In the newest Sam Rivers Mystery, award-winning author Cary J. Griffith delivers a pulse-pounding wilderness thriller packed with action, psychological tension, and emotional depth. Grizzly Narrows is a gripping tale of survival and vengeance where one wrong step could be Sam’s last.
Check out the rest of the Sam Rivers Mystery series!
Grizzly Narrows Book Discussion Questions
Praise Quote:
"My heart beats a little faster whenever a new Sam Rivers mystery drops. Readers are guaranteed to learn something fascinating about midwestern flora or fauna, but, in Grizzly Narrows, Griffith's lesson plan is packed inside a bullet train swerving wildly off the tracks as Agent Rivers attempts to wrestle control from violent felons, malevolent poachers, and attacking grizzly bears. Then there's the mystery woman - a modern-day femme fatale - pulling strings in the shadows in a twisted game of vengeance. And the string she most wants pulled is the one wrapped tightly around Sam Rivers' neck. Who knew learning could be this much fun?" -Jeffrey B. Burton, award-winning author of the Chicago K-9 Thrillers and the Mace Reid K-9 Mysteries
“Put your seatbelts on for Cary J. Griffith's latest Sam Rivers adventure. The action begins on page 1 and only gains speed and momentum with each turned page. Rivers faces not one, but two, of his most dangerous -- and determined -- nemeses in Angus Moon and Willa Gunn. The tension is nonstop, only relieved with a very satisfying -- and high-flying -- resolution.” –Glenn R. Miller, author of Doorman Wanted and Rough Cuts
In A Sam Rivers Mystery series, author and natural history writer Cary J. Griffith introduces readers to Sam Rivers, a wildlife biologist who has built a respected career as a special agent for the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Follow Rivers as he tracks criminals through wilderness and frigid winters. He has to rely on a
“In Rattlesnake Bluff, Cary Griffith presents readers with his most provocative and fascinating villain—a man who, as a teenager, likes to call himself ‘Der Fuhrer.’ Still infatuated with Nazismas an adult, he is remarkable for his ability to rationalize in his mind his horrific acts while appearing to be a constructive member of society. After arriving in Bluff Country to investigatethe discovery of an endangered species of rattlesnake, Sam Rivers and Gray, his wolf dog, track the murderer. And rattlesnakes provide justice. Griffith’s knowledge of flora and fauna, alongwith his understanding of the psyche of an American devotee of Hitler, enables him to masterfully tell this story that will resonate with many readers. Rattlesnake Bluff is Griffith’sfinest novel.” —Brian Duren, award-winning author of Whiteout, Ivory Black, and The Gravity of Love
Rattlesnake Bluff Book Discussion Questions
Author Bio:
Award-winning author Cary J. Griffith grew up among the woods, fields, and emerald waters of eastern Iowa. His childhood fostered a lifelong love of wild places. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota. Griffith’s books explore the natural world. In nonfiction, he covers the borderlands between civilization and wild places. In fiction, he focuses on the ways some people use flora and fauna to commit crimes, while others with more reverence and understanding of the natural world leverage their knowledge to bring criminals to justice. In both genres, readers are likely to learn something about our relationship to the natural world and the creatures who inhabit it. “I was 14 the first time I visited the lakes and boreal forests of northeastern Minnesota,” says Griffith, “and its beauty struck me.” He lives with his family in a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
Natural history writer Cary J. Griffith brings back Sam Rivers for his fourth outdoors-themed mystery—a suspenseful novel filled with fast-paced action.
Check out the rest of the series!
Dead Catch Book Discussion Questions
Praise Quotes:
“A fascinating and thoroughly satisfying investigation into the shadowy world of illegal fishing.” —Pamela Beason, author of the Sam Westin Wilderness Mysteries
“Dead Catch captures your attention from the opening sentence, and then, like Griffith’s first victim in the poacher’s net, you’re caught in a trap that’ll keep you flipping pages until the final twist.” —Jeffrey B. Burton, award-winning author of the Mace Reid K-9 Mysteries
“Dead Catch kept me turning pages as Griffith revealed the high stakes in the walleye poaching industry. This fantastic mystery shows the depths of love, friendship, and the power of being given a second chance. A must-read series for all mystery and wildlife lovers!” —Kathleen Donnelly, award-winning author of the National Forest K-9 series
In Killing Monarchs Gray, Sam's drug-sniffing wolfdog finds a sample drug packet, hidden by Sam, but that’s not all. The wolfdog keeps following his nose, leading Sam to a utility room where they discover the school’s janitor, dead. Local police write it off as a drug overdose, but Sam is no stranger to crime scenes. He suspects foul play.
Here is a link to Book #1 Wolf Kill and Book #2 Cougar Claw in the Sam Rivers Mystery series.
Killing Monarchs Book Discussion Questions
Author Bio:
Award-winning author Cary J. Griffith grew up among the woods, fields, and emerald waters of eastern Iowa. His childhood fostered a lifelong love of wild places. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota. Griffith’s books explore the natural world. In nonfiction, he covers the borderlands between civilization and wild places. In fiction, he focuses on the ways some people use flora and fauna to commit crimes, while others with more reverence and understanding of the natural world leverage their knowledge to bring criminals to justice. In both genres, readers are likely to learn something about our relationship to the natural world and the creatures who inhabit it. “I was 14 the first time I visited the lakes and boreal forests of northeastern Minnesota,” says Griffith, “and its beauty struck me.” He lives with his family in a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
A Sam Rivers Mystery
Evidence in the death of a wealthy business owner points to an unexplained—and unlikely—cougar attack, but special agent Sam Rivers risks his life to uncover the truth. Check out this 2nd installment in the Sam Rivers Mystery series!
Here is a link to the first book in the series:
Wolf Kill
“Sam Rivers is a welcome addition to the growing list of crime fiction protagonists by Minnesota writers. His love of nature and creatures, even predators, permeates the plot."
Mary Ann Grossman - St. Paul Pioneer Press
Cougar Claw Book Discussion Questions
Author Bio:
Award-winning author Cary J. Griffith grew up among the woods, fields, and emerald waters of eastern Iowa. His childhood fostered a lifelong love of wild places. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota. Griffith’s books explore the natural world. In nonfiction, he covers the borderlands between civilization and wild places. In fiction, he focuses on the ways some people use flora and fauna to commit crimes, while others with more reverence and understanding of the natural world leverage their knowledge to bring criminals to justice. In both genres, readers are likely to learn something about our relationship to the natural world and the creatures who inhabit it. “I was 14 the first time I visited the lakes and boreal forests of northeastern Minnesota,” says Griffith, “and its beauty struck me.” He lives with his family in a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
A Sam Rivers Mystery
Special agent Sam Rivers' investigation of a bizarre wolf attack leads to evidence of murder, conspiracy, and shocking family secrets in this wildlife-themed thriller.
“Sam Rivers is a welcome addition to the growing list of crime fiction protagonists by Minnesota writers. His love of nature and creatures, even predators, permeates the plot."
Mary Ann Grossman - St. Paul Pioneer Press
“Wolf Kill is a terrific read! The writing is so good that you can feel the frigid winds blowing through this dark and masterfully crafted novel even as the suspense heats up. And the wolves are as magnificent and frightening as you could hope.”
—David Housewright, Edgar Award-winning author of What Doesn’t Kill Us
“I love books where I go on a great adventure, but I also learn something along the way. Wolf Kill does all this and more—it’s the beginning of a series featuring a smart wildlife special agent who takes us into the wilderness and safely out again. A deeply satisfying read.”
—Mary Logue, author of Claire Watkins mysteries and The Streel
"The deep freeze of a Minnesota winter meets the chilling underbelly of a small Iron Range town in Cary Griffith’s fantastic Wolf Kill. I loved meeting Sam Rivers, the wolf expert and USFW field agent assigned to protect the nation’s wildlife, and can’t wait to follow Rivers on his next adventure."
—Mindy Mejia, author of Leave No Trace and Strike Me Down
Wolf Kill Book Discussion Questions
Author Bio:
Award-winning author Cary J. Griffith grew up among the woods, fields, and emerald waters of eastern Iowa. His childhood fostered a lifelong love of wild places. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota. Griffith’s books explore the natural world. In nonfiction, he covers the borderlands between civilization and wild places. In fiction, he focuses on the ways some people use flora and fauna to commit crimes, while others with more reverence and understanding of the natural world leverage their knowledge to bring criminals to justice. In both genres, readers are likely to learn something about our relationship to the natural world and the creatures who inhabit it. “I was 14 the first time I visited the lakes and boreal forests of northeastern Minnesota,” says Griffith, “and its beauty struck me.” He lives with his family in a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
