The Anteater of Death

September 22, 2008
Webb, author of Desert Cut
and four other Lena Jones mysteries, launches a new series featuring a warm and unconventional heroine, zookeeper Theodora “Teddy” Bentley. Teddy is dismayed to learn that a pregnant anteater in her care, Lucy, appears to have mauled to death a prominent patron of California's Gunn Landing Zoo, Grayson Harrill. When it turns out that someone shot Harrill first, Teddy turns sleuth to discover who framed her beloved Lucy. The colorful supporting cast includes Teddy's beauty queen mother, who makes her daughter call her Caro; Harrill's wife and descendant of the zoo's founder; and the zoo's controversial director. Webb deftly weaves zoological lore into the fast-moving plot. She errs only in going too far in giving the anteater's point-of-view (“Get out. If you don't get out, I'll uncurl my claws and give you a rake down your belly
”). The book's human perspective conveys everything we need to know about Lucy, her habitat and her behavior.

October 1, 2008
When a zoo trustee is found dead in Lucy the anteater's enclosure at the Gunn Landing Zoo on the central California coast, zookeeper Teddy Bentley decides to nose around because she believes poor Lucy has been framed. Soon Teddy finds that people she has known all of her life have secrets that may have led to murder. Webb, author of the well-written Lena Jones PI series, not only presents a clear picture of what it is like to work in a zoo but also introduces an engaging new protagonist who will appeal to mystery buffs who enjoy light animal mysteries. [See Prepub Mystery, "LJ" 8/08.]

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2008
Webb takes a break from her Lena Jones novels to launch a new series featuring zookeeper Theodora Teddy Bentley. Teddys wealthy family disapproves of her occupation and her home on a leaky boat on the wrong end of the Gunn Landing marina on Californias central coast. Her mother, Caro, a much-divorced former beauty queen, tries to set her up with a suitable husband, but Teddy is more concerned with sinister events at the zoo. When a human corpse turns up in the enclosure of Lucy, the giant anteater, everyone assumes that the animal is the culprit. Teddy, though, is confident that, although dangerous, Lucy is not guilty. Convincing the local sheriff, Joe Rojas, who also happens to be Lucys former fianc', is another matter. As Teddy investigates, she turns up corruption and unseemly behavior among the upper crust of Gunn Landing. Webbs new series combines a good puzzle with animal lore, a behind-the-scenes look at zoo operations, and plenty of humor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)