Who's Kitten Who?

Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery #6

by Cynthia Baxter

When it comes to murder this sleuth isn't pussyfootin' around...

Veterinarian and amateur sleuth Jessica Popper takes center stage in the cast of an up-and-coming Long Island playwright’s last production—and the fur flies as Jess finds the theater world littered with clues to Simon Wainwright’s murder. Was the killer the actress who’s a real glamour-puss? Or her rival for Simon’s affections, a disheveled costume designer who looks like something the cat dragged in? Or how about the fat-cat Broadway producers?

Jessie’s no scaredy-cat when she’s on the prowl, but she loses her cool when her future in-laws and their monstrous Maltese descend on the tiny cottage she shares with fiancé Nick Burby, Lou the one-eyed Dalmatian, rambunctious Westie Max, and the rest of her menagerie. Between coping with the “Invasion of the Burbarians” and playing cat and mouse with a killer, Jess could use nine lives herself. But curiosity killed the cat—will that be Jessie’s fate by the time the curtain falls?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Animals

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

(from author's website)

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to check out my web site! I love the fact that the Internet makes it so easy to "talk" to readers (and to hear from them, too - my email address is below).

My favorite thing to do is read - and my second favorite is to write. Since 2003, I've been writing The Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series, which features veterinarian Jessica Popper. The books also include the antics of Jessie's menagerie: her rambunctious Westie, Max; his shy sidekick, Lou the Dalmatian; aging pussycat Catherine the Great; newcomer Tinkerbell, a tiger kitten with the personality of a diva; mouthy Prometheus, a Blue and Gold Macaw with attitude; and last but not least, the silent yet seemingly wise chameleon Leilani. The newest book in the series is CROSSING THE LION.

I also launched a second mystery series, The Murder Packs a Suitcase Mystery Series, which will run concurrently with Reigning Cats & Dogs. The first book, also titled MURDER PACKS A SUITCASE, introduces Mallory Marlowe. Recently widowed at the age of 45, Mallory is still struggling to find her old self when she falls into a new job as a travel writer. In addition to researching exciting destinations, she happens upon the occasional murder - and she can't help getting involved in finding out whodunnit. The first book is set in Orlando, where she goes to discover whether or not the "old Florida," with alligator farms and pink plastic flamingoes and seashell jewelry, still exists despite the proliferation of glitzy theme parks. The second book in the series, TOO RICH AND TOO DEAD, is set in glamorous Aspen, where Mallory is trying to find out if even a non-skier can have a fun vacation.

Working on two different mystery series has been an interesting challenge. I've tried to make the two series different - but at the same time to include the same elements in the new series that readers of the original series seemed to enjoy. That means a likeable heroine, a compelling mystery with some quirky suspects and a few surprises, a touch of romance, and lots of humor. I'm really looking forward to seeing how readers respond to my new character and her adventures!

I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to write and say hello. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my books!

Best wishes, Cynthia Baxter

Contact Cynthia: Cynthiab1@optonline.net

Reviews

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Who makes up these silly titles??) Long Island veterinarian Jessica Popper somehow finds herself involved with murders. She lives in a cottage on an estate owned by her best friend Betty. In her younger days, Betty was a dancer in Broadway musicals. Now she is enjoying being back on stage again in local theater productions. The theater group are very excited because they are to present an original play by their director – one that has caught the excitement of big Broadway producers! … Just two weeks before opening, the director/author is found in the theater – dead. Should the play go on or be cancelled. In the true spirit of the theater “The play must go on” .. but changes in the cast must be made. Jessica, having helped Betty learn her part, is corralled into joining the cast…… but can she also solve the murder??? ------- In this story (the 5th I’ve read in the series) there is less about animals and more about human interaction. It still is a good cozy mystery – even though it has a miserable title.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept if this series and the plots. But crap! We have a female vet doing the cozy mystery thing. She lives with her fiance. He surprises her with a visit by his parents. For a week. With 2 days notice. And they'll be staying with them. In a very small one bedroom house. With a menagerie. And he has the nerve to be mad at her because she can't spend time with his family because, omg, she has to work. His mother is totally passive-aggressive with her. And again her guy gets mad at her. And finally walks out, breaking thr engagement.

Of course, this is a cozy, so there is the hint they will get back together. AFTER she apologizes to HIM. She's not the one who should apologize; he is. And there is no apology from him. Our vet needs to grow a pair of ovaries and toss him to the curb!

[Heather Fortson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 4 stars, but I did not like the way Nick treated Jessie in this book when it came to dealing with the unexpected visit of his parents. He should have apologized to Jessie for the way his mom treated her and talked to her.

[Melva Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murder mystery with a sort of love story attached. Watch out for those theatre types.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. Interesting mystery. Like Jess Popper

[Helen Geng · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read July 2020

Excellent title
Incoherent execution

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute mystery from a series!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series gets better as she branches out from just the Vet clinic on wheels to other adventures.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one of the series!!

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

#6 Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery (Veterinarian/amateur sleuth Jessica Popper)

Cynthia Baxter once again delivers a very well written mystery with enough red herrings, colorful characters, and suprises to keep the reader eagerly turning the pages with anticipation. This is a cozy mystery series, but with just a bit more seriousness than the normal cozy -- no slapstick or silliness (except for the pets' antics *g*). I enjoy the attention to detail - no TSTL moments, just a tightly written murder mystery that'll keep you guessing until the very end!

This time, Jessica's small role in a local theater production is her cover to investigate a Long Island playwright's murder. Even for those who aren't necesarily theater buffs, this was a neat look inside a local theater's production. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I've read the five previous books in this series, and recommend it -- especially for pet lovers. Jessica's visits to treat pets in her mobile pet clinic always make me smile ... I love the animals and like reading about their various health issues and how they are treated.

*Bonus points* for the pet-related quotes at the beginning of each chapter, most of which the pet lover has not read 100 times before. A big thank you to the author for digging up *new* and heartwarming proverbs and quotes!

"When the mouse laughs at the cat, there is a hole nearby."
-- Nigerian Proverb

I have #7 here TBR - Monkey See, Monkey Die :-)

Cynthia Baxter has launched a new series, Murder Packs A Suitcase, featuring a travel writer, tho I'm happy to read that she's also continuing the Reigning Cats & Dogs series as well.

www.cynthiabaxter.com

[Gwenette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my. This book almost made me swear off reading murder mysteries forever. It was so unbelievably cheesy, but with this title, why wasn't I surprised? By the second chapter, I was wondering why the main character, who's a vet, feels obligated to her friend to solve another friend's murder. It's not like she has special crime-solving skills that the police don't have, so what compels her to do this? Maybe if I'd read the preceding books in the series, I would know the answer to this question, but that turned me off the main character immediately, and the plot was just too ridiculous for me to get over. I ended up reading maybe the first three chapters and the last two -- maybe a total of 40 pages. And I don't feel compelled to go back and read the rest, which is very unlike me. I doubt I'll read any of the other books in this series.

[Julie Fetcho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Plans for Betty's wedding is underway as well as play practice for the musical She's Flying High. When one of the actors is found dead, in the dressing room, by the costume designer. This threatens to put a halt in production.

Meanwhile Nick's parents are up for a visit. Jessie also gets talked into taking part in the play. Betty asks her to do some sleuthing in finding who killed Simon. Jessie uses her vet practice to get to know the others in the play.I enjoyed and didn't find it cheesy.

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sure was fluffy! Parts of the book bordered on farcical, and there was also a lovers' tiff included.

But why would SHE have to apologize to the guy, who hadn't even tried to look at things from her perspective. So stupid.

It was good that the murderer was caught, even though she did every stupid thing after she found out who was guilty. It would almost have been right that she'd have been killed too.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one a bit better than the previous one. These books are easy fun reads. I don't understand people who read these looking for thrilling suspenseful type murder mysteries. I liked the twist at the end, and the whole relationship story line as well.

[Nancy Hollmaier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessie gets involved in amateur show biz to help find the killer of an actor in her friend Betty's play. In doing so, her engagement gets called of because Nick is worried about her involvement in another crime solving episode.

[Peter Charleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book to read. Cynthia Baxter brings our lovable veterinarian, Jessica Popper, to life as she meets her future in-laws, cares for the pet population and solves a murder. Enjoyed the excursion!

[Marcie Galick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sixth in the Reigning Cats & Dogs series. Enjoyable read. And this author is coming out with another series about a travel editor. I think there is another series on that subject, but the more books, the merrier.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not to far into the book but so far it seems like an ok book

[Sassbot5000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun cozy mystery. Not sure what I think of some of the things going on in the main characters personal life but I enjoyed the mystery.

[Daniele]

I enjoyed the context of the theater in this installment, but found Jessie's personal life problems superfluous and spotty. At least this was a little better than Gecko.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not get into this book. Found the theater part of it pretty boring as I was skimming through. Hopefully the next book will be better...

[Tory Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute, no thought book. I liked the main character, a vet who tries to solve crimes. Her menagerie of animals is entertaining.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoy the series. Is always interesting and has some surprising twists. Get a little tired of Jessica and Nick's on again off again relationship, but still a fun read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed book as part of the series. Plot was a little "fluffy", but I nice light quick read. Always like the cast of animals involved.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm having a difficult time with my dislike of Nick...not sure why?

[Susan Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a veternarian sleuth.

[Becky Rippel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven't read this book. Don't remember where I got it, but too many other good books to read!!!

[Sissi Mise]

Awesome