Agent Porter has been transferred to Miami as some sort of punishment, presumably for past problems detailed in the previous books. Driving around the city in her old Ford Tempo (no air-conditioning, another reason Rachel is in a sweat), the thirtyish agent begins to uncover a group of people trafficking in endangered birds. The particularly distasteful Willy Weed is caught in the airport with eggs he has smuggled. Unfortunately for Rachel, the slimy Willy is able to flush them before she can seize them for evidence.

Rachel pursues the crime and her belief that Willy is working for a larger group – which she thinks is connected to the gruesome murder of a former informant. Alberto Dominguez, also a bird dealer, was discovered by Rachel in his blood drenched bedroom. All of his birds, except one clever white cockatoo, have been stolen. As Rachel begins to pursue leads connected to both Willy and Alberto, she discovers that many clues lead back to an anti-Castro club. This club is both politically active and well-armed. Could there be a connection between the bird smuggling ring and the anti-Castro movement?

Rachel's boss at Fish and Wildlife doesn't think so and orders her off the case. Of course, Agent Porter is like a pit bull – she doesn't let go that easily. Along her way she encounters the sexy and well-connected siblings Elena and Ramon Vallardes. They happen to be neighbors to Phil Langer, a scary ex-military man who kills wandering flamingos. And the flamingos belong to Tony Carrera, another neighbor who happens to be a devious importer of other illegal creatures and whom Rachel owes a favor. Then there is Bambi, Willy Weed's ex-wife. A sleazy stripper with two scary little kids, she will do anything to help Rachel if it means it will hurt her ex-husband, the slimeball Willy. Last, but not least, are Rachel's lesbian landlords Sophie and Lucinda, who immediately befriend Rachel's best friend, the transvestite Terri, when he shows up for an extended visit.

To say that the author has a knack for creating colorful characters would be an understatement. The characters created here, along with some colorful dialogue, are unusual and enjoyable.

It is the plot which could use some color (or maybe some good old-fashioned black and white logic). That all of Speart's characters come together as equally involved in the bird smuggling, cigar smuggling, arms smuggling, murder ring is quite ridiculous. That Sophie and Lucinda are involved in Rachel's work is a silly contrivance.

Still, Bird Brained is a sassier sort of Nevada Barr story, with the brash Rachel Porter filling in for the calmer sensibilities of Anna Pigeon. She is a quirky character among a cast of oddballs, more enjoyable themselves than the mystery they uncover.

--Martha Moore