Ali Brandon

Lately, Hamlet hasn’t been chasing customers or being his obnoxious self—something Darla surprisingly misses. Concerned, she hires a cat whisperer to probe Hamlet’s feline psyche and then decides to get out of her own funk by taking up karate to learn how to defend herself in case the need arises again.

But when Darla finds her sensei dead at the dojo, it seems that even a master can be felled by foul play. Darla decides to investigate the matter herself, and the promise of a mystery show more snaps Hamlet out of his bad mood. After all, Darla may be the sleuth, but Hamlet’s got a black belt in detection...Black Cat Bookshop #3 show less

This is a really cute book. I love the way the cat helps with solving the mystery. I really just love the cat, period. The supporting cast is great, too. The heroine (Darla) is a bit dumb at times, and I had trouble connecting with her. She may be the weak link in this book, at least for me. Still, it was a fun read.

From her Brooklyn bookstore, Darla Pettistone not only sells mysteries, but solves them, aided by her big-boned black cat, Hamlet—who has suddenly pounced into the spotlight after unleashing his fists of furry…

After a video of Darla and Hamlet performing at a martial arts tournament goes viral, the Florida chapter of the Feline Society of America invites the "Karate Kitty" to be the guest of honor at their championship cat show in Fort Lauderdale.

Upon arrival, Darla discovers that not show more everyone in the Sunshine State has a sunny disposition. Animal rights activists are on the march, and a cat show contestant stages his own angry protest when his special breed Minx—half Sphynx, half Manx—doesn’t win. Then Hamlet disappears—only to be found next to the dead body of the Minx owner. Now it’s up to Darla and Hamlet to take best in show and collar the killer… BlackCatBookshop #4 show less

I enjoyed this 2nd novel in the series even more than the opening story.

What fun as Darla Pettisone begins interviewing for an additional employee that needs to be a good fit to meet her needs for a part-time employee but must pass critique by shop cat extraordinaire Hamlet. Having worked at several bookstores (independent and chain), I remember the camaraderie of coworkers that are drawn together by their love of books and come for all walks of life. Ali Brandon captures this perfectly as show more the reader is drawn to hear all the interactions between Darla Pettistone, James T. James, Store Manager and former professor of English literature at one of the area's more prestigious universities, new employee Robert Gilmore, and of course, Hamlet.

One of the regular customers of Pettistone's Fine Books is dead and Hamlet's paw prints are at the scene. Is that just a coincidence? There are clever clues for all mystery fans and especially for fans of bookstore mysteries and ingenious felines.

I can't wait to read the next novel in this series. show less