The Dusty Bookshelf: The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb

Lucy the anteater is annoyed when a strange human-thing falls into her enclosure at the Gunn Zoo and is  afraid that if she doesn’t do something it will eat all her lovely grubbies as soon as she falls asleep so she waddles over to it and grunts a warning, which it ignores.  She gives it a couple of swipes with her claws and pokes at it with her long nose and then it makes a rattling sound and goes quiet.  And then notices the smell and realizing that it is the smell of death  she is satisfied she has defended her home and heads off to sleep.

But things don’t go well for Lucy the next day when the body of a wealthy man is discovered in her cage and Lucy is suspected of murder.  Zookeeper Theodora “Teddy” Bentley sets out to prove Lucy is innocent, which puts her at odds with everyone from her boss to her friends.  Her mother, Caro, is especially concerned that Teddy will chase away a potential husband with her amateur sleuthing and when another death occurs, her former fiance, the sheriff is concerned that Teddy may be next.  Teddy is determined not to let anything get in her way of proving Lucy is innocent and plows ahead with her snooping.

Filled with humor, behind-the-scenes zoo facts and a dastardly killer, this first book in a new series is a fun and educational read.  Webb really demonstrates the wide range of her talents with this book.

The Anteater of Death

Author: Betty Webb

Dec.  2008

ISBN:  978-1-59058-560-3

Kathy Thomason is an avid reader and runs a successful jewelry design business at www.brightfacedesigns.ecrater.com