Money Bear
Nick Tanner #1
When Redwoods Park Enforcement Ranger Kathleen Shepherd finds a third dead bear in the forest, its paws and gallbladder harvested, she contacts U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for assistance. They send Nick Tanner, one of an elite cadre of undercover USFWS Special Agents.
Highly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine, bear gallbladders fetch the kind of money that attracts dangerous and desperate criminals. When the killing of bears escalates to a series of equally macabre human murders, Nick and Kathleen follow the clues that lead them into a lethal trap—all under the darkly surreal canopy of the world’s oldest known living organisms, California’s old-growth redwoods.
Praise for Money Bear
“An impressively complex, eco-conscious crime story with plenty of action and intrigue. Cox shows an uncanny talent for characterization…and effectively keeps up the story’s momentum as it speeds to a rousing conclusion.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Vivid characters, a compelling storyline in a unique setting, and razor-sharp writing. What more could you ask for? I’m already looking forward to the next Nick Tanner novel.”
—Robert Cochran, Two-time Emmy award-winner as Co-creator, Executive Producer, and writer of 24
“Money Bear snaps you up like a bear trap, and holds you in its steely jaw until the last page. A fast-paced story that delights with authenticity and wit, even as it exposes the evils of wildlife trafficking. A brilliant first novel in what promises to be a must-read series.”
—Kay Foster, Writer/Executive Producer on Heroes, The Following, and American Odyssey
“Kerry Cox’s stunning debut is a rollicking thriller that brims with subversive humor and white-knuckle plot twists. The stakes are as high as the redwoods, the pace arrow-quick, and the hero as unforgettable as his sidekick, a blind bobcat named Ray Charles. Don’t miss it!”
—Peter W. J. Hayes, Silver Falchion and Derringer-nominated author of the Vic Lenoski mysteries
“Absolutely one of the most entertaining thrillers I have read in years! Nick Tanner is a fresh new hero that delights with a wit and toughness comparable to any Elmore Leonard character. Money Bear is a fast-paced, tightly written page-turner that gets this series off to a roaring start. Looking forward to more!”
—Lance H. Robbins, Executive Producer, Hallmark Murders and Mysteries Network/Matchmaker Mysteries