The Cat Sitter's Cradle (Dixie Hemingway, Bk 8)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Caroline H. reviewed on + 19 more book reviews
Warning, spoilers later in review. It's good that John has taken over his mother's legacy--her series was one of my favorites. He's changed them, however, into a mere reflection of the earlier novels. The books have lost Dixie's voice.
This is partly due to the new author not having the depth of knowledge his mother had about animals and the setting, and his word choices concerning the animals are odd--such as describing a Siamese cat as fluffy when they are known for short, sleek hair (no undercoat). Nor does Charlotte the cat have other Siamese traits that could have added humor or depth to the story. And what's with taking the food away if the cat won't eat it? Some cats would be taking out the frustration on the curtains!
Several reviewers over at Amazon have praised his seamless adoption of his mother's work, but I detect plenty of seams. His info dumps when he adds in information that has been established in previous books (Billy Elliot, her breakfasts, the white Keds) are a bit intrusive. But they must be handy, as it would be a much shorter book if they were taken out.
I also feel that he makes Dixie make stupid choices to move the plot along. Her decisions are not as nuanced as they were in previous books. She does not react as a former police officer would.
His tale leaves lots of loose ends, which may or may not be addressed in the next volume. He also has some really implausible plot bits--such as a man who takes over someone's identity, files taxes under that name/SS number, and then assumes the other man will not question it when he gets notified he paid his taxes twice--for twenty years? There are several severe flaws in that whole scenario, not to mention what the IRS would think or do.
I have a half dozen similar points but I will cut this short and say if another of these sequels should fall into my hands I will read it, but I won't search the titles out the way I did before. And I sure miss Blaize.
This is partly due to the new author not having the depth of knowledge his mother had about animals and the setting, and his word choices concerning the animals are odd--such as describing a Siamese cat as fluffy when they are known for short, sleek hair (no undercoat). Nor does Charlotte the cat have other Siamese traits that could have added humor or depth to the story. And what's with taking the food away if the cat won't eat it? Some cats would be taking out the frustration on the curtains!
Several reviewers over at Amazon have praised his seamless adoption of his mother's work, but I detect plenty of seams. His info dumps when he adds in information that has been established in previous books (Billy Elliot, her breakfasts, the white Keds) are a bit intrusive. But they must be handy, as it would be a much shorter book if they were taken out.
I also feel that he makes Dixie make stupid choices to move the plot along. Her decisions are not as nuanced as they were in previous books. She does not react as a former police officer would.
His tale leaves lots of loose ends, which may or may not be addressed in the next volume. He also has some really implausible plot bits--such as a man who takes over someone's identity, files taxes under that name/SS number, and then assumes the other man will not question it when he gets notified he paid his taxes twice--for twenty years? There are several severe flaws in that whole scenario, not to mention what the IRS would think or do.
I have a half dozen similar points but I will cut this short and say if another of these sequels should fall into my hands I will read it, but I won't search the titles out the way I did before. And I sure miss Blaize.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
