Rob Phillips

Amateur private investigator and new dad Charlie Shaw gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to track down a young girl's missing father in Rob Phillips' 2024 Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Mystery Novel award-winning debut.Charlie Shaw is low on sleep. And cash. Otherwise, life is going pretty well for the ex-crime reporter: he's happily married to his college sweetheart, he's a first-time dad to the most adorable baby girl in existence, and he's making ends meet as a rookie PI. But when Charlie meets Friday Finley, a frightened sixteen-year-old runaway on a stakeout-gone-wrong, his world gets a little more complicated. Friday is looking for her estranged father Shawn, an unreliable alcoholic who left when she was young--and who also happens to be her only shot at avoiding the foster care system since her mother's death a few weeks earlier. At first, Charlie believes the man is simply hiding out somewhere, avoiding his responsibilities as usual, but the more he investigates, the more unsettling--and dangerous--Shawn's disappearance becomes. When his own family is threatened, Charlie realizes he's in over his head, but can he back out now that he's begun to care for Friday as his own? A perfect page-turning blend of humor and high stakes, Stakeouts and Strollers is a heartwarming story of fatherhood, family, and what it really means to be a "Girl Dad."

During a routine patrol along the Yakima River, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer Luke McCain encounters a terrified young woman fleeing a man she believes killed two people in a homeless camp in Seattle. Her story convinces Luke to contact his wife, FBI Special Agent Sara McCain, who goes to work with Seattle Police to identify and locate the killer before he finds the woman and makes the potential witness his next victim.​Meanwhile, Luke uncovers a group illegally excavating prehistoric mammoth bones on state land. As he and his dog Jack confront the armed diggers, Sara's case reveals a chilling link between a possible serial killer and the witness's shadowy pursuer. Their investigations collide in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, where Luke and Sara must stop a calculating killer and expose greed-driven criminals threatening history itself.

An essential introduction to the physics of active matter and its application to questions in biologyIn recent decades, the theory of active matter has emerged as a powerful tool for exploring the differences between living and nonliving states of matter. The Restless Cell provides a self-contained, quantitative description of how the continuum theory of matter has been generalized to account for the complex and sometimes counterintuitive behaviors of living materials.Christina Hueschen and Rob Phillips begin by illustrating how classical field theory has been used by physicists to describe the transport of matter by diffusion, the elastic deformations of solids, and the flow of fluids. Drawing on physical insights from the study of diffusion, they introduce readers to the continuum theory protocol—a step-by-step framework for developing equations that describe matter as a continuum—and show how these methods and concepts can be generalized to the study of living, energy-consuming matter. Hueschen and Phillips then present a range of engaging biological case studies across scales, such as the symmetry breaking that occurs in developing embryos, the perpetual flows that take place in giant algal cells, and the herding of wildebeest on the plains of the Serengeti.An essential resource for students and researchers in biological physics and quantitative biology, The Restless Cell gives complete derivations of all calculations and features illustrations by Nigel Orme that seamlessly bridge conceptual models and continuum descriptions of living matter.

When trappers begin encountering illegal bear traps near their traplines, it seems that someone may be purposefully attempting to trap trappers-but why? As one trapper attempts to remove himself from a potentially lethal snare, two major snowstorms start pummeling the Central Cascades.Stranded hunters and a fugitive killer looking for a place to ride out a blizzard have Luke McCain and his yellow Lab, Jack, working overtime to help get everyone safely out of the mountains. It can only be described as the most challenging 72 hours he has ever spent on the job as a Washington State Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer.Praise for Trapped in the Cascades: ​"Fast-paced and engaging, Trapped in the Cascades converges three separate storylines, each ripe with malicious intent and life-threatening repercussions. These are woven into a nail-biting finale with Luke McCain and his faithful companion, Jack, fighting off dangerous weather conditions and the ticking timer towards death if they are unsuccessful. A five-star read " --J.C. Fuller, author of The Rockfish Island Mysteries​"I kept turning pages in Trapped in the Cascades long after I should have been doing other things, but as I followed Luke and Jack through biting winds and snow, smelling pine crushed underfoot and hearing the pop of pine sap from the fire, I couldn't put the book down. Phillips is a great storyteller who can weave clever mysteries and plot twists that particularly appeal to people who love the outdoors but will please anyone who likes a good thriller." --Dalyn Weller, author of the Apple Valley Ranchers series and other titles

After continuous complaints that a poaching ring is running rampant in northeastern Washington, Fish & Wildlife police officer Luke McCain is assigned to go undercover to infiltrate the gang. Just as Luke and his fellow officers move to finally catch the poachers red-handed, one of the crooks flees into the mountains and Luke has to hunt him down.​Days later, a serial killer suspected of killing dozens of women around the Northwest escapes from custody when a Department of Corrections van crashes in the rugged North Cascades. Luke and Jack are hand-picked by the governor to join the manhunt, and the pressure is on to find the fugitive before he disappears into the wilderness, possibly to reemerge and kill again.Praise for Cascade Manhunt: "Cascade Manhunt is the fifth book of Rob Phillips' Luke McCain series, and I believe it to be his best work. The book follows Washington State game warden Luke McCain as he works undercover to apprehend a group of hardcore poachers and then feverishly hunts down a fugitive wanted in several states. As a retired Washington State undercover Fish and Wildlife detective, I found Rob's book to be spot-on. I simply couldn't put Cascade Manhunt down and am already thirsting for Rob's next book." --Todd Vandivert, retired Washington State Fish and Wildlife Detective and author of the Wildlife Justice series

Southern Baptists are a diverse bunch, with more than fourteen million members in forty-seven thousand autonomous churches. Spread across all fifty states, these churches vary in size, ethnic diversity, language, forms of worship, leadership models, and missions. They cooperate voluntarily for the sake of the gospel at the associational, state, and national levels. Sometimes, Southern Baptists engage in historic struggles - over the issue of slavery, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the value of human life from conception to natural death. And, sometimes, they squabble over issues that have more to do with personal or tribal agendas than with the non-negotiable doctrines of the Christian faith. Generally speaking, however, Southern Baptists stand together in their embrace of historic Christian beliefs expressed in a confessional statement called The Baptist Faith & Message. First issued in 1925, the BF&M has been modified - most notably in 1963 and again in 2000 - to more clearly express Southern Baptists' beliefs in the unchanging nature of God and his word in the face of cultural chaos. This short study helps Southern Baptists appreciate the value of their confessional faith, as well as grasp the simple truths of the BF&M's eighteen articles. Designed for personal or group study, each chapter features a statement of the article, a brief commentary, and questions for further discussion.

Once again, Washington State Fish & Wildlife police officer Luke McCain and his partner - a yellow Lab named Jack - are having a busy summer. Dealing with salmon poachers, elk-killing outlaws, and other wildlife issues have Luke looking forward to an early season wilderness hunt with a long-time friend.Luke's week in the mountains goes from pleasure to business in an instant when he is called upon to help find two teenage boys - one the son of a multi-millionaire Starbucks VIP - who have been abducted at gunpoint during a wilderness survival school expedition. Their captors, and the foreigners calling the shots behind the scenes, are desperate for their ransom money and willing to do almost anything to get it. Trekking through backcountry teeming with dangerous wildlife, Luke must help rescue the missing boys before the kidnapping scheme becomes deadly.

With two major investigations now closed, fish and wildlife police officer Luke McCain is called upon for his most high-profile case yet. En route to the Washington State Fair, an exotic cat show's trailer is stolen. After some of the big cats are released into the Cascade Mountains, McCain and his dog Jack try to locate the show's most menacing member: a Bengal tiger. Meanwhile, there are rumblings that a wild cougar has killed a dirt biker in the region. While news crews flock to McCain's neck of the woods, he must stay on the trail of both big cats before anyone else falls prey to the predators.

After helping solve the Cascade Killer case, Washington State Fish & Wildlife officer Luke McCain thinks life will return to normal: hunting with his Labrador named Jack, policing Eastern Washington's wilderness, and spending time with his girlfriend, FBI agent Sara Sinclair. But when dead bodies are discovered in illegal marijuana fields hidden in the Cascade Mountains, McCain and Jack are thrust into a new investigation. With the help of Agent Sinclair, county law enforcement, concerned citizens, and, of course, Jack, McCain works to discover who is killing workers within the region's drug trade. As illegal marijuana fields continue to appear, and bodies pile up, McCain and the others must run down every lead in the hopes of catching their shooter before the killer exacts more vengeance.

As a Fish and Wildlife police officer, Luke McCain and his partner -- a yellow Lab named Jack -- spend their days patrolling the rivers, lakes and forests of the wild and scenic Cascade Mountains in Eastern Washington. After hunters discover human remains inside a bear's stomach, McCain is thrust into the investigation. As more dead women are found in McCain's region, authorities suspect a serial killer is prowling the mountains he knows best. McCain will need his knowledge as an outdoorsman, and his instincts as an investigator, to track the psychopathic predator before he kills again.Praise for THE CASCADE KILLER"Phillips tells a masterful tale that is engaging, endearing and suspenseful. It is rich with local knowledge of central Washington and the Cascade Mountains, two places the author is intimately familiar with. Once I started, it was hard to put the book down. A page-turner for sure."--Pat Hoglund, publisher of Western Hunting Journal, Traveling Angler, and Salmon & Steelhead Journal"Real Captivating Once you start, you can't put it down The Cascade Killer is VERY well done "--Scott Haugen, host and producer of The Hunt and author of numerous outdoor books"Yakima outdoor writer Rob Phillips knows his woods, waters and wardens, and it shows as he weaves them into this fast-paced, gripping murder mystery. You can practically smell the ponderosas and pack horses among pages that seem to leap straight out of the gazetteer. Mixing good old fashioned game wardening with current events, Phillips highlights the complex, often lonely and very vital work Washington fish and wildlife police perform, and a modern nationaltravesty, the high number of missing or murdered native women."--Andy Walgamott, editor, Northwest Sportsman magazine"Rob Phillips' intimate knowledge of Washington State's outdoors scene and recent newsworthy events is on full display in this fast-paced novel. Featuring a smart, hard-working fish and wildlife officer, a demented serial killer, an attractive FBI agent and a scene-stealing Labrador retriever, this is a great read and if you are like me you'll have a hard time putting this book down "--John Kruse, host and producer of Northwestern Outdoors Radio"The author's knowledge and love of the outdoors and the bounty it provides shines through in this fast-paced, fun and thrilling story. The Cascade Killer captures many of the attributes important to those within the rural, outdoor community."--Buzz Ramsey, author, outdoor personality and Hall of Fame angler"The Cascade Killer is a fun, adventurous, entertaining story. I thoroughly enjoyed accompanying Wildlife Officer Luke McCain, his yellow Lab, Jack, and FBI Agent Sara Sinclair as they pursued a serial killer in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. A great story "--Steve Raabe, author of Patrolling the Heart of the West, True Tales of a Nevada State Trooper"The Cascade Killer checks all the boxes of a good book. It is entertaining and fast-paced. It also provides a glimpse into the world of today's game warden, from the routine to the spine tingling. This book has it all "--Rich Phillips, book reviewer for the International Game Warden Magazine"Luke McCain and his lovable sidekick, Jack the yellow Lab, are hard not to love in this fast-paced mystery that you may not be able to put down. I cannot wait for more "--Vikki J. Carter, host and producer of Authors of the Pacific Northwest Podcast

A signature feature of living organisms is their ability to carry out purposeful actions by taking stock of the world around them. To that end, cells have an arsenal of signaling molecules linked together in signaling pathways, which switch between inactive and active conformations. The Molecular Switch articulates a biophysical perspective on signaling, showing how allostery—a powerful explanation of how molecules function across all biological domains—can be reformulated using equilibrium statistical mechanics, applied to diverse biological systems exhibiting switching behaviors, and successfully unify seemingly unrelated phenomena.Rob Phillips weaves together allostery and statistical mechanics via a series of biological vignettes, each of which showcases an important biological question and accompanying physical analysis. Beginning with the study of ligand-gated ion channels and their role in problems ranging from muscle action to vision, Phillips then undertakes increasingly sophisticated case studies, from bacterial chemotaxis and quorum sensing to hemoglobin and its role in mammalian physiology. He looks at G-protein coupled receptors as well as the role of allosteric molecules in gene regulation. Phillips concludes by surveying problems in biological fidelity and offering a speculative chapter on the relationship between allostery and biological Maxwell demons.Appropriate for graduate students and researchers in biophysics, physics, engineering, biology, and neuroscience, The Molecular Switch presents a unified, quantitative model for describing biological signaling phenomena.

Groundbreaking and comprizing articles by expert contributors, this volume provides a comprehensive treatment of VLFSs and their relationship with the sea, marine habitats, the pollution of costal waters and tidal and natural current flow.It looks in-depth at: VLFS and the colonization of ocean space with their appearance in the waters off developed coastal citieswave properties, which is essential for estimating the loading on the VLFS as well as for modelling structure-fluid interactionshydroelastic and structural analysis of VLFS at an overall level and the cell levelthe analysis and design of breakwaterssimulation models to understand the actual flow of water through the VLFS and to determine the drift forces for the mooring systemsanti-corrosion and maintenance systemsnew research and developments, with emphasis on the Mega-Float, a 1 km long floating test runway.Well-illustrated with photographs, drawings, equations for mathematical modelling and analysis and extensively referenced, Very Large Floating Structures is ideal for professionals, academics and students of civil and structural engineering.

A Top 25 CHOICE 2016 Title, and recipient of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title (OAT) Award. How much energy is released in ATP hydrolysis? How many mRNAs are in a cell? How genetically similar are two random people? What is faster, transcription or translation?Cell Biology by the Numbers explores these questions—and dozens of others—providing a richly illustrated and handy reference for students and researchers in molecular and cell biology, chemistry, and biophysics.The book features question-driven vignettes and "back of the envelope" calculations that investigate some of the key numbers in cell biology. Readers will learn about the sizes, concentrations, rates, energies, and other numbers that describe and drive the living world.