A Solitude of Wolverines audiobook

The Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson is a William Morrow publication. White-knuckle suspense! After Alex experiences an unsettling act of violence, she is offered an opportunity to study Wolverines at a wildlife sanctuary in Montana. This is just the break Alex needs, and without even thinking it over properly she jumps at the chance. Upon arrival, at the spooky camping location, Alex gets the distinct impression she is not wanted there. Determined to proceed with her mission, Alex’s cameras pick up the Wolverines and something quite unexpected- a badly injured man. Her reports to authorities are mostly dismissed, but the danger to Alex is most assuredly real… I love a good environmental thriller- though I haven’t stumbled across one in a while- until now, that is. There is something about humans versus nature, about wildlife and isolated locations that creates a stronger level of suspense. There was a lot going on in this novel- the landscape, the dangerous weather, the awe of tracking the wolverines, the greed of human nature, an unsettling backstory, as well as a very puzzling mystery. I was hooked right from the get-go and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! This new series has a gotten off a fabulous start and I’m very excited about tagging along with Alex Carter on her next big adventure!

A SOLITUDE OF WOLVERINES by Alice Henderson is the first book in the Alex Carter mystery series. After the opening scenes in Boston, Massachusetts, the rest of the book takes place in Montana. Dr. Alex Carter is a wildlife biologist who had moved from California to Boston to be with her corporate lawyer boyfriend. However, they are now taking a break in their relationship. When she gets the opportunity to study wolverines on a wildlife sanctuary in Montana, she immediately packs and takes the job. However, the locals aren’t welcoming and incidents start occurring. Will Alex survive? Will she continue to study whether wolverines are even back in the sanctuary? Will she reconcile with her boyfriend? What is really happening on the sanctuary?Alex is a likeable character that is three-dimensional and had depth. She is supported by an array of secondary characters that enhanced the story, but were not fully developed. However, the relationships seemed believable and not contrived. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was with Alex as she carried out her research. The plot had some twists and turns and several surprises. It was engrossing, heartfelt, well-researched, and action-packed. I’ve seen comparisons to Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series and I can see the similarities. Note: There are some descriptions of animal abuse and more that may disturb some readers.Overall, this was both a mystery and a survival novel. Not only was this a fascinating mystery that kept me fully engaged, but I learned a lot about wolverines and other wildlife that Alex encountered. The story was compelling, shocking at times, intense, and a great start to a new series. While the ending was over-the-top, it was gripping and dramatic. If you enjoy action-packed mysteries set in rural areas with lots of wildlife during late fall then this may be the next novel to read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. HarperCollins Publishers and Alice Henderson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

3.5 stars This was an exciting action novel featuring biologist Alex Carter. The story opens with a thrilling beginning. At a dedication ceremony in Boston honouring the opening of a new wetlands reserve for birds, Alex is being interviewed by a female reporter. A shot rings out, and the reporter is badly injured. His next bullet is probably meant for Alex. A distant unknown sniper brings the man down, saving Alex's life. She has flashbacks and nightmares of the terrifying event. Her long-time boyfriend is breaking up with her, and she is longing for the solitude of a wilderness area. She loves working outdoors, and when offered a job in the Montana mountains, she jumps at the opportunity. Her work will be enumerating and studying the habits of wolverines. A wide stretch of land has newly opened as a sanctuary where endangered animals can roam freely. Hunting and cattle grazing are strictly prohibited. Vivid descriptions of the mountain flora, the animals, snow, and the rugged terrain give the book an atmospheric setting. Alex has gained her wish of a solitary lifestyle, but it is far from quiet and not without danger. People resent the land being used for conservation. Alex is forced off the road by a truck. Later, her car is sabotaged. Her observation cage is destroyed, and the camera is missing. A mountain lion bursts into her room. She is followed in the forests. Fortunately, Alex is resourceful, brave, athletic, and well trained in martial arts. She sees an injured, barefoot man on her camera. When she finds him, he is more seriously wounded. Due to foot and leg damage, he cannot crawl, and it looks as if he were tortured. She tells him she will send a search party to rescue him, but he is nowhere to be found. She observes only a small number of wolverines in her tracking and a gorilla and polar bear wandering on the parkland. What could possibly be going on? A gruesome, horrific discovery leads her to a ruthless, corrupt group of deadly men. These men are opposed to the nature reserve, and her death is imminent. They have snowmobiles and rifles and are now pursuing her through the snow and the rugged mountain landscape. I had some difficulty with her very long run to escape these men shooting at her. The book is described as having propulsive action. It does have that, but I found some of the scenes during her escape difficult to visualize and confusing. My other problem was not any fault of this book. I recently read a similar book featuring a female park warden studying wolverines in the Canadian Rockies. I admire the emphasis these books place on the importance and necessity of studying and maintaining these elusive and endangered animals in the wild. I felt after reading these two books that I had learned more about wolverines thanI cared to. The book ends with the police chief and his friend, the cattle rancher, confronting the villainous men still alive and able to move about. Alex has enough proof of their crimes to send them to prison for a long time. The police chief is shot, and Alex is next. A mysterious sniper kills the gunman. The conclusion was satisfying with crimes solved, but I see a sequel for Alex as there was more I wanted to know. Who is the unknown sniper, and was he at the Boston and the Parkland site? What is the fate of some injured people taken to the hospital? There may be a new romance beginning for Alex.

Exciting start to a new series. Suspense and tension fueled action from the very beginning featuring interesting, likable and realistic characters. At an abandoned ski resort in the remote Montana mountains Alex Carter is studying wolverines in their natural habitat but finds herself being stalked by an unknown threat. She is soon in a dangerous, brutal battle for survival that will take all of her skills to survive.

Alex’s interactions with the small-town locals on her post are really good. Also, the setting and the plot was also well done. The book was, indeed, suspenseful and I enjoyed learning more about wolverines, since the Zoo I worked at for 28 years, didn't have wolverines, although the species are becoming more prominent in Michigan. The actual theme is powerful for anyone concerned by the often lack of concern for animal lives-difficult to absorb. Alice Henderson manages to take what might just be the first animal-activist and naturalist thriller. A really good story that combines chills, thrills, and plenty of heart right up through the finale. Thanks to my friend Lynda for recommending this book.

Ich fand das Buch super spannend, aufregend und unterhaltsam; genau das, was ich mir erhofft hatte! Es war definitiv ein Page-turner und ich hatte viel Spaß beim Lesen. Alex war auf jeden Fall ein interessanter und konsequenter Charakter, auch wenn sie manchmal durch ihre Naivität und Unschuld auch etwas nervig war. Aber es hat alles zusammen gut gepasst, es hatte überraschende Wendungen und auch ein zufrieden stellendes Ende. Insgesamt ein guter Thriller, den ich jedem empfehlen kann, der eine schnelle Unterhaltung will.Das Buch ist auf jeden Fall ein guter Auftakt mit Alex und macht Lust auf mehr. Ich bin auf jeden Fall gespannt wie es weitergehen wird und wer der mysteriöse "Retter" von Alex ist.** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **

Is the plot a little far fetched? (Maybe...) Is the story somewhat politically correct? (Yes it is...) But is it a good story and a real thriller? (YES!!!) Our plucky wildlife biologist heroine finds herself in the middle of crime and killing in the wilds of Montana but all her life experiences keep her one step ahead as she figures out the bad guys. You have to know there are loose ends as the story draws to a close and the only way to tie them up will be the next installment (book #2). I look forward to it - the author knows how to spin a tale!

[4.5/5] A Solitude of Wolverines is a thriller with a slight creep factor and environmental undertones.Y’all know I love a good survival/nature story, and this totally fit the bill. An isolated snowy mountaintop, hiking and camping in a nature preserve while researching wolverines – I mean, this was seriously my jam. I loved learning about wolverines and how they live in their natural habitat.I loved the main character, Alex. She’s quiet, but she’s also a badass heroine who stands up for what she believes in. And while this is not a horror, I was excited to see the references to The Shining (by Stephen King), and the old, creepy abandoned hotel setting.The dialogue did feel a little weird occasionally. At times, it didn’t feel like actual people talking to each other. Certain words were used that seemed off for a 30-something year old character (like “fellow” and “say!”). But it didn’t stop me from enjoying this story!Overall, I loved the atmosphere, mystery, and characters, and I’m so glad this is the first book in a future series. I can’t wait for the next one!**Thanks to William Morrow for the gifted review copy!

3.5 stars.

Excellent thriller about a resourceful wildlife biologist who takes a post at a former ski resort, now unmanaged wooded mountain, where she will record the animals over winter. She hopes to see a wolverine - wolverines, I've been noticing, are the new wolves. I previously read a thriller called No Place For Wolverines. The methods of the research ecologist, setting baited camera traps and collecting hairs etc. are described, and we get a lot of tramping about the mountain. Surprisingly for a solo post, there are many people in the book as our character spends a lot of time down the mountain. The locals are not all supportive and some are contrary. Then she comes across a wounded, disoriented man high in the woods. Something is clearly going on, but what? I was surprised that more than once the biologist didn't take out her phone for a quick photo. Like the wounded man - she could have sent / shown the photo to the first responders which would show the extent of his injuries and exact location. But she doesn't, and by the time she gets back with help, he's gone and she can't prove he existed. Have fun and you'll be looking for more. The author previously scripted videogames and TV tie-ins, so the book is fast-paced, sometimes violent, and makes use of stray equipment. I read an e-ARC from Edelweiss and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.