The Bengal Identity

A Cat Groomer Mystery #2

by Eileen Watkins

Everyone knows a leopard can't change its spots. But can a thief hide the spots on a catnapped Bengal? Groomer Cassie McGlone is about to find out . . .

With no ID for his pet, an agitated young man shows up at Cassie's Comfy Cats claiming his house has burned down and he needs to board his big, brown cat, Ayesha. But after a bath washes dye out of the cat's coat and reveals beautiful spots, Cassie suspects the exotic-looking feline may in fact be a valuable Bengal show cat, possibly stolen. At the same time, there are rumored sightings of a "wild cat" in the hills of Chadwick, New Jersey. Could there be a connection?

When Ayesha's alleged owner turns up dead, it looks like whoever wants the beautiful Bengal is not pussyfooting around. Working with the police, Cassie and her staff need to be careful not to reveal the purloined purebred's whereabouts while they discreetly make inquiries to cat breeders to find her real owners. But after a break-in attempt rattles Cassie's cage, it's clear someone let the cat out of the bag. And when a second body is found, it's up to Cassie to spot the killer, who may be grooming her to be the next victim . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cats, Cozy, Fiction, Animals, Audiobook

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2018

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bengal Identity by Eileen Watkins is the second book in the cozy A Cat Groomer Mystery series. In the first readers were introduced to Cassie McGlone who had moved to the picturesque town of Chadwick to give herself a fresh start after leaving a horrible relationship. Opening her own shop, Cassie’s Comfy Cats, a cat grooming and boarding specialty boutique, she’d started to make a name for herself around the town and gather a list of clients.

Now we rejoin Cassie in her shop when a man walks in desperate to find a place to board his cat claiming his home had burned down. Cassie is a bit reluctant with no papers to assure proper medical care or the animal being spayed but agrees to keep her separate from her other boarders. But after the man leaves Cassie finds as she grooms Ayesha that the cat seems to have been dyed and thinks she is possibly a stolen show cat.

Before Cassie can get any answers on her new boarder’s owner however she finds on the news that a man has been killed in a hit and run. The victim is none other than the one that dropped off Ayesha so now Cassie finds herself yet again working with her friend in the police department to solve yet another murder in their small town.

Being the second book in the Cat Groomer series I already knew that I had enjoyed the first installment and anticipated this one to be a fun read as well and thankfully I was not disappointed at all. With a strong female lead and some interesting critters along with a slowly developing romance the series has a nice mix of elements to enjoy.

I would say with this addition to the series I was a tad surprised there weren’t quite as many suspects as I would expect but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing as the author instead fills the story with several things going on in the small town. A part of the mystery here was with all these events occurring was where exactly would the story head to and would everything be connected in the end. With a great wrap up to everything I am definitely still a fan of the series and will look forward to the next installment.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie McGlone runs a cat boarding and grooming service in Chadwick, NJ. Just as rumors are circulating about a wild cat roaming the nearby hills attacking dogs and children, a man drops off a cat to board at her shop. The cat's fur has a strange texture and appears dirty, so she gives the animal a bath. Brown dye cascades down the drain, revealing that the kitty is an expensive purebred Bengal. The man never comes back to get the cat, so Cassie starts investigating whether the feline might be stolen. When the stranger who dropped the cat off is killed in a hit and run accident and someone attempts to break into Cassie's business, it appears the case is much more than just a case of possible cat-napping.

The Bengal Identity is the second book in the Cat Groomer Mystery series. The covers are always eye-catching and inviting. The bright orange background and lovely Bengal kitty on this latest cover definitely got my attention! The characters are likable and the background theme of a cat groomer and boarding business is fun and interesting. Cassie is an intelligent main character, and the supporting cast, such as Cassie's veternarian boyfriend and her employees, really add to the story. In this newest addition to the series, the mystery moved along at a nice pace with plenty of twists and clues. I thought I had things figured out....I was close, but the plot held some surprises back until the very end.

I like this series. The mix of humor, cat facts and mystery really appeal to me. I'm definitely going to keep reading! The next installment in the series, Feral Attraction, comes out in September 2018.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[Tasha Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second in series and I had not read the first one but found this works fine as a standalone novel.

I have a soft spot for Bengals, I don't own one, however we do have 6 cats so we are cat mad. Plus  a very close relative works with Bengals so I have gleaned some knowledge of the breed through her. It is my yearning for one that drew me to the cover. The story did the rest!

This book took me a few days to read but if I hadn't had prior commitments then I would have read it in one sitting because each time, I found it so hard to step away from. However, yesterday afternoon I put everything else on hold to curl up and enjoy this book.

I found that I adored Ayesha despite her behavioural flaws and I was, championing our heroine, cat boarder and groomer, Cassie McGlone, to keep keep her safe.

I think this book has something for everyone. I felt it would be suitable from slightly older teens upwards as despite the murders the book is not gory and the tense moments are handled so well by author Eileen Watkins.

The main characters are really likeable but not too sugar sweet and flawless, so they still seem real and relatable.

The Bengal Identity has a well developed, exciting plot and it does make you want to read it in one sitting because you cannot predict what will happen next. (except in one major plot moment where I did see the issue arising) I did work out who the main antagonist is earlier than I would have liked but there were still big surprises along the way so it absolutely did not detract from the enjoyment of this wonderful tale.

Something happens regularly enough that you don't have chance to lose interest at all. Some of these things are big and some are smaller which make the book feel like our heroine has a real life, I feel this makes her more likeable and relateable.

There is a very impotant message that is present from the beginning with this book. Don't judge a book (or a cat) by it's cover.  Which of course is what drew me to the book in the first place.

I need to be so careful not to accidentally slip in spoilers because as I previously explained, lots of things happen throughout this book and they all enrich the story. So I will end here my review on a truly enjoyable read here.

I was given an arc of this book by the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Cat Groomer series. I feel this the best cat book I have read. Mixed with the story are hints about cat problems, breed rescue sources and she has described the Bengal breed accurately. Included is an accurate but chilling description of a car breeding cattery. Cassie romance with the veterinarian continues. I lived with a Bengal for 15 years and I witnessed many of actions mentioned.
A distraught man leaves his dark brown cat, Ayesha with Cassie for a week. After a bath which Ayesha tolerated the brown on her cost disappeared and large spots begin to show up on the coat. Suspecting the Cat might have been stolen and was a valuable show cat, Cassie started to try and discover her owner. She learns the man who left Ayesha with her has been run over in an accident. Her efforts to find Ayesha's owner she networks with the Bengal groups in her area. There is evidence that someone is trying to steal her. Will Cassie find Ayesha's owner? Is Ayesha, the killer cat in the foothills? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and series.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I have always wanted a Bengal kitty but they are way out of my price range. To read about one is the next best thing.

While the town is also dealing with some sightings of a big cat in the wild that had a attacked a dog and scared a child. Cassie McGlone, owner of Cassie’s Comfy Cats was pretty surprised when one of her feline guests turned out to be a Bengal. When he arrived at her shop all she saw was a big brown kitty, but a bath started to show the cat’s true identity. Cassie suspects the feline had been catnapped. Cassie then learns the man that boarded the Bengal with her has been killed so she opens up to the police about her very special guest. But a break in makes her realize that someone will go to great lengths to steal this cat. Cassie starts her own investigation to find the kitty’s true owners while the police try to apprehend the killer. What they find is positively shocking!

Cassie is a fun protagonist. She is thoughtful and smart and would do anything to protect her friends or the cats in her care. Her assistant Sarah is a caring woman as well. She has opened her home to Harpo, a pretty Persian after his owner was killed in the previous story. She is injured in this story, but she doesn’t let it hold her back much at all. Together they make a great team. Dr. Mark Coccia is back and spending time with Cassie, but he is having some employee issues at his vet clinic that is weighing heavt on his mind and need to be handled. Detective Angela Bonelli knows the information she gets from Cassie will help her solve the case. I love the open way they work together. We meet a couple other characters that I hope return in a future book too.

There is more than one mystery in this story and there are some really nice twists. The story is well written with excellent depictions of time and place making it so easy to visualize everything. There is a part of this story that is so relevant and so current, but when the sheer magnitude of what was happening was revealed I was livid. To avoid spoiling the story for others I will say no more about that except to say this story is a wonderful read that elevated my blood pressure just a bit.

I love these characters and where Ms. Watkins has taken them. You can tell how much she loves cats by all the love of them that her characters share.

As with the first book in this series, The Persian Always Meows Twice, I read it all in one sitting. I am excited for Feral Attraction to be released on September 25!

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bengal Identity
A Cat Groomer Mystery, Book #2
Eileen Watkins
5 Stars


Synopsis:

Everyone knows a leopard can't change its spots. But can a thief hide the spots on a catnapped Bengal? Groomer Cassie McGlone is about to find out . . .

With no ID for his pet, an agitated young man shows up at Cassie's Comfy Cats claiming his house has burned down and he needs to board his big, brown cat, Ayesha. But after a bath washes dye out of the cat's coat and reveals beautiful spots, Cassie suspects the exotic-looking feline may in fact be a valuable Bengal show cat, possibly stolen. At the same time, there are rumored sightings of a "wild cat" in the hills of Chadwick, New Jersey. Could there be a connection?

When Ayesha's alleged owner turns up dead, it looks like whoever wants the beautiful Bengal is not pussyfooting around. Working with the police, Cassie and her staff need to be careful not to reveal the purloined purebred's whereabouts while they discreetly make inquiries to cat breeders to find her real owners. But after a break-in attempt rattles Cassie's cage, it's clear someone let the cat out of the bag. And when a second body is found, it's up to Cassie to spot the killer, who may be grooming her to be the next victim . . . (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Cassie is a smart caring woman who knows her stuff about cats. She will do almost anything to protect the cats that she boards and takes care of. When Cassie and her assistant, Sarah, find that a cat in their care has been dyed and the person that dropped the cat off has died, she knows that she has to get to the bottom of what is going on. With the help of Dawn, her friend, and Sarah, she tries to figure that out.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place and listening in on conversations.

There was more than one mystery in this book which was great. The mysteries were well plotted and well developed. I was pretty sure of the culprit early on but there were enough other things going on that I really did not mind. I really liked that Cassie did not stumble upon a dead body, which is what happens in a lot of the cozies that I read.

You can tell that the author knows a lot about cats and that she has a fondness for them. This book dealt with breeding issues and the real problem of illegal breeding of exotic cats. It also gave some very disturbing images of non-reputable breeders.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Whether you are a cat person or not , you will enjoy this book. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Cat Groomer series. I really enjoyed the first one, "The Persian Always Meows Twice" and this next installment did not disappoint. Cassie McGlone's cat boarding business continues to thrive and nothing seems suspicious at first when an unknown man hires her to board his cat, Ayeesha, for a few days while he is in the process of moving. She and her capable assistant, Sarah, bathe the cat and discover that Ayeesha has been dyed, revealing markings of the exotic Bengal breed. Cassie suspects she may be stolen but when the stranger is found dead, Cassie finds herself in the middle of another mystery. While trying to find this Bengal's identity, she also uncovers a sinister underworld which may be connected to the stranger's death.

I really liked this cozy because of its multi-layered plot and comfortable pace. Cassie's romance with Mark, the veterinarian continues to develop, but not without some tension. There were several well-placed herrings, adding to the enjoyment of the mystery. At the conclusion, the author includes a preview of the next book in the series, "Feral Attraction." Just enough to whet my whiskers! I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntary.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza
Libro scorrevole (quasi non mi sono accorta delle pagine che giravano) e bei personaggi. Se devo trovare un neo, dico che anche stavolta il colpevole era abbastanza scontato, ma ciò non ha rovinato il piacere della lettura.

[Bea]

3.5 stars

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bengal Identity is the second book in Eileen Watkins' Cat Groomer Mystery series and it is just as CATivating as the first one. You don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy this series as there are a lot of things to capture your attention.

Cassie McGlone, the main character, owns her own little business, Cassie's Comfy Cats, where she grooms cats as well as boards cats for people going on vacation or what not. She has a spunky assistant, Sarah, who doesn't let her age deter her at all. And if things can't get any better, Cassie is dating the local veterinarian, Mark. And her best friend, Dawn, is also a business owner, owning her own shop down the street from Cassie called Nature's Way.

Something I love about the Cat Groomer Mystery series is that there are very strong, independent business women in the stories. And in The Bengal Identity you can only grow to love Cassie and Dawn more.

Cassie will do whatever she can for her friends and loved ones as well as the cats she owns and cares for and in the Bengal Identity rescues.....

When an exotic cat is brought in "disguised" and the owner acts in a questionable manner, Sarah and Cassie are immediately on edge. And after they give the cat a bath and find out that the cat has been dyed to cover up it's true colors and identity and the cat proves to be a well trained cat, they begin to suspect more to the story. Especially after they hear of a hit and run accident and the victim is identified as the man who dropped the cat off, Cassie feels that she has to do whatever she can to protect the cat and find out it's true identity and owners.

The Bengal Identity will capture your attention immediately and you will not want to put it down until you also know the story behind Ayesha and know that she is home safe and sound with her real family. Watkins knows how to dangle the toy in front of you to keep you playing the game.....She also provides the reader with some good insights into cats and the rescuing side of the hoarding aspects. It is an amazing thing that the organizations do for the animals.

I have always been an animal lover, cats especially, but if you're not, Watkins will help you become one.....

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Bengal Identity" is a cozy mystery. It is the second book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous book to understand this one. The previous mystery was not spoiled in this book.

The main character was a nice person who cared about others. She asked intelligent questions and was good at spotting things that should be investigated. The mystery involved exotic cats and illegal breeding operations. There were only a few possible suspects, so it wasn't too difficult to figure out whodunit. However, the story still kept me interested all the way to the end.

There were no sex scenes. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable and interesting cat-related mystery.

I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

[Joy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated mystery with interesting characters and plenty of cat lore. The background of breeding exotic and feral cats was fascinating. (The demand for these cats is scary.) This is a sequel to The Persian Always Meows Twice, which I have't read, but apparently Harpo, the Persian who makes a brief appearance here, was one of the characters in it. There's murder and suspense and real danger. There's also romance and a sub-plot involving Mark, the vet and romantic interest, who has a mystery of his own to solve. There's also a dangerous wild cat roaming loose and some red herrings. I enjoyed the satisfying climax and conclusion with connections made and mysteries revealed. Can't even hint at the spoilers, but I liked them.

[Gloria Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie tells this tale in her own words. She'd opened a cat boarding and grooming business after moving to a New Jersey town of about 8,000 some months ago. One day a nervous young man shows up asking to board his brown cat for a couple days.

It turns out his brown cat is really a gorgeous Bengal dyed brown. And he never returns. Bengals are a pricy breed, and this one has the proportions and temperament of a show animal. So begins a mystery that involves murder and a threat to Cassie's own survival. With her natural talent for sleuthing, her help is welcomed by the local police who have come to know her from an earlier incident.

Interesting realistic characters, including the cat, add intrigue and enjoyment to this cozy. I liked learning facts about cats, such as why they might need rescuing from a tree. We get a feel of the town and its atmosphere of neighborliness without overwhelming the reader with too many personalities. A fun read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything related to cats, and this series is definitely engaging. Not only is it rich on cat content, but the mysteries are also very well written and interesting. I also like the characters and of course that’s a really big draw. Looking forward to seeing Cassie and Mark as their relationship hopefully depends. I had a little trouble with the breeding scene, though… I don’t figure that’s giving out much of a spoiler because they indicated there would be a less than legal breeding operation in the future of the novel. If you have a queasy stomach or not a very good constitution for such things you should be aware that it’s coming up. It’s not overwhelmingly awful but if you have a good imagination, try to Renett in

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bengal Identity by Eileen Watkins is the second book in A Cat Groomer Mystery series. Cassie McGlone owns Cassie’s Comfy Cats in Chadwick, New Jersey. A man arrives at the shop wishing to board his cat, Ayesha with Cassie because his home burned the previous night. Even though he cannot provide identification or veterinary records, Cassie agrees to board Ayesha. When putting the cat in her cage, Cassie notices something sticky on her coat. A bath shows that Ayesha has been dyed to cover up her beautiful spots (rosettes). It seems that someone has also removed the cat’s chip. A consultation with Dr. Mark Coccia, the local veterinarian and Cassie’s boyfriend, reveals that Ayesha is a rare Bengal which is quite valuable. While watching television, Cassie sees a report of a hit-and-run accident that killed a man who had no identification. The sketch revels it to be the same man who dropped off Ayesha. Cassie contacts Detective Angela Bonelli and starts searching for Ayesha’s owner. At the same time, there are sighting of a large cat on Rattlesnake Ridge. Is there a connection between the wild cat and Ayesha? Then someone tries to break into Cassie’s Comfy Cats. Someone wants Ayesha and Cassie is determined to find the cat napper. Join Cassie on her latest hair-raising adventure in The Bengal Identity.

The Bengal Identity can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included. I found The Bengal Identity easy to read with a steady pace. The author’s writing style is straightforward, and it is obvious that that Eileen Watkins is knowledgeable about cats. She presents some interesting information on Bengal’s in this book. I had to laugh when Ayesha’s caterwauling was described. I knew immediately what the problem was and waited to see when Cassie would figure it out. The author accurately described the sound a female cat makes when in heat. Ayesha and the other cats in the book are the primary focus of The Bengal Identity. I love the description of Cassie’s Comfy Cats. The cats that stay there have deluxe quarters and plenty of places to roam and explore (gave me some ideas to use in my cat’s rooms). The mystery is uncomplicated. The solution can easily be discerned along the reason. Cassie devoted her time to looking for Ayesha’s owner. Solving the murder was just a bonus. My rating for The Bengal Identity is 3 out of 5 stars. The Bengal Identity is a light, cozy mystery that will appeal to feline lovers. The next installment A Cat Groomer mystery series is Feral Attraction.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so nice to read a book about cats where the author actually knows something about cats! I'm so happy that no cats in this book were given any freaking milk! It's clear Ms. Watkins really knows her stuff. There was a lot of good information and tips and, more importantly, no misinformation.
As for the story, it was a good cozy. An interesting mystery, not too much romance and the main character was only a little bit stupid. I wish I had read the first one in the series before this one, but that's only because of my OCD. This works perfectly fine as a stand-alone.

[Rima Aiello]

A delightful series that is just getting better! I love that the setting is unique. As a reader, I am used to the mysteries that have animals, but this series takes it a step further which makes it that much better. The characters are well written and their personalities really shine through. The mystery was thought out and executed perfectly! I am so glad this series is really hitting it stride and getting better and better.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very predictable. Just not my cup of tea. I kept thinking I was reading a middle school book but then there were some sub plots about marijuana and sex so I realized this is just a regular adult book.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read for cat people.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun one, I enjoyed the way she stumbled into her second mystery and I loved the cats and the developing people.

[Geraldine Garnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this small town mystery and Bengal cat story

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie McGlone lives in Chadwick, New Jersey.
She runs a boarding and grooming service there.
There is a rumor circulating that a wild cat is loose
in the near by hills. This wild cat is attacking both
dogs and children.
When a stranger leaves a cat in her shop buy never
returns, Cassie begins to investigate. What will she
discover? Who is the man who dropped off the cat
and never returned? Was the cat stolen? Why was
the cat dyed?
With the help of her assistant, Sarah and her friend,
Dawn, they are off to investigate two mysteries
regarding the cat and the man who dropped him
off.
A well written and well plotted book.
This is the second book in the Cat Groomer Mystery
series.
An enjoyable read.

[Carla Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and fun to read.

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bengal Identity
By Eileen Watkins
Kensington
ISBN: 978-1-4967-1058-1
Reviewed by Caryn St. Clair

As book two of the Cat Groomer series opens readers find Cassie McGlone hard at work planning her booth for the upcoming Chadwick town festival. Business at Cassie’s Comfy Cats Grooming and Boarding has picked up significantly since the events in book one. So when a nervous acting man brings in a cat desperate to board it for a few days saying he had suffered a house fire, Cassie was lucky to have a kennel available for the Ayesha. The man paid for a week’s boarding in advance then left. Cassie became suspicious of the young man’s story when upon bathing Ayesha a few times a beautiful coat with rosettes began to appear. After Mark her veterinarian boyfriend, examined Ayesha he told Cassie that this was not just another domestic cat,, but that Ayesha was most probably a Bengal and worth quite a lot of money.

There are a couple of side stories going on including the local festival, “funny” crops being raised at the organic farm and the developing relationship between Mark and Cassie. But the main plot is the cat. Who owns the cat? Why did the young man who brought the cat in have her, and what happened to him? And who is after the cat and why?

Some of what happens along the way in this book is fairly predictable like there is reason to believe some people want to steal the cat for instance. However there are a host of interesting characters from the town thrown in to the story to make up for the predictable plot points. Some characters add to the local color, some end up being suspects and some just add to the overall plot, but to a one, they are nicely done and make the book interesting to read.

I really like this book and series, not because it is a book centered on cats per say, but because it gives readers more. Again as with the first book in the series, The Persian Always Rings Twice, it is easy to dismiss this book as another “cat cozy,” but that is selling the book short. The Bengal Identity gives readers a look into the interesting world of exotic cats-both those bred to be domestic and those that are crosses between domestic cats and actual wild cats. It should be eye opening for anyone contemplating purchasing one of these cats as Cassie gives readers a good look at the amount of work and money that it takes to healthily maintain one of these high energy, high maintenance animals.

I understand there is a third book coming out later this year titled Feral Attraction. After taking on the fussy breeds of domestics in the first book, exotics in the second, I am interested to see what Watkins gives readers on ferals in volume three.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BENGAL IDENTITY BY Eileen Watkins
The Second Cat Groomer Mystery

Cassie McGlone has some doubts about her new boarder. Rudy, the man who dropped her off seemed very agitated and his story a bit odd, but the cat looked healthy and he seemed fond of her. After all, it was just for a few days. Ayesha's arrival proved to be more of a mystery when her somewhat sticky fur led to a bath...and the brown color of her coat started running down the drain revealing rosettes. This athletic and vocal animal wasn't your average cat-Ayesha was a Bengal, probably a show cat worth thousands! Why was she disguised? Did Rudy steal her? Things take a dangerous turn after Rudy is killed in a hit and run. Is someone trying to steal Ayesha? Will Cassie find her real owner before something worse happens? Does it have something to do with the killer cat roaming the outskirts of town? And what's going on in her boyfriend's veterinary clinic? Cassie has more puzzles to sort out than an unkempt long-haired cat has mats!

Although I'm a stickler for reading series in order, I didn't have a chance to read A PERSIAN ALWAYS MEOWS FIRST, the first book in the series, before this one. That being said, this book was perfect to read on its own. There were brief references to things that happened in the first book, but I had plenty of information and never felt as if I was missing something. I enjoyed this book so much, that I'll be going back and reading the first in the series soon!

THE BENGAL IDENTITY is a delight. Interesting, realistic characters inhabit the charming New Jersey town of Chadwick. Characters that don't go out of their way to investigate and get into trouble, but rather have mysteries thrust upon them and work with the police to try to sort things out. I'm a huge cat lover and appreciate not only the antics of the cats in the book, but the good information the author imparts about them as well. Of course, I love Ayesha! The mysteries were plentiful and, especially appropriate for a cat-centric book, plenty of herrings were given, red ones, that is. Although, at one point near the end I was yelling, "No, don't do it!!!!" having figured out enough of what was going on to know that a particular character was up to no good!

The second Cat Groomer mystery is an intelligent fun read sure to delight cat and mystery lovers alike.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.

[Melissa Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing second book in the cat groomer mystery series! This was a fun and intriguing read. Business seems to be going well for Cassie and she is gearing up for Chadwick Day when a strange man comes into her shop begging her to board his cat. He doesn’t have any of the animal’s records and Cassie is hesitant, but the young man states that his house burned down and he just needs the cat to be boarded for a few days. Later, Cassie and Sarah notice the cat’s fur is a bit sticky and they give her a bath. Much to their surprise, the color starts washing off of the cat. Cassie suspects the cat is actually a purebred show cat who was stolen from a breeder. When the man who brought the cat to Cassie later turns up dead in a hit and run car accident, she starts to wonder what is going on and starts checking with breeders and rescues to see if anyone is missing a cat. Another young man goes missing and there have been sightings of a wild cat in Rattlesnake Ridge. When the woman Cassie hires to help out at her shop on Chadwick Day tries to steal the valuable cat, Cassie is out to get to the bottom of this mystery. Cassie’s boyfriend, veterinarian Dr. Mark, has his own troubles with his vet clinic and doesn’t want to believe that the young receptionist could be to blame for all the issues. Intriguing and interesting facts about hybrid cats. I love this series and learning about different types of cats and other little cat facts. This book was especially intriguing with the cat hybrids (and a good lesson not to try breeding wild cats with domestic cats illegally). I look forward to more cat adventures with Cassie and seeing what’s next for her and Dr. Mark!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a second in series but the first I have read. This can be read as a standalone novel.
The story started out slow for me. I almost stopped reading it but plugged on. I found this to be an unusual story. There were a few subplots with not too may twist and turns to throw you off. I felt suspect pool was limited and thus made it easy for me to figure out who was involved in the murder. The reason was obvious from the first few chapters. What made this read interesting for me is it involved exotic cats and illegal breeding operations and a cats only boarding facility.

What I did like was the interaction between Cassie and Mark, the boyfriend-vet and Sarah. I also enjoyed learning cat facts as I have never had a female cat adopt me. In the story there are hints about cat problems, breed rescue sources and specifics about Bengals.

Cassie McGlone's owns, Cassie's Comfy Cats, a shop in Chadwick, NJ that caters to grooming and boarding of cats. A new client drops off his cat for boarding on the pretext that his house has been damaged in a fire and he needs to relocate. This new client is found dead a few days later not by the amateur sleuth. In the performance of their duties, Cassie and Sarah discover that the cat has been died to hide her breed from observers. Thus begins the mystery- why, where did this cat come from and who will be the rightful owner when all is said and done?

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from Kensington Books via Netgalley and these are my own opinions. I was not required to leave a favorable review.

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I powered through Ms. Watkins' first book, "The Persian Always Meows Twice" and I loved it. I was very excited to get her new book "The Bengal Identity" and I am pleased to say I was not disappointed.

Cassie McGlone owns "Cassie's Comfy Cats", a shop in Chadwick, NJ that caters to grooming and boarding of only cats. Cassie tells the readers and her customers that cats can get nervous if they smell or are around barking dogs, which is why she exclusively caters to felines.

In this book, a mysterious kitty is dropped off by someone who peaks Cassie's radar that something else is going on. When they find out the cat has been dyed and the "owner" dies under mysterious circumstances, Cassie's suspicions are confirmed. Someone is out to steal her new boarder and she has to solve the mystery of whodunit and where her boarder came from before more tragedy strikes.

I am still mourning the loss of Lilian Jackson Braun and her Cat Who...mysteries. However, these are a lovely addition to the ever growing genre of cozy cat mysteries. Cassie is a wonderful and likeable heroine and unlike a lot of cozy mysteries there is no silly love triangle going on. Eileen Watkins' appreciates strong female characters and her stories are charming and engaging. I am already waiting for her next book and I hope there will be many more after that!

[Terri Durling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having just become the owner of a Bengal cat myself, surrendered at the SPCA last fall, I was intrigued to read a book about this beautiful and interesting breed. The fact that my cat is a duplicate for the photo of the Bengal shown on the front of this book was an added incentive. The protagonist, Cassie McGlone, is the owner of a cat boarding/grooming facility, Cassie’s Comfy Cats. The mystery begins when Rudy Pierson drops off an unusual looking cat that he needs boarded because his home was recently burned down. It quickly becomes apparent that the cat, Ayesha, is very special due to her physique and colouring. After bathing the cat the unusual color, stripes and rosette pattern becomes more noticeable and she discovers the cat’s fur has been dyed. There begins a cat chase so to speak as Cassie starts to unravel the reason behind this. She is plagued by a series of events that are very stressful but she handles like a pro. In fact, her true calling may be that of a detective as she unravels the story behind Ayesha that is filled with unusual characters and events, along with a murder or two. Watkins style is simple and straight forward. It is not the usual type of book I am drawn to. It’s a little far fetched but a light fun read that is perfect for the summer.

[Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second adventure in the Cat Groomer Mysteries firmly establishes Eileen Watkins as The Cat Lady in this reader’s eyes. Ms. Watkins’ skill at crafting a challenging mystery includes weaving engaging interaction between the felines and their owners.

A nervous young man brings his cat to be boarded for a few days while he finds a new place to live. The cat, Ayesha, turns out to be a Bengal, an exotic breed, that has been dyed a dark brown as a disguise. The mystery deepens when the young man turns up dead. Since Cassie (Cassie’s Comfy Cats) suspects the young man stole Ayesha, she begins a search for where the cat may have come from originally. Naturally best friend Dawn is involved as is boyfriend Mark, a veterinarian.

Readers who relish well-conceived mysteries and readers who appreciate strong feline characters will find this an intriguing diversion. Well drawn characters along with realistic dialogue and an even flow to the story keep the reader hooked.