What the Cat Saw
Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (October 2, 2012)
Published by The Penguin Group
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425252741
Jacket Design by George Long
Nela Farley can’t really understand what that cat is thinking, can she? Nela knows that what she’s experiencing is completely irrational and tries to convince herself that she is simply transferring her own thoughts that she doesn’t want to face.
Nela is doing her sister Chloe a huge favor by filling in for her at her job while she goes off on vacation. Chloe has even arranged a place for Nela to stay. A woman she worked with has recently passed away and Chloe has been taking care of her cat. When she arrives she meets the cat and immediately she has “. . . dead . . . dead and gone . . . She loved me . . . board rolled on the second step . . .” pop into her head. She then realizes the previous tenant’s death may not have been an accident as everyone had thought.
Nela just can’t ignore the feeling she has. Was Marian Grant murdered? As Nela looks into Marian’s life and starts work at the Haklo Foundation she realizes she has more questions than answers. When another body is found and the police start to point fingers at Chloe Nela realizes she needs to figure out “what the cat saw” before anyone else takes a not so accidental fall.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Carolyn Hart is one of the master’s of the cozy mystery. This new series debut is classic Hart, a tight plot with great characters in an interesting setting and don’t forget Jugs the cat.
I am not sure if knowing or thinking you know what a cat is thinking really can be classified as paranormal. Cats and humans just have a way of communicating. They can cut you with a certain look, bring you joy with just the right “chirrup”, and their purrs say so much. Well probably not as much as “board rolled on the second step” but cat lovers will know what I mean.
Nela and Chloe are as different as two sisters can be. Nela’s life is in flux at the moment but she seems to be a very orderly and structured person. Chloe is much more carefree, going from job to job as the mood strikes. She was on vacation in this installment so I look forward to learning more about her in the future. The best characters evolve at the perfect pace so they readers catch the nuances and the traits they carry forward book to book.
The groundwork has been well laid and I know this series will be a successful as all her others. Whenever in doubt about something to read just pick up something by Carolyn Hart, you can’t go wrong with this wonderful author.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Since I have 4 cats of my own (plus some other critters) I understand that they can and do communicate with us. I only wish it was as obvious as “board rolled on the second step”. Although…perhaps at times I might NOT want to know what they all think of me! lol
I won a copy of this book and am loving it! I am also looking forward to the next one. Dee
I didn’t realize she had a new series starting up. Thanks for the info and chance to win.
Sounds sooooooooooo good!
I accidently deleted the pin after I submitted the entry form so here is the new link to the pinterest pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/188658671861677140/
Sorry about that!
I love cats and dogs and think they are great in cozies!’
A new Carolyn Hart series – yay!
I have heard good things about this book.
Thanks for reviewing. Putting this on my list of books to read.
I have always wondered about what my dogs and cats think. They seem to know something I don’t.
I’d love to read this, it sounds great!
Cats and mysteries are just the perfect combo for me.
I love stories with cats and I always enjoy Carolyn’s books!
I can’t wait to read this. My cats have always communicated with me. Mostly when we were in the same room, but on one or two occasions it has been at a distance. I used to have a horse farm and every spring we had five or six foals. I checked the mares every two hours or so during the night. One night, I had just been out to the barn to check on a mare who we expected to foal that night but who didn’t show any signs of being ready just then. I set my alarm and snuggled into a chair with a good book. I started getting a persistent thought picture of the mare sweating and looking at her sides. After a few minutes, I just had to go check her. Sure enough, she was getting ready to foal and one of our cats (who preferred the barn to the house) was sitting there watching the mare with a concerned look on her face. I am convinced that the cat communicated with me in some way.
Ohhh cats and mysteries! The best of both worlds 🙂
sounds interesting. i love cats would love the chance to read it
This book sounds like a good read.