Pet behaviorist and psychic Pru Marlowe is back in this fifth book in Clea Simon’s Pet Noir series, and the series just keep getting better with each book. In kittens Can Kill, Pru arrives at a client’s house and finds a fluffy white kitten next to the client’s body. Was it a heart attack? Were drug interactions to blame? Or was the victim allergic to the kitten, which one of his three daughters had given her dad as a gift only recently?
Pru gets drawn into a tangled web of family dysfunction as the three daughters fight over their father’s considerable estate. Aided by her wise, if somewhat cranky, tabby Wallis, Dru takes short-term custody of the kitten, whose name, according to Wallis, is Ernesto.
Pru’s life is complicated enough without adding the tension of a murder investigation, between her heightened sensitivity to animals, which caused her to flee Manhattan for the quiet Berkshires, trying to hide her psychic abilities from her on again, off again sweetheart detective, and money problems at the local animal clinic that is the source of much of Pru’s business. The only one who knows what really happened is the kitten, and Pru can’t reveal what Ernesto knows without exposing her own hidden talents.
Even though some readers may find that they have to suspend belief when it concerns Pru’s ability to communicate with animals, it is one of my favorite aspects of the series. Simon handles this topic well without entering “woo woo” territory, and her sensitive portrayal of Dru’s abilities will make you want to believe even if you may be a skeptic. I particularly delighted in the parts where it becomes clear that Pru’s gift of being able to read animals’ thoughts does not come without a price. This becomes painfully apparent when Pru is called upon to remove some squirrels from a home’s attic.
Of all the animals in the book, curmudgeonly Wallis remains my favorite. She knows Pru better than Pru knows herself, and she challenges Pru to step out of her comfort zone.
Kittens Can kill is a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and well-plotted mystery. The author offers enough back story so that this book can be read as a stand-alone, but why not treat yourself to the whole series. one of my favorite parts about reading a series novel is the development of the central character, and nobody does this better than Clea Simon.
Enter to win an autographed copy of kittens Can Kill
For up to six ways to enter, see the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open to readers in the united states only, and ends Friday, March 13. Winners will be chosen by random drawing*.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Clea Simon is the author of 17 mysteries and three non-fiction books, including The Feline Mystique – On the Mysterious connection between Cats and Their Women. For much more information about Clea, please visit her website.
*No purchase necessary. void where prohibited. Winners will be notified through e-mail. prize winner should offer The conscious cat with a physical address to which the prize will be mailed within 72 hours. If this information is not received, an alternate winner will be chosen by random drawing. Winners will be announced in a separate post following the drawing.
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author. receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Ingrid King
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18 comments on review and Giveaway: kittens Can kill by Clea Simon
Holly says:
March 13, 2015 at 6:19 pm
I’ve never heard of this book – so it ought to be interesting!
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Shelley P says:
March 12, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Sounds like a fun read!! I love mysteries especially when they have a cat in the story ?
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Cleopawtra says:
March 10, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Love her books, this ought to be a beautiful read.
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Gail says:
March 8, 2015 at 12:29 am
This sounds like a fun book I would delight in reading.
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Julie McDonough says:
March 7, 2015 at 7:41 pm
I love Clea Simon’s books!
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sue Brandes says:
March 6, 2015 at 6:26 pm
I would love to win cause I love cat books and mysteries.
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Rachelle Busser says:
March 6, 2015 at 2:14 pm
This sounds like a great book!
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crystal morris says:
March 6, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Sounds like a great read
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Judi Daly says:
March 6, 2015 at 11:45 am
Sounds like a great read–count me in.
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SaLLy says:
March 6, 2015 at 10:59 am
I’ve just discovered a new author! Can’t wait to read her books.
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Sylvie’s crew says:
March 6, 2015 at 9:24 am
This sounds like a fun book, and cat mysteries are one of my favorites.
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Janine says:
March 6, 2015 at 9:null