Playing Possum - (A Kristy Farrell Mystery) by Lois Schmitt (Paperback)

About the Book

A variety of animals go missing from a wildlife refuge center, and magazine reporter Kristy Farrell is on the case when a murder occurs. As Kristy unearths dark secrets, can she draw the killer out of the shadows?

Book Synopsis

Murder, mayhem, and lots of animals... When animals start mysteriously disappearing from the Pendwell Wildlife Refuge, former English-teacher-turned-magazine-reporter Kristy Farrell is on the case. Days later, the body of the refuge's director is found in a grassy clearing. Kristy, assisted by her veterinarian daughter, investigates and discovers strong motives among the suspects, including greed, infidelity, revenge, and blackmail.

As Kristy delves further, she finds herself up against the wealthy and powerful Pendwell family, especially matriarch Victoria Buckley Pendwell, chair of the refuge's board of trustees, and Victoria's son, Austin Pendwell, who is slated to run for state senate. But ferreting out the murderer and finding the missing animals aren't Kristy's only challenges. While researching a story on puppy mills, she uncovers criminal activity that reaches far beyond the neighborhood pet store. Meanwhile, strange things are happening back at the wildlife refuge, and soon a second murder occurs. Kristy is thwarted in her attempts to discover the identity of the murderer by her old nemesis, the blustery Detective Wolfe. Kristy perseveres, and as she unearths shady deals and dark secrets, will she succeed in drawing the killer out of the shadows?

Review Quotes

"Lois Schmitt's Playing Possum does cozies proud. Fresh and traditional all at once."

-Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepless City

"In her third book of the series, writer Lois Schmitt has crafted an intricately-plotted mystery full of twists and humor, with a cast of colorful characters, set in a wildlife refuge rehab center. Cozy fans, and especially followers of Schmitt's animal lovers' mysteries, will find great entertainment in Playing Possum."

-Phyllis Gobbell, award-winning author of the Jordan Mayfair Mysteries

"A lighthearted and pleasant read for mystery and animal aficionados."

-Kirkus Reviews on Something Fishy