May 8, 2014 / Leslie

Review & Giveaway: In Velvet by Burt Weissbourd

Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Yellowstone

In Velvet
by Burt Weissbourd

Genre: Mystery / Suspense
Publisher: Rare Bird Books
Publish Date: June 10, 2014
Format: Hardcover | 280 pages
Rating: 4 of 5

Synopsis:

The northwest corner of Yellowstone Park is closed for bear management, and Rachel, a bear biologist, is discovering some very startling animal behavior — grizzlies denning in June, swans at their wintering grounds in summer, what appear to be Irish Elk, an extinct species, with huge palmated antlers. There are also horrific mutations in the young — elk calves with no front legs, earless bear cubs, and eaglets without wings. What has gone wrong? Why is this area closed? Who’s covering up these animal abnormalities in the Park?

My Thoughts:

Bear biologist Rachel teams up with former private detective and ex-boyfriend Rainey along with Jen, a former Chicago cop and visitor to Yellowstone for complicated reasons of her own. The three are thrown into a complex plot involving secret government research, an out-of-control black ops manager, local politics, a corrupt sheriff and forest ranger, and a crazy poacher – plus a murder or two along the way. Meanwhile more and more strange behavior is occurring among the wildlife in Yellowstone.

There is a large cast of quirky characters, each with their own agenda. The story rapidly shifts between multiple points of view. While initially making it a little challenging to follow, this added a layer of complexity and provided insight into the minds and motivation each character.

I especially liked having strong, no-nonsense female characters with bold personalities. The fictional, secret scientific research in Yellowstone’s hot springs was, at times, believable and at others like the actions of a rogue scientist rather than a calculated, if not incredulous, government plot. Set in 1995, before cell phones and instant communication and rescue, there is a heightened sense of danger and suspense in the remote areas of the wilderness.

Set in the vivid northwest landscape within the beauty of Yellowstone Park, In Velvet combines nature and science into a suspenseful thriller with non-stop action, an engaging mystery, and a hint of romance.

About the Author

Burt Weissbourd is a novelist, screenwriter and producer of feature films. He graduated from Yale University with honors in psychology. During his student years he volunteered at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris and taught English to college students in Thailand. After he graduated, he wrote, directed, and produced educational films. He began a finance program at Northwestern University Graduate School of Business but left to start his own film production company in Los Angeles. He produced films including Ghost Story starring Fred Astaire and Raggedy Man starring Sissy Spacek, which the New York Times called “a movie of sweet, low-keyed charm.” He’s a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 1987, he founded an investment company that he still runs.

Inside Passage, his first novel, was published in 2013. In Velvet is his second novel. Teaser, the sequel to Inside Passage and the second book in the Corey Logan trilogy, will be published in winter, 2014. He lives in New York City.

Connect with Burt:

Facebook | Webpage| Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway – US and Canada

Thanks to JKS Communications, I have three advance copies to give away to a readers with a mailing address in the US or Canada. To enter, fill out the form below on or before midnight, May 17, 2014. One entry per person. Winners will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond.

[Giveaway has ended]

Winners: Carol, Vicki, and Nancydl

——————————–
Source: Review and giveaway copies provided by JKS Communications.
© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.