Mysteries that feature cats are pure catnip to cat lovers. Here are some favorite authors.
Marian Babson always includes a cat that is central to the plot. Sally, the little stray cat in The Company of Cats, was rescued by Arthur Arbuthnot, but after Arthur is murdered, Sally finds herself in grave danger from his greedy relatives as she has inherited Arbuthnot’s millions. Fortunately for Sally, Annabel Hinchby-Smithe, recently hired to redecorate Arbuthnot’s dismal London flat, is determined to protect the little orphan as she is convinced that Sally’s life expectancy won’t be very long if any one of the relatives manages to claim her.
Then, there are the mysteries where the felines are the sleuths. If you can suspend your disbelief about talking cats, you will enjoy Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown’s Mrs. Murphy mysteries and Shirley Rousseau Murphy’s long running Joe Grey series with extraordinary cats.
In the Brown mysteries, Mrs. Murphy the tiger cat, Pewter the portly gray cat, and Tee Tucker the Welsh corgi all not only speak to each other, but converse with mice, horses and other critters. Mary “Harry” Haristeen resides in Crozet, Virginia, with her furry companions. In the thrilling finale of Whisker of Evil, the cats and corgi must rescue “Harry,” who is standing in an open grave and who is about to be shot by the murderer she has just exposed.
Shirley Rousseau Murphy’s Joe Grey, Dulcie and Kit can not only speak to their humans, but also read newspapers, make telephone calls, and run copiers in the local library if necessary! Clyde Damon in Cat on the Edge is horrified when Joe Grey calls him on the phone and discovers his cat’s special abilities. Clyde initially believes that someone is playing a joke on him until Joe convinces him that he is actually having a conversation with his cat. Joe in this instance is not at home and uses the phone because he is being stalked by a murderer who senses that Joe has special gifts.
Murphy is extremely knowledgeable about cats. Many a mouse, rat, rabbit, pigeon, and squirrel are dispatched by the two felines. Her sleuths can hunt for their food, Brown’s kitties are happy with cat food. Also running throughout the series are hints of Welsh folklore and myths about cats speaking, and cat/humans.
If you still need a kitty sleuth fix, Carole Nelson Douglas’ Midnight Louie series features a 20-pound Louie who brings to mind Sam Spade.
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