I read this primarily because the idea of having read both an academic paper (in linguistics) and another work in a completely different genre and field (a mystery novel set in a zoo) tickled me. As a mystery novel, it left something to be desired. It took too long to get to the first murder, the protagonist was not very proactive in solving the mystery (in fact no one seemed to be, not even the police!), and the resolution was just weird. What redeemed it was the chirpy and amusing voice of the protagonist, a small mammals keeper at the zoo, and the insights into life at a zoo. But if that last doesn't attract you, this probably isn't the book for you.

I liked the behind-the-scenes peek at the way the zoo works, animal trivia, and how zookeepers do their job.
I'd love to see another zoo mystery so I can learn more!