The Otter of Death (Gunn Zoo Series Book 5)

Author:  Betty Webb
Genre:  Mystery

Hardcover; Trade Paperback
ISBN #:  9781464209901; 9781464209925
Poisoned Pen Press
$26.95; $15.95 Amazon
May 2, 2018

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While taking the yearly "otter count" at a marsh near Gunn Landing Harbor, California, zookeeper Theodora Bentley sees Maureen, her favorite otter, swimming around clutching someone's expensive smartphone.  When Teddy rescues the device, she discovers a photograph of a murder-in-progress.  A hasty search soon turns up the still-warm body of Stuart Booth, PhD, a local Marine Biology instructor.

Booth was a notorious sexual harasser of young female students, so the list of suspects is long enough to make Teddy wonder if the crime will ever be solved.  But when her friend, Lila, one of Booth's original accusers, is arrested and charged with his murder, Teddy begins to investigate.  This creates considerable tension with Teddy's fiancé, Sheriff Joe Rejas.  He believes the ever-inquisitive zookeeper might be putting her own life at risk, and so orders her to butt out.

Concerned for her accused friend, Teddy ignores Joe's ultimatum.  She questions not only members of Gunn Landing's moneyed social elite, but also the other side of the financial spectrum - the financially strapped young women willing to do almost anything to pay for their college tuition.  Alarmed by Teddy's meddling, Booth's killer fights back - first with a death threat, then via gunshot.

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Theodora 'Teddy' Bentley, a zookeeper at the Gunn Zoo, is helping with an annual otter count when one of her particularly friendly otters shows up with a cell phone under its fin.  When she retrieves the phone, she realizes it belongs to Stuart Booth, a local Marine Biology instructor who's also helping with the count.  But then she looks at the last picture taken - a selfie - and realizes that Stuart was being murdered at the time.  When she calls the sheriff, her fiance Joe Rejas, their department searches until they find the professor's body.

Joe naturally tells Teddy to stay out of the investigation and she wants to, but her boss, Aster Edwina gives her different instructions.  She wants Teddy to quietly investigate and keep her updated on what's going on.  Stuck between a rock and hard place, Teddy has to figure out how to do it and keep Joe from finding out.

When Teddy's neighbor on the marina is arrested for the murder she asks her stepfather to intervene and help, because she knows the woman is innocent.  But then the park's ranger, Lex Yarnell asks Teddy to visit an old girlfriend of his who might know something about Stuart and he wants to keep her out of it if possible.

However, Teddy soon finds out that no one is grieving for Stuart - in fact, some are grateful he's gone; and the more she finds out about him, the more she realizes there are plenty of people who wanted him dead.  When a second murder occurs and is apparent it's tied to Stuart's death, things start to get serious - Teddy receives warnings to back off, her dog is injured, and if she doesn't find out who's behind it all, she may very well be the next victim...

This book was a true delight to read.  Ms. Webb has a knack for creating an atmosphere of mystery while reading about one - she pulls you into the story and keeps you there, even if it means reading into the wee hours of the morning.

This is the fifth book in the series, and each one seems to be better than the last.  We get to see a warmth from Teddy's mother Caro that isn't always apparent, and during one particular social occasion we understand why she left her high society life behind (I would, too).  We also get to spend time with Joe's family - his mother and two children - and even the fact that his Irish mother loves the color green seems rather endearing, in a way.

While Joe is doing his best to keep on the investigation, as sheriff he naturally has other problems as well and can't be two places at once.  He's also doing his best to get Teddy to the altar, and she keeps hedging on a wedding date, not wanting to completely give up her independence aboard her little boat.

There is plenty of action and suspense, enough to keep even the most die-hard mystery fan interested.  It seems that when Teddy does get a moment of calm, something else is lurking right around the corner which causes her to be drawn not only back into the investigation, but at times become part of it.

When we finally realize the identity of the killer it comes as a complete surprise.  The reasons for the murders make sense only to the killer; it is also rather sad in a way what drives people to do evil things.  This was a very good book indeed and I only wish that I were able to read the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Otter-Death-Gunn-Zoo/dp/1464209901/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2303764313

More on Betty Webb's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/betty-webb/