SKU: 60048608152

The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne

Sale price$21.78 Regular price$24.20
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.05 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 24 - Aug 29

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne"A biography that reads like a novel." The Wall Street Journal "Laybourne was a badass." Los Angeles Times "Sweeney's biography must be read to be believed." The Millions "Engrossing Riveting This entrances." Publishers Weekly NPR Books We Love 2025 Scientific American's Best Nonfiction of 2025The fascinating and remarkable true story of the world's first forensic ornithologist Roxie Laybourne, who broke down barriers for women, solved murders, and

"A biography that reads like a novel." --The Wall Street Journal - "Laybourne was a badass." --Los Angeles Times - "Sweeney's biography must be read to be believed." --The Millions - "Engrossing...Riveting...This entrances." --Publishers Weekly - NPR Books We Love 2025 - Scientific American's Best Nonfiction of 2025

The fascinating and remarkable true story of the world's first forensic ornithologist--Roxie Laybourne, who broke down barriers for women, solved murders, and investigated deadly airplane crashes with nothing more than a microscope and a few fragments of feathers.

In 1960, an Eastern Airlines flight had no sooner lifted from the runway at Boston Logan Airport when it struck a flock of birds and took a nosedive into the shallow waters of the Boston Harbor, killing sixty-two people. This was the golden age of commercial airflight--luxury in the skies--and safety was essential to the precarious future of air travel. So the FAA instructed the bird remains be sent to the Smithsonian Institution for examination, where they would land on the desk of the only person in the world equipped to make sense of it all.

Her name was Roxie Laybourne, a diminutive but singular woman with thick glasses, a heavy Carolina drawl, and a passion for birds. Roxie didn't know it at the time, but that box full of dead birds marked the start of a remarkable scientific journey. She became the world's first forensic ornithologist, investigating a range of crimes and calamites on behalf of the FBI, the US Air Force, and even NASA.

The Feather Detective takes readers deep within the vaunted backrooms of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History to tell the story of a burgeoning science and the enigmatic woman who pioneered it. While her male colleagues in taxidermy embarked on expeditions around the world and got plum promotions, Roxie stayed with her birds. Using nothing more than her microscope and bits of feathers, she helped prosecute murderers, kidnappers, and poachers. When she wasn't testifying in court or studying evidence from capital crimes, she was helping aerospace engineers and Air Force crews as they raced to bird-proof their airplanes before disaster struck again.

In The Feather Detective, award-winning journalist Chris Sweeney charts the astonishing life and work of this overlooked pioneer. Once divorced, once widowed, and sometimes surly, Roxie shattered stereotypes and pushed boundaries. Her story is one of persistence and grit, obsession and ingenuity. Drawing on reams of archival material, court documents, and exclusive interviews, Sweeney delivers a moving and amusing portrait of a woman who overcame cultural and scientific obstacles at every turn, forever changing our understanding of birds--and the feathers they leave behind.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 60048608152

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.3 ★★★★★
Based on 18 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
E
Verified Purchase
Eduardo Renta
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clean Look, Comfortable Ride
Size: 11.5 Wide, Color: Woodbury Handstain
The Cole Haan Men’s GrandPro Tennis sneakers are a perfect mix of laid-back and polished — the kind of shoe you can wear everywhere without thinking too hard about it. Right off the bat, the design is subtle but refined. They’re minimalist enough to pair with jeans and a hoodie, but they also work with chinos and a button-down for a more put-together look. The “tennis” aesthetic keeps it classic without feeling like you’re wearing athletic shoes. Comfort is where these really shine. They’re lightweight and cushioned in all the right places, so long walks, errands, or standing around at events don’t end with sore feet. There’s no stiff break-in period — they feel good from the first wear. The sole has just the right balance of support and flexibility, which makes them easy to wear all day. The materials feel good too — soft, sturdy, and not flimsy. They hold up well after repeated wear and still look fresh even after a few outings. They don’t crease or scuff up excessively, which is always nice. If I had to point out a downside, it’s that they’re not performance sneakers for athletics — but that’s not what they’re meant to be. They’re lifestyle shoes that look great and feel great for everyday wear. Overall, a solid go-to sneaker that elevates casual outfits and keeps comfort front and center. Easy recommend if you want versatile kicks that stay stylish without being loud. I was able to pick up this particular pair here on Amazon for 50 bucks, 56 total with everything and honestly I’m still scratching my head in that deal. I mean my New Balance were 70 bucks or something like that. These are brown leather, sophisticated and comfortable, just amazing shoes. I get compliments all the time.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Deborah Barnum
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Quality and Comfort
Size: 12, Color: White
My husband is a Cole Haan shoe person and what we love mostly is the comfort and quality and style.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
superbrain
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Size seems spot on shoe is beautiful
Size: 12, Color: White
These are beautiful shoes. A great cross between the ubiquitous flat as a board shoes like vans and tennis shoes. More comfortable than the super flat shoes and more formal than sneakers. Very soft leather. Not much arch support and I don't know if an insert would fit well. I am between an 11.5 and 12 in most brands (actual foot length from heel to tip of big toe is 11 and 1/8 inches). These fit perfectly in a 12 with room for comfort. An 11.5 probably would fit but snugly. I do not agree that they should be sized down at least based on my experience. If you can get these for under eighty dollars like I did they are well worth it. I'll be wearing them all summer.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2021
I
Verified Purchase
It's cool.
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 4
Weightless, well made. But there are problems with size
Size: 8.5, Color: White
I bought it for a teenager, for size 81/2. This, according to the dimensions on the page, is 25.9 centimeters. They came, the size was indicated correctly, but they are large for the child. Very large. They fit me, size 10. The child is disappointed. Well made, look neat on the foot. Almost weightless But I can't give the maximum rating. I wish the seller to deal with the size grid.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
Matthew Gonzales
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing Shoe!
Size: 9 Wide, Color: Blazer Blue Hand Stain
Amazing shoe!! Comfortable to wear for long periods of time! Highly recommend!! 👍🏾
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2025

recommand products