Zero At The Bone (A Katherine Driscoll Mystery) [Paperback]

Mary Willis Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1993 | Series: A Katherine Driscoll Mystery

When her father, a senior keeper of large cats at the Austin Zoo, is mauled to death, Katherine Driscoll takes a job at the zoo and begins probing into her father's bizarre death. Reprint. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Texas dog trainer Katherine Driscoll embarks on a perilous quest to unravel family mysteries in Walker's gripping debut. Her mortgage in default, Katherine is devastated by the imminent loss of her house, kennel and beloved golden retriever. A startling solution presents itself when her father, whom she has not seen in 30 years, writes to say that her big loan will be paid in full in return for a small favor. While the note does not mention what the favor will be, Katherine resolves to meet Lester Renfro and find out if he really is a "maniac," as her mother claimed. Upon arrival in Austin, she learns that veteran zookeeper Renfro has been killed by a tiger. Arguing that the keeper had been set up for the kill by someone who had sent Renfro a threatening note, Police Lt. Bernard Sharb tries to talk Katherine out of taking a job at the reptile house in the Austin Zoo. But Katherine is determined to remain in town until she answers an increasing number of questions. Why had Renfro been sending half his salary to a mystery woman? Why had her wealthy grandmother disowned her mother? Why is Renfro's attorney shot and impaled on the antlers of a deer? And why had her father left her photos of endangered African animals being led off of trucks? Katherine takes risks that put her at the cusp of unrelated, but lethal dangers. Very believable players make the resolution all the more harrowing.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA-- This book grabs readers from the beginning paragraphs and doesn't let go until a satisfying conclusion promises more adventures for heroine, dog trainer, and sleuth Katherine Driscoll. The 36-year-old protagonist receives a letter from her father, whom she has not seen since she was five. The letter promises much needed financial help, but when she arrives at the zoo where he works, she discovers that he is dead. Long-kept family secrets begin to emerge when the woman takes a job at the same zoo, which is run by her deceased mother's brother and largely financed by her maternal grandmother. The mystery brings in various literary tidbits from Emily Dickinson, Shakespeare, and Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner that add depth to the book. Katherine is a likable heroine with a gutsy intelligence that mixes well with her realistic human frailties. A gripping book, and its cover art--a terrifying snake, fangs bared, tongue flicking--is sure to increase its popularity.
- Bunni Union, Geauga West Library, Chesterland, OH
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Worldwide Library (May 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373261225
• ISBN-13: 978-0373261222
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,388,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Mystery But Not Her Best, December 7, 1998

By 

bobbewig (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Zero at the Bone (Paperback)

Walker's Zero At The Bone is a satisfying mystery that is worth reading. However, Zero At The Bone is nowhere near as good as Walker's The Red Scream and Under The Beetle's Cellar--both of which are VERY good,particularly the latter.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful, January 7, 2000

By 

Karen Bierman Hirsh (Greenwich, CT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zero at the Bone (Paperback)

I really enjoyed Zero at the Bone. You never knew where the plot turns were going to take you. It is rare to find a mystery novel that leaves you guessing until the end. I found it a great read along with Mary Willis Walker's other books. I just wish she would write another one soon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't go wrong with this mystery, May 28, 2001

By 

Tara "saltyreader4" (Kutztown, Pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zero at the Bone (Paperback)

Walker does an excellent job with this book.

As you eneter Katherine's world it's crumbling away and then she gets notice that her father who she hasn't seen or heard from in year dies. She goes off to see him off and go through his extate. When she comes across something that doesn't seem right and this embarks her on a journey that will change her life.

Walker paints a powerful picture with her words. In one scene they come across a lion traped in a cage. You can actually see the lion and feel the cage and his imperfections with your hands. It will send chills up your spine.

This is her best book and the only one that stands on it's own. Her other books deal with continuing characters and are great, too.

Read. Enjoy. Then take a trip to a large zoo and enjoy the animals.

If you liked Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal with all there power you'll enjoy Mary Willis Walkers' work.