Linda Lombardi, The Sloth's Eye

The Sloth's Eye

Linda Lombardi

Five Star, May 6 2011, $25.95

ISBN: 9781594149627

At the Zoo, the most popular event is the annual elephant pumpkin smashing walk on Halloween. However, this year the gala turns ugly when Victor is found with his head smashed to bits the morning after. The victim was the latest boyfriend of the zoo's director serial lover Allison.

Meanwhile Allison decides the zoo needs a new exhibit to get the media and public away from the homicide. She approves small mammal zookeeper Hannah's request to buy a wombat. At the same time someone kidnaps the sloth from the small mammal wing. Hannah is attracted to her boss Chris who loathes Allison. They also knows whoever took the sloth had to work for the zoo.

The Sloth's Eye is an engaging look at what happens behind the scenes at a zoo as the murder and sloth mysteries stay in the background for the most part. Hannah is precocious as she is not a superhero amateur sleuth, but instead a clean the muck and drippings left behind by her beloved mammals. Readers who appreciate a glimpse of what it is like working at a zoo supported somewhat by the mysteries will enjoy visiting Hannah's Small Mammal House.

Harriet Klausner