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Pru Marlowe #2
Cats Can't Shoot
[This is the Audiobook CASSETTE Library Edition in vinyl case.]
Could a white Persian cat really have killed her owner, or might this have something to do with one pricey collectible?
When Pru Marlowe gets the call that there's been a cat shooting, she's furious. Animal brutality is the one thing that this tough animal psychic won't stand for, and in her role as a behaviorist, she's determined to care for the traumatized pet.
But when Pru finds out that it was the cat who did the shooting--accidentally setting off a rare dueling pistol--she realizes something else is going on. Could the white Persian really have killed her owner, or did the whole bloody mess have something to do with one pricey collectible? With the white cat turning a deaf ear to her questions, Pru must tune in to Beauville's other pampered residents, from the dead man's elite social set to their equally spoiled pets, to learn the truth, before her ex, a former New York cop, gets too close.
In a world where value is determined by a price tag, the pedigreed puss may have a reason for revenge, and only Pru Marlowe and her trusty tabby, Wallis, can figure out whether this was a case of feline felony or if some human has set up the Persian as the ultimate cat's-paw.
Could a white Persian cat really have killed her owner, or might this have something to do with one pricey collectible?
When Pru Marlowe gets the call that there's been a cat shooting, she's furious. Animal brutality is the one thing that this tough animal psychic won't stand for, and in her role as a behaviorist, she's determined to care for the traumatized pet.
But when Pru finds out that it was the cat who did the shooting--accidentally setting off a rare dueling pistol--she realizes something else is going on. Could the white Persian really have killed her owner, or did the whole bloody mess have something to do with one pricey collectible? With the white cat turning a deaf ear to her questions, Pru must tune in to Beauville's other pampered residents, from the dead man's elite social set to their equally spoiled pets, to learn the truth, before her ex, a former New York cop, gets too close.
In a world where value is determined by a price tag, the pedigreed puss may have a reason for revenge, and only Pru Marlowe and her trusty tabby, Wallis, can figure out whether this was a case of feline felony or if some human has set up the Persian as the ultimate cat's-paw.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published April 3, 2012
16 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Clea Simon
57 books405 followersBoston Globe-bestselling author Clea Simon is the author of
The Butterfly Trap,
a sinister slow-build "he said/she said" that will definitely surprise you.
This follows Bad Boy Beat a fast-paced amateur sleuth mystery featuring a novice crime reporter with a nose for news who is convinced a series of street-level killings are connected.
In a different mood, Clea's most recent cozy is The Cat's Eye Charm, the fifth in her "Witch Cats of Cambridge" series.
She is also the author of the psychological suspense novels, Hold Me Down and World Enough, both named "Must Reads" by the Massachusetts Book Awards, as well as the dystopian Blackie and Care black cat series (The Ninth Life), the Dulcie Schwartz feline/academic mysteries (Shades of Grey), the Pru Marlowe pet noir mysteries (Dogs Don't Lie), and the Theda Krakow cats & crime & rock & roll mysteries (Mew is for Murder), as well as three nonfiction books: Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of Mentally Ill Siblings; Fatherless Women: How We Change After We Lose Our Dads; and The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.
The recipient of multiple honors, including the Cat Writers Associations Presidents Award, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jon Garelick, and their cat, Thisbe. Find her at Clea Simon.com
This follows Bad Boy Beat a fast-paced amateur sleuth mystery featuring a novice crime reporter with a nose for news who is convinced a series of street-level killings are connected.
In a different mood, Clea's most recent cozy is The Cat's Eye Charm, the fifth in her "Witch Cats of Cambridge" series.
She is also the author of the psychological suspense novels, Hold Me Down and World Enough, both named "Must Reads" by the Massachusetts Book Awards, as well as the dystopian Blackie and Care black cat series (The Ninth Life), the Dulcie Schwartz feline/academic mysteries (Shades of Grey), the Pru Marlowe pet noir mysteries (Dogs Don't Lie), and the Theda Krakow cats & crime & rock & roll mysteries (Mew is for Murder), as well as three nonfiction books: Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of Mentally Ill Siblings; Fatherless Women: How We Change After We Lose Our Dads; and The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.
The recipient of multiple honors, including the Cat Writers Associations Presidents Award, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jon Garelick, and their cat, Thisbe. Find her at Clea Simon.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 29, 2012
This woman either needs to listen to her editor, or she needs a better one. Aside from all the typos, this was poorly written. Many parts of it made no sense. I especially liked where she talked about a deaf cat being startled by loud noises. The main character is also very stupid. At first I thought her cat was a jerk, but then I realized how hard it must be for that cat to have to live with someone who is such an idiot.
July 19, 2024
The second book in this series was as enjoyable as the first. A cute premise and a nice, escapist read.
February 2, 2018
Cats Can't Shoot: Pru Marlowe 2
Chronological order, not necessary but recommended.
In A Nutshell: Pru Marlowe, a pet behaviourist with a psychic touch, is called to rescue a cat from a homicide scene. The Persian pussy has accidentally shot her wealthy owner with an antique pistol that has a 'hair trigger.' A novel approach to murder mysteries with biting sarcasm from the animals. Entertaining and hard-boiled.
The Protagonists: Pru prefers animals to people and not just because she can 'talk' to them. Pru is on a voyage of self-discovery and acceptance. The woman searching for or falling inlove does not apply. Falling in lust however...And there are no boring sex scenes to prove the author has watched porn, read 50 shades or is not a virgin. But the imagination is teased with a glimpse of Pru's laissez-faire approach to love. Pru is not prudish. I'mjussayin. She has a chequered past and drives a big bad classic.
The Plot:Is this a feline felony? Pru danced with the now deceased so she has a dual interest in his death.
Pru is an interesting enough character on her own. However, she is joined by her housemate Wallis the cat, Frank the Ferret and Growler the gay Bichon Frise. They all have issues but keep Pru in her place. The best lines in the book come from them. The animals also have colourful owners. Simon paints a vivid and entertaining picture.
The story is further enriched by Pru's ex-cop ex-beau turning up asking questions. And her beau of the moment is the cop handling the case.
A fast-paced hard-boiled pet noir.
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Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next oneor reread ?: Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
Chronological order, not necessary but recommended.
In A Nutshell: Pru Marlowe, a pet behaviourist with a psychic touch, is called to rescue a cat from a homicide scene. The Persian pussy has accidentally shot her wealthy owner with an antique pistol that has a 'hair trigger.' A novel approach to murder mysteries with biting sarcasm from the animals. Entertaining and hard-boiled.
The Protagonists: Pru prefers animals to people and not just because she can 'talk' to them. Pru is on a voyage of self-discovery and acceptance. The woman searching for or falling in
The Plot:Is this a feline felony? Pru danced with the now deceased so she has a dual interest in his death.
Pru is an interesting enough character on her own. However, she is joined by her housemate Wallis the cat, Frank the Ferret and Growler the gay Bichon Frise. They all have issues but keep Pru in her place. The best lines in the book come from them. The animals also have colourful owners. Simon paints a vivid and entertaining picture.
The story is further enriched by Pru's ex-cop ex-beau turning up asking questions. And her beau of the moment is the cop handling the case.
A fast-paced hard-boiled pet noir.
Connect with me on Twitter
Follow my blog on Bloglovin’
Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
March 21, 2012
Cats Can’t Shoot
By Clea Simon
Copyright April 2012
Publisher Poisoned Pen Press
When Pru Marlowe gets the call that there’s been a cat shooting, she’s furious. Animal brutality is the one thing that this tough animal psychic won’t stand for, and in her role as a behaviorist she’s determined to care for the traumatized pet. But when Pru finds out that the cat did the shooting – accidentally setting off a rare dueling pistol – she realizes something else is going on. Could the white Persian really have killed her owner – or did the whole bloody mess have something to do with that pricey collectible? With the white cat turning a deaf ear to her questions, Pru must tune in to Beauville’s other pampered residents – from the dead man’s elite social set to their equally spoiled pets – and learn the truth before her ex, a former New York cop, gets too close. In a world where value is determined by a price tag, only Pru Marlowe and her trusty tabby Wallis can figure out if this was a case of feline felony – or if some human has set the Persian up to be the ultimate cat’s paw.
The story begins with Pru receiving a strange sort of phone call. She assumes from the message that a pet has been shot, but when she arrives at the crime scene she finds a live cat and a dead owner. Even stranger is the fact that the cat is being charged with the killing. Pru tries to communicate with the cat but is being blocked at all turns and even gets hissed at for her trouble.
Pru is forced to put on her leather gauntlets to protect her hands as she puts the cat into a carrier box. The trip to the shelter takes 20 minutes and that’s how long she had to try and get this poor frightened cat to open up to her.
This story is very tightly written with lots of plot twists, false trails, and snarky pets and too many suspects for one amateur investigator to handle. Pru and her cat Wallis will have their hands and paws full till the very surprising end. This book is definitely a keeper.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author who only asked for a fair review.
By Clea Simon
Copyright April 2012
Publisher Poisoned Pen Press
When Pru Marlowe gets the call that there’s been a cat shooting, she’s furious. Animal brutality is the one thing that this tough animal psychic won’t stand for, and in her role as a behaviorist she’s determined to care for the traumatized pet. But when Pru finds out that the cat did the shooting – accidentally setting off a rare dueling pistol – she realizes something else is going on. Could the white Persian really have killed her owner – or did the whole bloody mess have something to do with that pricey collectible? With the white cat turning a deaf ear to her questions, Pru must tune in to Beauville’s other pampered residents – from the dead man’s elite social set to their equally spoiled pets – and learn the truth before her ex, a former New York cop, gets too close. In a world where value is determined by a price tag, only Pru Marlowe and her trusty tabby Wallis can figure out if this was a case of feline felony – or if some human has set the Persian up to be the ultimate cat’s paw.
The story begins with Pru receiving a strange sort of phone call. She assumes from the message that a pet has been shot, but when she arrives at the crime scene she finds a live cat and a dead owner. Even stranger is the fact that the cat is being charged with the killing. Pru tries to communicate with the cat but is being blocked at all turns and even gets hissed at for her trouble.
Pru is forced to put on her leather gauntlets to protect her hands as she puts the cat into a carrier box. The trip to the shelter takes 20 minutes and that’s how long she had to try and get this poor frightened cat to open up to her.
This story is very tightly written with lots of plot twists, false trails, and snarky pets and too many suspects for one amateur investigator to handle. Pru and her cat Wallis will have their hands and paws full till the very surprising end. This book is definitely a keeper.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author who only asked for a fair review.
November 23, 2012
I really liked the first book in this series, Dogs Don't Lie: A Pru Marlowe Pet Noir because Pru seemed to care so much about animals, but in this one Pru seemed very manipulative but not smart. In noir, the detective really needs to be smart and there should be snappy dialogue. Unfortunately, the snappiest dialogue belongs to Pru's cat. That doesn't speak well for any of the humans in this book. But I really did like the felines. They were purr-fect.
April 1, 2012
Clea has NAILED the animal behavior content, and obviously has great affection for all-things-furry. Pru the behaviorist "hears" the thoughts of her furry charges, which helps her solve they mystery of a Persian "killer." Fans of cozy cat mysteries will lap this up like cream as they second-guess if cats really CAN shoot.
March 17, 2015
Pru Marlowe has now been back in her home town of Beauville in western Massachusetts for months, and she has regular clients, a routine, and friends and colleagues. Her cat, Wallis, is still the only one she can talk freely to, because of course she can't tell any humans about her ability to hear and communicate with the minds of animals. But the ability gives her what others see as a "gift" in working with animals, so her animal behavior business is growing.
Then the local police, specifically sometime beau Jim Creighton, call her to the scene of a cat shooting. She's horrified and angry, until she arrives at the scene. Then she's astonished. The cat, a white Persian named Fluffy, has apparently accidentally shot and killed her owner.
The weapon is an antique dueling pistol whose provenance isn't apparent. The victim, Donal Franklin, is, it turns out, a retired mobster spending his time and money on good works. His friend and lawyer is Llewellyn McMudge, an occasional gentleman friend of Pru's--and he's not answering his phone. The widow, Louise Franklin, is behaving in odd and inconsistent ways. And the cat, Fluffy, the only real witness, is shut down completely, and Pru can get nothing from her. There's also the puzzle of Donal's apparent girlfriend, a young woman who looks remarkably similar to Louise Franklin, who seems to be the only person interested in the welfare of the cat.
Simon gives us a neat little mystery, with a good deal of personal angst for Pru. She's worried she's losing her always-problematic ability to communicate with animals, Wallis is being judgmental and unhelpful, and one of her more difficult ex-boyfriends appears from New York. Tom Reynolds, an always somewhat dirty, now ex, NYC cop, is working for an unnamed private client for some unspecified purpose, and wants an introduction to Llewellyn McMudge. Pru is pulled in multiple directions, not quite keeping up with events, and getting ill--very similar to the way she got ill in NYC when her pet psychic abilities first appeared. Can she keep things together long enough to find out what really happened to Franklin, what's going on with Fluffy, and who is doing what to whom?
It's an enjoyable light mystery, with good animal behavior substance, even if sometimes you'll want to whack Pru with a clue-by-four.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
Then the local police, specifically sometime beau Jim Creighton, call her to the scene of a cat shooting. She's horrified and angry, until she arrives at the scene. Then she's astonished. The cat, a white Persian named Fluffy, has apparently accidentally shot and killed her owner.
The weapon is an antique dueling pistol whose provenance isn't apparent. The victim, Donal Franklin, is, it turns out, a retired mobster spending his time and money on good works. His friend and lawyer is Llewellyn McMudge, an occasional gentleman friend of Pru's--and he's not answering his phone. The widow, Louise Franklin, is behaving in odd and inconsistent ways. And the cat, Fluffy, the only real witness, is shut down completely, and Pru can get nothing from her. There's also the puzzle of Donal's apparent girlfriend, a young woman who looks remarkably similar to Louise Franklin, who seems to be the only person interested in the welfare of the cat.
Simon gives us a neat little mystery, with a good deal of personal angst for Pru. She's worried she's losing her always-problematic ability to communicate with animals, Wallis is being judgmental and unhelpful, and one of her more difficult ex-boyfriends appears from New York. Tom Reynolds, an always somewhat dirty, now ex, NYC cop, is working for an unnamed private client for some unspecified purpose, and wants an introduction to Llewellyn McMudge. Pru is pulled in multiple directions, not quite keeping up with events, and getting ill--very similar to the way she got ill in NYC when her pet psychic abilities first appeared. Can she keep things together long enough to find out what really happened to Franklin, what's going on with Fluffy, and who is doing what to whom?
It's an enjoyable light mystery, with good animal behavior substance, even if sometimes you'll want to whack Pru with a clue-by-four.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
May 14, 2012
Continuing with my "cat" theme, the next book in my "to be read" pile was this fun and slightly dark "petcentric" (my new word!) mystery. This series is described as a Pet Noir. It's not a cutesy pet mystery. Pru is something of a rebel. She likes to party, enjoys a beer or a shot (or both!), has a wardrobe consisting of a lot of denim and leather (and one pair of good pumps!) and drives a muscle car. She also can "hear" animals in her mind and communicate with them.
A different writer might have turned this into something sappy with animals thinking happy thoughts. This series presents animals expressing fear, obsessions, disappointment, yearning and anger as well as disdain, self satisfaction, pragmatism and and a strong sense of self worth.
This is the second in the series. It opens with the murder of a wealthy man who has apparently been killed by accident: his cat apparently pulled the trigger of an antique dueling pistol that literally had a "hair trigger." Of course, it's not that easy or there wouldn't be a mystery! The cat doesn't communicate with Pru so she has to figure out another way to find out what happened. Because if she doesn't, the cat might be euthanized. Pru spends time discussing the case with her tabby, Wallis, who is especially disdainful of humans and their ways.
This is a fast-paced mystery with some funny lines and an interesting story with a twist. Pru is a different kind of investigator - someone who prefers animals to people, who understands them and appreciates them. And often, the animals have the best lines!
A different writer might have turned this into something sappy with animals thinking happy thoughts. This series presents animals expressing fear, obsessions, disappointment, yearning and anger as well as disdain, self satisfaction, pragmatism and and a strong sense of self worth.
This is the second in the series. It opens with the murder of a wealthy man who has apparently been killed by accident: his cat apparently pulled the trigger of an antique dueling pistol that literally had a "hair trigger." Of course, it's not that easy or there wouldn't be a mystery! The cat doesn't communicate with Pru so she has to figure out another way to find out what happened. Because if she doesn't, the cat might be euthanized. Pru spends time discussing the case with her tabby, Wallis, who is especially disdainful of humans and their ways.
This is a fast-paced mystery with some funny lines and an interesting story with a twist. Pru is a different kind of investigator - someone who prefers animals to people, who understands them and appreciates them. And often, the animals have the best lines!
November 3, 2013
This cat mystery found its way to me from the Poisoned Pen quite recently. The book is a little over 250 pages, so it's a quick read. The author, Clea Simon, develops this mystery nicely with plenty of holes appearing in the version of events the narrator cobbles together. So it is not one of those speciality mystery books which suffer from too little mystery and too much preciousness. Her spare, but insightful descriptions of her characters in the Berkshires are well-honed. The plot is cleanly constructed with some nuance and depth.
However, the narrative device with which she endows her storyteller begins as mildly annoying and jumps the shark before the book's end. Her first-person narrator is a cat behaviorist and (this is not a spoiler, you will see it on the book's dustcover) her encounters with animals are characterized by her speaking with the animals and the animals replying. It's not a Mister Ed kind of thing, it is a silent communication. However, the words are (not) spoken quite clearly. I just couldn't get past this. I was also somewhat miffed with her narrator taking a salvo at her cat by bringing up opposable thumbs. My life experience with cats has proven to me time and again that cats have no need of opposable thumbs.
I do think that most folks will not react as badly as I did, for them, this will be a fun read and fine mystery. Cat lovers and mystery lovers will both enjoy this tale.
April 26, 2012
This book had a fantastic (not meaning fantasy,) premise of a cat being accused of murdering a man, it's owner. Is it even possible? What about the cat being traumatized? Was the cat enraged and possessed murderous thoughts? Had it been abused or was it being used as a cover-up for another human who possessed evil thoughts? I mean physically possible. Cats are predatory but a house cat shooting her master?
We are taken along with Pru Marlowe, a pet behaviorist (almost,) who receives a chilling telephone call...a 'cat shooting.' Pru rushes to the scene expecting the worse..a fallen cat, only to find the cat is the accused and may be injured.
Pru, in the style of another 'Marlowe' becomes a detective trying to solve not only this murder or accident, but another male friends demise. Why is she swirling in the middle of all this bloodshed and chaos? Pru turns to Wallis, her companion for answers, but finds out she must decode this for herself.
This was a true Pet Noir mystery. Again it reminds me of the famous Philip Marlowe books by Raymond Chandler. Rough character and darned good at what he did...solving crimes. This is not a cozy murder mystery but a hard core mystery that will have you following along at a surprising pace.
We are taken along with Pru Marlowe, a pet behaviorist (almost,) who receives a chilling telephone call...a 'cat shooting.' Pru rushes to the scene expecting the worse..a fallen cat, only to find the cat is the accused and may be injured.
Pru, in the style of another 'Marlowe' becomes a detective trying to solve not only this murder or accident, but another male friends demise. Why is she swirling in the middle of all this bloodshed and chaos? Pru turns to Wallis, her companion for answers, but finds out she must decode this for herself.
This was a true Pet Noir mystery. Again it reminds me of the famous Philip Marlowe books by Raymond Chandler. Rough character and darned good at what he did...solving crimes. This is not a cozy murder mystery but a hard core mystery that will have you following along at a surprising pace.
February 24, 2017
Pru Marlowe is called in to work with a Persian that is thought to have accidentally killer her person, a well-to-do man who has been collecting antique guns. It appears that she set off the gun and killed the person who cared most for her. The cat is traumatized, and Pru has a hard time picking up anything from her except anger and fear. Confusing things is the wife's inconsistent attitude toward the cat--she hates it but wants to sell it to a breeder. Then there's the supposed dead man's girlfriend, who bears a striking resemblance to the new widow. Pru does her best to pick up information from the various pets she works with, but some of them are pretty annoyed with her too. Her own cat, Wallis, is constantly trying to give her advice, but it is, as should be expected, somewhat oblique. Clea Simon keeps the story moving forward even as it becomes more and more evident how the murder was carried out and who the culprits are. There are some good twists nearing the end, and the author is always light with the clues. This is a well done traditional mystery with Pru and her ex-boyfriends holding the reader's interest while the animals grow less and less enamored of their persons.
June 29, 2021
I'm still enthralled with this very different series. And this volume certainly did not disappoint at all. Pru is called when a cat, now utterly traumatized, apparently accidentally shoots her owner with a rare antique dueling pistol. And now it seems that the cat's very life is in danger unless Pru can break through to her and find out what happened...without being killed in the process. As usual, Wallis is standing by to give sane, sensible advice, and there is nothing saner, more sensible, or for that matter, more pragmatic than a cat!
As much as I am enjoying this series, this soon after my stroke, it is a bit heavy-going. More noir than cozy, I don't want to miss nuances, so I will pick it back up in a few weeks!
As much as I am enjoying this series, this soon after my stroke, it is a bit heavy-going. More noir than cozy, I don't want to miss nuances, so I will pick it back up in a few weeks!
July 20, 2015
Cats are talented, but could one really shoot her owner? Pru doesn't think so, but can she clear the cat and save its life? Pru can communicate with animals in a most unusual way - a way she can't readily share with others. The poor cat is so traumatized by the shooting, she really can't think about it. And, of course, the murderer is still lurking close by. Pru has her hands full as she races against time to save the cat and restore the cat's mental health. An interesting and entertaining tale, Pru is a likable character in an involved plot of mystery and intrigue.
September 26, 2018
I found this book a disappointment after reading the first book in the series. Unlike the first book, the murder mystery is painfully obvious from very early in the story and Pru's utter obliviousness to what is staring her in the face feels ridiculous and slow witted. The further exploration of her psychic ability feels contrived and not very interesting. Her interaction with animals which was intriguing and nuanced in the first book, feels forced and fairly pointless here. Would not recommend this book.
January 26, 2014
A number of things irritated me about this book. I disliked the whole telepathy with animals thing, which also brought into fairly shallow stereotypes of various animals. I also thought that there were too many ex boyfriends and Pru herself was fairly unlikeable. Noticable spelling mistakes, gramatical errors and inconsistencies jarred even though I'm hardly an expert. On the plus side, I read it all the way through.
February 1, 2023
I'm going to preface this by saying that I have not read the first book. The library didn't have it and I assumed, like most cozy mysteries, reading the first one was unnecessary to enjoy the second one. I was right, but mostly because I didn’t enjoy it.
I was all set to be amused by the MCs personality but her little comments were starting to grow old by chapter 5. I managed to make it to 32 pages before deciding her mindset of 'demons are better than people' was not worth reading the best cozy mystery and, considering how hard the author hit me over the head with Little Miss Not-Like-Other-Girls' personally, I doubt it was.
Now, I believe that you shouldn't criticize new writers for making bad characters. Every writer has written bad characters because writing bad characters is the only way to learn how to write good characters. But eventually, you're supposed to actually learn how to write good characters and preferably before you publish a book.
Now, characters can be horrible people, but the fact that they're horrible has to be either interesting, or it has to be acknowledged as horrible. She has neither. Granted, I only got 32 pages in, but I highly doubt anyone called her out on it.
Finally, to end this review, I'm going to show you why the only character I truly feel bad for is not the dead guy, not the cat, and certainly not the main character, but her mother.
But people die. If I hadn't learned that in the city, I'd have picked it up back here, watching my mother fade away the previous spring. She'd not been a health nut; still, she'd been the kind who did everything right. Didn't drink, didn't smoke. Tried her best to keep her only child out of trouble. She'd struggled to keep us together after my father had taken off, and she hadn't stopped me when I wanted to leave. That says something. Still, she was so fragile by the end that even turning her in bed hurt her. And then she was gone. Hard to be sentimental about something so common.
Damn.
I was all set to be amused by the MCs personality but her little comments were starting to grow old by chapter 5. I managed to make it to 32 pages before deciding her mindset of 'demons are better than people' was not worth reading the best cozy mystery and, considering how hard the author hit me over the head with Little Miss Not-Like-Other-Girls' personally, I doubt it was.
Now, I believe that you shouldn't criticize new writers for making bad characters. Every writer has written bad characters because writing bad characters is the only way to learn how to write good characters. But eventually, you're supposed to actually learn how to write good characters and preferably before you publish a book.
Now, characters can be horrible people, but the fact that they're horrible has to be either interesting, or it has to be acknowledged as horrible. She has neither. Granted, I only got 32 pages in, but I highly doubt anyone called her out on it.
Finally, to end this review, I'm going to show you why the only character I truly feel bad for is not the dead guy, not the cat, and certainly not the main character, but her mother.
But people die. If I hadn't learned that in the city, I'd have picked it up back here, watching my mother fade away the previous spring. She'd not been a health nut; still, she'd been the kind who did everything right. Didn't drink, didn't smoke. Tried her best to keep her only child out of trouble. She'd struggled to keep us together after my father had taken off, and she hadn't stopped me when I wanted to leave. That says something. Still, she was so fragile by the end that even turning her in bed hurt her. And then she was gone. Hard to be sentimental about something so common.
Damn.
April 1, 2012
Animal psychic, Pru Marlowe, hears there has been a cat shooting and she’s furious. She can’t stand the idea of animal brutality and she plans to make sure this situation is dealt with and fast. However, when she arrives on the scene, she discovers that the cat is the one who is accused of doing the shooting using an antique gun. Although relieved that no cat has been shot, she’s not buying that the cat is guilty either.
She tries to communicate with the beautiful Persian, but she has no luck. The cat is keeping her info to herself. She’s obviously traumatized since the victim was her beloved human. Pru turns to the neighborhood pets, and her own tabby Wallis, for some assistance. They try to help, but Pru is getting mixed signals from everyone and she discovers that victim had quite a few enemies that she never expected to find.
Pru Marlowe is the new Doctor Doolittle of the literary world. She knows exactly what these animals are thinking and what they need. I just want to stress that this is not a supernatural book. The pets do not talk aloud. Pru has a psychic ability, but it’s not a paranormal book. It’s a cozy mystery.
Pru is a strong character who fights for what she knows to be right. She doesn’t sit back and hope that someone saves the day. She does her own saving, even though her latest boyfriend is a cop. She doesn’t depend on him or anyone else, for that matter. Well, she does depend on her tabby, Wallis. Their scenes make me laugh. They are like an old married couple. Their concern and love for each other comes through each page loud and clear.
The story is fast-paced with a mystery that will lead you in several different directions before we finally get our answers. Any book that features a kitty as the main character (along with a lovely cover shot) gets my vote.
I loved Clea’s Theda Krakow series, but I’m loving this series even more. I can’t wait for book #3 to come out.
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
She tries to communicate with the beautiful Persian, but she has no luck. The cat is keeping her info to herself. She’s obviously traumatized since the victim was her beloved human. Pru turns to the neighborhood pets, and her own tabby Wallis, for some assistance. They try to help, but Pru is getting mixed signals from everyone and she discovers that victim had quite a few enemies that she never expected to find.
Pru Marlowe is the new Doctor Doolittle of the literary world. She knows exactly what these animals are thinking and what they need. I just want to stress that this is not a supernatural book. The pets do not talk aloud. Pru has a psychic ability, but it’s not a paranormal book. It’s a cozy mystery.
Pru is a strong character who fights for what she knows to be right. She doesn’t sit back and hope that someone saves the day. She does her own saving, even though her latest boyfriend is a cop. She doesn’t depend on him or anyone else, for that matter. Well, she does depend on her tabby, Wallis. Their scenes make me laugh. They are like an old married couple. Their concern and love for each other comes through each page loud and clear.
The story is fast-paced with a mystery that will lead you in several different directions before we finally get our answers. Any book that features a kitty as the main character (along with a lovely cover shot) gets my vote.
I loved Clea’s Theda Krakow series, but I’m loving this series even more. I can’t wait for book #3 to come out.
FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 6, 2012
Originally posted at: http://lasrmystery.blogspot.com/2012/...
When Pru gets a phone call asking her to respond to a cat shooting, she’s prepared to deal with a traumatized cat. However, she’s not prepared to find the cop suggesting the cat was the shooter!
This author previously published Dogs Don’t Lie which was a very good mystery, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to review this Pru mystery. Ms. Simon has made her main character, Pru Marlowe, unique. She talks to animals. I don’t mean she watches and guesses what they might be trying to communicate. She can actually talk to them through mental telepathy. It’s a real asset to her job as a pet handler and trainer. Being able to hear any animal’s thoughts around her is a bit of a detriment, though.
One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Simon’s writings is she doesn’t make her characters bigger than life. Pru is not exceptionally smart, she’s dating questionable men, and her cat even gets mad at her for not knowing more. Being compared to a kitten is not a compliment. The author also made Pru very dedicated to her work and trying to solve mysteries, so she’s a good sort overall.
This story moves along fast with several characters being introduced. Since four of them are men that Pru has dated at one time or another, it quickly becomes entertaining. All Ms. Simon’s characters are a bit quirky. She gives you the very rich and the very gossipy and mixes them with the get-rich-quick and stalwart characters. With such a rich mix of characters, you can’t help but having fun reading this author’s work.
If you like animals, that’s a plus with this series. If you aren’t sure, this cozy mystery will keep you reading to see just how Pru manages to keep her nose out of trouble and if the killer is finally found. The engaging mystery was easy to finish in one night because I didn’t want to stop reading.
Why not get a copy of this book at your local bookstore and let Ms. Simon take you into the world of Pru and entertain you like she did me?
When Pru gets a phone call asking her to respond to a cat shooting, she’s prepared to deal with a traumatized cat. However, she’s not prepared to find the cop suggesting the cat was the shooter!
This author previously published Dogs Don’t Lie which was a very good mystery, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to review this Pru mystery. Ms. Simon has made her main character, Pru Marlowe, unique. She talks to animals. I don’t mean she watches and guesses what they might be trying to communicate. She can actually talk to them through mental telepathy. It’s a real asset to her job as a pet handler and trainer. Being able to hear any animal’s thoughts around her is a bit of a detriment, though.
One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Simon’s writings is she doesn’t make her characters bigger than life. Pru is not exceptionally smart, she’s dating questionable men, and her cat even gets mad at her for not knowing more. Being compared to a kitten is not a compliment. The author also made Pru very dedicated to her work and trying to solve mysteries, so she’s a good sort overall.
This story moves along fast with several characters being introduced. Since four of them are men that Pru has dated at one time or another, it quickly becomes entertaining. All Ms. Simon’s characters are a bit quirky. She gives you the very rich and the very gossipy and mixes them with the get-rich-quick and stalwart characters. With such a rich mix of characters, you can’t help but having fun reading this author’s work.
If you like animals, that’s a plus with this series. If you aren’t sure, this cozy mystery will keep you reading to see just how Pru manages to keep her nose out of trouble and if the killer is finally found. The engaging mystery was easy to finish in one night because I didn’t want to stop reading.
Why not get a copy of this book at your local bookstore and let Ms. Simon take you into the world of Pru and entertain you like she did me?
August 5, 2014
So, lately I've taken to a new method of choosing what books I'm going to read or listen to. I go to my library's downloads, and basically shelf-browse their electronic books. I randomly pick a page and choose a book off that page. That's how I found Cats Can't Shoot, a mystery story which has a beautiful white Persian cat at the center. I once had a beautiful white Persian cat, so I really couldn't pass this book by.
It isn't a perfect book. It's longer than it needs to be, and Pru spins her wheels a lot. Pru can communicate with animals, and this Persian cat knows something about the murder of her human. In fact, it looks like the Persian was responsible for setting off the gun that killed him. The problem is, this pretty kitty doesn't want to talk to Pru, so there's an awful lot of "If I could just get her to talk," and an awful lot of, "what's so-and-so's role in all this?" There are slightly jerky transitions between ideas, and sometimes I was left shaking my head a bit, in a "where did that come from" sort of way.
The book does do its animal characters well. Pru's cat Wallis is wonderful, as is Lucy the little French poodle, and It's fun to have pets integrated into the story line. Our animals really are very much a part of our lives, so after I got past the idea of, "I can't believe I'm reading a pet mystery," it seemed natural that pets would be by our sides during a mystery, too, and it was quirky to get their take on things.
I listened to this on audiobook, and it was narrated by Tavia Gilbert. Gilbert was game during the narration of this book, and she really did a wonderful job. She put feeling and emotion into the story, and made the human and animal characters sparkle. Her narration made the whole thing seem fun, and less, well, silly.
It isn't a perfect book. It's longer than it needs to be, and Pru spins her wheels a lot. Pru can communicate with animals, and this Persian cat knows something about the murder of her human. In fact, it looks like the Persian was responsible for setting off the gun that killed him. The problem is, this pretty kitty doesn't want to talk to Pru, so there's an awful lot of "If I could just get her to talk," and an awful lot of, "what's so-and-so's role in all this?" There are slightly jerky transitions between ideas, and sometimes I was left shaking my head a bit, in a "where did that come from" sort of way.
The book does do its animal characters well. Pru's cat Wallis is wonderful, as is Lucy the little French poodle, and It's fun to have pets integrated into the story line. Our animals really are very much a part of our lives, so after I got past the idea of, "I can't believe I'm reading a pet mystery," it seemed natural that pets would be by our sides during a mystery, too, and it was quirky to get their take on things.
I listened to this on audiobook, and it was narrated by Tavia Gilbert. Gilbert was game during the narration of this book, and she really did a wonderful job. She put feeling and emotion into the story, and made the human and animal characters sparkle. Her narration made the whole thing seem fun, and less, well, silly.
October 3, 2014
In Simon’s mystery novel, Pru Marlowe is an animal behaviorist and a pet psychic. When a lovely Persian cat named Fluffy is brought in to see her, Pru notices immediately that the cat is suffering from fear, stress and shock. The police suspect Fluffy of accidentally shooting her owner, Donal Franklin, by pawing an antique gun’s trigger in curiosity. As a pet psychic, Pru can’t explain why Fluffy is so traumatized she can’t reveal what really happened. To top things off, Franklin’s very vocal wife is anxious to be rid of the cat while his mistress fights for custody of the animal. When Franklin’s best friend, a gun-collector himself, dies suspiciously, Pru knows that the only way to clear Fluffy is to track down the activities of the humans in her life. As she uncovers a trail of lies and greed, she finds herself face-to-face with a killer who’s been hiding in plain sight and who has now set his sights on her.
Fast-paced, intelligent characters and a wonderful addition to the A Pru Marlow Pet Noir Mystery series.
Fast-paced, intelligent characters and a wonderful addition to the A Pru Marlow Pet Noir Mystery series.
November 23, 2012
After suddenly developing the ability to understand animals, the heroine decides to leave the noisy city and moves to the country with her cat, partly because the pigeons are driving her insane with their chatter! She starts a dog-walking business (dogs are better conversationalists than pigeons) and ends up involved in a murder in which a cat is the prime suspect, with her paw prints on the weapon! Unable to get a coherent response from the traumatized kitty other than the distinct impression that she didn't do it, she enlists the help of the other animals in solving the murder.
I enjoyed the interactions the heroine had with the various pets, including her own cantankerous and aloof cat, and I really wasn't sure until the end who was the real killer. Very entertaining!
I enjoyed the interactions the heroine had with the various pets, including her own cantankerous and aloof cat, and I really wasn't sure until the end who was the real killer. Very entertaining!
February 6, 2020
This is a 2 1/2 to 3 star book. The mystery had me interested enough that I finished the book, the way it was narrated was easy to read, However, there was some grammar issues and a couple plot holes that weren’t wrapped up in the end. I liked the concept of this book, the main character “Pru” being able to speak to animals was interesting, but a lot of the conversations in the book between her and the animals were unclear, she struggles to hear their thoughts and believes shes losing her powers, although this struggle makes it interesting, the choppiness and decoding of conversations is somewhat annoying. There is also a bit of language in this book which almost made me put it down, so if you are like me and don’t care for Language you probably won’t like this book.
August 2, 2012
Pru Marlowe is a pet behaviorist who can actually hear what animals are thinking. Unfortunately, they don't think the way people do, and frankly, Pru spends so much time pondering the possible meanings of what they do think that her gift isn't much help in solving the murders and attempted murders in this book. Pru and her cat were engaging, but how Pru's gift was presented was very frustrating. I don't think Pru was able to use anything she got from the animals to solve the crimes. I have not read any of the other Pru Marlowe mysteries, so this may be a feature rather than a bug. However, it is a feature I do not appreciate. I have no plans to read other books in the series.
April 10, 2014
Almost as good as the first Pru Marlowe mystery, Dogs Don't Lie. I like the protagonist, although her tastes in men differ markedly from mine, and the premise of a closeted animal communicator solving crimes by means of information animals tell her is an intriguing one. I thought some of the plot twists were not that believable, just in terms of what a given character would do or think. Also there is a mystery to do with Pru herself (I won't spoil it) that isn't resolved - I guess I'll have to wait for the next book.
I do like that Clea Simon lets her characters have several months of mystery-less life between books - less of the Cabot Cove syndrome.
I do like that Clea Simon lets her characters have several months of mystery-less life between books - less of the Cabot Cove syndrome.
October 30, 2014
Pru is called to a MURDER scene to take charge of a long-hair white Persian cat. The evidence points to the cat as stepping on the trigger that shot her owner DEAD. There is a discussion about the fate of the cat. Pru offers to work with the cat so she can be adopted. Pru finds she can not read the Persian thoughts. All she gets is a black void. Wallis tells Pru she is not understanding the Persian and that Pru has not lost her ability to read thoughts of animals. The romance between Pru and Creighton continues. Both feel that the Persian was not guilty. Pru must solved this problem before the cat is put to sleep. Will this happened.
April 14, 2018
I listened to this book. At times I was completely confused as to who was speaking, so I lost track of what was going on. There are a lot of pet voices in this story. I think I was given a sense of what the main character was going through as she tried to sort out who was trying to communicate with her and what was just normal animal thoughts of all types of non-human beings.
It is not a cozy but a well done noir mystery. I did like the story but didn't really understand or believe how the main character would have been pulled into this investigation.
It is not a cozy but a well done noir mystery. I did like the story but didn't really understand or believe how the main character would have been pulled into this investigation.
June 30, 2012
I found this book to be quite entertaining. Pru Marlowe has a unique gift: she can hear what animals are thinking and can communicate with them. I've read the Theda Krakow series by this author and enjoyed them as well. Her plotlines are interesting, the characters are different and original, and the animals are smarter than humans. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cat-and-human mysteries (like Carole Nelson Douglas's books).
June 28, 2012
This is a semi-fantasy novel that takes place in ordinary current time, but with a protagonist who has telepathic communication with animals. It is saved from being too silly, by the comparatively realistic portrayals of the animals involved. I would like to give this book a 3.6. It isn't quite a four, but better than a three. Once I started reading, I was hooked and could not put it down, but I was annoyed at the occasional stupidity of the protagonist
February 7, 2017
I admit to being a little annoyed in some areas of this story. However my problems are not with anything about the story.
I am really enjoying Pru but my favorite character is Wallis. Since I am not a cat person I am very surprised.
If you are a mystery and animal lover then I highly suggest this series.
I am really enjoying Pru but my favorite character is Wallis. Since I am not a cat person I am very surprised.
If you are a mystery and animal lover then I highly suggest this series.
February 7, 2012
Smart, clever, and oh so much fun to read, the latest Pru Marlowe Pet Noir from Simon is addictive beyond words.
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