A Killing Season [Mass Market Paperback]

Jessica Speart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2002

Agressive and independent, agent Rachel Porter has long been a thorn in the side of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- and for her sins, she's been assigned to remote Montana. In this cold, windswept country of private militias and survivalists, grizzlies are being killed at an alarming rate. And while following up on a rumor that someone from the local Blackfeet tribe is responsible, Rachel uncovers an even more terrible truth: Native Americans are mysteriously disappearing as well. In this land that the Unabomber called home, it appears that endangered animals and humans are equally fair game. And the next casualty may well be one gutsy wildlife agent who refuses to let sleeping bears lie.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A KILLING SEASON is an incredibly strong mystery...Speart makes nature its own character.” (I Love a Mystery )

“One of the best contemporary mystery writers.” (Connecticut Post )

“Jessica Speart is a revitalizing gust...in a stuffy room.” (Nevada Barr )

“A great read. Speart has created a new genre--the wildlife mystery thriller--and I love them." (Pittsburgh Post Gazette )

“Fascinating characters, an intriguing premise...guaranteed to hold your interest.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

About the Author

Jessica Speart has been published in The New York Times Magazine, Omni, Travel & Leisure, Audubon, National Wildlife, Mother Jones, Wildlife Conservation, Earth Journal and any other publications. She lives in Easton, Conneticut.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380820617
• ISBN-13: 978-0380820610
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,335,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began as an investigative journalist with a focus on wildlife law enforcement, endangered species issues, and the environment. I created my sleuth, U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent Rachel Porter, after years of investigating wildlife and drug trafficking crimes for publications such as The New York Sunday Times Magazine, National Wildlife, Travel & Leisure, Mother Jones, Audubon, Wildllife Conservation, Animals, and E Magazine.

Then something strange happened. I discovered that truth really IS stranger than fiction. I learned about a 3 year undercover operation that resulted in the arrest of the world's most notorious butterfly smuggler. The story was so dark and twisted that I was fascinated by it. But I didn't stop there. I decided I had to meet the smuggler, himself. That's when my book, WINGED OBSESSION, took on a totally unexpected element.

Prior to writing, I worked as an actress on everything from off-Broadway to commercials, industrials, and soap operas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speart IS one of the best!, August 5, 2004

By 

mystery fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Season (Mass Market Paperback)

I had heard about the Rachel Porter Mystery Series but didn't buy one until I read something about the author in the CT Post: 'One of the best contemporary mystery writers.' I agree! She writes the kind of books you can't turn fast enough - my favorite way to escape! But she's funny and very bright. A Killing Season was the best in the series. However, in every book she does an excellent job informing readers about environmental issues and endangered species, and how politics and greed and even murder can play an interesting part in these topics - without preaching. They're fast-fun reads and this is the best Rachel mystery!

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I like Rachel, August 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Killing Season (Mass Market Paperback)

She doesn't have as much emotional baggage to carry around as Anna Pigeon or now Kate Shugak.

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Speart is no Nevada Barr, June 9, 2003

By 

HannahR (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Season (Mass Market Paperback)

I was excited to find an author who had a series similar to one of my favorite mystery series author - Nevada Barr. Replacing Barr's Park Ranger Anna Pigeon with Speart's Fish & Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter seemed like my idea of a dream come true!
But while the premise for both writers is the same, the outcome from this reader was far different!
Simply put, Speart is no Barr. Her writing style is less polished, her plot's are transparent to the point of being ridiculous (I had the "bad guys" pegged mid-way through). In terms of character development, this is where Speart really hit rock bottom. Her main protaganist - Rachel Porter - was shallow and irritating. I didn't care for her as a reader should care. I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone who likes Nevada Barr or Dana Stebenow - you'll be disappointed!