Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys

How_To_Moon_A_Cat

How to Moon a Cat, the third book in Rebecca Hale’s Cats and Curios series, featuring a protagonist also named Rebecca, who has inherited her uncle’s antique shop, and her two cats, Rupert and Isabella, is not your average cat cozy.

From the publisher:

When Rupert the cat sniffs out a dusty green vase with a toy bear hidden inside, his owner has no doubt this is another of her Uncle Oscar’s infamous clues to one of his valuable hidden treasures. Eager to put together the pieces of the puzzle, she’s soon heading to Nevada City, accompanied by her two cats, having no idea that this road trip will put her life in danger.

This summary doesn’t do the book justice. I’m not even sure I would classify this book as a cozy, because it’s so much more. It’s a combination of fantasy, magic and mystery. If you can suspend belief, you will thoroughly enjoy this eclectic combination of genres as the author takes you on a treasure hunt through Northern California. The book features an amazing amount of detail about the history of the area, a fictional bike race, and a slew of quirky and whimsical characters, including a hairless mouse and frogs who ride on tricycles. Did I mention you have to be willing to suspend belief?

Since I hadn’t read the first two books in the series, I had a little trouble getting into the storyline, even though the author provides back story when it’s needed. I thoroughly enjoyed the two cats. Rupert and Isabella are very cat-like, and have very distinct personalities. The cats are based on the author’s real cats, and the author’s love of cats and knowledge about them comes through in how she portrays them. I fell in love with the cats from the first page. I especially enjoyed a sequence detailing a dream Isabella has – it made me think of all the times I watch Allegra and Ruby fast asleep, yet all twitchy and clearly excited about something.

I also loved Hale’s writing style. Some of the passages are almost lyrical in their beauty. The introduction is particularly delightful: it essentially paints the picture on the cover, but with words. I’ve already read it several times, and I’m probably going to keep reading it again and again – it’s that beautiful.

If you’re looking for a cat-centric book that’s a little different, and if you enjoy history, antiques, and treasures, give How to Moon a Cat a try.

Rebecca M. Hale is the NY Times bestselling author of the Cats and Curios series. While fictional, each book features a treasure hunt style mystery relating to a different aspect of California history – from the Gold Rush (How to Wash a Cat), to the San Francisco escapades of Mark Twain (Nine Lives Last Forever), to the Bear Flag Revolt (How to Moon a Cat). For more information, visit Rebecca Hale’s website.

This book was sent to me by the publisher. Receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

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