Vivid characters and nature’s powerful backdrop are hallmarks of McLaughlin’s stories. I read Bearskin first, thinking I need to have read it to understand Panther Gap, but that turns out to have been wholly unnecessary.

For those who have spent time in Colorado, James McLaughlin's evocative writing about the remote landscape will bring back vivid memories. Even for those who have not, reading PANTHER GAP will bring the beauty and isolation of the land to life. Bowman and Summer are siblings who have been brought up by their paranoid father beyond the reach of anyone outside of their family. They've learned survivalist skills alongside a wide-ranging homeschooled curriculum with Bowman, in particular, becoming so entranced by the natural world that Summer sometimes believes he may have succumbed to the mental illness exhibited by his father. The book is told from both Summer's and Bowman's perspectives, both in the present and in the past, and Bowman's chapters share his metaphysical leanings. Summer's chapters often allow the reader to ground Bowman's transcendent experiences in the rational world. Together, the two perspectives transport the reader to a world of both beauty and pain.

When Summer, struggling to keep the family's hidden ranch afloat, is notified of a potentially huge inheritance that can only be theirs if both she and Bowman appear at a meeting with representatives of a Swiss bank, Bowman has left civilization to live in a remote Central American jungle. Circumstances force him to head home at this point, as Summer and her uncles attempt to protect the ranch while still meeting the bank's stipulation. The trajectories of these two plot lines rely on what seems like circumstances as they move toward intersection but, in fact, are carefully constructed to make sense as the book draws to a highly suspenseful end.

There are many characters introduced throughout the book but, while lesser authors might struggle to help the reader keep track of them, McLaughlin does a superb job of making each clearly essential and well-defined. The plot line is highly complex, involving, among other things, mental illness, survivalism, hidden bank accounts, drug cartels, FBI informants, hidden identities, and lots and lots of gunfire. At no point does McLaughlin lose track of the main theme of the book, however, which is personified by both Summer and Bowman: how can an individual use his or her skills, intelligence, and resources to make a real difference in the world without having the world destroy them first. The book can be read simply as a fast-paced thriller, but McLaughlin invites us to think much more deeply than that. The absolutely gorgeous writing only enhances the experience. In the audiobook, the narrator further strengthens the impact of the descriptions with his deep voice and direct delivery.

This is McLaughlin's second novel, following 2018's BEARSKIN. While there are similarities, especially in the remoteness of the outdoor settings, the books are standalones After reading the first, I was unsure that McLaughlin would be able to meet the high standard he had set for himself but, if anything, he has surpassed it with PANTHER GAP. I can only hope it doesn't take five years for him to grace us with his next.

This was an interesting read. Trying to hold onto the ranch, Summer is working hard. Bowman doesn't really want anything to do with it and is off alone.

It was an interesting read, although sometimes I had to put it down and walk away. Overall a decent read.

Panther Gap
James A. McLaughlin
I’m not sure but this may have been the second book in this series.
This is the unique tale of Bowman and Summer, brother and sister raised by their father and two uncles in the remote/isolated ranch called Panther Gap Colorado. After losing his wife, their father who was a radical environmentalist began having spells of paranoia and psychotic episodes in which he battled with ghosts from his past. Bowman and Summer are afraid of what he is becoming and yet they learn survival skills as well as a love for nature from him. He trained eagles by having his son dress and act like a wolf. The eagle would attack him. I’m surprised the kid lived. It is certainly understandable why Bowman had a strange radical personality. We learn most of their childhood through flashbacks. Bowman appears to be psychic and has a special connection to animals. There are many times when he seems to be hallucinating being part human and part animal.
Bowman settles in Central America as he searches for the elusive panthers and his identity. Summer is left to deal with the financially struggling ranch. He and Summer reunite in their thirties. They must fight drug lords, the mafia, and mobsters, that want to destroy their way of life. They discover they have a very dangerous inheritance from their grandfather; it is worth millions and perhaps billions of dollars all dirty money.
I found this book fascinating. I listened to the audio book, carrying it from room to room until I listened to the very last words. The plot is complex and so are the characters. I have mixed feelings about the environment part of the plot; I think it is vital to take care of the one earth that we have but I also think that the idea that cattle are harmful goes too far. The tale is told mostly through Bowman and Summer’s point of views. I enjoyed the flashbacks into their childhood and found the information invaluable in understanding the plot. I loved the setting, Colorado, the caves, the rugged terrain. The plot was filled with family conflict, dirty money, bad guys willing to shot anyone or anything. We are left with an open ending leaving room for perhaps another book or perhaps just allowing readers to contemplate the message.

Crime thriller with a wonderful ambiance.

My first novel by James A. McLaughlin and I'm impressed!

On the surface, Panther Gap appears like a basic crime thriller; close siblings who gone their separate ways are united for a secret inheritance left to them by their grandfather. Sounds like a good day except for dangerous people are also after that money!

Set in the rugged lush valley called Panther Gap, a Colorado ranch. McLaughlin masterfully weaves childhood stories through flashbacks bringing wildlife and landscapes to life! I love nature and his literary prose is compelling and insightful. The story has a native mythical feel on top of being an action-packed thriller.

I was intrigued by the title and requested this audiobook which is expertly narrated by MacLeod Andrews. The nonlinear timeline wasn't confusing with the chapter headings and is easy to follow.

OOFFFFF, i have zero idea that this was a sequel, BUT I was still so happy to consume this book in audio format. I am so thankful to James A. McLaughlin, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Flatiron Books for letting me experience this beautiful production, for all of its wild west goodness and more!

PANTHER GAP
James A. McLaughlin

I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for James A. McLaughlin’s latest environmental thriller-Panther Gap.

PANTHER GAP is about siblings Summer and Bowman. Raised in an extraordinary fashion, Summer was taught to follow her instincts, and Bowman to capture his, they grew apart as adults but now must come together to secure their inheritance. Bowman must travel far and wide in a hazy state and Summer must interpret the character of those around to navigate-both using those instincts.

I do not reach for environmental thrillers often, actually ever, but thought that this might be a good one to try and I was right. McLaughlin’s writing, specifically his way of describing people, places, and things is phenomenal. And in this book, he explores the interdependency of our human relationships and how we express ourselves within our environment. How our environment influences us and how we influence our environment.

Our symbiotic nature.

The entire reading experience felt like I was reading in color. McLaughlin has an interesting use of language. He used a few beautiful words I don’t come across very often and used one of my favorite words ever. This book makes the natural feel magical. And I’ll never think of my relationship with others and my environment as being independent ever again.

When he writes about animals and Bowman’s tenuis relationship with his species, it feels like we’re talking about more than just wanting to run wild and free. Perhaps we’re also discussing what it means to be an individual in an ecosystem where one change, changes everything. And how living your life in your truest nature, as you were meant to, is the only way to be free.

PANTHER GAP is for the animal in all of us and I highly recommend you add it to your list.


PANTHER GAP comes out on April 4, 2023.

Thanks to James A. McLaughlin, Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Flatiron Books for inviting me to be a part of the tour and for the advanced copies!

PANTHER GAP…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️