Review: A plot problem
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 27, 2013
I would read anything Craig Johnson writes, even if it was on the back of a cereal box. I've read all his books and although some were harrowing to read, I've liked them all.I like "Messenger" OK. It is packed with Native American owl beliefs and I could picture the situation well. Forest Service out houses are all built about the same way and Black Bears will tree people. They've also been known to climb trees adjacent to the roofs people were on, jump from the tree onto the roof and devour the people. So the story has plenty going for it.Johnson credits his sources on raptor information and threats to owl species. I'm all for raptor education. I love owls myself. But while Johnson was asking all these questions about owls, Native beliefs and threats to owls, how come nobody told him Great Horned Owls are not cavity nesters?A plot point revolves around why owls seek out the vent pipes of outhouses: they are seeking cavities. I'm a birdwatcher, not a raptor specialist; but I've never seen or heard of a Great Horned Owl in a cavity. They nest and roost in tree limbs, at least the ones in Utah do. Great Horned Owls are huge.I subtracted one star for this irksome plot point.I read this in a few minutes, which rated out to .50 cents a minute or so. It is a really short story. Johnson delivers a lot of information in that limited space.