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A Big Mike Mystery #2
Royal Cat
Inheriting the title of Queen of the annual Elizabethan Festival in Empty Creek, Arizona, after her predecessor is murdered, bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Penelope Warren and her feline sidekick, "Big Mike," set out to unmask a killer. Reprint.
- GenresMystery
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
46 people want to read
About the author
Garrison Allen
7 books12 followersaka Gary Amo
Gary Amo is a past-President of the SoCal/MWA and has written several BigMike books under the pseudonym "Garrison Allen." He's also written a fewthrillers under his Amo moniker, including one that was nominated for an Edgar.
Gary Amo is a past-President of the SoCal/MWA and has written several BigMike books under the pseudonym "Garrison Allen." He's also written a fewthrillers under his Amo moniker, including one that was nominated for an Edgar.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 6, 2020
2020 bk 123 If you enjoy Renaissance Fairs mixed with murder, than this book is a quirky fun treat for you. Penelope and her band of friends are swept up in the mayhem that is a Renaissance fair when the current queen is murdered. Asked to serve as the replacement Queen (her real role is to unmask the murderer), Penelope agrees. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is aware of the real reason why she is there and that includes the murder. If you like 'forsooths' and 'thou varlets' let the fun begin.
April 22, 2011
"Royal Cat" has now become synonymous in our house for the worst book I've ever read and worst writing ever. So if I'm reading something new, my husband will ask, "Is it as bad as 'Royal Cat?'" and then we both burst out laughing. Sorry, but this is faux Victorian writing mixed with mystery mixed with I don't even know what.
April 26, 2020
This series, so far, is light and zany, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. The books are full of eccentric and quirky characters aka a collection of free spirits. I liked it much better than book 1.
Penelope Warren is the owner of the local bookstore in Empty Creek, Arizona called Mycroft and Company. She is also the owner of an Abyssinian alley cat from Abyssinia named Mycroft, aka Big Mike or Mikey. Penelope is also an amateur sleuth when need arises. Unlike most cozy mysteries whose sleuths are frowned upon by the local police, Penelope and Big Mike are honorary members of the Empty Creek Police Department for helping solve crimes. They welcome her help!
It is time for the month-long annual Empty Creek Authentic Elizabethan Spring Faire. All the towns people participate and get totally into character for the event. The most important person at the event is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I. There is a royal procession each day for her to greet her loyal subjects and visitors to the Faire. The present queen aka Carolyn Lewis aka Old Hatchet Face is not much loved by her subjects. In her real life, she was a much loved teacher. Unfortunately, she is murdered by a dagger to the back; and there are a plethora of suspects that had cause to do it. A delegation is sent to persuade Penelope to take Carolyn's place and be the next queen at the Faire. Since the local police are stymied, so far, in finding the killer; it is expected that Penelope will do some sleuthing. She is also provided an RV on site for the duration and her main squeeze, Andy who will play Sir Walter Raleigh, gets to stay with her. Big Mike follows her everywhere and even gets to wear a royal ruff around his neck for the duration. Cryptic notes are taped to her door, and another murder takes place - this time it's an actor named Richard Burbage who was acting in one of the Shakespearean plays performed for the Queen.
Aiding in the investigation are Detectives Larry Burke and Willie Stoner aka Tweedledee and Tweedledum. The Chief of Police, John "Dutch" Fowler may soon become Penelope's brother-in-law. All the familiar characters from book one return to enliven this one - Penelope's sister, Cassandra Warren aka Storm Williams, the B movie actress; Timmy Scott, boyfriend of Kathleen's; Alyce Smith, resident astrologer and psychic; Penelope's best friend of erotic romance novels, Laney and her roommate Wally; and Chardonnay, Penelope's Arabian filly. Penelope's assistant at the store, Kathleen Allan, has been promoted from serving wench to lady-in-waiting. She spends a lot of time in the pillory. Penelope also hires a private detective, Justin Beamish and two over-sized twin brothers who pose as Robin Hood and his merry men to guard her when things turn dicey. They are, of course, four centuries out-of-date but who cares? Several new characters are introduced - Leigh Kent, the sexy librarian; Ben Jonson, her boy friend who whispers love poems in her ear; Samantha Dale, President of the Empty Creek National Bank; Blaine Edwards, an iron worker who makes things for the faire such as chastity belts and swords; Lola LaPola, a TV reporter, etc.
If you pay close attention, you can figure out the murderer before he/she is revealed. I like that Big Mike is just an ordinary cat who happens to like lima beans. We know his thoughts, but he doesn't do extraordinary things. This is the 2nd book where he accidently finds the clue that reveals the murderer. He just lays on it for a nap until Penelope finds his hidey-hole. This was a delightful, engaging, and quick-witted read. Recommended.
Penelope Warren is the owner of the local bookstore in Empty Creek, Arizona called Mycroft and Company. She is also the owner of an Abyssinian alley cat from Abyssinia named Mycroft, aka Big Mike or Mikey. Penelope is also an amateur sleuth when need arises. Unlike most cozy mysteries whose sleuths are frowned upon by the local police, Penelope and Big Mike are honorary members of the Empty Creek Police Department for helping solve crimes. They welcome her help!
It is time for the month-long annual Empty Creek Authentic Elizabethan Spring Faire. All the towns people participate and get totally into character for the event. The most important person at the event is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I. There is a royal procession each day for her to greet her loyal subjects and visitors to the Faire. The present queen aka Carolyn Lewis aka Old Hatchet Face is not much loved by her subjects. In her real life, she was a much loved teacher. Unfortunately, she is murdered by a dagger to the back; and there are a plethora of suspects that had cause to do it. A delegation is sent to persuade Penelope to take Carolyn's place and be the next queen at the Faire. Since the local police are stymied, so far, in finding the killer; it is expected that Penelope will do some sleuthing. She is also provided an RV on site for the duration and her main squeeze, Andy who will play Sir Walter Raleigh, gets to stay with her. Big Mike follows her everywhere and even gets to wear a royal ruff around his neck for the duration. Cryptic notes are taped to her door, and another murder takes place - this time it's an actor named Richard Burbage who was acting in one of the Shakespearean plays performed for the Queen.
Aiding in the investigation are Detectives Larry Burke and Willie Stoner aka Tweedledee and Tweedledum. The Chief of Police, John "Dutch" Fowler may soon become Penelope's brother-in-law. All the familiar characters from book one return to enliven this one - Penelope's sister, Cassandra Warren aka Storm Williams, the B movie actress; Timmy Scott, boyfriend of Kathleen's; Alyce Smith, resident astrologer and psychic; Penelope's best friend of erotic romance novels, Laney and her roommate Wally; and Chardonnay, Penelope's Arabian filly. Penelope's assistant at the store, Kathleen Allan, has been promoted from serving wench to lady-in-waiting. She spends a lot of time in the pillory. Penelope also hires a private detective, Justin Beamish and two over-sized twin brothers who pose as Robin Hood and his merry men to guard her when things turn dicey. They are, of course, four centuries out-of-date but who cares? Several new characters are introduced - Leigh Kent, the sexy librarian; Ben Jonson, her boy friend who whispers love poems in her ear; Samantha Dale, President of the Empty Creek National Bank; Blaine Edwards, an iron worker who makes things for the faire such as chastity belts and swords; Lola LaPola, a TV reporter, etc.
If you pay close attention, you can figure out the murderer before he/she is revealed. I like that Big Mike is just an ordinary cat who happens to like lima beans. We know his thoughts, but he doesn't do extraordinary things. This is the 2nd book where he accidently finds the clue that reveals the murderer. He just lays on it for a nap until Penelope finds his hidey-hole. This was a delightful, engaging, and quick-witted read. Recommended.
May 13, 2017
What happens when there is murder at the Renaissance? The book is set in Arizona at the Renaissance Faire. The current Queen Elizabeth of the Faire is murdered and Penelope is requested to come and be the new Queen Elizabeth. She agrees in order to help the police find the murderer because the actors who are camping at the location on the weekends aren't very helpful to the police (outsiders). She brings her boyfriend, Andy, with her to be her consort and her cat Big Mike (aka Mycroft or Mikey). They search through the fairgrounds hoping to find something, but they just find more questions and another murder.
I really enjoyed this story. It had many moments that inspired outright laughter. I recommend this book to people who enjoy Renaissance Festivals. I know that I will be searching for this author at the library to read other books by him. I enjoyed the mischievousness of the cat and the use of literary remarks and notations of who made the remark or in which book it might be found. I also enjoyed the fact that while the cat was given human characteristics, he did not talk as I have encountered in other Cat Mysteries.
I really enjoyed this story. It had many moments that inspired outright laughter. I recommend this book to people who enjoy Renaissance Festivals. I know that I will be searching for this author at the library to read other books by him. I enjoyed the mischievousness of the cat and the use of literary remarks and notations of who made the remark or in which book it might be found. I also enjoyed the fact that while the cat was given human characteristics, he did not talk as I have encountered in other Cat Mysteries.
February 19, 2019
Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the romps and revels as bookstore owner Penelope is promoted from Rube to Queen of the Rennfest.
April 26, 2020
Just as enjoyable this time around - Empty Creek's renfair is just as quirky as everything else in that Arizona town.
July 4, 2021
The characters were well developed and it was interesting.
November 10, 2008
I read Royal Cat, the third book first while I was in Australia.
Royal Cat is the first one I read and the idiosyncrasies (especially the sexual pecadillios of the residents of Empty Creek) make the books. For such a small community there sure is a lot of activity: Horse Days, Elizabethan Faire...
Royal Cat is the first one I read and the idiosyncrasies (especially the sexual pecadillios of the residents of Empty Creek) make the books. For such a small community there sure is a lot of activity: Horse Days, Elizabethan Faire...
February 20, 2009
When the person playing Queen Elizabeth at the Empty Creek Elizabethan Fair is murdered local bookseller Penlope Warrenn is drafted into the role. While at the fair Penelope, with the assistance of her cat Big Mike, investigate the murder. Some of the characters are funny but it was way too easy to guess the murderer.
September 24, 2025
Witzig und unterhaltsam, eine schöne Lektüre für Zwischendurch oder im Urlaub.
Die Figuren wachsen einem (ein wenig) ans Herz und es gibt ein paar schöne skurielle Einfälle.
Big Mike ist auf jedenfalls ein würdiger Vertreter der Katzendetektive, auch wenn ich kurz in in Erwägung gezogen habe, aus der Erwähnung von Limabohnen ein Trinkspiel zu machen.
Die Figuren wachsen einem (ein wenig) ans Herz und es gibt ein paar schöne skurielle Einfälle.
Big Mike ist auf jedenfalls ein würdiger Vertreter der Katzendetektive, auch wenn ich kurz in in Erwägung gezogen habe, aus der Erwähnung von Limabohnen ein Trinkspiel zu machen.
March 31, 2011
Elizabethan Faire murders in AZ
September 10, 2018
This series is not one of my favorites. I'll finish it so I can send them on to others that want them, through Bookmooch.com.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews