REVIEW: Full Curl

Full Curl
Author: Dave Butler

Banff National Park Warden Jenny Willson is outraged when someone begins hunting animals illegally in the park. First a huge elk is discovered shot, skinned, and antlers removed, left to rot. More animals follow. As she investigates the crimes, she comes up against government bureaucracy, reluctant local officials, and international jurisdiction issues. When the crimes escalate to include drug trafficking and murder, she knows law enforcement needs to move quickly to track down the local guides and hunters behind the poaching.

It isn't often that a book makes me angry. But this one did. Hunting is one thing, but killing protected animals within a park for trophies is reprehensible. Cutting off horns, antlers, etc and then leaving the meat to rot....ohhhhh.....very angry feelings. Very. Angry.  I had to read a few chapters....then put the book down and watch a sitcom episode or two to calm down. I was never more happy to get to the part where the bastard criminals are caught and get what's coming to them than in this book!!!!

My feelings about poachers and trophy hunters aside, Full Curl is very well-written and suspenseful. I have to admit I was first drawn to this book by the unusual front cover.....and then by the plot outline. As a suspense/crime thriller, this book is different, focusing on park wardens and illegal poaching in a Canadian national park, rather than the usual police procedural fare. Unusual theme -- and utterly enjoyable (yet maddening!) story! When a book elicits an emotional response, it's good story craft! And this book definitely got me going!

Jenny Willson is a strong, intelligent and driven main character. So glad to see a female law enforcement officer depicted as skilled, respected and, frankly, ruthless. She kicked some ass! Great female MC!

The pace of the story was perfect, keeping the suspense going until the end. The characters are believable and not over-done. All in all, a very enjoyable crime thriller.

Full Curl is Dave Butler's debut novel and the first book in the new Jenny Willson series. So glad there will be more books to come! I will definitely be reading more! For more information on the author, check out his website: http://www.davebutlerwriting.com/

*I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Dundurn Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**