Murder on the Amazon – Out now!

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Coming in 2027: Murder on the Amazon

In 2024, my partner and I finally took the trip to the Amazon that we’d planned for our 10th anniversary, four years earlier, before COVID intervened.

It was my partner’s first time volunteering on a scientific expedition, and I’d heard this was the best Earthwatch trip for introducing someone to a vacation filled with fieldwork and science. It did not disappoint!

In the mornings, you could participate in shorebird surveys, then later in the day walk through the rainforest, go fishing, or count dolphins. At night, there were bats and caimans to count. Or, if you were feeling weary, you could stay in your cabin and rest as needed. (Please note: On many scientific expeditions, this is not an option!)

Dr. Bodmer led the expedition and gave daily lectures to help us understand the diverse, interconnected systems of the Amazon, both natural and political. His team was wonderful with the volunteers, and they now offer a new program you can join to work alongside them. You can learn more here: www.fundamazonia.com

But what about MURDER? 

Murder on the Amazon is a fictional murder mystery inspired by Glass Onion and Murder on the Nile, set deep in the Amazon rainforest. I hope you’ll enjoy the murder, science, puns, and a bit of romance.

The book can be read as a standalone mystery and takes place between Mammoth Drop and Murder on Masaya, so there’s plenty of Kea and Carter for everyone.

I hope you enjoy it!

Available for pre-order now on Amazon and it will be released in February, 2027!

Guide to the Kea Wright Mystery Series

by Murder Mystery

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 Drop explores 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!

Find your favorite one on Amazon!

Whisterpoop: Runner-Up in Indies Today 2021 Awards

by Writing

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

Reader’s Favorite Review of The Meerkat Murders!

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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. 

Read the full review here.

 

Long and the Short Reviews: The Meerkat Murders

by Meerkat MurdersMurder Mystery

Another 4-Star Review!

“… 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…”

You can read the full review by clicking here 

A-Thrill-A-Week Reviews: The Meerkat Murders

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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…”

Click here to read the full review

A-Thrill-A-Week also reviewed Cold Flood, which you can find here

Murder on Masaya – Fieldwork Nibbles

by Citizen scientists

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…