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The Anteater of Death: A Gunn Zoo Mystery Audiobook
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(3.03) - 249 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
If Lucy, the pregnant giant anteater from Belize, didn't kill the man found dead in her enclosure, who did? California zookeeper Teddy Bentley must find the real murderer before her furry friend is shipped off to another zoo in disgrace. Then another human bites the dust, the monkeys riot, and the wolves go nuts. Things get worse when the snooty folks at Gunn Landing Harbor attempt to evict Teddy from the Merilee, her beloved houseboat.And that's just the beginning.
Teddy's father, on the lam from the feds for embezzling millions, gets targeted by a local gangster. Her socialite mother, Caro, a former beauty queen who loathes Teddy's dangerous job, starts introducing her to "eligible bachelors." But Teddy has already given her heart to Sheriff Joe Rejas, a migrant worker's son. Caro is not pleased.
Zoo life, animal lore, and the leaky ups and downs of California central-coast houseboat living create a thrilling backdrop for murder.
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"My mystery book club assigned us all to read a mystery set in either a zoo or circus. In my search I discovered Betty Webb's series about Gunn Zoo and animal caretaker Teddy Bentley. I enjoyed the California coastal setting, Teddy's quirky family, the character development of the zoo community, Teddy's houseboat live aboard neighborhood, and the descriptions of animal behavior. I will probably read the nest book in the series."
— Antoinette (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Webb…launches a new series featuring a warm and unconventional heroine, zookeeper Theodora ‘Teddy’ Bentley…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.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Teddy is instantly likable, in part due to Hillary Huber’s sardonic, scratchy voice, which complements this unconventional heroine. Huber excels when voicing Lucy’s thoughts, and she makes all the animal characters sound believable, yet not human. Huber’s quirky voice adds a heavy dose of sarcasm to Webb’s snappy dialogue.”
— AudioFile -
“Audie Award nominee Hillary Huber...endows Teddy with the unpretentious, wisecracking spark of an independent woman. Webb, who has zoo experience, adds authenticity with zoo lingo and animal facts. For fans of easygoing mysteries.”
— Library Journal -
“Webb’s new series combines a good puzzle with animal lore, a behind-the-scenes look at zoo operations, and plenty of humor.”
— Booklist -
“Could the anteater really have killed the California real estate developer?…Webb kicks off her new series with a bright heroine and an appealingly offbeat setting.”
— Kirkus Reviews
The Anteater of Death Listener Reviews
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" Loved this book, animals are well written, I think mystery was good, nice wide range of charaters. Looking forward to the second book in the series. Lucy is awesome!!! "
— Alice, 2/9/2014 -
" Zookeeper Teddy Bentley must fight off efforts by her wealthy, much-married mother to get her off her low-status job and out of her shabby houseboat, and into the high society life her mother thinks is the only proper way to live. When Teddy finds a corpse in the cage of Lucy, a pregnant giant anteater, she must defend her beloved animals from the threat of a callous new zoo head, and her best friend, another zookeeper, from a murder accusation. Her romantic history with the now-widowed local sheriff--her mother didn't approve of their high school relationship and shipped Teddy off to a private school in Virginia--adds further complications, as does the sudden reappearance of her fugitive, embezzler father. Lots of zoo color, but this is the third series (this book seems like a series opener) currently running that features a fugitive parent or parents, and it's getting rather old as a plot device. "
— Susan, 2/1/2014 -
" very different. excellent listen. looking forward to the next one. "
— Angela, 1/18/2014 -
" Didn't finish this one. It got very predictable and the love interest had no spark at all. "
— Amy, 1/7/2014 -
" Read this for the title. Title was the best part :) "
— Cindi, 1/5/2014 -
" This book is not your average murder mystery. I'm no animal expert, but the author seems to have done her homework on the habits of zoo animals. Pretty interesting and entertaining, but at times I had trouble keeping the minor characters straight. "
— Mikaela, 1/1/2014 -
" Silly but fun cozy mystery with a zoo setting that I couldn't resist. "
— Catherine, 9/11/2013 -
" I enjoy Betty Webb's style. All of her books are fun and witty filled with great characters. "
— Kileen, 8/25/2013 -
" Decent. I'll read the second one. Could use an editor a bit more willing to slash through her similes, though. "
— Allison, 11/6/2012 -
" I enjoyed the animal POV in this book. This was an easy quick read murder mystery and was full of little twists and turns, with a lukewarm love story to boot. "
— Candy, 1/14/2012 -
" This is one of the best animal stories I have read. "
— Shirl, 11/27/2011 -
" I really liked this book suprisingly. The title didn't really instill confidence haha. I listened to it while I gardened. Perfect for an audio book. No uncomfortable scenes to listen to. I liked the story line, and the details about the lives of different animals at the zoo was a nice bonus. "
— Ashley, 11/24/2011 -
" I liked the animals and the zoo stuff. Although nature is red in tooth and claw, the book ends up being sweet. I'd say 3.5 if it were possible. "
— Leslie, 8/21/2011 -
" I listen to these books and they are fantastic when you want something that skims the line between holding your interest/mentally stimulating and simple fluff. They make me smile, but if I accidentally skip a chapter - I can usually still figure out what's going on. "
— Melanie, 5/8/2011 -
" Liked it. character very passionate about animals. learned about zoos / animals / zoo keepers , interesting. "
— Karen, 4/27/2011 -
" Easy and fun read. Should be a cute series. "
— Amanda, 4/11/2011 -
" Loved this book, animals are well written, I think mystery was good, nice wide range of charaters. Looking forward to the second book in the series. Lucy is awesome!!! "
— Alice, 3/1/2011 -
" I listen to these books and they are fantastic when you want something that skims the line between holding your interest/mentally stimulating and simple fluff. They make me smile, but if I accidentally skip a chapter - I can usually still figure out what's going on. "
— Titus, 2/9/2011 -
" I liked the main characters as well as the setting and look forward to reading the next in the series. "
— Elizabeth, 1/19/2011 -
" Enjoyable, if predictable, mystery featuring zoo animal caretakers and the zoo animal behavior. "
— Nancy, 12/20/2010 -
" Really enjoyable light mystery, obviously penned by someone who knows animal behavior and zoo politics well. <br/> <br/>Set on the familiar (to me) California coast area near Monterey/Carmel, it made for a nice visit back to the area. I'm looking forward to more in this series. "
— Tinav, 10/1/2010 -
" Betty Webb has started a new series with this book. Teddy Bentley is the herorine. She is a zookeeper and her favorite animal is the giant, pregnant anteater who's suspected of killing the head of the zoo. Teddy doesn't stop looking around until she's solved that murder and another. "
— Carol, 7/11/2010 -
" Fun, but not extraordinary light reading. I really enjoyed the zoo setting, and the characters were fun (but not outstanding). The mystery was a bit far-fetched, though, particularly at the denouement. "
— RachelAnne, 4/11/2009 -
" I liked the animals and the zoo stuff. Although nature is red in tooth and claw, the book ends up being sweet. I'd say 3.5 if it were possible. "
— Leslie, 3/12/2009
About Betty Webb
Betty Webb worked as a journalist and often bases her mystery novels on stories she covered as a reporter. Currently a creative writing teacher at Phoenix College, she is a member of the National Federation of Press Women, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Society of Southwestern Authors.
About Hillary Huber
Hillary Huber, a Los Angeles–based voice talent with hundreds of commercials and promos under her belt, was bitten by the audiobook bug in 2005. She now records books on a regular basis and has been nominated for several Audie Awards and won numerous Earphones Awards.