The Sacrifice Of Buntings: The Birdwatcher Mysteries

Have you ever wondered about the secrets hidden within nature? The intriguing wonders that unfold in the wild are often captivating, and sometimes they can even bring forth mysteries that pique the curiosity of both experts and enthusiasts. Such was the case with the enigmatic Sacrifice of Buntings in the world of birdwatching.

The Tale Begins

In the quiet town of Meadowbrook, nestled perfectly amid lush green landscapes and rolling hills, lived Alice Huntington, a passionate birdwatcher. Alice had dedicated her life to studying birds and their behavior, immersing herself in the poetic melodies they sang and the dances they curated in the sky. Her days were filled with moments of tranquility, as she ventured deep into the heart of the meadows to observe and document various bird species.

One sunny morning, as Alice was engrossed in observing a pair of bunting birds, she noticed an unusual pattern in their behavior. Their chirping seemed distant, filled with an underlying melancholy, as if they carried a secret that yearned to be unveiled. This struck Alice as peculiar, and her curiosity was instantly piqued.

A Sacrifice of Buntings (The Birdwatcher's Mysteries Book 5)

by Chris Goff(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1225 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Mysterious Chirping

Unable to shake off the intrigue that had taken a hold of her, Alice delved deeper into her research. She scoured the internet, searching for any information that could shed light on what she had observed. But to her surprise, there was no documented evidence of such an unusual behavior among buntings. The lack of information only intensified the mystery, leading Alice to believe that she had stumbled upon something significant.

Days turned into weeks, and Alice continued her pursuit to unravel the secret behind the melancholic chirping of the buntings. She reached out to fellow birdwatchers and scientists, engaging in lively conversations and debates to find answers. The community joined her in this endeavor, as they too were spellbound by the tale Alice had woven.

Song of the Sacrifice

One fateful morning, as the sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, Alice stumbled upon an old journal hidden within the shelves of a dusty attic. The pages within were filled with handwritten notes, drawings, and stories of birdwatchers from the past. Amongst them was the mention of a legendary birdsong, known as the "Song of the Sacrifice."

The legends spoke of an ancient ritual performed by buntings, passed down through generations. It was said that once in a century, buntings gathered in a secluded part of the meadows to perform a hypnotic song that carried a heavy emotional weight. The song was believed to be an offering to the spirits of the meadows, a way for the buntings to express their gratitude for the eternal beauty that surrounded them.

The Final Discovery

Driven by a newfound determination, Alice embarked on a quest to witness the "Song of the Sacrifice" herself. After months of searching and following faint whispers of the ritual's location, Alice stumbled upon the secret gathering of buntings. Perched atop a weathered tree branch, she looked on with awe as the buntings began their eerie yet captivating song.

As the mist swirled around the meadow and the haunting melody filled the air, Alice's heart swelled with an understanding she hadn't known before. The buntings weren't melancholic, but rather expressing their heartfelt connection to nature and the duty they embraced as guardians of the meadows.

A Legacy Unearthed

Alice's discovery of the "Song of the Sacrifice" became a turning point in the world of birdwatching. Her meticulous research, coupled with her unyielding passion, brought to light a hidden ritual that had remained obscured throughout time.

The Sacrifice of Buntings became a symbol of the deep bond between birds and their environment, reminding us all of the delicate balance that exists in nature. It also served as a testament to the mysteries waiting to be unraveled within the world of birdwatching, invigorating enthusiasts and experts alike to explore further.

So, the next time you find yourself observing the beauty of nature, remember that there may be secrets waiting to be discovered. The tale of the Sacrifice of Buntings serves as a reminder that there is always something new to learn, even in the most ordinary of bird species. As Alice Huntington found out, the world of birdwatching is rife with wonder, offering endless adventures for those willing to seek them.

A Sacrifice of Buntings (The Birdwatcher's Mysteries Book 5)

by Chris Goff(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1225 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Birdwatcher's Mysteries: Book Five

"You don't have to be a bird lover to fall in love with Christine Goff's charming Birdwatcher's Mysteries." Tony Hillerman

Rachel Wilder hasn’t seen any of her friends from Elk Park in over two years, when she’s asked to join them at a birding convention in Georgia.

She’s not quite sure who’s more excited - she or her boyfriend, Kirk Udall, an investigative reporter. It turns out the keynote speaker at the birding convention is Guy Saxby, the subject of his latest investigation.

Rachel soon realizes that her first mistake was agreeing to dig up information on the renowned birder. Her second mistake was involving her friend Dorothy MacBean.

Dorothy enthusiastically agreed to befriend Saxby. How could Rachel have predicted the two would fall for each other?

Then, Saxby becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his protégé, Paul Becker, whose startling exposé would have upstaged his mentor's research on the painted bunting's prime habitat.

But Saxby’s not the only one with a motive to kill Becker. There are the investors waiting for Becker’s go-ahead on the golf course development, a family of locals who would do anything to see the trade stopped, and some university colleagues.

To help Dorothy, Rachel works to clear Saxby’s name. But then she begins to wonder if - like the painted bunting - Saxby really did kill another male who was encroaching upon his turf.

Chris Goff is a former journalist and the award-winning author of eight novels—six in the bestselling Birdwatcher Mystery series. Her books have been nominated for two Willa Literary Awards, two Colorado Book Awards, a Colorado Author's League Award, won gold and silver medals from the Military Writers Society of America, and been published in the UK, Italy and Japan. A long standing member of several writers’ organizations, she currently serves on the national board of Sisters in Crime. Goff lives in Colorado, where you’ll often find her outdoors with binoculars in hand.

Praise for Chris Goff:

"Very entertaining. Birders and nature lovers alike will enjoy this new twist on the cozy mystery." The Mystery Reader

"The birds of the Rocky Mountains will warm the binoculars of birders who have waited a lifetime to see real stories about birds in a popular novel." Birding Business Magazine

"Christine Goff's Birdwatcher's mysteries are engaging." Mystery Scene

"A wonderfully clever, charming, and addictive series." David Morrell, author of Murder as a Fine Art

“A Rant of Ravens is a deft and marvelous debut mystery set in the complex and colorful world of birdwatching.” Earlene Fowler, author of Seven Sisters

“A Rant of Ravens stars a gutsy heroine in fast-paced action with a chill-a-minute finale...enchant nature....A fine-feathered debut.” Carolyn Hart, award-winning author of the Death on Demand and Henrie O mysteries

“…fresh new series featuring birds, suspense, the Rocky Mountains, a spunky heroine and plenty of complications….what more could anyone ask? Christine T. Jorgensen, author of Dead on Her Feet

"A most absorbing mystery.” Virginia H. Kingsolver, Birding Magazine