HANAPEPE — Author Stuart Gibbs, will be signing copies of his novel, “Belly Up,” at 6 p.m. today at Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe. The comedic mystery suitable for ages 8 and up is set at America’s newest tourist attraction,
HANAPEPE — Author Stuart Gibbs, will be signing copies of his novel, “Belly Up,” at 6 p.m. today at Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe.
The comedic mystery suitable for ages 8 and up is set at America’s newest tourist attraction, FunJungle, a massive zoo/theme park. When FunJungle’s mascot, Henry the Hippo, dies unexpectedly shortly after the park’s grand opening, the public-relations department claims it was due to natural causes, but 12-year-old Teddy Fitzroy suspects foul play.
Police refuse to take him seriously, so Teddy sets out to find the truth — and gets far more than he bargained for. It turns out Henry was two tons of trouble and a lot of people wanted him dead. Soon Teddy finds himself in jeopardy too. He’d better find the killer behind the hippo homicide fast or Henry won’t be the only one who’s dead.
Booklist wrote: “First-novelist Gibbs offers no shortage of suspects in his fast-paced story which deftly mixes humor and suspense. Cleverly plotted, this book is an auspicious debut that will leave readers clamoring for more.”
Gibbs has written several screenplays, including “See Spot Run” and the upcoming “Parental Guidance.” He has developed TV shows for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC and Fox. Before all that, he studied capybaras (the world’s largest rodents) and worked at the Philadelphia Zoo.
He now lives in Los Angeles, Calif. with his wife and two children. This is his first novel.
