NW Book Talk – Christy J Kendall – 10-21-2026

Christy J. Kendall – Mystery and Murder in America’s Wildlife Refuges

Washington author Christy J. Kendall joins Patty Grasher on Northwest Book Talk to explore the wild places and dedicated people behind her wildlife refuge mysteries.

Drawing on 25 years as a wildlife biologist, refuge manager, and project leader with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kendall brings firsthand experience to Eerie Ending and Shining Water. Her stories take readers from the shores of Lake Erie to Nevada’s desert canyons, combining suspense with an appreciation for nature and the communities that protect it.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The refuge managers and volunteers who inspire her fictional characters.
• Weaving wildlife, local history, and real landscapes into a compelling mystery.
• Desert hiking experiences and the importance of being prepared.
• Ancient rock writings, Area 51, and the unexplained elements in Shining Water.
• Her journey from writing scientific reports to publishing fiction.
• Upcoming mysteries set at Willapa and Ridgefield national wildlife refuges.

Kendall also shares how readers have responded to her characters and why she hopes her books encourage people to visit wildlife refuges themselves. It’s a welcoming conversation for mystery readers, nature lovers, and anyone curious about the people working behind the scenes in these special places.

Discover more author interviews at NorthwestBookTalk.com.