What do you think?
Rate this book
Fear Familiar #1
Fear Familiar
A Harlequin Intrigue say that cats have nine lives! It was Familiar's most recent life that would worry her. Since she'd found the cat in the university parking lot, Professor Eleanor Duncan had been assaulted, interrogated by the CIA, her apartment invaded by a crazy little dog and its animal owner, and her husband seemed to have returned from the dead...When veterinarian Peter Curry identified Eleanor's furry friend as an escaped research animal, he couldn't know where that clue would lead. To Adventure, romance, counterplot and conspiracy, and to the explosive enigma that was Familiar's past life.
250 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
202 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Burnes
67 books42 followersAlso writes as Carolyn Haines
Caroline Burnes started her writing career as a photojournalist for Southern newspapers at the age of 12. She came from a "newspapering" family and as a child was teased because of her writing ambitions.
"That girl’s got ink in her blood," the back-shop printers at the George County Times, the weekly newspaper in her hometown, would say as she stood on a bucket and helped lock up the old pages of type set on a linotype machine.
Growing up in the small town of Lucedale, Mississippi, Ms. Burnes found refuge in reading. The magic of the written word, particularly the strange and wonderful worlds of fiction, was rivaled only by her love of horses.
"If I could have had a chance to be a cowgirl, I might never have written a word," Ms. Burnes said. "As it was, a typewriter was a lot easier to come by than a horse, especially since both of my parents were journalists."
Ms. Burnes earned her B.S. degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi and began a career of covering politics, features and hard news across the South. A love of short fiction led her to write short stories, several of which received critical praise and attention. In 1988 Ms. Burnes took a career shift and began writing romantic mysteries for Harlequin Intrigue under the pseudonym Caroline Burnes.
In 1988 A Deadly Breed, a mystery involving horse racing in Mississippi, was published by Harlequin Intrigue, and since then she has published nearly 30 books with Harlequin Intrigue, which have been translated into nine languages.
"So many of my books feature animals," Ms. Burnes said. "Creating fictional animal characters gives me a chance to share my love of animals with my readers."
Ms. Burnes came to writing as a reader. "Since I began to write seriously about 15 years ago, I haven’t been able to read as much as I’d like. I’ve also become a much harder reader. A writer has to really work to pull me into the story and out of my very demanding life. If I had one wish, it would be for more hours in each day, more time to read and write and to ride my horses.
"I’m not a cowgirl by any stretch of the imagination, but I do have three fabulous horses who give me tremendous pleasure. I mostly ride English and do a little backyard jumping, but lately I’ve started team penning. Once again, the problem is that the cows are smarter than I am!
"I just have to be careful when I fall to land on something soft and not my hands," she said. "Brain damage is unlikely, but I need my fingers to be able to write." Ms. Burnes lives on a five-acre farm with her three horses, Miss Scrapiron, Mirage and Cogar; three dogs, Corky, Sweetie Pie and Maybelline; and five cats, Poe, Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Maggie the Cat, and Chester.
Caroline Burnes started her writing career as a photojournalist for Southern newspapers at the age of 12. She came from a "newspapering" family and as a child was teased because of her writing ambitions.
"That girl’s got ink in her blood," the back-shop printers at the George County Times, the weekly newspaper in her hometown, would say as she stood on a bucket and helped lock up the old pages of type set on a linotype machine.
Growing up in the small town of Lucedale, Mississippi, Ms. Burnes found refuge in reading. The magic of the written word, particularly the strange and wonderful worlds of fiction, was rivaled only by her love of horses.
"If I could have had a chance to be a cowgirl, I might never have written a word," Ms. Burnes said. "As it was, a typewriter was a lot easier to come by than a horse, especially since both of my parents were journalists."
Ms. Burnes earned her B.S. degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi and began a career of covering politics, features and hard news across the South. A love of short fiction led her to write short stories, several of which received critical praise and attention. In 1988 Ms. Burnes took a career shift and began writing romantic mysteries for Harlequin Intrigue under the pseudonym Caroline Burnes.
In 1988 A Deadly Breed, a mystery involving horse racing in Mississippi, was published by Harlequin Intrigue, and since then she has published nearly 30 books with Harlequin Intrigue, which have been translated into nine languages.
"So many of my books feature animals," Ms. Burnes said. "Creating fictional animal characters gives me a chance to share my love of animals with my readers."
Ms. Burnes came to writing as a reader. "Since I began to write seriously about 15 years ago, I haven’t been able to read as much as I’d like. I’ve also become a much harder reader. A writer has to really work to pull me into the story and out of my very demanding life. If I had one wish, it would be for more hours in each day, more time to read and write and to ride my horses.
"I’m not a cowgirl by any stretch of the imagination, but I do have three fabulous horses who give me tremendous pleasure. I mostly ride English and do a little backyard jumping, but lately I’ve started team penning. Once again, the problem is that the cows are smarter than I am!
"I just have to be careful when I fall to land on something soft and not my hands," she said. "Brain damage is unlikely, but I need my fingers to be able to write." Ms. Burnes lives on a five-acre farm with her three horses, Miss Scrapiron, Mirage and Cogar; three dogs, Corky, Sweetie Pie and Maybelline; and five cats, Poe, Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Maggie the Cat, and Chester.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 23, 2017
Fear Familiar by Carolyn Haines (Caroline Burnes) is a 2017 KaliOka Press publication.
I loved this romantic suspense series back in the nineties, and I even kept a few of the Harlequin Intrigue paperbacks- so I was thrilled to discover that the first three books in the series have been released in digital format. (This first one is available in the Kindle Unlimited program, if you subscribe)
When Eleanor Duncan and a scruffy black cat more or less rescue each other in a university parking lot, she decides to keep him, aptly naming him ‘Familiar’. But, Familiar needs a vet so she takes him to visit Dr. Peter Curry, who gives Eleanor shocking information regarding an animal research center, and feels Familiar was a recent and lucky escapee.
Sure enough, someone wants that cat back in the worst possible way, and Eleanor soon finds herself embroiled in a web of conspiracy, intrigue and danger, which could put her life at risk.
This plot is very complex and original, and although the book was published back in 1989, it seems to have aged well, although it is clearly written before smart phones and other modern technologies, and you might catch an outdated phrase, or reference here and there, but mostly it goes unnoticed.
Eleanor’s character goes through a transformation, becoming stronger and wiser, as she struggles to control the ghosts of her troubled past, and get to the bottom of this puzzling mystery, discovering she has more strength and courage than she thought possible.
‘Familiar’ has his own ‘voice’, and he allows the reader to ‘hear’ his thoughts and follow his actions as he does his part to keep Eleanor safe. He’s one smart cookie, with cute observations about humans, and is a delightful part of the story.
The story is fast-paced and absorbing, with lots of action and a little romance, too. This book laid a solid foundation in which to build what would become a long running series that began in 1989 and ran through 2009, I believe, and is a testament to how popular it was. I would love to read them order, someday, so I hope they all show up in the kindle store someday.
In the meantime, the series has been revived with a ‘second generation’ of adventures featuring Familiar’s son- Trouble. You can even read them concurrently and double the fun!
I enjoyed becoming reacquainted with Familiar and his charming disposition. This series brings back fond memories and is a little nostalgic for me. So, I’m very happy this series is getting a new life, allowing dedicated fans a chance to reconnect with it, while also finding a new audience.
If you like romantic suspense, mysteries, or are a cat lover, you will probably enjoy this series.
This book will be featured on my blog’s Flashback Friday feature July 28, 2017- Look for it at:
The Book Review- http://www.thebookreview.com
I loved this romantic suspense series back in the nineties, and I even kept a few of the Harlequin Intrigue paperbacks- so I was thrilled to discover that the first three books in the series have been released in digital format. (This first one is available in the Kindle Unlimited program, if you subscribe)
When Eleanor Duncan and a scruffy black cat more or less rescue each other in a university parking lot, she decides to keep him, aptly naming him ‘Familiar’. But, Familiar needs a vet so she takes him to visit Dr. Peter Curry, who gives Eleanor shocking information regarding an animal research center, and feels Familiar was a recent and lucky escapee.
Sure enough, someone wants that cat back in the worst possible way, and Eleanor soon finds herself embroiled in a web of conspiracy, intrigue and danger, which could put her life at risk.
This plot is very complex and original, and although the book was published back in 1989, it seems to have aged well, although it is clearly written before smart phones and other modern technologies, and you might catch an outdated phrase, or reference here and there, but mostly it goes unnoticed.
Eleanor’s character goes through a transformation, becoming stronger and wiser, as she struggles to control the ghosts of her troubled past, and get to the bottom of this puzzling mystery, discovering she has more strength and courage than she thought possible.
‘Familiar’ has his own ‘voice’, and he allows the reader to ‘hear’ his thoughts and follow his actions as he does his part to keep Eleanor safe. He’s one smart cookie, with cute observations about humans, and is a delightful part of the story.
The story is fast-paced and absorbing, with lots of action and a little romance, too. This book laid a solid foundation in which to build what would become a long running series that began in 1989 and ran through 2009, I believe, and is a testament to how popular it was. I would love to read them order, someday, so I hope they all show up in the kindle store someday.
In the meantime, the series has been revived with a ‘second generation’ of adventures featuring Familiar’s son- Trouble. You can even read them concurrently and double the fun!
I enjoyed becoming reacquainted with Familiar and his charming disposition. This series brings back fond memories and is a little nostalgic for me. So, I’m very happy this series is getting a new life, allowing dedicated fans a chance to reconnect with it, while also finding a new audience.
If you like romantic suspense, mysteries, or are a cat lover, you will probably enjoy this series.
This book will be featured on my blog’s Flashback Friday feature July 28, 2017- Look for it at:
The Book Review- http://www.thebookreview.com
October 9, 2022
Very entertaining story featuring Familiar the cat who escaped from an animal research lab. University professor Eleanor finds the cat that looks like it’s in need of help in the parking lot, so she takes him home with her and names him Familiar. Veterinarian Peter helps take care of Familiar, and together with Eleanor looks for answers as to where Familiar came from since danger has followed Eleanor ever since she rescued the cat. A fun and fast-paced story with good suspense and a memorable cast of characters. I enjoyed the Washington D.C. setting, and I loved having Familiar’s point-of-view included throughout the story.
March 16, 2024
Deeply silly but rarely less than very entertaining
May 13, 2018
This book ran me around the block a couple of times. After the first 50 pages, I had decided I would wade through to the end, then set it (and the next three books in the series) aside for donating. After the next 30 pages, I thought, "Well, this is not as bad as I first thought," and by around page 120, I was entirely happy, and reading along. I ended up deciding that I WILL read the entire series.
Now, that said, this is not one of those "gotta have another one RIGHT NOW" series for me. This is a "I have 6 books budgeted this month, and only selected 5, think I'll grab another "Fear Familiar" to round it out!" It won't be a problem. Each book is a stand-alone, with only references to previous books. The cat remains the same, but he's an adventurer, and a serial romancer!
This series started out as a Harlequin "Men at Work" book, then with the second morphed into an "Intrigue" book. If you like cats, don't mind them talking (at least to themselves), and enjoy cozy mysteries, this series may catch your interest. But do give it a page or 100.
Now, that said, this is not one of those "gotta have another one RIGHT NOW" series for me. This is a "I have 6 books budgeted this month, and only selected 5, think I'll grab another "Fear Familiar" to round it out!" It won't be a problem. Each book is a stand-alone, with only references to previous books. The cat remains the same, but he's an adventurer, and a serial romancer!
This series started out as a Harlequin "Men at Work" book, then with the second morphed into an "Intrigue" book. If you like cats, don't mind them talking (at least to themselves), and enjoy cozy mysteries, this series may catch your interest. But do give it a page or 100.
April 11, 2017
When Eleanor rescues a black cat, all heck breaks loose. All kinds of mayhem enters her life, not the least of which is her dead husband. A really good mystery with a satisfying romance and a super sleuth of a black cat. Who could ask for more?
September 5, 2017
Yes, it is dated. I still found it a fun read. And, I LOVED the cat, Familiar!
March 23, 2021
I've had this entire series since it started coming out in 1990 and finally started reading it because some of my book club peeps were talking about it. We decided to do a group read of the series. The series is billed as romantic suspense and while there was some suspense, it read like more of a modern cozy to me. Either way, it was a good read. Of course, given the hero of the story is a black cat and I'm on the staff of 4 cats including two black ones it would appeal to me.
The characters are interesting, some with the quirks you see in a cozy. I liked Eleanor and Peter and, of course, loved Familiar.
The characters are interesting, some with the quirks you see in a cozy. I liked Eleanor and Peter and, of course, loved Familiar.
May 22, 2017
I really love Caroline Haines (nee Burnes?), so this is a sad review to have to write. Haines should have let the Familiar series sit in whatever black hole it was relegated to decades ago. From the book description, I was really interested. But the book was so extremely dated, the plot so unrealistic and the dialogue so laughable that I could barely finish it. Waste of time. The good news is that Haines' writing style has gotten a lot better since this series!
April 15, 2017
Great, captivating book that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next! That Familiar the cat has his own voice in the book, just made it charming and more interesting! So happy this series is available again since I missed it the first time around. If you enjoy Rita May Brown or miss the Cat Who... books by Lilian Jackson Braun, you'll enjoy this series!
June 11, 2017
“I make a sort of strangled noise and limp right up to her leg,” muses Familiar, a budding cat detective, as he adopts Eleanor, a woman with a past. Thus begins a most tangled tale. Much to this reader’s delight, Carolyn Haines/Burnes has released some of her early Familiar stories, leading up to her new series introducing Trouble, Familiar’s son.
It’s obvious that Familiar has escaped from an animal testing lab and thus begins Eleanor’s nightmare. She is attacked and her home and office vandalized. Is she being gaslighted? Why is this happening to her, a simple college professor? The mystery is engaging and intriguingly complex. Just when you think you have it figured out, you don’t. Very satisfying!
Eleanor suddenly finds herself under investigation by the CIA, encounters her dead husband and deals with a lovestruck college student. At first, Eleanor is one of those characters at whom we shout, “Don’t go into that dark tunnel alone!” But she evolves into the tough woman who is not taking it anymore. Happily, we have a romance with Familiar’s vet, who too has a bit of a shady past.
Once again, Haines has captured me with her writing. Normally, I’m not one to read a story with animal characters, but Familiar’s musings are delightful and move the story along nicely. While writing this I am being assisted by my kitten Bellamy who is currently behind the screen purring loudly; he fully approves of Familiar. As do I. So looking forward the the others in this series and the new offerings to come!
It’s obvious that Familiar has escaped from an animal testing lab and thus begins Eleanor’s nightmare. She is attacked and her home and office vandalized. Is she being gaslighted? Why is this happening to her, a simple college professor? The mystery is engaging and intriguingly complex. Just when you think you have it figured out, you don’t. Very satisfying!
Eleanor suddenly finds herself under investigation by the CIA, encounters her dead husband and deals with a lovestruck college student. At first, Eleanor is one of those characters at whom we shout, “Don’t go into that dark tunnel alone!” But she evolves into the tough woman who is not taking it anymore. Happily, we have a romance with Familiar’s vet, who too has a bit of a shady past.
Once again, Haines has captured me with her writing. Normally, I’m not one to read a story with animal characters, but Familiar’s musings are delightful and move the story along nicely. While writing this I am being assisted by my kitten Bellamy who is currently behind the screen purring loudly; he fully approves of Familiar. As do I. So looking forward the the others in this series and the new offerings to come!
May 10, 2017
Who would think rescuing an injured black cat from a university parking lot would result in a loyal pet, finding your true love, and foiling a terrorist plot with a trained orangutan? When Eleanor Duncan rescues the cat and names it Familiar, she takes it to a nearby veterinarian to receive needed medical care. Who would have thought that the vet she picked would lead to so much mystery and mayhem?
Familiar is smarter than the average cat, and although he was released from a Clinical Behavior facility (testing lab), he adopts Eleanor and helps lead her and the vet to the necessary clues to solve the mystery.
Black cats, dead husband come back to life, and CIA terrorist plots combine with violence from the seventies and animal rights activists. This book was exciting and bewildering from start to finish! I loved the way the author tied everything together with one last twist near the end, Ms Haines is a great storyteller, and this book is just the first of three books about Familiar and his cleverness. A lovely balance of emotions throughout, it will be enjoyed by anyone with a soft spot for an animal!
Familiar is smarter than the average cat, and although he was released from a Clinical Behavior facility (testing lab), he adopts Eleanor and helps lead her and the vet to the necessary clues to solve the mystery.
Black cats, dead husband come back to life, and CIA terrorist plots combine with violence from the seventies and animal rights activists. This book was exciting and bewildering from start to finish! I loved the way the author tied everything together with one last twist near the end, Ms Haines is a great storyteller, and this book is just the first of three books about Familiar and his cleverness. A lovely balance of emotions throughout, it will be enjoyed by anyone with a soft spot for an animal!
October 21, 2017
This cat series is fantastically wonderful!!
Just finished the first book in this series. Absolutely great!!
Reminds me of the Midnight Louie series by carole nelson
douglas and the Joe Gray series by Shirley Rousseau Murphy.
This one is just as fantastically entertaining as those 2 series.
So many twists and turns. I couldn't put it down for a minute.
I most definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys
cat mysteries with great characters, a wonderful cat, and a
riveting story line.
Just finished the first book in this series. Absolutely great!!
Reminds me of the Midnight Louie series by carole nelson
douglas and the Joe Gray series by Shirley Rousseau Murphy.
This one is just as fantastically entertaining as those 2 series.
So many twists and turns. I couldn't put it down for a minute.
I most definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys
cat mysteries with great characters, a wonderful cat, and a
riveting story line.
July 29, 2017
What a fun read!! I enjoyed the switch from hearing from Familiar to going on with the mystery....this writer has got to have and love cats!! The story line was interesting, though a bit hard to believe (what representative would give someone he doesn't know keys to his office in the Capital building???), but it still was a great read.
I received this free from the author with no requirement to write a good review.
I received this free from the author with no requirement to write a good review.
December 2, 2018
My Familiar Protecter
Since the days of the Aztecs cats have been revered by man, man protected by cats , well as comforted. Ms Haines has brought this belief full circle and through the mind of one amazing cat named Familiar,an endearing embrace between woman and cat placed together in mutual strife, facing insanity at i'ts most worse,a sadistic mad scientist and plenty of intreage.
Since the days of the Aztecs cats have been revered by man, man protected by cats , well as comforted. Ms Haines has brought this belief full circle and through the mind of one amazing cat named Familiar,an endearing embrace between woman and cat placed together in mutual strife, facing insanity at i'ts most worse,a sadistic mad scientist and plenty of intreage.
July 26, 2017
What a cat!!
Although I have been reading Carolyn Haines for a while I had never read the Familiar series. I usually am not a fan of cats solving mysteries but this cast of characters including the cats and the plot was so good that I will read another.
Although I have been reading Carolyn Haines for a while I had never read the Familiar series. I usually am not a fan of cats solving mysteries but this cast of characters including the cats and the plot was so good that I will read another.
May 10, 2018
Full of intrigue. A real page turner
A book with a difference. Not my normal genre but thought I would give it a go. Thoroughly enjoyed it and want to read more from Carolyn Haines. Brilliant book you need to read this book.
A book with a difference. Not my normal genre but thought I would give it a go. Thoroughly enjoyed it and want to read more from Carolyn Haines. Brilliant book you need to read this book.
August 26, 2022
DNF - this book was rereleased in 2017 with an original publication date of 1990. I thought the reissue would have been updated and polished as Ms. Haines has so much more experience now. That is not what happened. This was is outdated, slow and stunted in writing.
August 31, 2022
Carolyn Haines is a prolific writer with many different styles and pseudonyms. Familiar is a cat bent on saving his new master after being delivered from a research lab. The lab scientist is intent on bringing havoc to who ever stoked the kitty. Love the voice of Familiar.
May 2, 2023
I'm a huge fan of the author and her Sarah Booth Delaney series and it was a treat to read this. I didn't like the aspect of the animal research labs though, and was hoping for the bad guy to get killed,not just prosecuted.
June 8, 2017
Pretty dated but cute premise of "noirish" talking detective cat.
February 26, 2018
I hadn't read any books in this series, and really liked Fear Familiar. Good balance of mystery and romance -- nothing forced about the growing relationship. Excellent pacing.
September 3, 2018
Too much romance, barely believable mystery, interesting cat.
April 6, 2020
Cute
Fun mystery and romantic suspense with a cat hero. Typical Haines plot twists and surprises. Fun to read. Looking forward to the next one in this series.
Fun mystery and romantic suspense with a cat hero. Typical Haines plot twists and surprises. Fun to read. Looking forward to the next one in this series.
December 11, 2021
A fun and exciting read
The author created a unique and exciting plot to go with a great group of characters making this hard to put down
The author created a unique and exciting plot to go with a great group of characters making this hard to put down
February 11, 2022
Familiar is the Hero in this story; Peter comes in a distant second. Some of this book is so silly and unbelievable, but it was a lot of fun and that's what counts.
October 15, 2023
Wow!! Really good story. I love how this all intertwined. I did think Eleanor was a little bit marshmallowish. I will be reading others in this series. Happy Reading:)
September 28, 2024
This wasn’t my favorite. A tad slow and predictable.
June 9, 2017
Eleanor rescues a black cat that has been injured. Leading her to maybe romance, mystery and her past possibly coming back to haunt her. Plenty of action in the story.
This all in another great Carolyn Haines book!
A smart cat, and love hearing from Familiar, the cat on his point of view.
Looking forward to the next book.
This all in another great Carolyn Haines book!
A smart cat, and love hearing from Familiar, the cat on his point of view.
Looking forward to the next book.
December 5, 2013
(Forgive that this is a "remembered" review. I am reviewing based on what I recall from this book when I read it several years ago, prior to being on Goodreads.)
Fear Familiar was the first book I picked up and read in Ms. Burnes' series. At the time, I can remember not being happy that the only book in the waiting room was a romance novel. Half a chapter in, however, I was pleasantly surprise.
Burnes writes with quick humor and solid character voice. It was several chapters in before I even recalled the story was a romance. Instead her focus (while holding a relationship prominent) is on the intrigue and the gumshoeing of Familiar the cat. While the books can be difficult to find, the strength of the feline character has been enough to make me seek out more in this series.
(My rating system: 1 = Disliked, 2 = Fine but not for me, 3 = Enjoyed, 4 = Really liked, 5 = I would seek to re-read this book.)
Fear Familiar was the first book I picked up and read in Ms. Burnes' series. At the time, I can remember not being happy that the only book in the waiting room was a romance novel. Half a chapter in, however, I was pleasantly surprise.
Burnes writes with quick humor and solid character voice. It was several chapters in before I even recalled the story was a romance. Instead her focus (while holding a relationship prominent) is on the intrigue and the gumshoeing of Familiar the cat. While the books can be difficult to find, the strength of the feline character has been enough to make me seek out more in this series.
(My rating system: 1 = Disliked, 2 = Fine but not for me, 3 = Enjoyed, 4 = Really liked, 5 = I would seek to re-read this book.)
October 8, 2007
09/01/05 #154
TITLE/AUTHOR: FEAR FAMILIAR by Caroline Burnes
Rating: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Romantic Suspense, 1990, 253 pgs
COMMENTS: 1st in the "Familiar" series featuring the cat
rescued from a research lab.
TITLE/AUTHOR: FEAR FAMILIAR by Caroline Burnes
Rating: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Romantic Suspense, 1990, 253 pgs
COMMENTS: 1st in the "Familiar" series featuring the cat
rescued from a research lab.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews