A Rant Of Ravens

By Christine Goff

In an attempt to escape a hellish marriage, Rachel Stanhope retreats to her Aunt Miriam’s ranch in Colorado. As a favour to her bird-loving aunt, Rachel agrees to host meetings of the local bird watching society. But on her first birding expedition to find a Le Conte’s sparrow, she makes a much more disturbing discovery; the body of a journalist investigating a local bird trafficking scheme. Now sweet Aunt Miriam is the prime suspect, and it's up to Rachel to solve the murder mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HighLine Editions
• Release date: Jul 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781941286296

Christine Goff

Chris Goff is the award-winning author of the bestselling "Birdwatcher's Mystery" series. She was named ‘Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' 2002 Writer of the Year’ and two of her novels were also finalists for the prestigious ‘Willa Literary Award for Best Original Paperback Fiction’. Her latest book, ‘Death Shoots A Birdie’, was also a Finalist for the ‘Colorado Authors League Best Genre Fiction’ Award. Having grown up in a small mountain town in Colorado, she spent a lot of time outdoors—camping, fishing, hiking, playing tennis and skiing, with wildlife always around. Her father was a true outdoorsman and together they explored the wilderness of Colorado, sailed in Maine and walked extensively from the sandy California beaches to the windswept cliffs of Cornwall, England. It was her mother, however, who was the major influence on Chris commencing a writing career. She encouraged her from an early age, and later her job as a Vice President of the Gannett Broadcasting Company led to Chris growing up surrounded by some of the best media talent in the country. At college Chris studied journalism, determined to become an investigative reporter. Deciding this was not for her, however, she tried her hand at a variety of jobs—PR, engineering, ice cream store manager—until finally returning to writing. She began by writing non-fiction for several local newspapers in Summit County, Colorado, as well as articles for regional and national publication. She later edited rock and ice-climbing guides for the ‘Chockstone Press’, worked in graphic production for ‘Living the Good News’, and taught writing workshops for the Colorado Free University, the University of Colorado, and at writer's conferences internationally. A long-standing member of multiple writing organizations, she has served on several local, regional and national boards, including that of the ‘Mystery Writers of America’.

Reviews for A Rant Of Ravens

[grundlecat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Solid debut; look forward to more from this author.

[sheriawilkinson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A rant of Ravens by Christine Goff

Rachael Stanhope goes to Colorado to visit her Aunt Miriam. Miriam is a bird enthusiast, her property holds a bird sanctuary and she has many acres of land for the birds. Miriam asks her niece if she could cover for her in her weekly bird club , Rachel reluctantly accepts. Soon a report if found dead, one who was looking to expose Miriam's late husband and a bird trafficking scheme. Miriam becomes the number one suspect and soon she goes missing. Rachel is first to try to find her Aunt and clear her name.

A fast paced murder mystery. Rachael is likable and so is the eccentric Miriam. The suspect list is very high, when you think you know who did it, another person seems to be the one. I like that in a book, one that keeps you guessing. I also liked all the details about birds, bird watching, birds on the extinct list. I found this informative and learned a lot about birds. I feel that those who like a cozy murder mystery and birds will enjoy A Rant of Ravens.

[cozylover · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A decent start to a series, but a bit confusing at times. Lots of characters, motives & convoluted details that made it difficult to keep things straight. The main character could be developed further to make her stronger and have a clearer "voice". Looking forward to reading the others in the series.

[edwin6gleaves · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not great fiction, but interesting to birders.