This book is a brave and important piece of work. Like her heroine, Robin Lamont has waded into the deep waters of public land and wildlife mismanagement and uncovers a host of ugly truths. In the West the government agencies that are charged with protecting the land and wildlife have been largely captured by the folks the land and wildlife needs protection from. The secretive US Government Wildlife Services is run by the USDA for ranchers in a way the public would never tolerate if they knew about it. "Shoot, Shovel and Shut-up" is their slogan regarding wolves. Like all Western states, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Agency is paid for by hunting licenses and run not to protect wildlife but for hunters. In the Western conservative red states much of state legislative agendas are set by the Tea Party's private American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Many rural folks who live near our public lands don't seem to realize that Little Red Riding Hood is not a true story. Hunting psychology is about dominion and is justified in much the same way of that of a rapist. With the lifting of Federal protection for wolves that states have taken over and now hold killing derbies to see who can kill the most wolves and coyotes. Recreational hunters routinely claim without irony that wolves are the only animal that hunts for fun.

The issues are all there and nicely wrapped up in a page turning tale. I read my copy all in one sitting. The protagonist works for a small animal protection group and the books opens with her visiting the gorgeous Lamar Valley in Yellowstone and having the life changing experience of observing wolves in the wild. It is here that she first learns of ranchers and hunters laying in wait at the Park's borders to shoot any wolf that crosses over. A murder is discovered in nearby Idaho of a Wildlife Services agent who appears to have been shot and trapped in his own animal trap. The heroine is sent to investigate and her love for animals and her dismay and disgust at what she learns as she does so keep compelling her to dig in deeper into ever more personal danger. The reader won't know they are being taught an important wildlife management lesson, they will just keep turning the pages to find out what happens.

We need more of such work. Kudos to Lamont for her talent in getting her own work out there. Do the planet a favor, buy this book, read it, then tell two friends to do the same. You will make the world a better place. ( )

This book is a brave and important piece of work. Like her heroine, Robin Lamont has waded into the deep waters of public land and wildlife mismanagement and uncovers a host of ugly truths. In the West the government agencies that are charged with protecting the land and wildlife have been largely captured by the folks the land and wildlife needs protection from. The secretive US Government Wildlife Services is run by the USDA for ranchers in a way the public would never tolerate if they knew about it. "Shoot, Shovel and Shut-up" is their slogan regarding wolves. Like all Western states, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Agency is paid for by hunting licenses and run not to protect wildlife but for hunters. In the Western conservative red states much of state legislative agendas are set by the Tea Party's private American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Many rural folks who live near our public lands don't seem to realize that Little Red Riding Hood is not a true story. Hunting psychology is about dominion and is justified in much the same way of that of a rapist. With the lifting of Federal protection for wolves that states have taken over and now hold killing derbies to see who can kill the most wolves and coyotes. Recreational hunters routinely claim without irony that wolves are the only animal that hunts for fun.

The issues are all there and nicely wrapped up in a page turning tale. I read my copy all in one sitting. The protagonist works for a small animal protection group and the books opens with her visiting the gorgeous Lamar Valley in Yellowstone and having the life changing experience of observing wolves in the wild. It is here that she first learns of ranchers and hunters laying in wait at the Park's borders to shoot any wolf that crosses over. A murder is discovered in nearby Idaho of a Wildlife Services agent who appears to have been shot and trapped in his own animal trap. The heroine is sent to investigate and her love for animals and her dismay and disgust at what she learns as she does so keep compelling her to dig in deeper into ever more personal danger. The reader won't know they are being taught an important wildlife management lesson, they will just keep turning the pages to find out what happens.

We need more of such work. Kudos to Lamont for her talent in getting her own work out there. Do the planet a favor, buy this book, read it, then tell two friends to do the same. You will make the world a better place. ( )