Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Detective Whiskers Cozy Mystery

Rescued: A Story of Cats, Dogs, Crooks, and Cops

Rate this book
When lost animals start showing up at crime scenes, Officer Fred Mason decides to sniff out the culprit. He'll need some help from residents of the local animal rescue, including one exceptionally bright and determined cat. Along the way, people and animals find their way home.

This novella is a complete standalone story and is the prequel to The Detective Whiskers Cozy Mystery Series.

There are happy endings for all of the characters in this book, humans and animals, with the exception of one bad guy who ends up in jail.

When you can’t find your way home, home will find you.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2024

123 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Chris Abernathy

172 books66 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
157 (62%)
4 stars
70 (27%)
3 stars
19 (7%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader).
1,483 reviews48 followers
February 12, 2025
Author’s Description:
"Want to know how Fred and Whiskers met and became crime fighting partners? Read my prequel novella 'Rescued: A Story of Cats, Dogs, Crooks, and Cops' for free when you sign up for my newsletter.

As Sheila Mason was already a widow in Book 1, "Paw and Order," I was delighted to discover the prequel. I hoped to learn how Fred and Whiskers first met and the key to Whiskers' savvy skills earning the title of Detective, complete with a badge for his collar. The prequel provides an enjoyable backstory and adds depth to Sheila and Whiskers' lives before the loss of Fred.

This charming novella exceeded my expectations as it introduced Whiskers and the delightful yet unusual circumstances that forged his special relationship with Fred. The author's writing brings each character to life, whether human or animal. Reading it is not just fun; it's also enchanting.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,345 reviews265 followers
July 25, 2024
This is a prequel to one of my favorite cat cozy mystery series, “Detective Whiskers”. It’s a quick read that I read in one sitting.

This series is about a widow who moves to a retirement community in Florida with her cat, Detective Whiskers. He worked alongside her police officer husband, Fred, in solving cases. We never actually met Fred, so this prequel was a welcome introduction to the man who gave us Detective Whiskers.

In this prequel, Officer Fred Mason is on the case of a thief who steals animals from their families. With the help of a local rescue shelter and a cute kitty named Whiskers, Fred tries to solve the crime and reunite the animals with their humans.

I loved every minute of this prequel. It left me with tears in my eyes. I’m up to book #4 in the series and I can’t wait to get back to reading it. This book is uplifting and leaves you with that “warm fuzzy” feeling.

On a side note: If you haven't read this series yet, I think you can still read this short story without being lost. The mystery is contained in this book and you get an introduction to all the characters involved. It's actually the perfect story to give you a taste of the series and get to know the characters before reading the first book.










Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through the author’s newsletter. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
650 reviews10 followers
January 9, 2025
A standalone prequel to paw and order. An enjoyable story with fun animals and good and bad, and very bad humans. Acquired from the author's website. Rating ten paws up ♥️
Profile Image for Lise.
1,073 reviews
April 16, 2025
A bizarre spate of low-end thefts and pet abductions has Officer Fred Mason bewildered. Assigned to these nuisance calls by his superior, Fred is missing out on the prime assignment - guarding an expensive prop for a play (and meeting a famous and gorgeous actress). Nevertheless, Fred pulls the clues together with the help of an itinerant cat from a shelter.

This is the background story to The Detective Whiskers Cozy Mystery Series. I read this out of order by picking up book 1 first and then this introductory tale. It was wonderful to see how the detective human and the detective cat met in order to become the great team they were. I would love for this to spin off and watch the two investigate more cases.
Profile Image for Uma.
218 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2024
The best book I have read so far in 2024!!!

A delightful, wonderful, enjoyable book that combines all possible best attributes a book can garner!!! The joy of the animals being safe, being loved, being in the company of other stolen animals who understand what it is to feel the same and also be rescued by a cop who is full of warm love,.compassion and trying his best to reunite the four legged children eagerly waiting to be reunited with their families!

This is THE book that spreads love, good cheer and the best of.everything in life!!!

Thanks for your wonderful gift, Chris!!!
Profile Image for Sarah Zweigenbaum.
23 reviews
October 24, 2024
As an animal lover myself, I loved this book. I especially enjoyed the scenes in in which the animals talked to each other, and Whiskers talking to officer Mason. A prequel to Paw and Order, Whiskers aids officer Mason to catch an animal-napper. Mysteriously, these animals always appear at the crime scene and describe the same clues to Whiskers
Profile Image for Glenda.
432 reviews20 followers
August 18, 2025
A fun prequel to Detective Whiskers series. The Audible format was great for our recent road trip. This story follows the narrative device that I most identify with Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy series—the animals can talk among themselves. The animals devise ways to make the solution obvious to the humans in order to save the day.
44 reviews
July 28, 2024
Heartwarming

Thanks for the story line of how Whiskers and Fred became a team. Very touching. Good to know that Sparky found a wonderful new home. As a true dog lover, this story truly touched my heart.
86 reviews
July 28, 2024
A prequel with a very wily thief and an incredible twist at the end! The things stolen make no sense until the end. The method is unique, and the cat is ahead of the humans! This takes place years before Paw & Order. This book introduces Whiskers to Fred. A great read.
Profile Image for Dorothy.
186 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2024
Detective Whiskers

Just finished reading books 1, 2, 4 and Rescued: etc. I can’t begin to recommend the author and this series enough. I love animals, birds etc. These stories are well written and great to read.
534 reviews
September 28, 2024
When animals go missing their owners can have broken hearts!

Someone is taking animals! The police officer suspects why! A lovely book with animals that talk to each other! Will all the animals make it home!? I guess I should read book #2!
260 reviews1 follower
October 29, 2024
DELIGHTFUL!

If you're having a bad day or are just tired of reality, spend some time with Whiskers and Officer Fred. You'll be smiling the biggest grin and your heart will be over flowing with happiness.
103 reviews
March 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this novella and its cast of characters, humans & animals! I really hope for a sequel to it so I can read it thoroughly and enjoy aplenty! I also appreciate the actions as well as the suspense in between! Thank you!!
191 reviews2 followers
August 13, 2025
If you want to know how Fred and Whiskers meet this is the story. Took a later bit but Whisker was able to solve the case and make sure to get Fred’s help. This is a great series told by Whiskers. Having read all the books it’s great to see how they meet.
462 reviews14 followers
July 25, 2024
What a wonderful story! I love these characters.
963 reviews11 followers
August 5, 2024
An absolutely lovely introduction to the series. I love Whiskers, he is fabulously clever and totally adorable.
6 reviews
September 2, 2024
Love this series. Nice to read about how Whiskers began his crime fighting career. Hope to see more
adventures about Whiskers and friends.
Profile Image for Madeleine Booth-Smits.
872 reviews15 followers
October 16, 2024
I adore this series and just loved this well introduction novel. So clearly and sweetly written. I may have shed a few tears as well. A must for fans of the great Detective Whiskers!!
Profile Image for Nadine.
833 reviews9 followers
October 31, 2024
Really cute prequel. Now I know how Whiskers came to be with the Mason’s. Happy Reading :)
Profile Image for Lisa.
536 reviews
November 18, 2024
Rescued: A Story of Cats, Dogs, Crooks and Cops by Chris Abernathy was a cute short story. The only that would have made this a 5 star book is if it had been a little longer.
Profile Image for Melissa Osborne.
155 reviews5 followers
November 24, 2024
Adorable

This was an adorable short fast read. I enjoyed the lightheartedness of it. If you need a palette cleanser after a heavy read this is the ticket. A real cute story.
Profile Image for Janice.
11 reviews5 followers
May 10, 2025
Cute story about a cat detective. This is a fun read. It would be a fun story to read out loud with an eight to ten-year-old.
620 reviews4 followers
September 18, 2025
This story was tons of fun. I loved seeing Mittens working on the case as well as Fred. I really like the epilogue. I listened to this on YouTube and Chris did a great job with it!
145 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2025
Charming

Great characters and good storytelling. The cat Whiskers is one smart defective... I am looking forward to the next adventure.
Profile Image for Deanna.
244 reviews
January 4, 2025
A sweet story, more of a simple, maybe YA story.

A policeman trying to make detective is part of a trio of policemen tasked with guarding the Queen's crown to be used for a play with a sexy female celebrity. His companions keep sending him off on what seems to be insignificant thefts so they can jockey to be the one to guard the celebrity. There are several thefts which include animals (none were harmed). Are they connected?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.