cover image The Panda of Death: A Gunn Zoo Mystery

The Panda of Death: A Gunn Zoo Mystery

Betty Webb. Poisoned Pen, $15.99 trade paper (272p) ISBN 978-1-4926-9914-9

In Webb’s lively sixth Gunn Zoo mystery (after 2018’s The Otter of Death), the body of Cliff Flaherty, the writer and co-producer of Tippy-Toe & Tinker, a local children’s TV show, is found floating next to the houseboat of zookeeper Theodora “Teddy” Bentley-Rejas in Gunn Landing, Calif. Though Cliff was capable of creating sensitive and wise characters for the show, his boorish and unpleasant behavior in real life ensured that he was universally loathed, and potential suspects abound. The tension rises after Teddy’s 18-year-old stepson, Dylan, is arrested for the crime, and Teddy’s husband and Dylan’s father, Joe Rejas, San Sebastian County’s sheriff, has to recuse himself from the case. Meanwhile, Dylan’s beautiful former actress mother, who was once Cliff’s girlfriend, descends on the town to defend her son, turning Teddy’s “formerly happy home... into the seventh circle of Hell.” A fine cast of characters (both animal and human), a fair-play plot, and just enough personal drama in Teddy’s life spice up this cozy. (Mar.)