The Llama of Death: A Gunn Zoo Mystery - Hardcover

Webb, Betty

3.66

577 ratings by Goodreads

9781464200663: The Llama of Death: A Gunn Zoo Mystery

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1464200661 ISBN 13: 9781464200663

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Pr, 2013

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Zookeeper Theodora "Teddy" Bentley takes Alejandro, the Gunn Zoo llama, toaMonterey Bay-areaRenaissance Faire only todiscover the still-warm body ofthe ReverendVictor Emerson, owner of the local wedding chapel, dressed in his royal robes as Henry the Eighth. At first it appears as if Aljandro stomped the man to death, but a closer look reveals a crossbow dart in the man's back. Teddy'sinvestigation provesthe "reverend"isn't really a reverend at all -- he'san escapedconvict, and every marriage he's performed in the past twenty years is null and void. Teddy's mother Caro, a spoiled ex-beauty queen, becomes the chief suspect and is immediately jailed when she causes a riot in the courtroom.The"reverend"had twice married Caroto wealthy men, and when both marriages failed, Caroreceived large financial settlements.Now she may have to give all that money back, certainly a good enough reason to commit murder. ButCaro wasn't the onlyperson gunning for Victor. The child of the man Victor once murdered may have wanted to kill him, too, and at one point, even Teddy herself if handcuffed and jailed. Even worse, Teddy's embezzling fatherflies infrom exile in Costa Rica to help spring Caro from jail, thus putting his own freedom in jeapoardy. As Teddy continues her investigation, she finds herself up to her ears in girl gang members, squabbling boat liveaboarders, Renaissance Faire actors and stuntmen, and assorted animals. Written with ahumorous touch, "The Llama of Death" portrays Renaissance Faire life, andgivesthe reader arare behind-the-scenes look at modern zoos. "

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Review:

"Animal lore and human foibles spiced with a hint of evil test Teddy's patience and crime solving in this appealing cozy."--Publishers Weekly

"A Renaissance Faire provides both the setting and the weapon for a murder...Webb's zoo-based series is informative about the habits of the zoo denizens and often amusing..."--Kirkus Reviews

"Webb's third zoo series entry winningly melds a strong animal story with an engaging cozy amateur sleuth tale. Set at a relaxed pace with abundant zoo filler, the title never strays into too-cute territory, instead presenting the real deal."--Library Journal

About the Author:

As a journalist, Betty Webb interviewed U.S. presidents, astronauts who walked on the moon, and Nobel Prize-winners, as well as the homeless, the dying, and polygamy runaways. The dark Lena Jones mysteries, based on stories she covered as a reporter, include "Desert Lost" ("One of the Top Five Mysteries of 2009, Library Journal), "Desert Noir" ("A mystery with a social conscience," Publishers Weekly) and "Desert Wives," ("Eye-popping," New York Times), and "Desert Wind," given a starred review by Publishers Weekly. Betty s humorous Gunn Zoo series debuted with the critically-acclaimed "The Anteater of Death," followed by "The Koala of Death." A long-time book reviewer at Mystery Scene Magazine, Betty is a member of National Federation of Press Women, Mystery Writers of America, and the National Organization of Zoo Keepers."

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