When the Killing's Done

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From the bestselling author of The Women comes an action-packed adventure about endangered animals and their protectors. Set on the wild Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, T.C. Boyle's powerful novel blends thrilling adventure with a socially conscious tale about humanity's impact on the natural world. Alma Boyd Takesue, a National Park Service biologist, leads efforts to save the island's endangered species from invasive threats like rats and feral pigs, which she believes must be eradicated. Her adversary, Dave LaJoy, a local businessman, along with his lover, folksinger Anise Reed, opposes the killing of any species and will go to great lengths to thwart Alma's plans. Their escalating confrontation reveals the destructive power of nature itself. Boyle enriches the narrative by recounting the harrowing story of Alma's grandmother, Beverly, the sole survivor of a 1946 shipwreck, and Anise's mother, Rita, who worked on a sheep ranch in the late 1970s. This clash between environmental protectors and animal rights activists raises essential questions about ownership of land and the lives of all creatures sharing our planet. While offering no clear answers, the novel, like Boyle's classic The Tortilla Curtain, deeply resonates and challenges readers to reflect on these pressing issues.