Murder in the Atchafalaya

Hawk Theriot & Kristi Blocker #1

by Jim Riley, Stephanie Lewis (Narrator)

Brand-new treasury agent Kristi Blocker is tasked to find two missing coworkers in the vast Atchafalaya Basin: A swamp larger than Rhode Island.

But after Kristi herself gets kidnapped, things get complicated. Fighting for her life, she escapes to the depths of the swamp. Meanwhile, the Sheriff of St. Mary Parish asks Hawk Theriot - the swamp ranger - to find Kristi. The only federal warden in the Atchafalaya, he knows the area like the back of his hand.

With corrupt cops, private investigators, and federal agents all having their own spoon in the same gumbo, can Kristi and Hawk figure out what happened in the swamp, and bring those responsible to justice?

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

J​​​​​​​​​​im Riley was born on the banks of the Cane River in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the heart of the southern cotton patch. Growing up in this rural setting developed the love and passion he has for the outdoors and for the wildlife he hunted.

After graduation from Louisiana State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Jim worked in the oilfield for more than twenty years. Now he is happy at home with his wife.

Reviews

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Riley brings us a tense murder mystery set in a lush and interesting locale with Murder in the Atchafalaya! While on an assignment, treasury agent Kristi Blocker is kidnapped and forced to escape into the Atchafalaya, a massive swamp. Park ranger Hawk Theriot is tasked with finding her in the vast wilderness, but will either of them be able to avoid the dangers of the wild and the most dangerous predator lurking within it? Riley brings the Atchafalaya Basin to life along with its inhabitants with his powerful description and voice! This is a fast-paced novel with plenty of twists, but I also really enjoyed the unusual setting and the flavor Riley was able to convey through it. If you love murder mysteries that are always moving, or even wilderness survival stories, definitely rev up your fan boat and check out Murder in the Atchafalaya!

[Dwayne Martini · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read such an excellently written book, in which the author also has complete control over the story arc with a immense cast of characters and multiple points of view. Kudos for that!

[K. L. Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Atchafalaya Basin, where the hunters become the hunted.
Jim Riley, author of Murder In The Atchafalaya, weaves an intriguing mystery of environmental and historical significance with his main setting, the Atchafalaya Basin, or swamp, in south-central Louisiana, wetland home to many declining species of wildlife, waterfowl, migratory birds, alligators, and dangerous snakes, both of the reptile and human kind, the latter being scaly manifestations of treachery, disloyalty, and deceit from many diverse walks of life, including those of supposed reliability, trust, and security.
The novel immediately takes the reader into the extraordinary Atchafalaya morass, humble home to a remaining French Cajun community, and opens with a bone-chilling scene that speedily introduces the reader to one of two main protagonists, Kristi Blocker, US Treasury Agent, who’s on a hunt for her missing colleagues, and who soon meets up with the second protagonist, Hawk Theriot, Federal Ranger with the US Ranger Services, who is stationed nearby to protect the bottomlands, swamplands, bayous, and back-water lakes of the Atchafalaya delta from any and all criminal activity.
This spellbinding tale is one of good versus evil, of right over wrong, but mostly about morality in conflict with big money. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that author Jim Riley uses his vast knowledge of not only the Atchafalaya Basin but the industries surrounding the basin like big oil and fishing to create a multiplex mystery of murder and mayhem, money-mongering and muckraking, and all balanced by the motivating forces of justice for the moral good and right. I very much enjoyed this fast-paced read and I’m looking forward to reading Mr. Riley’s next novel in the series, Murder in Lake Palourde, which I hope might solidify the electrifying relationship between Hawk Theriot and Kristi Blocker. A super read and highly recommended.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristi was a new agent for the Treasury Department. She was to be looking into the deaths of two agents found in the Atchafalaya basin. She runs into Hawk who was a Ranger there. She actually helped save him from others shooting at him. The Basin was full of alligators and wild pigs and snakes all over the land. Men were dropping dead left and right. Luckily Kristi and Hawks survived most of it. Hawks got beaten up bad many times. They couldnt figure out what was going on but someone seemed to know everywhere they went. They had to keep hiding out at different places. I tell you this little lady Kristi seems to have eaten her way thru out the entire book. LOL You will see why. Oh and dont trust your friends if their jealous and money hungry . You just never know about them.

[patricia crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and gripping to the end

This book was rated highly for several reasons. The key players in the drama were admirable and likable and well developed, while peripheral players were critically present but did not detract from the drama as it played out. The story was in a setting that I know and love. You Can't tell a story about this area of LA and not have some mysterious or imaginAtive historical aspect like Rougarous. Held my attention until the last page. I look forward to more Jim Riley books!

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristi Blocker is a treasury agent, apparently that job is harder than one would think. First, heading into the swamp to find two co-workers and then a getting kidnapped herself, makes the character of Kristi Blocker someone who readers will enjoy. Hawk Theriot, swamp ranger, comes on board to try and help Kristi, and the adventure begins. This is a well written novel that readers will find an epic journey.

[Chad Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was such a beautifully written story with characters that were created with enough depth and detail that they made me feel like I was standing in the same room with them as their story unfolded as the pages were turned until the very end!

[Corliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I love anything that has to do with Louisiana and the swamps. This book has all the elements of a good mystery. Murder, intrigue, swamps and budding relationship. I highly recommend this one ❣️

[SherryDobiArrasmith]

Lengthy

I kept wanting the events to come to a conclusion it it dragged on. A lot of violence but some the author was make it was a usual outcome. I enjoy the setting down South I just wished more scenery was explained.

[Janie Perdue · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book ok about the Atchafalaya

I lived this book. I did figure out who the bad guy was about halfway thru but I loved the interaction of characters. The characters like Luther and the others. The story of the Roucharoe made for an interesting adventure.

[Jerry Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book, full of novelty and excitement. I cannot recommend it enough.