An Inconvenient Elephant: A Novel

The delightful sequel to Judy Reene Singer’s Still Life with Elephant, which People magazine called, “a charmer,” An Inconvenient Elephant brings back Singer’s feisty and unforgettable heroine Neelie Sterling and introduces a whole new cast of pachyderms. 

After a year spent caring for baby elephants in Africa, Neelie Sterling is preparing to return to the States and a life filled with exes—ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, ex-house, ex-horse. But she is leaving behind some unfinished business in Zimbabwe: a very special elephant targeted for execution. With the help of her new friend Diamond-Rose Tremaine, an eccentric safari operator, Neelie manages to buy some time for the imperiled pachyderm, knowing that when she lands in New York they'll need to raise funds for his rescue.

Once they're home, everything becomes a struggle. Neelie and Diamond-Rose now must relearn how to survive in an urban jungle of table manners and real beds while coping with the overbearing affections of Neelie's family. Harder still, Neelie desperately needs the help of her wealthy conservationist ex-boyfriend, Tom, to save the magnificent creature—and swallowing her pride just might be the biggest challenge of all.

Neelie’s quest to save an endangered elephant in Zimbabwe will enthrall fans of Water for Elephants and Hannah’s Dream, and anyone who loves animals and cares about their preservation.

From the author of Still Life with Elephant comes the story of one woman and her quest to save a majestic animal.

After a year spent caring for baby elephants in Africa, Neelie Sterling is preparing to return to the States and a life filled with exes—ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, ex-house, ex-horse. But she is leaving behind some unfinished business in Zimbabwe: a very special elephant targeted for execution. With the help of her new friend Diamond-Rose Tremaine, an eccentric safari operator, Neelie manages to buy some time for the imperiled pachyderm, knowing that when she lands in New York they'll need to raise funds for his rescue.

Once they're home, everything becomes a struggle. Neelie and Diamond-Rose now must relearn how to survive in an urban jungle of table manners and real beds while coping with the overbearing affections of Neelie's family. Harder still, Neelie desperately needs the help of her wealthy conservationist ex-boyfriend, Tom, to save the magnificent creature—and swallowing her pride just might be the biggest challenge of all.

“What sets this story apart from others in the she-finds-herself genre: Neelie doesn’t hear well due to her emotional angst. . . . It’s an amusing touch in this modern fairy tale.” - USA Today

“Rings true.” - Publishers Weekly

“Engaging...sure to sppeal to romantics and animals lovers alike.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A reeling, contagious story of hope and interspecies empathy.” - Publishers Weekly