants wildlife smuggling ring, hiding in the mountains of Montana? Possible, but not probable, especially when some of the animals they are holding is revealed. From there on, this just spirals into Jack Reacher levels of unreality. Nevertheless, I kept my nose in the book right to the end to figure out who all the villains were. Alex is a one-woman wrecking crew, who later gets an admiring note from the pyscho (remember him, back at the beginning?) who has been watching over her since she prevented one of his burial sites from being developed.
As I said, bananapants. I don't think I'll be reading further in the series. By the way, if actual wolverine research interests you, pick up The Wolverine Way. It's all the factual goodness without the nuttiness.
February 7, 2021
I picked this book up as a breather after some heavy reading. It served its purpose as an easy read, but I wasn't wowed by the writing, and the plot was a bit contrived for my tase. Nevertheless, if you are looking for an easy read with a touch of the wild, you are likely to be satisfied with this book.
January 9, 2025
I knew minutes into this one that I had a SPECTACULAR book in my hands!
Alex Carter, the protagonist of this story and series, is a wildlife biologist concerned with species protection. She’s struggling personally with relationship issues and knows that things have to change. When she’s offered a job in Montana, she jumps at the chance. Not only will this give her the solitude to contemplate her future, but also give her the opportunity to find herself. After years of putting others first, Julie has finally realized that she won’t be happy until she prioritizes herself and discovers who she really is and what she wants.
The former owners of the 20,000-acre Snowline Resort in Montana donated their property to The Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation. It’s a remote, isolated location and the perfect spot to study wolverines. When Alex arrives alone at the creepy looking, abandoned hotel, I prepared myself for a suspense-filled read. It didn’t take long before she knew she wasn’t welcome; a ‘go home’ note was placed on her car, her camera traps started disappearing and then she started receiving postcards.
From the moment Alex sensed danger and channeled her survival instincts, this was an adrenaline-fuelled ride for me. It was full of snowmobile chases, gunshot exchanges, hidden bodies, untrustworthy characters, bull-headed ranchers, and suspicious activity. I loved it!
I appreciated the juxtaposition of the old cattle-ranching/hunting mindset against the new field protocol of wildlife biologists and preservationists. I enjoyed learning about anthropogenic climate change and habitat fragmentation as reasons for the decline in wolverine populations and understood a little more about metapopulation.
I instantly secured a copy of book two and will save it for my May vacation.
Alex Carter, the protagonist of this story and series, is a wildlife biologist concerned with species protection. She’s struggling personally with relationship issues and knows that things have to change. When she’s offered a job in Montana, she jumps at the chance. Not only will this give her the solitude to contemplate her future, but also give her the opportunity to find herself. After years of putting others first, Julie has finally realized that she won’t be happy until she prioritizes herself and discovers who she really is and what she wants.
The former owners of the 20,000-acre Snowline Resort in Montana donated their property to The Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation. It’s a remote, isolated location and the perfect spot to study wolverines. When Alex arrives alone at the creepy looking, abandoned hotel, I prepared myself for a suspense-filled read. It didn’t take long before she knew she wasn’t welcome; a ‘go home’ note was placed on her car, her camera traps started disappearing and then she started receiving postcards.
From the moment Alex sensed danger and channeled her survival instincts, this was an adrenaline-fuelled ride for me. It was full of snowmobile chases, gunshot exchanges, hidden bodies, untrustworthy characters, bull-headed ranchers, and suspicious activity. I loved it!
I appreciated the juxtaposition of the old cattle-ranching/hunting mindset against the new field protocol of wildlife biologists and preservationists. I enjoyed learning about anthropogenic climate change and habitat fragmentation as reasons for the decline in wolverine populations and understood a little more about metapopulation.
I instantly secured a copy of book two and will save it for my May vacation.
November 5, 2021
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! In Alice Henderson’s A Solitude of Wolverines, it’s more like Sasquatch, gorillas and polar bears, oh help! And, Dad, I’m not in Boston anymore!
Biologist Alex Carter’s quiet life as a biologist takes a dramatic turn when, as she wraps up an interview following a wetlands dedication ceremony, a gunman appears and shoots, seriously the interviewer. Alex flees with the founder of the wetlands group, and when the shooter creeps up on them, a second gunman fires, saving the two women. Although the women are badly shaken, both escape unharmed.
How does she go from Boston to a wildlife land trust in Montana? Opportunity knocks at the perfect moment. With the wetlands project completed, she is between gigs. Now, she is being given a chance to study wolverines in their natural habitat. There’s one stipulation: She must get there the next day. Since she is on hiatus from her long-term relationship with lawyer boyfriend Brad, this seems like the ideal time to get away. When her attempts to contact Brad to let him know of her decision to take the job go unanswered, she is convinced that she is doing the right thing.
She is greeted by an area resident, Jolene Baker, a friendly, chatty woman who insists that she has seen Sasquatch. Hmm. Maybe she’s been smoking too much of her husband Jerry’s weed? She also tells spooky stories about the lodge’s history, which is where Alex will be based. Alone. Without cell phone access. Fortunately, there is a land line, electricity, running water, food, and an old 1947 red Willys Wagon. Other than two bedrooms and the kitchen, much of the rest of the lodge is in rough shape, and some of it has been abused by vandals and partyers over the years. Ben, her contact person from the Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation, is a handsome, considerate man, and there is an instant connection. Unfortunately – or not – he must leave for more sedate tasks back in Washington, D.C. There is, after all, unfinished business with Brad.
Now, Alex is truly alone. That’s when things start to get strange. She’s eager to get to work, so she gets the truck started – of course she can drive a stick – and starts off on the 26-mile trip to town. Not all the locals are as welcoming as Jolene. Alex learns quickly that there are numerous people in the area who would just as soon raise their cattle and hunt without restrictions. But she vows to remain undeterred.
This proves to be much more challenging than she could have ever imagined. When she’s out checking her traps and cameras, Alex is certain she’s being followed. It feels like she’s being stalked. There are even more strange events, and it gets to the point where she isn’t quite sure who the good guys are or what’s real or imagined. I had ideas and theories, and I was wrong about every single one! However – the author leaves one question dangling for the next book, so I don’t feel entirely nuts!
There are some very bizarre occurrences in this story. I can accept some, but not all, of them. Alex’s mom was in the military and taught her military game, which explains a lot of the skills that Alex has. But too many things in this wild adventure go just right to be believable. Also, many of the locals, especially the lawbreakers, felt one-dimensional. I will say, however, that I was fooled by some of them. Brad is a total cad. I had a difficult time figuring out the sheriff, but I loved Kathleen, who works in his office. I would have liked to have seen more of Jolene and Jerry, who are both colorful characters. Alex herself is extremely committed to her cause. Now that she has proven that she has what it takes, maybe she’ll find someone with similar values to share her life’s adventures with. Perhaps she already has? And, with plenty of tension and suspense, the plot held my interest, even when it seemed far-fetched.
I really appreciated the author’s pitch for the environment and this: Climate change was wreaking havoc in the mountains, which were warming three times faster than lower elevations and experiencing longer summer seasons. The “solitude” is the name Alex gives to a group of wolverines, who do not generally form packs like wolves, crows, elephants, or other animals. Hence, the book’s title. Her second Alex Carter book, A Blizzard of Polar Bears, is due out November 9, and I liked the character well enough to want to give it a go.
3 stars
Biologist Alex Carter’s quiet life as a biologist takes a dramatic turn when, as she wraps up an interview following a wetlands dedication ceremony, a gunman appears and shoots, seriously the interviewer. Alex flees with the founder of the wetlands group, and when the shooter creeps up on them, a second gunman fires, saving the two women. Although the women are badly shaken, both escape unharmed.
How does she go from Boston to a wildlife land trust in Montana? Opportunity knocks at the perfect moment. With the wetlands project completed, she is between gigs. Now, she is being given a chance to study wolverines in their natural habitat. There’s one stipulation: She must get there the next day. Since she is on hiatus from her long-term relationship with lawyer boyfriend Brad, this seems like the ideal time to get away. When her attempts to contact Brad to let him know of her decision to take the job go unanswered, she is convinced that she is doing the right thing.
She is greeted by an area resident, Jolene Baker, a friendly, chatty woman who insists that she has seen Sasquatch. Hmm. Maybe she’s been smoking too much of her husband Jerry’s weed? She also tells spooky stories about the lodge’s history, which is where Alex will be based. Alone. Without cell phone access. Fortunately, there is a land line, electricity, running water, food, and an old 1947 red Willys Wagon. Other than two bedrooms and the kitchen, much of the rest of the lodge is in rough shape, and some of it has been abused by vandals and partyers over the years. Ben, her contact person from the Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation, is a handsome, considerate man, and there is an instant connection. Unfortunately – or not – he must leave for more sedate tasks back in Washington, D.C. There is, after all, unfinished business with Brad.
Now, Alex is truly alone. That’s when things start to get strange. She’s eager to get to work, so she gets the truck started – of course she can drive a stick – and starts off on the 26-mile trip to town. Not all the locals are as welcoming as Jolene. Alex learns quickly that there are numerous people in the area who would just as soon raise their cattle and hunt without restrictions. But she vows to remain undeterred.
This proves to be much more challenging than she could have ever imagined. When she’s out checking her traps and cameras, Alex is certain she’s being followed. It feels like she’s being stalked. There are even more strange events, and it gets to the point where she isn’t quite sure who the good guys are or what’s real or imagined. I had ideas and theories, and I was wrong about every single one! However – the author leaves one question dangling for the next book, so I don’t feel entirely nuts!
There are some very bizarre occurrences in this story. I can accept some, but not all, of them. Alex’s mom was in the military and taught her military game, which explains a lot of the skills that Alex has. But too many things in this wild adventure go just right to be believable. Also, many of the locals, especially the lawbreakers, felt one-dimensional. I will say, however, that I was fooled by some of them. Brad is a total cad. I had a difficult time figuring out the sheriff, but I loved Kathleen, who works in his office. I would have liked to have seen more of Jolene and Jerry, who are both colorful characters. Alex herself is extremely committed to her cause. Now that she has proven that she has what it takes, maybe she’ll find someone with similar values to share her life’s adventures with. Perhaps she already has? And, with plenty of tension and suspense, the plot held my interest, even when it seemed far-fetched.
I really appreciated the author’s pitch for the environment and this: Climate change was wreaking havoc in the mountains, which were warming three times faster than lower elevations and experiencing longer summer seasons. The “solitude” is the name Alex gives to a group of wolverines, who do not generally form packs like wolves, crows, elephants, or other animals. Hence, the book’s title. Her second Alex Carter book, A Blizzard of Polar Bears, is due out November 9, and I liked the character well enough to want to give it a go.
3 stars
January 7, 2022
Exciting start to a new series. Suspense and tension fueled action from the very beginning featuring interesting, likable and realistic characters. At an abandoned ski resort in the remote Montana mountains Alex Carter is studying wolverines in their natural habitat but finds herself being stalked by an unknown threat. She is soon in a dangerous, brutal battle for survival that will take all of her skills to survive.
March 27, 2021
There is quite a lot going on in this book and most of it is unlikely. But it has a few things I love. A female main character who can seriously kick butt, a remote setting and the main character saves animals from the bad guys.
It's the old saying, "I don't care who dies as long as the dog lives."
If you want some suspense in the back country you could do a lot worse.
It's the old saying, "I don't care who dies as long as the dog lives."
If you want some suspense in the back country you could do a lot worse.
April 19, 2021
It felt like reading a story from a MacGyver episode. This girl knows how to fix a car, fly an airplane, fight with the bad guys, stay calm in stressful situations. Not to mention that she manages to escape unscathed after an encounter with a gorilla, lion mountain and polar bear.
January 24, 2023
Started off with a bang. Two specific moments made me roll my eyes to the top of my head, each one costing a star.
Still worth reading. I will likely continue reading the series, hoping for improvement.
Still worth reading. I will likely continue reading the series, hoping for improvement.
February 12, 2022
Alex’s interactions with the small-town locals on her post are really good. Also, the setting and the plot was also well done. The book was, indeed, suspenseful and I enjoyed learning more about wolverines, since the Zoo I worked at for 28 years, didn't have wolverines, although the species are becoming more prominent in Michigan. The actual theme is powerful for anyone concerned by the often lack of concern for animal lives-difficult to absorb. Alice Henderson manages to take what might just be the first animal-activist and naturalist thriller. A really good story that combines chills, thrills, and plenty of heart right up through the finale. Thanks to my friend Lynda for recommending this book.
December 7, 2020
Yep, it was okay. Not horrible, not great. Okay. The main character is just a bit too perfect, the action a bit too over the top, the environmentalism a bit too preachy and I consider myself an environmentalist, or at least very sympathetic to the movement. I tried to give it 3 stars but for me, it's a solid 2.5 stars. This means that I recognize that this is the first in a probable series and I would actually read a second book.
March 24, 2021
Ich fand das Buch super spannend, aufregend und unterhaltsam; genau das, was ich mir erhofft hatte! Es war definitiv ein Page-turner und ich hatte viel Spaß beim Lesen. Alex war auf jeden Fall ein interessanter und konsequenter Charakter, auch wenn sie manchmal durch ihre Naivität und Unschuld auch etwas nervig war. Aber es hat alles zusammen gut gepasst, es hatte überraschende Wendungen und auch ein zufrieden stellendes Ende. Insgesamt ein guter Thriller, den ich jedem empfehlen kann, der eine schnelle Unterhaltung will.
Das Buch ist auf jeden Fall ein guter Auftakt mit Alex und macht Lust auf mehr. Ich bin auf jeden Fall gespannt wie es weitergehen wird und wer der mysteriöse "Retter" von Alex ist.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
Das Buch ist auf jeden Fall ein guter Auftakt mit Alex und macht Lust auf mehr. Ich bin auf jeden Fall gespannt wie es weitergehen wird und wer der mysteriöse "Retter" von Alex ist.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
April 14, 2021
DNF @ 50%
Aaaaarrrggggh! This book!! First off, the writing was incredibly amateur (lots of telling and passive voice), and everything just felt too campy and melodramatic. Plus WAY too much info dumping. (Can’t you just SHOW us how wolverines behave instead of reading the Wikipedia page to us five times?)
The environmentalist thing also came on way too strong—and that's coming from someone who is very concerned about the environment. It was just so unbelievable that she was having a major wildlife crises every time she turned around... cows, starving mountain lions, poachers... sheesh. This woman should play the lottery! I appreciate a book that can trigger some introspection on these important topics, but this was just too much.
I doubt I’ll be reading more by this author until she can figure out how to write without having to rely on cheap tricks.
NEXT!
Aaaaarrrggggh! This book!! First off, the writing was incredibly amateur (lots of telling and passive voice), and everything just felt too campy and melodramatic. Plus WAY too much info dumping. (Can’t you just SHOW us how wolverines behave instead of reading the Wikipedia page to us five times?)
The environmentalist thing also came on way too strong—and that's coming from someone who is very concerned about the environment. It was just so unbelievable that she was having a major wildlife crises every time she turned around... cows, starving mountain lions, poachers... sheesh. This woman should play the lottery! I appreciate a book that can trigger some introspection on these important topics, but this was just too much.
I doubt I’ll be reading more by this author until she can figure out how to write without having to rely on cheap tricks.
NEXT!
September 9, 2022
This book published in 2020. It's first in a series and I loved it! This is my kinda book!
As the story begins, wildlife biologist Alex Carter attends a wetlands dedication where a man appears with a gun and fires toward her. An unknown man kills him before he can harm Alex. Since she has split with her boyfriend, Alex is more than ready to leave Boston and this memory behind. As soon as she is offered the opportunity to study wolverines, she leaps.
Alex is hired by Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation which has land and an old empty ski resort in Montana. She is to do a population study to see if wolverines live there. She gets to stay at the secluded, abandoned ski resort. Sure sounds better than being shot at. Hmm, are we going to eat those words?
Alex faces hostility from the sheriff and the townspeople immediately. She also has to deal with being alone in the huge rundown structure with little cell phone coverage. I sure wouldn't want to stay there by myself but I'm not brave like Alex. Oh, by the way, someone or something seems to be tracking her when she goes out to check her equipment. Her closest neighbor says she saw Bigfoot. Cool.
I looked at the cover and thought, Alaska. Nope, Rocky Mountains. The author writes beautiful descriptions of nature. I didn't know anything about wolverines but now I do.
Alex is smart, determined, brave, true to herself, very capable, and cool under pressure. She knows karate and martial arts. She is in her element in the outdoors while working with animals. Her cameras showed deer, bears, fishers, martens, mountain goats, cougars, finally a wolverine, and a bleeding, running man. That's right, a solitary man. Where's Bigfoot?
When I was a kid, all I wanted to see was a UFO or Bigfoot so this part of the story charmed me. You'll have to read and find out all about the sasquatch.
The only female lead character dealing with the outdoors that I can think of off the top of my head is Anna Pigeon, Nevada Barr's character. I believe Alex has her beat. Since this one was so good, I've already checked out the second book in this series. I expect to learn more about Alex's stalker.
Shoutout to TXGAL1 for writing a review that lead me to this series. Thanks, it's a humdinger.
As the story begins, wildlife biologist Alex Carter attends a wetlands dedication where a man appears with a gun and fires toward her. An unknown man kills him before he can harm Alex. Since she has split with her boyfriend, Alex is more than ready to leave Boston and this memory behind. As soon as she is offered the opportunity to study wolverines, she leaps.
Alex is hired by Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation which has land and an old empty ski resort in Montana. She is to do a population study to see if wolverines live there. She gets to stay at the secluded, abandoned ski resort. Sure sounds better than being shot at. Hmm, are we going to eat those words?
Alex faces hostility from the sheriff and the townspeople immediately. She also has to deal with being alone in the huge rundown structure with little cell phone coverage. I sure wouldn't want to stay there by myself but I'm not brave like Alex. Oh, by the way, someone or something seems to be tracking her when she goes out to check her equipment. Her closest neighbor says she saw Bigfoot. Cool.
I looked at the cover and thought, Alaska. Nope, Rocky Mountains. The author writes beautiful descriptions of nature. I didn't know anything about wolverines but now I do.
Alex is smart, determined, brave, true to herself, very capable, and cool under pressure. She knows karate and martial arts. She is in her element in the outdoors while working with animals. Her cameras showed deer, bears, fishers, martens, mountain goats, cougars, finally a wolverine, and a bleeding, running man. That's right, a solitary man. Where's Bigfoot?
When I was a kid, all I wanted to see was a UFO or Bigfoot so this part of the story charmed me. You'll have to read and find out all about the sasquatch.
The only female lead character dealing with the outdoors that I can think of off the top of my head is Anna Pigeon, Nevada Barr's character. I believe Alex has her beat. Since this one was so good, I've already checked out the second book in this series. I expect to learn more about Alex's stalker.
Shoutout to TXGAL1 for writing a review that lead me to this series. Thanks, it's a humdinger.
July 26, 2022
The first book in a series, A Solitude of Wolverines, is a good read. Alex Carter was a very likable character, and I enjoyed the story. The only thing I wish was that the story had captivated me more. My favorite part of the story was the mystery surrounding the shooter at the beginning. I loved that and everything related to it. However, the rest of the book did not captivate me as much as that part. Nevertheless, I'm eager to read the next book because I enjoyed the first one, and I'm curious to see what happens next.
October 17, 2025
Well, although I was engaged from the first with this novel, just a rating of 3.5 stars, imho. I enjoy the fairly new sub-genre called, as far as I know, eco-thrillers and was fascinated by the earlier (2015), perhaps somewhat prescient, contributions of Kim Stanley Robinson (the “Science In The Capital” series), so I was keen to see what Alice Henderson might have to offer. Ms. Henderson does a good job of building an interesting plot and I was excited to find out how her hero, Alex Carter, wildlife biologist, would fare, dealing with the mistrust and outright hostility she was subjected to by most of the locals.
Then the situation shifted into high gear and Carter was forced to defend her research activities and equipment from malicious strangers who seemed bound to drive her away using sabotage and even personal violence. The story became taut with suspense when Carter’s own safety became a concern and when, toward the end of the novel, she was forced to fight for her life. My lower rating is due to the incredible actions of the hostile locals and the fantastically violent threats to her safety becoming pretty over-the-top as the story came to a close. (Not to mention her many narrow escapes using skilled marksmanship, vast physical endurance and stunning wins in hand-to-hand combat using her expert-level skills in marshal arts).
Then the situation shifted into high gear and Carter was forced to defend her research activities and equipment from malicious strangers who seemed bound to drive her away using sabotage and even personal violence. The story became taut with suspense when Carter’s own safety became a concern and when, toward the end of the novel, she was forced to fight for her life. My lower rating is due to the incredible actions of the hostile locals and the fantastically violent threats to her safety becoming pretty over-the-top as the story came to a close. (Not to mention her many narrow escapes using skilled marksmanship, vast physical endurance and stunning wins in hand-to-hand combat using her expert-level skills in marshal arts).
February 24, 2022
Reviewing this as a wolverine researcher, which is also the only reason I read it - a friend pointed it out to me and I picked it up for fun.
Most of the wolverine information in here is reasonably accurate, but the writing, characterization, and plot development are clunky, and the portrait of wolverine field research is, at best, operating on an absurdly compressed timeline. The portrayal of the environmental policy, research, and advocacy worlds is also pretty muddled and lacks nuance, and the picture the author paints of rural Montana is painfully stereotyped. The action/thriller side of the story is pretty predictable, and the emotional consequences of being involved in several shooting incidents are utterly absent in the depiction of the main character.
Anyway, it's a fairly poorly written book with its heart in the right place as far as protecting wildlife. It's getting an extra star from me because of the wolverines. Otherwise, it's a don't-bother kind of read.
Most of the wolverine information in here is reasonably accurate, but the writing, characterization, and plot development are clunky, and the portrait of wolverine field research is, at best, operating on an absurdly compressed timeline. The portrayal of the environmental policy, research, and advocacy worlds is also pretty muddled and lacks nuance, and the picture the author paints of rural Montana is painfully stereotyped. The action/thriller side of the story is pretty predictable, and the emotional consequences of being involved in several shooting incidents are utterly absent in the depiction of the main character.
Anyway, it's a fairly poorly written book with its heart in the right place as far as protecting wildlife. It's getting an extra star from me because of the wolverines. Otherwise, it's a don't-bother kind of read.
January 29, 2021
Alex is a wildlife biologist who has followed her boyfriend to Boston where he pursues a career in corporate law. She's almost killed in the city; since Brad has moved out and doesn't return her calls, when she's offered a job tracking wolverines in Montana for a land trust, she jumps at the chance. But the locals don't want her there. They don't like the idea of the land trust preserving the ecosystem, preferring to use the land themselves for hunting and grazing. There are a lot of nasty characters in this book, and the animal abuse descriptions are sickening. It's very heavy on wolverine facts, almost like reading a bit from a textbook. And the book had a cliff-hanger ending, which always bothers me. I liked the idea, but hope her next book won't be so didactic--or so disturbing. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
November 29, 2020
Amazing. Must read. How is this not a bigger conversation for 2020. I will be following the series for sure
October 27, 2020
This is a fast-paced thriller set in the rural Rocky Mountains of Montana. Alex Carter is a strong, female protagonist who stands up for what she thinks is right, no matter the consequences. While I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the information about wolverines, I feel the pace of the story is a bit too fast. There’s barely a moment to breathe between happenings, and when there are genuine moments to get to know the main character and get a feel for things when something isn’t going wrong, it’s skipped over. Certain things, that were added for dramatic purposes, could be omitted and the story might be stronger for it. I don’t feel like what happens at the very beginning of the story is really examined, personally by Alex, nearly enough. It’s there in snippets and then forgotten when it definitely should be more of a psychological presence. Three stars, it has all the potential of a good book, it just needs a little more to push it there.
October 19, 2020
Wow! What a great read. It was suspenseful and entertainingly educational. It grabbed me from the first sentence: "The wetlands dedication was a resounding success until the gunman showed up." and kept my interest throughout.
Wildlife biologist Alex Carter, who does field studies on endangered species and their habitat, narrowly escaped with her life after a crazed gunman tries to kill her at a wetlands dedication. With her nerves frayed and her relationship crumbling, she jumps at the chance to get back to the mountains and study wolverines at an abandoned ski area in a newly created wildlife sanctuary.
Upon arriving at a small town in northwest Montana, she finds her reception less than cordial. Many of the locals do not approve of losing their hunting and trapping grounds to the sanctuary. In a not-so -subtle warning to leave, she is run off the road by a mysterious truck. Her study is sabotaged and she has the feeling she is being stalked. Things go downhill from there as she tries to discern who she can trust. Is the rancher who is using the sanctuary as grazing land behind the threats? Is the sheriff to be trusted to take the increasingly violent threats seriously? What secrets are the area residents hiding?
This is the first book in a new series by an author who does similar work as the protagonist. I was all set to nitpick the book because it is set in the area in which I live, but the author got it right. And who knows, maybe lupine flowers do bloom in the late fall at higher elevations? At any rate, I learned a lot about the illusive wolverine and the need for habitat preservation. I do admit, however, that she was preaching to the choir. Whatever your beliefs, if you enjoy plausible suspense novels, don't pass on this book.
I received an Advance Reader's Copy for an honest review of this book. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins publishers for the opportunity to read this book. I can't wait for it to be published so I can buy a copy for my husband.
Wildlife biologist Alex Carter, who does field studies on endangered species and their habitat, narrowly escaped with her life after a crazed gunman tries to kill her at a wetlands dedication. With her nerves frayed and her relationship crumbling, she jumps at the chance to get back to the mountains and study wolverines at an abandoned ski area in a newly created wildlife sanctuary.
Upon arriving at a small town in northwest Montana, she finds her reception less than cordial. Many of the locals do not approve of losing their hunting and trapping grounds to the sanctuary. In a not-so -subtle warning to leave, she is run off the road by a mysterious truck. Her study is sabotaged and she has the feeling she is being stalked. Things go downhill from there as she tries to discern who she can trust. Is the rancher who is using the sanctuary as grazing land behind the threats? Is the sheriff to be trusted to take the increasingly violent threats seriously? What secrets are the area residents hiding?
This is the first book in a new series by an author who does similar work as the protagonist. I was all set to nitpick the book because it is set in the area in which I live, but the author got it right. And who knows, maybe lupine flowers do bloom in the late fall at higher elevations? At any rate, I learned a lot about the illusive wolverine and the need for habitat preservation. I do admit, however, that she was preaching to the choir. Whatever your beliefs, if you enjoy plausible suspense novels, don't pass on this book.
I received an Advance Reader's Copy for an honest review of this book. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins publishers for the opportunity to read this book. I can't wait for it to be published so I can buy a copy for my husband.
March 15, 2022
I was attracted to A Solitude of Wolverines's description after watching one too many PBS shows on climate change. I know, I know, it's a depressing subject on most days. I was looking forward to a little romance, a take-charge female and a good thriller.
Alex Carter is a wildlife biologist with a PhD. She is on a break from a long-term relationship with a lawyer hoping to win him back. An event happens and she is almost killed. Someone saves her and the reader is left guessing as to the person's identity. This all happens within the first two chapters.
After this, she moves to Montana to work on a project with wolverines. Alex is told the previous biologist left in a hurry because of some family matters and this is a one-person job. Once she settles in, matters start to escalate. The story really takes off in the second half, after several attempts to murder her.
Alex is naive and, at the same time, a kick-a*s MC. The townspeople learn soon enough not to mess with her and the wildlife. Unfortunately, there is some slow reading while Ms. Henderson ties all the threads together.
I have to admit there were some moments where I rolled my eyes, but it was an interesting premise. I look forward to reading A Blizzard of Polar Bears.
Alex Carter is a wildlife biologist with a PhD. She is on a break from a long-term relationship with a lawyer hoping to win him back. An event happens and she is almost killed. Someone saves her and the reader is left guessing as to the person's identity. This all happens within the first two chapters.
After this, she moves to Montana to work on a project with wolverines. Alex is told the previous biologist left in a hurry because of some family matters and this is a one-person job. Once she settles in, matters start to escalate. The story really takes off in the second half, after several attempts to murder her.
Alex is naive and, at the same time, a kick-a*s MC. The townspeople learn soon enough not to mess with her and the wildlife. Unfortunately, there is some slow reading while Ms. Henderson ties all the threads together.
I have to admit there were some moments where I rolled my eyes, but it was an interesting premise. I look forward to reading A Blizzard of Polar Bears.
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