Mortal Fall (2016)

A wildlife biologist’s shocking death leads to chilling discoveries about a home for troubled teens in Christine Carbo’s haunting and compelling new crime novel set in the wilds of Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park police officer Monty Harris knows that each summer at least one person—be it a reckless, arrogant climber or a distracted hiker—will meet tragedy in the park. But Paul “Wolfie” Sedgewick’s fatal fall from the sheer cliffs near Going-To-the-Sun Road is incomprehensible. Wolfie was an experienced and highly regarded wildlife biologist who knew all too well the perils that Glacier’s treacherous terrain presents—and how to avoid them.

The case, so close to home, has frayed park employee emotions. Yet calm and methodical lead investigator Monty senses in his gut that something isn’t right. So when whispers of irresponsibility or suicide emerge, tarnishing Wolfie’s reputation, Monty dedicates himself to uncovering the truth, for the sake of the man’s family and to satisfy his own persistent sense of unease.

Monty discovers that Wolfie’s zealous studies of Glacier’s mysterious, embattled wolverine population, so vital to park ecology, had met resistance, both local and federal. To muddy the waters further, a wilderness facility for rehabilitating troubled teens—one that Monty’s older brother attended—may have a disturbing connection to the case. As Monty delves further into an investigation that goes deeper than he ever imagined, he wrestles with the demons of his past, which lead back to harsh betrayals he thought he’d buried long ago.

And then a second body is found.

Reviews of Mortal Fall:

Carbo doesn’t do superficial. She gives her characters weight. And like her debut, Mortal Fall provides a story with dual tracks—the investigation into murder and the rugged journey of the soul.” —New York Journal of Books

“Compulsively readable.” — Publishers Weekly

“The descriptions of Glacier Park are powerful, but the real strength of Mortal Fall is its well-drawn characters…. this book [was] more and more engaging as it moved along a dark and dangerous path to a surprise conclusion.” —Mystery Scene Magazine

“If Mortal Fall were just a beautifully written, sharp-eyed procedural, that would be reason enough to read it. But Christine Carbo offers so much more in this fine second novel. It’s a study of flawed, compelling characters and the ghosts that haunt them. It’s also a fascinating look at the relationship of humans with the too-rapidly changing landscape of Glacier Park. And finally, it’s the tragic story of the forces that can shatter a family. This novel works on so many levels, all of them masterfully crafted.”  — William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Windigo Island

“Mortal Fall is a terrific read. With a masterful hand, Christine Carbo guides her readers through an intriguing mystery full of complex relationships and smartly-developed characters. Her rich descriptions immerse you in the grandeur of Glacier National Park as this riveting story unfolds. Christine Carbo should be a part of every mystery-lover’s personal library.”  — Allen Eskins, award-winning author of THE LIFE WE BURY AND THE GUISE OF ANOTHER

“Carbo brings subtlety and sensitivity to the smallest of moments… those willing to soak up the character-driven context will find much to enjoy here.” —Booklist

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Author: Christine Carbo

Christine Carbo is a teacher and writer living in Whitefish, Montana with her husband, Jamie, their three kids, one dog and one cat. Her love of Glacier National Park inspired her first novel, The Wild Inside, which was published in early 2015 by Atria Books / Simon and Schuster.