Probable Claws

Vanessa Abbot Mystery #2

by Nancy C. Davis

From Bestselling Cozy Mystery author Nancy C. Davis

Vanessa Abbot and Detective Pete Wheeler are enjoying a much-deserved night out at a nice restaurant when Pete informs Vanessa that Walter Connelly is out of jail and awaiting trial for Alfred Botchweather's murder. The news that Walter is under house arrest and cut off from the world offers Vanessa little comfort after Walter threatened to pay them back for putting him away. But when the man at the table next to Pete and Vanessa falls over dead, another murder investigation sucks Vanessa into a world of intrigue and mystery. Can Vanessa solve the case with the help of her cats? And what will she discover about her cat Henry?

Read to find out!

This is the second book in the popular Vanessa Abbot Cat Protection League Series. If you love animals, especially cats and cat mysteries, you will enjoy this cat cozy mystery series

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Novella

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2015

About the author

I love cats. In fact I adore them. I am a cozy mystery author and massage therapist. When I'm not writing my next cat cozy mystery, I am facilitating healing in others through my massage practice in beautiful Southern California. I find inspiration through animals and my natural surroundings, and I spend most of my days and nights enjoying the company of my two Tortoiseshell cats.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a 'crazy cat lady' myself [although I technically only have one cat I do feed the strays] I've been enjoying the Vanessa Abbot cozy mysteries. In this one we have another case requiring the expertise of Pete the police detective, Vanessa, and especially the cats who again prove they are adept at sniffing out villains. Also Pete and Vanessa take a few more tentative steps down the romance highway...

I do suggest reading them in order...

Vanessa Abbot Mystery Series
Depawsit Slip (#1)
Probable Claws (#2)
Meow or Never (#3)
Un-Fur-tunate Events (#4)
Show and Tail (#5)
Murder Under the Catwalk (#6)
Ski Paw-trol (#7)

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

the cats solve another murder....

[Jae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in author Nancy C Davis' "Vanessa Abbot" mystery series, featuring crazy cat lady Vanessa.

After I read the first one, I was rather meh about it, and this one was no better. It sort of picks up where the first book left off, in that the murderer in that one was slated to go on trial soon, and someone had come to town to threaten the witnesses. Only, the bad guy was killed before he could make good on his threats. Of course, the police have to treat it as a murder investigation...aaaaanndd it went to hell from there.

So, our intrepid heroine is now sorta/kinda dating Detective Pete Wheeler (and believe me, he was referred to as Detective Pete Wheeler throughout the narrative, lest the reader forget either his name or his occupation), and Pete basically invites Vanessa to help him investigate. Say what now? Nope. No officer of the law is ever going to do such a thing. Vanessa does have an ace up her sleeve, however. Henry, one of her dozen (or so) cats, has his paw on the pulse of the national cat network, and he promises to get some information to Vanessa via that route.

Now, I've read paranormal mysteries with talking cats before, and I find them fun. However, most of the time, there's a witch involved, or the book is obviously combining fantasy with cozy mystery. In this series, however, the only odd ball thing is that Vanessa communicates with her cats. We never "hear" them speak; rather, the reader only gets Vanessa's side of the conversation, because, apparently, the cats communicate telepathically. Worse yet, Pete believes Vanessa when she tells him this. This woman puts the CRAZY in Crazy Cat Lady.

The story would not have been so bad, but it reads like it was written by a 12 year-old. The writing is utterly unsophisticated, there is no complex sentence structure, and the murder investigation is so unrealistic as to be almost laugh-worthy. The motive for the crime is okay, but the method is absurd. Finally, when Pete starts hinting at wanting more of a relationship with Vanessa, they actually discuss moving in together. Okay, okay, I'm with you. However, throughout the entirety of the book, Vanessa keeps Pete at arm's length, afraid he may try to kiss her?! Um, lady, if you move in together, there will be a lot more than kissing involved. Sheesh. Let's just say I'm relieved I snagged this book when it was free; I'd have hated to pay for this dreck.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanessa and her friend, Detective Pete, have an evening out enjoying dinner when one of the patrons drops dead. Pete has just shared than a criminal that was a threat to Vanessa is out of jail and could be looking for revenge. Are the incidents related? After one of the suspects dies in the same restaurant, Pete, Vanessa and her marvelous rescue cats that 'speak' to her are on the case. A cute cozy mystery.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is the Mob back in town?

A light easy read cozy. A cat lover, a handsome detective and a group of cats set out to solve the mysterious death. A night out shouldn't have ended with a body. Was the dead man's past to blame or is there something more still hidden. With another death the sleuthing cats go into overdrive to protect their owner by bringing the killer to justice. An enjoyable read that goes down really well.

[Elaine Bidstrup · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short novella about a 50 something woman who is as devoted to her cats as she is to solving mysteries. she runs a re-sell it shop to support the town's strays, many of which are living with her. She has developed a close relationship with the town's detective who has just asked her to move in with him. A character from the first book by this author (which I have not read) is in jail, but has sent a west coast hit man to murder all of those who can testify in his upcoming trial. He poses as an online date for a young townswoman and inexplicably dies during their dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. Vanessa and her detective "friend" are eating there at this point along with another couple. A few days later Vanessa and the detective are again dining at restaurant when the owner offers them wine, but he ends up drinking it and dies. It's the same poison as hit man died of.

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous series gets better and better!

These cats are so entertaining and
lovable! As in the last mystery I was
really involved in the story line and plot.
My only complaint is the stories aren't
long enough. Otherwise this is a truly
wonderful addition to the series. Highly
recommended to all cat mystery lovers!!!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Cat Detective

This book is fantastic. It is a twist on the usual mystery where the cats are merely a lovely aside to the story. These cats are special, especially Henry. Must read for cat lovers.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vanessa has 12 cats and they talk to her which is strange. The cats help solve murders with her and her boyfriend Det. Pete. Never tells how she communicates with cats they sit there and she decides what they are saying.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry the mystery solving cat!

I love a good cozy mystery and Probable Cause was pawsitivly great! The author provides a few suspects for a crime that isn't easy to solve, well unless your a cat. I enjoy the interactions of the cats as well as the small town setting. I am looking forward to seeing where the romance goes between the two main characters. While there were a few spelling errors they really didn't take anything away from the story. Anyone who enjoys a mystery where cats help solve the crime should really check out this series. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuing series. All the cats living with Vanessa finally let on there is an underground communications system. Vanessa with a little help from her furry friends help catch the killer and save the day and are finding a handsome detective to boot.

[Frances L. Ehrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 Cats Probe for Answers

I really enjoy these short novels with amazing cats. Vanessa and her cats always amuse and the plots are simple but interesting.

[Judith Engle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short

Short but sweet. Was surprised how short this story was. Didn't have a chance to get acquainted with any of the characters which was a disappointment.

[Theresa Sivelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope. These are just too corny for me. I won't be continuing with these books.

[Amary Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat crazy cozy

Vanessa and her detective friend Pete solve several murders in their small townwith the help of her inquisitive cat family.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the woman who had many cats that she took care of in her home that was provided by an organization that want cats taken care of .

[Tanya Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read but entertaining. I love books about cats.