The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

5 stars
R-2
ARC received for review

This book is as adorable as its cover.  :)

The sweet story of a man's life falling apart and hopefully being put back together.  And a royal menagerie.

Balthazar is a Beefeater living and working at the Tower of London.  Since the loss of his son, his record for catching pickpockets has diminished, but the palace is impressed by his 181-year-old tortoise.  So naturally they put him in charge of the new royal menagerie.

With a cast of zany characters (and I don't just mean the animals), this tale meanders along in a way that should have driven me nuts and yet totally worked.

Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society, this is a great read for book clubs or anyone just looking for a good story.

Go read it.  Like today.  Now.  :)

Also a Reader's Choice book!