Local author Ann Littlewood is celebrating the release of Did Not Survive, the second book in her Iris Oakley "Zoo Mysteries" series. The launch party will be held at Murder by the Book on Sunday, August 1, at 4 pm. The author will read excerpts from and answer questions about her newest novel, and perhaps talk about her own true-life experiences as a former zoo keeper. Everyone is invited to attend.
Set in the fictional Finley Memorial Zoo in Vancouver, WA, Did Not Survive has all the elements of a great summer read: A violent death. An apparently rogue elephant named Damrey who had means and opportunity, but no motive! And a pregnant, recently widowed zoo keeper who is driven to find the truth. Mix in some animal rights activists who are picketing the zoo, a new veterinarian who's keeping secrets, the police who keep dropping by, and you're in for a wild ride. Oh, and did I mention that the animals are disappearing into thin air? (synopsis provided by author and Poisoned Pen Press)
Ann Littlewood worked as a zoo keeper at the Portland Zoo (now called the Oregon Zoo) for 12 years before becoming a writer, so the setting and characters found in her novels ring true. In both Did Not Survive and Night Kill, she not only delivers a classic Agatha Christie-style mystery. She also provides a fascinating "behind the scenes" glimpse into the day-to-day problems faced by a small city zoo and the behavior of wild animals living in captivity.
Littlewood is a life-long environmentalist, a volunteer with the Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon, and still maintains her membership in the American Assn of Zoo Keepers. She currently lives in Portland with her husband and a small but very hairy Corgi-mix. In addition to her regular website, zoomysteries.com, fans will also want to check out her blog.
Murder by the Book is located at 3210 SE Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland, OR. For more into on this and other MBTB events, please call 503-232-9995 or email books@mbtb.com.
Comments