There's Something Wrong with the Cats

Mousebane & Red Mist #1

by C.J. Powell

Dan doesn't really like people. Except his wife. And his cats. Do they count?

But when his feline friends disappear for a few days they return different. Catman has grown in size and strength, and The Flash seems to be trying to communicate. They've been caught sneaking into his new neighbour's home and stalking a guy in a parka, and, despite his wife's suggestion that he is being a little too imaginative, Dan is desperate to find out why.

Other cats on the street are going missing too, but these ones aren't coming back. Could the new neighbour be stealing them for devious experimentation? Is the man in the parka taking pets for his own dark designs? Who is the strange disappearing woman spotted in the woods near the industrial estate and what is her involvement? The police aren't interested in helping, so it's up to Dan and his courageous kitties to uncover the truth.

A hilarious sci-fi/fantasy for fans of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, and John Scalzi.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Cats, Thriller, Animals

305 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2023

About the author

Hi, I'm Chris. I write fun science fiction mysteries and thrillers set in the real world with lots of humour.

Sign up to my mailing list to find out about offers and deals and occasionally receive a free novel!
Find more at my website - https://www.cjpowellauthor.com

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A little about me...

I enjoy authors such as Jeff Vandermeer, Blake Crouch, and P G Wodehouse.

My favourite films are Alien and The Fifth Element.

I live with my wife and daughter and enjoy retro computer games, pretty much all science fiction movies, and if I ever get the opportunity I love to rock climb. I also play bass most weeks in a rocking wedding band.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 Completely and utterly unhinged… the whole book is like a fever dream with crime fighting cats.

I don’t think I need to say anything else really

[Hoilo1122 · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A hilarious sci-fi/fantasy for fans of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams and John Scalzi"

Yeah, no.

Based on that line I expected I was in for a funny, lighthearted, silly book. It wasn't. But, I still enjoyed the read overall. So let's dig into why.

The first 100 pages of this 300 page book is character exposition. The author really wants to drive home that the main character is an awkward man. We go through many instances where he fumbles interactions, gets himself in trouble and has very 'out there' reasoning. I think we were also supposed to see that he loves his wife, but for me it more so felt like proof that they aren't on equal footing. I personally really didn't like this part, though it might be your cup of tea if you aren't as prone to second hand embarassement. Beyond some clothing description and a moment of slapstick with a gate, I didn't really spot any funny bits. Definitely not anything that would count as 'hilarious' or humor like that of Pratchett or Adams (I am not familiar with Scalzi, so I won't go into that comparison).

Then in the rest of the book we dive into a high paced, action filled adventure. I really enjoyed this part, though it felt like all of the main character's awkwardness that was set up in the first 100 pages disappeared. I'm grateful for it, but then why set it up so extensively in the first place? The latter part was very intense and gets very dark, which I enjoyed. But once again, I'm lost on the promises given in the quoted line of the synopsis. I think that it severely set the wrong expectations, and thus set me up for disappointed. If it had been something along the lines of "An intense sci-fi/fantasy for fans of superheroes, star wars and more" I probably would have been very satisfied.

Overall I think this book has a great concept and engaging action scenes. Some tweaks to the initial pacing and the synopsis would turn it into a great book.

[Kathy Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story immensely!

I wasn't sure about it when I first picked it up, but it had cats so it already had 1 thing going for it. The way the author laid out his story was quiet but never slow. It was like he was playing with a piece of string, dragging it through the pages with little flick to keep you caught up in the story. He didn't need a lot of flash and bang to keep things moving forward. He wrote it with delicate touch and just told a great story. I certainly hope there will be a sequel. I've found a new author to follow.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Cats

Dan was just a guy who married a beautiful woman and played in a band. He wasn’t a rock star, but he had dreams that he would one day do great things for his wife. Dan and Amy had two cats, one name Flash and one called Catman. Dan had a thing for superheroes.

One day Dan’s cats disappeared and didn’t come home for days. Oddly enough, his cats weren’t the only ones missing. Then, as if they had never been gone, Catman and Flash showed up sneaking into the neighbors house like… well, cat burglars. There was something different about his cats and Dan wasn’t going to rest until he found out what it was.

With the help of his bass student, Andrew, Dan followed a trail that led him to an adventure reminiscent of a fever dream. No one was ever going to believe the things they had seen and done, and the cats would never tell.

Five stars of crazy feline fun. If you love cats and adventure, you don’t want to miss this one!

[Jennifer Haughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

The writing style gave me the same feeling as reading A Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy. The Voice of Dan, the main character, feels very casually British. Not chav British, or posh British or the weird not real British that Americans tend to use but just an ordinary, every day British guy living his life.

At least until his cat's start acting weird...

I loved the POV chapters for Mousebane, I'm sure I am not the only cat owner who has created a voice and persona for their cats and these felt just like one of mine.

I would love a sequel!

[A.N.G. Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish my cat could read this book, he would absolutely love it.

[Georgina Voaden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fun. Read a bit like it was aimed at a younger audience at times, despite the heavy topics, but really fun still.

[Rachel Warf · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a crazy book! I knew it was a sci-fi going into it but wasn't expecting it to get stranger and stranger as I went! Being a fan of cats and sci-fi I enjoyed it! I think any cat loving sci-fi can would enjoy it!

[fuzzy.bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curiosity didn’t kill the cat, it mutated it into a vigilante crime fighter.

I don’t think that I would personally describe this as a fun read, largely because it needs some trigger warnings for details of animal cruelty, injury, and death, but they are relevant to the story. Things do get quite violent and dark in places, and very weird. Think along the lines of ‘The ‘Burbs’ (1989) meets ‘Taken’ (2008) and then throw in some comic book science fiction elements with mutant frogs and cats, and an internal voice reminiscent of ‘Venom’ (2018).

Some things that would have improved this story for me: I really wanted a happy ending for the dogs, even if it was just a short paragraph describing a hopeful place that they ended up. Also, don’t fridge the cat… don’t even make me think that you’ve done so… it really sours things. I don't really understand why Dan got a camouflage mutation either.

The writing style of the author is engaging, and it is definitely humorous in places but not laugh out loud funny. My favourite moment of dark humour was probably the line: “Find us a spoon. His eyes are coming out.” Trust me that it hits right in that exact moment.

Overall the story was well paced and an interesting read, keeping me invested in finding out what happened next.

[Sharen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at ALL what I was expecting! The description called this book “laugh-out-loud science fiction mystery” and called it a “cozy” mystery….NOT true.
Spoiler Alert:
I guess I read a completely different book….because THIS one was certainly not “laugh out loud” nor was it in any universe a “cozy”. The cats were sweet, protective, and loving. But, It was full of animal abuse (dog fighting), experiments on cats, and vast amount of violence, blood, and gore.
There were several points where I wanted to just throw up and stop reading it.
I finished it only because I had to know how it ended. But, I sure won’t be reading any more of his books. If you want Stephen King gone rogue and out of his mind crazy….this is the book for you.

[Desirea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly picked this book as part of a book challenge and it was great. I had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Sci fi action with some weirdness that will keep you guessing until the end.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, if you somehow actually find this amount of gore, suffering animals, and mind-fuckery "cosy" I would highly recommend a trip to a psychiatrist. (Because you might have a problem. Just saying.)

To be perfectly clear: I don't mind gore or mind-fuckery, not at all. (The violence against cats I could have been without though.) 🤷🏻‍♀️

However, the fact that I picked up this title thinking I was getting into a "cosy" and "laugh-out-loud funny" mystery, and got some sort of awkward superhero origin story that wasn't even a trace amount funny anywhere, was a real let down.

I perhaps wouldn't have minded so much if the book had been correctly described to me, beforehand, even if I personally find superheroes more entertaining on the silver screen, rather than in book form.

In the end, the main character was what brought the whole thing down for me. He's a bit "meh" and I just can't seem to find any will to care about him, at all.

I will not continue this series.

[L & J Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goofy, humorous Sci-fi urban fantasy

Definitely not your usual sci-fi or fantasy novel. A bit funny and a lot of revenge in this story featuring a musician, his wife and,most importantly, their two cats, along with another neighbor and his cat, who have started to look for the cats from their neighborhood that have started to go missing.

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The imagination on this guy, I swear! He's funny and descriptive with great observational skills that make you feel like you're there. Great main cast and supporting cast (although I'm not sure if the cats or the humans are the main characters lol). I loved Everyman Dan's bafflement as he worries about his cats and copes with the strange goings-on with dry humor and gentle bravery. Dan's relationship with his cats is both touching and hilarious. So many twists that I didn't see coming, which kept me off-kilter right along with Dan. Read once last year then re-read before reading the next in the series. (This book was even better on a re-read and I'm super excited for the next book!)

[Kelsey McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Catman and the Flash are absolute heros.

[Jim Burianek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's goofy, silly, and highly implausible. I thoroughly enjoyed it .

I really liked this book. Cat centered science fiction/fantasy with some humor throughout. I will be reading more by Mr. Powell.

[Nicole Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was pretty wild for a concept - something like a feline Watership Down meets X-Men. But strangely, I wanted it to be even wilder.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but what a great read!

[Natty Mart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual choice of book but due to my love of cats and a recommendation gave it a go. It was brilliant, a fun read and found myself really caring for the characters and interested in what would happen next and why is it happening. Laughing out load at some points also due to some brilliant one liners and comical timing. Good story line that flowed well and left me with no unanswered questions, (I do not like a story that does this) ended well and with enough space to open up the next story and anything to happen next as I am intrigued about the next book.

[Brandy Slifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐈‍⬛ There’s Something Wrong with the Cats — C.J. Powell

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 Stars

🎧 Format: Audible Audiobook
🎙️ Narrator: Kevin Kemp
📚 Genre: Sci-Fi Mystery | Dark Comedy | Thriller

🐈‍⬛ The Vibe Check

* ✅ Suspicious cats with extracurricular activities that may or may not be felonies
* ✅ One nosy musician with the survival instincts of a wet paper towel
* ✅ Government secrets and science that desperately needs adult supervision
* ✅ Dark humor, absolute absurdity, and plenty of WTF moments
* ✅ Lovable characters who sneak into your heart without permission
* ✅ Surprisingly genuine emotional moments
* ⚠️ Pacing that occasionally feels like being dragged behind a runaway shopping cart
* 🐸 Frogs. Sweet baby Jesus, the frogs.

🐾 My Review

You ever look at your cat sitting across the room, staring at you like you owe it money, and wonder what that little furry psychopath gets up to when you’re not around? Well, apparently C.J. Powell wondered the same thing and decided to write an entire book about it. Except instead of finding dead mice on the porch, we’re dealing with suspicious feline bodybuilding, possible criminal activity, and enough questionable science to make the government start shredding documents.

And somehow, this absolute circus is ridiculously entertaining. 😂

Meet Dan Dixon, an ordinary musician who loves his wife, adores his cats, and possesses a level of curiosity that should legally require a warning label. Dan isn’t particularly social, and he seems perfectly content with his little world. Unfortunately, his cats start acting suspicious, and this man immediately decides that leaving well enough alone is simply not an option.

Now, personally, if my cat disappeared for a couple of days and returned looking like he’d been sneaking off to Gold’s Gym, I’d have questions. But I’d also have enough common sense to recognize that some mysteries are better left between the cat and whatever supernatural personal trainer he’s hired.

Not Dan.

Oh no. Dan is going to investigate, collect evidence, and generally insert himself into situations that absolutely nobody invited him into. This man has the investigative determination of a seasoned detective and the self-preservation instincts of a chicken nugget. Every time I thought he’d finally learned his lesson, he’d find another suspicious detail and go charging straight toward it like curiosity wasn’t already responsible for approximately ninety percent of his problems. 🔎

And that’s what makes him so entertaining.

Dan doesn’t need some enormous character-development arc to be interesting. He’s an established adult with a loving wife, beloved pets, and a personality that is equal parts endearing and exhausting. He’s antisocial, but somehow manages to attract people who refuse to leave him alone. His curiosity isn’t something he grows out of; it’s practically a medical condition at this point.

The supporting characters are equally delightful, particularly Andrew, who apparently took one look at Dan’s antisocial personality and decided they were going to be friends whether Dan approved of this arrangement or not.

And Andrew! Sweet baby Jesus, Andrew. 😂

Between his eccentric personality, vintage robes, and his own unfortunate tendency to meddle in things that are none of his business, I couldn’t help loving him. Apparently, the dress code for investigating potentially dangerous mysteries is retired Victorian aristocrat, and honestly, I respect the commitment.

What I wasn’t expecting was to become genuinely attached to these people.

For a book featuring suspicious cats, bizarre science, and amphibian-related nightmares, Powell somehow manages to sneak in moments of genuine grief, fear, and affection. Andrew’s emotional vulnerability felt real, and Dan’s love for his wife Amy gives the story something solid to stand on when everything else has apparently abandoned the laws of nature.

Amy deserves some recognition for being the person keeping Dan’s feet on the ground, because without her, I genuinely believe this man would investigate himself straight into another dimension before remembering he had dinner plans.

And when the story takes darker turns, those emotional connections matter. The fear and desperation don’t feel like cheap attempts to manufacture drama. They feel believable, which is impressive considering the surrounding circumstances are completely bonkers.

So there I was, laughing at these ridiculous people one minute and developing actual emotional attachments the next.

Excuse me, sir. I came here for criminal cats, not unexpected feelings. 😭

The world-building is wonderfully imaginative. Powell takes ordinary homes, warehouses, and seemingly unremarkable places and gradually introduces increasingly bizarre possibilities. The mystery expands into something much larger than a couple of house cats behaving suspiciously, and the creativity behind it is genuinely impressive.

Now, let’s discuss the pacing, because GOOD GRAVY. 🏃‍♀️💨

This book moves like somebody gave a squirrel a double espresso, strapped a rocket to its backside, and told it there was an acorn shortage.

The relentless momentum actually suits Dan’s personality. His brain never stops investigating, and neither does the plot. Unfortunately, there were moments when I felt like I needed a notebook, a corkboard, several yards of red string, and possibly a government security clearance just to keep up with what the hell was happening.

I enjoy a fast-paced story, but occasionally I’d appreciate enough time to process one catastrophe before the next one kicks down the door wearing a party hat.

There were moments when listening required more concentration than I wanted to give, especially since audiobooks are usually something I enjoy while doing other things. This one occasionally demanded my complete attention like an unsupervised toddler holding a permanent marker.

But despite all that?

It was absolutely worth it. 🙌

The humor is a glorious combination of genuinely funny character interactions and those moments where you just stare into the distance wondering whether the author wrote this after eating something questionable.

Some situations made me laugh out loud. Others left me wondering what kind of fever dream I’d accidentally purchased on Audible. And every time I thought the story couldn’t possibly get any stranger, Powell apparently took that as a personal challenge.

The ending was satisfying without wrapping every mystery in a neat little bow. There are still questions, still possibilities, and definitely more trouble waiting for these characters. But rather than feeling cheated by an obnoxious cliffhanger, I felt genuinely curious about what comes next.

And considering I started the next installment during my first break, I’d say the author successfully convinced me to voluntarily return to this madhouse.

Apparently, I have learned absolutely nothing from Dan’s mistakes. 😂

🎧 Let’s Talk Narration

Narrated by Kevin Kemp

Now, if you’ve followed my audiobook adventures for any length of time, you know British narration and I have a complicated relationship. It’s not personal. My ears are just incredibly particular little divas.

But Kevin Kemp? Sir, congratulations. You’ve survived the audition. 🏆

His narration was clear, concise, and wonderfully expressive, with an excellent range when performing different characters. He managed to give the cast distinct personalities without sounding stiff, robotic, or like he was reluctantly reading the terms and conditions of a mortgage agreement.

Considering how fast this story moves, that clarity was especially important. The last thing I needed was to be confused by the narrator while simultaneously trying to determine why the neighborhood cats were apparently organizing a criminal enterprise.

Kemp brought the humor, eccentric personalities, and frantic energy to life beautifully. Even with my usual accent preferences, I genuinely enjoyed his performance.

A rare British-narrator victory. Somebody alert the authorities. 🎧😂

🐈‍⬛ Final Verdict

There’s Something Wrong with the Cats is a gloriously bizarre sci-fi mystery that combines ridiculous humor, suspicious feline behavior, questionable scientific decisions, surprisingly genuine emotional moments, and characters who are far more lovable than they have any business being.

Is the pacing occasionally overwhelming? Absolutely. There were times when I wanted to grab the plot by its shoulders and politely ask it to sit its hyperactive backside down for five minutes.

But the creativity, humor, characters, and sheer unpredictability made the experience worthwhile.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys unconventional mysteries, absurd dark comedy, strange science fiction, and protagonists who see a perfectly good opportunity to mind their own business and immediately sprint in the opposite direction.

Just don’t go into this expecting a cozy little mystery about house cats.

These furry criminals have bigger plans, and frankly, I’m starting to question whether we’re actually the dominant species. 🐈‍⬛

⭐ My Ratings

* Overall: 4/5
* Plot & Creativity: 4.5/5
* Humor & Banter: 4.5/5
* Pacing: 3.5/5
* Characters: 4/5
* Narration: 4.5/5

🐸 Final thought: I came for the cats, stayed for the chaos, accidentally developed emotional attachments, and now I’m suspicious of every frog within a fifty-mile radius. If my cats start lifting weights, I’m packing my bags.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s Something Wrong With The Cats

This was so much fun that I read it in one sitting.
Be warned though there are some very dark parts in it.
Dan and Amy’s cats! A lack one named Catman and a ginger Tom named The Flash have been missing for a few days and when they return they seem different to Dan, changed in some way.
What ensues is an adventure replete with cat-napping, glowing frogs, kidnapping, dog-fighting, animal cruelty, human trafficking, weird happenings and some very nasty antagonists. Accompanied by his friend and neighbour Andrew, another cat parent, Dan makes some almost inconceivable discoveries and finds his comfortable so-so life changed in ways he could never imagine.
Written with a twisted sense of humour purveyed throughout “Uurgh! Eew! Well I sautéed mine with some garlic, salt and rosemary.” and some cutting observations on both human and cat behaviour C. J. Powell has written a story that will make you both laugh and squirm, sometimes both at the same time. It is complete as a stand-alone novel but there is definitely room for at least one sequel which I would buy at the drop of a ….. well a dead frog in my lap.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is WILD! I'm not even a sci-fi fan but I was recommended this book somewhere along the way and decided to check it out. As a cat lover, I now must recommend it to all the cat lovers out there.

[Mark Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weirdly wonderful black humour.

I bought this primarily as a cat lover and it fits the bill great although not always with sweetness and light. There are the occasional sad moments.
It was a secondary bonus to find that it had an enjoyable and interesting sci-fi/fantasy theme throughout with the cats featuring prominently.

Overall very entertaining.

[Kay Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

This was brilliant, I love the cats. I really wasn't expecting alot of it, very strange occurrences. Dan's way of naming people is just like mine. Recommend it.

[Mary Ann Seidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a "sucker" for almost any book with cats, especially sci-fi. This book was no exception. It is well written and very engrossing. I actually laughed quite a lot and cringed some too. I am always reading reviews for different books that claim they are funny and I don't see it, but this book really can be funny. Cute story about the book... I started reading it the first time we left our cat alone at home with an automatic feeder and a pet sitter coming in twice a day. We were only down state for 2 days, but still missed our "baby". I told my husband the name of the book I was reading, but he thought I said there was something wrong with our cat and he panicked. I had to reassure him it was just the title of the book! P.S. our cat was fine, she survived the cat sitter with flying colors.Definitely recommend the book and hope for a sequel.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only regret about this book is that I didn’t realize I was starting another series! This book is absolutely insane in all the best ways.

You’ve got a really awkward main character and his cats who apparently have superpowers due to some circumstances you will discover once you read 🤣

I have never read anything quite like this, and I loved every minute of it.  I will say that there is some animal abuse, but it is over very quickly and important to the story.  That part was absolutely heartbreaking. 

I think my favorite thing and what I wished there was a little bit more of where the chapters from the cat’s point of view!

But if you like vigilante justice and cats, this is the book for you! I will definitely be finishing the series. Five star read for sure!!!!

[Brenden Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, now that was a literary roller-coaster.

This book gripped me from start to finish. A very clever story weaved around human/ cat differences and the way each deal with life, death, and fear, but withstrange things in the mix!.
One of the best reads I've had in a long time, a well crafted book and an author I will definitely be following.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are a lot of superhero tropes but written in such a tongue-in-cheek way that I found them charming instead of groan-worthy. There is a nice balance of what the cats are up to and what the humans are up to and they come together satisfyingly. Dan is relatable, perhaps a little too relatable because I had to double-check that the author wasn't writing about me and my mannerisms, but that just made me like him more. The likable characters are likable. The bad guys are despicable. The background characters have enough substance to make me care for them or wonder what they are up to.
There is a nice mix of humor and tension throughout the whole book which adds some nice levity to what would otherwise be a pretty heavy scene now and then. I hope this turns into a series because there a lot of unanswered questions and enough superhero tomfoolery in the world that this universe could really be expanded. I could imagine the end of this series having a huge Endgame-esque climax that actually feels satisfying because the book doesn't take itself that seriously from the start.

[EM Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Im a big fan of absurdist humour and weird books in general, but this fell flat for me.

It has a really interesting premise, and a few amusing moments, but other than the cats (who I loved to pieces and wanted more of) I felt like most of the characters were just there to make dice roll decisions and continue a plot that Im not convinced was there at the beginning. Dont get me wrong, discovery writing is valid, but I felt like this shifted it's focus almost as much as the Bee Movie and then after a certain point descended into violence for violence sake. Some people like the Bee Movie, some people like ott violence, but apparently that combination was not for me.

The violence (and gore) actually involving the cats also made this a really hard read for me, so if that's something you're likely to be effected by, probably give this a miss.

Otherwise, if Kickass with a Beemovie style plot, cats as superheroes and lots of violence and gore sounds good to you, have a crack. It might be your new fave.

[Kay Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fun Read

I think this could have been a short story,but I enjoyed the characterization of the cats and their relationship with their people.
I'm glad Dan was rewarded.
Anyone who was so committed to his cats deserves a reward.
The cats were well developed and pretty much believable.
I recommend this story for those moments when you need a book that entertains you without weighing you down.
My advice: Don't eat a frog.