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The Ninth Life of Norris
Norris has been here before. He knows he's lived eight other lives and what's more, he can remember them all. He's not proud of them, especially not the one when he left his pal, Jimmy Morgan, at the mercy of German soldiers in the second world war. The discovery that he's been reincarnated as a cat isn't going to help his resolution to make amends to his old friend when he finds himself, by a strange quirk of fate, adopted from an animal rescue centre by Jimmy Morgan's grand-daughter. Once settled into Jimmy's home, Norris realises that all is not well in the old man's life and he's got himself involved in criminal activity at the behest of his late wife's family who are blackmailing Jimmy because they know he's in debt. When Norris discovers all this, he knows the only way he can apologise to Jimmy for letting him down in the past, is to try to help him in the present. But how exactly can he do this when he's a cat and when Jimmy's small time criminal activities place his grand-daughter, Stella, in danger?
Dawn Treacher's speculative fiction tale explores the possibility that your cat really is cleverer than you in a tale of magical realism that'll make you wonder exactly what your cat is thinking!
Dawn Treacher's speculative fiction tale explores the possibility that your cat really is cleverer than you in a tale of magical realism that'll make you wonder exactly what your cat is thinking!
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Treacher
19 books13 followersI am a children's book author and illustrator, writing picture books and Middle Grade fantasy adventures.
I pen my books in Geraldine my caravan parked in the drive.
When I am not writing or illustrating I am creating characters from plush as I am a toy designer too.
https://www.facebook.com/DawnTreacher...
I pen my books in Geraldine my caravan parked in the drive.
When I am not writing or illustrating I am creating characters from plush as I am a toy designer too.
https://www.facebook.com/DawnTreacher...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 23, 2025
As soon as I knew this story involved a cat, I was hooked. Protagonist Norris has lived 8 previous lives as a man and he can remember them all. However, 9th time around he finds that he is a cat. Norris finds himself adopted by the family of his old friend Jimmy. Norris discovers that Jimmy is in big trouble, but how can he help him? After all, he is only a cat.
This is such a beautiful story about friendship, forgiveness, second chances and self-discovery. I was fully invested from the first page. Norris and Borris (the neighbourhood cat) are such great characters. I loved Norris trying to come to terms with being a cat. Some real funny moments. As a cat lover, this was so well observed. But this story also has a lot of heart and I wanted everything to work out for the family and for Norris to find peace. Be prepared to feel all the emotions.
The author does a great job of developing the characters and weaves the story together in such a meaningful way, that I became completely invested in what happened to them all.
Such an enjoyable read, highly recommend this one!
Huge thanks to the author and Hygge Book Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
This is such a beautiful story about friendship, forgiveness, second chances and self-discovery. I was fully invested from the first page. Norris and Borris (the neighbourhood cat) are such great characters. I loved Norris trying to come to terms with being a cat. Some real funny moments. As a cat lover, this was so well observed. But this story also has a lot of heart and I wanted everything to work out for the family and for Norris to find peace. Be prepared to feel all the emotions.
The author does a great job of developing the characters and weaves the story together in such a meaningful way, that I became completely invested in what happened to them all.
Such an enjoyable read, highly recommend this one!
Huge thanks to the author and Hygge Book Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
May 16, 2025
Did I grab this book because there was a gorgeous cat on the front cover?
Yes, yes I did!
But, I also grabbed it because this will be the fifth book that I've read by this author and have never been disappointed! In fact, I've adored every single read so far!
Obviously, this was no exception and not just because it involves a cat!
This was such a unique concept - for me at least! I've never read anything quite like it and I absolutely love the idea that you come back to make amends for past misdeeds!
I loved getting to know all about Norris, his past lives of course and the memories that he had - but also the way that the story with Norris and Jimmy and Stella developed over the course of the story.
I loved all of the characters right from the start.
It was just perfect the way that Norris behaved more and more cat-like throughout and I found myself looking at my own cats and wondering 'what if'!?
I felt everything with Norris - from his retreat to his frustration and also had a few chuckles along the way, especially the interactions with Boris.
This was another new genre from Dawn and I'm officially obsessed (even though this isn't normally a genre that I'd read much at all) - I'd love to see more like this - and really, to be honest, just anything and everything this author wants to throw at me!
Brilliant read!!
Yes, yes I did!
But, I also grabbed it because this will be the fifth book that I've read by this author and have never been disappointed! In fact, I've adored every single read so far!
Obviously, this was no exception and not just because it involves a cat!
This was such a unique concept - for me at least! I've never read anything quite like it and I absolutely love the idea that you come back to make amends for past misdeeds!
I loved getting to know all about Norris, his past lives of course and the memories that he had - but also the way that the story with Norris and Jimmy and Stella developed over the course of the story.
I loved all of the characters right from the start.
It was just perfect the way that Norris behaved more and more cat-like throughout and I found myself looking at my own cats and wondering 'what if'!?
I felt everything with Norris - from his retreat to his frustration and also had a few chuckles along the way, especially the interactions with Boris.
This was another new genre from Dawn and I'm officially obsessed (even though this isn't normally a genre that I'd read much at all) - I'd love to see more like this - and really, to be honest, just anything and everything this author wants to throw at me!
Brilliant read!!
April 15, 2025
I have conversations with my four cats all the time and I've often wondered what they'd be saying if only they could speak - the obvious being I don't care what time of the night it is, I'm hungry feed me now'.
Finding himself reincarnated as a cat and adopted into the home of his old pal Jimmy Morgan, The Ninth Life Of Norris is a story of redemption and second chances.
I devoured the book across two sittings as I found the story absolutely captivating. The plot is unique and the addition of magic realism turned it into something special.
It has some great characters throughout, both human and cat. Norris and Boris won it for me though..I'm a cat lover at the end of the day!
The last few sentences hit me right where it hurts too. So emotional.
Finding himself reincarnated as a cat and adopted into the home of his old pal Jimmy Morgan, The Ninth Life Of Norris is a story of redemption and second chances.
I devoured the book across two sittings as I found the story absolutely captivating. The plot is unique and the addition of magic realism turned it into something special.
It has some great characters throughout, both human and cat. Norris and Boris won it for me though..I'm a cat lover at the end of the day!
The last few sentences hit me right where it hurts too. So emotional.
April 23, 2025
I think at this point it's pretty safe to say I will adore anything Dawn Treacher writes! Having read and loved her cosy crime books I was really excited to read this, her first speculative fiction/magical realism, and it was excellently done. Plus just look how cute Norris is! I absolutely raced through this in about half a day and just did not want to stop reading. (And I pretty much didn't except to make and eat food!) I was up crying into the early hours of the morning.
Exploring the idea that cats are reincarnated humans who have lived eight lives and become cats for their ninth, remembering them all. Particularly ones who maybe made some mistakes or have regrets from their human lives. I don't want to give too much else away about the story though! Norris is born into a cat's body and is increasingly frustrated by how little he can do as a cat which was really funny (although I did feel sorry for him too of course) and it was fun to see all the ways he tried to communicate to try and tell his owners what was going on. It's also a weird coincidence that he gets adopted by a nice 15-year-old girl Stella and her mother Mildred, who are living with Mildred's father Jimmy that Norris knew in his previous life! Or is it? I loved all three of them in their own way, and the rest of the human characters were perfectly hateable! I also really Boris, the cat next door, and all their interactions!
It was the perfect mix of funny and infuriating to see Norris struggling to tell the family about the dangers they were blind to and trying to make amends. I loved his cat character, both having the book from the POV of a cat and just his character in general. Although I definitely think he wasn't the most likeable human in his previous lives! Dawn's writing was excellent again, keeping me gripped between that and the compelling story. In many ways this was another cosy crime book but with the added magical realism. I believe Dawn's writing a psychological thriller next though and I'm so excited and intrigued! I know it's gonna be amazing!
Exploring the idea that cats are reincarnated humans who have lived eight lives and become cats for their ninth, remembering them all. Particularly ones who maybe made some mistakes or have regrets from their human lives. I don't want to give too much else away about the story though! Norris is born into a cat's body and is increasingly frustrated by how little he can do as a cat which was really funny (although I did feel sorry for him too of course) and it was fun to see all the ways he tried to communicate to try and tell his owners what was going on. It's also a weird coincidence that he gets adopted by a nice 15-year-old girl Stella and her mother Mildred, who are living with Mildred's father Jimmy that Norris knew in his previous life! Or is it? I loved all three of them in their own way, and the rest of the human characters were perfectly hateable! I also really Boris, the cat next door, and all their interactions!
It was the perfect mix of funny and infuriating to see Norris struggling to tell the family about the dangers they were blind to and trying to make amends. I loved his cat character, both having the book from the POV of a cat and just his character in general. Although I definitely think he wasn't the most likeable human in his previous lives! Dawn's writing was excellent again, keeping me gripped between that and the compelling story. In many ways this was another cosy crime book but with the added magical realism. I believe Dawn's writing a psychological thriller next though and I'm so excited and intrigued! I know it's gonna be amazing!
April 26, 2025
As I had seen this cover and noticed Norris is a cat I had to read on.
Norris has lived 8 previous lives but as a man, and the most bizarre thing is he can remember each life perfectly.
Although his ninth turn of life he's a cat....
Norris is later then adopted by one of his old family friend Jimmy, but Jimmy is in so much trouble, and Norris is only a cat now, so can he help get him out of trouble?
I absolutely loved this story, there's a massive role of friendship, second chances and forgiveness, and in a world we live in that's what we need to read and hear even if this is a story.
Dawn Treacher is a new author to me and may I add I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read and review because she brings the characters together so wonderfully, it makes you want to know the whole story and you'll not want to miss a thing!
I couldn't put this book down because I was so invested in seeing what happened to Norris I had to keep reading!
Even though Norris wasn't a cat in his previous 8 lives he comes to terms being a cat in his 9th life and there's some absolute funny moments that'll have you LOL.
Norris has lived 8 previous lives but as a man, and the most bizarre thing is he can remember each life perfectly.
Although his ninth turn of life he's a cat....
Norris is later then adopted by one of his old family friend Jimmy, but Jimmy is in so much trouble, and Norris is only a cat now, so can he help get him out of trouble?
I absolutely loved this story, there's a massive role of friendship, second chances and forgiveness, and in a world we live in that's what we need to read and hear even if this is a story.
Dawn Treacher is a new author to me and may I add I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read and review because she brings the characters together so wonderfully, it makes you want to know the whole story and you'll not want to miss a thing!
I couldn't put this book down because I was so invested in seeing what happened to Norris I had to keep reading!
Even though Norris wasn't a cat in his previous 8 lives he comes to terms being a cat in his 9th life and there's some absolute funny moments that'll have you LOL.
April 21, 2025
What a fabulous story! The idea that humans who haven’t been the best of people come back as a cat in their ninth life to make amends for the humanly deeds is pure genius! Norris was such a great character. His comments on life as a cat were quite funny at times. Even though he had retained his human memories and feelings, he became more cat as the book progressed and he resigned himself to his fate. I love how he grew to care for Stella and Jimmy. So much so, that he did everything he could to help them. The way in which he was finally able to communicate with them was brilliant. This was truly a heartwarming story that evoked lots of emotions. I may have welled up a bit at the end even. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Bravo!
April 27, 2025
Thank you @weareprovoco @dawn.treacher @hyggebooktours for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. The Ninth life of Norris is a contemporary fantasy genre. I was drawn to the front cover and blurb straight the way due to the adorable ginger cat. I love cats, so was eagerly awaiting to read this book. The story is about Norris who has been reincarnated in to a cat and remembers all his eight lives, and he’s not happy with them. Norris comes across an old friend called Jimmy and wants to help because he feels like he failed him in his previous life but feels he can’t do this by being a cat. This is an incredible story that took me a day to read. The story was gripping from the start and a unique read. I absolutely loved it and I loved Norris the cat and how he tried to help everyone. The characters are wonderful, and you like them straight the way, and it is lovely to see them develop through the story. I must admit the Ninth life of Norris did make me cry, but what a lovely ending. . I was very satisfied with the ending. It touched my heart. . Beautiful written and magical to read. If you love cats, you will love this. Strongly recommend 5 stars.
April 22, 2025
Oh Norris what an absolute sweetheart you are, I loved his character and his interactions with Boris the cat really got me giggling.
A cat with attitude Norris’ ninth life he comes back as a cat, he’s not happy about it but soon discovers he can make amends for his past actions by helping the family he’s with.
Lots of emotions reading this book it was heartwarming how Stella became to understand Norris as he desperately tried to communicate.
A great read and a rivoting story.
Thank you @hyggebooktours for having me on the tour
@weareprovoco #theninthlifeofnorris #ebookreview #adpr
A cat with attitude Norris’ ninth life he comes back as a cat, he’s not happy about it but soon discovers he can make amends for his past actions by helping the family he’s with.
Lots of emotions reading this book it was heartwarming how Stella became to understand Norris as he desperately tried to communicate.
A great read and a rivoting story.
Thank you @hyggebooktours for having me on the tour
@weareprovoco #theninthlifeofnorris #ebookreview #adpr
September 7, 2025
This is probably a 3 star read, but I have awarded it an extra star for the sheer inventiveness of having a cat as the main character. The aspects with the cats and dogs are handled well. It's a decent plot, but the writing is a bit repetitive and simplistic. The characterisation is a bit weak too. The author has written several books for children and it shows. This is meant to be a book for adults, I believe, but it was rather unsophisticated in places with a lot of "telling" rather than "showing". Overall, an enjoyable and lighthearted bit of escapism though - and a happy ending.
June 18, 2025
Clever idea and beautifully written plot. Two stories…Norris the cat and Norris the man……loved it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews