Review
book review by Joe Kilgore
"Trixie's unblinking gaze fixed onto whatever follows death as her last breath left her body."
A lot of things can kill you in the Louisiana swamps, not the least of which are water moccasins, alligators, and maybe even something unworldly called a Rougarou. But as the body count rises in this jambalaya mystery, it becomes apparent that the increasing death toll is mostly due to some very bad villains and some very tough law enforcers.
Kristi is a young college graduate from West Texas recently hired and trained by the Treasury Department. While on the hunt for two of her colleagues, she manages to get herself assaulted and lost in the Atchafalaya Basin. Hawk is an ex-military combat vet now working for the United States Ranger Services. He's asked by his old friend, the Parish Sheriff, to try to find Kristi. What he finds is not only the woman he's looking for but also a hell of a lot of trouble. Together, Hawk and Kristi wind up in the middle of ruffians, counterfeiters, financial scalawags, and murderers. As they try to figure out what's happening and why, while continually staying one step ahead of assassins, they begin to form a bond of respect, friendship, and perhaps even more.
Author Riley does a first-rate job of steeping the reader in the milieu of South Louisiana and Cajun mores. From murders at mudbug fests to menacing mosquito swarms to monumentally malevolent snake pits, he puts the heat and humidly on every page. He's also adept at weaving a spider-webbed plot that is both intricate and credible. There's action, suspense, humor, and even a dash of romance in this gumbo of a novel that promises to start a series of adventures for Kristi and Hawk.
Review #4: Review by Jennifer Donovan
Reviewed By:
Jennifer Donovan
Review Rating:
4 Stars
Reviewed By Jennifer Donovan for Readers' Favorite
When two people are found dead and a third is missing, Ranger Hawk Theriot is assigned to the case due to his familiarity with the Atchafalaya Basin and its inhabitants. Hawk finds the missing woman, Kristi, but when she reveals that she is a federal agent with the Department of the Treasury and that her two coworkers were murdered, he decides not to report her as found and instead to investigate further with her help. Murder in the Atchafalaya by Jim Riley is the first book in the Hawk Theriot and Kristi Blocker Mysteries series. Together, Hawk and Kristi use Hawk's contacts in the swamp to glean information about a false drilling site and its possible connection to the murder of the two federal agents. Somehow, the people who want Kristi dead always seem to be a step ahead of Hawk and Kristi, showing up even at the most secluded of hideouts. Will Hawk and Kristi solve the case before one or both of them end up dead in the swamp?
Jim Riley did a fantastic job of capturing the unique personalities of each character in the story. My personal favorite was his moonshiner friend. Set in Louisiana, Murder in the Atchafalaya also weaves in the legend of the Rougarou, a werewolf-like creature that may or may not be terrorizing the inhabitants of the basin while Hawk and Kristi are conducting their investigation. This causes Hawk to question what is real while he attempts to justify what may be compelling evidence of the existence of the Rougarou against other possibilities. The characterization of the Louisiana people and the inclusion of this mythological creature both add a cultural touch that helped me to better understand the people of the region. While I was able to figure out why the bad guys kept discovering Hawk and Kristi's location pretty early on in the story, it wasn't as though the mystery was spoiled; instead, it lends weight to Hawk needing to adjust his thought process and accept the truth that he is unwilling to admit. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers looking for a murder mystery in a new and exciting setting.
I was extremely impressed with Stephanie Lewis's narration of the audiobook. I quickly forgot that I was listening to a single female narrator since she so expertly portrayed both female and male and young and old characters. I was most impressed when not only did she nail the Cajun dialect, but she also perfectly hit the inflections a Cajun person uses when speaking. The audiobook sounds as though a full cast was hired to narrate rather than a single person. Aside from enjoying the story, her narration solidifies my desire to listen to the rest of the series in audio as the books are released. She will be an incredible asset to the success of this series.
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Murder in the Atchafalaya: A Hawk Theriot & Kristi Blocker Mystery by Jim Riley is a fantastic thriller with enough suspense and mystery to keep you hooked until the end. Kristi Blocker is a college graduate, and now she is working in the Treasury Department as a treasury agent. Her job is to find two coworkers who have gone missing in the dangerous and murky Atchafalaya Basin, where beasts roam freely. However, things become terrifying when Kristi goes missing. In comes Hawk Theriot, a swamp ranger and an ex-military combat veteran, who finds Kristi and brings her back home. Hawk had no idea that when he found Kristi, he would also find a mess of murders, mystery, and dangerous policemen who were dirtier than the swamp itself. It is now up to Kristi and Hawk to find out who is killing people and their motive before it is too late.
Wow! Murder in the Atchafalaya is such a fantastic tale of mystery and suspense. The pace is fast but not too fast that it overwhelms the audience. Jim Riley adds just the right amount of suspense and mystery to make the story interesting without taking away from the actual plot. I loved how Hawk is not your typical tortured vet but a determined man who loves his new job. He uses his army experience to help Kristi find the missing people and figure out why someone is killing innocent people. The story gets better as it progresses, focusing on the characters rather than just furthering the plot. Kristi's character development is remarkable. She is innocent, and I am glad that she never lost it. They worked together as a team, and that made the story even more entertaining for me. Very well-written and incredibly well-constructed. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Narrator Stephanie Lewis made the audio experience incredible. The audiobook is 9 hours plus long, and the cadence of Lewis's voice made me hyper-aware of each little detail. She brings the story to life with the highs and lows of her voice. I enjoyed how she set the mood with just a few words and then brought the audience to a high.
Reviewed By Brenda Daniels for Readers' Favorite
When two Treasury agents disappear in the swamps of Louisiana, both the Department of Treasury and the Federal Ranger Services are sent to solve the mystery. Kristi Blocker, who represents Treasury, and Hawk Theriot (Ranger) team up in Murder in the Atchafalaya. Together they uncover a huge money laundering scandal that is fronted by so-called legitimate companies and oil mining organizations. The mastermind behind it all remains elusive while Hawk's and Kristi's lives are threatened and their friends, colleagues, and others are mysteriously and gruesomely murdered.
Jim Riley sets this crime novel against a backdrop of a notoriously sinister swamp area replete with remote bayous, water moccasins (semi-aquatic snakes), and even the mythical Rougarou (werewolf). Riley forms a likable partnership between Hawk and Kristi. The characterization is strong and, despite some inconsistencies with Kristi's fearful-fearless city girl persona, it develops well throughout this story. It serves as a solid foundation for a Hawk-Kristi series, with Murder in the Atchafalaya being the first. Whilst there may be a small spark of romance between the two, this is not overdone, something I appreciated as it keeps the story balanced.
I listened to the audio version of Murder in the Atchafalaya. The narrator, Stephanie Lewis, does an excellent job of dramatizing this dialogue-heavy story that features several different characters, male and female. Lewis's voices are recognizably different and consistent and therefore add to the story rather than getting in its way. The dialogue, together with the fast pace and action, make Murder in the Atchafalaya a 'visual' story and I could easily imagine the setting and people while I listened. Lewis's narration enhances this aspect, making the story absorbing and enjoyable.
Reviewed By:
Susan Sewell
Review Rating:
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!
Reviewed By Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
A U.S. Ranger and a U.S. Treasury agent join forces to bring down a money counterfeiting and laundering ring in the suspense audiobook, Murder in the Atchafalaya: A Hawk Theriot & Kristi Blocker Mystery by Jim Riley. When two of her co-workers don't return from an undercover excursion in the Atchafalaya Basin while hunting for evidence of a money-laundering scam, U.S. Treasury Agent Kristi Blocker goes looking for them. Kristi runs into thugs who drive her deeper into the swampland. Two days later, someone reports Kristi missing, and the Parish sheriff sends Hawk Theriot, the Atchafalaya Basin Ranger, to find her. While tracking Kristi, Hawk stumbles on a suspicious new enterprise employing a hostile crew hidden deep within the swamp. Once Hawk locates Kristi and sets up camp, armed men enter their campsite and attempt to kill them. Realizing Hawk's discovery may coincide with Kristi's investigation, the two agree to collaborate. With killers dogging their steps, Kristi and Hawk set out to uncover the scam and put the criminals behind bars. However, their enemy is always half a step behind them. Is there a mole among their colleagues? Who can they trust?
Deception, betrayal, and murder are the prevailing themes in the exciting suspense novel, Murder in the Atchafalaya by Jim Riley. It is a riveting book with an engaging plot filled with action and suspense and laced with a southern overtone and a tinge of romance. Hawk is a likable and forthright character; his tenacity and humor make him an irresistible and attractive protagonist. The slithering serpents, mythical swamp creatures, and eerie noises convey an unsettling and edgy feel, creating a superb setting. Twists and turns coiling through the plot form a dramatic storyline that escalates to a shocking and nail-biting conclusion. Dramatic and suspenseful, it is an outstanding audiobook that promises to thrill and entertain everyone who relishes riveting adventures overflowing with suspense, intrigue, and drama.
Narrated and performed by Stephanie Lewis, the characters' voices vary nicely. Ms. Lewis portrayed Kristi's character as ultra-feminine, and her high voice and southern accent perfectly filled the bill. The men's voices are hoarse, growly, and raspy, giving them a masculine tone. The differences create contrast and a good balance of masculine and feminine aspects.
