Review of "Bird, Bath, & Beyond: An Agent to the Paws Mystery" by E.J. Copperman

In this second comical mystery in 'An Agent to the Paws' series, Kay Powell - the law school graduate/show business agent who represents talented animals - finds herself helping the police when a TV star is killed. The book can be read as a standalone.



*****

Kay Powell's small New York talent agency represents dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, horses, chimpanzees, snakes.....and if her office manager Consuelo has her way, a flounder who wants to be in "The Little Mermaid."


"I'm sick of being typecast as a rabbit."

As the story opens Kay is wrangling an Amazon parrot named Barney, whose owner is down with the flu. Kay is looking after Barney on the set of 'Dead City', a television series about zombie detectives who investigate crimes committed by anti-zombie racists.

Barney plays Babs, the parrot companion of medical examiner Dr. Banacek, played by handsome Dray Mattone. During Babs' scenes, the parrot is in a cage over Banacek's examination table, where the bird shrieks "Can't kill a zombie".....a catchphrase that has become very popular with the general public.


Amazon parrot

Barney is needed for extra scenes, so Kay leaves him in Dray Mattone's luxurious trailer while she attends a meeting about a dog. When Kay returns, Dray has been shot and killed, and Barney is the only witness. Kay is shocked by the crime, and is even more taken aback when Sergeant Joe Bostwick - the detective in charge of the case - quietly asks, "Can you get the bird to talk?....He heard what was said before the murder."



Kay explains that Barney can only repeats phrases he's been laboriously taught, when the bird seems to contradict her by crying "Put down the gun!", and later on, "A lot of people want you dead, Dray" and "Kill Les Mannix" (the executive producer). Kay can't explain this, and neither can Barney's owner.

Before long a suspect is arrested, who hires Kay as their lawyer. Kay knows nothing about criminal law so she partners with a REAL defense attorney and proceeds to investigate the crime.

Meanwhile, a lot more is happening in Kay's life. Her parents, Jay and Ellie Powell - who perform a variety act in casinos and on cruise ships - are visiting.....and 'helping' with the investigation;



news vans are parked outside Kay's house, anxious to report on Barney's knowledge of the crime;



Kay has three dogs - Eydie, Steve, and Bruno - who need petting and walking;



Kay is nurturing a friendship (and maybe more) with Sam Gibson, who owns the 'Cool Beans Coffee House';




Kay hobnobs with her friend Lorraine Toscadero, who bartends at 'L'Chaim' Kosher Bar and Grill; Kay is maneuvering to give her office manager/assistant, Consuelo, a cat client of her own; and more.

Kay's take on human actors, who she thinks are the most self-involved phonies in the world, is very funny - and along with Kay's other quips and observations, provide a lot of laughs.



I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of humorous cozies.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (E.J. Copperman), and the publisher (Minotaur Books) for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars