Midwest Book Review
"... Marine biology is just another area that is begging for a great mystery to be written. The plight of the whales is an international concern, and Lovell does a thorough job of outlining the forces locked in battle and the reasons for the fight. He spins a straightforward tale full of interesting side trails, such as the lure of big money to professors who are supposed to be our leading minds, but who all too often succumb to the temptation of money and sex to undermine their position in our society. His characters are bigger than life, and his description of the Oregon coastline is simply stunning. Dead Whales contains a first-rate plot that snags the reader from the first page and doesn't let go until the final denouement. Thomas Martindale is an entertaining hero who exacts his revenge on his former love who has done him wrong just as he rescues her from certain doom. An excellent read from an accomplished writer."
Dan Hays, Statesman Journal
“It always seems a little strange to say that a murder mystery is fun. But sometimes they are. Ron Lovell’s second venture into the mystery field is a good example. Lovell … introduced his reluctant professor and sleuth Thomas Martindale last year in Murder at Yaquina Head. That was a swift and accomplished book, and this one is even better. They are issued by a small press, but Lovell’s work as a mystery writer is equal to or better than most authors being published by the major houses. This is a solid mystery with good characters and deft writing.”
Seattle Times
“Dead Whales Tell No Tales is the second in an enjoyable Oregon-based series starring cranky-but-amiable college journalism professor Thomas Martindale. (Author Ron Lovell knows the turf: He’s a professor emeritus of journalism at Oregon State University.) Here, Martindale gets mixed up in the death of an unpleasant marine biologist—an incident that ties into both the long-ago death of a graduate student and an all too human conspiracy involving whales.”
Clint McKinzie, author
of Edge of Justice and Point of Law
“Dead Whales Tell No Tales is a compelling who-done-it
that will keep you guessing until the very last chapter. In addition to
an exciting and imaginative plot, it features a dramatic setting and a
humorous glimpse at the worlds of academic infighting and the politics
of whaling. The characters feel very real—as well-intended and as
flawed as the people around us every day. It is a pleasure to read author
Ron Lovell’s well-crafted prose.”
John Byrne, former United States Commissioner of Whaling
“Dead Whales Tell No Tales but Ron Lovell clearly does, and he tells them well.”
Carola Dunn, author
of the Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries
“An interesting peek at the politics behind the killing of whales,
and a wildly original method of disposing of a murder victim!”