A cursed emerald.A suspicious snake.There’s something strange going on at Snidely Safari Park. A mystery illness is spreading through the staff.When a zookeeper collapses inside the lion enclosure, Madigan Amos is the only one close enough to make a decision that could save the keeper, or condemn them both.Then, one stormy night, a stranger turns up at the zoo bearing a sickly green mamba… but … turns up at the zoo bearing a sickly green mamba… but Madi smells a rat.
There’s a snake in the grass at Snidely.
Madi must find out who’s playing who, or risk being bitten.
Pick up this mystery today and you’ll be up all night turning the pages to find out ‘whodunnit’!
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This is the first book by this author that I have read but it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed it and loved the unusual setting of the zoo environment. It was even fascinating learning more about snakes, hopefully facts that I will never need to know.
Maddi is hired to help improve the habitats of a zoo, in the hopes that happy healthy animals may lead to new arrivals (babies) but she get more than she bargains for as the zoo is famous for it venomous snakes and a zoo is not the best place to learn on the job. The only person on duty or left working one night she finds herself in charge of a very sick snake when the owner disappears. But the strange owner isn’t the only strange thing happening as random members of staff are acting out of character. Then she stumbles on a body and worrying about snakes is the last thing on Maddi’s mind.
It was a nicely crafted mystery with like able characters.
A fun new concept for cozy mysteries, an animal consultant who attracts trouble. The Zoo series is really interesting and educational. I now know more about snakes than I even knew I wanted to. The story line was original and well written. The characters were very realistic and a good mix of good and bad attitudes. Lucky, Madi’s kitten is fitting into the stories more and more and will steal the show eventually. You will totally enjoy this cozy mystery, especially if you like animals.
Delightful tale. Madi is in the midst of mayhem again. This time she is working beyond her expertise with snakes: some are of the human variety. Several friends fromAvery Zoo make appearances.
Parrots and Payback (a prequel) – A cute, little prequel about another day at the zoo with some of our favorite characters. A quick read where readers familiar with Mad’s zoo will know what’s going on. I personally would read this after The Peacock’s Poison, but that’s how I did it. LOL. 5*
Penguins and Mortal Peril #1 – A good thriller. A well written, intriguing suspense with a well thought out, twisting plot and believable characters. There’s interesting information about the zoo and its animals. Madi is an intelligent, caring person, especially with the animals, and takes loving care of the zoo. There’s also humor; beware of furry pyschos. The animals are a good part of the story and some even have their own personalities. I finished the book in one sitting, immersed in the mystery. If you liked Blooming, you’ll like this book, too. 5*
The Silence of the Snakes #2 – Spellbinding! Ruby just gets better with each book she writes. A well written, intriguing suspense with believable characters and a plot that doesn’t let the reader put down the book until the last page. This is a substantial story, not a weak cozy, that would make Christie proud to write. Don’t let this series pass you by, they’re must reads. 5*
Murder is a Monkey’s Game #3 – Another well written, intriguing suspense this time set in France. There’s an interesting plot that holds the reader’s attention, although a bit slower when compared to the previous two books. The characters are still interesting and the relationships between the characters are realistic and entertaining. While not necessary since each book is a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in order. Madi’s story is continuously evolving and her growth as a character, too. I contacted the author to review her work many books ago. 5*
Lions and the Living Dead #4 – Her best book yet! This is a substantial and intriguing suspense with a well written, fast paced plot and believable characters. The main characters continue to evolve and the new characters are developed enough to have weight. The descriptions and storylines are vivid and full. The dialog realistic. The story flows from page to page making it difficult to put the book down. I stayed up late to finish it. 5*
The Peacock’s Poison #5 – Another well written, well thought out story with our Madi and her crew. A longer book than usual, but just as substantial, that keeps the reader immersed in the pages until the end. Someone did their homework and makes it look bad for Madi. Poor dummy, bad move. Each book in the series gets better and the books always have you thinking. I watched this author mature as an author and her work doesn’t disappoint. I have to recommend this series as must reads. Start with Penguins #1 to meet Madi and finish with Lions. If these are the only two books of the series you read, you picked well. But don’t miss out on Silence and Monkey’s Game. Sequentially is how they should be read, but it’s not necessary, they’re all standalones. 5*
A Memory for Murder #6 – Oh my gosh! This book has it all: intrigue; romance; subterfuge; romance; stings; murders; and the list goes on. Every book in this series gets better and better, and this is the “betterest”. The amazing plot swings the reader in every direction; yah, some things are figured out, but there are some characters that are questionable. The characters, old and new, are interesting, have grown or have enough background where needed. Their dialog is realistic and there’s no stupidity in second guessing or questioning everything – just straight thoughts and actions. I couldn’t put this book down until I had finished it. The is the most substantial book by Ms. Loren and I’m looking forward to #7. I’m happy I volunteered to review her work. She has immense growth as an author since the first book I read by her, Snowed In With Death. 5*
Whales and a Watery Grave #7 – What what a way to die! Sorry, but the murder of this victim is extremely different from the usual murders found in other mystery books, which complicates the investigation. Ms. Loren does another fabulous job with this book, its characters and the murder itself. Well written, intriguing and suspenseful, the story line holds the reader glued to the pages, which zip by quickly. There’s continued growth with our favorite characters and the new characters are developed enough to either like or dislike them. The animal characters always add something to the stories. A simple, relaxing holiday in Mallorca isn’t in the cards for Madi and Auryn with the complex, intriguing murder, there’s suspects everywhere. 5*
Foxes and Fatal Attraction #9 – I just love the expressions of the fox and the hound, such a funny cover; it makes you wonder what has the clever fox happy and the hound worried. Well the story does give you that info. Another intriguing, substantial murder mystery with all of our favorite characters and the return of an old favorite or two, of which one brings even more secrets and subterfuge to Madi’s present and future. The animals still play a large part in the story and add to the humor, which blends in well with the drama and intrigue. Another wonderful addition to a great series. 5*
Book 2 is every bit as good as book one. It is fun to learn about different animals. Our sleuth is a zoo consultant on habitats to keep animals busy and content. This book has murder, some romance and the snakes! I highly recommend this series to someone looking for a fun, short mystery to read.
Madigan Amos worked as a Zookeeper.
Now she has become a wildlife habitat
consultant. She is on site at the Snidely
Safari and Wildlife Park to give a review
there and the Dracondia Manor. This is
the Snidley’s family home and houses a
museum of venomous snakes.
While never having handled snakes, Madi
is going to have a quick learning experience.
The Manor houses the famed, cursed
Serpentine Emerald. Whoever tries to steal
this emerald DIES….
Madigan becomes a heroine while checking
out the lions. One of the gamekeepers gets
real giddy running out in front of the lions.
Madi saves her from being the lion next meal.
What is happening that people at the habitat
are getting giddy, light headed, confused then
passing out???
There are also items being stolen from the
Manor. Lowell is hire to track down the culprit.
Smooth flowing writing in a mystery with many
twist and turns. A puzzle with a lot t of suspects.
Well rounded, well defined and colorful characters.
This is book # 2 in the Madigan Amen s Zoo
Mysteries series. It can be read as a stand alone.
A highly recommended read.
I volunteered to read The Silence of the Snakes.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity. My
opinion is my own.
I really like this series. I think it is because of the warm and fuzzy between Madigan and animals combined with an attractive PI and villainous villains. Madigan has a characteristic that appeals to me. She does not react fast and avoids a lot of petty fears and is a sensitive bulldog in pursuit of what is right and just in her mind. Always well written and detailed but no dragging or hard to read parts. Steady info and action till the end. Happy endings for animals and characters except for those that died and the villains.
“The Silence of the Snakes” earns 5/5 Green Mambas!
Madigan ‘Madi’ Amos has made a name for herself with the success of the breeding program at Avery Zoo and has been persuaded to leave her job as zookeeper and become an animal welfare and breeding consultant to various zoos and animal centers whose problems that need to be solved fall within her expertise. Currently she is working with the Snidely Safari and Wildlife Park which is home to many large animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, and more, but it is the reptile population that concerns her. She knows fur and feathers, but scales? That’s a bit different, especially when all of the reptiles are venomous. The park facility is owned by the Snidely family who live in the nearby Dragondia Manor which is open to the public with a large reptile exhibit. The Snidelys are also known for their ownership of the priceless Serpentine Emerald thought by some to be cursed and sought after by many self-respecting thieves. While trying to do her best job for the welfare of the animals, she runs into odd behavior by a staff worker, strange contagious behavior of others, a sick venomous snake named Mr, Limey, and a possible ‘romantic’ entanglement….well, at least a reunion between Madi and Lowell whom she met when she worked at the Avery Zoo. All of this and murder make her consulting gig dangerous to one’s health.
WOW! Right off with the Prologue (jewel heist gone wrong), I could not put down this second book in Ruby Loren’s Madigan Amos Zoo Mystery series: Mayhem in the lion enclosure? A cursed jewel? A venomous snake? Mysterious behaviors by staff? Drugs, poisons, and murder? Ruby has created an exciting well written story, but beyond the action-packed scenes, she writes engaging dialogue, description, and doesn’t forget to sprinkle in some fun and humor. Her characters, the main cast or ones added just for this book, are well-developed. After having read both books in the series, I really enjoy following Madi, strong willed and clever, but she deals realistically with her own personal vulnerabilities. Animal lovers will enjoy ‘Lucky’ Madi’s little black and white kitten, who adds a bit of domesticity to Madi’s life. The local small village community, ins and outs of an animal preserve, animal behavior and management, and the relationship between Madi and Lowell delightfully play out in the background making this a new Top Ten series! Although this book is a great standalone, I highly recommend reading book 1 “Penguins and Mortal Peril.” You will be totally entertained!
Another Rich, Hilarious Mystery At The Zoo
I have so enjoyed this series. I have always enjoyed animals and to have a zoo based cozy mystery is just heaven! This author has a great talent for weaving a good, intriguing mystery. The heroine of these stories is multi-talented, intelligent and a bit nuts. This book was every bit as good as the first episode. The characters are deep and well planned. The emotions ring true and relationships are complex. The humor involved is classic British sarcasm. I can’t wait for the next episode to be published. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
I liked the first book well enough, but the author did a way better job with this one!!! The Silence of the Snakes was informational when it comes to animals and very action packed for a cozy mystery. I loved the romance, the characters, and just the book in general.