Panthers Play for Keeps

Pru Marlowe #4

by Clea Simon

"[F]ans of animal mysteries will find plenty to keep them entertained here." —Booklist

When Pru Marlowe takes a dog for a walk, she doesn't expect to find a body. But Spot, a service dog in training, has too good a nose not to lead her to the mangled body of a young woman. Despite her own best instincts, Pru can't avoid getting involved.

The young woman seems to have been mauled by a wild cat—and Pru knows there have been no pumas in the Berkshire woods for years. Wallis, Pru's curmudgeonly tabby, seems fixated on the idea of a killer cat, but Spot suggests that the violent death was something more than a tragic animal attack. As motives multiply, a cougar of a different sort sets her eyes on Pru's sometime lover, and another woman disappears. With panther panic growing, Pru may have to put aside her own issues—and her own ideas of domesticity—to solve a savage mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Animals, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Mystery Thriller

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Boston Globe-bestselling author Clea Simon is the author most recently of The Butterfly Trap, a sinister slow-build "he said/she said" that will definitely surprise you.

This follows Bad Boy Beat a fast-paced amateur sleuth mystery featuring a novice crime reporter with a nose for news who is convinced a series of street-level killings are connected.

In a different mood, Clea's most recent cozy is To Conjure a Killer, the fourth in her "Witch Cats of Cambridge" series.

She is also the author of the psychological suspense novels, Hold Me Down and World Enough, both named "Must Reads" by the Massachusetts Book Awards, as well as the dystopian Blackie and Care black cat series (The Ninth Life), the Dulcie Schwartz feline/academic mysteries (Shades of Grey), the Pru Marlowe pet noir mysteries (Dogs Don't Lie), and the Theda Krakow cats & crime & rock & roll mysteries (Mew is for Murder), as well as three nonfiction books: Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of Mentally Ill Siblings; Fatherless Women: How We Change After We Lose Our Dads; and The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.

The recipient of multiple honors, including the Cat Writers Associations Presidents Award, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jon Garelick, and their cat, Thisbe. Find her at Clea Simon.com

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked listening to the previous book in the series, featuring a salty-tongued parrot, quite a lot, so got this one out of the library. Plot seemed a bit weak, though Tavia Gilbert's excellent job with voicing the animals' thoughts (LOVE the ferret!) helped get me through the book. I didn't listen to the first couple of books, and while that's not usually a problem I did feel it when a character from one of those stories re-appeared, though I got the general idea.

Slight spoiler: Pru doesn't spend time chatting with a "panther" at all, as the plot concerns trying to find the animal who mauled the corpse discovered early on.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this volume four of the series, we find Pru Marlowe training working dogs for the blind. She has a wonderful shepherd mix, named Spot. Spot is training with the goal of being a seeing eye dog. The person who may be acquiring Spot is an extremely wealthy man going blind from Macular Degeneration.

The psychologist working with the man and his family as well as coordinating with Pru and Spot, is Laurel. She is smooth, sophisticated, and seems to have caught the eye of Pru's on and off again boyfriend, a detective named Jim.

While out training Spot in the protected woods, Pru and Spot come upon a woman's body...something is very wrong though. Could this be a big animal killing? Or is it man's work once more?

As the story evolves we are re-introduced to other characters from earlier volumes, Mr. Benzazi etc. He is a wealthy...well, you will have to figure out just exactly what he does.

Pru has secrets, Spot has secrets, Benzazi and Laurel have secrets. Jim well he is complex. The largest secret may be Spot's future caregivers. That is if Spot goes there after all.

This was a complex novel with psychological layers as well. It is a murder mystery without a doubt and may not be for the extremely cozy reader. I was compelled to keep the pages turning even though the worry about the predator's outcome kept rearing it's head.

Excellent novel.

[K. East · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me preface this review with the fact that I listened to this title as an audiobook and that the narrator was, at first, an irritant. And then there was the animal telepathy that was hard to follow without written cues for changes in speaker or whether Pru was speaking aloud or to herself. But I got beyond that and would have gladly finished listening to this book, but ultimately I could not because I just could not tolerate one more minute of the interminable interior monologue that this character drags on and on and on and on and on. I had the murder "weapon" figured out in the first 10 minutes, but this intelligent, animal-perceptive woman couldn't see the most obvious clues staring her in the face -- while every animal she encountered was trying to give her hints. I'm extraordinarily tolerant of audiobooks because I love being read to while I drive my car, but this one exhausted all my patience.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Panthers Play for Keeps
By: Clea Simon
Copyright: April 2014
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

When Pru Marlowe takes a dog for a walk, she doesn’t expect to find a body. But Spot, a service dog in training, has too good a nose not to lead her to the remains of the beautiful young woman, and despite her own best instincts, Pru can’t avoid getting involved. The young woman seems to have been mauled by a wild cat – and Pru knows there have been no pumas in the Berkshire woods for years. And while Wallis, Pru's curmudgeonly tabby, seems fixated on the idea of a killer cat, Spot has been sending strange signals to Pru’s own heightened senses, suggesting that the violent death was something more than a tragic accident. As motives multiply, a cougar of a different sort sets her eyes on Pru’s sometime lover, and another woman disappears. With panther panic growing, Pru may have to put aside her own issues – and her own ideas of domesticity – to solve a savage mystery.

Pru has found a new source of income and is now training a service dog for someone who will be losing his sight totally over the next few weeks. While out on a training session in a nearby wooded area Spot finds the body of a young woman who appears to have been attacked by a wild animal.
This time out Pru is dealing not only with a dog who is being trained, but the foster home that Spot is living in while training and the family that he will eventually be caring for. The cast of characters here are as varied as much as their hidden secrets. Not only do they have secrets that they share but also secrets from each other.
Pru has to work her way through a jungle of problems as the bodies begin to pile up and also deal with her personal life and her connection to the Detective in charge. She must learn to listen to Wallace, Spot and a host of other pets.
I’ll say it again, each new adventure in this series gets deeper and more intense as the author carries her creations to new heights of angst and anxiety. I highly recommend that you read this book. Beg, borrow or steal a copy, just read it and enjoy.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my copy of this book from the publisher who only requested a fair and impartial review.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When Pru Marlowe takes a dog for a walk, she doesn’t expect to find a body. But Spot, a service dog in training, has too good a nose not to lead her to the remains of the beautiful young woman, and despite her own best instincts, Pru can’t avoid getting involved. The young woman seems to have been mauled by a wild cat – and Pru knows there have been no pumas in the Berkshire woods for years. And while Wallis, Pru's curmudgeonly tabby, seems fixated on the idea of a killer cat, Spot has been sending strange signals to Pru’s own heightened senses, suggesting that the violent death was something more than a tragic accident. As motives multiply, a cougar of a different sort sets her eyes on Pru’s sometime lover, and another woman disappears. With panther panic growing, Pru may have to put aside her own issues – and her own ideas of domesticity – to solve a savage mystery.”

It took me a couple of minutes to adjust to all the "noise" or talking of the animals to Pru but after a couple of pages was fun listening to what they were trying to say! I enjoyed how the mystery/murder part began in chapter one and how Pru kept getting so side-tracked because she was listening to all the animals but "not really listening" or hearing what they did say. The story was entertaining, liked her attitude about animals - a quick, fast and fun read! She did a real good job on Service Dogs not only in training but helping people to understand them! Any animal lover should enjoy this book!

[Larraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The newest in the Pru Marlowe series, this book was an interesting read. It's very different from the usual cat mystery which are cute and cozy. There's nothing cozy about Pru, her cat, Wallis, or Pru's ability to know what animals are thinking. She hears their pain, their anger, their joy, their anguish, their bewilderment and their fear. It may sound like a silly premise that she can communicate with animals through her mind, but it works. It's even almost believable. Pru is training a dog, Spot, for a wealthy man who is losing his eyesight. When Pru & Spot find a beautiful young woman dead, apparently the victim of mauling by a large cat, Pru as well as everyone else is puzzled. Could it be a Western Cougar that somehow found itself east? The young woman found dead was a servant in the wealthy man's home. Meanwhile, it seems as if Pru's relationship with Creighton, a detective, is cooling. He's been seeing another woman, a psychologist who is also fostering the dog Pru is training. There's much more than meets the eye initially and the end was rather dark, but then that's the way this series is written. There is no easy romance or sweetness and light here. That's what I like about this series. It might help a new reader to at least read the first one or two before going for this one. It's still a relatively young series: This is the fourth in the series. The author also writes the Dulcie Gray series and alternates between the two.

[Imjussayin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Panthers Play for Keeps:Pru Marlowe 4
2.5 🌟
Read in numerical order

In A Nutshell:Strange things are afoot when Pru Marlow and Spot the dog find the mauled body of a woman. There are no big cats in their small town. And it is not just Pru's love of animals that draws her into the investigation. Seems like there's a spot of musical beds being played!

The Pru Marlowe series is entertaining because of her relationship with the animalsas outlined here

For the most part, an enjoyable way to while away a little time. My but is because I have dogs and there would be evidence of a big cat! Also, the end felt a little rushed.

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Book Rating

Sexual Content: u
Language: u
Violent: u
Would I read the next one or reread ?: Yes

My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.

[Jennefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading a few of these my impression is I like the concept. I like Wallis and her cat personality. But the writing is just ok. Pru always seems to be jumping to dumb conclusions in her conversations with the animals and people around her. The mysteries are predictable and I find myself annoyed with Pru for being so dense and not being able to figure things out. I probably won't continue with the series. It's a fun idea that just isn't written very well.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this book for my kindle ap before a plane trip to save on the weight on regular books. I had never heard of this author or series. I didn't like it. I thought it was overwritten. I didn't like the way the cat talked down to her human companion. I enjoy the Joe Grey series where there are sentient cats, but they don't behave the same. I know that's not the same. This human communicates through her thoughts to all kinds of animals. I just wasn't a fan.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The solution to this mystery was evident about halfway through the book so it dragged on way too long for me after that.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting Ending

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy Evanovich style mystery with animals

[KyBunnies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog walker Pru Marlowe is a modern day Doctor Dolittle. She not only knows what dogs, cats, ferrets and other assorted animals are thinking, she can communicate with them without speaking via her thoughts if necessary. That is, of course, if they allow her in. Unwilling animals can block communications if they chose to.

This peculiar talent comes in handy when she is out training Spot to be a service dog, who happens to lead her to a dead body in the woods. The woman appears to have been killed by a mountain lion, puma or some other large cat that curiously have not been in the area for years.

Pru’s cranky cat insists that a big cat killed the woman, but Spot says there is something more nefarious going on. She believes him, and when she finds out the victim is an employee of the man that Spot is going to be helping, she uses that connection to do some sleuthing of her own.

Jim Creighton, the detective on the case is Pru’s sometimes boyfriend. Their relationship has more challenges than most. Spot’s foster mom has amorous intentions toward Jim, and even worse, Jim doesn’t know about Pru’s “gift”. He suspects something odd is going on when she gets information that would seem impossible to know and will not reveal her sources. How could she tell the practical police detective that she gets inside info from people’s pets?

Unfortunately, for Pru, she is putting herself in danger by trying to find the killer on her own, pushing Jim further away as the killer closes in.

The plot was full of twists, turns and red herrings. This makes for a quick, interesting read. The unusual gift of Pru’s ability to get information to solve crimes as well as learning every day facts is interesting and different. For instance, she finds out the “real” names of the dogs she walks, not the silly names humans gave them.

This is the fourth book in Clea Simon’s Pru Marlowe series. It started off a bit confusing to me as I read it as a one-off mystery, it took me a chapter to realize the animals were talking to Pru. There is history between Pru and Jim as well as with a rich gentleman/gangster that weaves in and out of the story. While some books give too much back-story for those who have not read the previous books, I feel this one doesn’t quite give me enough.

In the end, I found the twist on pet mysteries intriguing, and just might go check out the first three books in the series to get the real scoop on Jim and Pru’s relationship. If you prefer (or equally love) felines, Simon also writes two different feline mystery series.

Copyright © 2014 Laura Hartman

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pru Marlowe is walking Spot, a dog she is training. In the woods outside of town Spot suddenly begins whining and Pru decides to give him a break and let him run after whatever he is thinks is up ahead. Pru has an ability to communicate with animals and can normally understand what the animal is attempting to communicate but not this time. Pru gives Spot the Danger signal and he responds by stopping in front of Pru as he should but Spot continues whining. Pru finds herself gazing in front of Spot at the body of a woman that has been attacked by something that has shredded her clothing and left her head split open. It would seem the woman had been mauled by a large cat.

Pru is training the dog to be a companion to a man who is facing blindness. Laurel, Pru's romantic rival for the affection of Detective Jim, is fostering the dog until Spot is completely trained and ready to be turned over to his new master. Pru's cat believes that there is a big cat on the lose and Spot believes that there is more to the problem than just the big cat. When Pru finds out that the deceased is an employee of the man she is training spot for she decides to do some investigating on her own.

This is an interesting mystery and one that any animal lover would enjoy.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Panthers Play For Keeps is the first book that I've read by Poisoned Pen Press's author Clea Simon. This is actually the 4th in the series of Pru Marlowe Pet Noir but you don't need to have read the earlier editions to enjoy Panthers.

Panthers Play For Keeps is set in New England. I thought it might be set in Florida before I began to read it as I was fascinated by the Panther Crossing signs in Everglades National Park but I digress. There is an Eastern cougar that is also known as a puma, panther or mountain lion. Who knew!

As a cat lover I loved the main character Pru's cat Wallis...what a character! Pru is an animal lover who trains animals. She also communicates with animals quite easily. The novel begins with Pru and a dog Spot finding a body. This of course sets off a series of events. What large cat could have killed the victim? Could a panther be prowling the neighbourhood?

Pru is a strong woman and an interesting character. Panthers Play For Keeps was a good mystery that kept me guessing until the end!

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pru Marlowe is out at the nature preserve training Spot, a mixed breed as a Companion Dog for an elderly man. Spot alerts her to danger; checking it out she finds the body that appears to have been mauled by a large cat. As they are returning to the car to report the body, Spot stops her again and gets the thoughts "DANGER, CAT, SCARED, HOME".

Pru calls her police friend Jim Creighton so Spot can lead him to the body. Now Pru is looking for clues as to what happen. IS THERE A LARGE CAT OUT THERE? Pru needs to find the answer before more lives are lost.

Not having read the previous books cause a problem.
There is no explanation of Pur's gift. At times I wasn't' sure if Pru talking a person or an animal. Before long the story caught my interest and I didn't put the book until I finished. There is good information on training service dogs.
I received a free copy from Netgalley for a honest review.

[Grey853 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pru Marlowe is an animal behaviorist. She's got a secret edge, though. She can actually communicate with the animals.

I didn't know that was the premise when I got the book because if I had, I probably wouldn't have checked it out of the library.

Still, despite the odd set up, I liked the main character and some of the animals were more likeable than the humans.

After a woman is killed by what appears to be a large cat, possibly a mountain lion, Pru uses her special talent to try figure out what really happened.

The ending is predictable, but overall it wasn't a bad read.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

If I had known about the MC's special talent with animals, there is no way I would have picked this book up. When this special talent was revealed, I thought, "Oh, come on." I don't think this translated well on audio. It was bizarre and sounded kind of hokey.

This was a book challenge read. I needed to read a book with a cat on the cover. I wish I had known what this was really about, but the jacket wasn't helpful. Overall, the story or the writing didn't grab me. It's not that is was awful...it just isn't something I care to read.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this - my first in this series. I enjoyed the "sensitivities" of the protagonist -- an ability to communicate (rather imperfectly) with animals. There were two big flaws: 1) why does a woman who walks dogs and is helping train a seeing-eye dog decide to play detective, and 2) why doesn't she put together the most obvious clues. But beside that . . . it's enjoyable, a fast read, a decent story. It's really 3.5 stars to me, but because it was a rather pleasant read, I gave it a 4-star review.

[Jenni Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be honest, this is the first book in this series that I have read and I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by this little treasure. I found that I enjoyed the characters and Pru's interactions with the animals had me laughing out loud. I love that in a book. This was a great mystery with a surprising villein. The author kept me on my toes throughout. Great job.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good mystery. I still have a little trouble separating what the main character hears vs what the rest of the world can hear but beyond that, excellent read!

[Jack Goodstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Takes an awful lot of suspension of disbelief and in the end the payoff doesn't seem worth it.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was one thing, clue I guess, that I thought was not emphasized enough. Or maybe I mean explained enough. Or maybe I was reading too fast. Anyway, I did enjoy it very much.

[Jane Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. A quick listen.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. It's a fun, cozy mystery series with good characters.

[Brenda Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it hard to follow the animals thought process.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: A Pru Marlowe Pet Noir