Shell Games: Rogues, Smugglers, and the Hunt for Nature's Bounty

"SHELL GAMES" is the interesting product of a veteran journalist doing what he does best, reporting facts. This is an adventure story about two bigger than life characters, Doug Tobin, a Native American Indian fisherman who made his living trying to con the fish and game cops and the geoduck clam, a curious little-known over-sized sea creature desired by Asian food connoisseurs. For me, Welch saved his best writing for last. In the Epilogue he puts his readers in the room with him as he interviews a three time loser still playing his games. In "SHELL GAMES", Welch has made truth much more interesting than fiction. Surely these activities are not isolated to fishing and the Northwest. We need to know more about these little-known crimes against our environment and more about the law enforcement agents that dedicate their lives fighting the low-life environmental thieves. I recommend "SHELL GAMES" to anyone who believes in "law and order" as well as those that concern themselve with protecting our environment.

Loved this book, could not put it down. Who know this was going on? The story really drew me in, sending me to my computer time and again for additional information. Subject matter that could have enjoyed a very narrow focus became an adventure story with broad appeal. Great first effort.

Cunning bad guys battle genius good guys over clams that look almost pornographic. There's a big web of names and technical terms, but the author skillfully untangles it all. I learned about shellfish and even butterflies; I learned about Northwestern American history; I learned about police procedures. While I was learning, I was entertained by the suspense of the whodunit and the chase. The only thing that bothered me is that most of the story was about one criminal, and I would rather not read criminal biographies (why glorify the unheroes?), but there was enough focus on the biology, the Northwest, and on the biographies of detectives, that the book was well-balanced. Educational... entertaining... this is a wonderful book.

From the start with the poacher "Hunt" on Puget Sound led by Detectives Volz and Jarmon, fact is stranger than fiction as Craig Welch affirms with these entertaining yet also horrifying true crimes at sea collection. The entries occur in the Pacific Northwest and run the gamut of what poachers will do for profit. Although the prime focus is the Washington State fisheries, bears are killed to harvest their gallbladders as medical remedies and several others similar animal slaughters are highlighted also. Perhaps the biggest shocker is the tale of charismatic Native American artist Doug Tobin, who the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hired as an informant to enable them to catch geoduck poachers; he turns out to be a double agent as he is one of the prime poachers. This well written true crime compilation will fascinate and shock readers as dedicated law enforcement officials try to prevent poaching on the Washington State waters. No question that Craig Welch provides much of the entries from the perspective of the cops working the seaways who he admires as his empathies are with these hard working game wardens who face danger. However, he also makes the "Crab Men" and "Clam Kings", etc. come across as dedicated capitalists as to the professional poachers this is a business. Harriet Klausner

This topic interested me due to my personal focus on environmental issues. Craig Welch is an engaging writer and he was able to hold my interest throughout the book. The story is true and the characters are real. Part of what makes this an amazing read is the reality of what goes on in the international seafood trade. Welch introduces us to the players - the wildlife cops, the poachers/smugglers, and the federal agents - he fleshes out these real people with skill and makes their exploits interesting. The rollercoaster ride of true crime that follows makes this one hard to put down. If you are environmentally aware, or simply like to enjoy seafood (I am both), this is a must read. It will open your eyes and force you to take notice.