PRESS FOR NO GUN INTENDED: AN ANNABELLE STARKEY MYSTERY
Burke’s zany sequel to 2013’s Jump the Gun takes screwball rookie sleuth Annabelle “Bea” Starkey from New York City to Portland, Ore., to visit her parents. Unfortunately, at the airport baggage claim, somebody walks off with Bea’s backpack, and Bea goes home with her foul-mouthed mom and sanguine dad and an identical-looking backpack containing a gun—which turns out to be a murder weapon. The plot thickens when a young woman phones, claiming she has Bea’s backpack, wants to meet, and is quickly dispatched into a coma by a mysterious mugger. Boyfriend and Asta Investigations partner Mickey Paxton, who’s working a case back in New York, can’t get away to help out, so she’s on her own. With Bea’s quips, Mom Starkey’s expletives, crazy plot twists, red herrings, and copious movie references, this is one mad, mad, mad, mad mystery. — Publisher's Weekly
Annabelle’s family and friends are a fun-loving bunch, and at just over 200 pages, this caper is an enjoyable diversion. — Booklist
Always quick with a wisecrack and not the best at taking criticism, Annabelle and her love of movie references ensure for a fast and always entertaining read. The exploration of relationships between parents and their adult children elevates this novel above most humorous mysteries, rewarding readers with an enjoyable read that induces as many warm feelings as it does laughter. — Kings River Magazine
Burke’s zany sequel to 2013’s Jump the Gun takes screwball rookie sleuth Annabelle “Bea” Starkey from New York City to Portland, Ore., to visit her parents. Unfortunately, at the airport baggage claim, somebody walks off with Bea’s backpack, and Bea goes home with her foul-mouthed mom and sanguine dad and an identical-looking backpack containing a gun—which turns out to be a murder weapon. The plot thickens when a young woman phones, claiming she has Bea’s backpack, wants to meet, and is quickly dispatched into a coma by a mysterious mugger. Boyfriend and Asta Investigations partner Mickey Paxton, who’s working a case back in New York, can’t get away to help out, so she’s on her own. With Bea’s quips, Mom Starkey’s expletives, crazy plot twists, red herrings, and copious movie references, this is one mad, mad, mad, mad mystery. — Publisher's Weekly
Annabelle’s family and friends are a fun-loving bunch, and at just over 200 pages, this caper is an enjoyable diversion. — Booklist
Always quick with a wisecrack and not the best at taking criticism, Annabelle and her love of movie references ensure for a fast and always entertaining read. The exploration of relationships between parents and their adult children elevates this novel above most humorous mysteries, rewarding readers with an enjoyable read that induces as many warm feelings as it does laughter. — Kings River Magazine
PRESS FOR JUMP THE GUN: AN ANNABELLE STARKEY MYSTERY
Crooked policemen, shifty lawyers, and scheming little old ladies crowd the twisty, screwball plot.— Publishers Weekly
Mystery meets romance meets noir meets caper.-- Kirkus Reviews
After an exhausting book conference concludes, Annabelle Starkey, a normally reserved publicist, throws caution to the wind when handsome Mickey Paxton, a fellow movie buff, suggests a fun getaway to Las Vegas. But things go wrong almost immediately when she’s kidnapped at gunpoint in Sin City. Annabelle thinks Mickey is the problem, but it turns out, she is the reason bad guys are chasing them. Clues are neatly sprinkled through the story like bread crumbs, from the older lady with the designer hat to the cab driver who’s really a Las Vegas cop and on to the assisted living residence where Annabelle’s late grandmother once lived. Annabelle is horrified, though, when her friend Cassie, who was cat-sitting, is murdered in Annabelle’s apartment. Now she and Mickey have a serious mission, and they aren’t about to let murderers run free. VERDICT Quickly paced and so clever, Burke’s debut is a winning semi-cozy caper, perfect for movie fans. She never misses a beat with her light rom-com banter, multigenerational ensemble, and sense of fun. This title makes a nice pairing with Diane Vallere’s “Mad for Mod” series. — Library Journal (starred review)
Mystery meets romance meets noir meets caper.-- Kirkus Reviews
After an exhausting book conference concludes, Annabelle Starkey, a normally reserved publicist, throws caution to the wind when handsome Mickey Paxton, a fellow movie buff, suggests a fun getaway to Las Vegas. But things go wrong almost immediately when she’s kidnapped at gunpoint in Sin City. Annabelle thinks Mickey is the problem, but it turns out, she is the reason bad guys are chasing them. Clues are neatly sprinkled through the story like bread crumbs, from the older lady with the designer hat to the cab driver who’s really a Las Vegas cop and on to the assisted living residence where Annabelle’s late grandmother once lived. Annabelle is horrified, though, when her friend Cassie, who was cat-sitting, is murdered in Annabelle’s apartment. Now she and Mickey have a serious mission, and they aren’t about to let murderers run free. VERDICT Quickly paced and so clever, Burke’s debut is a winning semi-cozy caper, perfect for movie fans. She never misses a beat with her light rom-com banter, multigenerational ensemble, and sense of fun. This title makes a nice pairing with Diane Vallere’s “Mad for Mod” series. — Library Journal (starred review)
PRESS FOR ZOE BURKE'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Owls and Loons: Inuit Art from Cape Dorset
Images of owls and loons created by Inuit artists pair with an upbeat rhyme (“This Owl spreads its wings,/ while this Owl plays and sings”) in a book that showcases a variety of artistic styles. Some birds are drawn with an eye toward naturalistic detail, such as a yellow-eyed owl with delicately shaded feathers, while others feature extravagant and vividly colored plumage that bursts from their bodies in shapes that evoke foliage, teardrops, or the fan of a peacock’s tail. An engaging introduction to the diversity of Inuit art. Up to age 5. — Publishers Weekly
In this “first-ever board book of Inuit art,” the content is spectacular. Various owls and loons alternate in these two-spread sets. . . . The rhyming couplets are a joy to read, as each zip from our tongue with ease. The final spread contains an author’s note explaining where the Inuit artists of Cape Dorset are located, what their art depicts, and that these artists “have been making limited edition fine art since 1959. — Kid Lit Reviews
B. Kliban's CatBook
Simple enough for use with pre-readers and early readers, packed with enough fun for adults (perhaps even ones above age 103), Kliban’s Cat Book is one of those deceptively simple productions that readers will find themselves returning to again and again, just for the fun of it. -- Infodad.com
Charley Harper’s Animal Alphabet
Charley Harper was an artist who created dozens of pictures of animals using his own unique style in which shapes and colors are combined in wonderfully creative ways. In this beautiful board book Charley Harper’s illustrations are paired with a rhyming text to give children an animal-filled journey from A to Z. . . . Placed on colorful backgrounds and clever settings, familiar animals, and some that might be new to readers, will delight us as we turn the pages. — Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Charley Harper’s Book of Colors
Little children are going to love exploring the unique artwork and delightful rhyming text in this special book. --Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Burke’s engaging poems introduce the late American modern artist Charley Harper to a new audience. — Redeemed Reader
Charley Harper's Count the Birds
Harper’s stylized bird portraits guide readers from one to 10, accompanied by equally crisp verse from Burke. It’s a sure bet for new families with modernist tastes.— Publishers Weekly
What's in the Coral Reef? A Charley Harper Nature Discovery Book
Geometric illustrations done with skillful use of color pique curiosity about the abundance of life beneath the sea . . . Clever rhymes and joyous exclamations add excitement to the rhythm of Burke's text, which rolls along like the waves above. This book is sure to inspire youthful environmentalists to discover more about marine life. — Foreword Reviews
Owls and Loons: Inuit Art from Cape Dorset
Images of owls and loons created by Inuit artists pair with an upbeat rhyme (“This Owl spreads its wings,/ while this Owl plays and sings”) in a book that showcases a variety of artistic styles. Some birds are drawn with an eye toward naturalistic detail, such as a yellow-eyed owl with delicately shaded feathers, while others feature extravagant and vividly colored plumage that bursts from their bodies in shapes that evoke foliage, teardrops, or the fan of a peacock’s tail. An engaging introduction to the diversity of Inuit art. Up to age 5. — Publishers Weekly
In this “first-ever board book of Inuit art,” the content is spectacular. Various owls and loons alternate in these two-spread sets. . . . The rhyming couplets are a joy to read, as each zip from our tongue with ease. The final spread contains an author’s note explaining where the Inuit artists of Cape Dorset are located, what their art depicts, and that these artists “have been making limited edition fine art since 1959. — Kid Lit Reviews
B. Kliban's CatBook
Simple enough for use with pre-readers and early readers, packed with enough fun for adults (perhaps even ones above age 103), Kliban’s Cat Book is one of those deceptively simple productions that readers will find themselves returning to again and again, just for the fun of it. -- Infodad.com
Charley Harper’s Animal Alphabet
Charley Harper was an artist who created dozens of pictures of animals using his own unique style in which shapes and colors are combined in wonderfully creative ways. In this beautiful board book Charley Harper’s illustrations are paired with a rhyming text to give children an animal-filled journey from A to Z. . . . Placed on colorful backgrounds and clever settings, familiar animals, and some that might be new to readers, will delight us as we turn the pages. — Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Charley Harper’s Book of Colors
Little children are going to love exploring the unique artwork and delightful rhyming text in this special book. --Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Burke’s engaging poems introduce the late American modern artist Charley Harper to a new audience. — Redeemed Reader
Charley Harper's Count the Birds
Harper’s stylized bird portraits guide readers from one to 10, accompanied by equally crisp verse from Burke. It’s a sure bet for new families with modernist tastes.— Publishers Weekly
What's in the Coral Reef? A Charley Harper Nature Discovery Book
Geometric illustrations done with skillful use of color pique curiosity about the abundance of life beneath the sea . . . Clever rhymes and joyous exclamations add excitement to the rhythm of Burke's text, which rolls along like the waves above. This book is sure to inspire youthful environmentalists to discover more about marine life. — Foreword Reviews