Did Not Survive [Hardcover]

Ann Littlewood (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is Littlewoods second Zoo Mystery and it is a fun quick read that entertains. What more could you ask for?"—Baryon Review of Books

"Zookeeper Iris Oakley, who lost her husband in her first outing (2008's Night Kill), returns to Finley Memorial Zoo near Vancouver, Wash., for a second harrowing adventure that meshes the complexities of animal care and human failings. Early one morning, Iris discovers her boss, Kevin Wallace, face down in the elephant enclosure, apparently being mauled. What first appears to be a dreadful accident is revealed by autopsy to be a murder and merely the first incident to bedevil the little zoo. Although she's six months pregnant, several colleagues suggest that Iris should look into other disturbing events, including the theft of a zoo van and the body of a tiger. Fascinating details of zoo life--the impending birth of clouded leopards, collecting urine samples from elephants--lend color. Man again proves to be the most dangerous animal, and Iris needs all her cunning to discover the rogue behind the violence in a follow-up that should win Littlewood more fans." --Publishers Weekly

“Mystery mavens may pick out the killer early on, but a wealth of behind-the-scenes detail smoothly integrated into the puzzle makes this a promising debut.”  --Kirkus Reviews of Night Kill

“A debut from former zookeeper Ann Littlewood, it convincingly and affectionately evokes its animal-friendly setting. Call it a zoo cozy.”  --The Seattle Times on Night Kill

“Mystery mavens may pick out the killer early on, but a wealth of behind-the-scenes detail smoothly integrated into the puzzle makes this a promising debut.”  --Kirkus Reviews of N

 

About the Author

Ann Littlewood is the author of Night Kill, the first in the Iris Oakley Zoo-Dunnit series. She worked for the Oregon Zoo for 12 years as a zookeeper before a career in business writing with Kaiser Permanente. Ann lives in Portland, Oregon, across the river from Vancouver, Washington, the home of the fictional Finley Memorial Zoo. She is a life-long environmentalist and a volunteer with the Audubon Society of Portland.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; 1 edition (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590587456
• ISBN-13: 978-1590587454
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,441,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ann Littlewood worked as a zoo keeper at the Oregon Zoo for twelve years. She has been scratched, bitten, pecked, stepped on, and taloned. See her website, http://zoomysteries.com, for proof and for pretty pictures of animals. Go to her blog, http://annlittlewood.blogspot.com for her Deep Thoughts about Life and more pictures. Ann spends many hours at Finley Memorial Zoo, engrossed in exciting adventures with any animal she wants while channeling Iris Oakley, her mystery-solving protagonist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An elephant-sized winner, August 14, 2010

By 

Susan Walsh - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Did Not Survive (Hardcover)

I liked Littlewood's first offering - Night Kill - but this second in the series is even better. As a writer and storyteller, the author has honed her craft by leaps and bounds. Other reviewers have related details of the mystery, so I'll skip that. As one who has always felt that zoo animals are prisoners, I have to admit that I have a much better appreciation for the care they receive and I will henceforth be less harsh in my judgment! I am typically a reader of some fairly hard-hitting, but not gruesome, crime mysteries and "cozies" bore me. This novel has just the perfect balance and I loved every bit of it. I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the third Littlewood Zoo Mystery, August 12, 2010

By 

Frances Robinson "Food Maven" (Vashon, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Did Not Survive (Paperback)

I am enjoying every word of this new Zoo mystery by Ann Littlewood. I am a fan of her crisp, forceful, witty,and compelling writing style. Also, I love the fact that her mysteries take place in a zoo. As you are swept along by the story, you begin to learn more about all the fascinating creatures that we glimpse in the zoo, but cannot fathom. Her deep understanding of animals enlivens every page.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER GREAT ZOO MYSTERY!, August 4, 2010

By 

Evan Lewis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Did Not Survive (Paperback)

When Iris Oakley finds her boss, Director of the Finley Zoo, dang near dead in the elephant cage, the most likely culprit is her good friend Damrey - who just happens to be an elephant. The police are convinced Damrey did it, as are some of Iris's fellow employees. But Iris - the only the witness to the event - isn't sure. Even if the boss survives, which seems unlikely, the consequences for Damrey will be dire.

Complicating matters are a mob of animal rights protesters, a pair of feuding elephant handlers and a spate of disappearing animals. Meanwhile, Iris has problems of her own. She's pregnant, and has not yet recovered, personally or professionally, to the murder of her husband in the first book, Night Kill (Yep, you'll want to read that too). But, being Iris, she can't leave trouble alone, and is determine to learn the truth - even at the risk of her own life.

Sounds good, eh? But wait, the best is yet to come. Relating this tale is none other than Ann Littlewood, one-time zookeeper and a writer of great wit and grace. Pick up Did Not Survive - or better yet Night Kill AND Did Not Survive - and prepare to be entertained, educated and amused all at once. That's what happened to me.