The Cats Came Back

This is an adorably fun series about two magical cats and a likeable group of humans, but this entry was very average for me, mainly because I anticipated every plot development and who the murderer was well before it’s reasonable to have guessed.

That’s pretty much all I’ve got to say – it’s not a bad read, it just wasn’t as cleverly plotted as others in the series.

I love this series! It's one of my cozy mystery favorites! The Cats Came Back is the 10th book in the Magical Cats Mystery series. I'm always excited when a new book comes out. I've loved every one of them.....and this newest one too! I'm not sure if it's the human characters....the theme....or Owen and Hercules, the magical kitties that keep bringing me back or a combination of all of it.

This time around Mayville Heights, MN librarian Kathleen Paulson is excited about the town's upcoming music festival. It will liven up the small town and bring in tourists. Just as the town is gearing up for the festival, Kathleen and the kitties find a dead body floating in the river. At first she thinks the body is one of the performers in town for show more the festival, but it's another woman...one who looks similar to the musician. Did the killer off the wrong person? Kathleen and her feline buddies are on the case again! Can they nab the killer and save the festival?

I enjoy Kathleen as a main character. She's intelligent and just a bit feisty. The kitties are awesome! :) I like the fact that the kitties have mysterious abilities, but it's kept low key. That makes it a bit more believable and doesn't over power the small town background theme and mystery part of the plot. The side characters (both human and cat) add to the all happy feels I get from this series. The only downer I got from this newest book is the fact that I've finished reading it....and now I have to wait until the next book comes out! :)

I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves cozies with cats. It's entertaining and fun to read!

Sofie Kelly is a pen-name for author Darlene Ryan. She also writes as Sofie Ryan.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Penguin via First To Read. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** show less

"Small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson often seems to gets mixed up in murder, but luckily, her very special cats always find a way to help her close a case. The charming Minnesota town of Mayville Heights is hosting a music festival, and the whole place is bustling with musicians and tourists. Kathleen is looking forward to taking in some fabulous performances--and her two cats, Owen and Hercules, are looking forward to taking in some fabulous sardine crackers. But then the trio stumbles across a dead body by the river. The victim is a close friend--who also happens to be a look-alike of a popular cabaret singer set to perform at the festival. Who could have wanted to harm this innocent girl? Was it a case of mistaken identity? As show more accusations abound and suspicions swirl, Kathleen, Hercules and Owen will put their abilities--both mundane and magical--to the test, and lay down the paw"-- show less

Small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson often seems to gets mixed up in murder, but luckily, her very special cats always find a way to help her close a case . . .The charming Minnesota town of Mayville Heights is hosting a music festival, and the whole place is bustling with musicians and tourists. Kathleen is looking forward to taking in some fabulous performances--and her two cats, Owen and Hercules, are looking forward to taking in some fabulous sardine crackers. But then the trio stumbles across a dead body by the river. The victim is a close friend--who also happens to be a look-alike of a popular cabaret singer set to perform at the festival. Who could have wanted to harm this innocent girl? Was it a case of mistaken identity? As show more accusations abound and suspicions swirl, Kathleen, Hercules and Owen will put their abilities--both mundane and magical--to the test, and lay down the paw. Magical Cats #10 show less

Kathleen is again on the trail of a killer. In the midst of winnowing out the clues, she is also helping with the wedding plans of a friend. And as usual, her magical cats are not opposed to getting into mischief. But they also prove to be a lifesaving asset. This delightful tale has everything a reader would want in a cozy and then some, and it is topped with magical cats. It’s entertaining and intriguing from the beginning to the end.

Another light, fun mystery. Hard to believe it's the tenth in the series already. The mystery isn't all that puzzling, but it's always good to spend time with librarian Kathleen and her two cats, Owen and Hercules.

There's a music festival going on in Mayville Heights. When Hercules finds another body, Kathleen is persuaded to look into it. The deceased is the cousin and look-alike of one of the singers; the question then becomes who was the intended victim.

another (sigh) librarian mystery. a bit too squeaky clean for my taste.