The
Otter of Death by Betty Webb is part cozy mystery and
part thriller, with portions delving into the very relevant
issue of sexual harassment. This story combines current issues
with information about zoo animals including some light amusing
scenes that make for an interesting read.
Retiring after twenty years as a journalist, Webb, decided
to volunteer at the Phoenix zoo. “One day I was watching
this giant anteater, Lucy, playing with her pup, and said
to another volunteer ‘I am surprised no one has written
anything about these animals.’ She looked at me and
said, ‘I thought you were a writer.’ Right then
the idea for my first zoo book was born. I knew I would make
it into a series.”
The plot has the main character, zookeeper Teddy Bentley contemplating
her life changes that will happen once she marries Sheriff
Rejas. Her thoughts are interrupted when she spots an otter
swimming with a smart phone. After taking the device she discovers
a photograph of a murder-in-progress. Rumors swirl that the
victim, Stuart Booth, Ph.D., a local Marine Biology instructor,
is a notorious sexual harasser of young female students. Teddy
decides to become an amateur sleuth putting her own life at
risk as the investigation progresses to find the killer.
Although the story was written before the #MeToo movement,
it is more relevant today than ever. “When I was in
college I heard about this situation of sexual harassment
from a friend of mine. Those picked upon are usually a little
withdrawn because they are easy victims. I never experienced
it personally since I was raised on a farm. What all farm
girls have in common is that we are very quick to defend ourselves.
After the Weinstein issue became public, I thought how this
book is appropriate to the times.”
Readers also learn about the different zoo animals and the
dangers to them. Webb noted, “I wanted to show that
a lot of things that harm animals are not done on purpose.
In this book, I wrote about the Feral Cat and how their urine
has this parasite that kills otters. Then there is the flushable
kitty litter, which empties out in the ocean that kills sea
life. Wildlife has problems due to the interference of human
beings; even though sometimes it is not on purpose. Something
that seems harmless to us is actually fatal to animals it
comes in contact with. I try to bring out examples of how
we harm wildlife without ever meaning too.”
Readers are lucky enough to get more than just a riveting
mystery Webb has a winning combination with rich characters,
animal knowledge, within a fantastic story.
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