Sammy the squirrel is the head detective who works in Spectacle Metropolitan Zoological Park as a detective. Fitz, a mouse, has been recently assigned to be his new assistant. Together they solve mysteries in the park including the mystery of who the new neighbor in the park is.

Richard is an author of several medical textbooks, as well as two novels and two prior poetry books, most recently Appointed Times. In this new collection of poems based on characters from the Biblical gospels, Reflecting in the Heart provides an opportunity to imagine what some of the characters who may have played a relatively minor role in the gospel stories may have experienced and thought. This book will hopefully provide a creative way to reflect on the gospels and a prayerful way to reflect on one's own life.