Fourteen-year-old Ava Bonney has what many would call an unhealthy, obsessive interest in biology, specifically the decomposition of dead animals. She makes regular pilgrimages to her special place, a secluded spot where she can transport roadkill she finds along the highway and study them up close. She then records her findings and observations in a notebook that she keeps safely tucked away from prying eyes.

"Readers of DEADLY ANIMALS will be treated to a good story and will be given many short lessons on anatomy, particularly bones."

One night, when she is supposed to be in her room, Ava sneaks out of her house so she can take a walk. Along the way, she stumbles upon the corpse of one of her classmates, who had been missing for several days. After clinically examining the body, she notifies the police anonymously. As she disguises her voice, she creates an adult-like persona. This discovery sparks her native curiosity, but it also sparks the interest of the authorities as they try to figure out not only who killed the boy, but the caller's identity as well.

Readers of DEADLY ANIMALS will be treated to a good story and will be given many short lessons on anatomy, particularly bones. As Ava likes to say, “We are our bones.” For instance, did you know that a fox has 170 bones and 42 teeth? You will find this fun fact and many other biological tidbits as you progress through the pages.

Because Marie Tierney’s debut novel involves so many dead animals, not to mention dead humans, please keep in mind that some of the descriptions here are quite detailed. If you’re squeamish about such things, don’t say I didn’t warn you!