We Don't Call Them Cages: A Novel by Luke Dumas

RELEASE DATE 3/16/27

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Revenge comes with a bite when a group of jaded zookeepers unleashes the animals on unsuspecting patrons in this high-octane thriller from the nationally bestselling author of The Paleontologist and Nothing Tastes as Good—perfect for fans of T. J. Newman’s Falling and Daniel Kraus’s Whalefall.

Something is wrong at the world-famous ZOO USA. Animals keep escaping. Others are found dead in their enclosures. It’s a public relations nightmare for Ashlee Beauchamp, the communications executive responsible for convincing the public that nothing is amiss. Worse, she suspects the incidents are no accident—and fears someone on the inside is responsible.

Bright-eyed, young conservationist Megan Taylor is thrilled to be in town for North America’s largest conference for zoo professionals. The conference has been eye-opening, but at least she has Zoo Day to look forward to: a full day to explore ZOO USA with her sister, Sierra, if only she can convince Sierra (and herself) that zoos aren’t exploitative animal prisons.

Brandon McCabe is counting down the days too. Twisted by hate and hell-bent on revenge, the disgruntled zookeeper and his coworkers are planning something big to get back at the institution that has wronged them. Much like the animals he cares for, Brandon has grown tired of his cage—and when Zoo Day comes, everyone best run.

Told in real time over a single day, We Don’t Call Them Cages is an action-packed, multi-POV thriller that will leave readers breathless and thinking twice before their next day at the zoo.