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The Tabby in Black
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
About the author
Mandy Morton
20 books120 followersMandy Morton began her professional life as a musician. Her songwriting formed the basis of six albums during the 1970s and early 1980s, when she toured extensively with her band. More recently, she has worked as a freelance arts journalist for national and local radio, specialising in making music and theatre documentary. She is the co-author of a non-fiction theatre book, In Good Company, and lives with her partner in Cambridge and Cornwall, where there is always a place for an ageing long-haired tabby cat. The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency is her first novel, and begins a series of books inspired by her first cat, Hettie.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 14, 2026
This series is so good, and each book continues to get better. Hettie and Tilly are asked to investigate some bodies found in a chocolate vat at the local factory, no one knows who they are or how long they have been in there. As soon as they start investigating though, the matriarch of the family informs them their services are no longer required.
Unfortunately, the ladies won’t let things go that easily and when another body turns up they continue their investigation. The family are not a nice one at all, they’re all at each other’s throats and there are so many secrets and rumours, it’s hard to keep up.
Another fab instalment of the menu, sorry, the detecting of the no 2 feline detective agency - another series not to read when hungry!!
Unfortunately, the ladies won’t let things go that easily and when another body turns up they continue their investigation. The family are not a nice one at all, they’re all at each other’s throats and there are so many secrets and rumours, it’s hard to keep up.
Another fab instalment of the menu, sorry, the detecting of the no 2 feline detective agency - another series not to read when hungry!!
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June 3, 2026Synopsis
The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency investigate some sticky situations at the local chocolate factory... Join detective cats Hettie and Tilly as they unwrap the mysteries swirling around the Catberry family in this bittersweet assortment of truth and lies!
Review
It's a cosy mystery if ever there was one!
Our friendly neighbourhood detectives Hettie and Tilly live at a bakery, munch on pies or cakes all day, cosy up with some tea and blankets, or ride out in style in their motorcycle + sidecar to conduct their investigations loved the cast of characters like the placid Bruiser who chauffeurs them around or the goth undertaker with her ++ aura cranked up to the max! The mystery itself was interesting, with a shadowy family where anyone could be the criminal - or more than one of them could be. But a couple of plot points did not seem very logical to me, for example [MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!] how the skeletons stayed in the vat for so long (why would the factory let old chocolate stagnate at the bottom of the vat for years while it's still in use?), or why someone thought the best way to dispose of incriminating documents was to bury them instead of burn them. However apart from these few points, the mystery really wrapped itself up nicely with a happy ending
A major sore point I had was that the characters being cats instead of humans didn't add any value. In fact it just kept me constantly confused like... why are they not behaving like cats? How do they eat human food and drive motorbikes? How did their universe evolve human-physiology-based clothes like corsets and religious institutions like the church? I was really disappointed that the imaginative premise wasn't put to good use to make things more interesting. You could just as well search and replace 'cat' with 'human' and it wouldn't make a difference.
TLDR: It works well as a mystery but the cat world premise doesn't cut it for me. But for someone who's less of a stickler about such things, this would be the PERFECT cozy mystery read!
The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency investigate some sticky situations at the local chocolate factory... Join detective cats Hettie and Tilly as they unwrap the mysteries swirling around the Catberry family in this bittersweet assortment of truth and lies!
Review
It's a cosy mystery if ever there was one!
Our friendly neighbourhood detectives Hettie and Tilly live at a bakery, munch on pies or cakes all day, cosy up with some tea and blankets, or ride out in style in their motorcycle + sidecar to conduct their investigations loved the cast of characters like the placid Bruiser who chauffeurs them around or the goth undertaker with her ++ aura cranked up to the max! The mystery itself was interesting, with a shadowy family where anyone could be the criminal - or more than one of them could be. But a couple of plot points did not seem very logical to me, for example [MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!] how the skeletons stayed in the vat for so long (why would the factory let old chocolate stagnate at the bottom of the vat for years while it's still in use?), or why someone thought the best way to dispose of incriminating documents was to bury them instead of burn them. However apart from these few points, the mystery really wrapped itself up nicely with a happy ending
A major sore point I had was that the characters being cats instead of humans didn't add any value. In fact it just kept me constantly confused like... why are they not behaving like cats? How do they eat human food and drive motorbikes? How did their universe evolve human-physiology-based clothes like corsets and religious institutions like the church? I was really disappointed that the imaginative premise wasn't put to good use to make things more interesting. You could just as well search and replace 'cat' with 'human' and it wouldn't make a difference.
TLDR: It works well as a mystery but the cat world premise doesn't cut it for me. But for someone who's less of a stickler about such things, this would be the PERFECT cozy mystery read!
May 10, 2026
This is book 17 in The No 2 Feline Detective Agency Series but only my second read and it’s as fun and quirky as the last one. Hettie Bagshot the cat detective and Tilly are investigating the chocolate factory in Catberry-on-the-Brink as there is murder afoot (or should that be murder apaw)!
Briefly, Hetty and Tilly’s quiet evening is disturbed when Pettifer Catberry rings to tell them that bodies have been found in one of the chocolate vats. He wants them to investigate and so the next day they meet at Catberry Manor. After being shown the vat with dried chocolate and bones sticking out of it Hettie arranges for the body to be collected by Morbid the mortician. Meanwhile meeting with the family confirm that all is not harmonious and Hettie has concerns over the recent death of Horace Catberry.
Although the whole premise of the series is rather bizarre I for one would be happy living in a world as a sole human amongst the cats! The author must have her own cats as the descriptions are so accurate. Apart from the conversations of course, cats can’t talk, or can they? As barking (no offence felines) mad as this is it’s terribly entertaining and an enjoyable read.
Briefly, Hetty and Tilly’s quiet evening is disturbed when Pettifer Catberry rings to tell them that bodies have been found in one of the chocolate vats. He wants them to investigate and so the next day they meet at Catberry Manor. After being shown the vat with dried chocolate and bones sticking out of it Hettie arranges for the body to be collected by Morbid the mortician. Meanwhile meeting with the family confirm that all is not harmonious and Hettie has concerns over the recent death of Horace Catberry.
Although the whole premise of the series is rather bizarre I for one would be happy living in a world as a sole human amongst the cats! The author must have her own cats as the descriptions are so accurate. Apart from the conversations of course, cats can’t talk, or can they? As barking (no offence felines) mad as this is it’s terribly entertaining and an enjoyable read.
June 12, 2026
I thank NetGalley and Farrago for an advance reader copy ofThe Tabby in Black. All opinions and comments are my own.
The usual crisp and witty dialog is here, as is the affirming of the warm relationship between good friends Hettie Bagshot and Tilly Jenkins, co-proprietors of the No. 2 Feline Detective Agency. And one can always enjoy the wonderful food they get to indulge in, in the course of the investigation that’s at the center of The Tabby in Black. But goodness, this became a tough read, as in sorrowful, as the unraveling of a very dysfunctional family makes for more and more trouble.
“Death by chocolate” certainly does prove right up their alley, and a rather morbid tale it is (with apologies to Morbid Balm the village undertaker, who proves very helpful in this case). What Hettie and Tilly discover becomes more gruesome by the day, and while this can still be considered a “cozy” mystery, the cats definitely uncover something not for the faint of heart. But a mystery tale is never meant to be “sweetness and light,” and author Mandy Morton knows how to put together a good story, which readers will find, in The Tabby in Black.
The usual crisp and witty dialog is here, as is the affirming of the warm relationship between good friends Hettie Bagshot and Tilly Jenkins, co-proprietors of the No. 2 Feline Detective Agency. And one can always enjoy the wonderful food they get to indulge in, in the course of the investigation that’s at the center of The Tabby in Black. But goodness, this became a tough read, as in sorrowful, as the unraveling of a very dysfunctional family makes for more and more trouble.
“Death by chocolate” certainly does prove right up their alley, and a rather morbid tale it is (with apologies to Morbid Balm the village undertaker, who proves very helpful in this case). What Hettie and Tilly discover becomes more gruesome by the day, and while this can still be considered a “cozy” mystery, the cats definitely uncover something not for the faint of heart. But a mystery tale is never meant to be “sweetness and light,” and author Mandy Morton knows how to put together a good story, which readers will find, in The Tabby in Black.
July 5, 2026
This was as fun and whimsical as I expected a murder mystery in a world where cats are the people to be.
The mystery was highly entertaining, and I found myself growing closer to all of the characters the more I read. Now I plan to pick up the rest of the series later, and I am quite glad there are so many books in the series to look forward to.
The only thing that gave me was that I was truly not expecting there to be an on-page murder from the POV of the murdered character. Because this was described as a "cozy" mystery (and in many ways it was!) I was unprepared for that scene and did find it a bit upsetting to read about. Now that I know what to expect from the series moving forward, I'll be prepared for any similar happenings.
With that understanding, this is a book that I would recommend to other cat lovers and murder mystery fans alike. I'm excited to see what the other books have in store for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
The mystery was highly entertaining, and I found myself growing closer to all of the characters the more I read. Now I plan to pick up the rest of the series later, and I am quite glad there are so many books in the series to look forward to.
The only thing that gave me was that I was truly not expecting there to be an on-page murder from the POV of the murdered character. Because this was described as a "cozy" mystery (and in many ways it was!) I was unprepared for that scene and did find it a bit upsetting to read about. Now that I know what to expect from the series moving forward, I'll be prepared for any similar happenings.
With that understanding, this is a book that I would recommend to other cat lovers and murder mystery fans alike. I'm excited to see what the other books have in store for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2026
The Tabby in Black is book 16 of the No. 2 Feline Detective series. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but was easily able to pick this up out of sequence and follow the story.
Cats Hettie and Tilly are contacted by the Catberry family to solve a grisly crime at their chocolate factory. Bones have been found in a vat that was used to make the famous Tabby in Black range of Catberry chocolates. Hetty and Tilly must sort through the clues before the killer strikes again. In this book humans do not exist, and the feline characters are anthropomorphic. Cats deliver the post and ride motorbikes. They are morticians and musicians. And at least one of them is a murderer.
I thought this was a fun book, full of puns and light humour. I would definitely read other books in the series.
Many thanks to the book's publishers for providing a copy for review.
Cats Hettie and Tilly are contacted by the Catberry family to solve a grisly crime at their chocolate factory. Bones have been found in a vat that was used to make the famous Tabby in Black range of Catberry chocolates. Hetty and Tilly must sort through the clues before the killer strikes again. In this book humans do not exist, and the feline characters are anthropomorphic. Cats deliver the post and ride motorbikes. They are morticians and musicians. And at least one of them is a murderer.
I thought this was a fun book, full of puns and light humour. I would definitely read other books in the series.
Many thanks to the book's publishers for providing a copy for review.
June 11, 2026
As a cat lover this is a must read book.
It is a short read of charming cozy mystery with clever cat detectives, engaging plots and honestly its a fun read.
This story is about Hetie and Tilly were investigating murder at chocolate factory and the most suspicious part is they were asked to stop the imvestigation BUT of course there would be now way they will let it go.
The only think that i feel weird is the way all of the way of the cats acting, its kinda human like. I sometime forgot that they were cats and not human.
Do i recommend this book? Yes I do if you are looking for something cozy and a cat lover.
It is a short read of charming cozy mystery with clever cat detectives, engaging plots and honestly its a fun read.
This story is about Hetie and Tilly were investigating murder at chocolate factory and the most suspicious part is they were asked to stop the imvestigation BUT of course there would be now way they will let it go.
The only think that i feel weird is the way all of the way of the cats acting, its kinda human like. I sometime forgot that they were cats and not human.
Do i recommend this book? Yes I do if you are looking for something cozy and a cat lover.
July 9, 2026
The Tabby in Black is the next instalment in The No.2 Feline Detective Agency series.
The book follows Hettie and Tilly as they investigate a suspicious death at a chocolate factory.
Firstly, this book had me laughing out loud with the punny names - the chocolatier family being the Catberry’s and a biscuit making family being the McKitties… notice a similarity to famous British chocolate and biscuit makers? 😂
I enjoyed the family dynamics in the book - the chaos of the disjointed Catberrys and the found family that Hettie and Tilly have formed.
The book was a delight to read - this whole series is cozy, funny and perfect for a cat lover like me!
The book follows Hettie and Tilly as they investigate a suspicious death at a chocolate factory.
Firstly, this book had me laughing out loud with the punny names - the chocolatier family being the Catberry’s and a biscuit making family being the McKitties… notice a similarity to famous British chocolate and biscuit makers? 😂
I enjoyed the family dynamics in the book - the chaos of the disjointed Catberrys and the found family that Hettie and Tilly have formed.
The book was a delight to read - this whole series is cozy, funny and perfect for a cat lover like me!
May 13, 2026
I flippin' love these books!! Once again our intrepid duo are called upon to investigate when some bodies are found at the Catberry chocolate factory. But when one of the family members is murdered in a truly awful way, Hettie and Tilly with the help of the faithful Bruiser must find out why and by who.
May 17, 2026
Another excellent installment of the No2 Feline Detective Agency. All the usual cast were there, with our two heroines solving the case with ease.
I love this little world peopled by cats. All the nods to the human world, it’s part of the fun working them all out.
I love this little world peopled by cats. All the nods to the human world, it’s part of the fun working them all out.
June 24, 2026
An absolute gem of a book!!
I saw this on NetGalley and, especially being that it’s a cat book (and I LOVE cat books), I had to have this.
What a page turner! Genuinely couldn’t put it down. I’m going to need every single book in this series now 🥰
I saw this on NetGalley and, especially being that it’s a cat book (and I LOVE cat books), I had to have this.
What a page turner! Genuinely couldn’t put it down. I’m going to need every single book in this series now 🥰
May 20, 2026
Even more amusing because I know someone who works at Cadbury 😂 Don’t think I’ll look at a box of black magic in quite the same way again.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews