Sleight of Paw (Magical Cats Mystery Series #2)

by Sofie Kelly

Overview

Small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson never wanted to be the crazy cat lady. But after Owen and Hercules followed her home, she realized her mind wasn't playing tricks on her-her cats have magical abilities.

When the body of elderly do-gooder Agatha Shepherd is found near Kath's favorite local café, she knows Owen's talent for turning invisible and Hercules's ability to walk through walls will give the felines access to clues Kath couldn't get without arousing suspicion. Someone is hiding some dark secrets-and it will take a bit of furtive investigating to catch the cold-hearted killer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451234537
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/06/2011
Series:	Magical Cats Mystery Series , #2
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	25,217
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Editorial Reviews

In this second installment of A Magical Cats Mystery, Kathleen Paulson is beginning to feel as though she is a part of the small Minnesota community where she serves as a librarian and lives with her magical cats, Owen and Hercules. Some time has passed since she and her cats helped solve the previous mystery, clearing her name and finding the real killer. However, her life in this cozy, little town is not meant to stay calm. When Agatha Shepherd's body is found in an alley behind a cafe, and Kathleen's friend Ruby is arrested for the murder, she uses her detective skills and magical cats to find the killer, with or without the approval of local authorities. As she discovers each clue, she realizes that Agatha's accidental hit-and-run may have been a planned, cold-blooded murder. The title implies that the magical cats are at the center of the plot, when, in fact, they are rarely visible unless one of the supporting characters is feeding them catnip. When the cats finally take an active role, their participation seems contrived and unnecessary. In addition, the mystery is formulaic and cliche. The reader is able to guess the killer immediately, even though the author attempts to throw suspicion on others. Overall, this book will appeal to cat lovers but lacks the suspense and plot development to hold the attention of mystery lovers. Reviewer: Courtney M. Krieger

VOYA - Courtney M. Krieger

Minnesota librarian Kathleen returns in this second entry (Curiosity Thrilled the Cat) featuring the detecting ability of her uniquely gifted feline companions, Owen and Hercules. A young and talented professional, she's also, she realizes, a crazy cat lady. Nonetheless, when retired school principal Agatha, known for her ability to turn young people's lives around, is found murdered in a downtown alley, Kathleen knows the cats will help her figure it out. She's especially concerned because her friend Ruby has been arrested. Believing Ruby innocent, Kathleen and the cats puzzle through the clues in true Agatha Christie style. VERDICT It's good to have a touch of magic up your sleeve, and Kelly makes it work. If peanut butter-loving felines can liven up a mystery, then I say, bring it on. Obvious tie-ins would be Miranda James's and Rebecca M. Hale's cat mysteries. You might also try Jess Lourey for spunkiness and locale.

Library Journal