The Bengal Identity (A Cat Groomer Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – New Jersey
Kensington (March 27, 2018)
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496710581
Kindle ASIN: B073NNGRN3
Everyone knows a leopard can’t change its spots. But can a thief hide the spots on a catnapped Bengal? Groomer Cassie McGlone is about to find out . . .
With no ID for his pet, an agitated young man shows up at Cassie’s Comfy Cats claiming his house has burned down and he needs to board his big, brown cat, Ayesha. But after a bath washes the dye out of the cat’s coat and reveals beautiful spots, Cassie suspects the exotic-looking feline may, in fact, be a valuable Bengal show cat, possibly stolen. At the same time, there are rumored sightings of a “wild cat” in the hills of Chadwick, New Jersey. Could there be a connection?
When Ayesha’s alleged owner turns up dead, it looks like whoever wants the beautiful Bengal is not pussyfooting around. Working with the police, Cassie and her staff need to be careful not to reveal the purloined purebred’s whereabouts while they discreetly make inquiries to cat breeders to find her real owners. But after a break-in attempt rattles Cassie’s cage, it’s clear someone let the cat out of the bag. And when a second body is found, it’s up to Cassie to spot the killer, who may be grooming her to be the next victim . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I have always wanted a Bengal kitty but they are way out of my price range. To read about one is the next best thing.
While the town is also dealing with some sightings of a big cat in the wild that had a attacked a dog and scared a child. Cassie McGlone, owner of Cassie’s Comfy Cats was pretty surprised when one of her feline guests turned out to be a Bengal. When he arrived at her shop all she saw was a big brown kitty, but a bath started to show the cat’s true identity. Cassie suspects the feline had been catnapped. Cassie then learns the man that boarded the Bengal with her has been killed so she opens up to the police about her very special guest. But a break in makes her realize that someone will go to great lengths to steal this cat. Cassie starts her own investigation to find the kitty’s true owners while the police try to apprehend the killer. What they find is positively shocking!
Cassie is a fun protagonist. She is thoughtful and smart and would do anything to protect her friends or the cats in her care. Her assistant Sarah is a caring woman as well. She has opened her home to Harpo, a pretty Persian after his owner was killed in the previous story. She is injured in this story, but she doesn’t let it hold her back much at all. Together they make a great team. Dr. Mark Coccia is back and spending time with Cassie, but he is having some employee issues at his vet clinic that is weighing heavy on his mind and need to be handled. Detective Angela Bonelli knows the information she gets from Cassie will help her solve the case. I love the open way they work together. We meet a couple other characters that I hope return in a future book too.
There is more than one mystery in this story and there are some really nice twists. The story is well written with excellent depictions of time and place making it so easy to visualize everything. There is a part of this story that is so relevant and so current, but when the sheer magnitude of what was happening was revealed I was livid. To avoid spoiling the story for others I will say no more about that except to say this story is a wonderful read that elevated my blood pressure just a bit.
I love these characters and where Ms. Watkins has taken them. You can tell how much she loves cats by all the love of them that her characters share.
As with the first book in this series, The Persian Always Meows Twice
You can find out more about Eileen Watkins and her book on her webpage here. You can also sign up for her mailing list there too. She is also on Facebook.
Click on covers to go to Amazon to purchase or add to your wish list.
Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Sign up for Eileen’s Mailing List for 3 Bonus Entries.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End April 26, 2018, at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
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.”
This sounds like a fascinating book; I have a lot to learn about cats, and this one would broaden my horizons.
Just once…will some nice person tell me how to find the link to copy and put in form after I share to Facebook, Pinterest, and good reads? I know how to locate it on Twitter…so help! Oh…and I’m looking forward to reading this book whether I win it, borrow it or buy it!
In Pinterest, there is a little link sign when you click on your pinned picture. For Facebook and GoodReads a link to your profile page is perfect.
Love the cover and can’t wait to read the book. Thanks for the information and the review.