Gator Aide

Rachel Porter #1

by Jessica Speart

STOMPING THROUGH THE SWAMP

A failed New York actress, Rachel Porter figured that any new career would be an improvement--until she became a wildlife agent and found herself stuck in the steamy Louisiana bayous, chasing poachers and fending off mosquitoes the size of Central Park pigeons.

Rachel's first major assignment for the New Orleans Fish and Wildlife Service has brought her to the infamous French Quarter, to deal with a dead alligator chained to a bathtub--not far from an equally dead stripper. But when Rachel discovers that an o. d. of ingested heroin-stuffed condoms--and not the five bullet holes in the gator's head--was the true cause of its demise, the inquisitive agent finds herself perilously caught up in both murder investigations. And with killers, cops, neo-Nazis, drag queens and crooked politicos on her case, it's take more than Big Apple sass to get Rachel out of the Big Easy. . .alive..

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Animals

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Dawn (& Ron) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ron's review I enjoyed this enough to want to seek out the next book in the series. I would not put it on the same level as Nevada Barr or Dana Stabenow but if your looking for something along the same lines, then this is an author to search out.

It was a good story overall, it was just far fetched at times for me. The main character, Rachel Porter, leaves her job as an actress in New York because she was tired of the auditioning and instability, and her bad choices in men. She decides to change careers and ends up as a Fish & Wildlife officer in New Orleans. The amateur detective aspects were a bit too convenient. Porter was the only one who could put things together, the police seem unable to figure anything out. She gets help from a doctor who happens to be from New York, and a vet who was a hippy, flower child and still a rebel and they were just too conveniently placed.

It was interesting to learn about the high demand for alligator hides. How demand and quick money drove poachers to hunt them down.

If you like wildlife mysteries, give this one a shot.

[Joshua Piorier Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gator Aide was a great read and Jessica Speart has a way of constantly grabbing your attention. Jessica allows you to delve into the depths of your imagination as if you were standing right there with the characters, discreetly watching every event unfold. Jessica's wordplay, in my opinion, is fascinating! The first in Jessica's "Rachel Porter" series, Rachel, a failed NY actress turned rookie Louisiana fish and game warden, and off to a rather good start, investigating the death of an alligator. There are twists, turns, dark moments, and the flow of the story is very consistent. A mixture of conservation law enforcement and law enforcement, Jessica offers something unique and something that in the real world tends to get overlooked more often than it should, which makes the series that much more appealing. Ironically, but not unfortunately, Gator Aide does tend to give you the "rookie" impression pretty early on but I feel that only adds to the growth of Rachel, the rookie Conservation Officer. Jessica has put in the work and experienced a lot in order to create this and all the other books in the series. There are many other books in the series and I can honestly say that I am completely interested to see how both Rachel and Jessica develop.

Winged Obsession by Jessica Speart is a true, riveting account of a notorious butterfly smuggler. The story itself is captivating and to know that it actually happened is insane. The lengths to which one will go to sayisfy their passion, whether positive or negative, serial killer or professional athlete, always makes for a good read. Check out Winged Obsession too!

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good mystery, most of it taking place in the thick swamps near New Orleans. When a prostitute is found murdered with a huge dead alligator chained to her bathtub nearby, Rachel Porter, who works for the federal Fish and Wildlife Commission, is called in to examine the gator. She realizes that the gator did not die from the gunshots in its head, because they did not penetrate the skull, which is very suspicious. When she starts investigating that, opens a can of worms that nearly causes her to lose her own life. Throughout the story she has to deal with not only poachers, but also violent and crooked politicians, an irascible boss who withholds information, the mob, a drunken future -mayor's wife and her evil dog, the murky, dense swamps themselves, and a hot guy she can't decide whether or not to trust. All in all it creates a good mystery soup!

[Luke Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, deadly drama.

I was made aware of Jessica Speart's books when I watched a docuseries on Netflix about the wildlife trade. This caught my interest and I sought her first fiction work out.

The story is good fun, and the scene setting in the American South is superbly done. However, the wildlife did not feature as strongly as I hoped, and I struggled to stay interested in the story.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging book with a fast flow and believable characters. The Swamp and the French Quarter receive equal attention to detail and description. Plenty of complications as Rachel tries to sort through who are the “bad guys” with the suspense of trying to stay alive, especially once the razor-wielding murderer has her in his sight.

[Alise HARRIS · Rating 3 out of 5]

People from New Orleans don’t call it N’Awlins, Ms Speart

[Teri Heyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd time I've read Gator Aide, in paperback when it was 1st published & now as an ebook via Kindle Unlimited. It's a great beginning to an entertaining series.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series of mysteries by Jessica Speart. With a setting in the Louisiana bayous and downtown New Orleans, the author has crafted an unusual mystery with a feisty female detective, former actress Rachel Porter, who now works for the New Orleans Fish & Wildlife Service. The characters are believable, and although I was a bit disappointed that the book finished without all its plotlines resolved, I know the author wants me to read the next one, and I'm definitely willing to go along for the ride.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series, and when I heard this series compared to that one, I was pretty skeptical. But I have had to eat my skepticism; this book was a very well plotted mystery, with complex characters. The setting in Southern Louisiana, around New Orleans, gave a great "sense of place", with descriptive detail of both the city, and the swamps and bayous. I plan to read more in this series.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in the Rachel Porter mystery series. Novice U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent Porter is called to attend the murder investigation of a stripper because the victim’s pet alligator was found dead at the scene. Rachel’s likable, if a little less-than-mellow in her attitude toward equality with the good ol’ boys.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Porter, a female fish and wildlife agent, right there I am hooked. This series is a great light read that will make you laugh out loud!

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh.

[Whitney Oaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread January 12, 2011
Reread November 16- , 2015

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the Rachel Porter series by Jessica Speart. Rachel is a fish and wildlife agent working in New Orleans. A light, fun and humorous read.

[Carolyn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and thought it was a good read.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun.

[Amber Carreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The main character seems like a normal everyday person. I also love the setting of the book. Funny with a good mystery mixed in.

[Kathy Govreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprise for me! I wasn't sure about it but a friend of mine recommended it. I was not disappointed! I definitely will read more in the series.

[Dixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I need...another author I've found that I like so will
be looking up all her books.