The Beast in the Garden: The True Story of a Predator's Deadly Return to Suburban America

I really loved this book, the author did a fantastic job of telling the story in an engaging way. And I learned a lot about the history of the Division of Wildlife in Boulder County, and some new things about mountain lion behavior. It did not allay my instinctive fear of lions...

Very readable and informative. I have given this book to several of my friends. I live in Colorado and see lions fairly often, so it was an especially good read for me.

This was a riveting story of what can happen when you try to tame wildlife. It did an excellent job explaining unexpected consequences of Seemingly simple Actions. It was so scary to read of the disastrous and fatal events as well as Follow wildlife officers and police as they solved the mysterious murders.

Really enjoyed reading this book and hearing about the personal accounts from so many. Living on the Front Range, I am familiar with all of the places mentioned and that makes it even more enthralling. At the end of the day, this book is a great example of how we as humans must adapt to living with the original inhabitants of this land as we encroach on their habitat. Great read, well written, love hearing stories from different viewpoints. Would recommend.

This book is amazing and riveting in the telling of our encroachment into the territory of wild animals, specifically the cougar, or mountain lion. It is hard to believe that this is the first book by David Baron, because it is everything a book should be: it begins with the heart of the story (the killing of a young runner, probably by a cougar) and then delves into those subjects we never feel we are interested in or can understand, such as science, the natural history of the Wild West, man's insistence on doing what we want, when we want, and living anyplace we choose, and then tells of heart-pounding stalking and serial killer type behavior. Throughout, Baron gives historical retellings of other encounters with mountain lions. The book wraps up as well as this story can be wrapped up, with lose ends flying in the wind as we search for answers to our desire to move into the territory of wild animals. Baron spares no one, including the parents of the young man killed or the Division of Wildlife employees, who in my opinion appear to be worthless.To compare this story to the book and movie Jaws is right on. However, we have to remember that this is a story about real people and real events and real animals and should be taken seriously since attacks by wild animals on humans seem to be increasing at a high rate. It is amazing to me that some people who had their pet dogs carried off by cougars appear to be more upset than some people whose very lives are affected. To read about these people and their silly ideas and patently absurd notions about moving back to nature is eye-opening. When the west was truly wild, we did not live with these magnificent creatures. We hunted them or stayed out of their way; we did not try to live with them. And we certainly did not think they were cute, cute enough to take their pictures as they lolly-gagged on our patios where our pets and children play.This book deserves to be a bestseller since it is both a great read and discusses issues of major importance. I hope the publisher and booksellers give this book the attention it so richly deserves. I also hope that Mr. Baron continues with his writing since he has a unique talent of being able to inform without being preachy and at the same time tell a riveting story. It is one of those books that held my attention throughout and that I read slowly so it would not end so quickly. And the ending is fitting to any book about serial killers and the like, which is to say the ending is truly chilling.

The media could not be loaded.      I just bought a brand new cabin 45 min SW of Denver in a remote subdivision of homes (on 5 ac. lots) abutting virgin forest and newly acquired state land. I put up a game cam, almost immediately I had bears, raccoons, gray foxes swarming near the camera. But 1 week ago I got video of a long, non-bushy tail with a black tip. The neighbors have warned me about "the cats". Someone recommended this book to me. HOLY COW! My little subdivision is a carbon copy of 1980's Boulder! Deer stroll the roads from house to house eating corn off the raised porches. New houses slowly encroach on virgin wild land filled with boulders and cliffs, ponderosa pines. Lots of athletic people, lots of dogs with flimsy little fences.Now for the book. I have not finished it yet, but it is honestly one of the best books I've ever read! In the first 3 pages of the book, you see exactly where the story is headed. The character development is amazing. The coverage of all the complex angles of the story is awesome. The author even makes ho-hum Santa Ana winds feel like a key character. Bravo Mr. Baron for a story told exquisitely! But....now I'm having a hard time sleeping at night! Anyone who even likes an occasional vacation in Colorado should read the book.Ok...just finished the book. In the epilogue an attack is described near Carpenter Peak in Roxborough Park. I solo hike this peak a couple times a year (midweek, when no one is around!). About a year ago I discovered light-colored scat in the middle of the high trail, looked it up online, and id'd it as lion scat. I didn't really take it seriously, but I sure will now. Great book. 11/2015 update: here's video of my lion visitor. 12/15, 3 weeks later here's another lion video

The Beast in the Garden by David Baron has long been a favourite of mine. This is my second copy, having worn the first one through with constant revisits. An investigative exploration of the circumstances that led to the first adult human death from a mountain lion attack in over a century, it is a haunting and spine-chilling warning of our inability to respect the wild.Baron expertly walks us through the sequence of events that resulted in what, for some, was the inevitable conclusion. We are introduced to Boulder, Colorado, in the late 80s and early 90s. We see its liberal political tendencies, its inclination towards nature, its protective tendencies to green spaces, and the people feeding and protecting the huge deer herd the non-hunting community harbours. We also learn of the falsehood underneath it all, of invasive species of plant, and water piped in from out of state to keep the green spaces green.The story reads like a thriller. Shadows crossing roads in the middle of the night. Muffled rustlings and thumps on rear porches and verandas. And then...people's pets start showing up with strange wounds, or not showing up at all. The deer, the false wilderness...it all has attracted something truly wild. The cougar - the mountain lion, has moved into the suburbs.As Division of Wildlife officials dismiss the concerns of the community and wildlife experts, a community famed for its non-hunting stance begins to question its principles. Pet and livestock attacks increase. Sightings increase. Then, as a new generation of lions descends on the town, they show they have fully adapted to their new environment. They hunt during the day, and they show no fear of humans. Little does Boulder know that it has reached a crisis point.Baron introduces us not just to the events, but also the people who play such significant roles in the story. His journalistic background is revealed as the facts, and differing viewpoints, are collated and presented for the reader to make up their own mind. Baron deals with a fair hand, and with neutrality, as we read the story. The odd journalistic flair-up of sensationalism doesn't hinder the facts, and aids the pace of the narrative. We have the opportunity to explore the historic record, and contemplate the bigger picture by doing so.For anyone interested in our relationship with predators, wildlife management, eco-politics, or just looking for a quality, intriguing read, I can't recommend this book enough.

Good book

Great book engrossing story I couldn't put it down until I was done, highly recommended:) excellent story , very good