Parrots Prove Deadly (Pru Marlowe Pet Noir)
Pru Marlowe, hired to retrain a parrot after its owner’s death, becomes intrigued when the bird keeps repeating statements suggesting that the owner did not die a natural death. The owner’s children place no credence in the bird’s utterances and seem more concerned with the distribution of their father’s money. Interviews with a caretaker and an eccentric neighbor across the hall sharpen Pru’s feeling that something is wrong. When the neighbor is attacked, Pru uses her ability to communicate with animals to learn more about what the humans are up to. Meanwhile, while trying to save other endangered animals, she runs afoul of a shady land development company. Simon’s use of Pru’s animal whispering will be an entertaining twist to some readers, but others may find that it muddies the plot. A good choice for fans of Susan Wittig Albert’s Beatrix Potter series. --Amy Alessio--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.