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The Cats and Curios Mystery #3
How to Moon a Cat
When Rupert the cat sniffs out a dusty green vase with a toy bear inside, his owner has no doubt this is another of her Uncle Oscar's infamous clues to one of his valuable hidden treasures. Eager to put together the pieces of the puzzle, she's soon heading to Nevada City with her two cats, having no idea that this road trip will put her life in danger.
297 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 5, 2011
13 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca M. Hale
14 books156 followersNY Times bestselling author Rebecca M. Hale lives in Western Colorado with her feline writing associates - when she’s not off researching future books set in San Francisco, the Caribbean, or wherever else her wandering spirit takes her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 3, 2012
I read this book for the Noe Valley Book Club of which I am a member.
I really wanted to like this mystery but I just couldn't really get the hang of it. There is an amazing amount of historical knowledge presented about the Bear Flag Revolt against Mexico in Sonoma, a fictional but very believable cycling race in California, and many deeply designed characters but the story itself just seemed to miss something for me.
I can't quite put a finger on it other than it seemed to drag on and become more and more unbelievable as the story developed and finalized. The characters were fairly interesting and the story wasn't bad but I just felt like I needed something more in depth and more definitive.
I did appreciate the humor that the author used in describing the Mayor of San Francisco (obviously Gavin Newsom) and making fun of his ego and how he ran the city before becoming Lt. Governor but overall there seemed to be too much happening in this book and it became overwritten.
There were some interesting stylistic writing points such as the anthropomorphic use of the moon, the cats, and the frogs. However, that bothered me a little because these creatures did things that were so far out of the realm of reality that it took away from the story.
I really wanted to like this mystery but I just couldn't really get the hang of it. There is an amazing amount of historical knowledge presented about the Bear Flag Revolt against Mexico in Sonoma, a fictional but very believable cycling race in California, and many deeply designed characters but the story itself just seemed to miss something for me.
I can't quite put a finger on it other than it seemed to drag on and become more and more unbelievable as the story developed and finalized. The characters were fairly interesting and the story wasn't bad but I just felt like I needed something more in depth and more definitive.
I did appreciate the humor that the author used in describing the Mayor of San Francisco (obviously Gavin Newsom) and making fun of his ego and how he ran the city before becoming Lt. Governor but overall there seemed to be too much happening in this book and it became overwritten.
There were some interesting stylistic writing points such as the anthropomorphic use of the moon, the cats, and the frogs. However, that bothered me a little because these creatures did things that were so far out of the realm of reality that it took away from the story.
January 23, 2012
I need to stop reading this crap!
February 10, 2012
I haven't read the first two in this series, which I see from the reviews means something now, but grabbed this from the library the other day because I'm a sucker for mysteries and I love cats. Sadly, I had to wave the white flag of surrender and quit half way through, which I HATE to do, it just kills me to not finish a book.
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because in the bit I read I did enjoy the cat thought processes and personalities, and Monty seemed to be a funny character (the only one I enjoyed). The rest of the strange characters, weird storyline, and (boring) history lessons failed to grab my attention. I hate to admit I skimmed even the short part I read, that's how I knew it was time to reach for something else.
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because in the bit I read I did enjoy the cat thought processes and personalities, and Monty seemed to be a funny character (the only one I enjoyed). The rest of the strange characters, weird storyline, and (boring) history lessons failed to grab my attention. I hate to admit I skimmed even the short part I read, that's how I knew it was time to reach for something else.
August 19, 2011
I enjoyed this third book more than the previous two books. What made this more enjoyable? The author has increased the thoughts of Isabella and Rupert. In the past stories, there has been an enjoyable portion of the story relating to the cats, their actions and human reactions to them. However, in this book, Isabella and Rupert play a much bigger part of the story. My favorite segment? Isabella's dream! I actually laughed out loud the first time I read it! Yes, I had to reread it a couple more times, just because it was such fun. I sincerely hope that the future books in this series will continue on in this style!
February 17, 2017
Oh, I so want to like this series. I keep trying and I feel like each book gets weirder than the last. This one had talking bricks, frogs riding tricycles & hairless mice with eyeglasses. I wish I was kidding. Oh, and it was SO packed with history that I completely skimmed those parts. The book could easily have been half as long and twice as interesting. Since I'm a glutton for punishment, I'll probably read the next one. But I will quit using my library recommendations for them!
April 27, 2020
2 1/2 stars.
June 24, 2011
I've not YET read the first two books in this series by Rebecca M. Hale.
The protaganist has inherited her Uncle Oscar's San Francisco antique shop, The Green Vase. She has the cluttered and dusty shop all cleaned up. With all the items, many that go back to the Gold Rush Era, neatly on display. The new owners' cats, Isabella and Rupert play an integral part in this series.
While moonbeams are dancing through the apartment one evening, Rupert finds a green vase hidden in one of the kitchen walls. In that vase is a small bear with a California state flag. A note attached to says Nevada City, CA. Having found references in the shop, she know that Uncle Oscar had a particular interest in the flag that went missing in the 1906 earthquake. Her neighbor has to go Nevada City to represent the city for the Tour California bike race. So it is off to the races, so to speak, in search of more clues.
Hale's writing is very descriptive and enjoyable. The moonbeams dancing around, the antics of Isabella and Rupert and the calamity of errors besieging the bicycle race. A very nice mix of good character, history and a little bit of mystery too.
The protaganist has inherited her Uncle Oscar's San Francisco antique shop, The Green Vase. She has the cluttered and dusty shop all cleaned up. With all the items, many that go back to the Gold Rush Era, neatly on display. The new owners' cats, Isabella and Rupert play an integral part in this series.
While moonbeams are dancing through the apartment one evening, Rupert finds a green vase hidden in one of the kitchen walls. In that vase is a small bear with a California state flag. A note attached to says Nevada City, CA. Having found references in the shop, she know that Uncle Oscar had a particular interest in the flag that went missing in the 1906 earthquake. Her neighbor has to go Nevada City to represent the city for the Tour California bike race. So it is off to the races, so to speak, in search of more clues.
Hale's writing is very descriptive and enjoyable. The moonbeams dancing around, the antics of Isabella and Rupert and the calamity of errors besieging the bicycle race. A very nice mix of good character, history and a little bit of mystery too.
August 2, 2020
This is the third story in a series, of which I'd already read the first, with the second not making the list...
So, of course, I re-read the first, read the second, and then read this one for review...keeping things in order seems to be compulsive for me...
So...
Ms. Roth has woven Mark Twain and Early California history into this series, and her loopy sarcastic disjointed storytelling, combined with meticulous researching, leave me rolling on ;the floor while further educated in the California history I studied growing up here all those years ago in fourth grade. I'll probably remember more too. Other reviewers find the 'asides' objectionable, whereas they are what fascinate me.
It's taken three volumes so far, with most clues discovered seemingly accidentally, and the "mystery" presented in the first has not been fully solved, although we the readers surly have our suspicions... Character growth seems most important. This meets my definition of a 'cozy', life going on among the clues...
I didn't read on immediately after the first book 'cause of the expense, and I'll probably wait to continue for the same reason, but eventually, I am sure I'll read on in this delightful series.
So, of course, I re-read the first, read the second, and then read this one for review...keeping things in order seems to be compulsive for me...
So...
Ms. Roth has woven Mark Twain and Early California history into this series, and her loopy sarcastic disjointed storytelling, combined with meticulous researching, leave me rolling on ;the floor while further educated in the California history I studied growing up here all those years ago in fourth grade. I'll probably remember more too. Other reviewers find the 'asides' objectionable, whereas they are what fascinate me.
It's taken three volumes so far, with most clues discovered seemingly accidentally, and the "mystery" presented in the first has not been fully solved, although we the readers surly have our suspicions... Character growth seems most important. This meets my definition of a 'cozy', life going on among the clues...
I didn't read on immediately after the first book 'cause of the expense, and I'll probably wait to continue for the same reason, but eventually, I am sure I'll read on in this delightful series.
September 27, 2013
Okay for those of you who have never read this series before and were simply drawn in by a pretty cover, stop. Don't jump into the series with this book - you'll be horribly confused - well the main parts are somewhat explained but a great deal won't make a lot of sense, like the references to the frogs, etc. This is not a series where you can just jump in, there is an ongoing plot that is partially wrapped up in this book. It's a better experience if you read the first two books - and even then expect some confusion. I can't precisely put my finger on why this book wasn't a particularly favorite of mine. Be forewarned that there may be some spoiler's ahead - nothing too big but I need to get all the questions I have out of my head before I drive myself nutty.
Perhaps because there was just too much going on, hopping from different perspectives and trying to keep track of what the heck was going on and understanding why it was all going on. At the end of the book I just couldn't answer the why? This isn't your standard cosy mystery, it's more like a treasure hunt and you're along for the ride. Except I couldn't figure out why the treasure hunt, why the wild teddy bear chase? Just as a way to lure Frank Napis into a trap and send him to prison? If so - did someone forget to tell the protagonist? And why all the naked people ruining Monty's fun (hilarious as it was, I couldn't figure out what purpose it served - if any, was it just a way to screw with Monty)? What about those two frogs of Harold's - interesting as it was did it have any real relevance to the plot (particularly the jumping contest)? Why is the Mayor so afraid of frogs (I don't really remember if this was answered previously)? And is Uncle Oscar really alive (Clement Samuels/Kangaroo)? And what is up with the anthropomorphizing of everything? I mean I didn't so much mind Isabelle and Rupert (the cats, whom are both amusing and adorable) - but we're talking about other things - the moon, the walls, the statue. It kind of baffled me at times - and there were a few confusing moments when I thought the protagonist was actually talking to the bear statue. It's unique, but it didn't really make logical sense. Was the moon conspiring in the whole thing? Not to mention there was a bit of confusion on who was pretending to be who...
Now that my tirade of questions is over… Don't get the wrong impression about my complaining, despite it - this was actually really funny in some parts, and I enjoyed it - even it didn't all make sense to me. There is a good deal of California history packed into this story - some of it is really interesting. There is also the Tour of California biking…thing - funny things happen - I particularly liked the two announcers, though they didn't actually have anything to do with the plot - aside from being amusing themselves, they were witness to Monty's…incidents. Monty, as always is a mood lightener - and as I was reading this in a public place I had to try really hard to keep my laughter in (I'm not sure I completely succeeded). I also love getting into Rupert and Isabella's minds - Rupert really reminds me of my dogs - especially about the dreaded bag. I know my dogs associate the luggage with someone leaving the house on a trip (for an extended period of time, that is longer than a day).
All I can say is don't treat this like a normal mystery - because it's not. You'll either like it or you won't. Or you'll be stuck in-between like me - with parts that you liked and others that will leave you scratching your head wondering what's going on. Because it gave me some good laughs, and there are some likable characters - mostly the cats, and Monty is amusing - I'll say that I liked it. I'm still wondering, mostly little stuff like; how many keys does Monty actually have to Rebecca's (name of protagonist given in first book, and first book only) shop/home? Will Monty ever be Mayor? What on earth are Dilla and the others planning to do with 100 naked mice? Are those real mustache's on those frogs? Oh, and of course is Uncle Oscar alive - and what the heck is he doing if he is, where has he been, why do all this?
Okay. I better stop before I go all off again. It was fun and made me laugh, I will read the next book (mostly because it's sitting right next to me and I'm wondering if I'll find some of the answers to my questions). If you want something a little zany, with descriptive history this is for you. 3 stars.
Perhaps because there was just too much going on, hopping from different perspectives and trying to keep track of what the heck was going on and understanding why it was all going on. At the end of the book I just couldn't answer the why? This isn't your standard cosy mystery, it's more like a treasure hunt and you're along for the ride. Except I couldn't figure out why the treasure hunt, why the wild teddy bear chase? Just as a way to lure Frank Napis into a trap and send him to prison? If so - did someone forget to tell the protagonist? And why all the naked people ruining Monty's fun (hilarious as it was, I couldn't figure out what purpose it served - if any, was it just a way to screw with Monty)? What about those two frogs of Harold's - interesting as it was did it have any real relevance to the plot (particularly the jumping contest)? Why is the Mayor so afraid of frogs (I don't really remember if this was answered previously)? And is Uncle Oscar really alive (Clement Samuels/Kangaroo)? And what is up with the anthropomorphizing of everything? I mean I didn't so much mind Isabelle and Rupert (the cats, whom are both amusing and adorable) - but we're talking about other things - the moon, the walls, the statue. It kind of baffled me at times - and there were a few confusing moments when I thought the protagonist was actually talking to the bear statue. It's unique, but it didn't really make logical sense. Was the moon conspiring in the whole thing? Not to mention there was a bit of confusion on who was pretending to be who...
Now that my tirade of questions is over… Don't get the wrong impression about my complaining, despite it - this was actually really funny in some parts, and I enjoyed it - even it didn't all make sense to me. There is a good deal of California history packed into this story - some of it is really interesting. There is also the Tour of California biking…thing - funny things happen - I particularly liked the two announcers, though they didn't actually have anything to do with the plot - aside from being amusing themselves, they were witness to Monty's…incidents. Monty, as always is a mood lightener - and as I was reading this in a public place I had to try really hard to keep my laughter in (I'm not sure I completely succeeded). I also love getting into Rupert and Isabella's minds - Rupert really reminds me of my dogs - especially about the dreaded bag. I know my dogs associate the luggage with someone leaving the house on a trip (for an extended period of time, that is longer than a day).
All I can say is don't treat this like a normal mystery - because it's not. You'll either like it or you won't. Or you'll be stuck in-between like me - with parts that you liked and others that will leave you scratching your head wondering what's going on. Because it gave me some good laughs, and there are some likable characters - mostly the cats, and Monty is amusing - I'll say that I liked it. I'm still wondering, mostly little stuff like; how many keys does Monty actually have to Rebecca's (name of protagonist given in first book, and first book only) shop/home? Will Monty ever be Mayor? What on earth are Dilla and the others planning to do with 100 naked mice? Are those real mustache's on those frogs? Oh, and of course is Uncle Oscar alive - and what the heck is he doing if he is, where has he been, why do all this?
Okay. I better stop before I go all off again. It was fun and made me laugh, I will read the next book (mostly because it's sitting right next to me and I'm wondering if I'll find some of the answers to my questions). If you want something a little zany, with descriptive history this is for you. 3 stars.
January 16, 2016
Rebecca, Rupert and Isabella are back and better than ever!!!
Rupert is still sniffing out tightly wrapped packages hidden by Rebecca's late Uncle Oscar. Most times the package contains money wadded up which he seems to find right when Rebecca needs it. But this time Rupert uncovers a package that contains a little bear holding a flag. This has to be a clue to one of her uncle's hidden valuable treasures.
The first clue sends Rebecca to Nevada City, a former mining town. Her neighbor Monty is headed there to represent the San Francisco Mayor at a bike race, The Tour of California. So they pack up the cats and head off together each on their own mission.
Rebecca starts to believe her little excursion may be putting herself right in the path of her uncle's oldest enemy. Can she stay safe and follow the clues to uncover the treasure or is she endangering both herself and her cats with this road trip?
I loved this book so much. First of all with a title like HOW TO MOON A CAT you can't wait to delve into these pages. The author has her hands full writing for the human characters and two very vocal cats, one extremely opinionated, the other more laid back and relaxed. Then in this book she adds the moon as a character, a very important character and that leads to only one way of How To Moon A Cat.
This story also takes us on a history lesson about California Bear Flag Revolt . This flag is very essential to the plot. We also meet some colorful characters, clever impostors, and willing tricksters as Rebecca finds the clues she needs. Oh and maybe a couple of frogs.
This story has so many layers. It was laugh out loud funny in places, but my husband says I giggled through most of the book. The author has grown so much and is perfecting her writing craft. I have watched her evolve with each story. This plot while multifaceted is very tight. Her characters are all growing and developing as well. Her writing in places is almost poetry and her descriptions make people and places jump off the page, even a few we would like contained within the pages.J
I do believe this is my favorite cozy so far in 2011. I gave it my highest rating which equals 5 stars but it is definitely a 10!!! I highly recommend this book and the entire series!!! This book could not have been more purr-fect!!! A purr delight to read!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
Rupert is still sniffing out tightly wrapped packages hidden by Rebecca's late Uncle Oscar. Most times the package contains money wadded up which he seems to find right when Rebecca needs it. But this time Rupert uncovers a package that contains a little bear holding a flag. This has to be a clue to one of her uncle's hidden valuable treasures.
The first clue sends Rebecca to Nevada City, a former mining town. Her neighbor Monty is headed there to represent the San Francisco Mayor at a bike race, The Tour of California. So they pack up the cats and head off together each on their own mission.
Rebecca starts to believe her little excursion may be putting herself right in the path of her uncle's oldest enemy. Can she stay safe and follow the clues to uncover the treasure or is she endangering both herself and her cats with this road trip?
I loved this book so much. First of all with a title like HOW TO MOON A CAT you can't wait to delve into these pages. The author has her hands full writing for the human characters and two very vocal cats, one extremely opinionated, the other more laid back and relaxed. Then in this book she adds the moon as a character, a very important character and that leads to only one way of How To Moon A Cat.
This story also takes us on a history lesson about California Bear Flag Revolt . This flag is very essential to the plot. We also meet some colorful characters, clever impostors, and willing tricksters as Rebecca finds the clues she needs. Oh and maybe a couple of frogs.
This story has so many layers. It was laugh out loud funny in places, but my husband says I giggled through most of the book. The author has grown so much and is perfecting her writing craft. I have watched her evolve with each story. This plot while multifaceted is very tight. Her characters are all growing and developing as well. Her writing in places is almost poetry and her descriptions make people and places jump off the page, even a few we would like contained within the pages.J
I do believe this is my favorite cozy so far in 2011. I gave it my highest rating which equals 5 stars but it is definitely a 10!!! I highly recommend this book and the entire series!!! This book could not have been more purr-fect!!! A purr delight to read!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
July 16, 2012
I confess, I only skim-read this book.
My impressions: Too much VERY detailed California history (this might appeal to a Californian, but not to me- this was the main reason for my skimming). Too much convoluted gibberish about the goings-on of the weird protection society. Frogs in orange mustaches and a naked mouse wearing a jacket, all riding tricycles? The moon, acting sentient and moving tendrils of moonlight around at will? COME ON, already!?! Is this a mystery, a comedy, or a science-fiction / fantasy novel??
I wanted to know whether Uncle Oscar was really alive, but even that storyline wasn't resolved at the end of the book, and the mystery / main story / whatever you want to call it- wasn't even that interesting.
Being a pet owner, I like how Rebecca Hale writes about the cats, but I really don't like much of anything else about her books. I practically gave up on this one, and it will for sure be my last one written by her.
My impressions: Too much VERY detailed California history (this might appeal to a Californian, but not to me- this was the main reason for my skimming). Too much convoluted gibberish about the goings-on of the weird protection society. Frogs in orange mustaches and a naked mouse wearing a jacket, all riding tricycles? The moon, acting sentient and moving tendrils of moonlight around at will? COME ON, already!?! Is this a mystery, a comedy, or a science-fiction / fantasy novel??
I wanted to know whether Uncle Oscar was really alive, but even that storyline wasn't resolved at the end of the book, and the mystery / main story / whatever you want to call it- wasn't even that interesting.
Being a pet owner, I like how Rebecca Hale writes about the cats, but I really don't like much of anything else about her books. I practically gave up on this one, and it will for sure be my last one written by her.
January 15, 2013
While I am the first to love stories written from the cat's point of view, this series takes anthropomorphism way too far, and it becomes a plot device designed to distract us from the weaknesses of the narrative. The whole thing feels very disjointed. this is the third book in the series, and if you haven't read the second book you are quite startled to find that a character who was buried at the end of the first book is apparently still knocking about. Plus the heroine's starting to get on my nerves.
November 12, 2011
It was okay, but I must remember not to get any more of these books from this author.
February 1, 2020
I wish i could like this series, really. But I cannot. Too simple of a plotline but too complex for the simplistic premise or something, but it really rubs me the wrong way. I don't mind the cats. I don't really mind the main character, even though she is less than aware of her surroundings some of the time. This is the 2nd book in the series i have read, but there will be no more. In addition to things that irked me in the first book, this time the moon and a brick wall were anthropomorphized into active thinking beings. I kid you not. This time, after continued entries into her living quarters by other people any time they felt like it, the book actually answered its own issue - "if she does not wish outsiders to penetrate her living quarters - CHANGE THE LOCKS!" (It actually said this in the book!) I would like the time i wasted over this book, back please. Enough.
February 25, 2019
The only reason I continued reading this novel is because I had purchased the 2nd and 3rd novels of the series at the same time.
As mentioned in my review of the 2nd novel, the 3rd novel is again "filled" with the history of San Francisco, California (primarily the California Gold Rush era) almost to the point that in certain chapters it reads more like a nonfiction book than a cozy mystery.
I will not continue reading this series.
As mentioned in my review of the 2nd novel, the 3rd novel is again "filled" with the history of San Francisco, California (primarily the California Gold Rush era) almost to the point that in certain chapters it reads more like a nonfiction book than a cozy mystery.
I will not continue reading this series.
December 29, 2018
A Very Confusing Book!
The book was interesting but hard to get through. All the loose ends are still hanging. Most things were not explained, which is extremely frustrating. The author bounced between characters leaving you to wonder who was with whom. She had some very excellent descriptive phrases. At any rate I feel like things were left unfinished and dissatisfied.
The book was interesting but hard to get through. All the loose ends are still hanging. Most things were not explained, which is extremely frustrating. The author bounced between characters leaving you to wonder who was with whom. She had some very excellent descriptive phrases. At any rate I feel like things were left unfinished and dissatisfied.
May 4, 2018
Enjoyed the first 2 books, this one has been hard to get through, after over 2 weeks reading it, I'm giving up and moving on to other books.
Might try it again some other time.
Might try it again some other time.
December 30, 2019
Too silly for words.............
March 8, 2020
Cute, silly treasure hunt
October 1, 2020
I much enjoyed another book in this series, enough to reserve this and others, but somehow I found this a confusing and uninspiring slog.
December 26, 2020
This book left me guessing what the characters were looking for as they moved through northern California. This book felt like a villain between books rather than a stand-alone mystery.
March 24, 2023
The library didn't have the 2nd one, so I found this to be very confusing. The story was strange ---- maybe the first one was like that, I don't remember. I doubt I read any more of these.
June 30, 2019
I finished this book early LAST week and already don’t remember much about it. That should tell both of us that I shouldn’t have bothered.
One of the cats at the Antique shop, Rupert, tears a hole in Rebecca’s kitchen wall, and Rebecca finds a vase that matches one in her downstairs Antique Shop. The vase contains a tiny souvenir bear, instead of another bunch of cash which her late uncle has stashed around the premises. The rest of the mystery has Rebecca following the Tour de California bike race around the state along w/ the colorful cast of neighborhood characters we’ve met before.
That is seriously pretty much it for the plot. A neighbor still bears evil intent against her so there is a bit of suspense at the end when Rebecca is in danger. There is a big twist at the end, so I will go ahead and read the next book in the series to see how that resolves—only b/c that book is already downloaded. Otherwise, I wouldn’t.
One of the cats at the Antique shop, Rupert, tears a hole in Rebecca’s kitchen wall, and Rebecca finds a vase that matches one in her downstairs Antique Shop. The vase contains a tiny souvenir bear, instead of another bunch of cash which her late uncle has stashed around the premises. The rest of the mystery has Rebecca following the Tour de California bike race around the state along w/ the colorful cast of neighborhood characters we’ve met before.
That is seriously pretty much it for the plot. A neighbor still bears evil intent against her so there is a bit of suspense at the end when Rebecca is in danger. There is a big twist at the end, so I will go ahead and read the next book in the series to see how that resolves—only b/c that book is already downloaded. Otherwise, I wouldn’t.
March 11, 2017
Catching up on this series-- some interesting techniques with narrators: first person, third, and then the moon, wall bricks, statue, etc. not sure of the point as things did get tangled up. But the cats are fun! They shouldn't be given fried chicken however.
May 23, 2014
Thanks to the antics of Rebecca’s beloved cat Rupert, she has uncovered several bundles of cash stored away in her home. She’s sure they were hidden by her late Uncle Oscar, not long before he died. Now, she uncovers another one of Oscar’s clues. This time it’s an old green vase with a toy bear from Nevada City holding a paper flag. Rebecca is sure this will lead to more hidden treasure.
Her nosy neighbor Montgomery Carmichael is on his way to Nevada City to represent the Mayor at the Tour of California cycling race. Dressed in green spandex, Monty is very impressed with himself and his new job as the Mayor's Life Coach Apprentice. Rebecca decides to hitch a ride with him to see what she can learn about the bear and the Gold Rush era. She plans to leave her two cats at home, but Rupert and Isabella have ideas of their own. So, seated in their new stroller, she takes them along for the adventure. Rupert is more than thrilled to learn he's going in Monty's white van which suspiciously smells of fried chicken and he's more than disappointed not to find any.
This is the third book in the series and I thought it was the best of the three I read. There’s still quite a bit of historic information sprinkled throughout the book. A little too much for my liking especially since I’m not much of a history buff, but the mystery itself was interesting. It’s kind of like a puzzle created by Uncle Oscar and our heroine has to figure out what it’s all about. She has to peel off each layer to try and discover exactly what her uncle was trying to tell her.
The author writes the cat’s point of views with such flair. I always enjoy reading what Rupert and Isabella are thinking. Their thoughts ring so true to what, I think, a cat would be thinking. I still have two more books to catch up on in this series. Anything with cats gets my interest. There are human characters, too, of course. Readers get to catch up with old friends (and a couple of enemies) that we met in previous books.
Don’t plan to have everything wrapped up in one book. The mystery continues through each book. The author does give you a bit of a synopsis about what has happened previously at the beginning of this book, but you will want to read this series from book #1 yourself to truly enjoy and appreciate it.
Her nosy neighbor Montgomery Carmichael is on his way to Nevada City to represent the Mayor at the Tour of California cycling race. Dressed in green spandex, Monty is very impressed with himself and his new job as the Mayor's Life Coach Apprentice. Rebecca decides to hitch a ride with him to see what she can learn about the bear and the Gold Rush era. She plans to leave her two cats at home, but Rupert and Isabella have ideas of their own. So, seated in their new stroller, she takes them along for the adventure. Rupert is more than thrilled to learn he's going in Monty's white van which suspiciously smells of fried chicken and he's more than disappointed not to find any.
This is the third book in the series and I thought it was the best of the three I read. There’s still quite a bit of historic information sprinkled throughout the book. A little too much for my liking especially since I’m not much of a history buff, but the mystery itself was interesting. It’s kind of like a puzzle created by Uncle Oscar and our heroine has to figure out what it’s all about. She has to peel off each layer to try and discover exactly what her uncle was trying to tell her.
The author writes the cat’s point of views with such flair. I always enjoy reading what Rupert and Isabella are thinking. Their thoughts ring so true to what, I think, a cat would be thinking. I still have two more books to catch up on in this series. Anything with cats gets my interest. There are human characters, too, of course. Readers get to catch up with old friends (and a couple of enemies) that we met in previous books.
Don’t plan to have everything wrapped up in one book. The mystery continues through each book. The author does give you a bit of a synopsis about what has happened previously at the beginning of this book, but you will want to read this series from book #1 yourself to truly enjoy and appreciate it.
September 14, 2012
I'm a fan of the world Rebecca M Hale has created in her antique shop series. She has a very good sense of mystery, humour, and unique description. She ties numerous details and threads together exceptionally well, which is why less favourable habits don't deter me from reading whatever this lady publishes. However I address those too, in explanation of my ratings and perhaps to encourage editing from a very worthwhile author.
Images that stand out tremendously well are 'Clem's "waggling eyebrows", pandering to children on stage. Monty has woeful, fist-shaking reactions to nude runners thrice obstructing a newspaper photo. Old-timer circus signs are re-enacted cleverly, harkening back to Mark Twain's jocularity. An advertisement might read: "(There will not be) an elephant riding an aeroplane in tent #3"! Rebecca uses a statue monument to fill in information Clem's orations don't get to; a neat touch. Imagination was on overload when we received council from bricks in a dressing room wall!
The moon seeking the travelling party nightly wasted space, like the technique to show every character's perspective. Different angles might propel the action but not backing-up to reintroduce each segment. This includes people we don't care about, like Harold and commentators at a multiple city bicycle race. I thought detail went into the sportscasters because they’d become involved with the quest. The pace slowed for not. Harold's detour to enter frogs in a race was also useless, though I appreciate the well-trained critters. Where Rebecca excels is educating with facts, while maintaining and reinforcing great interest. Numerous California towns and historical events were tackled seamlessly in this volume.
Images that stand out tremendously well are 'Clem's "waggling eyebrows", pandering to children on stage. Monty has woeful, fist-shaking reactions to nude runners thrice obstructing a newspaper photo. Old-timer circus signs are re-enacted cleverly, harkening back to Mark Twain's jocularity. An advertisement might read: "(There will not be) an elephant riding an aeroplane in tent #3"! Rebecca uses a statue monument to fill in information Clem's orations don't get to; a neat touch. Imagination was on overload when we received council from bricks in a dressing room wall!
The moon seeking the travelling party nightly wasted space, like the technique to show every character's perspective. Different angles might propel the action but not backing-up to reintroduce each segment. This includes people we don't care about, like Harold and commentators at a multiple city bicycle race. I thought detail went into the sportscasters because they’d become involved with the quest. The pace slowed for not. Harold's detour to enter frogs in a race was also useless, though I appreciate the well-trained critters. Where Rebecca excels is educating with facts, while maintaining and reinforcing great interest. Numerous California towns and historical events were tackled seamlessly in this volume.
July 11, 2015
I wanted to like this series, but at the end of the day I find myself ambivalent.
Each story contains a lot of information about the history of San Francisco and the state of California. The mysteries are more treasure hunts for historic past relics than traditional mystery novels.
But I just had a hard time getting through these books. The fact that the main character has no name in the first book and is referred to by everyone as Oscar's niece was just bizarre. This book returns to the tradition of the first, and the main character is once again nameless for the entire book.
Because I purchased the three books as a set, I read them all, but I won't be picking up anything else by this author.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Each story contains a lot of information about the history of San Francisco and the state of California. The mysteries are more treasure hunts for historic past relics than traditional mystery novels.
But I just had a hard time getting through these books. The fact that the main character has no name in the first book and is referred to by everyone as Oscar's niece was just bizarre. This book returns to the tradition of the first, and the main character is once again nameless for the entire book.
Because I purchased the three books as a set, I read them all, but I won't be picking up anything else by this author.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
August 19, 2011
I really like this series. I like it being set in the Bay Area and Northern/East Bay of California. I like the colorful characters we learn to love in the series. I love the Californian history that we learn or in some cases relearn within the pages. O.k. I love this book.
This adventure takes us up to the California Gold Rush towns just a few years before the boom. The year is 1846 and we learn via the Tour de California bike run, the history of the California State Flag and it's proud Bear! As a native Californian, I had never really thought, or learned anything about our state flag. All I knew was it was easily identifiable.
Uncle Oscar, has left his niece a treasure trove of history lessons plus monetary treasures woven all through his shop and former home when he passed suddenly in "How to Wash a Cat." This novel finds us guided through the new mystery by no less than the Moon, itself, Rupert and Isabella, fine felines with exceptional talents and intellect, and Clem, who is the splitting image of Samuel Clement, or Mark Twain as he was better known. Niece is added by Uncle Oscar's friends and encounters his foes as well.
This book is amazing but difficult to review without giving the plot away and I want you, the readers, to find it out for yourselves.
One hint though...watch out for frogs....
This adventure takes us up to the California Gold Rush towns just a few years before the boom. The year is 1846 and we learn via the Tour de California bike run, the history of the California State Flag and it's proud Bear! As a native Californian, I had never really thought, or learned anything about our state flag. All I knew was it was easily identifiable.
Uncle Oscar, has left his niece a treasure trove of history lessons plus monetary treasures woven all through his shop and former home when he passed suddenly in "How to Wash a Cat." This novel finds us guided through the new mystery by no less than the Moon, itself, Rupert and Isabella, fine felines with exceptional talents and intellect, and Clem, who is the splitting image of Samuel Clement, or Mark Twain as he was better known. Niece is added by Uncle Oscar's friends and encounters his foes as well.
This book is amazing but difficult to review without giving the plot away and I want you, the readers, to find it out for yourselves.
One hint though...watch out for frogs....
July 30, 2011
This is the third book of the Cats & Curios Mystery series. In reading this series, you really need to read it in order, you will lose out on a lot if you don't.
This is a "follow" the clues type of book - no murders in it - you're coming closer to the answer of what actually happened to Uncle Oscar. The "heroine" who I noticed was never noted by name in the book, is in for a road trip, with her Jackson Square neighbor and both of her cats, following a clue that Uncle Oscar left in a wall concerning some of California's little know history of it's flag. It was interesting to note all the different ways that the heroine was noted without useing her name, and a good part of the book was in the third person. It was interesting in the cats had a "voice" in some sections of the book also. You'll notice that the rest of the Jackson Square "regulars" also make small appearances in the book, but not as dramatically as in the previous two books. I liked this book more than the previous book and it should be interesting to see where we will be taken in the next book (after all the story hasn't ended yet, and the heroine really doesn't yet have a direction or a romantic interest to allow the series to end).
This is a "follow" the clues type of book - no murders in it - you're coming closer to the answer of what actually happened to Uncle Oscar. The "heroine" who I noticed was never noted by name in the book, is in for a road trip, with her Jackson Square neighbor and both of her cats, following a clue that Uncle Oscar left in a wall concerning some of California's little know history of it's flag. It was interesting to note all the different ways that the heroine was noted without useing her name, and a good part of the book was in the third person. It was interesting in the cats had a "voice" in some sections of the book also. You'll notice that the rest of the Jackson Square "regulars" also make small appearances in the book, but not as dramatically as in the previous two books. I liked this book more than the previous book and it should be interesting to see where we will be taken in the next book (after all the story hasn't ended yet, and the heroine really doesn't yet have a direction or a romantic interest to allow the series to end).
February 12, 2015
I liked this series because it's not your typical cozy mystery. Woman has profession, woman finds body, woman get's knocked on head and unconscious, woman solves murder, woman continues on with profession.
This series has more to it then just a murder, she must solve clues left behind to uncover the facts about the California Gold Rush era. There's more to it then just finding a body and figuring out who murdered him or her. She's got two inquisitive and communicative cats along with some help from her Uncle's secret group. Through out the story of course is some unbelievable events like talking bricks but if you can go along with cats who communicate then talking bricks shouldn't be that big of a deal either.
I'm giving this book three stars, I had problems with in this particular book because I felt like I was reading book one all over again. Even though I knew this wasn't book one I felt like the author had just taken parts from book one and slapped them in this book to fill the story line. Same historical characters and events and even locations. I love a book that teaches me something and the first one did but this one not so much.
There is no murder in this one but that's what I liked about it. Sure there's a mystery to solve just not a murder mystery.
This series has more to it then just a murder, she must solve clues left behind to uncover the facts about the California Gold Rush era. There's more to it then just finding a body and figuring out who murdered him or her. She's got two inquisitive and communicative cats along with some help from her Uncle's secret group. Through out the story of course is some unbelievable events like talking bricks but if you can go along with cats who communicate then talking bricks shouldn't be that big of a deal either.
I'm giving this book three stars, I had problems with in this particular book because I felt like I was reading book one all over again. Even though I knew this wasn't book one I felt like the author had just taken parts from book one and slapped them in this book to fill the story line. Same historical characters and events and even locations. I love a book that teaches me something and the first one did but this one not so much.
There is no murder in this one but that's what I liked about it. Sure there's a mystery to solve just not a murder mystery.
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