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To Catch a Cat
Eleven-year-old Robin wants to join a popular gang at school. They'll accept him, though only if he kidnaps the prize-winning cat of old Mrs. Nordling first.
But when Robin sneaks into the Nordlings' house in the dark of night, he gets more than just a schoolyard thrill. An argument, strange sounds, a woman's cry, and the cat--hurled out of a room--are all Robin needs to grab the frisky kitty and get packing. Then Mr. Nordling, covered in his wife's blood, lurches out into the hallway, and Robin runs for his life...feline prize in hand.
A brutal crime has been committed. Mr. Nordling knows someone besides the cat witnessed it, and he will stop at nothing to learn who it was. But Robin, the cat--and an extremely nosy neighbor--have other ideas...
But when Robin sneaks into the Nordlings' house in the dark of night, he gets more than just a schoolyard thrill. An argument, strange sounds, a woman's cry, and the cat--hurled out of a room--are all Robin needs to grab the frisky kitty and get packing. Then Mr. Nordling, covered in his wife's blood, lurches out into the hallway, and Robin runs for his life...feline prize in hand.
A brutal crime has been committed. Mr. Nordling knows someone besides the cat witnessed it, and he will stop at nothing to learn who it was. But Robin, the cat--and an extremely nosy neighbor--have other ideas...
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
70 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Marian Babson
62 books88 followersMarian 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 28, 2024
This is a quick and entertaining read. Middle grade story? Not sure but that is what it struck me as. I thought it was going to be a mystery but it was more of a children’s suspense. Entertaining but nothing brilliant.
April 10, 2019
I picked this book up on name alone because I love cats. It was a short book and altogether not a bad read, though there were some parts that were slow. A lot seems to come to a head at the end and has an overall happy ending.
April 19, 2018
Apparently no one has ever rated this book before, with good reason I would imagine as it was fairly ordinary, and forgettable, and with an unnecessary weird title.
May 8, 2025
If you are looking for a fun quick read, this is the story for you. The story takes off right from the start. Poor Robin is stuck at his Aunt Mags house as his mother goes on her honeymoon and he is trying to fit in in this new environment. To make friends, he wants to join a gang and the initiation is stealing a valuable show cat from the Nordlings’ house.
Robin gets more than he bargained for because he hears an argument, sees the cat thrown out of the bedroom, and hears the horrifying sounds of a murder being committed. He grabs the cat and makes a run for it, but first he is traumatized by the blood covered naked figure of Nils Nordling.
The story revolves around Robin navigating life with his Aunt Mags, hiding the cat, and dealing with his knowledge of how Ingrid Nordling died. The storyline of Nils unraveling while living at Edward and Edith’s house and trying to appear innocent is entertaining. How Mags stays with Joshua is beyond me, but I can see how she feels trapped. She also has a toxic relationship with her domineering mother, who comes to visit. The ending is quite fun in that if anything can go wrong, it does (for Niles that is). Such a fun story!
Robin gets more than he bargained for because he hears an argument, sees the cat thrown out of the bedroom, and hears the horrifying sounds of a murder being committed. He grabs the cat and makes a run for it, but first he is traumatized by the blood covered naked figure of Nils Nordling.
The story revolves around Robin navigating life with his Aunt Mags, hiding the cat, and dealing with his knowledge of how Ingrid Nordling died. The storyline of Nils unraveling while living at Edward and Edith’s house and trying to appear innocent is entertaining. How Mags stays with Joshua is beyond me, but I can see how she feels trapped. She also has a toxic relationship with her domineering mother, who comes to visit. The ending is quite fun in that if anything can go wrong, it does (for Niles that is). Such a fun story!
December 26, 2019
I admit that at the very beginning of this book I wondered if this might not be a bit too much violence for me, but it wasn't. I thought Babson did an excellent job of describing how someone's anger can overtake them; I threw temper tantrums as a child and I can remember being totally overwhelmed and unable to control myself. Though of course I never murdered anyone as a result! I also appreciated Robin's feelings as a result of his parent's divorce and mother's remarriage. And she did an amazing job of depicting an abuser who wasn't at the point of physically threatening his partner...yet... A very solid mystery with more in-depth characterization than I might have expected. I also own Murder at the Cat Showa nd will be reading it as well! And of course, the cat! This woman knows cats! :)
December 31, 2025
Occasionally I'll come across a thriller where the story is still suspenseful despite how the killer is revealed right at the beginning. This was NOT one of those books.
The story was a bit amateurish, in my opinion, and the characters weren't really developed enough for me to care about them. Some parts were downright silly. But most of all the story was just slow, with a lot of redundant details that didn't matter, like the author was trying to achieve a certain word-count. And I'm really not a fan of chapters that begin by describing the actions or thoughts of a particular character, without revealing who they're talking about until several sentences in. This bothered me throughout the book. The high rating for this book really baffles me.
The story was a bit amateurish, in my opinion, and the characters weren't really developed enough for me to care about them. Some parts were downright silly. But most of all the story was just slow, with a lot of redundant details that didn't matter, like the author was trying to achieve a certain word-count. And I'm really not a fan of chapters that begin by describing the actions or thoughts of a particular character, without revealing who they're talking about until several sentences in. This bothered me throughout the book. The high rating for this book really baffles me.
January 30, 2023
The Cat's Meow
Unhappy 11-year-old Robin, left in custody of friends òf his mother while she honeymoons with new husband, finds himself a witness to murder and consequently care-giverfor valuable show cat. Keeping himself out of trouble and the cat safe from the killer is a fast page-turner
murder mystery which will have you rooting for young Robby and beautiful Leif Eriksson to the satisfying finish.
Unhappy 11-year-old Robin, left in custody of friends òf his mother while she honeymoons with new husband, finds himself a witness to murder and consequently care-giverfor valuable show cat. Keeping himself out of trouble and the cat safe from the killer is a fast page-turner
murder mystery which will have you rooting for young Robby and beautiful Leif Eriksson to the satisfying finish.
June 6, 2025
Most delightful book i have read in the recent past!!
Robin's adventure when he goes to purloin a special Norwegian Forest cat turns out to be an astounding adventure when he becomes aware of a heinous bloody murder committed after which he runs off with the cat in his arms!!
The story proceeds in a wonderful manner to bring everything to a great end!!
A book that's worth reading every word in it.
Thank you very much for this brilliant book, Ms. Babson!!
Robin's adventure when he goes to purloin a special Norwegian Forest cat turns out to be an astounding adventure when he becomes aware of a heinous bloody murder committed after which he runs off with the cat in his arms!!
The story proceeds in a wonderful manner to bring everything to a great end!!
A book that's worth reading every word in it.
Thank you very much for this brilliant book, Ms. Babson!!
July 21, 2021
An eleven-year-old boy named Robin has to steal a prize cat to join a gang. Unfortunately, he observes a murder while snatching the cat. The murderer knows someone saw him commit the crime. He won't stop until he finds that person.
March 5, 2022
Thought this book started off a little slow. But it had a great ending!! Loved how the killer thought he was so much smarter than everyone around him and in the end they were the ones to bring him down.
June 19, 2023
Pretty Good
I love this author. Now that I'm living in such a small place, Kindle books are perfect for me.
Not as light as most of the author's books but a great read.
I love this author. Now that I'm living in such a small place, Kindle books are perfect for me.
Not as light as most of the author's books but a great read.
December 30, 2024
I couldn't put it down
Marian Babson knows her cats, and how to glue that knowledge together with a good mystery. I could hardly put it down to eat and sleep.
Marian Babson knows her cats, and how to glue that knowledge together with a good mystery. I could hardly put it down to eat and sleep.
May 3, 2025
To the author of the booklist description: You should have read the book first. A decent read.
June 28, 2025
CUte story but it seemed to drag out
June 30, 2025
Interesting
At times I got lost in the story. The story line was a good one, but a bit confusing for me. This is not my typical genre. Thank you for introducing me to tjis.
At times I got lost in the story. The story line was a good one, but a bit confusing for me. This is not my typical genre. Thank you for introducing me to tjis.
December 11, 2025
Cute story and well written. Ending is nicely pulled together. Cat is true to cat! It was a very enjoyable short read.
May 30, 2013
Marian Babson writes brilliant thrillers set in England that are truly "cosies"--not only are they suitable for curling up with a nice cuppa, but she throws the cuddly cat in as well. In "To Catch a Cat", 11-year-old Robin wants desperately to join a 'gang' of popular school kids, but they have set difficult tasks for Robin and his friend to perform for entry. Robin is charged with breaking into the Nordling house and catching their cat. This is no ordinary cat but a pedigreed champion nicknamed 'Leif Eriksson', a beautiful, black-and-white, long-haired Norwegian Forest cat. Breaking in is no problem, but, just as Robin seizes the cat, he hears the sounds of abuse and a woman's scream. Ingrid Nordling crashes into the room and falls with blood on her and her raging husband Nils on her heels. Robin has no doubt he has witnessed a murder, and, with Leif Eriksson in his backpack, he runs for home.
Home is with his Auntie Mags and her current boyfriend, potsmoking Joshua who is always cross, especially at sharing his home and workplace (he is a radio host who can broadcast from home) with Robin. Robin sneaks back into his room, carefully unpacks Leif, and finds a gold, ruby, and diamond bracelet sparkling around the cat's neck. He knows little about cat care but spends the next hours and days filtching food, water, and his socks for cat litter to make the docile Leif comfortable. Meanwhile, Joshua latches on to the breaking story of Ingrid Nordling's murder as the key to relaunching his radio career; if he can solve the murder that occurred right on his doorstep or, at least, interview the grieving husband, Joshua will again be the broadcast genius he imagines himself to be.
Nils Nordling realizes that his murder of his wife was witnessed by the short, elusive creature who darted out the front door with a hump on his back. When Nordling sees that the hated Leif has also also vanished, he figures he will never recognize the witness but the cat is unmistakable. The police are on the trail of thousands of pounds-worth of missing possessions antiques and jewellry, the evident motive for robbery and murder. Nils is staying with friends Edith and Edward whilst his house remains a murder scene, but he quickly begins to lose patience with the witless Edward and nosy Edith. With these elements established, it is now a contest to see which character or situation will break first. Will Robin keep Leif safely hidden in a hostile household? Will Joshua convince Nils Nordling to tell his story as the heartbroken widower of a murdered wife, making him sympathetic to the nation and simultaneously reviving Joshua's career? Will Nils remain patient with Edith and Edward and silently seek out the missing cat, his valuables, and the unknown witness?
I liked Robin (who is basically a good kid, despite the somewhat shady gang association), his friends, his Auntie Mags, and--of course--the amazingly calm Leif Eriksson. Edith and Edward are also sympathetic, although they come across as rather stock characters as opposites with a happy marriage that dumbfounds outsiders. Nils Nordling is the key character, however. Babson carefully details his psychology as it unravels to the point that he becomes a character of truly twisted evil. We the readers are privy to the secrets of the murder from the beginning, so timing (rather than a trail of red herrings) is the plot twist in this mystery. I found Nordling truly detestable; although this proves Babson's writing skills, the character left me with an unpleasant feeling after the book ended. Robin's wish to join a gang also was unfortunate in my eyes, but Babson makes him a dear, caring character and downplays the 'gang' issue to the point of making it seem like an outside-the-box youth group. These were the only negatives (to me, at least), and I recommend the book as a worthy read to both cat- and cosy-mystery-lovers.
Home is with his Auntie Mags and her current boyfriend, potsmoking Joshua who is always cross, especially at sharing his home and workplace (he is a radio host who can broadcast from home) with Robin. Robin sneaks back into his room, carefully unpacks Leif, and finds a gold, ruby, and diamond bracelet sparkling around the cat's neck. He knows little about cat care but spends the next hours and days filtching food, water, and his socks for cat litter to make the docile Leif comfortable. Meanwhile, Joshua latches on to the breaking story of Ingrid Nordling's murder as the key to relaunching his radio career; if he can solve the murder that occurred right on his doorstep or, at least, interview the grieving husband, Joshua will again be the broadcast genius he imagines himself to be.
Nils Nordling realizes that his murder of his wife was witnessed by the short, elusive creature who darted out the front door with a hump on his back. When Nordling sees that the hated Leif has also also vanished, he figures he will never recognize the witness but the cat is unmistakable. The police are on the trail of thousands of pounds-worth of missing possessions antiques and jewellry, the evident motive for robbery and murder. Nils is staying with friends Edith and Edward whilst his house remains a murder scene, but he quickly begins to lose patience with the witless Edward and nosy Edith. With these elements established, it is now a contest to see which character or situation will break first. Will Robin keep Leif safely hidden in a hostile household? Will Joshua convince Nils Nordling to tell his story as the heartbroken widower of a murdered wife, making him sympathetic to the nation and simultaneously reviving Joshua's career? Will Nils remain patient with Edith and Edward and silently seek out the missing cat, his valuables, and the unknown witness?
I liked Robin (who is basically a good kid, despite the somewhat shady gang association), his friends, his Auntie Mags, and--of course--the amazingly calm Leif Eriksson. Edith and Edward are also sympathetic, although they come across as rather stock characters as opposites with a happy marriage that dumbfounds outsiders. Nils Nordling is the key character, however. Babson carefully details his psychology as it unravels to the point that he becomes a character of truly twisted evil. We the readers are privy to the secrets of the murder from the beginning, so timing (rather than a trail of red herrings) is the plot twist in this mystery. I found Nordling truly detestable; although this proves Babson's writing skills, the character left me with an unpleasant feeling after the book ended. Robin's wish to join a gang also was unfortunate in my eyes, but Babson makes him a dear, caring character and downplays the 'gang' issue to the point of making it seem like an outside-the-box youth group. These were the only negatives (to me, at least), and I recommend the book as a worthy read to both cat- and cosy-mystery-lovers.
February 4, 2016
It's hard being a new kid at school. Robin figures that if he can join a popular gang it will be accepted. The problem is what he has to do to prove he is worth it...kidnap old Mrs. Nordling's prize-winning cat Lief Ericson. Easier said than done.
On the night he sneaks into Nordlings' house he gets more than he bargained for. People yelling, strange sounds, a cat hurled out of a room and then a bloodied man's figure lurching into the hallway. Robin grabs the cat and makes a run for his life.
The killer knows someone other than the cat has seen the crime and he is on the hunt for the witness and the missing cat.
Robin has not only the killer to be wary of, there is also his Granna who suddenly shows up with ulterior motives, his aunt's live-in boyfriend Josh and Kerry the gang leader.
Multiple plot lines weave in and out with many twists and turns and close calls. Enjoyable for adult and juvenile readers alike
On the night he sneaks into Nordlings' house he gets more than he bargained for. People yelling, strange sounds, a cat hurled out of a room and then a bloodied man's figure lurching into the hallway. Robin grabs the cat and makes a run for his life.
The killer knows someone other than the cat has seen the crime and he is on the hunt for the witness and the missing cat.
Robin has not only the killer to be wary of, there is also his Granna who suddenly shows up with ulterior motives, his aunt's live-in boyfriend Josh and Kerry the gang leader.
Multiple plot lines weave in and out with many twists and turns and close calls. Enjoyable for adult and juvenile readers alike
May 7, 2016
I was constantly waiting for something to happen. The author has a tendency to repeat the same situation in different words throughout the first 90% of the book. It began to get to the point where I found myself asking, "Okay, I get the point-- but is anything going to actually *happen*?"
The answer? No, not really. The book's rising action and climax happen within maybe a half dozen pages at the very end. Then just like that, it's over. I only finished it because I figured I'd came this far and I may as well hang in there for the big crescendo at the end. Unfortunately that never came. Overall a disappointing read. I'd suggest to young adults who are looking to introduce themselves to the crime genre (maybe) but not something for one with expectations of the genre...
The answer? No, not really. The book's rising action and climax happen within maybe a half dozen pages at the very end. Then just like that, it's over. I only finished it because I figured I'd came this far and I may as well hang in there for the big crescendo at the end. Unfortunately that never came. Overall a disappointing read. I'd suggest to young adults who are looking to introduce themselves to the crime genre (maybe) but not something for one with expectations of the genre...
December 28, 2016
Marian Babson has always been good at colorful characters and offbeat humor. This one features an eleven-year-old boy and a cat but this is not a children's book, too dark for that. There is enough action and suspense to keep things moving. I enjoy bizarre situations so realism is not paramount. Overall, I liked this one a lot.
May 7, 2008
I really enjoy light mysteries, and Marian Babson's cat books fit the bill. You won't figure out whodunit, but just sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy the atmosphere. ***I have read other books of hers, but have found them slightly more disturbing and less fun than the ones that feature cats.
December 11, 2014
This book was better than I thought, but I still can't believe I had no memory of the events in the book. I've read it once before, but the only thing I remembered is that the boy cuts the cat's hair. To disguise him from Mr. Nordling, who's looking for both of them b/c they witnessed the murder.
March 21, 2014
Fun, easy read! Enjoyable because it's not part of a series, it's a stand-alone book. Sometimes series get bogged down, it's nice to have a whole story, beginning to end without dragging on. I would recommend this book!
July 19, 2008
I had a hard time reading this book to the end. Did not enjoy it. I was hard pressed to decide if this was a children's book or not. The end leaves you hanging for several of the main characters.
March 31, 2011
a bit too violent but satisfying end
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January 28, 2016Ok, but sometimes not plausible.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews