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National Parks Mystery #1
Vanishing Edge
For fans of Christine Carbo and Scott Graham, an ex-FBI agent is on a desperate hunt for a party of vanished campers while a killer is on the loose.
The rugged landscape of Sequoia National Park is a challenge on the best of days—but when a park ranger discovers an abandoned exclusive campsite with an empty tent and high-end technical gear scattered on the shores of an alpine lake, the wilderness takes on a sinister new hue.
Thirty-two-year-old Felicity Harland—a former FBI agent who left the service in the wake of a personal tragedy and has taken her skills off the grid—is brought in as chief investigator. As a federal agent with the Investigative Services Bureau, she tackles crimes that occur on National Parks lands: unexplained falls, domestic disputes, and now a possible murder case.
The private company that set up the exclusive camp won’t reveal their client list, leaving Felicity with zero clues. As she struggles to find a lead, she’s also haunted by a painful past that dogs her at every step. But when she meets Ferdinand Huxley, a Navy SEAL turned park ranger, she begins to see the value in not just working with a partner, but trusting one, too.
The investigation takes Felicity and Hux deep into a wilderness that tests their physical limits to the extreme—and to the mean streets of Los Angeles, where they begin to learn the grisly truth behind the campers’ disappearance.
Bad things happen in the wilderness—and sometimes they’re not accidents.
The rugged landscape of Sequoia National Park is a challenge on the best of days—but when a park ranger discovers an abandoned exclusive campsite with an empty tent and high-end technical gear scattered on the shores of an alpine lake, the wilderness takes on a sinister new hue.
Thirty-two-year-old Felicity Harland—a former FBI agent who left the service in the wake of a personal tragedy and has taken her skills off the grid—is brought in as chief investigator. As a federal agent with the Investigative Services Bureau, she tackles crimes that occur on National Parks lands: unexplained falls, domestic disputes, and now a possible murder case.
The private company that set up the exclusive camp won’t reveal their client list, leaving Felicity with zero clues. As she struggles to find a lead, she’s also haunted by a painful past that dogs her at every step. But when she meets Ferdinand Huxley, a Navy SEAL turned park ranger, she begins to see the value in not just working with a partner, but trusting one, too.
The investigation takes Felicity and Hux deep into a wilderness that tests their physical limits to the extreme—and to the mean streets of Los Angeles, where they begin to learn the grisly truth behind the campers’ disappearance.
Bad things happen in the wilderness—and sometimes they’re not accidents.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 9, 2021
About the author
Claire Kells
12 books390 followersClaire Kells is an author, a physician, and an avid open-water swimmer. She's rather obsessed with the great outdoors, even though she's scared to walk in the woods at night. Aside from wilderness adventures, her favorite things to write about are twisty plots, flawed characters, and romantic tension. She lives in Virginia with her family.
Her debut novel, GIRL UNDERWATER, was published by Dutton Books in 2015.
VANISHING EDGE, the first in a new mystery series from Crooked Lane Books, comes out in November 2021.
Her debut novel, GIRL UNDERWATER, was published by Dutton Books in 2015.
VANISHING EDGE, the first in a new mystery series from Crooked Lane Books, comes out in November 2021.
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December 3, 2023
Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells, Narrated by Natalie Naudus
National Parks Mystery #1
As a federal agent with the Investigative Services Bureau, thirty-two-year-old Felicity Harland puts her extensive camping and hiking skills to use tackling crimes that occur on National Parks lands. Or at least she will be doing that. She's only been on the job a week, after a long hiatus from her former FBI job. Harland had been and still is healing, in body and mind, from a tragedy while hiking with her fiancé three years ago. Now she and her dog, Ollie, are ready to take on this new life, and hopefully, Harland can put her past to rest.
Two campers are missing in the Sequoia National Park and Harland has been teamed with Ferdinand Huxley, a former Navy SEAL and now nine months into his new park ranger job. Harland and Hux have their work cut out for them as various crimes and misdeeds by others make for a tangled, murky, red herring filled path. They follow clues with endless miles of hiking, driving, and the occasional helicopter ride. Harland is trying to fend off her boss since he wants to pull her from the job for other cases and Hux's boss thinks the duo is wasting their time looking for ill prepared campers who made bad decisions. But Harland and Hux are sure things are more nefarious than just unlucky campers and they will not be deterred from finishing the job they set out to do.
The relationship between Harland and Hux is respectful, light hearted, platonic, and that of a well oiled team. I will say I lost all track of time and place, as the two of them tromped all over creation, it seemed. I felt right at home out there in the rugged terrain, wishing I could be there too, minus the potential murderer(s), the creepy tree marking weirdo, and other oddballs and miscreants hiding from city life. I enjoyed every minute of this well narrated audiobook and look forward to a sequel that should be available in 2022.
Pub November 9, 2021
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
National Parks Mystery #1
As a federal agent with the Investigative Services Bureau, thirty-two-year-old Felicity Harland puts her extensive camping and hiking skills to use tackling crimes that occur on National Parks lands. Or at least she will be doing that. She's only been on the job a week, after a long hiatus from her former FBI job. Harland had been and still is healing, in body and mind, from a tragedy while hiking with her fiancé three years ago. Now she and her dog, Ollie, are ready to take on this new life, and hopefully, Harland can put her past to rest.
Two campers are missing in the Sequoia National Park and Harland has been teamed with Ferdinand Huxley, a former Navy SEAL and now nine months into his new park ranger job. Harland and Hux have their work cut out for them as various crimes and misdeeds by others make for a tangled, murky, red herring filled path. They follow clues with endless miles of hiking, driving, and the occasional helicopter ride. Harland is trying to fend off her boss since he wants to pull her from the job for other cases and Hux's boss thinks the duo is wasting their time looking for ill prepared campers who made bad decisions. But Harland and Hux are sure things are more nefarious than just unlucky campers and they will not be deterred from finishing the job they set out to do.
The relationship between Harland and Hux is respectful, light hearted, platonic, and that of a well oiled team. I will say I lost all track of time and place, as the two of them tromped all over creation, it seemed. I felt right at home out there in the rugged terrain, wishing I could be there too, minus the potential murderer(s), the creepy tree marking weirdo, and other oddballs and miscreants hiding from city life. I enjoyed every minute of this well narrated audiobook and look forward to a sequel that should be available in 2022.
Pub November 9, 2021
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
June 1, 2023
This was Soooo Good!! What a Wild Ride!
Special Agent Felicity Harland was unstoppable! This former FBI agent had a lot to prove to her new superiors at the ISB Federal Agency. She sported a near-bionic spine after a catastrophic hiking accident in the Australian Outback three years earlier. There were more metal rods and screws than bones in her back after all the surgeries required to get her back on her feet again. Was she going to be equal to the task of hiking over hundreds of miles to get to accident and crime sites and conduct a proper investigation? I sat back and watched with great satisfaction as she wiped the disbelieving smirks off of all her superiors' faces! Go, Harland!!
Hux (Ferdinand) Huxley is a former Navy Seal, now working as a Sequoia National Park Ranger. He was a Special Forces "Finder" in Afghanistan, and he used those skills to assist Special Agent Harland with her investigation into the mysterious disappearance of two high maintenance glampers. (I loved every moment that Hux's exuberant character appeared in this story: he stole the entire show!!)
Hux was irrepressibly cheerful. His boundless energy and enthusiasm were infectious. I, like Felicity, welcomed his "can-do/never say die" presence on those arduous treks across the Sequoia National Parklands.
Felicity and Hux meshed so well together. Their witty, deprecating banter was delightful: I snorted with laughter more than once! But, at the same time, they were unfailingly supportive and respectful of one another. As the case progressed, Felicity was reluctant to relinquish Hux's assistance in her investigations and she always found an excuse to keep him by her side.
Did I sense a hint of attraction between these two? Maaybee!?! I could be reading too much into all that wickedly hilarious banter, but, never fear, these two professionals were squarely focused on the job at hand! (I'm hoping the author decides to create her own ongoing investigative series with these two as the recurring team of special agents. Their ratings appeal as a partnership is already off the charts for me!)
Did I guess "whodunnit?" I have to admit that I had my suspicions about the culprit very early on - despite all the red herrings and misdirection strewn in the reader's path. I also have to sheepishly admit that I suspected everyone at some point, and I got quite a few things totally wrong: I was literally led down the wrong garden path on more than one occasion! No matter! This story was so well written, and the characters were so true to life and endearing that I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay out there on the Sequoia mountain ridge in this thrilling adventure and lose myself with Harland and Hux (and Harland's dog, Ollie!) in the wilds of that glorious backwoods landscape.
The descriptions of Precipice Lake, and the trail heading out to it, were captivating. I could picture it all so clearly: Claire Kells' writing skills were more than equal to the task!
. . . . . .
The last few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat. I realized I was holding my breath as the action literally exploded, catapulting us towards a nail-biting, fraught ending! I was impressed! When I finally turned the last page, and my heart stopped galloping about, I heaved an intensely satisfied sigh! I highly, highly recommend this truly excellent thriller: I had a hard time putting this book down until I reached the very last page! 10 out of 5 well deserved stars!!!
(An Audiobook version is now available. Yay, I was awarded an audiobook ARC and am so enjoying the dramatization thus far!)
ENCHANTING SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
. . . . . . . . . . . .
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
Okay, so there is no way to post a separate review just for the Audiobook without getting flagged as having TWO reviews for the same book, so I am just going to add this review to my main review! Please excuse any repeats:
The narrator, Natalie Naudus, really brings the book to life. Hux is even MORE appealing, if that is possible. I JUST LOVE THAT GUY!!!
I felt, once again, like I was hiking in the Sierras with these two bantering Special Investigators. I was truly entertained by this fast paced story. Claire Kells' masterful storytelling pulls you right into the beautiful untamed scenery and frosty mountainous temperatures. I was feeling Felicity Harland's pain as she tramped mile after mile in pursuit of clues as to the whereabouts of two missing glampers.
It does not look good for these high profile glampers, and things only go from bad to worse as the evidence points to a potential "off the grid" fanatic who may be taking overly drastic measures to ensure that visitors to the public park lands "leave no trace" - permanently!
Harland and Hux make a great team: their banter had me smiling and I could never seem to get enough of their scenes together. Each time it appeared that Hux would be sent back to his Park Ranger duties, I would wail, but Felicity was able to keep Hux in the investigation. Good thing, too. Every 5 foot tall investigator needs a 6 foot three sidekick to keep the bears away!
I enjoyed this book so much, I also decided to listen to the audiobook. (It was very well narrated. I love it when actors take on the narration, they make the story really come alive!)
I highly recommend this great, action packed read.
(I read Claire Kells' debut novel, Girl Underwater, and couldn't wait to read her next offering: she was THAT GOOD! Another stellar book - great job!) The book was released on November 9th/2021!
Special Agent Felicity Harland was unstoppable! This former FBI agent had a lot to prove to her new superiors at the ISB Federal Agency. She sported a near-bionic spine after a catastrophic hiking accident in the Australian Outback three years earlier. There were more metal rods and screws than bones in her back after all the surgeries required to get her back on her feet again. Was she going to be equal to the task of hiking over hundreds of miles to get to accident and crime sites and conduct a proper investigation? I sat back and watched with great satisfaction as she wiped the disbelieving smirks off of all her superiors' faces! Go, Harland!!
Hux (Ferdinand) Huxley is a former Navy Seal, now working as a Sequoia National Park Ranger. He was a Special Forces "Finder" in Afghanistan, and he used those skills to assist Special Agent Harland with her investigation into the mysterious disappearance of two high maintenance glampers. (I loved every moment that Hux's exuberant character appeared in this story: he stole the entire show!!)
Hux was irrepressibly cheerful. His boundless energy and enthusiasm were infectious. I, like Felicity, welcomed his "can-do/never say die" presence on those arduous treks across the Sequoia National Parklands.
Felicity and Hux meshed so well together. Their witty, deprecating banter was delightful: I snorted with laughter more than once! But, at the same time, they were unfailingly supportive and respectful of one another. As the case progressed, Felicity was reluctant to relinquish Hux's assistance in her investigations and she always found an excuse to keep him by her side.
Did I sense a hint of attraction between these two? Maaybee!?! I could be reading too much into all that wickedly hilarious banter, but, never fear, these two professionals were squarely focused on the job at hand! (I'm hoping the author decides to create her own ongoing investigative series with these two as the recurring team of special agents. Their ratings appeal as a partnership is already off the charts for me!)
Did I guess "whodunnit?" I have to admit that I had my suspicions about the culprit very early on - despite all the red herrings and misdirection strewn in the reader's path. I also have to sheepishly admit that I suspected everyone at some point, and I got quite a few things totally wrong: I was literally led down the wrong garden path on more than one occasion! No matter! This story was so well written, and the characters were so true to life and endearing that I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay out there on the Sequoia mountain ridge in this thrilling adventure and lose myself with Harland and Hux (and Harland's dog, Ollie!) in the wilds of that glorious backwoods landscape.
The descriptions of Precipice Lake, and the trail heading out to it, were captivating. I could picture it all so clearly: Claire Kells' writing skills were more than equal to the task!
. . . . . .
The last few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat. I realized I was holding my breath as the action literally exploded, catapulting us towards a nail-biting, fraught ending! I was impressed! When I finally turned the last page, and my heart stopped galloping about, I heaved an intensely satisfied sigh! I highly, highly recommend this truly excellent thriller: I had a hard time putting this book down until I reached the very last page! 10 out of 5 well deserved stars!!!
(An Audiobook version is now available. Yay, I was awarded an audiobook ARC and am so enjoying the dramatization thus far!)
ENCHANTING SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
. . . . . . . . . . . .
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
Okay, so there is no way to post a separate review just for the Audiobook without getting flagged as having TWO reviews for the same book, so I am just going to add this review to my main review! Please excuse any repeats:
The narrator, Natalie Naudus, really brings the book to life. Hux is even MORE appealing, if that is possible. I JUST LOVE THAT GUY!!!
I felt, once again, like I was hiking in the Sierras with these two bantering Special Investigators. I was truly entertained by this fast paced story. Claire Kells' masterful storytelling pulls you right into the beautiful untamed scenery and frosty mountainous temperatures. I was feeling Felicity Harland's pain as she tramped mile after mile in pursuit of clues as to the whereabouts of two missing glampers.
It does not look good for these high profile glampers, and things only go from bad to worse as the evidence points to a potential "off the grid" fanatic who may be taking overly drastic measures to ensure that visitors to the public park lands "leave no trace" - permanently!
Harland and Hux make a great team: their banter had me smiling and I could never seem to get enough of their scenes together. Each time it appeared that Hux would be sent back to his Park Ranger duties, I would wail, but Felicity was able to keep Hux in the investigation. Good thing, too. Every 5 foot tall investigator needs a 6 foot three sidekick to keep the bears away!
I enjoyed this book so much, I also decided to listen to the audiobook. (It was very well narrated. I love it when actors take on the narration, they make the story really come alive!)
I highly recommend this great, action packed read.
(I read Claire Kells' debut novel, Girl Underwater, and couldn't wait to read her next offering: she was THAT GOOD! Another stellar book - great job!) The book was released on November 9th/2021!
August 23, 2021
Vanishing Edge
by Claire Kells brings crimes and suspense to a well-written and dramatic crime thriller largely set in Sequoia National Park near Three Rivers, California. Felicity Harland is a former FBI agent who left the agency after a personal tragedy and a major injury. She is now a special agent for the Investigative Services Bureau, the investigative arm of the National Park Service.
Harland gets a call that she is needed at Sequoia National Park. Two campers are missing and the luxury camping outfit that had the campsite set up won’t reveal its clients. The campsite is abandoned with no signs of a struggle was found by new park ranger Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley. What happened to the campers? Are they lost, injured, or has something else happened to them?
This character driven story has plenty of intrigue and drama as well. Harland and Hux are fantastic as investigative partners. She has to prove to herself and to her superiors that her back, which required three major surgeries, is up to the task of long hikes and climbs to investigate accidents and crimes in national parks. Harland’s intrapersonal struggles felt realistic and were woven seamlessly into the story. Her dog, Ollie, added another dimension to the story. Hux, a former Navy SEAL, wants more than a junior ranger role in life and is excited to help Harland in her investigation. He’s known for his people finding abilities. Will they be successful? I especially enjoyed the friendship and trust that they developed during the course of the investigation.
The plot is suspenseful, fresh, complex, and entertaining. There are plenty of twists and red herrings. The tension, stakes and action build up to an exciting and pulse-quickening ending. Another wonderful aspect was the world-building. The author did a fantastic job of making the reader feel as though they were in Sequoia National Park with Harland and Hux. This strong sense of place was essential and elevated the reading experience for me. This author kept me entertained throughout. Her ability to combine strong characters and complex plots, and the excellent pacing, kept me fully engaged.
Overall, this was well-written, captivating, and thought-provoking. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery along with Harland and Hux. I was hooked immediately in the first chapter and the pages kept turning. I recommend this book to those that enjoy mysteries and investigations in the great outdoors with likeable characters. I hope this becomes a series.
Crooked Lane Books and Claire Kells provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was November 9, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Harland gets a call that she is needed at Sequoia National Park. Two campers are missing and the luxury camping outfit that had the campsite set up won’t reveal its clients. The campsite is abandoned with no signs of a struggle was found by new park ranger Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley. What happened to the campers? Are they lost, injured, or has something else happened to them?
This character driven story has plenty of intrigue and drama as well. Harland and Hux are fantastic as investigative partners. She has to prove to herself and to her superiors that her back, which required three major surgeries, is up to the task of long hikes and climbs to investigate accidents and crimes in national parks. Harland’s intrapersonal struggles felt realistic and were woven seamlessly into the story. Her dog, Ollie, added another dimension to the story. Hux, a former Navy SEAL, wants more than a junior ranger role in life and is excited to help Harland in her investigation. He’s known for his people finding abilities. Will they be successful? I especially enjoyed the friendship and trust that they developed during the course of the investigation.
The plot is suspenseful, fresh, complex, and entertaining. There are plenty of twists and red herrings. The tension, stakes and action build up to an exciting and pulse-quickening ending. Another wonderful aspect was the world-building. The author did a fantastic job of making the reader feel as though they were in Sequoia National Park with Harland and Hux. This strong sense of place was essential and elevated the reading experience for me. This author kept me entertained throughout. Her ability to combine strong characters and complex plots, and the excellent pacing, kept me fully engaged.
Overall, this was well-written, captivating, and thought-provoking. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery along with Harland and Hux. I was hooked immediately in the first chapter and the pages kept turning. I recommend this book to those that enjoy mysteries and investigations in the great outdoors with likeable characters. I hope this becomes a series.
Crooked Lane Books and Claire Kells provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was November 9, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
September 28, 2021
This was just a really enjoyable mystery that I recommend for fans of Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series. I was happy to read in the Author Biography that this is meant to be the start of a series.
Felicity Harland is an ex-FBI agent now employed as an ISB special agent, handling serious crimes in the national parks. She gets assigned to investigate two missing campers in Sequoia Park, two customers of a glamping company. She’s aided by a local ranger, Hux, an ex-Navy Seal. The two hit it off and are a joy to watch tackle the crime. And I definitely appreciated that their relationship grew into a friendship and didn’t dissolve into a romance.
Felicity just came across as a very realistic main character. She had her spine re-built after a serious accident hiking in Australia. She has to really power through her pain. And her relationship with her dog, Ollie, just cemented my respect for her. Hux isn’t quite as realistic, with his movie star good looks, amazing athleticism and unfailing good humor. But together, the pairing worked and came across beautifully.
The story moves at a brisk pace. There are lots of red herrings to keep the reader alert. And Kelly’s does a great job painting the scene. It was easy to see everything play out. And boy, did it make me want to go for a hike.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Books for an advance copy of this book.
Felicity Harland is an ex-FBI agent now employed as an ISB special agent, handling serious crimes in the national parks. She gets assigned to investigate two missing campers in Sequoia Park, two customers of a glamping company. She’s aided by a local ranger, Hux, an ex-Navy Seal. The two hit it off and are a joy to watch tackle the crime. And I definitely appreciated that their relationship grew into a friendship and didn’t dissolve into a romance.
Felicity just came across as a very realistic main character. She had her spine re-built after a serious accident hiking in Australia. She has to really power through her pain. And her relationship with her dog, Ollie, just cemented my respect for her. Hux isn’t quite as realistic, with his movie star good looks, amazing athleticism and unfailing good humor. But together, the pairing worked and came across beautifully.
The story moves at a brisk pace. There are lots of red herrings to keep the reader alert. And Kelly’s does a great job painting the scene. It was easy to see everything play out. And boy, did it make me want to go for a hike.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Books for an advance copy of this book.
January 6, 2022
3★
“—the remoteness of the place, its total and utter isolation. It was where you went not to enjoy life, but to escape it. It was the kind of place where you could simply disappear.”
Special Agent Felicity Harland of the Investigative Services Bureau, is a tiny, newly-minted investigator working with National Parks. When she arrives at the Mineral Springs Ranger Station in Sequoia National Park, she meets Rick Corrigan the chief ranger, who says there’s a fancy ‘glamping’ campsite that appears to have been hastily abandoned, and the ranger who found it thinks something is wrong.
We are given details about the Park Service, her experience in Yosemite, and the fact that she may be new to this service, but she’s an experienced adventurer.
We also learn of her extensive, life-threatening injuries from a fall in remote, outback Australia. She is anxious to live up to the rigours of the job and not risk losing it. She’s an outdoor girl – no desks for her, please. She is introduced to big, handsome Ferdinand ‘Hux’ Huxley, an ex-Navy Seal.
Because the Park Service has called her, she is obliged to investigate, although Huxley tells her it may be nothing.
“‘Corrigan’s right—people are high maintenance these days. The reality’s different than what they see on Netflix, and when that fact dawns on them, they call us for help. I got one call a week ago asking for a refund on a permit because it rained.’”
I believe it. Felicity knows how to rough it, or rather, she did, when she was fit. But when she takes off in Hux’s wake, climbing and clambering up into the mountains, he soon sees her struggling. At just five feet tall, she is obviously overwhelmed by her pack as well as her busted up body.
“‘You okay, boss?’ Hux asked. I gave him a thumbs-up to save my breath. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Just tell me if you need a breather.’ I needed an oxygen tank and a mule, but I wasn’t about to tell him that.”
About halfway through, I made a note to myself that there was “a lot of painful hiking, checking and revisiting campsites and suspicious places in the high country.” I was hoping the story would pick up.
There is a lot of beautiful wilderness, of course, which is the attraction for tourists, but it’s the tough locals who set up the glamour-camping sites with provisions and beds and heaters in tents, for goodness’ sake! Not how I ever camped!
Some of the tough locals look suspicious, some other off-grid campers seem decidedly suspicious, and when they discover the identity of one very famous, wealthy missing camper, the case takes another turn!
“‘She had a full-time bodyguard . . . His name is Colton Dodger.”
So who exactly is missing and why?
“One of the first things you learned in the murder business was that people were capable of anything when it came to money—even people you thought you knew, people who donated to charity and trained service dogs and helped sick kids. Money turned cute little grandmothers into monsters.”
There is the added threat of “The Woodsman”, some guy who has been terrorising campers in the region and carving a weird symbol on trees. The plot does thicken with many suspects, more people missing, and a lot more of Harland and Hux scrambling up and downhill over rocks and tree roots (and past wonderful lakes). There is an occasional helicopter, but mostly it’s busy elsewhere.
I began by enjoying this, but the incessant hiking and suffering and struggling wore me down, and Felicity’s admiration for Hux’s wonderful qualities (strong, sensitive, troubled) found me rolling my eyes several times. I was also disappointed with the ending, and it looks like it could be aimed at a follow-up or even a series.
I’m sure this will find plenty of fans, but it’s not for me. Thanks to #NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy for review.
“—the remoteness of the place, its total and utter isolation. It was where you went not to enjoy life, but to escape it. It was the kind of place where you could simply disappear.”
Special Agent Felicity Harland of the Investigative Services Bureau, is a tiny, newly-minted investigator working with National Parks. When she arrives at the Mineral Springs Ranger Station in Sequoia National Park, she meets Rick Corrigan the chief ranger, who says there’s a fancy ‘glamping’ campsite that appears to have been hastily abandoned, and the ranger who found it thinks something is wrong.
We are given details about the Park Service, her experience in Yosemite, and the fact that she may be new to this service, but she’s an experienced adventurer.
We also learn of her extensive, life-threatening injuries from a fall in remote, outback Australia. She is anxious to live up to the rigours of the job and not risk losing it. She’s an outdoor girl – no desks for her, please. She is introduced to big, handsome Ferdinand ‘Hux’ Huxley, an ex-Navy Seal.
Because the Park Service has called her, she is obliged to investigate, although Huxley tells her it may be nothing.
“‘Corrigan’s right—people are high maintenance these days. The reality’s different than what they see on Netflix, and when that fact dawns on them, they call us for help. I got one call a week ago asking for a refund on a permit because it rained.’”
I believe it. Felicity knows how to rough it, or rather, she did, when she was fit. But when she takes off in Hux’s wake, climbing and clambering up into the mountains, he soon sees her struggling. At just five feet tall, she is obviously overwhelmed by her pack as well as her busted up body.
“‘You okay, boss?’ Hux asked. I gave him a thumbs-up to save my breath. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Just tell me if you need a breather.’ I needed an oxygen tank and a mule, but I wasn’t about to tell him that.”
About halfway through, I made a note to myself that there was “a lot of painful hiking, checking and revisiting campsites and suspicious places in the high country.” I was hoping the story would pick up.
There is a lot of beautiful wilderness, of course, which is the attraction for tourists, but it’s the tough locals who set up the glamour-camping sites with provisions and beds and heaters in tents, for goodness’ sake! Not how I ever camped!
Some of the tough locals look suspicious, some other off-grid campers seem decidedly suspicious, and when they discover the identity of one very famous, wealthy missing camper, the case takes another turn!
“‘She had a full-time bodyguard . . . His name is Colton Dodger.”
So who exactly is missing and why?
“One of the first things you learned in the murder business was that people were capable of anything when it came to money—even people you thought you knew, people who donated to charity and trained service dogs and helped sick kids. Money turned cute little grandmothers into monsters.”
There is the added threat of “The Woodsman”, some guy who has been terrorising campers in the region and carving a weird symbol on trees. The plot does thicken with many suspects, more people missing, and a lot more of Harland and Hux scrambling up and downhill over rocks and tree roots (and past wonderful lakes). There is an occasional helicopter, but mostly it’s busy elsewhere.
I began by enjoying this, but the incessant hiking and suffering and struggling wore me down, and Felicity’s admiration for Hux’s wonderful qualities (strong, sensitive, troubled) found me rolling my eyes several times. I was also disappointed with the ending, and it looks like it could be aimed at a follow-up or even a series.
I’m sure this will find plenty of fans, but it’s not for me. Thanks to #NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy for review.
September 14, 2021
What an extraordinary read this turned out to be. To write a search and rescue thriller with a hero and a heroine, both to die for and then to have not an ounce of romance anywhere sprinkled in the novel, WOW, it is surely an admirable feat, and to top it off, Ollie the dog 🐕 🐕 🐕 and there goes my heart melting at double the rate.
Claire Kell’s Vanishing Edge scores in bringing the precipitous terrain of the Sequoia National Park alive for the reader. Hiking along with Felicity, the national park felt like a feast to the eyes. And that is exactly what makes this thriller a thumping winner coz until about the last 20%, the readers are themselves unaware if at all a crime has been committed or is it just the hunch of the investigators? All the puzzle pieces that build the case never seem to merge together and questions upon questions seem to pile up without an answer in sight. The ending when it gets revealed was so far out of the left-field, that I was totally stumped.
Felicity Harland is in a tough job, she has moved into ISB after a near-fatal accident that has left her with a bionic spine, having more screws and nuts in her spinal cord than actual bones. But her stubborn determination to never back down and give up becomes evident as the case progresses and she has to travel the length and breadth of the park with Ollie and Hux, the park ranger.
And now what to say about Ferdinand Huxley, all of us need someone like Hux in our corner, someone who is generally exuberant and cheerful; someone who always offers encouragement without any rancor and of course being handsome as sin is like the cherry on top. His career as a NAVY SEAL helps him to be the perfect partner to Felicity and the partnership, WHOA, what a delight. The quips and the dry sarcastic jabs they flung on each other were such an essential part of the plot as the friendship just deepens without professionalism being compromised. I hope there is some future for both these characters down the line!
Now, is it wrong to beg the author to continue the series so that we can follow the adventures of Hux and Felicity into whichever wilderness they travel to?
An absolutely thrilling adventure ride!
Many thanks to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
Claire Kell’s Vanishing Edge scores in bringing the precipitous terrain of the Sequoia National Park alive for the reader. Hiking along with Felicity, the national park felt like a feast to the eyes. And that is exactly what makes this thriller a thumping winner coz until about the last 20%, the readers are themselves unaware if at all a crime has been committed or is it just the hunch of the investigators? All the puzzle pieces that build the case never seem to merge together and questions upon questions seem to pile up without an answer in sight. The ending when it gets revealed was so far out of the left-field, that I was totally stumped.
Felicity Harland is in a tough job, she has moved into ISB after a near-fatal accident that has left her with a bionic spine, having more screws and nuts in her spinal cord than actual bones. But her stubborn determination to never back down and give up becomes evident as the case progresses and she has to travel the length and breadth of the park with Ollie and Hux, the park ranger.
And now what to say about Ferdinand Huxley, all of us need someone like Hux in our corner, someone who is generally exuberant and cheerful; someone who always offers encouragement without any rancor and of course being handsome as sin is like the cherry on top. His career as a NAVY SEAL helps him to be the perfect partner to Felicity and the partnership, WHOA, what a delight. The quips and the dry sarcastic jabs they flung on each other were such an essential part of the plot as the friendship just deepens without professionalism being compromised. I hope there is some future for both these characters down the line!
Now, is it wrong to beg the author to continue the series so that we can follow the adventures of Hux and Felicity into whichever wilderness they travel to?
An absolutely thrilling adventure ride!
Many thanks to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
September 22, 2021
Felicity Harland, former FBI agent, is currently with the investigative bureau that deals with crimes in national parks. A deluxe "glamping"company provides top of the line outdoor equipment and arranges trips for the wealthy, and now two of their clients are missing in Sequoia National Park. It's up to Felicity and Hux, a former Navy Seal who is now a ranger, to find them, if they are indeed still alive. This book was suspenseful, and the characters worked well together; I look forward to reading more in this new series. Recommended for readers who like Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
September 11, 2021
4.5
Story features Felicity Harland and Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley; oh and yes! Felicity’s dog Ollie!
Felicity is a former FBI agent now a special agent with the ‘Investigative Services Bureau’ that is part of the ‘National Park Service’. Hux is former Navy SEAL and is now a new park ranger.
They are investigating the disappearance of two campers where there appears to be a struggle at their campsite in the Sequoia National Park near Three River, Ca.
This kept my attention!
Personal Note: We vacationed in Yosemite several times. One time we went on a Cross Country Ski trip. We made reservations in the tent village. The tents were permanent ~ they had a wood floors, a door that locked, cots for sleeping, rest rooms and shower rooms were near. We had meals at the cafeteria in the Village, also spent evenings at the Rec Hall that had a roaring fire and we played board Games.
The Ski trip was with a group that was perfect for a family with young children; we had an experience guide. The day trip included a box lunch with individual small bottles of wine.
Not a “Glampist” set-up but was a fun family adventure and nobody fell off any cliffs!
This story was a total surprise to me. Love the location and the interaction between these two. There certainly were twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. Near the end I said outload “WOW”!!
Just Love this team and cannot wait for their next national park adventure!!! Thank you Claire Kells for a GREAT read!
Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release granted to me for my honest professional opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 9, 2021.
Story features Felicity Harland and Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley; oh and yes! Felicity’s dog Ollie!
Felicity is a former FBI agent now a special agent with the ‘Investigative Services Bureau’ that is part of the ‘National Park Service’. Hux is former Navy SEAL and is now a new park ranger.
They are investigating the disappearance of two campers where there appears to be a struggle at their campsite in the Sequoia National Park near Three River, Ca.
This kept my attention!
Personal Note: We vacationed in Yosemite several times. One time we went on a Cross Country Ski trip. We made reservations in the tent village. The tents were permanent ~ they had a wood floors, a door that locked, cots for sleeping, rest rooms and shower rooms were near. We had meals at the cafeteria in the Village, also spent evenings at the Rec Hall that had a roaring fire and we played board Games.
The Ski trip was with a group that was perfect for a family with young children; we had an experience guide. The day trip included a box lunch with individual small bottles of wine.
Not a “Glampist” set-up but was a fun family adventure and nobody fell off any cliffs!
This story was a total surprise to me. Love the location and the interaction between these two. There certainly were twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. Near the end I said outload “WOW”!!
Just Love this team and cannot wait for their next national park adventure!!! Thank you Claire Kells for a GREAT read!
Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release granted to me for my honest professional opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 9, 2021.
September 25, 2023
Halloween Bingo 2023
I liked the sound of this book, but went into it cautiously, having been burned in the past (by A Solitude of Wolverines). But this novel grabbed me and refused to let go! Felicity Harland is a tough cookie. She has survived an accident in the Australian outback, a broken back, and a change in career. She really wants to be good at her new investigative job, but finds it quite a bit different from her time with the FBI. The physicality of the job paired with the situation with her back both leave her with serious doubts about whether this will be a success.
Despite this, she doesn't pull any stupid stunts. Yes, she's stubborn and doesn't give herself much leeway, but eventually she sees sense and rests when necessary. Plus she is a dogged investigator, unwilling to give up easily on a potential murder. Her best decision is to team up with the new park ranger, Ferdinand Huxley, better known as Hux. He is a former Navy SEAL, with skills up the wazoo. Plus he's funny and her dog likes him. The seal of canine approval.
The author uses her own life experiences to give this novel a realistic feel. She is an outdoorswoman and a practicing physician, so she gets the details correct. I personally could live with the solution to the crime (once it was determined that a crime had been committed) even though it did disappoint me somewhat.
I really liked this book. I had a hard time putting it down, in fact. If you like it, I would also recommend Track of the Cat (featuring a female park ranger), A Murder of Crows (about a female ecologist), or Find Me (starring a former FBI profiler in a desert environment). I am glad to see two more books following this one--I'll be reading them.
I read this to match the In the Dark, Dark Woods square on my bingo card as it takes place in Sequoia National Park.
I liked the sound of this book, but went into it cautiously, having been burned in the past (by A Solitude of Wolverines). But this novel grabbed me and refused to let go! Felicity Harland is a tough cookie. She has survived an accident in the Australian outback, a broken back, and a change in career. She really wants to be good at her new investigative job, but finds it quite a bit different from her time with the FBI. The physicality of the job paired with the situation with her back both leave her with serious doubts about whether this will be a success.
Despite this, she doesn't pull any stupid stunts. Yes, she's stubborn and doesn't give herself much leeway, but eventually she sees sense and rests when necessary. Plus she is a dogged investigator, unwilling to give up easily on a potential murder. Her best decision is to team up with the new park ranger, Ferdinand Huxley, better known as Hux. He is a former Navy SEAL, with skills up the wazoo. Plus he's funny and her dog likes him. The seal of canine approval.
The author uses her own life experiences to give this novel a realistic feel. She is an outdoorswoman and a practicing physician, so she gets the details correct. I personally could live with the solution to the crime (once it was determined that a crime had been committed) even though it did disappoint me somewhat.
I really liked this book. I had a hard time putting it down, in fact. If you like it, I would also recommend Track of the Cat (featuring a female park ranger), A Murder of Crows (about a female ecologist), or Find Me (starring a former FBI profiler in a desert environment). I am glad to see two more books following this one--I'll be reading them.
I read this to match the In the Dark, Dark Woods square on my bingo card as it takes place in Sequoia National Park.
September 11, 2021
SA Harland works for the Investigative Services Branch of the US National Parks Service. It's her job to investigate criminal activity when it occurs within a national park.
After a ranger in Sequoia National Park finds an abandoned campsite she is called in to investigate and she quickly realises something hokey is going on. She suspects foul play and joins with Hux, the ranger, to follow the clues and figure out what happened.
Vanishing Edge is a classic police procedural but it had a little more in the tank than most. The story had an edge of reality as the two main characters investigate the disappearance of the campers. And that's what takes this book from good to great. I want more of this. So much more.
Many thanks to Crooked Line Books and Netgalley for providing me with this review copy.
After a ranger in Sequoia National Park finds an abandoned campsite she is called in to investigate and she quickly realises something hokey is going on. She suspects foul play and joins with Hux, the ranger, to follow the clues and figure out what happened.
Vanishing Edge is a classic police procedural but it had a little more in the tank than most. The story had an edge of reality as the two main characters investigate the disappearance of the campers. And that's what takes this book from good to great. I want more of this. So much more.
Many thanks to Crooked Line Books and Netgalley for providing me with this review copy.
November 21, 2021
My review is related to the Audible Audio version of this book.
Concept is good though my personal opinion is the overall package is fair but I classify it as average based on a number of factors several related to the audio track.
The narrator (Natalie Naudus) has a good voice, is articulate and clear however the overall performance is let down due to the following.
When speaking in the first person volume is good, crisp and clear.
When speaking in delivering a thought or an observation of one of the characters the voice reduces to just above a whisper, it grew extremely tiresome early on and made listing difficult.
It appears the soundtrack was severely edited at some point after the initial recording. There are numerous additions inserted throughout the book which are out of character and in a different 'voice'. Some of the editions added what I assume the editing team thought were significant additions whilst others left me shaking my head thinking why would you overlay the recording to add that? In my opinion it spoilt the overall effect of the book and was annoying by the stark contrast in voice, the equivalent in text like making the edited sections stand out like bold and italics.
Towards the last third of the book the book some of the voices used for different characters, specifically those of family members of the main victim, tended to drift together. A couple of times I had to regroup to identify who was actually saying what to whom.
The story itself was OK, but not cutting edge, not brilliant. For a Special Agent the main investigator is underwhelming. Makes a lot of mistakes (many admitted to in the book) and relies heavily on the supporting character to get the job done. It again had me shaking my head when in the closing section of the book the main character reflects back over the case and states she was happy with how she had handled herself. Really?
The characters are fairly consistently portrayed throughout the book. Mannerism, phrases, personal behaviour etc. And the relationship of the main two is established in such a manner to support additional episode involving them both so the closing sentence in this book came as no surprise, again a personal view but it's almost the main reason for this particular episode.
I rated the book at two stars, I know others have raved over it but in my opinion it is just not that good. OK but that's it and I would not be tempted to listen to it again or follow up books in the series.
Concept is good though my personal opinion is the overall package is fair but I classify it as average based on a number of factors several related to the audio track.
The narrator (Natalie Naudus) has a good voice, is articulate and clear however the overall performance is let down due to the following.
When speaking in the first person volume is good, crisp and clear.
When speaking in delivering a thought or an observation of one of the characters the voice reduces to just above a whisper, it grew extremely tiresome early on and made listing difficult.
It appears the soundtrack was severely edited at some point after the initial recording. There are numerous additions inserted throughout the book which are out of character and in a different 'voice'. Some of the editions added what I assume the editing team thought were significant additions whilst others left me shaking my head thinking why would you overlay the recording to add that? In my opinion it spoilt the overall effect of the book and was annoying by the stark contrast in voice, the equivalent in text like making the edited sections stand out like bold and italics.
Towards the last third of the book the book some of the voices used for different characters, specifically those of family members of the main victim, tended to drift together. A couple of times I had to regroup to identify who was actually saying what to whom.
The story itself was OK, but not cutting edge, not brilliant. For a Special Agent the main investigator is underwhelming. Makes a lot of mistakes (many admitted to in the book) and relies heavily on the supporting character to get the job done. It again had me shaking my head when in the closing section of the book the main character reflects back over the case and states she was happy with how she had handled herself. Really?
The characters are fairly consistently portrayed throughout the book. Mannerism, phrases, personal behaviour etc. And the relationship of the main two is established in such a manner to support additional episode involving them both so the closing sentence in this book came as no surprise, again a personal view but it's almost the main reason for this particular episode.
I rated the book at two stars, I know others have raved over it but in my opinion it is just not that good. OK but that's it and I would not be tempted to listen to it again or follow up books in the series.
November 3, 2021
A really good mystery thriller done in a setting of California National or State Parks and I’ve been to them. I really enjoyed the setting of this being on Federal land and the different aspects of how this would be handled. It was cleverly told drawing me in and keeping me interested. The author wrote believable, three dimensional characters that had a realistic balance of flaws and strengths. I loved the main characters and hope there is a book 2.
I’m now going to read the author debut novel because I really like her writing style. I chose to listen to this book on audio and loved Natalie Naudus narrating this. She was awesome. This was 9 hours and 14 minutes long. And I highly recommend it.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
I’m now going to read the author debut novel because I really like her writing style. I chose to listen to this book on audio and loved Natalie Naudus narrating this. She was awesome. This was 9 hours and 14 minutes long. And I highly recommend it.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
July 4, 2023
I enjoyed parts: the setting, the banter between Felicity and Hux, and that I was surprised by the murderer's identity without it coming totally out of left field. But I had some quibbles too.
The timelines didn't jive in parts with the hikes or traveling to places mentioned. Also, for a supposedly seasoned investigator Felicity made some surprising mistakes, didn't secure crime scenes, and had her temporary partner search on Google for info in the case/possible suspects instead of using the Investigative Services (that's she's part of) to get proper background info on these people? The investigation seemed kinda willy nilly to me.
The audio was a bit strange, too. Love Natalie Naudus but it seemed like there were some technical issues? Slowing down in weird spots and a deep, low voice in odd places too.
Still, with all of this I'm thinking about picking up the next one. I liked the whole premise and characters.
The timelines didn't jive in parts with the hikes or traveling to places mentioned. Also, for a supposedly seasoned investigator Felicity made some surprising mistakes, didn't secure crime scenes, and had her temporary partner search on Google for info in the case/possible suspects instead of using the Investigative Services (that's she's part of) to get proper background info on these people? The investigation seemed kinda willy nilly to me.
The audio was a bit strange, too. Love Natalie Naudus but it seemed like there were some technical issues? Slowing down in weird spots and a deep, low voice in odd places too.
Still, with all of this I'm thinking about picking up the next one. I liked the whole premise and characters.
February 25, 2023
Genres: Crime/Mystery
3.5 stars
This is only the 2nd book by this author that I've read. She created an intriguing story line. The 2 MCs were extremely likable, each with their own backstories. I also liked the wilderness setting. And what I liked about the writing was that the author nailed the human nature of the tourists. Those details had me laughing out loud.
The one thing that kept this from being 4 stars is that the 2 MCs were just a little too perfect. For me that puts them in the 2 dimensional catergory. I liked them but it was cheesy at times. Not my favorite. And that made for some awkward and unnecessary dialogue.
Okay, maybe there were two things that kept this from 4 stars. The second one was the ending. It really made no sense to me. So 3 stars.
3.5 stars
This is only the 2nd book by this author that I've read. She created an intriguing story line. The 2 MCs were extremely likable, each with their own backstories. I also liked the wilderness setting. And what I liked about the writing was that the author nailed the human nature of the tourists. Those details had me laughing out loud.
The one thing that kept this from being 4 stars is that the 2 MCs were just a little too perfect. For me that puts them in the 2 dimensional catergory. I liked them but it was cheesy at times. Not my favorite. And that made for some awkward and unnecessary dialogue.
Okay, maybe there were two things that kept this from 4 stars. The second one was the ending. It really made no sense to me. So 3 stars.
November 9, 2023
This is part of a new series that I absolutely love!
January 2, 2022
"Vanishing Edge" - written by Claire Kells and published in 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, The Quick Brown Fox & Company. Sequoia National Park provides an impressive setting for this mystery/thriller and convinces me that I'm not going to do any back country camping - too many chances to die! Felicity Harland, former FBI, barely recovered from a wicked back injury and missing one husband, is now in the federal branch of investigations for the National Parks. The case she works here along with hunky ranger Hux was more or less interesting although their methods seemed pretty haphazard, not really well thought out. Felicity is not physically fit for this job and the light romance between the two seemed out of place. Unfortunately I lost all respect for the story early on when Hux asked, "Are you carrying?" and Felicity, the former FBI agent, replied, "Carrying what?" I suppose this book could be classified as a cozy thriller - it mostly just annoyed me.
February 22, 2024
4 Stars for Vanishing Edge: National Parks Mystery, Book 1 (audiobook) by Claire Kells read by Natalie Naudus.
I really enjoyed the setting and characters in this mystery. I’m not sure how accurate the portrayal of the ISB Agents were but the story is interesting. And it’s happening in a Nation Park, so it’s kind of like reading about a vacation. But it’s one that went horribly wrong.
I really enjoyed the setting and characters in this mystery. I’m not sure how accurate the portrayal of the ISB Agents were but the story is interesting. And it’s happening in a Nation Park, so it’s kind of like reading about a vacation. But it’s one that went horribly wrong.
October 15, 2023
This was a fun mystery. It's my first by this author, and I enjoyed it!
A nice who-done-it.
Note: a little language.
A nice who-done-it.
Note: a little language.
December 24, 2021
I picked this up as an audiobook because I needed something to listen to in the car. It was unexpectedly good. The two main characters are a male ranger and a female investigator with the National Park Service. The dynamics between the two are engaging. The crime takes place in Sequoia National Park and there is a lot of hiking, diving, and other adventures. I really liked the narrator, Natalie Naudus. I would like to see the author write other books with these two main characters.
October 23, 2021
Really enjoyed this! It's a police procedural set in Sequoia National Park, and I love the rugged setting and the way the wilderness played a role in the investigation. If you enjoy mysteries involving federal agents and the outdoors, I definitely recommend this. Hope there's another book featuring Felicity, Hux, and Ollie on the way!
*I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2024
3.5/5⭐️
Overall, I enjoyed this book which focused on the disappearance of some wealthy campers from their exclusive “glam camp) in the Sequoia National Park.
Felicity Harland, a former FBI agent now a chief investigator for crimes on national parks lands, joins forces with Hux, a park ranger and former SEAL, to travel deep into the park to unearth the truth behind the vanishings.
I liked Felicity although at times I felt she seemed a bit unsuited to the physical demands of her job. I actually liked Hux’s character more because of his forthright manner, his expertise and his humor. The denouement was very much a surprise and maybe a bit convoluted as far as the reasoning behind the perpetrator was concerned. And the ending (leading into the next in series) seemed abrupt and a bit awkward. But I’d be willing to give the next one a shot.
Overall, I enjoyed this book which focused on the disappearance of some wealthy campers from their exclusive “glam camp) in the Sequoia National Park.
Felicity Harland, a former FBI agent now a chief investigator for crimes on national parks lands, joins forces with Hux, a park ranger and former SEAL, to travel deep into the park to unearth the truth behind the vanishings.
I liked Felicity although at times I felt she seemed a bit unsuited to the physical demands of her job. I actually liked Hux’s character more because of his forthright manner, his expertise and his humor. The denouement was very much a surprise and maybe a bit convoluted as far as the reasoning behind the perpetrator was concerned. And the ending (leading into the next in series) seemed abrupt and a bit awkward. But I’d be willing to give the next one a shot.
June 23, 2021
Special Agent Felicity Harland was a FBI agent for over five years. After an outdoor accident which ended with her husband dead and her back broken, she has spent the last year recovering. Unable to physically keep up with her former job, she has switched to the ISB and plans to prover herself to her superiors.
Overall, the book has positive aspects. There are some decent plot twists. However, I really disliked the character development. Harland, for having been an experienced agent, doesn’t seem to be taking the lead in this investigation. Instead, “Hux” Huxley, a former Navy Seal turned park ranger, seems to be doing most of the leading. While the banter between the two is witty at times, I would rather that the female protagonist and lead character/investigator actual show her experience and knowledge while leading this investigation.
This is a quick, light read available in November 2021.
Disclaimer: An advance copy of this book was provided by Crooked Land Books.
Overall, the book has positive aspects. There are some decent plot twists. However, I really disliked the character development. Harland, for having been an experienced agent, doesn’t seem to be taking the lead in this investigation. Instead, “Hux” Huxley, a former Navy Seal turned park ranger, seems to be doing most of the leading. While the banter between the two is witty at times, I would rather that the female protagonist and lead character/investigator actual show her experience and knowledge while leading this investigation.
This is a quick, light read available in November 2021.
Disclaimer: An advance copy of this book was provided by Crooked Land Books.
May 25, 2022
'Vanishing Edge' is the first book in a series of mysteries set in US National Parks. I picked it up because I liked the Sequoia setting, the book was free on Audible Plus and there was a dog in it.
It was an entertaining light read that was one part mystery, one part romance, one part woman-overcoming-personal-tragedy and three parts hiking through beautiful but demanding terrain. The dog didn't have a speaking part.
The mystery wasn't complex but it kept me guessing. The treks through the wilderness were ambitious, given the physical condition of our heroine (who, amongst other things, is recovering from a broken back) but it felt real. The romance was mainly of the bantering-while-we-come-to-terms-with-our-mutual-attraction kind. The dialogue was well done. The male lead was engaging. The female lead was a little bland at times.
I had enough fun with this to keep me listening but there wasn't enough there to make me seek out the next book in the series although, if it was already in my vertiginous TBR pile, I'd be happy enough to read it.
I listened to the audiobook version of 'Vanishing Edge' narrated by Natalie Naudus. I liked the narration. I thought the tone and pace were both on target. I was surprised that the quality of the production wasn't as high as I'd have expected. There were several points where the narrator had had to go back a read a paragraph again, which is fine, but these were poorly integrated into the audio - the aural equivalent of a jarring change in font in the text - which made them distracting.
December 9, 2021
This was a very fun and fast read set in the desolate wilderness of Sequoia National Park. And this time I had actually guessed who the killer was just shortly before the book revealed the person's identity! So I am quite satisfied that my guess was correct.
And this is more of a mystery than a thriller. The main character, Felicity Harland, who is a federal agent for the park system, is never really put in much danger. But the job is very taxing on her physically as at one point she has to hike 20 miles to get to the location where the body is..and the air is thin and the trails dangerous with loose rocks. I do think the author could have emphasized the dangers of these risky trails and have easily added a few little thrills but didn't. Still the story flows nicely how it is.
The majority of the plot is unraveling the mystery of the dead woman. Who is she? Was it a murder? Who was with her? Who set up the camp? Where did other people at that camp go? What about the family? Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? And lots of suspicious characters too.
And as I said above, I did guess the killer in this one but wow, what a huge twist! I never would have guessed that at the beginning! It's very shocking.
I would read another book in this series.
And this is more of a mystery than a thriller. The main character, Felicity Harland, who is a federal agent for the park system, is never really put in much danger. But the job is very taxing on her physically as at one point she has to hike 20 miles to get to the location where the body is..and the air is thin and the trails dangerous with loose rocks. I do think the author could have emphasized the dangers of these risky trails and have easily added a few little thrills but didn't. Still the story flows nicely how it is.
The majority of the plot is unraveling the mystery of the dead woman. Who is she? Was it a murder? Who was with her? Who set up the camp? Where did other people at that camp go? What about the family? Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? And lots of suspicious characters too.
And as I said above, I did guess the killer in this one but wow, what a huge twist! I never would have guessed that at the beginning! It's very shocking.
I would read another book in this series.
June 19, 2023
3.5
Got a netgalley copy of book three in this series and felt compelled to go back and read the first two before tackling the new story.
This introduces Harland and Hux as a crime solving duo in the National Parks. Lots of twists and turns in this murder plot and I enjoyed the backdrop of Sequoia NP.
I don’t know that there’s anything particularly special about this series but it was enjoyable enough. I did quite enjoy the author showing her Philly roots by mentioning Hux’s favorite food was Scrapple. He might really be the perfect man. 🤣
Got a netgalley copy of book three in this series and felt compelled to go back and read the first two before tackling the new story.
This introduces Harland and Hux as a crime solving duo in the National Parks. Lots of twists and turns in this murder plot and I enjoyed the backdrop of Sequoia NP.
I don’t know that there’s anything particularly special about this series but it was enjoyable enough. I did quite enjoy the author showing her Philly roots by mentioning Hux’s favorite food was Scrapple. He might really be the perfect man. 🤣
June 22, 2021
Felicity Harland is a former FBI agent who has seen her share of major tragedy. She is now working for the Investigative Services Bureau, dealing with crimes that occur in the National Parks. On this case, she is working with Ferdinand (Hux) Huxley, trying to locate a missing person (or possible persons). I really enjoyed this one. It had a great sense of place and the characters were enjoyable. The mystery was good, and kept you wondering who was actually at the center. If you like police procedural and mystery novels, you will probably enjoy this one.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the advance reader copy.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the advance reader copy.
March 18, 2023
I loved the setting for this book, in Sequoia National Park, and the author does a good job at making that landscape a big part of the story. The mystery and the characters were very well developed, and the suspense kept escalating. I will be anxious to read the next in this new series.
March 5, 2022
Well that was a load of fun! RTC
June 9, 2024
I liked Felicity and Ferdinand as a duo. I think that the story was good, even though I figured out the ending. 3.5/5 stars rounded up.
Triggers: language, violence.
Triggers: language, violence.
August 12, 2024
Fantastic read! Well written, great characters, wonderful setting, interesting mystery, and a SHOCKING ending!
Here's my favorite quote:
"What's your favorite food?"
"Scrapple...I do like a good scrap of scrapple in the summer." 🤣 (Me too!)
Can't wait to go to Denali next with these characters!
Here's my favorite quote:
"What's your favorite food?"
"Scrapple...I do like a good scrap of scrapple in the summer." 🤣 (Me too!)
Can't wait to go to Denali next with these characters!
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