This was a slow burn. I wasn't impressed by yet another detective with an unexpected side: in this case, DI Domenic Jejeune is a bird watcher.

Once I had put this 'interesting' detective bit out of mind, I found an enjoyable tale, with the required twist and clues that should have, but didn't, lead me to solve the crime.

That's my idea of a perfect crime story. ( )

Didn't relate to the protagonist or the characters. ( )

What I liked most about this book was that it was smartly written.

At times I was certain this was a 4-1/2 to 5 star book, but ultimately I felt like the story bogged down for no good reason and then many of the clues to the mystery were dropped in during the summing up. For me that last bit is like... thank you for explaining what wasn't contained in the book (which could be any damn thing you dreamed up to make it work).

Within the mystery is a knowledgeable account of birds and birding, but at the same time does not spare birders from light disparagement. The story ranges from the finer points of field identification to bird lore to mocking those who choose to spend valuable time chasing birds.

This is the kind of stuff I really liked, the "birders versus the real world."

************

"But murdering someone over a bird list? I mean, it's so preposterous. Even a fanatical birder like you must admit that, for God's sake. Just to be the first to see four hundred birds. Who cares? Well, you would, obviously, but I mean among normal people."

Birders versus the real world was a discussion they had held before, at various levels of seriousness, and Jejeune had little hope that this one would turn out any different, especially given Lindy's current mood.

************

This passage being a bit of "who knew?" as well as a look at those inside and those outside the bird world.

************

"Why a siege, for God's sake?"

Senior smiled. "Ah well, you would have to ask Juliana de Berniers. She's the one who first catalogued these wonderful collective nouns. Some do say it's a corruption of sedge, but there are enough strange entries in Ms. de Berniers' 'Book of St Albans' to suggest that it was probably siege right from the beginning."

"But why have a collective noun for bitterns at all," asked Lindy, "if it's so unusual to see more than one at a time? I mean, nobody's ever felt the need to come up with a collective noun for intelligent men, have they?"

Senior barked his delighted laugh again. "Ah well, I suspect it's back to the dinner table for that one. As in, 'I understand you are entertaining tonight, my Lord, I'll have cook prepare a siege of bitterns for your supper.' But it's an interesting question.

************

It's a fun read. ( )

The birder in question is DI Dominic JeJeune, a recent transplant from Canada to Yorkshire (if I remember correctly).

It's a good thing he's a birder or he wouldn't have solved this mystery, but the reader needn't worry because Dominic's knowledge is available to them. Interesting mystery - and I learned a lot about birding!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to pick up #2 - A Pitying of Doves ( )

I am a huge fan of Elly Griffiths’ series that takes place near Saltmarsh in Norfolk and was excited to learn about a second series set in the same area. While Ruth Galloway (Griffiths’ protagonist) is an archaeologist, DCI Domenic Jejeune is a Canadian police detective who would rather spend his days birdwatching. Soon after his arrival in Norfolk, Jejeune is assigned to solve the murder of a prominent ecological activist. Jejeune is a likeable and intelligent protagonist, and the resolution of the murder is a bit convoluted but still entirely plausible and satisfactory.

Burrows calls attention to the saltmarshes of Norfolk, and the effects pollution and human activity have on that sensitive and important habitat. That focus and learning about the bittern were my favorite parts of the book. He strikes just the right balance between the mystery elements and the ecological and nature aspects of the story.

A Siege of Bitterns was a great read, and I look forward to reading the next few books in the series. ( )