Art Gundersen did not make it as an agent with the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs. But when Chief Townsend orders him out of the lab and into the mountains of northern California to collect evidence from a murder scene, Art’s happy to go. He looks forward to tromping around in the wilderness—and finds he enjoys the company of the forest technician who discovered the hiker’s corpse surrounded by sasquatch footprints.
Jerry Humboldt lives a somewhat reclusive life in the fire lookout tower. Nobody comments much on his enormous size. Or his unusually hairy feet. Then Art shows up, and Jerry is forced into some new realizations.
As Art and Jerry interact, they discover some long-past connections as well as some very present dangers. It’s a risky equation: an awkward not-agent, a virginal “wild man” of the forest, and a multiple murderer—with the Bureau’s help six hundred miles away.
Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
This one is a long novella and takes place in the 70s. Ralph Crespo makes a brief appearance, and of course we encounter Chief Townsend. But the stars are Art and Jerry, two big men with a very big problem.
This particular book was inspired partly by my travels through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. And I've always wanted to stay in a fire lookout tower, but never have.
I'm always so pleased to be returning to this series!
Of the nine books in this favorite series, this one is probably my least favorite. Even though I adored our two supremely likable, sweet protagonists, there was far too much tell vs. show. The brief and very exciting conflict in the second half of story was over almost before it started.
I confess I experienced some trepidation before embarking upon this read but TG the plot did not deteriorate into despite the mind-boggling physical description for our MCs. The romance turned out to be quite dorky-sweet in fact and I grew quite enamored with Art and Jerry. Yet another great addition to the author's paranormal Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs world.
This is a sweet story, romance-wise; even though it is love at first sight, they are careful with each other and very kind, and boy did I sympathize with the distance thing. The climax was good and it ends well. I deducted stars for repetition and uninteresting details, because both bogged down the plot and sure, it fits both characters, but I don't have to like it. I'd have given it more stars had it been either more complex or shortened by reducing repeating thoughts & feelings. But I read it all, and I enjoyed the parts I enjoyed. A solid 3-star read.
I feel like I've been reading (almost!) all of Fielding's books under the sun... but every time she returns to the Bureau universe, I'm happy. Agents, non-human creatures, and relationship. Yep, always up on my alley.
This long novella features a non-agent though; Art Gundersen is a lab tech. An extremely valuable one because he's the ONLY lab tech in the whole Bureau HQ. He rarely goes into the field - if not at all. But this time, the Chief sends Art into the woods of Northern California, for a murder case that's more up to his alley. And there, he meets Jerry Humboldt, the forest technician who discovers the dead body.
I loved these two solitary-by-nature characters. Art and Jerry connected with their way of life, their traits... that they are always a bit awkward, a bit on the outside, more appreciative of nature than fellow people... and I thought their time in the woods were wonderful. I also liked that they had a bit of history in the beginning...
The relationship may be a little too fast. The mystery behind the murder is also solved a bit too quickly (). But in overall, I really enjoyed this one. Oh, and Ralph Crespo from Camouflaged made an appearance and I'm satisfied to know that he
I loved everything about this story! Beautifully written and executed of course, well edited and paced. The people and situations are so good! Every Bureau book dovetails so well with the others, and I feel I’m reading the next chapter in a history. Art and Jerry are just lovable…
Gosh, how I missed this series! Why haven't I read Caught earlier...??
As usual, I really love Kim Fielding's flowing, easy and romantic writing style. She just knows how to create the cutest MCs and give them just the right words (and thoughts) to make me love them :)
And Art and Jerry were no exceptions. I clicked with them straightaway. Especially Jerry. He's such a sweet, gentle-giant kind of character. So abused and yet so positive and hopeful. So huge and yet so gentle and thoughtful. Art's sweet, too, but in a nerdy kind of way. He's unassuming and open-minded and never judges hastily.
I really enjoyed their short time together, even more so since Jerry was so touch and love starved and Art just wanted to give him something special, and not some hurried romp in the woods. Their tempers also fit so perfectly together, with Art's constant chattering and Jerry's quiet composure. A delightful pair, indeed!
I needed to double check the release date because of cultural references Fielding’s used in the story, but she’s stated it takes place in the 70’s , not present day. So mentions of President Carter, Mork & Mindy, and , RIP, Burt Reynolds, makes sense.
Of course, given it’s the Bureau, you just never know.
There’s all sorts of beings that are featured in Bureau stories. This time it’s sasquatch.
Kim Fielding, as she has a way of doing, gets to the heart of her character’s history and momentous occasion in the prologue. Simple, unerringly haunting, and concise.
It sticks with the reader too , following through the story, tugging at you. So when Fielding’s plot neatly threads it into place, as a reader, it’s less surprise but more just a moment of content and satisfaction.
Art Gundersen is a lovely, gentle big, very big, man. One directed into his job with the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs by Ralph Crespo, our Dragon agent of the previous story.
He’s mostly someone who’s devoted to his lab and research until the Director asks him for assistance with a special case up in the woods. One of murder.
Jerry Humboldt is the Forestry Agent who found the hiker’s body and called for help.
Jerry is quiet, protective of his woods, and worried about the circumstances the dead hiker’s been found in. As everything points to another species having been the culprit.
Fielding’s story builds slowly around these two shy huge men , getting to know one another as they try to investigate the murder and maybe the other mysteries surrounding each other.
There’s a bit of Instant love here. But it’s so cute , and neither has had any relationship at all . So well, let’s just give them a break.
The solution to the murders and dramatic climax is a good one! Thrilling.
And it was great seeing a old friend once more.
Wonderful to dive back into the Bureau series again, I’m recommending it!
The Bureau: Corruption #1 White Clay #2 Creature #3 Chained#4 Convicted #5 Conned #6 Caroled #7 Camouflaged #8 Caught #9
The Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs is a wonderful series written by Kim Fielding. Each book in the series involves a different type period and a different non-human. I was hooked on the first book, Corruption. The story was original and some mysteries left to solve. The series has continued like that. Some previous mysteries were solved, new mysteries added, and one huge mystery was still unsolved with no real clues.
Caught is book 9 of the series. It involves a lab tech who has never been out of the lab, Art. He is happy with his research and helping out beyond the scenes. Not everyone can be an exciting agent. Art is sent to Nothern California with no information other than meet Jerry the forest ranger. There are dead bodies, mysteries, and monsters. Really enjoyable story. This series has become an automatic buy for me.
4.5 stars. A really good addition to a series I've enjoyed, in fact I'd say the best so far. This one is set in the forests of Northern California and may or may not involve a bigfoot sighting. The Bureau sends one of its rookie employees to investigate the suspicious deaths of two hikers and he meets a rather large, hairy Forest Service employee who will assist him. Art, our Bureau employee, is also rather large just not quite so hairy. The two find they have "a lot in common."
Lots of adventure and some welcome looks at how some of our past Bureau subjects are fairing. A reader doesn't have to have read prior stories to know what's going on in this one but I think that they will find that Chief of the Bureau Thompson is quite the matchmaker.
Cover boy looks a bit too gorgeous to be Art! Who was a lovely character in this charming book. Oh, I like Chief Townsend so much! And, Ralph Crespo, too. The other MC, Jerry, was well written and I enjoyed the interior thoughts of both men. An interesting setting and the scenes at the fire tower were enjoyable. The conversation between Art and his father in the prologue was very well written with a naturalness of the dialogue that was enjoyable.
Cała seria bardzo mi się podobała. Opowieści były często bardzo wzruszające, wręcz smutne. Jednak wszystkie miały w sobie wiele optymizmu i nadziei. Żałuję, że to już koniec, przynajmniej na tę chwilę. O ile każda książka jest pełną historią z zakończeniem, o tyle gdzieś w tle często przewija się stwierdzenie, że agentów czeka coś niezwykłego na co muszą się przygotować, więc czytelnicy mogą liczyć na kolejne części :) Ja na pewno będę na każdą niecierpliwie czekać :D
I'm no longer even remotely surprised when characters in these stories just randomly proposition the other MC for sex. Not sure what that says about me--or the series. In any case, I enjoyed this one. It was short and sweet and seeing Ralph again was a delight. Also love that Grimes keeps popping up everywhere.
I'm happy to continue the Bureau series and these guys were lovely. Kim Fielding always writes beautiful pairings. But this case or something about the story wasn't as compelling as many of the other books in this series. Could be the shorter length too after some brilliant full length novels. Still easily 3.5 though, almost a 4-.
Not enough romance, too much "plot". I mean by 60% there was barely one kiss, and the rest is some kind of dime store murder mystery. I really couldn't be bothered. Also, the cover is pretty bad, the hair looks pasted on the head at a totally wrong angle. Please hire a better Photoshop guy.
3.5 stars Pretty goo. It was more engaging in the beginning, but after a while I kinda lost interest. It was too sweet and the mystery barely there, just enough to bring the MCs together but not organically involved in the plot.