Publication Date: 10/01/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Obsidian Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0451414705
ISBN-13: 978-0451414700
(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mystery)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound
Sofie Kelly on the WEB: Website, News, Goodreads
Books in the series:
Curiosity Thrilled the Cat (2011), Sleight of Paw (2011), Copycat Killing (2012), Cat Trick (2013), Final Catcall (2013)
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from Final Catcall, courtesy of the author's website.
Synopsis:
Small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson gets plenty of entertainment from her extraordinary cats, Owen and Hercules. But when a theatre troupe stumbles into more tragedy than it bargained for, it’s up to Kathleen to play detective....
With her sort-of boyfriend Marcus calling it quits and her ex-boyfriend Andrew showing up out of the blue, Kathleen has more than enough drama to deal with—and that’s before a local theatre festival relocates to Mayville Heights. Now the town is buzzing with theatre folk, and many of them have their own private dramas with the director, Hugh Davis.
When Davis is found shot to death by the marina, he leaves behind evidence of blackmail and fraud, as well as an ensemble of suspects. Now Kathleen, with a little help from her feline friends Owen and Hercules, will have to catch the real killer before another victim takes a final curtain call.
Thoughts:
The Magical Cats Mystery series continues with the fifth book by Sofie Kelly, Final Catcall. Kelly's trademark wit and humor shine in this book, as well as her uncanny ability to write feline characters. Owen and Hercules are two cats with some special talents and they one of the reasons this series is so popular. Kelly continues to intrigue readers with the adventures of Kathleen Paulson, librarian and amateur sleuth. Readers get a chance to learn more of Kath's back story with a visit from her mother, an old boyfriends return and the possible break up with her main squeeze and local detective, Marcus Gordon. A great addition to a wonderful series that will enchant mystery readers and cat enthusiasts alike!
This is a series that I have really enjoyed. Sofie Kelly has a knack for writing about the relationship between pet and owner. In this case, she does a fantastic job of describing how Kathleen and her cats Owen and Hercules interact with each other. I like the fact that Kelly allows Kathleen to treat her cats like members of the family. She even talks to them, to help her sort out her ideas and clues about whatever mystery she happens to be involved in at the moment. They are almost like a sounding board that Kathleen bounces her ideas off. That is a nice touch and will certainly appeal to cat lovers, who understand that fine line between pet and friend.
Hercules and Owen are quite a duo. The series is basically centered around their special abilities. Hercules can walk through solid objects, like walls and Owen can disappear at the most inopportune moments. Though Kathleen is the main character, these two kitties definitely have a starring role. I always enjoy the way Kelly lets the cats be a part of the action but not necessarily the main focus. It gives readers the tie in they need to the series, but also allows the human characters to shine in their own rights.
In Final Catcall, there is a lot of action going on. A theatre troupe has experienced a fire and has to move their festival to Mayville. The directer ends up dead and Kathleen ends up in the middle of another one of Marcus' cases. In the last book, Cat Trick, Marcus and Kathleen basically broke up because he didn't feel she trusted him and now her ex-fiancee, Andrew has shown up to win her back. It sets up the book for not only a good mystery, but also a bit of a love triangle.
There were plenty of suspects and even a cameo visit from Kathleen's mom, which helps readers to understand more about Kath's back story. I liked the fact that Kathleen tried to stay out of the mystery but couldn't quite pull it off. I think if she and Marcus are ever to stay together, they will have learn to understand each other better. Marcus must realize that she just doesn't have the ability to stay out of it. Which in the case of an amateur sleuth is a good thing. The mystery was well written. The suspects were believable and Kelly gives just enough red herrings to keep readers off track until the end.
The resolution of Kathleen's dilemina about Marcus and Andrew comes to a bit of an abrupt ending, but readers probably have seen it coming from about the middle of the book, so it shouldn't have been a shock. I liked the fact that Kathleen has to make this decision because I think it will drive the relationship she chooses forward and help to solidify it in future additions to the series. I liked the fact that Kelly does gloss over the fact that Kathleen and Andrew have a history together or the fact that she and Marcus have shared some hairy experiences of their own. The love triangle was believable and realistic.
Kelly once again shows readers a good balance between mystery and relationships and what makes a good cozy work. I love this series and can't wait to see what Owen and Herc get into next, not to mention Kathleen and all the gang from Mayville.
Final Catcall is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Final Catcall by Sofie Kelly.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, November 13th.
1. Please leave a comment describing an ability you wish your cat or dog had.
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14 comments:
I wish my cats and dogs had the ability to speak to me.
Me too Sue. I often wonder what my little dog is thinking. She has quite the personality and I just wonder what goes through that little mind.
I don't have any cats at the moment but I used to wish they could tell me where they had been! My first cat - back in the 50s - used to disappear every summer for 2 weeks and return pregnant. Reminds me of the movie Same Time, Next Year.
I really wish my dogs to could talk to me. Maybe then I could figure out why they insist on pottying in the floor instead of going outside like normal animals. thanks for the giveaway.
I wish my dog could talk to me. I get tired of playing guessing games with him.
Don't have any pets
Speech!
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I wish my dog could talk so I could finally have an answer as to why he does the things that he does. Even if it was a lie!
I don't have any pets right now. But before my dog passed away I wished that she could talk to me.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
I wish they could clean their own litter box, lol!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I love this series! I wish my cats had the ability to sweep up their hair lol.
I'm almost afraid if mine talked because I'm afraid of what she would say. but it would still be interesting.
I wish she could open the back door by herself to get outside in the morning!
I sometimes whish they (My catss) could talk and tell me things.
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