really loved the way the author mixed a mystery and a national park. This was so much fun to read and had a great plot going on.

Orick Enforcement Ranger Kathleen Shepherd gets in over her head when she finds the third bear killed for its gallbladder and paws. It’s obvious they have poachers harvesting bears for their valuable gallbladders used in TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unfortunately, the killing has extended into human murders and Shepherd contacts the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They send Nick Tanner, a USFWS Special Agent.

Love the location of Northern California, the redwoods, the coast, such a gorgeous, uniquely wild area. The atmosphere is palpable; the well developed characters (both sides of the law) are engaging.

Gripping out of the gate, the author introduces information woven through the well-plotted narrative that is both fascinating and startling leading to the underbelly of Chinese medicine in Hollywood. The primary characters are super and I loved Tanner’s “kitty,” a blind bobcat.

The prose is crafty, strongly masculine appropriate to the wild area of California. There is action, humor that lightens just a bit of the gravity, suspenseful, and an immersive storyline right it the conclusion. A great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to Book 2.

Money Bear - By Kerry K cox

Quite sad in parts but an enteredting story nonetheless. Would recommend

Kathleen Shepherd and Nick Tanner are on the case of poachers who are killing bears for their gall bladders and paws and this tangled web of crime leads al the way to Hollywood.

Kerry K Cox's debut novel was gripping and thrilling from the beginning to the end. The sense of atmosphere created was pitch perfect and the ensemble of characters felt real and I followed Shep and Nick hoping for a positive conclusion to their investigation and I will eagerly await further novels in the Nick Tanner series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

This has only been out a short time, but has some very high, helpful reviews, which is a good sign. Either the author did good research or has the appropriate knowledge to write this kind of story, which is well-written. Interesting characters, and some humor along the way. Recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!