Monkey Business (Kristy Farrell Mystery) - Hardcover

A zoo with its lions, crocodiles, and snakes is a dangerous place—a perfect place for murder.

When the director of a Long Island zoo is murdered by snake venom, Kristy Farrell, former English teacher turned wildlife reporter, takes a personal interest in the case. Her brother Tim, the zoo’s curator in charge of reptiles, is the leading suspect. Although the evidence is circumstantial, Kristy is sure the homicide detective, a childhood nemesis of her brother, is out to frame Tim.

Believing that the killer is one of her brother’s colleagues, Kristy investigates the internal politics and personal relationships at the zoo. As she delves into each suspect’s life, she uncovers weak alibis and powerful motives, including greed, blackmail, infidelity, and revenge. The trail leads her to a Greenwich Village pet store with a shady history, a radical animal rights group, a wildlife art exhibit on Long Island’s infamous gold coast, and a bizarre animal auction in rural Ohio where just about anything—dead or alive—can be purchased for the right price.

Meanwhile, the zoo is plagued with accidents, a second murder occurs, and Kristy’s life is threatened. With everyone’s nerves on edge, Kristy races to find the killer before the killer strikes again.

Monkey Business is an animal lover’s mystery. The book delves into the world of endangered species, wildlife smuggling, and the underground trade in exotic reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Lois Schmitt has worked as a freelance writer for Remedia Educational Publishers. Her most recent assignments included a series of nonfiction pieces about national parks, as well as several nonfiction pieces on New York City landmarks. She is the author of Smart Spending, a consumer education book for young adults. Ms. Schmitt currently teaches economics at a local community college on Long Island. She previously served as media spokesperson and education coordinator for the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs. Her interest in animals, which is the focus of her mystery, is evident by her membership in the New York Zoological Society, Best Friends Animal Society, the Marine Mammal Center, and the ASPCA.