Vince Rubio is a down-and-out P.I. -- and a velociraptor -- just trying to cope. His refusal to accept his partner's recent death has earned him the boot from the prestigious Council that deals with dinosaur/human interactions, as well as mounting bills, a pesky addiction to basil and a downward-spiraling career. When his former T. Rex boss throws him a bone of an assignment, Vince swallows his pride and goes for it, only to realize he's stumbled upon a threat to all dinosaur-kind, not to mention the genetically-challenged humans.

Vince's voice isn't eloquent, but his observations on both species are insightful, wry and sometimes downright racist. ("Most Compys have literacy problems." "Ankylosaurs are the used-car dealers of the dinosaur world. In fact, they're the used-car dealers of the mammal world, too.") Nice to know other species have shortcomings, too. There's intrigue, betrayal on all levels, a few more deaths, and a sexy human female who confuses Vince's scent glands. The story ends on a nicely vague note, setting you up for more about Vince's world and observations.

This book is a definite 'Buy' on my personal scale of Buy, Borrow, or Wait for the Paperback. Since author Eric Garcia is only 26 years old, I'm sure we'll hear from Vince again. Hold onto your copy -- someday it may be as rare as -- a dinosaur egg!!

--K. W. Becker