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Magical Cats Mystery #3
Copycat Killing
In the third Magical Cats mystery, small town librarian Kathleen Paulson and her very special cats must go on the hunt to find a clever killer...
It's been raining cats and dogs in Mayville Heights. The small town's been deluged, and now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio.
The artwork survives, but when controversial mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was accidental. After she discovers the artist was using an assumed name, she realizes she can't actually assume anything about him. With the help of handsome detective Marcus Gordon—and Owen and Hercules's extraordinary powers of feline detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.
It's been raining cats and dogs in Mayville Heights. The small town's been deluged, and now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio.
The artwork survives, but when controversial mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was accidental. After she discovers the artist was using an assumed name, she realizes she can't actually assume anything about him. With the help of handsome detective Marcus Gordon—and Owen and Hercules's extraordinary powers of feline detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.
321 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Sofie Kelly
17 books1,054 followersSofie Kelly is the pseudonym of young adult writer and mixed-media artist, Darlene Ryan. Sofie/Darlene lives on the east coast with her husband and daughter. In her spare time she practices Wu style tai chi and likes to prowl around thrift stores. And she admits to having a small crush on Matt Lauer.
She also writes as Sofie Ryan.
She also writes as Sofie Ryan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
August 27, 2017
I loved it.
Yes, it kept the annoying stuff. Yes, Kathleen goes a bit crazy with poking her nose in police business. Yes, she still wants to teach Marcus how to do his job. And everyone is nice! But, in the case of this book, I do not care at all.
Copycat Killing has more than one mystery to be solved. Most of it has roots in something that happened a very long time ago. I'm being vague because I don't want to spoil anything. The past and the truth can't stay hidden as the inhabitants of this small town would realise.
The cats play only a small part, but not as in previous two books.
The chemistry between Marcus and Kathleen is off the charts and the way author didn't use it on every page they appear together only makes it better. I loved that.
Overall, I really enjoyed it.
Yes, it kept the annoying stuff. Yes, Kathleen goes a bit crazy with poking her nose in police business. Yes, she still wants to teach Marcus how to do his job. And everyone is nice! But, in the case of this book, I do not care at all.
Copycat Killing has more than one mystery to be solved. Most of it has roots in something that happened a very long time ago. I'm being vague because I don't want to spoil anything. The past and the truth can't stay hidden as the inhabitants of this small town would realise.
The cats play only a small part, but not as in previous two books.
The chemistry between Marcus and Kathleen is off the charts and the way author didn't use it on every page they appear together only makes it better. I loved that.
Overall, I really enjoyed it.
June 3, 2022
It's raining in Mayville Heights. The resulting mudslides uncover a body, who could be the pater of one of the sleuth's good friends. Then an artist who makes avant garde masks is killed.
Kathleen investigates, the super cop spins his wheels, and things turn out the way they should. Well constructed mystery.
Kathleen investigates, the super cop spins his wheels, and things turn out the way they should. Well constructed mystery.
March 3, 2015
Still continuing to enjoy the heck out of this series. The magical cats are just fun, I love Kathleen's two main female friends, Maggie and Rona, and I'm enjoying the slow burn that is the romance. Plus just in general the secondary characters are great. I love the town.
The one problem with setting a mystery series in a small town though, is the fact that already a fair number of the tertiary characters (recurring, but not significant), have been either suspected or convicted of murder (or both). I'm just saying, at some point really you just want to advise everyone in the town to move, because the probability that their neighbour is a murderer has gotten alarmingly high.
The one problem with setting a mystery series in a small town though, is the fact that already a fair number of the tertiary characters (recurring, but not significant), have been either suspected or convicted of murder (or both). I'm just saying, at some point really you just want to advise everyone in the town to move, because the probability that their neighbour is a murderer has gotten alarmingly high.
March 25, 2016
A fun addition to the series, loving the Hercules/Owen page-time as usual and I'm excited to see the Kathleen/Marcus romance progress.
I had to knock off two stars due to a few annoyances that were too glaring to ignore:
1. How many times did we need to have yet another Mayville resident ask Kathleen how her head felt/tell her that her forehead wound looked painful? It felt unnecessarily repetitive. Too real-life, not enough narrative discretion.
2. How many Mayville denizens will be left standing by the time Kathleen has been there, say, five years? I mean, she's only been in town for one year and already she's blown the lid off more murders than I suspect your average small Midwestern watering hole sees in a decade. I mean, c'mon, ?! And is no one suffering any devastating psychological side effects from all these murders of local fixtures? Ruby sure did bounce back after the trauma of in book 2.
3. The epilogue at the end felt kind of maudlin and rushed. I thought that the library's centennial was going to be the focus of its own book just based on how often it's been mentioned in books 1-3. Did Sofie Kelly think this was only a three-book deal?
I had to knock off two stars due to a few annoyances that were too glaring to ignore:
1. How many times did we need to have yet another Mayville resident ask Kathleen how her head felt/tell her that her forehead wound looked painful? It felt unnecessarily repetitive. Too real-life, not enough narrative discretion.
2. How many Mayville denizens will be left standing by the time Kathleen has been there, say, five years? I mean, she's only been in town for one year and already she's blown the lid off more murders than I suspect your average small Midwestern watering hole sees in a decade. I mean, c'mon, ?! And is no one suffering any devastating psychological side effects from all these murders of local fixtures? Ruby sure did bounce back after the trauma of in book 2.
3. The epilogue at the end felt kind of maudlin and rushed. I thought that the library's centennial was going to be the focus of its own book just based on how often it's been mentioned in books 1-3. Did Sofie Kelly think this was only a three-book deal?
February 7, 2014
A lot more coffee than the previous story but a little less pastry. Lots of coincidences happen to solve a couple of murders, one old and one recent. It seems that Kathleen Paulson has one of those jobs where you rarely have to actually do any work, so she spends her time having conversations with everyone in town. And for some reason, they all feel a need to confide in her their darkest secrets. Her two magical cats play a small part in finding some clues along the way. Good story if you like coffee, small town drama, and mundane chick talk.
June 23, 2022
OH MY GOODNESS! Look, even if you don't like cozy mysteries, OR cats, it's worth standing by the shelf in the bookstore and reading pages 7-9. Do NOT do this in the library. If you have any sense of humor at all, you'll laugh loudly enough to make the Librarians' Top Ten Most Wanted for Heinous Library Crimes list!
And yes, I did read 3 books in 3 days. My internet was down on Wednesday and Thursday.
And yes, I did read 3 books in 3 days. My internet was down on Wednesday and Thursday.
March 9, 2022
3.5 stars
I seem to be flying through these; I'm unable to stop myself and I need low-stakes reading right now.
As if it weren't already ridiculous enough that there would be such a high amount of murders in one town (suspension of disbelief has always been my forte, luckily), there are now two?! I mean, I'm not necessarily complaining, but having to clear up an old murder and a new one in one story felt like a lot. I lost my focus here and there and started mixing things up and I did not expect the murderer for the recent case. It kind of annoyed me, to be honest. It's also laughable how many times Kathleen has gotten hurt in the short time she's been there, and how quickly people seem to get over one of these murders.
But generally speaking I still liked the book quite a bit, given that I read it in two days. That's no mean feat these days, but this series is addictive. I was also giddy at the epilogue because things finally seem to be picking up with the main romance. I'd like it if that started moving just a bit quicker now, and I liked Marcus' reason for not having a library card. I had already suspected something along those lines, so that was nice.
Also, super pleased that Kathleen was not stupid at the end.
The second book was still my favourite so far.
I seem to be flying through these; I'm unable to stop myself and I need low-stakes reading right now.
As if it weren't already ridiculous enough that there would be such a high amount of murders in one town (suspension of disbelief has always been my forte, luckily), there are now two?! I mean, I'm not necessarily complaining, but having to clear up an old murder and a new one in one story felt like a lot. I lost my focus here and there and started mixing things up and I did not expect the murderer for the recent case. It kind of annoyed me, to be honest. It's also laughable how many times Kathleen has gotten hurt in the short time she's been there, and how quickly people seem to get over one of these murders.
But generally speaking I still liked the book quite a bit, given that I read it in two days. That's no mean feat these days, but this series is addictive. I was also giddy at the epilogue because things finally seem to be picking up with the main romance. I'd like it if that started moving just a bit quicker now, and I liked Marcus' reason for not having a library card. I had already suspected something along those lines, so that was nice.
Also, super pleased that Kathleen was not stupid at the end.
The second book was still my favourite so far.
February 25, 2019
This is the first Sofie Kelly mystery I've read and I will definitely read more of hers. The setting is a small town in Minnesota, which seems to be a popular locale for cozy mysteries. Who knows why? '-) Anyway the spring storms have filled the basement of the community art co-op and everyone is trying to deal with the local flooding. Our heroine, the librarian Kathleen, is also involved in caring for a colony of feral cats that have been housed in an old house outside of town. In the course of this, she manages to step in just the wrong place outside and ends up dislodging most of a slope behind the house and ALSO A SKELETON. I'm really happy I don't go around finding dead bodies or skeletons, but of course, no mystery without a body, right? '-) The hero is the local detective Marcus and I liked him. And so does Kathleen! The Magical Cats aspect was fine. I think Ms. Kelly did a good job giving the cats personalities, yet leaving them as real cats. Of course, Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series started the bent of cats in mysteries. If you haven't read them, you're missing a great series--5 star. Anyway if you enjoy a cozy mystery with lively characters and a plot full of unexpected twists, go ahead and try this one!-Lyn Cote
November 1, 2019
Fun stuff with cats that can disappear and “talk”. 🎃 Halloween themed read in that it’s magical cats.
December 30, 2019
Owen and Hercules are my heroes! They should open their own feline detective agency. :-) This is a wonderful cozy-with-a-cat mystery series. Love the Mayville community -- so many interesting secondary characters it feels like I'm coming home every time I start a new book. And librarian Kathleen makes a great heroine! Intriguing mystery with lots of breathing space for character development. And those magical cats! Sweet purrfection!
November 23, 2023
More mayhem and fun in Mayville with Kathleen and friends. A deluge of rain brings flooding, which closes the library temporarily and gives Kathleen more time to find trouble - in the manner of two bodies this time!
Poor Marcus has two crimes to solve, with Kathleen looking for clues and poking along in her usual way. I really am enjoying this series, and how we are getting to know more of the people in town.
Poor Marcus has two crimes to solve, with Kathleen looking for clues and poking along in her usual way. I really am enjoying this series, and how we are getting to know more of the people in town.
July 14, 2014
Audiobook from Random House Audio
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Length: 9.75 hours
I don't have a lot to say about Copycat Killing that I didn't say about Curiosity Thrilled the Cat or Sleight of Paw. This was another "Magical Cats" mystery, complete with librarian Kathleen Paulson, her cats with seemingly magical abilities, Owen and Hercules, and her friends living in small-town Minnesota. This time around, there were two murders in the town: a local artist was murdered, and it turns out that the remains of a long-missing town member was also found. As the series has evolved, author Sofie Kelly has gotten better at writing her mysteries. In the first novel, it was pretty obvious what was going on from a very early part in the book. Now in the third book in the series, there seems to be more development of the mystery, and things aren't quite as obvious early-on. As a side note, if I were a person living in this town, I'd move out--it's had a lot of murders in just over a year!!!! :D
As with the previous books, I enjoyed this light-hearted mystery. I like the characters, it feels like they could be people I'd call friends in real life. Even better, the mysteries are fun and not too creepy/gruesome. I wish that, three books in, there were more development on the cats' magical abilities. It's been long-hinted that their abilities might stem from the house where they were found, but Kelly hasn't expanded upon that. In this third book, she created an opening for this to be developed in the next book, but it feels like ti should have been addressed by now.
Narrator Cassandra Campbell did another great job reading this book. It's always easy to tell who's talking and the feeling of the various conversations. She puts emphasis when characters use exclamations or ask questions, and she's really easy to listen to.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for some light summer fun in the form of a mystery, you might enjoy the Magical Cats audiobooks...maybe even more so if, like me, you're a bit of a crazy cat lady. ;)
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Length: 9.75 hours
I don't have a lot to say about Copycat Killing that I didn't say about Curiosity Thrilled the Cat or Sleight of Paw. This was another "Magical Cats" mystery, complete with librarian Kathleen Paulson, her cats with seemingly magical abilities, Owen and Hercules, and her friends living in small-town Minnesota. This time around, there were two murders in the town: a local artist was murdered, and it turns out that the remains of a long-missing town member was also found. As the series has evolved, author Sofie Kelly has gotten better at writing her mysteries. In the first novel, it was pretty obvious what was going on from a very early part in the book. Now in the third book in the series, there seems to be more development of the mystery, and things aren't quite as obvious early-on. As a side note, if I were a person living in this town, I'd move out--it's had a lot of murders in just over a year!!!! :D
As with the previous books, I enjoyed this light-hearted mystery. I like the characters, it feels like they could be people I'd call friends in real life. Even better, the mysteries are fun and not too creepy/gruesome. I wish that, three books in, there were more development on the cats' magical abilities. It's been long-hinted that their abilities might stem from the house where they were found, but Kelly hasn't expanded upon that. In this third book, she created an opening for this to be developed in the next book, but it feels like ti should have been addressed by now.
Narrator Cassandra Campbell did another great job reading this book. It's always easy to tell who's talking and the feeling of the various conversations. She puts emphasis when characters use exclamations or ask questions, and she's really easy to listen to.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for some light summer fun in the form of a mystery, you might enjoy the Magical Cats audiobooks...maybe even more so if, like me, you're a bit of a crazy cat lady. ;)
April 30, 2015
I'm knocking off a star because this got too complicated at the end. I was ready for it to be over.
But I am still enjoying the series. I can't decide if I like the pace of the relationship or not. I think it'll depend on how it goes from here.
But I am still enjoying the series. I can't decide if I like the pace of the relationship or not. I think it'll depend on how it goes from here.
August 7, 2020
It’s a running joke about the murder rate in small communities where cozy mysteries are set, and Mayville Heights is no exception. This book was better than book 2, IMO. There were more scenes at the library, and instead of tackling the killer alone at the denouement, Kathleen actually called Detective Marcus Gordon first. I hate the whole walk-recklessly-into-danger-and-need-rescuing trope in cozies and romances.
Owen and Hercules, however, remain adorable and charming sleuths, as always.
Owen and Hercules, however, remain adorable and charming sleuths, as always.
June 12, 2016
If Kathleen can stop bringing up the fact Marcus doesn't have a library card that would be great. It isn't funny, it just makes her sound like a snob. Also, she should stop whining about him doing his job. Some people might think her protectiveness toward her friends is endearing, but to me it makes her stubbornness obvious. I just want her to treat Marcus better.
June 17, 2015
Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly is another fantastic read. Highly recommended series. 4 stars
June 16, 2019
This was a cute mystery!
December 16, 2019
Hercules and Owen have adopted a human named Kathleen. Kathleen is pretty intelligent for a human and oh so kind. She helps out at Wisteria Hall where a colony of feral cats live. Only Herc and Owen know why they adopted Kathleen. But these are not just ordinary cats. Herc and Owen have special powers, one disappears and one can walk through solid walls. This comes in handy because Kathleen keeps finding bodies.
I really like the cats in this one as she talks to them and they interact very well but with the normal cat mentality of I will do what you say when I want to.
A whimsical story with cats and a good mystery or two. Well done.
I really like the cats in this one as she talks to them and they interact very well but with the normal cat mentality of I will do what you say when I want to.
A whimsical story with cats and a good mystery or two. Well done.
January 31, 2013
-------- There are some spoilers in this review, read with care!-------------------
I really enjoyed the third book in the Magical Cats Mystery Series. :)
In particular I enjoyed the two-part mystery that was going on as well as all the little mysteries that were included.
I absolutely loved that Kathleen is making an attempt to reconcile that when Marcus is a cop, he is a cop and he has to approach suspects as a cop, not as their friend. It was nice to see two people who are approaching beginning a romantic relationship trying to reconcile their differences before they jump into bed together. Speaking of which, I am really glad that Sofie Kelly is building up the feelings and attraction that Marcus and Kathleen feel towards one another. I was super excited when I read the last sentence. ;)
I also really liked that Kathleen attempted to use her head in this mystery and did not go blundering into situations willy-nilly. She took the time to think about the best way to approach a situation at the end of the book and made the right choice. Characters in cozies so often make the wrong choice that I was thrilled when I realized how smart she played the situation with Peter.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and spending more time in Mayville Heights. In particular I'm curious to find out how Roma's purchase of Wisteria Hill will go... I imagine that the old building still has a couple of mysteries surrounding it. ^_^
I do have a couple of criticisms of the book:
- It was a little annoying how every time anyone asked Kathleen about her scraped forehead she said "it looks worse than it feels" and they said something like "it would have to". I appreciate that everyone would inquire about her health and that it probably would get exasperating having every single person ask you, so if Kelly included the same conversation multiple times to get that exasperation across... it worked for me! Haha. ;)
- This is a small thing and probably only annoyed me but every time Kathleen went to the co-op the author mentions that so and so is waiting at the door for her, or by the door etc. After a while I wondered if Kathleen was always running late because people were always waiting on her. More likely the co-op is locked and you have to be a member to get in, so if she is coming over, her friends have to be there to meet her, but after the first couple times it's kind of a given isn't it? It was repetitive and on top of my previous point, it annoyed me a bit.
- There were some small typos throughout the book that caught my eye. I hope that the next book is edited a bit more thoroughly because when I am reading nothing will throw me off more than a typo.
Edited to add a couple small annoyances with the cats. I understand that as Hercules and Owen are magical cats they can eat anything, at least that is the premise that Kathleen repeatedly presents, however about halfway through the book I decided that her cats must be 800 pounds each because they eat constantly. My cat meows all the time for food too, but I don't cave every single time! Also, if she is not going to heed Roma's sound advice and not feed them people food, at least she doesn't have to repeat that all the time. Also, Kathleen talks to the cats and that is fine but she also 'thinks' how weird people would think she was for talking to cats a lot. It's fine that she feels self-conscious and it's fine that she talks to them but it is bit annoying to read the same thoughts about feeding them too much, feeding them too much people food, or how weird people will think she is for talking to them over and over. I think all of this can be solved with some fast editing though.
I also just want to say that I really like the way Kelly handles the supernatural aspect of Owen and Hercules. I am a Cat Who fan and so I am used to cats helping solve murder in their special way. I am on board with magical cats but I am very picky about how cutesy I want to get with magical animals. For instance I don't enjoy having an author include the thoughts of dogs and cats in the book, especially when those thoughts are as mundane and commonplace as any human's thoughts... I'm just not sure that cats really approach the world in exactly the same way as humans... but anyway, I enjoy the fact that there is an aura of mystery around Hercules and Owen and their special powers. That uniqueness is also illustrated on the covers of the books which I appreciate; I get excited whenever I see that swirl of light and sparkles. ^_^
Additionally I love the fact that so many people in this town are artistic in some way, it makes the town feel really fresh and exciting as I never know what hidden sides to their personality people may have - it is much different than some other cozies I have read where the characters are very one-dimensional or superficial.
As I said I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and anticipate thoroughly enjoying it.
I really enjoyed the third book in the Magical Cats Mystery Series. :)
In particular I enjoyed the two-part mystery that was going on as well as all the little mysteries that were included.
I absolutely loved that Kathleen is making an attempt to reconcile that when Marcus is a cop, he is a cop and he has to approach suspects as a cop, not as their friend. It was nice to see two people who are approaching beginning a romantic relationship trying to reconcile their differences before they jump into bed together. Speaking of which, I am really glad that Sofie Kelly is building up the feelings and attraction that Marcus and Kathleen feel towards one another. I was super excited when I read the last sentence. ;)
I also really liked that Kathleen attempted to use her head in this mystery and did not go blundering into situations willy-nilly. She took the time to think about the best way to approach a situation at the end of the book and made the right choice. Characters in cozies so often make the wrong choice that I was thrilled when I realized how smart she played the situation with Peter.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and spending more time in Mayville Heights. In particular I'm curious to find out how Roma's purchase of Wisteria Hill will go... I imagine that the old building still has a couple of mysteries surrounding it. ^_^
I do have a couple of criticisms of the book:
- It was a little annoying how every time anyone asked Kathleen about her scraped forehead she said "it looks worse than it feels" and they said something like "it would have to". I appreciate that everyone would inquire about her health and that it probably would get exasperating having every single person ask you, so if Kelly included the same conversation multiple times to get that exasperation across... it worked for me! Haha. ;)
- This is a small thing and probably only annoyed me but every time Kathleen went to the co-op the author mentions that so and so is waiting at the door for her, or by the door etc. After a while I wondered if Kathleen was always running late because people were always waiting on her. More likely the co-op is locked and you have to be a member to get in, so if she is coming over, her friends have to be there to meet her, but after the first couple times it's kind of a given isn't it? It was repetitive and on top of my previous point, it annoyed me a bit.
- There were some small typos throughout the book that caught my eye. I hope that the next book is edited a bit more thoroughly because when I am reading nothing will throw me off more than a typo.
Edited to add a couple small annoyances with the cats. I understand that as Hercules and Owen are magical cats they can eat anything, at least that is the premise that Kathleen repeatedly presents, however about halfway through the book I decided that her cats must be 800 pounds each because they eat constantly. My cat meows all the time for food too, but I don't cave every single time! Also, if she is not going to heed Roma's sound advice and not feed them people food, at least she doesn't have to repeat that all the time. Also, Kathleen talks to the cats and that is fine but she also 'thinks' how weird people would think she was for talking to cats a lot. It's fine that she feels self-conscious and it's fine that she talks to them but it is bit annoying to read the same thoughts about feeding them too much, feeding them too much people food, or how weird people will think she is for talking to them over and over. I think all of this can be solved with some fast editing though.
I also just want to say that I really like the way Kelly handles the supernatural aspect of Owen and Hercules. I am a Cat Who fan and so I am used to cats helping solve murder in their special way. I am on board with magical cats but I am very picky about how cutesy I want to get with magical animals. For instance I don't enjoy having an author include the thoughts of dogs and cats in the book, especially when those thoughts are as mundane and commonplace as any human's thoughts... I'm just not sure that cats really approach the world in exactly the same way as humans... but anyway, I enjoy the fact that there is an aura of mystery around Hercules and Owen and their special powers. That uniqueness is also illustrated on the covers of the books which I appreciate; I get excited whenever I see that swirl of light and sparkles. ^_^
Additionally I love the fact that so many people in this town are artistic in some way, it makes the town feel really fresh and exciting as I never know what hidden sides to their personality people may have - it is much different than some other cozies I have read where the characters are very one-dimensional or superficial.
As I said I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and anticipate thoroughly enjoying it.
September 1, 2024
"Copycat Killing (Magical Cats Mystery #3)" by Sofie Kelly has a title that doesn't really fit what happens in the story. There is an older case, a few decades old, and a modern-day case. The fact both could have passed due to potential accidents is the only thing making them similar. There's a different group of suspects for each case and a different set of circumstances around each one too.
The older case was around a man everyone had thought had walked out on his family. Turns out he was dead the whole time and up on wisteria hill. The way this one wrapped up was about how I expected it too.
The modern-day case was around an artist that was trying to kind of take of the artist co-op. Turns out he wasn't who he said he was and was running some scams, again. This one also wrapped up pretty much how I expected it too. However, the motive wasn't quite what I was thinking.
We didn't get as much kitty magic in this one. Each cat kind of got a turn. A little less of Hercules though. I wish we'd get a bit more about the oddity that is these two kitties and the ones up on Wisteria Hill.
The older case was around a man everyone had thought had walked out on his family. Turns out he was dead the whole time and up on wisteria hill. The way this one wrapped up was about how I expected it too.
The modern-day case was around an artist that was trying to kind of take of the artist co-op. Turns out he wasn't who he said he was and was running some scams, again. This one also wrapped up pretty much how I expected it too. However, the motive wasn't quite what I was thinking.
We didn't get as much kitty magic in this one. Each cat kind of got a turn. A little less of Hercules though. I wish we'd get a bit more about the oddity that is these two kitties and the ones up on Wisteria Hill.
January 16, 2016
Welcome back to Mayville Heights! I hope you brought your umbrella, boots and a rain slicker. It's been "raining cats and dogs" for days. There is flooding all over town. The local artists' co-op has a basement full of water and our favorite librarian Kathleen is helping her friends move their work to higher ground in case the water continues to rise.
All the artwork is saved but one artist isn't as lucky. Mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the basement. The death doesn't look accidental to Kathleen. Detective Marcus Gordon is on the case and Kathleen along with her fantastic felines just can't help themselves from assisting him in any way they can. Owen and Hercules use their magic to help "unmask" the killer.
Dollycas's Thoughts
These magical felines continue to steal the show! Hercules and Owen are truly special characters. Kathleen handles their powers much better than I would. All the characters are continuing to evolve. Heck the good detective may even get a library card in the next installment. Kathleen has definitely made herself at home in Mayville Heights. She has taken falling for a guy to a new level and finds something startling from Roma's past. And when Kathleen and Maggie get together there is never a dull moment. (Watch out for flying rodents!)
I especially enjoyed this story because of the history featured that creates a mystery inside of a mystery. The town is getting ready to celebrate the library’s centennial with a very special showcase of the groups that have met at the library over the years. One group was doing more than most people knew and some journals from Rebecca's mother are discovered that hold several secrets.
Well written, carefully plotted, a little romance and a bunch of humor. A purrfect cozy mystery!
All the artwork is saved but one artist isn't as lucky. Mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the basement. The death doesn't look accidental to Kathleen. Detective Marcus Gordon is on the case and Kathleen along with her fantastic felines just can't help themselves from assisting him in any way they can. Owen and Hercules use their magic to help "unmask" the killer.
Dollycas's Thoughts
These magical felines continue to steal the show! Hercules and Owen are truly special characters. Kathleen handles their powers much better than I would. All the characters are continuing to evolve. Heck the good detective may even get a library card in the next installment. Kathleen has definitely made herself at home in Mayville Heights. She has taken falling for a guy to a new level and finds something startling from Roma's past. And when Kathleen and Maggie get together there is never a dull moment. (Watch out for flying rodents!)
I especially enjoyed this story because of the history featured that creates a mystery inside of a mystery. The town is getting ready to celebrate the library’s centennial with a very special showcase of the groups that have met at the library over the years. One group was doing more than most people knew and some journals from Rebecca's mother are discovered that hold several secrets.
Well written, carefully plotted, a little romance and a bunch of humor. A purrfect cozy mystery!
May 18, 2012
I loved this story - the cats have great personalities and all the humans are pretty likeable too. This book had two plots - an old murder mystery and a current one. Both were interesting and even though I guessed immediately who committed the present-day murder, I enjoyed watching the process and the solution unfold. The old murder's culprit was more a mystery to me and I really liked how it came to a resolution. All in all, the book was fun, entertaining, interesting and not a victim of many cozy cliches. A great series.
May 5, 2020
If Kat says "i'm ok" one more time when she gets hurt & it's obvious she's NOT i'm going to stop reading the series all together. Why can she just admit she's hurt & it hurts? Her stupid stubbornness is really getting to me!!!
September 17, 2017
When is a librarian more than a cataloger of books and periodicals? When that librarian is Kathleen Paulson, interim head librarian of Mayville Heights, Mn. Since moving to Mayville to assist in the restoration of the their beloved Carnegie library, she adopted 2, seemingly magical cats, a number of great friends and found 3 dead bodies.
It's been raining cats and dogs (pun intended) in Mayville Heights. Now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio. When, controversial mask maker, Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was an accident. With the help of detective Marcus Gordon—and her cats' extraordinary powers of detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.
Number three is this fun cozy mystery series.
It's been raining cats and dogs (pun intended) in Mayville Heights. Now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio. When, controversial mask maker, Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was an accident. With the help of detective Marcus Gordon—and her cats' extraordinary powers of detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.
Number three is this fun cozy mystery series.
October 13, 2018
What a great mystery! Even though I had already figured out who killed Roma's birth father, I couldn't discern who had killed Jaeger! That's right! Two murders for the price of one!
Kathleen is such a warm and genuine person; I am very happy for her that she has finally found someone who can challenge her, irritate her, and be totally charming at the same time! Marcus Gordon and she are purrrrfect together!
I am also so glad that Hercules and Owen were featured more and that their detective abilities were better utilized! I can't believe I just wrote that about two kitty cats but they are both of the paranormal type of cat!
I have already requested the next book from my library! Kathleen would like that!
Kathleen is such a warm and genuine person; I am very happy for her that she has finally found someone who can challenge her, irritate her, and be totally charming at the same time! Marcus Gordon and she are purrrrfect together!
I am also so glad that Hercules and Owen were featured more and that their detective abilities were better utilized! I can't believe I just wrote that about two kitty cats but they are both of the paranormal type of cat!
I have already requested the next book from my library! Kathleen would like that!
August 2, 2019
I liked this cozy mystery more than the first two novels in the magical cat series. The cats are literally magical, each having their own talent. The human heroine talks to them as though they understand English, although she is embarrassed by this habit, but it is clear to the reader that they do understand. There are two murders to solve, and assorted other crimes that lead the heroine to the killers. The cats help, of course. One thing I don’t like about this series is that no one acts villainously. There are no suspicious characters that act as red herrings or are true criminals. The murderer could turn out to be anyone, so someone who seems nice and trustworthy will end up being guilty. But the cats are charming, with their intense interest in food. I enjoyed reading this.
May 4, 2020
This was not my type of book. I found it insipid and uninspiring. I didn't find a point of connection even though I like cats. The mysteries; yawn. The only place my brain said, hey wait a minute, this is interesting, was when The Women's Knitting Circle at the library turned out not to be about knitting.
The story line starts with rain, cats and our main character falling down a hill in a landslide. This, naturally, uncovers a skeleton. Then a drowned fellow is discovered at the bottom of basement stairs in the arts center, discovered by our same main character, naturally. Maybe if she had added a motorcycle riding bad boy to bring the story out of tedium I would have enjoyed it more.
The story line starts with rain, cats and our main character falling down a hill in a landslide. This, naturally, uncovers a skeleton. Then a drowned fellow is discovered at the bottom of basement stairs in the arts center, discovered by our same main character, naturally. Maybe if she had added a motorcycle riding bad boy to bring the story out of tedium I would have enjoyed it more.
April 4, 2018
So far I am liking this series of a librarian and her to supernatural cats. In this third book, the town is in the midst of a very rainy time, and several businesses are closed due to flooding in the streets. The artist co-op has at least four feet of water in the basement, and Maggie is surprised to see a body floating in it, when she goes to check the water level. The bones of another old body are found at Wisteria Hall when a cliff dislodges when Kathleen stands on its very muddy overhang. AS usual, Kathleen and Marcus clash while trying to figure out the mysteries.
January 29, 2020
Another really solid offering in this series. Love these cats!
In this one there were 2 deaths and I got rather sidetracked by the old one and forgot the current one.
I don't know if Kelly has any background working in libraries but she does a pretty good job of not giving too much information that could be wrong. I also like how her books seem to be set a few years ago before cell phones were everywhere. This makes the situations a bit more realistic in their urgency when the main character finds herself alone with the murderer.
In this one there were 2 deaths and I got rather sidetracked by the old one and forgot the current one.
I don't know if Kelly has any background working in libraries but she does a pretty good job of not giving too much information that could be wrong. I also like how her books seem to be set a few years ago before cell phones were everywhere. This makes the situations a bit more realistic in their urgency when the main character finds herself alone with the murderer.
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