Cold-blooded (Adjective): without emotion or pity, deliberately cruel or callous. Meet Mattie Saunders, an independent, determined, outspoken young woman with a social conscience and a bad attitude, who loves birds. She's devoted her short life to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of exotic ones people buy as pets and then abandon. It was a strange call. An old friend from high school asking Mattie if it's possible to temporarily board some reptiles at Saunders Bird Sanctuary? The Reptile Refuge where Liz volunteers has been closed by police while they investigate a suspicious death that took place on the premises. Mattie knows she should be more concerned with the circumstances, but sees it as an opportunity to reconnect with her friend, as well as help some animals in distress. Mattie's about to find out that Liz has something in common with the pythons, geckos, and iguanas she's seeking shelter for. They're all cold-blooded. Romance, mystery and action combine with provocative themes for an entertaining and thoughtful exploration of contemporary culture.