Mortal Fall
By: Christine Carbo
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Series: Glacier Mysteries, Book 2
Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-31-16
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Book Blurb
A wildlife biologist’s shocking death leads to chilling discoveries in Christine Carbo’s haunting and compelling new crime novel set in the wilds of Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park police officer Monty Harris knows that each summer at least one person – be it a reckless, arrogant climber or a distracted hiker – will meet tragedy in the park. But Paul “Wolfie” Sedgewick’s fatal fall from the sheer cliffs near Going-to-the-Sun Road is incomprehensible. Wolfie was an experienced and highly regarded wildlife biologist who knew all too well the perils that Glacier’s treacherous terrain presents – and how to avoid them.
The case, so close to home, has frayed park employee emotions. Yet calm and methodical lead investigator Monty senses in his gut that something isn’t right. So when whispers of irresponsibility or suicide emerge, tarnishing Wolfie’s reputation, Monty dedicates himself to uncovering the truth – for the sake of the man’s family and to satisfy his own persistent sense of unease.
Monty discovers that Wolfie’s zealous studies of Glacier’s mysterious, embattled wolverine population, so vital to park ecology, had met resistance, both local and federal. To muddy the waters further, a wilderness facility for rehabilitating troubled teens – one that Monty’s older brother attended – may have a disturbing connection to the case. As Monty delves further into an investigation that goes deeper than he ever imagined, he wrestles with the demons of his past, which lead back to harsh betrayals he thought he’d buried long ago.
And then a second body is found.
My Review
Note: While this is Book 2 in the series, it would work fine as a stand alone. While book 1 focused on FBI agent Systead, this story focuses on Glacier National Park Police Officer Monty Harris.
I jumped right into this book after finishing book 1 without reading the book blurb. I was hoping to get more Ted Systead, but instead this novel features Monty Harris. Turns out that Monty is pretty interesting. He has his own demons from childhood that are brought to the forefront by this case. What looks like an accidental fall at first blush may be something more sinister. Monty has just a hunch or perhaps just a need to be as thorough and orderly as he can be on this case. The deceased, Wolfie, was a well-liked animal researcher focusing on wolverines. His death will leave a hole in many peoples’ lives.
When a second body turns up, it’s not just Monty who now wonders about Wolfie’s death. However, Monty needs a link between the two dead men otherwise it could just be coincidence. As he tries to dig up that link, his complicated past with his immediate family rears it’s ugly head. There was a lot I liked about this aspect of the story. Monty’s mother was a schizophrenic who often didn’t have her symptoms under good control. Meanwhile, his dad was a functioning alcoholic with an anger management problem. That left Monty and his older brother Adam to fend for themselves much of the time. Toss in that Adam was a bully and had the muscles to back it as a teen, and make Monty’s childhood a little slice of Hell. Now this case forces him to chat with both his brother and his dad.
While the story has a lot of intriguing suspense, there are little punches of action sprinkled throughout the tale. Monty is butting heads with some dangerous foes. I loved that I had no clue who had done it right up to the reveal and I really felt like I was standing beside Monty when that reveal came. I honestly didn’t know if Monty was going to make it through this story alive.
Since this story deals with Monty’s personal life, we can’t leave out his estranged wife Rachel. They were arguing plenty over whether or not to have kids and Monty moved out months ago, per Rachel’s request, to give her space. Since then, she has been hot and cold with him, giving him mixed signals. That continues on through this story but I could see Monty was getting tired of living in this limbo, needing a decision one way or another. I totally agree with his final decision. This side to Monty really rounded him out and helped shed light on some of his past. 5/5 stars.
The Narration: R. C. Bray continues to narrate this series and do it well. I like his voice for the usually helpful, almost chipper Monty. Bray captures his myriad of emotions so well too as Monty struggles with his past. Bray has feminine voices for all the female characters and each character has their own unique voice. There were no tech issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.