"THE ROTTING WHALE artfully merges the realms of mystery and environmetalism to create an enthralling new genre: the eco-mystery.
Eyrich's prose is rich, painting vivid images of both the natural and urban landscapes that serve as the backdrop for Hugo Sandoval's adventure. Readers will find themselves captivated by the offbeat hero as he ventures from the familiar streets of San Francisco to the rugged Mendocino Coast to unravel the enigma of a stranded blue whale.
The story seamlessly blends the intrigue of a classic mystery with a thought-provoking environmental theme. Jann Eyrich's eloquent writing style draws readers into the heart of San Francisco and the noir ambiance of a city on the brink of change. Readers of Dashiell Hammett's Thin Man Series and Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache Series should head to their favorite bookstore immediately."
- D.D. Black, author of The Shadow of Pike Place, a Thomas Austin Crime Thriller
“Hugo is the voice of reason in a changing world that was built brick by brick.”
- Shawn E. Hall, Architectural Designer
"Seeing San Francisco through Jann Eyrich’s eyes in this clever eco mystery series is a great read. She knows her history and loves the city as I do, so her Hugo character has every opportunity to share great hidden tidbits that outsiders may never see. We get to see the city starting to face some big changes, yet we also see an insider's guide to North Beach and the waterfront that makes you long for a crab sandwich on a foggy pier."
- Chip Conley, New York Times bestselling author, Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder
“In The Rotting Whale, Jann Eyrich does for San Francisco and northern California in the 21st century what Armistead Maupin did in the 20th, painting a portrait of an old but vibrant and complicated city and its inhabitants as they navigate the pressing issues of our time.
Eyrich masterfully crafts mystery and intrigue from the consequences of industry and development and the high-stakes money and power at play in addressing environmental issues. A must-read for modern-day lovers of classic sleuthing and gumshoe detectives.
The Rotting Whale is an engrossing mystery that reflects the realities of our time. Eyrich leads the way toward a new and necessary integration of environmental issues into popular culture without sacrificing any of the essential elements of a great detective story.”
- Ruby McConnell, Author, Geologist & Activist
“Filled with page-turner action, this narrative locks the reader into a muti-level mystery that Hugo and his forensic investigator sidekick T. Ray Harrison rumble through as the whale gets deblubbered for science. A most satisfying read from the humble fan of the well-constructed tale!”
- Randy Fingland, poet, Berkeley
“As a fifth generation San Franciscan, ex Landmarks Commissioner, and as a fan of mystery novels set in San Francisco and on the Barbary Coast I loved it. This story has it all - history, romance, whaling lore and an incredible cast of memorable central characters.
Eyrich has written a classic in the tradition of the best SF novelists. I particularly enjoyed revisiting the old haunts and dives, the politics of the SF Building Department, the history of the waterfront (above and below sea level), and all the lights and shades of the city we all love!”
- Margo Warnecke Merck, Warnecke Institute of Design, Art & Architecture
“Jann Eyrich has given us Hugo Sandoval, a San Francisco building inspector as a new kind of detective -- he sees everything. A blue whale washes up on the beach in Mendocino and sets off a string of events that includes murder, extortion, mayhem--and a love story. Or two.
Page-turning, dripping with atmosphere, a full cast of engaging supporting characters, and a bid to save the planet in a necessary new genre: the eco-mystery.”
--Julia Park Tracey, author of the Veronika Layne: Hot Off the Press Series
“Vibrant characters, an intriguing plot, and a setting with so much detail and depth you can almost taste the salty breeze.”
- Janice Peacock, author, The Glass Bead Mysteries