Nancy McGovern

“Are you the staying at Degas’ mansion?” he asked. “Yes,” Nora said. “I’m Nora. And you are?” “Professor Brooklyn Thomas,” he said. “I study snakes and, well, as you can see, I’m helping Degas recapture this particular one.” “Not much help, are you?” Tina said with a snicker. The professor colored. “Yes. Well… I’m more of an academic than a field man.” He rubbed at his hands, and scratched a mosquito bite.  Nora, who was looking at his callused hands, thought that he in fact looked more like a field man than an academic. He was extremely fit, with the physique of an Olympic rower, and a tanned handsome face. Degas reappeared, looking flushed and pleased. “Got him,” he said. “We got him, professor.” “Excellent,” the professor said.”
― Nancy McGovern, Death by Ice Cream / Death at the Zoo / Death at a Wedding