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We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again later. I enjoyed the story itself. It kept me wanting to read. Nov 01, Lois Schmitt rated it really liked it. Good plot that is well paced. Interesting characters that you can't help like despite their human flaws. Zoo animals make it a fun read. Jul 29, Kacey rated it really liked it Shelves: All of her books see to follow the exact same plot but with using different characters. Nov 22, Letia rated it really liked it Shelves: May 23, Terri rated it liked it Shelves: A fun read centering around a privately-owned zoo with a zoo keeper who hangs out with millionaires and boat live-aboarders.
Nov 28, Jeff rated it really liked it Shelves: Reserving opinion until I read first book in the series, but has definite possibilities. Nov 21, Laura rated it it was amazing Shelves: Trouble is afoot for the keepers at Gunn Zoo. Teddy Bentley, one of the zoo keepers, finds one of her coworkers floating outside her houseboat. The corpse, Koala Kate, was the face of Gunn Zoo to locals because she appeared on a TV show and published a cute blog about life at the zoo. Police quickly arrest Outback Bill, another one of the keepers. He insists on his innocence, and it appears Teddy is the only one that believes him.
That is until there is another murder at Gunn Landing Harbor. This Trouble is afoot for the keepers at Gunn Zoo. This victim was a close friend of Kate, even though they seemed like an unlikely pair. Especially after two murders steps away from her boat. Kate had secrets and one of them must have something to do with her death. All of these elements plus a liberal sprinkling of kooky back up characters, both human and animal, make this a really fun book. The mystery is a great whodunit. There are suspects and secrets both silly and scary.
Scattered throughout are interesting facts about koalas and other zoo animals. This makes a perfect mix for a delightful read. I have read one of her other books, Desert Rage. As you can tell from the titles, the zoo series is meant to be more lighthearted. Webb is a masterful writer who does humor and murder equally well. I love an author that can entertain, surprise and touch my heart.
The title made him laugh, and choose this book for me. May 24, Cathy Cole rated it really liked it. I awoke during a pearly dawn to hear something bump against the Merilee's hull. Unfortunately that bump against the hull of Teddy Bentley's boat wasn't a wake-up call from the resident sea otter who comes for breakfast every morning. Having been a guest at a party aboard the Gutterball the night before, it is assumed that Kate drank First Line: Having been a guest at a party aboard the Gutterball the night before, it is assumed that Kate drank too much, fell overboard and drowned, but the police soon disprove that notion.
Before Teddy's detecting bones even have a chance to tingle, she's roped into filling in for Kate on the television station's animal spot because it's bringing in much needed good press for the zoo. But being on TV, avoiding her match-making mother, and filling in for Kate in the koala exhibit isn't enough to keep Teddy from doing her own investigating-- especially since she may be the next victim.
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The list of suspects in this book is a long one: Teddy is a strong, feisty main character, and her stints on television are hilarious-- reminding me strongly of watching Joan Embery bring various critters to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. One of the things I appreciate the most about this Gunn Zoo series is that author Betty Webb can show off her skill with humor and satire. She also imparts a lot of knowledge about wildlife, so if you like your mysteries seasoned with a bit of fur and maybe a fang or two, I would highly recommend this series.
Do you have to start with the first, The Anteater of Death? No, this one works quite well on its own-- but I wouldn't deny myself the fun if I were you! Jun 01, Marlyn rated it really liked it Shelves: The second novel starring zookeeper Theodora "Teddy" Bentley begins when she is awakened early one morning by a thunk against the side of the Merilee, the foot trawler she lives aboard.
She is understandably shocked to find the body of one of her co-workers, Kate Nido, the koala keeper at the Gunn Zoo. Teddy didn't know Kate very well, as the koala keeper was relatively new, and they worked opposite schedules. They'd both been at a party on a neighboring boat the previous night, though Teddy h The second novel starring zookeeper Theodora "Teddy" Bentley begins when she is awakened early one morning by a thunk against the side of the Merilee, the foot trawler she lives aboard.
They'd both been at a party on a neighboring boat the previous night, though Teddy had left much earlier than most to get some sleep before having to work in the morning. One of the other zookeepers, a part-timer known as "Outback Bill", who'd been dating Kate, is arrested for the crime.
Meanwhile, Teddy has to take over Kate's publicity duties for the zoo she can't say no because the Merilee needs a new engine. Not only does she need to prove Bill's innocence because she's convinced of it, but because she doesn't want to take over Bill's job as well.
When another murder occurs in the marina, Teddy agrees to move into the Bentley mansion with her mother, who dislikes Joe, and loves to arrange dates between Teddy and eligible wealthy bachelors. But Teddy can't stay locked up in the family home forever, and because her life and her job intersect so closely with those of the two victims, she finds herself targeted by someone who may be the killer.
Webb's research about animals and zoo operations is thorough and engrossing. Teddy is an engaging protagonist, and I hope to see more of her! This is one of the series involving zookeeper Teddy Bentley, her boyfriend, the sheriff, and her much-married mother who is trying to find Teddy a rich husband. Teddy lives on her boat. She awakens one morning to feel and hear a thump against her boat.
She has been strangled. As Teddy gets closer to the truth, endures the weekly t. Very enjoyable book, even for me who is not fond of zoo animals or any other kind. I will read more of these books. Apr 07, Nathalie S rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: It was enthusiastically recommended by two library patrons and I am glad I followed their recommendations!
I've never read a mystery which takes place in a zoo and it was so fun to find out about zoo life.
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Over the years, I've chosen mysteries which let me in to various worlds--the dog show arena, historical quilts, foodies, different parts of the world and country, and so forth. The main character, Theodora "Teddy" Bentley works in a Southern California zoo and is in charge of anteaters.
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She also lives on a houseboat nearby at Gunn Landing Harbor. She wakes up to something repeatedly striking her boat which turns out to be the body of a fellow zookeeper. And "thus it begins" During the story, she ends up taking care of the zoo's koalas while their usual keeper is suspected of murder and the koala "Wanchu" is an integral part of the story. She also ends up having to do TV segment on daytime TV which are very funny. I loved learning more about koalas, lemurs, rhinos and the internal parts of running zoos, including, eek, fundraising.
Teddy is a loveable character. I enjoyed getting to know her and the characters surrounding her and she has cats and a dog, as all the zookeepers keep their own menagerie as home. I highly recommend this book. Mar 21, Terri rated it really liked it Recommends it for: This is the second book in the series that I have listened to. They are great entertainment. On a light-to-serious scale, I would put them a more serious than Stephanie Plum but less serious than Agatha Christie, probably the closet equivalent would be the quilting mysteries of Earlene Fowler.
The plotting in the book is very solid. The main characters that continue from one book to the next are becoming more well-developed. When you read a summary of the books, some of the cutesy names are give This is the second book in the series that I have listened to. When you read a summary of the books, some of the cutesy names are given because those are the names the zoo uses for a juvenile audience. As a side benefit, I am much better informed about Giant Anteaters and Koalas and somewhat better informed about a few other animals that enter into the story as other than the title animal.
Of course, humor is a given when people are dealing with animals. In this particular novel, zoo animals and a talk show host provided a laugh, as well as bringing back all those hilarious memories of Johnny Carson and the animals from the San Diego Zoo. Another great cozy featuring the quirky but endearing animals and humans at the Gunn Zoo near the central coast of California.
Teddy Theodora is a zoo keeper who comes from a monied background but prefers to live on the Merilee--her little houseboat--with Miss Priss her cat and DJ Bonz her 3 legged dog. When the body of Koala Kate, another keeper from the zoo, bumps up against her boat one evening, Teddy's life is once again caught up in trying to figure out what happened and keep up with Another great cozy featuring the quirky but endearing animals and humans at the Gunn Zoo near the central coast of California.
When the body of Koala Kate, another keeper from the zoo, bumps up against her boat one evening, Teddy's life is once again caught up in trying to figure out what happened and keep up with her regular duties at the zoo. This particular incident brings about even more responsibility directed her way because the zoo wants her to replace Koala Kate on the popular "meet the animals" segment of Good Morning, San Sebastian. Between playing private detective, finding time to spend with Joe the sheriff and her boyfriend , chasing runaway wallabies, and avoiding all the men her mother Caro sends her way, Teddy doesn't need the inconvenience of being hunted and shot at.
But she is obviously too close to the truth and someone wants her out of the way.
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Another great read in this series. Apr 01, Syrdarya rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Very cool book with lots of zoological info that is shared in a natural manner. Interesting characters and mystery. I would highly recommend this one! If a person works with animals, many of them dangerous, all day long, I think they would keep their moods more in check, because extreme mood-swings between humans with whom the Very cool book with lots of zoological info that is shared in a natural manner. If a person works with animals, many of them dangerous, all day long, I think they would keep their moods more in check, because extreme mood-swings between humans with whom the animals are close could cause the animals to lash out, especially when the tensions between the humans get out of control right by the areas where the animals live.
I dunno, that was just my thought.
The Koala of Death (A Gunn Zoo Mystery, #2) by Betty Webb
Teddy discovers the body of Koala Kate in the harbor, and before long she discovers that Kate was murdered. She hadn't known Kate all that well, and begins digging into her background and reaching out to the people who loved Kate to not only solve the murder but also to help them out. It was a pretty solid mystery, packed with information about various wild animals. Nov 30, Donna rated it it was amazing Shelves: Are you looking for a fun, interesting murder mystery?
Teddy Bentley lives on the "Merilee" and works at the Gunn Zoo. After finding the body of Koala Kate in the water next to her boat, Teddy is thrown into the mystery of who killed her and why. Along the way, Teddy learns to do a television show, finds another body, does some investigating on her own much to her boyfriend's chagrin , discovers a family secret, and is almost kille Are you looking for a fun, interesting murder mystery?
Along the way, Teddy learns to do a television show, finds another body, does some investigating on her own much to her boyfriend's chagrin , discovers a family secret, and is almost killed.
The Koala of Death
They will all keep you entertained as you solve the mystery. I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and kept my interest all the way through. The Koala of Death is the second book in the Gunn Zoo mystery series. The stories revolve around Teddy Bentley, a zookeeper who seems to frequently stumble upon dead bodies. In Koala of Death it is, naturally, the koala keeper, Kate, who comes up strangled. Teddy is positive that the main suspect, Outback Bill, is innocent and sets out to find the true killer. These are easy, fun mysteries that will not tax your brain in anyway.
Not remotely believable and with bigger-than-life charcters, Koala o The Koala of Death is the second book in the Gunn Zoo mystery series. Not remotely believable and with bigger-than-life charcters, Koala of Death is nevertheless entertaining. The zoo animals, who are players in their own right, add a lot of charm and Teddy's cop boyfriend gives some much needed down-to-earth flavor. Events like educational zoo tv shows that Teddy takes zoo animals too and the Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser help flesh out the otherwise one-dimensional story.
All-in-all an enjoyable read. I listened to this on audio, read by Hilary Huber. She does well with Teddy and even gets some realistic animal noises in. Apr 12, Kat rated it really liked it. As a journalist and literary critic for more than 20 years, Betty -- a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, where her detective Lena Jones also lives -- has interviewed U.
Now retired from journalism to write full time, she also contributes the Small Press column for Mystery Sce As a journalist and literary critic for more than 20 years, Betty -- a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, where her detective Lena Jones also lives -- has interviewed U. Now retired from journalism to write full time, she also contributes the Small Press column for Mystery Scene magazine and teaches creative writing at Phoenix College. In her writing, Betty makes liberal use of her own varied background. She earned her way through art school by working as a folk singer but eventually gave up singing to concentrate on her art career.
At various times she has picked cotton, raised chickens which laid blue eggs Speckled Hamburgs , worked in a zoo, been a go-go dancer and horse breeder, taught Sunday School, founded a literary magazine, helped rebuild a long-abandoned year-old farm house, and back-packed the Highlands of Scotland alone. In , Betty moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where her Lena Jones novels are set, but her roots are in Hamilton, Alabama, where most of her extended family still lives.
In she published The Webb Family of Alabama: