Parrots will repeat anything. They don’t talk sense—or do they? When Pru Marlowe is called in to retrain a foulmouthed African gray after its owner’s death, she can’t help hearing the parrot’s words as a replay of a murder scene. But the doctor on call scoffs at the idea, and the heirs just want their late mother’s pet to stop cursing.

The only other possible witnesses being an evasive aide, a blind neighbor, and a single-minded service dog, Pru is stuck with what may be a featherbrained theory. Even her crotchety tabby Wallis doesn’t buy it, although Wallis would be more than willing to “interrogate” the bird up close.

Meanwhile, Pru, the bad-girl animal psychic, is also called on to deal with drugs, jealousy, and a potential rabies outbreak.