Tortoise Soup

Rachel Porter #2

by Jessica Speart

Having transferred from steamy New Orleans, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter learns her new assignment in the Nevada desert is no picnic, either: three hundred and fifty endangered tortoises have disappeared from a federal hatching site. Rachel finds no shortage of suspects in the tort-napping: a trio of eco-nuts living in an ark, who fear the creatures are about to die off; trigger-happy ranchers who hate the new government restrictions on ther grazng lands; and developers whose greedy land grab has been forced to halt.When Rachel discovers the decaying skeleton of a reclusive landowner and her home and office are bombed, her instincts tell her that the missing tortoises are at the center of all the mayhem. And as the deception, dirty dealing and fatal secrets escalate, Rachel finds herself deep in desert danger--from critters two-legged and otherwise

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought and read this book because of the cover art. Let’s say it’s easily the best part of the book.

[Dlora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in this series because it reminded me of the Nevada Barr books about a national park ranger. In this case, Rachel Porter is a fish and wildlife agent and in Tortoise Soup she is in the Nevada desert assigned to take care of the endangered wildlife there, particularly the desert tortoise. However, Jessica Speart isn't quite the storyteller that Barr is, and there is a little too much flag-waving about the environment for my tastes. Lots of fun wacky characters, a murder to start out the plot, corrupt government officials, and trigger happy ranchers who hate the fish and wildlife federal restrictions.

[Galen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter is sent to the Nevada desert, where work seems unexciting and politics seem to drive all decisions. She is called to investigate the disappearance of endangered tortoise hatchlings from a federal facility, and finds herself involved in investigating the murder of an old land owner, the bombing of her house and office, and the mysterious operations of a mine that seems anything but ecologically sound.

Interesting characters and setting, but somewhat unoriginal. Entertaining but not outstanding.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel Porter, US Fish and Wildlife Agent, is a cross between Stephanie Plum, Hetta Coffey and Anna Pigeon. Recently transferred from New Orleans to Las Vegas, she finds herself in a desert where government employees are disliked and distrusted by just about everyone, especially ranchers, developers and miners. Add to the mix the theft of 350 endangered tortoises from a government hatching facility, the murder of a desert recluse, a group of wacky ex-government environmentalists and someone determined to keep Rachel from further investigations and you have a fun read.

[Teri Heyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd time I've read Tortoise Soup, in paperback when it was 1st published & now as an ebook via Kindle Unlimited. Rachel Porter & a colorful cast of characters will keep you reading all night.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series...so on to book 3.

[Erin Robison Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotional when Pilot dies, I feel like Pilot should of continued on with Rachel. Tear jerker toward the end and I think that Pilot fitted as a side kick very well.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I didn't finish it, but I read enough to feel like I deserve to put this on here and rate it. When I got to about the sixth ugly, miserable person who hates the protagonist and wants to do anything to stop her investigation, I got totally fed up. Why does everyone she encounter (except for the one smarmy handsome guy whom she thinks is sexy and who therefore will probably turn out to be the bad guy) have to be repulsive? Is she the only halfway decent looking person in Nevada? Ugh.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the Rachel Porter series, and while I found the first book almost as good as Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series, that was not the case with this one. The story was still entertaining and held my interest, but the quality of writing just does not compare with Barr's. However, I still enjoy the environmental issues addressed, and will probably read more of the series.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Fish & Wildlife agent new to Nevada tries to overcome corruption and indifference to prove a mine is killing birds & tortoises. Also, a breeding facility for desert torts is missing 350 babies. She finds many quirky people. Everyone is indifferent or anti-environmental. Lots of yahoos & crooks. Little about the desert or tortoises. Works hard to be interesting and fast paced. Not a bad read.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the Rachel Porter series by Jessica Speart. Rachel is a fish and wildlife agent who often gets caught up in her investigations of endangered species. The second book find Rachel now working in Nevada on a case involving endangered toroises. A fun and entertaining read.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entertaining. It revolves around missing tortoise's. Rachel is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent. It seems to be pushing the conservation issue. It was a fun mystery. Not sure I would read another in this series.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pleasant enough attempt to emulate Nevada Barr, but the denouement was not at all credible. She'll have to plot better than this!

[Tara]

3/8/12 ~ Mom & I also went to the church 2nd hand store in Red Hook. I got this one for $0.25.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another book with great concept and poor execution. Disappointing at best. I think I need to stop reading fiction related to my field.