This story takes place in Medicine Creek, Kansas.  The major occupation in Medicine Creek is farming - mainly corn. 

Sheriff Dent Hazen received a call from Wilma Lowry who he felt had nothing better to do than to report the location of dead animals.  As he was riding along, he could see the birds circling above and drove as close as he could get by car.  He had to walk the rest of the way.  As he got closer, he soon realized that it was not a dead animal but a mutilated body.  Hazen believed the killing had taken place elsewhere and the body was dragged. 

The state police arrived to search the area.  Sheriff Hazen watched as they were making mistakes and erroneously destroying evidence.  Then he realized that it shouldn't matter to him - this was not his jurisdiction.  He only discovered the body.  Much to Hazen's surprise, it was then pointed out to him that they were inside the boundary of the township of Medicine Creek and it was his case. 

As Sheriff Hazen was having a news conference, he noticed a slender man dressed in black in the crowd.  The temperature was in the nineties and his suit was made of wool.  They wondered who could this man be?  They didn't think he was a reporter; in fact, Deputy Sheriff Tad thought he looked more like a murderer!  It turns out that this man was FBI Special Agent Pendergast who was there on his own initiative to investigate the case and he knows he must succeed before the killer strikes again.

Who is the serial killer?  What will special agent Pendergast discover as he starts to investigate?  You will be surprised!

This book would make a great movie!  Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have created a very charming, interesting and detailed character in Special Agent Pendergast.  This book is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat until you are finished reading it.  There are many surprises and twists in the plot.  Still Life with Crows is exciting and one that you will enjoy.   Add it to your list of books to read. 

NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR, NANCY EATON