The Feather Detective

Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne

By: Chris Sweeney

Narrated by: Sierra Prasada

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 listeners 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.

©2025 Chris Sweeney (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Intriguing story of an unsung herione

I really enjoyed listening to the Feather Detective. The story was interesting and brought new insights to a world of birds and feathers that I never considered. Though detailed in parts, the book weaved a powerful homage to Roxie Laybourne and her rigorous pursuit of feathers and birds and the roll they play in bird strikes. The narration was excellent. The reader, Sierra Prasada, brought the material to life and allowed me to also get lost in the story - which is my favorite way to listen to books. I hope she narrates more books in the future.

Fascinating story

This is a wonderful tribute to a woman who make a great timpact on science and on the understanding of bird identification. She was tenacious in her struggle against misogyny. I just wish her progress in this area was able to continue. Women need her spirit now more than ever.

Great actor, great writing, and amazing story .

The narrator of the audiobook, combined with the author of the book, and the amazing life story of the woman who loved it, equal a five star review.

An engrossing story well-told

I'd never heard of Roxie Laybourne before choosing this book based on its intriguing title. It delivers on all counts for anyone interested in detective work and forensics — (think CSI for airline bird-strikes) — or those who might appreciate the life of a brilliant if quirky character associated for many years with the Smithsonian Museum. I'm not even a birder, nor did I appreciate how important the study of bird feathers turned out to be, but I learned a lot.

I especially liked the beautiful narration by voice-actor Sierra Prasada — I didn't just listen to her words, but rather through her words, which invited me directly into the story.

Overall, I found it an engrossing story, well-performed.

Storytelling that reminds you everyone has a story.

This book tells the incredible true story of Roxie Laybourne, a pioneering female scientist who used feathers to solve plane crashes and even murders. It’s a powerful reminder of how women have shaped science—often without recognition. The storytelling is rich, suspenseful, and grounded in real history. A must-read for anyone who loves true stories about smart, determined women who changed the world.