Each book in the Kea Wright series has a distinct tone.Mammoth Drop, for example, is a camp romp celebrating a science and drag. In contrast, the final story,Murder on Masaya, presents the hazards that scientists undertake to gather data.
Each book also has its own underlying theme. Cold Flood examines how being put under intense pressure can release something inside ourselves that we never knew existed. The Meerkat Murders examines the concept of altruism, Mammoth Dropexplores extinction, and Masaya examines family and sacrifice.
My favorite television show growing up was Doctor Who – you never knew where the next story would take you. The next tale could be set in the distant past or the far future, or be a comedy or a tragedy. I loved that element of surprise and tried to incorporate it in this series.
I wrote these books to share expeditions so that can be enjoyed from your favorite comfy chair. If you are interested in joining a scientific expedition on a volcano, a glacier, or even tracking dolphins, find a volunteer site online and sign up today! There are many ways that you can help scientists and spend a vacation that you’ll remember for a lifetime!
Whisterpoop was named Runner-Up in the Humor category of the Indies Today 2021 Award Contest! I’m delighted that the novella came in at Number Two.
“A sweet and funny romance novel with small town roots, Whisterpoop is a gently sarcastic book that takes an irreverent look at life entering the second half. It is such a treat to read a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and R. J. Corgan manages this with ease and great levity.
“The brief romance novel excerpts are brilliant little interludes that subtly poke fun at the genre, all while making Karen a more and more relatable leading lady. Despite the limitations and stereotypes common to her, ahem, maturity, Karen proves to be an adventurous, if not obtuse, character who is impossible not to adore.
“One of the best books I’ve ever read celebrating the fickleness of midlife, Whisterpoop is a delightful rom-com that will leave you in stitches.” – Indies Today
The Cozy Escape Book Club is holding it’s first Cozy Escape Awards to celebrate National Cozy Mystery Day on September 15th and The Meerkat Murders has been nominated in the category of International Cozy. Visit their page to vote for the Meerkat Murders today!
New review of the Meerkat Murders posted by Steven Robson for Readers’ Favorite.
The Meerkat Murders by R. J. Corgan is a murder mystery that delves into the darker side of human nature under the volatile skies of the Kalahari when Dr. Kea Wright is invited to join a research expedition by her good friend Tamaya Rose. This expedition, comprised of students and teachers from Burlingame University of San Diego, is studying several meerkat clans in Botswana. Kea’s initial surprise at being invited is pushed aside by a sequence of events that eventually leads to two deaths; one seemingly through sheer bad luck and one more sinister in nature. How Kea slowly unravels the mystery behind these tragic losses, whilst dealing with the majesty and brutality of the environment in which she is placed, will hold you captive until the very last word.
R. J. Corgan’s The Meerkat Murders is a slick and sublimely constructed voyage into the world of the African wilderness, juxtaposing the widely varied nature of human beings with the equally varied extremes of the ecosystem. Parts of this book will make you cringe at the depths of depravity people can plumb in pursuit of their own agendas, whilst other parts showcase the good that we are all capable of doing.
“… A really interesting story, filled with realism and excellent descriptions that proved to me the author had not only done his research, but also experienced much of the African landscape and settings detailed within the story. I was impressed how this story was woven together, with descriptions and details that really made me feel present – but not so heavily over-the-top to slow the plot or action down. It’s a delicate balance that isn’t easy to achieve and I feel the author managed this really well…”
So watch your back Timon, no hakuna matata for you!
New 4-star review of The Meerkat Murder on A-Thrill-A-Week!
“Did you know that the cute and cuddly meerkat, made famous by the Disney movie The Lion King is the most murderous mammal known to science? A 2016 study published in the journal Nature found that Suricata suricatta, also known as meerkats, beat out 1,023 other mammals at being the most murderous. They found that approximately 20% of all meerkats will be killed by one of their own. Sounds like a good topic for a good murder mystery, eh? Well, R.J. Corgan does just that with his latest addition to the Kea Wright series, Meerkat Murders…”
My next novel, Murder on Masaya is set on the slopes of Volcan Masaya, Nicaragua and continues the adventures of Kea Wright. I’ve included on this blog some photos of tools and techniques the scientists were using in the field that might not make it into the book.
Fieldwork nibbles
One of the many research projects conducted on the slopes of the volcano involved the collection of gravity measurements. These required a great deal of patience due to the sensitivity of the instruments. Below you can see two researchers patiently taking gravity readings on the side of the road on the slopes of Masaya.
The gravity meter in our field work was similar to the one you seen below (image from University of Newbrunswick). Their unit is a 1964 machine that’s been refurbished.
A gravity meter similar to the one we used on Masaya.
As old as it is, believe it or not, it still is worth as much as two new cars…
For us newbies, the device can take either five minutes to take a reading to forty. Or, if you’re almost done after forty minutes and someone accidentally knocks the base plate with their foot, it can take one hour fifteen…
The real joy of getting a Geology undergraduate degree is all the fieldwork – you usually have to complete a 6 week field camp, often out West.
Just a day at the office
After college, the tricky part is finding a career that lets you work outside.
It can be difficult to find a job that both pays well and lets you experience the great outdoors. Such jobs do exist, but it requires dedication, and luck, to find them.
Even if you find that job, after moving up the career ladder, you likely find yourself as a manager, spending all your days in meetings or tied to a desk.
When you forget that fresh air is more than an NPR program.
It doesn’t matter if your major was Geology, Biology, Geography, or Archaeology, chances are that many other people feel just like you. They find themselves working in marketing, management, or loads of other jobs that have nothing to do with their degrees.
Staying Plugged In – From Home or Breaks on Work
Now, don’t despair – and don’t walk away from those cushy office jobs! There are many ways to still get your Nature geek on.
There are many organizations that need volunteers to help collect or process data. National Geographic has plenty of citizen science programs on their website, putting you in touch with scientists who will help you test your local water, take part in the Audubon Society’s bird census, or even search space.
The new wave of data coming at scientists can sometimes be daunting. Where they used to scrimp and save to get one overhead image, they find themselves inundated with thousands. Between drones, trail cameras, and satellite images, they have to find a way to pull out the information they need. You can help, by helping them train their machine learning programs to identify different types of animals . Sometimes, even the computers can’t do it, and there’s no substitute for the human eye – you can help NASA find planets.
Working Vacations
There are ways to use your vacation time to get away from the office and see remote locations while helping scientists collect data! Earthwatch.orgis an international nonprofit organization that ‘ bring individuals from all walks of life together with world-class scientists to work for the good of the planet.’ By joining an expedition, your fees support the research (and meals), while you collect data side by side with the experts! Join an expedition monitoring dolphins in Costa Rica, boating down the Amazon, or see climate change the edge of the Arctic.
If you’re interested in conservation or education, check out GVI. From their website, “ Volunteer for a week or up to a year, combine our projects for unique multi-country combos, become an international expedition team member, take a gap yearwith a difference, or flesh out your resume with one of our various internship options!”
Or Just Tuck In With A Good Book
For example, I love the U.S. National Park system, but I’ll never get to go to all of them. Nevada Barr’s novels lets you explore 18 different parks, and the life of a park ranger, while enjoying the thrill of a murder mystery along the way. There are plenty of authors featuring scientists who can help you keep fresh on your science as well as scope out parts of the world you’ve yet to explore!
Remember, how you stay connected is up to you, but never forget the passion that inspired you. Whether through fiction, vacations, or just a good book, the world is waiting for you.
