The Case of the Hook-billed Kites: A deadly combination of birds, beasts, and bad blood breed murder on a Texas Wildlife refuge by J.S. Borthwick (1982)
After 40+ years, this is perhaps my first foray into the world of mystery novels unbidden by someone else’s recommendation. I’ve mentioned it often enough before: I come from a family of mystery-readers, yet I never caught the bug.
Mysteries are still hit-or-miss for me. I’ve loved most Agatha Christies I’ve read, and Robert Van Gulik holds a special place in my heart. But Dorothy Sayers and Arthur Conan Doyle bored me. Newer authors like Lisa Foley are nice but include excessive language and unnecessary sex.
The Case of the Hook-billed Kites is J.S. Borthwick‘s first novel in what would later be called “the Sarah Deane Mysteries.” I picked it up from who-knows-where because of its tie to birding. As a birder myself (I just hit #631 on my Life List), I wanted a context that intrigued me on a hobbying level, not just a mysterious one. This book hit the spot.
Quick Book Summary (no Spoilers)
Set in nature sanctuaries along the Texas-Mexico border, this story is filled with interesting characters somehow tied to a number of tour groups in search of birds and butterflies. As key protagonist, Sarah has traveled down from Boston to meet up with a love interest—a man she never gets to see until his body is discovered in the bushes. With the help of a doctor-friend, Alex, and the local officer in charge of the investigation, Sarah tries to unravel the plot and understand the characters, all while dealing with her own grief and need for change.
For the Birds
The hook-billed kites do play a role in this fascinating read, and we bird-lovers also get a taste of the hunt along the way. Borthwick writes of this hobby/addiction with insider-knowledge, so she likely had her own Life List going on the side.
I enjoyed the Texas setting. I’ve spent so little time there, but I felt like I was walking the dusty trails with the lot of characters. The trip to Big Bend makes me want to add this locale to my Bucket List too. Borthwick is a gifted writer, and I’m game for trying Book 2: The Down-East Murders (1985).
Of course, as a Christian reviewer, I’ve got to mention the inevitable language. It was by no means incessant, but present enough to garner a warning. No sex involved in this first book, but with 12 more books in the series following a single, 20-something female protagonist—let’s just say I’m wary.
Conclusion
This was not a quotable book, but it was engaging. I felt as if I were part of the story, and for that reason, I look forward to reading J.S. Borthwick again.
Next up, though, I’ve got the final book in my Siblings’ Book Club to read—The Chelsea Murders by Lionel Davidson, an author I’ve loved in the past. I’m only through the first chapter though—and judging by the gore, drugs, and language already, I don’t think I’ll enjoy it as much.
©2025 E.T.