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A serial killer with a peculiar penchant for City Hall interns is on the loose in San Francisco, and it’s up to me—and my two cats, Rupert and Isabella—to put a stop to the spree. Unfortunately, worrying about my uncle Oscar’s failing health and assisting with the interim mayor’s America’s Cup regatta doesn’t leave me with much opportunity to chase down clues.

Could the key to apprehending the killer be found in San Francisco’s sailing history? The first European vessel to pass through the Golden Gate contained a familiar cast of human – and feline – passengers as well as an elusive killer who used a similar murder weapon. Will the past catch up to the present in time to crack the case?

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 3, 2015

15 people are currently reading
342 people want to read

About the author

Rebecca M. Hale

14 books156 followers
NY Times bestselling author Rebecca M. Hale lives in Western Colorado with her feline writing associates - when she’s not off researching future books set in San Francisco, the Caribbean, or wherever else her wandering spirit takes her.

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Fred.
1,012 reviews66 followers
April 8, 2015
How To Catch A Cat is the sixth book in the Cats & Curios Mystery series.

I have enjoyed this series from the first book, How To Wash A Cat. Ms. Hale provides an enjoyable mixture of mystery, humor and a touch of San Francisco history in each of the books. And this book is no different.

The hunt continues for Mabel the Knitting Needle Ninja who had lured college aged students into intern jobs at City Hall and then killing them. Uncle Oscar, even with his health problems is out and about trying to find Mabel. At the same time his niece has taken a position as an administrative assistant to the mayor, hoping to find a clue as to where the elusive Mabel might be. Isabella and Rupert are also helping as only they can. Well, mostly it's Isabella, Rupert is worried more about where his next piece of chicken or chicken donuts are coming from.

While she is trying to find Mabel, Mayor Monty busy is schmoozing the regatta organizer in hopes of getting some free publicity and get him some support to get reelected mayor. Mayor Monty is an enjoyable character, providing a little humor and light hearted times. The harder he tries, the deeper hole he digs.

Also what I found particularly enjoyable is how Ms. Hale has developed a history in 1775 of how the Golden Gate Bay was discovered.

This has been a very enjoyable series for me and hope that there may be more books coming.
Profile Image for Deb Lester.
614 reviews25 followers
March 26, 2015
Rebecca M. Hale returns to her Cats and Curios series with her latest book, How to Catch a Cat. Rupert and Isabella are back with another adventure, this time centering around the sailing history of San Francisco. Hale's unique way of writing might be a little confusing for some, but she always creates a tale that is complex and satisfying and this one is no exception. The unnamed main character is trying to find a killer in her own time and one in the past, which takes the reader on a journey through time as well as through a good mystery. Readers who love this series will find this one irresistible.

This series is a mystery within itself. The idea that the main character is never named in the series, took a little bit of getting used to. At first I found that hard to digest, but the idea has grown on me. It is a really unique concept and Hale certainly makes it work for her in this series. Readers are fascinated as much by Rupert and Isabella's "person" as they are by whatever is going on in the story. I wonder every time I read one of the books in this series, if we'll ever really find out her name.

I loved the sailing history theme of this addition to the series. Hale always does her homework and ensures that no two books she has written are anything alike. Her themes are distinctive and often take the reader into areas they never considered before. San Francisco is obviously a sailing town. I have to wonder how much of the historical stuff that Hale gives us in this book is based on real fact. It makes me want to go beyond the book and do a little research of my own. That's a hallmark of a good author.

Essentially, the lead character, along with her uncle and her two cats are trying to pinpoint not one but two killers, separated by time. The present day killer's nickname is the Knitting Needle Ninja due to her choice of weapon. It was a little hard to distinguish whether you were in the past or the present at times and it was one of those books you had to really think about and concentrate on. But I think that was part of the beauty of it. I didn't want a mystery I could solve easily. I wanted to work for it and Hale delivered on that aspect.

Bottom Line:

Rupert and Isabella once again steal the show. We still don't know the main characters name and Uncle Oscar is still alive unbeknownst to most of the characters in the book. This was a somewhat complicated tale that took a lot of twists and turns. I loved the sailing history. I liked the fact that you had a mystery within a mystery to solve and the way the story skipped from the past to the present. A very unique and satisfying addition to this popular series.
Profile Image for OpenBookSociety.com .
4,097 reviews134 followers
March 5, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ho...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

How to Catch a Cat is an interesting and unique mystery! It is the 6th in the very popular Cats and Curios mystery series. This novel can be read as a stand alone, but might be more enjoyable if one has read at least one of the earlier books to follow the progression of some of the characters. The back cover description is written in first person as if the niece is writing it, yet the novel itself is not written in first person. The niece’s uncle’s name was mentioned frequently, but the niece’s was not. While I would rather refer to her by name, “the niece” is the best I can offer.

Someone has been murdering mayoral department interns. It is at least known who the someone is, but where she is now, how she is disguised, or even why she has focused on interns is part of the mystery. Her weapon of choice is an antique curved knitting needle with a knife hidden inside of it, as had been carried by women of the Barbary Coast in 1800’s San Francisco to protect themselves. A knife needle is left behind with each body, hence the nickname, the Knitting Needle Ninja.

The niece is “owned” by felines Isabella and Rupert, who were clearly the main characters of this series. The niece was working temporarily as the administrative assistant for the interim mayor of San Francisco, “Monty” Montgomery Carmichael. Part of the “deal” she cut to help Monty includes that she bring Isabella and Rupert with her every day. Beautiful fluffy white with orange ears and tails, any cat person would be captivated by them. Rupert is a cat after Garfield’s heart, dreaming of and trying to find fried chicken, donuts, and other delicacies. Wise and watchful Isabella helps the niece make decisions. Whether it is what to wear or who to hire as an intern for the interim mayor, Isabella has an opinion. And she is usually right!

The niece had inherited Oscar’s antique store after his presumed death. Nobody knows that Oscar is still alive, or at least somewhat alive, as his heart is failing, but he wants to get the Ninja behind bars while his weary heart still beats. And before anyone discovers that he is really alive. The antique store is across the street from Mayor Monty’s art studio, so the niece and Monty have been acquainted for several years.

Oscar knew it was necessary to research a similar event in history, with a similar cast of characters, to find the key to the Knitting Needle Ninja.. While the circumstances were different and the people – with similar names – had different roles, some of the actions were repeated through the centuries, with the common threads of the murder weapon, the uncle, the niece, and the cats. The reader is taken on board a Spanish ship in the 1770’s and sees how the voyage and the earlier murders occurred while being aware of the details of the murders in the present time.

In the meantime, for the first time ever, the races for the America’s Cup Regatta would be held in the beautiful San Francisco Bay area. Mayor Monty was thrilled, and convinced that if this went well, he could definitely be elected Mayor in the fall after filling in as interim Mayor.

Isabella and Rupert are the reigning felines; Isabella and Oscar appear to have the best understanding of the situations and solutions. The niece is almost in a supporting role to them, and while she is a strong, intelligent and valuable member of the sleuthing team, she doesn’t have as clear of a role independent of them. The rest of the characters with the exception of Captain Ayala are either eccentric folks that provide a modicum of comic relief, or those seeking economic gain. The Knitting Needle Ninja is crafty, sly and an overall creepy woman – and the true identity is a surprise held for the very end, completely a surprise to me.

The plot has been thoroughly planned and executed, leaving no open ends. I found the format of the book to be a bit challenging until I got used to how the scenes of the present day and historical days were laid out. As the tale continued, I did get into it more while seeking the Ninja both in present day and historical day. There continued to be twists throughout the story and I will admit that overall I enjoyed it, and the end was a complete surprise to me.

If you have read other books in this series, you won’t want to miss this one! Rebecca Hale shares her great sense of humor, allowing most characters to take few things seriously except for the Ninja. I recommend How to Catch a Cat to adults of any age who enjoy a cozy mystery with cats, a bit of history, lots of humor, and a mystery that keeps you guessing and brings a totally surprise ending. Older teens with similar interests might enjoy it, also.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Profile Image for LORI CASWELL.
2,855 reviews327 followers
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The truly is one of my favorite series. They are so much more than mysteries that are adventures and Rebecca M. Hale spins quite a story or should I say stories. She takes the reader back and forth from 1775 to present time and gives this series a fabulous finish.

Again the story picks up right where the last one leaves off as Oscar, his niece and her cats are trying to catch the Knitting Needle Ninja. A killer who hides blades in the ends of knitting needles, apparently it is a weapon used way back in the past too. This time the story focuses on an America’s Cup Regatta in present day and the search for a hidden bay off the coast in the past. The stories parallel perfectly and leave the reader wondering about all the characters.

Like my reviews of previous books in this series I stress that these books need to be read in order because each one builds to the next. Reading this as a stand alone would leave too many questions or disappointment for the reader. The entire series is excellent so if you are not already a fan please start from the beginning.

The author does a vast amount of research and her fiction is based on facts which really draws me into these stories. I always want to do a little research on my own after finishing or sometimes during these stories. Her writing style is very creative and it takes a few chapters to get into the rhythm but soon the reader is so immersed in the story it is as if you are watching a movie as the pictures just form before your eyes.

The characters are rich, genuine and also quirky and the cats Rupert and Isabella are some of the finest felines you will find in fiction today.

This book is dedicated to the readers by Rupert, Isabella and Rebecca – stating “It has been a pleasure sharing our adventures with you.” Well all I have to say the pleasure was all mine. I loved each and every one of them!
457 reviews3 followers
March 8, 2015
I love the way this series is written, each book has an adventure,mystery and eccentric characters, and yet each book is written in such a way that is never a repeat of another. I hope there will be more.
2 reviews
August 6, 2024
I'll miss reading about the adventures of Rupert, Isabella, and "the niece" in this fun series. The quirky characters and their escapades kept me entertained. The author's vivid descriptions throughout each tale brought the settings and characters to life. As a cat lover myself (My husband and I share our home with 7 cats and 2 dogs), I especially enjoyed the way Rupert's and Isabella's personalities leapt to life from the pages. I'll truly miss reading about Rupert's napping positions, his constant obsession with food (especially fried chicken doughnuts!), and his plump furry belly. And Isabella provides the perfect counterpoint to mellow Rupert with her sharp observations and alertness, and her "mrao" comments to make a point whenever she needs to. I truly envisioned myself in San Francisco and environs while reading this series due to the author's impressive attention to detail.
Profile Image for Kelly.
1,087 reviews8 followers
October 6, 2017
The sixth installment of the Cats & Curios Mystery Series. I found this book not as enjoyable as the rest in the series. This installment has Uncle Oscar at the forefront and is told in alternating chapter groupings from present day San Frisco during the America Cup Races and the historical 1700s onboard a ship named the San Carlos. The majority of the characters are in both timeframes as our the cats Rupert & Isabella. As always there are hijinks both human and feline. Enjoyable if you've read the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Silvia.
67 reviews
January 24, 2018
Much ado about nothing.
2 stories happening at the same time, none of them really tells something.
Profile Image for Paul Lunger.
1,303 reviews6 followers
May 20, 2015
The 6th book in Rebecca Hale's "Cats & Curios" series, "How to Catch a Cat", is a book with parallel plots that leaves this reader with more curiosity than anything else. The book begins by introducing us to the San Carlos a Spanish vessel which in August 1775 was off the California coast & would eventually discover San Francisco along with island of the coast of Los Angeles. In this story, we find very familiar characters in Oscar as well as both cats Rupert & Isabella with references to the present as well. In the present, the Knitting Needle Ninja (as she's been known) continues her spree of killing mayoral interns while Mayor Carmichael & San Francisco prepare for the America's Cup race. We also have Uncle Oscar continuing his watch of his niece as a soup vendor in City Hall.

Hale's story is intriguing in a lot of ways because the events from 1775 are almost repeating themselves in the present down to the individual person. The plots alternate at a rate that's allows a bit of foreshadowing from one to the other all the way through the eventual capture of Mabel in the present. The characters themselves remain as strong as ever with enough twists & turns to make life very interesting. Where the book gets even more creatives is that Hale doesn't exactly dispute the fact that there is a chance that our characters are in fact over 200 years old including the cats & Uncle Oscar. It's that twist that has this reader looking forward to the next installment of this highly entertaining series.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,351 reviews55 followers
April 3, 2015
The Knitting Needle Ninja is still on the loose. With Oscar's health failing, he wants to catch her before he loses his battle. She is still elusive but clues are all around for Oscar and his niece.

I enjoyed how the founding of San Francisco Bay was incorporated into the story. I liked the story going back to the past and coming into the present. I also liked the frogs usage in the story. I love Rupert with his dreams of fried chicken and Isabella with her ability to communicate. Watching the murders being incorporated in the past and the present makes you wonder how much the past influences the present.

I have the sense that this is the last book in the series. I hope I'm wrong. I love these characters and will miss them if this ends it all.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
601 reviews25 followers
March 19, 2023
This was probably my least favorite of all of the Cats and Curios books, but I still had fun with it, liked it a lot, and will happily re-read it in the future. I hated to get to the end of it, as it is, thus far, the last in the series. MAN, I'm going to miss Rupert! Well, I'll miss Isabella as well, but Rupert totally won my heart.

And so, I bid Rupert a fond farewell until I re-read this series again...which WILL happen. I knew that with the final death of...well...a person, that this was probably be the last book in this series. I would LOVE it if Ms. Hale revisites Rupert, his sister, Isabella, and their Person in another series not based so closely around the deceased cast member!
Profile Image for Natalie Williams.
134 reviews82 followers
September 20, 2015
The writer has a clever and unique style . . . she employs various modes of crafting her tale and her characters that add interesting layers and dimensions to her plot. A few passages gave me the belly-laughs and some snorts and giggles as well . . . great comedic timing, situations, and dialogue! I'm not a spoiler, so I won't go there . . . I enjoyed the mix of history, mystery, comedy, cats, vague references to prior lives, and zany, but recognizable characters. The murder weapon was an extra bonus!
Profile Image for Patricia.
448 reviews13 followers
April 8, 2015
I plodded through this book for two reasons. One, I love the cats Rupert and Isabella. Two, I like the previous books in the series. Two reasons, two stars. I lopped off a star because of the author's weird insistance at not naming her heroine. Another star was lost due to the dragged out story line. The last star was lost due to the death of a beloved character. The rather anti-climactic ending was given a buy.
1,867 reviews8 followers
May 20, 2015
Latest in the spooky cat and crazy San Francisco city hall series. Ties up the last story line and finally ends the participation of Oscar. This series is OK from the library but I would not pay for any of them. Our main character is OK. Her cats are so - so. The reporter is acceptable. The rest of the characters are a mess and none really believable in full. They have fit parts of the story plot but here in book six some are not used and others are over used.
58 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2015
Have read all of the book in the series but this wasn't my favorite because it left too many loose ends. But it sure managed to peak my curiosity to read what the next episode will explain! Rebecca Hale sure has the unique ability to write a tale that keeps you guessing! Love the feline heroines as well!
Profile Image for Rachel.
43 reviews8 followers
March 15, 2015
I love this series!

It's wacky and takes some healthy suspension of disbelief, but nothing beats a relaxing read on an otherwise dreary Sunday afternoon!

I seriously hope the series continues, gets a little weirder, and that the niece and Hox find true love! Maybe even with each other.
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,644 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2015
Amusing. The story flips from the voyage to discover the entryway into San Francisco Bay to a regatta in present day San Francisco. The murders of a few interns are of no great consequence..they just hire another one. The important thing is to catch the Knitting Needle Ninja...ok, the cats make it funny but not my favorite read.
18 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2015
Great book

Yet another great tail (tale) from Rebecca Hale. This series keeps you intrigued from the first page. I can't wait for the next installment!
Profile Image for Ashley Mazrin.
40 reviews2 followers
Want to read
July 8, 2015
Oh my god yes!!!!!!! I love thi series soooooo much! Rebecca Hale is an incredible author and I adore this series! I can't wait to read this one! :)
Profile Image for Barbra.
831 reviews5 followers
April 16, 2015
This was not one of my favorites, going back and forth from past to present was very confusing.
Profile Image for Pamela Wallace.
8 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2015
enjoyed it sorry Oscar died
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Monica.
107 reviews
May 17, 2015
I gave it 4 days, and barely hit 100 pages. Just not engaging. At all. Yes, I know it's intentional because the protagonists are cats, but you've gotta give the reader something.
Profile Image for Kushlandia.
76 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2016
I love this series! History, murder, quirky characters, San Francisco, and surrounding areas, and cats! What's not to love?
Profile Image for Jessica.
601 reviews19 followers
July 18, 2016
I liked this book, I really did, but I found the switches between past and present and the handful of Canadian-inspired character names to be a bit confusing.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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