Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
A protagonist who can understand the thoughts of cats when she looks into their eyes? How could I not be intrigued with What the Cat Saw by bestselling mystery author Carolyn Hart!
From the publisher:
Ever since the death of her fiancé, Nela Farley has found herself plagued by a sixth sense: she understands the thoughts of cats when she looks into their eyes. Nela knows that what she’s experiencing is completely irrational and tries to convince herself that she is simply transferring her own thoughts that she doesn’t want to face. When her adventurous sister, Chloe, goes on a trip and asks for a favor, Nela welcomes the distraction and agrees to substitute at Chloe’s job at a charitable foundation. Chloe has arranged a place for her sister to stay, but when Nela shows up, she encounters the previous tenant’s cat and gets a flash of thought: “. . . dead . . . dead and gone . . . She loved me . . . board rolled on the second step . . .” Nela wants to ignore what the cat saw, but the idea that the death of former tenant Marian Grant wasn’t an accident is something she can’t ignore. As Nela begins to do some research into Marian’s life, strange events begin to occur, all seeming to lead back to the Haklo Foundation. But when a detective becomes suspicious of Nela’s sister and a second murder occurs, Nela realizes she’ll have to make the most of her unwanted ability to figure out what’s really going on, before she meets her own untimely end.
This wasn’t a fast paced read, but it is a well crafted mystery with a likeable protagonist, and the element of the psychic cat was intriguing enough to keep me reading. Jugs is a lovable brown tabby with oversized ears, and his sadness over his guardian’s death, which parallels Nela’s grief, touched my heart.
I was a little disappointed that Jugs didn’t play a more central role, but if you like cozy mysteries with a cat angle, you’ll enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
sounds like an interesting concept.. thanks for the review
It is interesting, Connie, and Hart executes it well in the book.
Pretty cover. Thanks for the review. Will have to give this one a try. Love cozy mysteries.
Isn’t the cover wonderful, Sue?
I can’t say I have ever read a “cozy mystery with a cat angle,” but I might give this one a go! Thanks for the review.
I hope you’ll enjoy it, Julia.