Book one in the Gabriel Hawke Novels The ancient Indian art of tracking is his greatest strength…And also his biggest weakness. Fish and Wildlife State Trooper Gabriel Hawke believes he’s chasing poachers. However, he comes upon a wildlife biologist standing over a body that is wearing a wolf tracking collar.He uses master tracker skills taught to him by his Nez Perce grandfather to follow … skills taught to him by his Nez Perce grandfather to follow clues on the mountain. Paper trails and the whisper of rumors in the rural community where he works, draws Hawke to a conclusion that he finds bitter.
Arresting his brother-in-law ended his marriage, could solving this murder ruin a friendship?
more
murder, murder-investigation, horses, dogs, law-enforcement
Once a State Trooper, Gabriel Hawke works as a Trooper for Fish and Wildlife in Eastern Oregon (OSFW). While out on his regular rounds he comes across a friend of his kneeling beside the body of a man with a wolf tracking collar on his neck as the obvious cause of death. What follows is some incredible due diligence to not only determine which of the primary suspects actually did the deed, but make certain that the evidence back it all up to the satisfaction of the prosecution. Great read! I have read later books in this series and wanted to go back to the beginning. I’m especially glad that I did because I finally figured out why narrator Larry Gorman’s interpretation seemed so familiar. It’s that of a particular Booking Room sergeant I worked with who had a very imposing appearance but sounded so mild mannered.
This is a well-written and enjoyable story.
The characters both human and animal are likable and intelligent which enhances the story.
The pace of the mystery moves is quite rapid, allowing for well-placed red herrings to add more suspense and suspects to the storyline.
The Native American aspect of the story adds interest to the story line
Gabriel Hawke is a Fish and Wildlife Oregon State Trooper and a tracker extraordinaire. He spends as much time as he can in the mountains. When he comes upon some suspicious tracks, he goes in pursuit. What he comes upon is a man murdered under very bizarre circumstances and Hawke is on the hunt for the murderer. He encounters several suspects as he delves into the murder which keeps you guessing until the end. I really like Hawke. He is a man of few words, straightforward and says it like it is. Such an interesting character! This book was so much fun to read. Lots of mystery and suspense sprinkled with some humor. I look forward to more from Hawke and author Paty Jager.
Fish and Wildlife State Trooper Gabriel Hawke believes he’s chasing poachers. However, he comes upon a wildlife biologist standing over a body that is wearing a wolf tracking collar. Is the biologist responsible for the death or is someone else involved? Can Hawke find out what really happened?
I enjoyed this book. This is a well-written story. The characters both human and animal are likable and intelligent which enhances the story. The pace of the mystery moves is a great pace allowing for well-placed red herrings to add more suspense and suspects to the storyline. The Native American aspect of the story is interesting making the book more original than other books in this genre I’ve read.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator Larry Gorman was a great addition to an already great book. He did a wonderful job bringing the characters and story to life.
Worth reading
Murder of Ravens, by Paty Jager, is the first book in her Gabriel Hawke series. Having read several books in this author’s Shandra Higheagle Mystery series, I was looking forward to reading this one and was not disappointed. Hawke of Native American heritage runs across a body in his routine fish and wildlife state trooper duties and there ensues a good murder mystery–one that keeps the reader guessing as to who the murderer is. With few clues, lots of suspects, and plenty of twists to the plot the author keeps the reader’s interest high. Murder, mistresses, and a trail of money all make for an intriguing story. I look forward to reading more of this author’s works. The narrator, Larry Gorman, does a good job giving voice to the characters as he reads the story, which made for an enjoyable listening experience. I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
Unusual setting & well-drawn characters make this mystery absorbing & entertaining. First time I’ve read this writer but I will now search out her other books.
Loved this book. Kept me interested to the end. Now for the next in the series.
I liked this book other than the last minute rush to finis the book and explain everything was, sadly, rushed. Otherwise, good.
The characters in this novel evolve as the crime is solved, so, our perception of them and their guilt or innocence changes as Hawke digs deeper. He doggedly follows up on each clue as it is presented, even those throw-away comments given by observers and witnesses. Each clue could exonerate or convict the various suspects, but taken as a whole lead Hawke to solving the murder. Well done.
An Unkindness of Ravens!
Oh what a tangled web . . . Gabriel Hawke, who only uses his last name, thank you very much, was introduced in one of the recent Shandra Higheagle stories and now has his own series (to which I am very much looking forward!). An amazing integration of local, county, and state police cooperate nicely in this offbeat (because, Fish and Game!) police procedural with a few ethnic (largely Nez Perce?) overtones to add color and interest. Author Paty Jager gets better with each book.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Solid start to this new mystery series. We meet Hawke who works as a Fish and Wildlife State Trooper which makes his way of doing things quite different yet still intriguing. While on his patrol he finds a dead body. Curiosity wraps him up in the murder investigation even if it’s not part of his job. The blend of nature tracking, clues, and the animals makes for a fascinating mystery that is hard to put down. Great for mystery overlooking for something different. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Murder of Ravens is a great first book in a series about Gabriel Hawke, an Oregon Fish and Wildlife Trooper. Hawke was introduced in the latest Shandra Higheagle mystery, Homicide Hideaway. Within the first couple of pages, Hawke comes across a body in a remote area on the mountain. The murdered man was disliked by almost everyone, creating a large pool of suspects. As Hawke investigates new evidence and clues come rapidly. This is one of those great mysteries that you keep saying, I’ll just read one more chapter, but you can’t stop reading. I love the Shandra Higheagle books, but after reading Murder of Ravens, I sat back and thought Wow, that was so intense. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I am looking forward to more books in the series. I received an advanced copy and this is my honest review.
This was a well-written, entertaining mystery. Fish and Wildlife State Trooper Gabriel Hawke is tracking poachers when he comes upon a body that is wearing a wolf tracking collar. He uses his master tracker skills taught to him by his Nez Perce grandfather to follow clues and solve the crime, even though the clues, paper trail and whispered rumors may involve people he knows in the small rural community. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more stories in this series!
Could not put this book down!
This book was OK. There were parts that i enjoyed, but on the whole, I found the plot to be contrived. Never understood the purpose of the wolf collar, didn’t believe the murderers could have acted together. Just too much that didn’t seem possible. Never in a million years did I think the woman who had sex and put the collar on him would have done that with her father lurking there. Three stars was a gift.
Really enjoyed the main character- quirky but not annoyingly so and tries to do the right thing- not one of the guys who beats his way through all the suspects. More thoughtful and enough red herrings to keep things interesting.
Hawke is a compelling, admirable central figure in a part of the country and a culture that is not familiar to me. The story is a well-done procedural, and the action keeps speeding up nicely through a beautifully described landscape. I recommend this and look forward to the next story. One suggestion: a good copy editor is needed.
I was very taken by Paty Jager’s previous mystery series with Nez Perce potter, Shandra Higheagle. When I saw this new one, I was definitely intrigued because I really enjoy her storytelling abilities.
This series strays from the cozy mystery genre to add more intrigue and complexity to the murder. Yet, Paty has retained her well known ability to write an intriguing story that is a combination of great characters, a good police procedural, wrapped up in a protagonist who is a Nez Perce Fish & Wildlife State Trooper.
Gabriel Hawke brings his knowledge of the land, the people, and his tracking capabilities. Not quite an amateur sleuth mystery, because of his police training. However, solving murders is not a part of his job description. As with her previous mystery series, I knew I could count on this series being well-researched and authentic in it’s details.
Jager is a master at creating an interesting murder, combining great clues, setting red-herrings, and revealing a number of possible realistic perpetrators and motives. I was turning the pages quickly, trying to figure out the clues faster than Gabriel Hawke. Every misstep he made were similar to the ones I made given the circumstances and information at that moment. What I love most is that I rarely figure out the perpetrator in Paty’s stories, and this one was no exception.
I’m hooked and will be reading every book in this series.