Customer Reviews

Wildcrafters (A Venus Diamond Mystery)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While the premise and setting for this mystery had promise, I was rapidly disenchanted when it became apparent that while the author might have some passing familiarity with the region, in all other aspects she seems to be at a loss.

I like accuracy in the novels I read. The protagonist is supposed to be a U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent. One would hope a person so employed would at least have a working knowledge of wildlife and weapons. Apparently the author has neither.

Some of the more glaring examples: Agent Diamond is observing some fishermen setting nets illegally from a Northwest beach. She reflects of the fact that the outgoing tide will fill the net with illegally caught salmon and mussels? Mussels? Mussels spend their lives firmly attached to rocks. Nobody nets mussels. One would hope a Fish and Wildlife agent would be aware of this minor point of marine biology.

Other annoyances to me personally are her remarkable unfamiliarity with her own and other weapons used in her story. Diamond supposedly carried a Smith & Wesson .38. S&W has not manufactured a .38 for over 40 years. What Smith does make is a .38 Special. No law enforcement officer these days would carry a .38 under any circumstances. And a Smith & Wesson is never, ever, referred to as a "Wessie". It is a "Smith", or a "S&W", but never a "Wessie".

She also refers to a .33 Winchester Magnum (no such caliber) and a "Thirty-ought magnum" (again no such caliber). Then there is the premise of a missing child where the authorities simply omit a house to house search of all the local neighbors in the trailer park? Apparently police procedure is another area Ms. Moody is unfamiliar with.

With a good technical editor this book might have had some promise.

I won't even go into the character development of the major players. It is a tribute to the author's skill that she could get anyone to give a favorable review.

The disappearance of the Nighteagle baby forces Fish and Wildlife Services Special Agent Venus Diamond and her husband, environmental expert Richard Winter, to delay their honeymoon. Her boss asks Venus to head up the search in Washington's Bogachiel National Wildlife Preserve because no one knows the area any better. Elk poaching and the gathering of illegal plants by wildcrafters in the same area where the child vanished also worries the federal agency.

Evidence surfaces that someone is snatching environmentally protected plants. Apparently, the plants are mixed with human growth hormones and keratin from the hooves of elks in order to make an elixir reported to be a fountain of youth. As Venus, with Richard's help search for the infant, they place themselves in danger from individuals who plan to keep their lucrative business going even if it means eliminating the threat of Federal interference.

WILDCRAFTERS is a superb Pacific Northwest mystery that demonstrates Skye Kathleen Moody's skills in tying together several subplots into a brilliant novel. The witty Venus is clearly a 24 carat diamond of a character. Her support cast, especially her new spouse, augments her impudent personality while moving forward the tale. Anyone who wants a true taste of Washington state needs to try this novel and the previous two Diamond books (BLUE POPPY and RAIN DANCE) for a whimsical, entertaining treat with an environmental message

tied to the story.

Yes, the wild life and rough weather of the Olympus peninsula, are described terrifically here, along with the shady manipulations of some "herbal" drug specialists. What a fwwl for the flora and fauna this author has! A nice mystery too, even if a little obvious by the author's clear sympathies. Some nice characterizations, too..But the story did drag a bit, and the soap opera was thankfully kept under wraps. All in all, a nice effort, particularly for an Easterner not familiar with this Washington State locale.

I had a very difficult time with this book. The author needs to do more research on people and places. Someone needs to proof read for facts. Anyone who has ever been around children will be put off by this book

Wildcrafters marks the third appearance for Skye Kathleen Moody's Venus Diamond, Fish and Wildlife agent, who postpones her honeymoon with new husband, Richard Winters, in order to search for a kidnapped Native American baby. Venus discovers a relationship between the kidnapping and the slaughter and mutilation of the Roosevelt Elk. Moody has done her research thoroughly and has produced an exciting mystery with interesting, well-developed characters, and a careful weaving of several subplots dealing with issues between modern society and the fragile environoment. This is another excellent novel in the Venus Diamond series set in the Pacific Northwest.

The disappearance of the Nighteagle baby forces Fish and Wildlife Services Special Agent Venus Diamond and her husband, environmental expert Richard Winter, to delay their honeymoon. Her boss asks Venus to head up the search in Washington's Bogachiel National Wildlife Preserve because no one knows the area any better. Elk poaching and the gathering of illegal plants by wildcrafters in the same area where the child vanished also worries the federal agency.

Evidence surfaces that someone is snatching environmentally protected plants. Apparently, the plants are mixed with human growth hormones and keratin from the hooves of elks in order to make an elixir reported to be a fountain of youth. As Venus, with Richard's help, search for the infant, they place themselves in danger from individuals who plan to keep their lucrative business going even if it means eliminating the threat of Federal interference.

WILDCRAFTERS is a superb Pacific Northwest mystery that demonstrates Skye Kathleen Moody's skills in tying together several subplots into a brilliant novel. The witty Venus is clearly a 24 carat diamond of a character. Her support cast, especially her new spouse, augments her impudent personality while moving forward the tale. Anyone who wants a true taste of Washington state needs to try this novel and the previous two Diamond books (BLUE POPPY and RAIN DANCE) for a whimsical, entertaining treat with an environmental message

tied to the story.

Harriet Klausner