Tortoise Soup

Rating:
Summary: No thank you.
Review: Her first book was very good. This one I did not like. The ending was very disturbing to me and I had to put the book away.

Rating:
Summary: Very likable heroine, interesting plot...
Review: I enjoyed this book as much as the first in the series, if not more

Rating:
Summary: Terrific book - Can't wait for more!
Review: I love the Rachel Porter books and can't wait for the author to continue her escapades. Her stories tackle disturbing issues and are bound to generate anger and empathy in any animal lover or environmentally-sympathetic reader. However, Rachel does the right thing, and is an enormously engaging heroine. The plots are labrynthine and both books are page-turners. More! More!

Rating:
Summary: Don't know who I'm craziest about...Rachel or Jessica!
Review: I've been watching for this book ever since I finished Ms. Speart's first novel. I fell for Rachel then and continue to be a big fan after this second adventure. I'm male and really enjoy finding a female character to cheer for. I love the series so far and although I hate the wait between books...it IS fun to have Rachel's next escapade to look forward to. Ms. Speart has a way with words that truly amazes me and keeps me turning the pages. I actually paced myself on this one though so I wouldn't read it all in one night. Okay...I'm addicted...what can I say? Please keep those Rachel Porter Mysteries coming! It's a wonderful series and I hope it continues for a very long time.

Rating:
Summary: Good book but needs more research
Review: It is so hard to find mystery books about wildlife that I was elated to see the new Rachel Porter mystery was out. Having read it, however, I have mixed emotions. One of my major concerns is the accuracy with which she portrays Nevada mines and people in general. I am a geologist and I have personally visited mines like the ones described in Tortoise Soup. I can assure readers that the descriptions of them are greatly exaggerated. Other scientific aspects of the novel are also slightly off. I can't say much more without giving away some of the story. I also am somewhat dissapointed that most of the characters are so stereotypical. As a male, I happen to believe that there are some of us out there that are just normal guys (i.e. somewhere between GQ and dumb redneck). All in all I liked Tortoise Soup and I would recommend it to anyone interested in an out of the ordinary mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Publishers Weekly review
Review: The author portrays the stark atmosphere of Nevada as vividly as she did the lusher one of New orleans and once again there are plenty of appealingly eccentric characters not the least of which is Rachel herself.

Rating:
Summary: An Engaging Mystery To A Desert Oasis
Review: This was the first Jessica Speart novel I read, and I must say it was quite an enjoyable book! Just enough contemporary issues mixed with comedy and mystery to keep me with the book - it wasn't a total downer - it was adventursome. And the fact that it takes place in the desert is even better. Though I have never been to the Mojave Desert, or any found in Nevada, Utah, etc.. I felt like I was there in the grilling & blistering sun. I have some kind of an affinity with deserts, though I've never been to one, this book makes me want to pack my bags and head over to Nevada though mreo than others! Rachel Porter is an awesome woman, and I must agree with others that some characters ARE too stereotypical. Nonetheless, there is something about this book and GatorAide that sets her a part from others!