A Shimmer of Hummingbirds: A Birder Murder Mystery
1 journaler for this copy...
Steve Burrows was in town to read from this book and answer questions. I've read the first two books in this series which combines two of my avocations, birding and mysteries. I will have to get the third book, A Cast of Falcons, before I read this one but I figured it was worth buying a copy so Burrows could autograph it.
To me this fourth book in the birder murder series was the most suspenseful and the ending leaves the reader hanging so the suspense continues. Fortunately for me the fifth book is in the Winnipeg Public Library system and I have a hold on it so I won't have to wait in suspense very long.
In the last book, A Cast of Falcons, DCI Domenic Jejeune's mysterious brother, Damian, appeared in England and we learned a little about why he was a fugitive from justice. He had guided a man who had a contagious disease into a remote area of Colombia to look for a rare hummingbird that can only be found there. The disease was passed on to four indigenous people in the area, the Karijona, who died of it. Colombia has strict laws about contacting the Karijona and Damian was charged with murder. In this book Domenic goes to Colombia on a birding tour hoping to find some further evidence that might absolve Damian or at least mitigate the charge. Back in Norwich a murder of a woman has necessitated that a senior inspector be called in to lead the investigation. The detective available is Marvin Laraby, a man who was born in the lower class and resents anyone who is from privilege. Laraby and Jejeune have a history from when Jejeune was with the Met, the London police. Laraby also has a very different style of investigation from DCI Jejeune but it seems to go over well with the investigative team, especially DCS Shepherd and DC Salter.
Jejeune's girlfriend, Lindy Hey, did not accompany Domenic on his trip because she is busy with her journalistic career. She keeps busy but is a little on edge because of a strange tattooed man in the neighbourhood. Then, while she is at the office late one night, there is an explosion. She is not seriously injured and she insists that Domenic not return. Domenic is concerned but agrees. He wonders if a criminal he once arrested (with Laraby) might be out although he received no notification. His mind is mainly concerned with what he is learning in Colombia so he just asks Sergeant Maik back home to make some discreet inquiries.
Everything comes to a head all at once it seems and kept me reading quite late into the night. Very good read and it didn't hurt that there were references to all kinds of neotropical birds that I've never seen. Steve Burrows went on a birding trip to Colombia while researching this book and it sounds like heaven for a birder.
In the last book, A Cast of Falcons, DCI Domenic Jejeune's mysterious brother, Damian, appeared in England and we learned a little about why he was a fugitive from justice. He had guided a man who had a contagious disease into a remote area of Colombia to look for a rare hummingbird that can only be found there. The disease was passed on to four indigenous people in the area, the Karijona, who died of it. Colombia has strict laws about contacting the Karijona and Damian was charged with murder. In this book Domenic goes to Colombia on a birding tour hoping to find some further evidence that might absolve Damian or at least mitigate the charge. Back in Norwich a murder of a woman has necessitated that a senior inspector be called in to lead the investigation. The detective available is Marvin Laraby, a man who was born in the lower class and resents anyone who is from privilege. Laraby and Jejeune have a history from when Jejeune was with the Met, the London police. Laraby also has a very different style of investigation from DCI Jejeune but it seems to go over well with the investigative team, especially DCS Shepherd and DC Salter.
Jejeune's girlfriend, Lindy Hey, did not accompany Domenic on his trip because she is busy with her journalistic career. She keeps busy but is a little on edge because of a strange tattooed man in the neighbourhood. Then, while she is at the office late one night, there is an explosion. She is not seriously injured and she insists that Domenic not return. Domenic is concerned but agrees. He wonders if a criminal he once arrested (with Laraby) might be out although he received no notification. His mind is mainly concerned with what he is learning in Colombia so he just asks Sergeant Maik back home to make some discreet inquiries.
Everything comes to a head all at once it seems and kept me reading quite late into the night. Very good read and it didn't hurt that there were references to all kinds of neotropical birds that I've never seen. Steve Burrows went on a birding trip to Colombia while researching this book and it sounds like heaven for a birder.
