Tortoise Soup (Rachel Porter Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jessica Speart (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rachel Porter Mysteries | Publication Date: June 1, 1998

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!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent Rachel Porter transfers from New Orleans to Las Vegas following her first outing in Gator Aide. Investigating the disappearance of 350 desert tortoises from a research center, the junk-food-munching Rachel lands in the midst of disputes involving environmentalists, developers and ranchers. But she suspects something more is going on after someone kills an elderly woman rancher and helicopters are reported flying over the desert at night. Rachel's personal life also gets a workout; she's torn between a handsome mine manager and her long-distance boyfriend, a New Orleans police detective. Speart's need to situate Rachel as a loner leads to some credibility gaps: Her office?a federal facility?is bombed, but there's no FBI investigation; a police investigator agrees to Rachel's request to delay reporting a discovery that could have major public health implications. But still the author portrays the stark atmosphere of Nevada as vividly as she did the lusher one of New Orleans and once again there are plenty of appealingly eccentric characters not the least of which is Rachel herself.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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; 1ST edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380792893
• ISBN-13: 978-0380792894
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,218,557 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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't know who I'm craziest about...Rachel or Jessica!, August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tortoise Soup (Rachel Porter Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've been watching for this book ever since I finished Ms. Speart's first novel. I fell for Rachel then and continue to be a big fan after this second adventure. I'm male and really enjoy finding a female character to cheer for. I love the series so far and although I hate the wait between books...it IS fun to have Rachel's next escapade to look forward to. Ms. Speart has a way with words that truly amazes me and keeps me turning the pages. I actually paced myself on this one though so I wouldn't read it all in one night. Okay...I'm addicted...what can I say? Please keep those Rachel Porter Mysteries coming! It's a wonderful series and I hope it continues for a very long time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very likable heroine, interesting plot..., September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tortoise Soup (Rachel Porter Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed this book as much as the first in the series, if not more

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book but needs more research, July 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tortoise Soup (Rachel Porter Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

It is so hard to find mystery books about wildlife that I was elated to see the new Rachel Porter mystery was out. Having read it, however, I have mixed emotions. One of my major concerns is the accuracy with which she portrays Nevada mines and people in general. I am a geologist and I have personally visited mines like the ones described in Tortoise Soup. I can assure readers that the descriptions of them are greatly exaggerated. Other scientific aspects of the novel are also slightly off. I can't say much more without giving away some of the story. I also am somewhat dissapointed that most of the characters are so stereotypical. As a male, I happen to believe that there are some of us out there that are just normal guys (i.e. somewhere between GQ and dumb redneck). All in all I liked Tortoise Soup and I would recommend it to anyone interested in an out of the ordinary mystery.