The Cat Next Door

by Marian Babson

Returning home to England from New York, Margot finds her family in chaos. Her cousin Chloe is in prison awaiting trial for murdering her twin sister Claudia, their mother has withdrawn into the imaginary world of her romance novels, Claudia's 14-year-old daughter has regressed to early childhood and refuses to leave her bed, and to top it all off, the family cat has decided to live with the neighbors.

As Chloe's trial approaches, the atmosphere in the house becomes increasingly fraught and Margot begins to wonder whether someone else is responsible for Claudia's death. Is Chloe taking the blame for the family's sake? It's not until a second murder that the pieces begin to fall into place and the cat agrees to come home.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cats, Cozy, Animals

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2002

About the author

Marian Babson, a pseudonym for Ruth Stenstreem, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, but lived in London for the greater part of her life.

She worked as a librarian; managed a campaign headquarters; was a receptionist, secretary, and den mother to a firm of commercial artists; and was co-editor of a machine knitting magazine, despite the fact that she can’t knit, even with two needles.

A long sojourn as a temp sent her into the heart of business life all over London, working for architects, law firms, the British Museum, a Soho club, and even a visiting superstar.

She also served as secretary to the Crime Writers’ Association. She became a full-time writer whose many interests included theatre, cinema, art, cooking, travel, and, of course, cats, which feature in many of her mystery books. Her first published work was 'Cover-Up Story' in 1971 and 'Only the Cat' (2007) was her 44th novel.

The publisher's tagline for her style is "Murder Most British," a style reflected in each of her novels. Any violence is not graphically described and the sleuths are usually amateurs.

She re-used certain characters, such as the publicity firm Perkins & Tate, and a couple of ageing actresses, her books all stand-alone and can be read in any order.

Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally adore author Marian Babson, but I got 20% into this audiobook edition, and, had it not been for the book blurb, I would not have known who was dead and who was on trial. Instead, the book is taken up with highlighting the idiosyncrasies of Margot's faintly crazy family. I just finally gave up.

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot of this one was sedate to the point of soporific--literally. I found myself dozing off within a couple dozen pages every time I tried to read it. The characters were so bland I couldn't keep them straight, nothing happened but talk for the first 130 pages (of a 190 page book), and the ending--when I finally stayed awake long enough to get there--was rather silly. Recommended for people who like their mysteries slow paced and squeaky-clean.

Although there were a few points that stood out:

1. The family has a cat named Tickety-boo.
2. For which they paid 500 pounds (!!)
3. And then they let this super-expensive cat wander freely all over the neighborhood

For the love of little green apples...just adopt a free kitten and call it Fluffy or something normal.

[Peggy Sinden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not what I thought it was going to be like. Not enough cat interaction with the story line. Still it was an easy and entertaining read.

[Mac Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a year away, Marion returns home to support her family during the trial of a family member. She finds a family much different than the one she left. Her once vivacious aunt, has retreated within herself, living in the world of her soap operas. The victim's daughter refuses to leave her room. Even the family cat has abandoned the family, moving to the next door neighbour's house. The mystery seems cut and dried. After all the accused was found with the bloody knife. Or is it?

While the mystery is a little thin, the character building more than makes up for it.

[Rebecca Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

I stayed interested through the whole book. I enjoy Miss babson's writing style. Her characters are interested and well created. The plot was good. The end was surprising. I would like to read more of her books.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little story. But I felt like they didn’t get fully into the details. Like, there were details but they weren’t explained.

[Marina Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, well what's the best way to start the new year reading schedule but with a book that includes a beautiful Abyssinian cat. The dynamics of a dysfunctional family are expertly depicted in this novel and we get to see how this family struggles to cope with this tragedy and subsequent fall out which affects each family member. Then, the last straw, Tiki the cat has abandoned the family and nobody knows why but Tiki has moved in with their neighbor next door, Olive. Olive has tried unsuccessfully to return Tiki to his owners but the cat has made up his mind and refuses to stay. I knew right away that I would love this story.
The story begins with one of the family cousins, Margot returning from New York to St. Albans England to the ancestral home including 3 aunts, 1 uncle, 7 cousins, 1 nanny, 1 grandchild, one cousin in law and his paramour. Once there, Margot has to determine whether or not her cousin Chloe is guilty of killing her twin sister Claudia and if possible find out who really killed Claudia.
Things change when Margot discovers the body of another victim, who turns out to be Polly Parsons, the owner of an adventure-oriented travel agency, who turns out to have a connection to Claudia. This new development, causes the trial to be adjourned and the hunt is on for another possible suspect.
Soon the murderer is revealed and I was not too surprised but this story was more about the family interaction and their relationships. Happily, Tiki returns home once the murderer is discovered and all is well with the family.
Very enjoyable read. Probably will take in more of Marion Babson's cat mysteries.

[Lyn Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAY INCLUDE SPOILERS

I can see this book adapted into a film w/ the various aunts played by the grand dames of British acting--Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, Judy Dench, Olivia Colman. Maybe someone like Lily James would be the young lead. The cat is a cat, but he's also a character in the story. And I caught on to the young protagonist's mystery affliction before the characters in the plot did--it's the first time I've ever seen Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) also known, especially in Great Britain, as myalgic encephalomyelitis or myalgic encephalopathy (both abbreviated ME). I'd like to see more stories that uses CFS/ME as part of the plot.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out well. I was even making mental comparisons to Mary Stewart. The story started to drag a little, but I was still on board with it.

Then: the murderer was revealed and a gold digger got her comeuppance. Guess which seemed more important to the victim's family? I know the rich are different but seriously? Spoiled the book for me.

[Elizabeth J. Roby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cat Next Door

A baffling mystery with a shocking conclusion. Two murders, one before the book begins, and one near the end. Are they related? Is Chloe guilty of killing her twin? And why did the cat spend more time next door than at home? Marian Hanson keeps you in suspense!

[Judy Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery

Family dynamics are skillfully portrayed as they struggle to cope with tragedy that has impacted their
lives in utterly unexpected ways. Of
course Tiki the cat is part of the family! Babson always writes tales
well worth reading!

[Katrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very boring book! I thought I like it but just too slow.

[Virginia Kessen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babson's books are always good, light, fun. This was one of the weaker efforts but it was still a good quick read.

[Julie Bock · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cat next door

Not as good as I thought it would be. But I got through it. I probably won't be reading the next ones.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Not much too it. Lots of fluff. Storyline is good. Characters are interesting. Just wish there was a little more meat to the book.

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ mystery was straightforward and not too surprising. Easy read and entertaining characters, could have been a much better book!

[Linda Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. My main complaint was it was hard to keep up with all the characters. I felt like the ending was a bit too contrived and rushed.

[ang❀┃books.with.ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was genuinely surprised how much I like this little mystery. Will definatley be diving into more books by Ms. Babson!

[Jo Bujarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all her books, but prefer the Tate and Perkins ones best.

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 3 out of 5]

really easy read, liked the story but could have used more from it.

[Vickie Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the ending

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian Babson is one of those authors that I tend to forget how much I enjoy her books until I read them. They are not usually very long, but there is a great deal of plot in the slim volumes.

This one was no different. The Cat Next Door was a really minor, but important character, and I think it would have been better had the title not been changed for the US market. The original title was Deadly Deceit, which was a more descriptive title. I think the US market needs a catch to hang the "series" on and in Marian Babson's case, it was cats.

It was a very good mystery, and I was on the wrong track for the whole book. I like it when I have trouble figuring out the mystery. Some readers may find the long lead-up to the murder annoying, but I kind of like having the exposition and then a relatively quick resolution.

If you haven't tried out a Marian Babson book, give one a go -- it's a quick fun read, great for planes, trains, or waiting rooms.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wasn't thrilled with this book. I bought it because I read another one of Babson's books, "In the Company of Cats," and I loved it. This one, however, was very much lackluster in comparison. It just seemed to drag on forever, especially with needless details. Do you really need to know what the coffee tastes like, down to the very last milliliter? Or what color every flower in the garden is? Are these clues supposed to help the reader solve the crime? It just felt like the story was trudging forward with few real plot twists. It wasn't exciting and definitely wasn't a "couldn't put it down" sort of book. At only 192 pages, it took me forever to read. Also, one of the reasons I wanted to read this book is because I love cats, and the cat in the book had no real role. The story wouldn't have lost anything without him. He was just awkwardly shoved into the story but had nothing to do with it. All in all, disappointed with this book.

[Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book, quick read. The lead character Margot is by far the most interesting character. The description of the book http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17... says "...Margot decides it's up to her to investigate." But this overstates the situation. Really the characters are mostly drifting.

Very hard to keep up with all the aunts and uncles and cousins. Watching the reactions of various family members to the events is very interesting and a little sad. Because Margot's illness was never explained and because there was some question about the murder's next move, the ending wasn't totally satisfying. I wondered if there was a sequel, but the comments posted here indicate not.

Not much about the cat, so I can't tag it cats-and-mysteries.

[Theresa Leone Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably closer to a three star but I am feeling generous so what the hell. Apparently the author has done a whole series of 'feline mysteries,' a new one for me, and the reason I picked it up off the library shelf is because it has a cat on the cover. At first I did not like the story, too many characters and an ill defined mystery, and I thought the author was trying too hard to channel her inner Agatha Christie. However, by the second or third chapter I was engrossed, and it was, even though lightweight, a good little mystery. And actually, comparing Babson to Agatha Christie is not all that off the wall: there are a lot of similarities between the two. If you are looking for a fun mystery, and especially if you like cats, give this one a try. :)

[Johanna Hume · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm currently in the middle of the book and seriously, it's gotten nowhere. The only reason I'm finishing it is because I need something to read right now. Other than that, the book is a complete disappointment, as is every other book by this author. She gives too much detail in the pointless beginnings and not enough detail in the conclusions. Plus her characters are obnoxious and annoying. She almost makes Stephanie Meyer look like a real author. Almost.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lackluster. This was my first Babson book, and it may be my last. The narrative focused mostly on the emotional effects of tragedy on the family, which is a point well taken; but it isn't until the last chapter or two that it becomes at all a mystery. Even when a confession of sorts comes, there address plenty of questions left unanswered. Babson tries to portray a once-happy family brought down by unspeakable events, but none of it is particularly believable. Pass.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing a review months after I read it and the details are a little fuzzy. This was a family murder mystery and it was ...okay 🤷🏻‍♀️. I mean it wasn't terrible but just meh. I remember being a little confused about the details in the beginning, like who exactly was murdered and how they fit in with the main character and the rest of the family.

Also... I thought this would be more about a cat.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most of the characters in this book are certifiable: a depressive, a sociopath, and assorted narcissists. The protagonist suffers from some debilitating health problem that is never accurately disclosed. No wonder the cat left. I'm surprised I stuck with it to the end.

[Roberta Marro · Rating 1 out of 5]

This must be close to the dumbest book I've read. I'm still trying to figure out why I bothered to finish it. The plot could have been completely covered in three pages. Too many characters, too much whining, too repetitious. I could go on, but why?