Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Cat with a Clue is the 5th installment in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery series. Minerva "Minnie" Hamilton is the assistant director of the Chilson District Library in northern Michigan and drives the Bookmobile throughout the county delivering books to those that can't get to the main library. Minnie is stretched thin because in addition to her regular duties she is also acting as the interim director of the library until the board finds someone to fill the position left vacant by Stephen Rangel. The last thing she needs is to stumble over a dead body between the shelves and Minnie soon finds herself caught up in the murder investigation which seems to center around a rare book about Wildflowers.
A fun, fast paced storyline full of returning characters will leave you kneading for more. Eddie, Minnie's faithful sidekick and tabby cat continues to steal the spotlight with his antics and "conversations". Ash Wolverson Sheriff's Detective, is Minnie's new love interest and when the duo isn't investigating, Ash is getting her to try new sports - her foray into waterskiing will have you laughing out loud. Minnie's best friends Kristen Jurek and Rafe Niswander have their hands full with her restaurant being featured on TV as a top destination and his house still in the midst of renovation.
This installment introduces a delightful new character, Dana. A very smart little girl whose phobias have kept her from the going out in public, I'm hoping that Minnie and Eddie will draw her out of her shell in future stories. Plus, there's an exciting new development in Aunt Francis' life that I think will open up new doors in Minnie's personal life.
Cat with a Clue does read as a stand alone as the author does a great job with background history, but I strongly suggest cozying up with the series from the beginning.
A fun, fast paced storyline full of returning characters will leave you kneading for more. Eddie, Minnie's faithful sidekick and tabby cat continues to steal the spotlight with his antics and "conversations". Ash Wolverson Sheriff's Detective, is Minnie's new love interest and when the duo isn't investigating, Ash is getting her to try new sports - her foray into waterskiing will have you laughing out loud. Minnie's best friends Kristen Jurek and Rafe Niswander have their hands full with her restaurant being featured on TV as a top destination and his house still in the midst of renovation.
This installment introduces a delightful new character, Dana. A very smart little girl whose phobias have kept her from the going out in public, I'm hoping that Minnie and Eddie will draw her out of her shell in future stories. Plus, there's an exciting new development in Aunt Francis' life that I think will open up new doors in Minnie's personal life.
Cat with a Clue does read as a stand alone as the author does a great job with background history, but I strongly suggest cozying up with the series from the beginning.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
I enjoyed this in the series. Looking for some serious changes in the next one. Several twists and turns and the culprit was a different one than I thought. Fun and good interaction between Minnie and Eddie. Love them both.
Eddie is back and I love him. Minnie is back, too, as the delightful, efficient sized Librarian Extraordinaire. Together they travel several days of the week in the bookmobile, her pride and joy. And find dead bodies. This time she finds the body in the library. (Good name for a book.) Ms. Cass has given birth (so to speak) to some engaging characters, including Eddie the cat. The dialogue is lively. The suspense builds up to the final confrontation and had me guessing. All in all this series is highly entertaining. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Cat with a Clue by Laurie Cass is the fifth in A Bookmobile Cats Mystery series. Minnie Hamilton is the interim Director of the Chilson Public Library since the director left for a better position. She is still driving the bookmobile as well. Minnie arrives two hours early for work to get ahead and starts by shelving books. Minnie is naturally reading while walking to the shelves (and not watching where she is going) and stumbles. She looks down to find the body of a woman with a knife sticking out of her. Minnie immediately calls 911 from the reference department phone. The Chilson Police Department Chief of Police is happy to turn the case over to Detective Inwood and Ash Wolverson (who is training to be a detective). Minnie is happy to see Ash and get a little comfort (he is her boyfriend which is mentioned frequently throughout the novel). The woman is Andrea Vennard who is related to Talia Dekeyser who just passed away. Why was Andrea in the library after hours? Minnie knows this will cast a pall over the library and make patrons (as well as staff) a little afraid of her beloved library. Minnie cannot let this happen and is determined to find the killer. Then the Friends of the Library sale room is broken into and disturbed. Nothing seems to have been taken, but it is hard to tell (they do not keep records). After the local antique store is broken into, Minnie begins to notice the pattern. The killer is looking for (spoiler)! Minnie just has to find out what (spoiler) they are looking for and find it before the culprit. The staff at the library is trying to get Minnie to apply to be the permanent director of the library. But Minnie is not sure she wants the responsibility full-time. After the board interviews each candidate, the pressure is increased. Will Minnie apply for the position?
Cat with a Clue is a cute story. Minnie was a little too spacey (instead of quirky) in this novel (more than normal). She seemed to always be walking, wandering, or riding her bike and not paying attention. Her employees even commented that she seemed to have checked out at work. The book is nicely written and easy to read. But I found more of the book devoted to Minnie talking to her cat, Eddie, than to the mystery. The mystery was not complicated (I kept hoping for a curveball) and I knew who did it as soon as the character was introduced. I give Cat with a Clue 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). I have read all the books in the series and Cat with a Clue is my least favorite. I just expected more. While Cat with a Clue is the fifth book in A Bookmobile Cats Mystery series, it can be read alone. The author updates the reader on Minnie's background (how she came to the town, opened bookmobile, etc.). There is some romance in the book. Aunt Frances being squired about by Otis Bingham and Minnie dating Ash (we get details on their dates--kayaking, water skiing, etc.). Will I read the next book in this series? Probably. I hope that there will be character development and a more complex mystery. We need more development of Minnie's character. It is time for her to stop daydreaming (she can still daydream some) and decide what she wants (her work goals and maybe a permanent home).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Cat with a Clue is a cute story. Minnie was a little too spacey (instead of quirky) in this novel (more than normal). She seemed to always be walking, wandering, or riding her bike and not paying attention. Her employees even commented that she seemed to have checked out at work. The book is nicely written and easy to read. But I found more of the book devoted to Minnie talking to her cat, Eddie, than to the mystery. The mystery was not complicated (I kept hoping for a curveball) and I knew who did it as soon as the character was introduced. I give Cat with a Clue 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). I have read all the books in the series and Cat with a Clue is my least favorite. I just expected more. While Cat with a Clue is the fifth book in A Bookmobile Cats Mystery series, it can be read alone. The author updates the reader on Minnie's background (how she came to the town, opened bookmobile, etc.). There is some romance in the book. Aunt Frances being squired about by Otis Bingham and Minnie dating Ash (we get details on their dates--kayaking, water skiing, etc.). Will I read the next book in this series? Probably. I hope that there will be character development and a more complex mystery. We need more development of Minnie's character. It is time for her to stop daydreaming (she can still daydream some) and decide what she wants (her work goals and maybe a permanent home).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
