Alex works at the local zoo studying frogs and reptiles in the nearby swamp. Unofficially he studies basilisks and other cryptids. He is also very interested in a romantic study of a visiting Australian zookeeper Shelby. He lives with his grandparents; grandpa has been reanimated, and helps with his telepathic cousin who apparently suffered a blow to her telepathic abilities in the last book. Things are going okay… Alex’s assistant, a gorgon named Dee, helps him get the animals fed and reminds him of his dates with Shelby but then one of Alex’s interns turns up dead, partially petrified.  Since the intern obviously was killed by a cryptid it is vital that Alex, with help from his family, finds the killer before the local cryptid population is discovered.

I haven’t read the first two books so there are probably some details I am missing without knowing more of the backstory; but, this does still work well as either a standalone or an entry to the series. The pace is fast, the characters are interesting and there is humor - what more can you ask for? ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

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