Kat Bird

by Phyllis M. Newman

Kat A locked room mysteryKat Carson, apprentice detective, and her boss Ernie Lunt, face another daunting mystery. Investigating the theft of a valuable ring, they’re suddenly challenged by a violent death. Kat, perceptive and tenacious, rejects the conclusion of suicide after a man dies of a gunshot in a locked room. To find the killer, she follows a trail of clues left by the a treasure hunt based on Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven.The Richmond mansion is full of the disinherited half-brother; the victim’s secretary who was also his lover; the betrayed wife; the business partner saddled with a ruinous lawsuit; and the mysterious personal assistant with an unhealthy attachment to the Richmond family.As Kat follows the treasure hunt clues, she risks everything, including her life, to unearth the chilling mysteries hidden within the Richmond home.Will her relentless pursuit of the truth lead her to the killer, or will the dark secrets of the past remain buried?

353 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2024

Reviews

[Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Kat Bird” by Phyllis M. Newman is an ambitious, locked-room mystery that is sure to delight many fans of the genre. The clever, quirky cover art nicely signals what is ahead for readers.

This intelligent novel features a precocious young intern investigator, Kat Carson, in an enjoyable pursuit that keeps readers engaged trying to guess which of the long list of suspects is to blame.

Kat first appears on the scene investigating the disappearance of a valuable ring but is drawn into a murder investigation when a gunshot victim is found dead in a locked room at a Richmond mansion. Her instincts immediately tell her the initial suicide determination is wrong.

Literary passages from Edgar Allen Poe are peppered throughout the story as clues left by the murder victim, guiding the young detective.

An interesting cast of suspects keeps readers guessing and readers will enjoy the snappy, smart-alecky personality of the apprentice private eye.

Newman skillfully writes in first person and succeeds in immersing the reader in this story. At times, however, there is a bit too much unnecessary dialogue rambling between characters, intended to set a tone or scene but which only slows things down. A good edit of that would be helpful, as the novel felt a bit too long at times, and frustrating.

But overall, a good read.

[Carrie Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author weaves a colorful tapestry of interesting characters as suspects in this big-mansion-mystery... complete with gardener, maid, and cook (no spoilers here). Its rich with descriptions that create great visuals throughout and allows the reader to 'be there in the moment'. The story is told in first person narrative with detective in training, Kat Carson, taking us through the clues, recaps, and surmises of the case, changing things up with every new discovery she makes. She does the same with her personal life--and its complicated-- allowing us to be part of her self-growth and revelations. Kit is down to earth, ambitious, honest, courageous, and funny which makes the story completely additive until the last page is turned. I love a well-told mystery, and this was a great one!

[R.F. Whong · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Edgar Allen Poe’s classic “The Raven” at its heart, a literary mystery unfolds. I found this novel to be engaging and enjoyable, with charming main characters, a suspenseful plot that keeps me guessing, and thought-provoking literary excerpts (e.g. “In my dream, my vision cracked all at one. The world fractured into multiple repeating images...”)

One minor suggestion: the author may consider cutting down on the frequent use of dialogue tags (e.g., “say”).

All in all, it’s a fascinating read.