Review: All the Big Ones Are Dead by Christopher A. Gray and Howard E. Carson

If we have learned one thing as a species, it is that evil can come in many forms, but the higher up the chain of criminality you go, the more things become interconnected in a murky, sinister web of corruption, greed, violence, and lies. In All the Big Ones Are Dead by the talented writing team of Christopher A. Gray and Howard E. Carson, the seedy underworld linked to the illegal animal trade is exposed in brilliant and disturbing detail.

When it comes to the illegal trade of ivory from elephant tusks and rhino horns, the first sin is the devastating impact it can have on the populations of these wonderful creatures. However, with each successive shipment, delivery, and middleman, the price goes up, which is basically a magnet for criminals of all other specialties. Michael Bishop, a seasoned CIA agent, finds himself in the center of this shadowy network of deception and crime, trying to trace the money all the way up to its dastardly source.

While illegal poaching has been a topic of concern for decades, this book still feels timely, as the plot quickly expands beyond the ivory trade to modern-day terrorism, political corruption, and the dark side of powers that secretly run much of our world. As is the case in so many other illicit industries, the ground-level crimes are where the trouble starts, but the higher up the chain one climbs, the more dangerous, lucrative, and complex it becomes. This novel criss-crosses the globe, from the exotic wilds of Africa to the concrete jungle of New York, illustrating just how pervasive and interconnected global crime has become.

Despite the fast pace of this novel, there is still a great amount of detail given to the procedural aspects of the CIA and governmental operations, exhibiting either personal experience in intelligence work or an impressive level of research, without being heavy-handed or plodding. This sort of authenticity is immediately engrossing, giving readers a view of the rarely seen inner workings of covert operations. Gray and Carson are patient and professional in their storytelling, with a particular eye for environment, and compelling settings for readers to explore from start to finish.

In terms of character development, Bishop largely holds the novel together, but his partners and allies across the world are also deeply fleshed out and engaging. The language patterns are consistent, despite the international flavor of the book, while the varied cultural references are well-researched and tactful. The dialogue is sharp and effective as well, progressing the plot but also smacking of sincerity, and the action scenes are gripping, but not overdone, making the effect of violent moments even more impactful.

The only real points of critique are some lazy instances of language in the narration, including the use of casual slang that doesn’t seem to fit the rest of the narrative. Such stumbling blocks are few and far between, and easy to overlook given the gripping story these two authors have delivered in a polished and powerful international thriller.