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What can go wrong when an elderly matriarch leaves the family fortune to her cat?
Just about everything, including ‘catnapping’ and murder!
CATNIP is a mystery set in the picturesque town of Dunbarton, Ontario, and tells the story of what befalls the dysfunctional Dunbar family, and the chaos that ensues, when the matriarch of the clan leaves the family fortune to her cat.
That formidable feline proves to be more than a match for the humans in his life, until one fateful night when, caught unawares, he is stuffed in a sack and carried away.
A nosy neighbor with a nasty, suspicious mind points the finger of suspicion at the Dunbars and Christopher Mallory, the young attorney who is the trustee of the estate, and under the terms of the will, they face losing everything.
When a murder occurs, Christopher finds himself confronting a ruthless killer who would do anything to conceal his or her identity, including to kill again.
Just about everything, including ‘catnapping’ and murder!
CATNIP is a mystery set in the picturesque town of Dunbarton, Ontario, and tells the story of what befalls the dysfunctional Dunbar family, and the chaos that ensues, when the matriarch of the clan leaves the family fortune to her cat.
That formidable feline proves to be more than a match for the humans in his life, until one fateful night when, caught unawares, he is stuffed in a sack and carried away.
A nosy neighbor with a nasty, suspicious mind points the finger of suspicion at the Dunbars and Christopher Mallory, the young attorney who is the trustee of the estate, and under the terms of the will, they face losing everything.
When a murder occurs, Christopher finds himself confronting a ruthless killer who would do anything to conceal his or her identity, including to kill again.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2012
229 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tate
9 books28 followers Valerie Tate lives in a nineteenth century, heritage cottage in Ontario, Canada. She has a degree in English Literature and a teaching degree from the University of Toronto.
When not working on her mystery novels, she can be found at the barn with her horse. Devon, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Jamie.
Publications to date include CATNIP, the first of the Dunbarton Mysteries, HORSE SENSE, FROG LEGS and SCAPEGOAT.
When not working on her mystery novels, she can be found at the barn with her horse. Devon, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Jamie.
Publications to date include CATNIP, the first of the Dunbarton Mysteries, HORSE SENSE, FROG LEGS and SCAPEGOAT.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 20, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it! You get two cozy mysteries for the price of one.
After the mystery was solved and everything was wrapping up, I noticed that the book was about 75% complete (on my Kindle). I figured that there was an excerpt from the next book in the Dunbarton Mystery Series. Lo and behold, a #X&$@ occurred (I don't give spoilers in reviews), and so there was another mystery to solve.
Both mysteries were solved satisfactorily. The characters were likeable, with two who grew to like each other very much indeed. Marmalade the cat was a scene-stealer whenever he appeared.
Have I whetted your appetite? Read the book!
After the mystery was solved and everything was wrapping up, I noticed that the book was about 75% complete (on my Kindle). I figured that there was an excerpt from the next book in the Dunbarton Mystery Series. Lo and behold, a #X&$@ occurred (I don't give spoilers in reviews), and so there was another mystery to solve.
Both mysteries were solved satisfactorily. The characters were likeable, with two who grew to like each other very much indeed. Marmalade the cat was a scene-stealer whenever he appeared.
Have I whetted your appetite? Read the book!
March 12, 2013
How could you not love a book that starts out "It was a dark and stormy night."? Well, it wasn't really a dark and stormy night. It was a sunny afternoon. Well, you get the idea. An older lady of means, died and left her fortune to her cat. Yes, to the cat. To say that the family was ok with it, was not at all true. Actually they were all just 'waiting' for the 'old lady' to pass so they could get her money. Lovely family, isn't it. I know some families like that, don't you?
I don't want you to worry about said cat. The story ends well, but all the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. The description of the home was so good that I could actually 'see' the place in my mind. The characters, family and friends and neighborts, we wonderful. Well, some were just mean.
This would be a great book to read during a week that you just must have a happy book to snuggle up with.
Mystery lovers and cat lovers will love it. Enjoy the read!
I don't want you to worry about said cat. The story ends well, but all the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. The description of the home was so good that I could actually 'see' the place in my mind. The characters, family and friends and neighborts, we wonderful. Well, some were just mean.
This would be a great book to read during a week that you just must have a happy book to snuggle up with.
Mystery lovers and cat lovers will love it. Enjoy the read!
February 26, 2013
Very good story line. Loved the humorous parts. Marmalade was the best character in the book, he reminded me of a cat I once had.
December 31, 2017
A satisfying cozy mystery
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's small village mysteries, this book retains the elements of a good puzzle but is lighter in tone. Cat and animal lovers will especially enjoy Marmalade's antics and worry over his welfare as the story unfolds. Looking forward to the next installment!
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's small village mysteries, this book retains the elements of a good puzzle but is lighter in tone. Cat and animal lovers will especially enjoy Marmalade's antics and worry over his welfare as the story unfolds. Looking forward to the next installment!
September 9, 2018
This book was longer than I expected. However, I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest and I didn't want to put it down. The only thing I didn't like was that the chapters were way to short. In my opinion, I think if the chapters were a little longer you wouldn't need as many chapters.
August 25, 2021
An enjoyable mystery featuring the delightful cat Marmalade.
August 31, 2012
A light and amusing mystery/detective story. I can just see it as a film, maybe a Walt Disney film.
The writing is impeccable, and the author has a gift for phrasing - 'about as warm as a Huron January' and 'his air of patient melancholy.' I particularly enjoyed the accounts of the attempted capture of Marmalade. You know cats - the smug certainty of the master of the house, the cat, rings so true. 4 stars - really liked it. Incredible value for 99c.
The writing is impeccable, and the author has a gift for phrasing - 'about as warm as a Huron January' and 'his air of patient melancholy.' I particularly enjoyed the accounts of the attempted capture of Marmalade. You know cats - the smug certainty of the master of the house, the cat, rings so true. 4 stars - really liked it. Incredible value for 99c.
October 3, 2017
Not bad.
Just so so. I felt this was more a book for a young teen than adult fiction. I appreciated the clean book. No bad language and nothing that would require censoring of sorts. It was a mystery but very mild and mostly predictable. Don't look for this to be full of suspense.
Just so so. I felt this was more a book for a young teen than adult fiction. I appreciated the clean book. No bad language and nothing that would require censoring of sorts. It was a mystery but very mild and mostly predictable. Don't look for this to be full of suspense.
February 27, 2013
A very enjoyable read. Put me in the mind of the novels of the 30s and 40s. Very entertaining storyline with good characters and two mysteries in one story.
April 7, 2013
Enjoyed this light yet interesting mystery, was intrigued by the cat!
A house is not a home without an orange furry feline, mine has never been without one!
A house is not a home without an orange furry feline, mine has never been without one!
January 3, 2013
This was good. Some funny parts and some serious.
February 7, 2018
When an "AristoCat" goes missing, there's no pussyfooting around!
When Dunbarton's founding matriarch Amanda leaves Marmalade her fortune, the family is stung with indignant embarrassment. The deceased Mrs. Dunbar does not approve of son James' choice of spouse and shows her disdain in the biggest diss possible.
The cat loves to make trouble and only takes to Amanda Dunbar's animal enthusiast granddaughter Alicia, and is full of spite for Alicia's mother, Alice. Stipulating that town lawyer Chris oversee the feline's inheritance brings the young attorney over for weekly visits to assure the kitty's wellbeing. Over stiff Sunday dinners with Marmy mayhem adding to the mix, the Dunbars see him as the enemy. And the cat doesn't see any need to get on Alice Dunbar's good side.
Gradually, Chris' visits thaw Alice, befriend James and find ways to legitimately loosen the assets to set life back to normal and beyond-- with solutions to better all their lives. Alice even warms up to the mischievous mouser.
Chris becomes a family friend and manages to decipher Alicia's dim demeanor. Bringing out the best in her, she brightens and enjoys life again after suffering a college tragedy. Attraction pulls them even closer.
All is happy on the home front until Marmalade is missing! What's more, the family and Chris are the prime suspects! After all, each has something to gain if the cat is out of the picturesque will.
Clamored by cold townspeople, a nosy neighbor, and rallying animal activist groups convicting them of murder, even the police have them under suspicious eye.
Alicia's feisty nature takes matters into her own hands and soon she has a whiteboard full of suspects and motives. But will it be enough to clear the Dunbar name and bring Marmalade home?
The author paints a quaint Canadian town with wholesome main characters, and some with downright devious dispositions. Catnip is an enjoyable read that could easily entertain on the Hallmark channel.
When Dunbarton's founding matriarch Amanda leaves Marmalade her fortune, the family is stung with indignant embarrassment. The deceased Mrs. Dunbar does not approve of son James' choice of spouse and shows her disdain in the biggest diss possible.
The cat loves to make trouble and only takes to Amanda Dunbar's animal enthusiast granddaughter Alicia, and is full of spite for Alicia's mother, Alice. Stipulating that town lawyer Chris oversee the feline's inheritance brings the young attorney over for weekly visits to assure the kitty's wellbeing. Over stiff Sunday dinners with Marmy mayhem adding to the mix, the Dunbars see him as the enemy. And the cat doesn't see any need to get on Alice Dunbar's good side.
Gradually, Chris' visits thaw Alice, befriend James and find ways to legitimately loosen the assets to set life back to normal and beyond-- with solutions to better all their lives. Alice even warms up to the mischievous mouser.
Chris becomes a family friend and manages to decipher Alicia's dim demeanor. Bringing out the best in her, she brightens and enjoys life again after suffering a college tragedy. Attraction pulls them even closer.
All is happy on the home front until Marmalade is missing! What's more, the family and Chris are the prime suspects! After all, each has something to gain if the cat is out of the picturesque will.
Clamored by cold townspeople, a nosy neighbor, and rallying animal activist groups convicting them of murder, even the police have them under suspicious eye.
Alicia's feisty nature takes matters into her own hands and soon she has a whiteboard full of suspects and motives. But will it be enough to clear the Dunbar name and bring Marmalade home?
The author paints a quaint Canadian town with wholesome main characters, and some with downright devious dispositions. Catnip is an enjoyable read that could easily entertain on the Hallmark channel.
August 15, 2017
It was a cute enough story. A bit of humor, a bit of family drama, some romance, and of course, a cozy mystery. If the story was a little formulaic and predictable, but that's not what kept me from enjoying it.
Instead, here is what made me not like it. Marmalade is not neutered and they let him wander. At one point, the characters even go an animal shelter and notice all the cats waiting for homes, but they still don't make sure Marmalade doesn't bring more kittens into the world. Then at one point, the author's voice even comes in rather glib about the extra kittens.
Perhaps you disagree with rating a otherwise decent story low because of that. As someone who volunteers with pet rescues, the idea that the author would make light of irresponsible pet care made me mad enough to throw the book across the room (except I read on my Kindle). It actually changed the way I looked at the whole story and I could not like it after that.
Instead, here is what made me not like it. Marmalade is not neutered and they let him wander. At one point, the characters even go an animal shelter and notice all the cats waiting for homes, but they still don't make sure Marmalade doesn't bring more kittens into the world. Then at one point, the author's voice even comes in rather glib about the extra kittens.
Perhaps you disagree with rating a otherwise decent story low because of that. As someone who volunteers with pet rescues, the idea that the author would make light of irresponsible pet care made me mad enough to throw the book across the room (except I read on my Kindle). It actually changed the way I looked at the whole story and I could not like it after that.
September 4, 2021
Take 1 cat named Marmalade, add one death of a wealthy woman who decides to leave her wealth to her cat and assign a Husband, a wife and daughter who all have personal issues and a lawyer who is responsible for the will to be carried out and you have difficulties! Add to that a man who runs an animal shelter and his demanding wife and you have total chaos. There are confusing complications that need to be sorted out quickly before there can be a killer or killers on the loose! An interesting mystery with a bit of romance and of course a very independent cat who seems to add to the confusion! Good luck deciding who- done what to whom!
December 11, 2018
Charming missing cat mystery with a murderous twist
Amanda Dunbar causes all kinds of consternation when she leaves all her money, and her house, to her cat, Marmalade. Her son and daughter-in-law can remain in the house to look after him, and eventually everything will go to their daughter, Amanda's granddaughter. But only if Marmalade lives a full and comfortable life. When the cat goes missing there are plenty of people who think the Dunbars must have something to do with his disappearance. But there may be others who would benefit from his inheritance...
Amanda Dunbar causes all kinds of consternation when she leaves all her money, and her house, to her cat, Marmalade. Her son and daughter-in-law can remain in the house to look after him, and eventually everything will go to their daughter, Amanda's granddaughter. But only if Marmalade lives a full and comfortable life. When the cat goes missing there are plenty of people who think the Dunbars must have something to do with his disappearance. But there may be others who would benefit from his inheritance...
October 14, 2024
A cute cozy mystery with an emphasis on the pleasures of life in a fictional small town in southern Ontario, on Lake Huron. There is a lot of description of the place and its history, along with homes, décor, and characters' outfits. The pace is leisurely, but the story is fairly interesting. The plot revolves around a cat who has inherited a fortune, but lawyer Chris Mallory is the real catalyst (haha!) in the lives of the Dunbar family. His presence changes things for them in a way that's almost miraculous. This, plus the whodunit questions, makes for an okay read.
November 28, 2025
I had read a book by this author and it was horse-related. All the areas mentioned were areas I had actually been to for horse shows so I really resonated with it. I gave this book a try because the idea of leaving a fortune to a cat and not the family sounded like an interesting dynamic. While it was interesting, majority of the characters were awful and hard to even read about. They were all blowhards and the lawyer guy ends up being a total dink and messing things up. I did not know any of the places mentioned like the other book. This dragged on and on.
January 27, 2018
Thoroughly Enjoyable
Very fun reading. The characters are perfect for the story. Catnip is a mystery and it's fun following the clues. It's a good storyline and the characters are likeable . I couldn't wait to find out "whodunit"!! I can't wait to read the next book. I hope Valerie Tate never stops writing. She is a very good author who creates full real characters and makes her story a real mystery you want to solve. Hard to stop reading this once you start.
Very fun reading. The characters are perfect for the story. Catnip is a mystery and it's fun following the clues. It's a good storyline and the characters are likeable . I couldn't wait to find out "whodunit"!! I can't wait to read the next book. I hope Valerie Tate never stops writing. She is a very good author who creates full real characters and makes her story a real mystery you want to solve. Hard to stop reading this once you start.
January 5, 2025
1.5/5
This was truly boring. I don't get how it has such high ratings. The characters are cardboard cutouts with the same exact voice and absolutely no depth.
The book is written in a way that makes it unclear whose perspective we're getting. It's also almost entirely telling instead of showing which made this 300-page book feel wayyyy longer. I really struggled to finish this, but I didn't want to start the year with a DNF. It can only get better from here, I guess...
This was truly boring. I don't get how it has such high ratings. The characters are cardboard cutouts with the same exact voice and absolutely no depth.
The book is written in a way that makes it unclear whose perspective we're getting. It's also almost entirely telling instead of showing which made this 300-page book feel wayyyy longer. I really struggled to finish this, but I didn't want to start the year with a DNF. It can only get better from here, I guess...
January 7, 2019
Catnip! A Dunbarton Mystery book 1
Marmalade was a lucky kitty. He had it made living with old Mrs Dunbar who loved him. The other three members of the family also lived with him. Before old Mrs Dunbar died she hired an attorney to control her estate. When the will was read everyone was shocked because she left her quite sizable estate to marmalade and his continued care.
Marmalade was a lucky kitty. He had it made living with old Mrs Dunbar who loved him. The other three members of the family also lived with him. Before old Mrs Dunbar died she hired an attorney to control her estate. When the will was read everyone was shocked because she left her quite sizable estate to marmalade and his continued care.
October 29, 2022
Marmalade Hijinks
A bitter old widow leaves her estate to her fat orange cat, Marmalade. Oh the feisty cat gets in quite the predicament when greed overtakes a potential heir to the estate. The story is fresh, fast paced and exciting as ...well, let's not let the cat out of the bag. Enjoy for yourself!
A bitter old widow leaves her estate to her fat orange cat, Marmalade. Oh the feisty cat gets in quite the predicament when greed overtakes a potential heir to the estate. The story is fresh, fast paced and exciting as ...well, let's not let the cat out of the bag. Enjoy for yourself!
May 22, 2024
Interesting idea, but some plot holes.
The concept was good, but it went on too long. The whole story would be better if the writing was tightened up. No sooner had the mystery of Marmalade's disappearance been solved than a murder was thrown in.
Too much detail about furnishings that was unnecessary. Why wound and abandon Marmalade when it might be handy to have him later?
The concept was good, but it went on too long. The whole story would be better if the writing was tightened up. No sooner had the mystery of Marmalade's disappearance been solved than a murder was thrown in.
Too much detail about furnishings that was unnecessary. Why wound and abandon Marmalade when it might be handy to have him later?
June 17, 2017
I enjoyed this book so much that I got onto Amazon straight away to order the next one in the series. Likeable characters, triumph over adversity and a gorgeous cat. What more could you want. No spoilers, just read the book.
June 24, 2017
The cat's whiskers
When the entire fortune of the founding family of Dunbarton is left to Marmalade the cat it begins to have a surprising effect on the formerly dysfunctional disinherited family left behind. Until the catnapping.
When the entire fortune of the founding family of Dunbarton is left to Marmalade the cat it begins to have a surprising effect on the formerly dysfunctional disinherited family left behind. Until the catnapping.
December 30, 2017
CATNIP
Well it sure did take some time to get to the murder.....I was so afraid that it was going to be poor (or should I say "rich") Marmalade.....was so glad it wasn't....THANK YOU for another great read
Well it sure did take some time to get to the murder.....I was so afraid that it was going to be poor (or should I say "rich") Marmalade.....was so glad it wasn't....THANK YOU for another great read
March 11, 2018
Marmalade
This is the story of a cat who inherits an estate. When Marmalade is kidnapped and then the kidnapper is murdered the Dunbar's and Chris Mallory hunt for the killer. This was a delightful story. Highly recommend this book.
This is the story of a cat who inherits an estate. When Marmalade is kidnapped and then the kidnapper is murdered the Dunbar's and Chris Mallory hunt for the killer. This was a delightful story. Highly recommend this book.
September 8, 2018
Cute, fast reading -- my first experience with this author. I will continue with the series when I am in the mood for another "fluffy" read. Thought there would be more interaction/hijinx with the cat though, and certainly could have done without the unnecessary profanity.
November 7, 2018
Who would believe a cat heir?
Fun story of malice, misfortune, and unhappiness turned around by love and caring for a cat. The family survives the whole adventure and the cat wins too.
Fun story of malice, misfortune, and unhappiness turned around by love and caring for a cat. The family survives the whole adventure and the cat wins too.
November 13, 2018
What a weird twist of fate. A cat inheriting all the money
. Really enjoyed Marmalade's antics. The characters were quite real and likable. The mystery kept me turning the page. Very enjoyable.
. Really enjoyed Marmalade's antics. The characters were quite real and likable. The mystery kept me turning the page. Very enjoyable.
January 8, 2019
Pleasant mystery with cute plot.
Easy, fast read. Good for pleasant entertainment and lite reading by the fire or at the beach. For cat lovers, a cat is at the center of the story.
Easy, fast read. Good for pleasant entertainment and lite reading by the fire or at the beach. For cat lovers, a cat is at the center of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews