Undergrowth: A fast-paced ecological adventure set in the dark woods where glowing mushrooms live

Ellen King Rice delivers a new thriller set in the woods of the Pacific Northwest — a story of suspense, mushrooms, alternative economies and dark forest dwellers. Retired botanist Dr. Oh rejoices when he finds an enormous specimen of a rare shelf fungus, a species nicknamed the "Fuzzy Sandozi." Unfortunately there is a dead body lying next to the magnificent polypore. His granddaughter, Jasmine, insists they must report the murder, despite the danger of revealing the location of the rarity. Just a few miles away, twenty-year-old Elspeth Dwerryhouse has mushrooming problems of her own. After time in prison for selling psychoactive fungi, she is now working multiple jobs to earn money for college. Her stint selling emergency preparedness supplies brings her to the attention of a backwoods family, the Fickhams, known for trading in chainsaws and abusing women. As Elspeth juggles transcription for a mycologist, busing tables and cat minding, she must also avoid the lusty Fickhams, support her cousin Carmen's medicinal mushroom research, and negotiate the management of a sweet-but-wild high-energy dog that has been dumped into her house-sitting gig. The Fickham men are cunning and dangerous. None more so than Henry, who is dealing in fentanyl while his father, seventy-year-old Russell, is a master of rape, intimidation and body disposal. Henry wants out and Russell wants Jasmine, Carmen and Elspeth "tenderized" in a dark shed filled with glowing mushrooms. Fungi in this story include polypores, liberty caps, waxy caps, morels and more. Part thriller, part ecology class and totally fungi friendly, Undergrowth takes the reader deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Undergrowth will forever change how you look at mushrooms. Winner of a 2019 IPPY Award for best regional fiction. Ellen King Rice delivers an unconventional thriller - a story of suspense, mushrooms, alternative economies and dark forest dwellers. Retired botanist Dr. Oh rejoices when he finds an enormous specimen of a rare shelf fungus, a species nicknamed the Fuzzy Sandozi. Dr. Ohs joy fades as his granddaughter, Jasmine, insists on reporting the dead man lying on the forest floor next to the magnificent polypore. Dr. Oh knows revealing the location of the rare fungus may lead to its destruction. Just a few miles away, twenty-year-old Elspeth Dwerryhouse has mushrooming problems of her own when her job selling emergency prep supplies brings her to the attention of a backwoods family, the Fickhams. The Fickham men are cunning and dangerous. None more so than seventy-year-old Russell, who is a master of rape, intimidation and body disposal. Russell is keen to have Elspeth tenderized in his shed of glowing fungi. How can young women make smart choices when the rules of the world and the gig economy arent working in their favor? Fungi in this story include polypores, liberty caps, waxy caps, truffles and more. Adult content including scenes of sex and violence. Undergrowth includes illustrations of local fungi by Olympia artist Duncan Sheffels. Buy Undergrowth today to grow in forest lore! Readers praise this As compelling and hard to set aside as a box of the best chocolates. "Nothing says Pacific Northwest better than mushrooms, lush forests and gray, rainy days . . . Rice's multi-generational story combines a murder, mushroom research and disturbing backwoods encounters. The tapestry of the plot, characters and setting is rich and pleasing. Other "Mushroom Thrillers" by Ellen King Rice and Duncan The Slime Mold Murder : Kirkus Reviews says, Characterization is Rices strength; shes packed this volume with memorable characters, including a sexy sculptress, an elusive nature photographer, and a prickly visiting professor. As with her earlier works set in the Pacific Northwest, she effectively shines a spotlight on nature, in this case, slime molds. Helping to bring these little-known organisms to life are the striking illustrations by Sheffels. . . A whimsical whodunit both educational and entertaining. The '' Compelling characters and a plot with a little fungi thrown in. A Finalist, and highly recommended." The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Lichenwald : It's not often you find an author who can so cleverly balance her knowledge of a subject such as lichen and also offer the reader a tantalizing story. Without boring the reader, Rice presents them with an absorbing setting that, simply, jumps off the page. The Forest of Mayhem : The story unfolds with just the right pacing, like that of a beautiful walk on a trail in the PNW. The region is depicted perfectly -- complete with mossy trees and fungi in densely wooded areas and speaks to the author's vast knowledge of the western Washington biological features, woods, and trails. Also, dont miss Ellens Menippean satire about the gig economy in challenging times. Larrys Post-Rapture Pet-Sitting Service is a howling good time! Retired botanist Dr. Oh rejoices when he finds an enormous specimen of a rare shelf fungus, a species nicknamed the "Fuzzy Sandozi." Dr. Oh's joy is mitigated as there is a murdered man lying next to the magnificent polypore. His granddaughter, Jasmine, insists they report the body, despite the danger in revealing the location of a rare fungus. Just a few miles away, twenty-year-old Elspeth Dwerryhouse has mushrooming problems of her own as she works four jobs in the exhausting gig economy. Her job selling emergency prep supplies brings her to the attention of a backwoods family, the Fickhams. The Fickham men are cunning and dangerous. None more so than seventy-year-old Russell, who is a master of rape, intimidation and body disposal. Russell wants Jasmine and Elspeth "tenderized" in a dark shed filled with an ancient mattress and a swath of glowing mushrooms. Escape seems impossible. -- Amazon