The Anteater of Death-Betty Webb

The Anteater of Death
Betty Webb
Poisoned Pen, Dec 2008, $24.95
ISBN 9781590585603

In San Sebastian County, California, the Gunn Landing zookeeper Theodora “Teddy” Bentley is stunned to find a mangled human corpse in the anteater enclosure. Pregnant Lucy apparently ripped the skin off the bones of wealthy patron Grayson Harrill.

However the county police determine that Harrill was shot before being dumped in Lucy’s enclosure. Outraged that someone tried to disguise the homicide by using her purple tongued beloved Lucy as a killer, Teddy investigates knowing whoever murdered the victim knew his or her anteater.

This engaging amateur sleuth combines zoo insight with an eccentric support cast to include Lucy and a dedicated heroine. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Teddy finds the body and never slows down. Although Lucy’s thoughts seem to cutesy even when she considers clawing someone, fans of Betty Webb will enjoy this fine whodunit as the zookeeper tries to uncover who framed her anteater.

Harriet Klausner