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Cat Caliban #8
Eight Miles High
Detective-in-training Cat Caliban meets her latest client when a pilot crash-lands in the middle of a family picnic. Toots Magruder confesses her suspicions that the plane was sabotaged, and tells Cat and her partner, retired cop Moses Fogg, a story that begins during World War II, when young women with a passion for flying traveled from all over the country to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, for the chance at the best flight training available and a coveted place in the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Those who succeeded, like Toots, flew some of the most dangerous missions of the war in every plane the Army owned, from single-engine trainers to sophisticated bombers like the Fortress and the Superfortress. Toots herself had been one of eight WASP who trained anti-aircraft gunners at Harlingen Air Base. In the final weeks before the WASP was disbanded, however, one of those eight, returning for the final graduation at Avenger, disappeared into the Texas sky and was never heard from again. Now, forty years after the women of WASP were sent home without jobs, severance pay, or veterans' benefits, two of the Harlingen Eight have died in similar accidents within days of each other, and Toots fears that a killer is at work. Protected only by an antique parachute and handicapped by a fear of flying, Cat must unravel the forty-year-old mystery before the remaining Harlingen WASP converge at the Dayton Air Show and provide the killer with a perfect opportunity to reduce their numbers to zero.
- GenresMystery
Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
18 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
D.B. Borton
16 books47 followersD. B. Borton is a Professor Emeritus of English at Ohio Wesleyan University and now a full-time writer. Specializing in humorous mysteries, she has published eleven mystery novels in two series, the Cat Caliban series (Berkley, Hilliard and Harris) and the Gilda Liberty series (Fawcett), as well as the mystery novel SMOKE (Boomerang) and the humorous science fiction novel SECOND COMING (Boomerang). Her latest mystery, BAYOU CITY BURNING (Boomerang), was published in June 2019.
A native of Houston, Texas, Borton became an ardent admirer of Nancy Drew at a young age. At the age of fourteen, she acquired her own blue roadster, trained on the freeways of Houston and the broad stretches of oil-endowed Texas highway, and began her travels.
She has lived in the Southwest and Midwest and on the West Coast, where she has collected three degrees in English without relinquishing her affection for the expressiveness of the everyday language that real people speak. Her research skills and her ear for language both serve her well in mysteries set in realistic places and featuring characters with authentic voices.
A native of Houston, Texas, Borton became an ardent admirer of Nancy Drew at a young age. At the age of fourteen, she acquired her own blue roadster, trained on the freeways of Houston and the broad stretches of oil-endowed Texas highway, and began her travels.
She has lived in the Southwest and Midwest and on the West Coast, where she has collected three degrees in English without relinquishing her affection for the expressiveness of the everyday language that real people speak. Her research skills and her ear for language both serve her well in mysteries set in realistic places and featuring characters with authentic voices.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 20, 2021
After a plane crashes a family picnic she's attending, Cat Caliban is in for her toughest case yet. The pilot of the plane, a former Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) named Toots Magruder, suspects that someone tampered with her engine. Suspicions grow when they discover that two other WASPs from her former air base died within days of each other. With a WASP reunion coming up shortly, more WASPs could lose their lives if Cat doesn't catch the killer in time.
I love how Borton incorporates historical events and issues into her mysteries. With its examination of the history of WASP program in the US, Eight Miles High explores the WASP's fight to be recognized for their wartime efforts. I truly enjoyed learning more about the history of the WASPs. As always, it's clear that Borton's books are well-researched and thoughtfully written.
Unlike previous instalments, this book is a little less focused on solving the mystery itself. However, I liked that the book spent so much time with the wonderful WASPs, developing several strong female characters.
I also liked how this book had more action than previous instalments. Without giving away too much, Cat and her friend Moses go on what's arguably their biggest and most dangerous adventure yet! It made for a suspenseful page-turner.
On top of that, this book has a unique structure, with chapters alternating between the present and a future event. With some authors, this could be a recipe for confusion. This isn't the case for Borton, who handles these transitions well. I constantly wondered how the future scenario would come to pass. I devoured this book in one sitting in my excitement!
Overall, this was was a great send-off to a great series. I definitely wouldn't be opposed to reading more about Cat and her adventures in the future!
Thank you to D.B. Borton for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book contains mild violence and foul language but is otherwise clean.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
I love how Borton incorporates historical events and issues into her mysteries. With its examination of the history of WASP program in the US, Eight Miles High explores the WASP's fight to be recognized for their wartime efforts. I truly enjoyed learning more about the history of the WASPs. As always, it's clear that Borton's books are well-researched and thoughtfully written.
Unlike previous instalments, this book is a little less focused on solving the mystery itself. However, I liked that the book spent so much time with the wonderful WASPs, developing several strong female characters.
I also liked how this book had more action than previous instalments. Without giving away too much, Cat and her friend Moses go on what's arguably their biggest and most dangerous adventure yet! It made for a suspenseful page-turner.
On top of that, this book has a unique structure, with chapters alternating between the present and a future event. With some authors, this could be a recipe for confusion. This isn't the case for Borton, who handles these transitions well. I constantly wondered how the future scenario would come to pass. I devoured this book in one sitting in my excitement!
Overall, this was was a great send-off to a great series. I definitely wouldn't be opposed to reading more about Cat and her adventures in the future!
Thank you to D.B. Borton for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book contains mild violence and foul language but is otherwise clean.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
July 30, 2021
As a PI-in-Training, our intrepid Cat Caliban has wisely partnered up with friend and neighbor Moses Fogg who is a retired cop. Cat knew that celebrating Independence Day with Moses' family would be much more fun than with her own family. While they were enjoying their holiday the 4th of July excitement level cranked up a few notches when a small plane crash-landed in a nearby field and the pilot who crawled out of the wreckage turned out to be a woman.
Toots Magruder was extremely apologetic for "crashing" their picnic but her regret quickly turned to anger when she suspected someone had tried to sabotage her engine. Toots went on to relate to Cat and Moses a brief history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). During WWII young women who were passionate about flying traveled from all over the country at their own expense to get to Avenger Field in Sweetwater Texas for training. These courageous women flew every plane the Army had, from single engines to big multi-engine bombers, and as pilots they outflew their male counterparts and took flak for doing it. Literally. There was a group of eight WASP that were in the same B-26 training class to fly bombers. They made a great contribution to the war effort as human targets. Not targets per se but by flying planes that were towing targets for the gunnery guys to fire at using live ammo! Definitely courageous and maybe just a little crazy. But now someone had the group of eight in their target sights.
When the WASP program ended, more than a thousand women that had been assigned to bases all over the country were disbanded and summarily sent home with no notice, no severance pay and no benefits. As a side note, Congress was voting to abruptly end the program while simultaneously, women were already en route to Avenger Field for training. They had quit their jobs, sold off their possessions and some had even borrowed money to pay their fare to Sweetwater. Instead of the training they were expecting, they had to find a way home on their own dime. Some were lucky enough to hitch rides part of the way on military aircraft.
Now, forty years later in 1986 and within days of each other, two of these eight women have died in eerily similar home 'accidents'. Coincidental? Maybe. Maybe not but Toots hired Cat and Moses to find out if there really is a killer at work and why. What does the killer have to fear from a group of sixty-somethings who are former WASP?
In "Eight Miles High" Cat repeatedly expresses her fear of flying but her protestations are virtually ignored by Moses and Toots as they prepare for a reunion of the eight WASP at the upcoming Dayton Air Show. Given the time constraints and the complications from her fear of flying Cat has her work cut out for her if she hopes to catch the killer.
If you've already been introduced to Cat you know that she enjoys her G&T (Gin and Tonic) and when the situation demands it, she can swear like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Even though she's not yet a licensed PI her instincts are spot on when it comes to reasoning out who dunnit and why. What's not to love about a colorful sixty-something widow who wants a shot at a second career? Besides, I agree with Cat that motherhood is highly overrated.
Author D.B. Borton has expertly woven the Women Airforce Service Pilots history into the eighth book of Cat's escapades. One of the features of her writing style that I especially admire is the authenticity of her character's voices. Their Midwestern expressions are authentic and easily identifiable by anyone who has lived in or near the Ohio Valley. I was almost homesick until I remembered the winters. Never mind. Five stars.c
Toots Magruder was extremely apologetic for "crashing" their picnic but her regret quickly turned to anger when she suspected someone had tried to sabotage her engine. Toots went on to relate to Cat and Moses a brief history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). During WWII young women who were passionate about flying traveled from all over the country at their own expense to get to Avenger Field in Sweetwater Texas for training. These courageous women flew every plane the Army had, from single engines to big multi-engine bombers, and as pilots they outflew their male counterparts and took flak for doing it. Literally. There was a group of eight WASP that were in the same B-26 training class to fly bombers. They made a great contribution to the war effort as human targets. Not targets per se but by flying planes that were towing targets for the gunnery guys to fire at using live ammo! Definitely courageous and maybe just a little crazy. But now someone had the group of eight in their target sights.
When the WASP program ended, more than a thousand women that had been assigned to bases all over the country were disbanded and summarily sent home with no notice, no severance pay and no benefits. As a side note, Congress was voting to abruptly end the program while simultaneously, women were already en route to Avenger Field for training. They had quit their jobs, sold off their possessions and some had even borrowed money to pay their fare to Sweetwater. Instead of the training they were expecting, they had to find a way home on their own dime. Some were lucky enough to hitch rides part of the way on military aircraft.
Now, forty years later in 1986 and within days of each other, two of these eight women have died in eerily similar home 'accidents'. Coincidental? Maybe. Maybe not but Toots hired Cat and Moses to find out if there really is a killer at work and why. What does the killer have to fear from a group of sixty-somethings who are former WASP?
In "Eight Miles High" Cat repeatedly expresses her fear of flying but her protestations are virtually ignored by Moses and Toots as they prepare for a reunion of the eight WASP at the upcoming Dayton Air Show. Given the time constraints and the complications from her fear of flying Cat has her work cut out for her if she hopes to catch the killer.
If you've already been introduced to Cat you know that she enjoys her G&T (Gin and Tonic) and when the situation demands it, she can swear like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Even though she's not yet a licensed PI her instincts are spot on when it comes to reasoning out who dunnit and why. What's not to love about a colorful sixty-something widow who wants a shot at a second career? Besides, I agree with Cat that motherhood is highly overrated.
Author D.B. Borton has expertly woven the Women Airforce Service Pilots history into the eighth book of Cat's escapades. One of the features of her writing style that I especially admire is the authenticity of her character's voices. Their Midwestern expressions are authentic and easily identifiable by anyone who has lived in or near the Ohio Valley. I was almost homesick until I remembered the winters. Never mind. Five stars.c
September 23, 2022
I want to be Cat Caliban when I grow up! Cat is a 60-something retired housewife turned detective who feels that decades of experience solving domestic mysteries makes her a natural as a private eye. I agree; fun-loving, foul-mouthed, wisecracking Cat and her lovable friends at the Catatonia Arms make this my favorite historical mystery series. It’s 1986, Reagan is in the White House, and adventure lands in the yard. A small plane, sputtering smoke arrives during the picnic Cat is attending, and the plane has been sabotaged. WWII veteran pilot Toots Magruder asks Cat and her friend Moses to investigate. Two of her fellow WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) have been killed and Toots is afraid she’s next.
As always, the mystery is twinned with social justice themes. And character is a strong point; even the secondary characters are engaging and well-written. The story is filled with fascinating information about women and WASPs in WWII, to make for a fun read. Highly recommended. I received an advance review copy for free and am happy to leave this honest review voluntarily.
As always, the mystery is twinned with social justice themes. And character is a strong point; even the secondary characters are engaging and well-written. The story is filled with fascinating information about women and WASPs in WWII, to make for a fun read. Highly recommended. I received an advance review copy for free and am happy to leave this honest review voluntarily.
July 24, 2025
Cat's and Mose's barbecue with his family is rudely interrupted when a small plan is crashing close to them. The pilot 'Toots" is a form WASP pilot and suspect foul play because two other pilots fell to their "accidental" death recently in a very close timespan of each other. She hires Cat and Moses to look into it and they (and us) learn a lot about the brave woman pilots during the war. Who have to fight for their lives even now because somebody wants to keep a secret at all cost.
August 25, 2021
Great research on a group of women daring to beat the odds of flying during WWII. We know about the WACS and WAVES but this group was kept silent even though they contributed a lot and could have done more if allowed. Cat and Moses at their best. Highly Recommended.
August 5, 2021
She did miss the cows, didn’t she??? The women pilots never git their credit, did they??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
September 19, 2023
WASP was a special contingent of women in WW2 who flew targets for the military but were not allowed to be in the military. The mystery story is fiction but pays tribute to the real women of the past.
Who really believes in coincidence? Not Cat Caliban and Moses Fogg, Private investigators. They became acquainted with one of the women of the WASP and she asked them to investigate and old suspicious death and a couple of recent ones that the local PD didn't think were worth the time. The investigation is convoluted and the solution surprising. Less instances of verbal humor than earlier books, but enough to balance some of the realities. Loved it!
National WASP WWII Museum and the Women Airforce Service Pilots check it out.
Who really believes in coincidence? Not Cat Caliban and Moses Fogg, Private investigators. They became acquainted with one of the women of the WASP and she asked them to investigate and old suspicious death and a couple of recent ones that the local PD didn't think were worth the time. The investigation is convoluted and the solution surprising. Less instances of verbal humor than earlier books, but enough to balance some of the realities. Loved it!
National WASP WWII Museum and the Women Airforce Service Pilots check it out.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews