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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN num: 9781594145445
ISBN number: 159414544X
Label: Five Star (ME)
Manufacturer: Five Star (ME)
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 355
Printing Date: May 16, 2007
Publishing house: Five Star (ME)
Sale Popularity Level: 1336749
Studio: Five Star (ME)
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Who would want the director of the Minnesota Valley Zoo dead? Everyone! Anthony Wright made a career of getting what he wanted, whatever the price. When he's murdered and ends up as a late night snack for the zoo's fifteen-foot crocodile, few are shedding any tears. After police arrest the lead crocodile handler, it's up to zookeeper Lavender 'Snake' Jones to prove her friend's innocence. But is she really helping? Each lie she exposes only serves to strengthen the case against him, rattles her belief in those she trusts and, in the end, threatens her own safety. With the help of her Aussie husband, herpetologist Jeff Jones, Snake hacks her way through the shadowy underworld of illegal animal trading to uncover a snakepit of sordid deeds, secret pasts, and corruption.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
I like mysteries, but they are not a staple in my reading diet. The zoo setting was a big part of why I picked up "Death Roll." The book is filled with interesting tidbits about zoos, their animals and the animals' caretakers. But that alone would not make a good book.
The characters and their relationships with each other were very well developed. I can easily see this cast of characters holding up throughout a series. I don't think we'll be getting tired of Snake, Jeff or any of their friends and co-workers anytime soon.
The mystery is well thought out with plenty of secrets to uncover and many surprising twists and turns. I was kept guessing right up to the end.
When you add up the elements of setting, character and plot, all masterfully handled by Victor and Mallory, you get a great story that you won't want to put down until you turn the final page.
Rated by buyers -
The most fun I've had reading a mystery in a long time! It's a mystery why no other author has given readers a zoo setting before -- lots of behind-the-scenes animal fascination and human intrigue here. A wow of a book!
--Connie Fletcher, Chicago, IL
Rated by buyers -
Lavender "Snake" Jones is a zookeeper at the Minnesota Valley Zoo. Her husband, Jeff Jones, is a herpetologist from Australia and works with the crocodiles at the zoo. Plus he is the star of the show Zoofari.
When the director of the zoo, Anthony Wright, is discovered dead in the crocodile pit in the new Australia Walkabout Trail during the Beastly Ball at the zoo, zoo employee J. R. ends up the prime suspect. Snake sets out to prove their friend and colleague didn't murder Anthony.
But is she helping? She keeps uncovering lies that only serve to strengthen the case against him. This begins to throw suspicion on the people she trusts. Can she uncover the killer without putting herself in danger?
I loved the zoo setting for this mystery. Snake and Jeff are fabulous characters. The zoo really lent itself to the cozy genre with the "small town" feel of the employees and supporters.
There were plenty of secrets and corruption to keep me guessing at the killer's identity. And there were plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep me reading.
I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I can't wait to read another one in this series. I hope the writers write a little faster!
Rated by buyers -
I am a mystery writer myself, and I read a lot of mysteries (to keep tabs on the competition, you know!), and I can honestly say that "Death Roll" is wildly distinctive--a ferocious pleasure to read. If you like unique, well-drawn characters, intriguing plots and subplots, and quirky, lovable, dangerous (sometimes lethal) animals, you'll enjoy every word of this zingy zoological novel.
Rated by buyers -
I typically do not read mystery books, but was introduced to this story and was intrigued as it relates to the Minnesota Zoo and is set in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Getting a sense of what zoo life is like beyond what we see in the exhibits was very interesting. I have never thought about what happens behind the scenes and have a new appreciation for zookeepers and all the work involved in creating the displays we see.
The characters are interesting and I found that I could easily picture each. I became interested in the fate of everyone throughout the book and would love to read about where everyone is 5 years later. The plot twists were great, just as soon as I was convinced I was on the right track a new piece of information was interwoven in the story and I had to rethink my position. While away from the book, I still found myself thinking about the character interaction and trying to conclude who the guilty party was. I also enjoyed the elements of "normal" zookeeper activities spread throughout the story. It was hard to set the book down.
I recommend this book to people interested in wild animals and zoos, people who are familiar with the Twin Cities and enjoy "knowing" where the action is taking place and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
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