The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson offers an engaging true-crime narrative that blends history, science, and mystery. Many readers commend its meticulous research and compelling storytelling. However, some critics find the pacing uneven and the author's personal asides distracting. Overall, it excels as a unique and intriguing exploration of an unusual heist.

A reader who enjoys gripping true-crime stories, historical heists, and tales of obsession will find The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson captivating. Fans of Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief and John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil will appreciate the blend of meticulous research and compelling narrative.

The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson recounts the 2009 heist at the British Natural History Museum at Tring, executed by the 20-year-old American flautist and fly-tier Edwin Rist, who stole 299 rare bird skins. Johnson, dealing with PTSD, started investigating to cope, uncovering the historical, cultural, and scientific implications of the crime and humankind's obsession with feathers. The book includes discussions of PTSD and mental health diagnoses.

Mysterious / Informative / Unnerving / Adventurous / Contemplative

- The Feather Thief delves into the niche world of Victorian fly-tying, where rare and exotic bird feathers are used to create intricate fishing flies, igniting a modern obsession.
- The book investigates a true crime incident involving the theft of rare bird specimens from the British Natural History Museum’s Tring branch, spotlighting the unique intersection of natural history and crime.

**Kirk Wallace Johnson**  
An American author and journalist who investigates the Tring feather heist and shares his journey and findings in a work that blends true crime with explorations of historical and cultural fascination with feathers.

**Simon Baron-Cohen**  
A professor and psychologist at Cambridge University who diagnoses Edwin Rist with Asperger’s syndrome, a diagnosis that plays a role in the legal proceedings following the feather heist.

**Luc Couturier**  
A French-Canadian master fly-tier known for innovative designs, who becomes a part of the investigation surrounding the Tring heist due to his interest in rare bird feathers.

**George Hooper**  
An evolutionary biology professor and Edwin Rist's initial mentor in fly-tying, teaching a meticulous and scientific approach to the art.

**Adele Hopkin**  
Lead detective of the Tring heist case, with a background in investigating serious crimes, who is depicted as competent and straightforward in her demeanor.

**John McLain**  
Operator of FeathersMC.com, a significant figure in the exotic feather trade, who becomes involved in the aftermath of the Tring heist due to his connections with Edwin Rist.

**Mortimer**  
A dentist and fly-tier who purchases bird skins from Edwin Rist, despite doubts about their legality.

**Edward “Muzzy” Muzeroll**  
A marine designer and expert Victorian salmon fly-tier known for his craftsmanship, and one of the initial suspects in the Tring heist investigation.

**Long Nguyen**  
Initially suspected as an accomplice in the tring feather theft, he aids Edwin in selling the stolen items and later engages in efforts for redemption.

**Richard O. Prum**  
An ornithology professor and head curator working to uncover and prevent the illegal trade of protected bird species, involved in the pursuit of evidence at fly-tying events.

**Edwin Rist**  
A musically talented young man whose passion for fly-tying leads him to commit the Tring feather heist, and whose character is scrutinized in the investigation.

**Lionel Walter Rothschild**  
A wealthy collector who amassed an extensive collection of bird skins at the Tring Museum, providing historical context to the heist's setting.

**Spencer Seim**  
A fly-tier and fishing guide who introduces Kirk Wallace Johnson to details about the Tring heist and the world of Victorian fly-tying.

**Alfred Russel Wallace**  
A naturalist and explorer who co-discovered the theory of evolution, offering historical insights into the obsession with collecting natural specimens during the Victorian era.

Kirk Wallace Johnson

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Before You Read

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The Feather Thief Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Feather Thief Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Dead Birds and Rich Men”

Prologue and Part 1, Chapters 1-3

The Feather Thief Prologue and Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

The Feather Thief Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Tring Heist”

Part 2, Chapters 7-9

The Feather Thief Part 2, Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 10-14

The Feather Thief Part 2, Chapters 10-14 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 15-17

The Feather Thief Part 2, Chapters 15-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Truth and Consequences”

Part 3, Chapters 18-21

The Feather Thief Part 3, Chapters 18-21 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 22-25

The Feather Thief Part 3, Chapters 22-25 Summary & Analysis

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Themes

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The Feather Thief Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

The Feather Thief Important Quotes

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The Feather Thief

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