The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson

aired the week of June 9, 2025

The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson tells the story of the 2009 Tring Museum feather heist by up and coming salmon fly tier Edwin Rist.  Rist made off with 299 rare bird skins many of which were never recovered.  Johnson recounts his efforts to recover the missing skins and determine if Rist had an accomplice.  Recommended for fans of The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean, The Falcon Thief by Joshua Hammer or The Art Thief by Michael Finkel.