What do You think about Cat On The Scent (2000)?
I know, I know. Not exactly what you'd call great literature. But I love her cat series! They are all crime stories, usually a murder or two, or so many that I wonder how Crozet, Virginia, has still inhabitants left after five or six years of murders and mystery. The writing is, uhm, plain is the right word I think. Not plain as in simple language, but there isn't much that can be said about the language. It just serves as a tool to tell the stories, and the stories are always good. I love all her characters, she manages to make the whole town come alive. Her characters change throughout the years, but they always remain likeable and recognizable. Plus, there are talking animals (no, the humans don't understand them, thank god), and they are terribly cute, without being, hmm, too cute. They are still animals, if you know what I mean. They are also perfect subway reading.
—Oceana2602
With most cozy series, my enjoyment increases with each one. However, in this series, that has not been the case. I found this novel ridiculous and even annoying. Ms. Brown put far too much of her own far right wing political views in for one thing. I might as well have been reading Ayn Rand! Then, too, the antics of the animals went too far into the stuff of fantasy for my tastes. Perhaps the greatest sin of all, however, is that there was no resolution or perhaps it was that the resolution was no resolution. Spoiler alert: The bad guys got away with it. Again, I believe this was a case of Ms. Brown's allowing her political views, and disdain for authority, including local police forces, to bleed into her writing. If I wanted to read a political diatribe, I would choose non-fiction rather than a cozy mystery. My advice: Don't waste your time on this one!
—Marti
What a nice and relaxing mystery! I do not know how Rita does it, but she makes provincial America so likeable although she always describes hideous crimes. And in addition the ending might be frustrating for some, but such is life. It happens all the time in reality. And then the animals: I like their subtly described characters; they seem to be alive and much smarter than humans. You forget they are animals. They play a decisive dramatic role in her novels. A splendid idea!I recommend the book to all those who like traditional mysteries, but also to those people who like nice relaxing stories with a lot of humour in them.
—Pearl Drolet
