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1 Burnside Mystery- A to Z

Night Kill

by Ann Littlewood

Night Kill Cover

ISBN13: 9781590585047
ISBN10: 1590585046
Condition:
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Review:

"Littlewood, a former zookeeper, knows a great deal about animal management and goes to some lengths to work her knowledge into her debut, but unfortunately, the behind-the-scenes details slow the pace and dilute the drama. Iris Oakley and her husband, Rick Douglas, are both keepers at a small zoo in Vancouver, Wash., where she works the big cats, he the reptiles. He drinks too much, they fight, she leaves. Then Rick's body turns up in the lion area, ripped to pieces. Unwilling to accept that this tragedy was an accident, Iris decides to find the truth about how Rick died and why. Soon she herself becomes the target of suspicious and increasingly threatening 'accidents.' The plot, a mix of woman-in-jeopardy and standard amateur-sleuth conventions, will be familiar to most mystery readers. Still, the highly original setting is a plus. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

Iris Oakley, a young zookeeper at the Finley Memorial Zoo in Vancouver, Washington, hopes to reconcile with her newly sober husband, Rick. But when heas found deadaand dead drunkain the lion exhibit, a paralyzing mix of grief and anger at his betrayal keeps Iris from questioning the assumptions around his death. But Irisa friends motivate her to prove that her husband could not have died the way it appears. Soon, however, these same friends impede her progress as she follows ambiguous clues and sorts through unlikely motives. Meanwhile, Iris must also adjust to losing her beloved job as feline keeper and instead learn to be a bird keeper. The zooas veterinarian respects her skills, but the foreman would far rather she get a job elsewhereaand the senior bird keeper seems to agree. After Iris survives a series of near-fatal aaccidents, a she begins to understand what really happened to Rick. But Iris must survive to prove it....
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Nancy LaPaglia, September 22, 2008 (view all comments by Nancy LaPaglia)
The reviews already gave enough info about this mystery. Iris is a delight, the dialogue crackles, and the climax is terrific. It's a wonderful first novel.
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R.J.Peterson, May 26, 2008 (view all comments by R.J.Peterson)
SMART, FRESH, FUN AND AUTHENTIC

Ann Littlewood is a fresh new voice in the mystery field, and her debut novel takes us to new territory - behind the scenes at a metropolitan zoo.

Our guide is Iris Oakley, a feline keeper whose husband is mauled to death by lions. Everyone but Iris believes it was an accident, and even she is almost convinced until someone sets fire to her house and tries to electrocute her in an aviary. Armed with such clues as a mysterious tooth and an illicit love affair, Iris is compelled to set a trap - with herself as bait - to bring her husband's killer to justice.

Along with way, we are treated to a wealth of wry humor and smart dialogue. The supporting cast of zookeepers and administrators are sharply drawn and consistently entertaining. Ann Littlewood is a former zookeeper herself, and obviously knows her stuff. The passion Iris feels for her profession, and the depth of detail, ring with true life experience.

Night Kill feels like the first in a series. I hope so. I look forward to spending more time with Iris Oakley at the zoo.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781590585047
Author:
Littlewood, Ann
Publisher:
Poisoned Pen Press
Subject:
Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths
Subject:
Zoo keepers.
Subject:
Vancouver (Wash.)
Subject:
Mystery fiction
Subject:
Mystery-A to Z
Copyright:
2008
Publication Date:
20080931
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
229
Dimensions:
8.60x5.74x.85 in. .87 lbs.
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Night Kill Sale Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$14.95 In Stock
Product details 229 pages Poisoned Pen Press - English 9781590585047 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Littlewood, a former zookeeper, knows a great deal about animal management and goes to some lengths to work her knowledge into her debut, but unfortunately, the behind-the-scenes details slow the pace and dilute the drama. Iris Oakley and her husband, Rick Douglas, are both keepers at a small zoo in Vancouver, Wash., where she works the big cats, he the reptiles. He drinks too much, they fight, she leaves. Then Rick's body turns up in the lion area, ripped to pieces. Unwilling to accept that this tragedy was an accident, Iris decides to find the truth about how Rick died and why. Soon she herself becomes the target of suspicious and increasingly threatening 'accidents.' The plot, a mix of woman-in-jeopardy and standard amateur-sleuth conventions, will be familiar to most mystery readers. Still, the highly original setting is a plus. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , Iris Oakley, a young zookeeper at the Finley Memorial Zoo in Vancouver, Washington, hopes to reconcile with her newly sober husband, Rick. But when heas found deadaand dead drunkain the lion exhibit, a paralyzing mix of grief and anger at his betrayal keeps Iris from questioning the assumptions around his death. But Irisa friends motivate her to prove that her husband could not have died the way it appears. Soon, however, these same friends impede her progress as she follows ambiguous clues and sorts through unlikely motives. Meanwhile, Iris must also adjust to losing her beloved job as feline keeper and instead learn to be a bird keeper. The zooas veterinarian respects her skills, but the foreman would far rather she get a job elsewhereaand the senior bird keeper seems to agree. After Iris survives a series of near-fatal aaccidents, a she begins to understand what really happened to Rick. But Iris must survive to prove it....
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