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Book 2 - Shep Harrington, Smalltown Mysteries
Syndey Vail, once a beautiful soap opera star, now has a passion for championing the rights of animals—but she keeps the controversial methods of her cause as shrouded as she keeps her partially disfigured face. Sydney enters lawyer-cum-detective Shep Harrington’s life in a cloud of dust and vanishes just as quickly, leaving behind two very different but strangely connected things: a chimpanzee and a murder.
The chimpanzee is the young Kikora, whom Sydney liberated from her confining cage in a testing lab at DMI—a mega-medical conglomerate led by the hard-driving Howard Doring, who “apparently believes that the human animal has every right to exploit all living things.” At DMI, she and other chimps were used to test a new anti-obesity pill. The murdered victim, killed by a blow to the head, is Dr. Celia Stone, the DMI researcher in charge of Kikora.
Soon Shep realizes that Kikora, left in his initially unwilling care, is not only stolen property, but the longer he keeps her, the more threatened his own freedom becomes—and the more often tough questions race through his head. What makes an animal property? What is the source of “human” rights? What about an animal whose only difference from humans is 1.6% of DNA, that can empathize and suffer like humans? The questions confuse Shep, who’s never had to think hard about them before.
And the only answers he seems to find lie in the big brown eyes of a chimp called Kikora.
Chain Thinking is a whodunit with a heart and a mystery with a message. Once the mystery is solved, there’s a whole lot more left to think about. Shep finds his answers. Will you find yours?
REVIEWS
"read them all!"
"Elliott Light makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you angry, makes you think. What more can you ask of a writer? Oh, how about, great research into subjects many know little or nothing about. Now add a murder to be solved , along with a cast of characters who draw you in, makes for a great story wherein you learn something. I've read his books and I'm definitely a fan of Elliott Light who is looking forward to what's next."
Jennie Weckelman
"a hero for our times!"
"One reason that society's ethics advance so slowly is that the reasons for advance are hidden behind the facts and figures of dry scientific papers and textbooks that remain unread by anyone but scientists and a few geeks like me. The facts and figures generated by the African slave trade were ample cause to end such an abomination, but it was not until Uncle Tom's Cabin came along that people actually sat up and took notice.
Elliott Light's new mystery novel, Chain Thinking, has the potential to awaken the public to the plight of chimpanzees being used in biomedical research in a way that scholarly publications simply have not done. In this story, the newest addition to his Shep Harrington Smalltown Mystery series, Light introduces his readers to a world of corporate greed that has little concern for the suffering it leaves in its wake.
Like all good mysteries, Chain Thinking compels the reader to turn yet another page and follow the story through its unexpected twists and turns. Whether you are a mystery aficionado, a Shep Harrington fan, or someone interested in the animal research industry's darker secrets and devious behavior, you will surely find Chain Thinking an eye-opening and surprising story. Shep Harrington is a hero for our times.
For the animal rights crowd, Chain Thinking will make a great gift for friends and family members who refuse to read a graphic expose. Before they know it, they will be cheering for the animals. Go Shep!"
Rick Bogle
"the perfect tapestry!"
"Elliott Light's CHAIN THINKING was the perfect tapestry of mystery, drama, animal rights, and the law. The story begins with a 'big bang' and doesn't stop running from there. I was drawn to his protagonist Shep Harrington, the reluctant hero/detective/lawyer, through whose eyes and voice we are reminded of the injustices our society imposes upon chimpanzees and other animals for our own selfish purposes. Mr. Light is able to convey a strong message without being preachy. I also enjoyed Shep's dry sense of humor. I promise you'll pick up the book and finish it in one read."
Shauna Wertheim
"Chimps are smarter than you think!"
"I loved this story. I learned so much about chimpanzees, and the laws that at this point, sadly do not protect them, all while reading a romping page turning murder mystery. Set in the DC area, with careful attention to area details it was a delight to read. Bravo Elliott Light!"
Avidreader - Amazon
"entertaining and englightening!"
"His writing is engaging, and the subject matter, use of animals in medical research labs, is enlightening and thought provoking."
Sondra Jones
"no monkey business!"
"A very interesting book advocating for animal rights. Interesting but also fun to read!"
Alfred Jaacob