A Clever CATnapping

A Witch Shifter Cozy Mystery #3

by M.L. Bonatch

When familiars start disappearing, as a witch who can shift into a cat, this mystery is personal.

Something is very wrong on Witchteria Lane, and it’s not just the ridiculous everyday shenanigans of rogue elderly witches. Two cats have gone missing, and new familiars have stopped arriving. This mystery is more significant than the disappearing cats. A witch without a familiar isn’t as powerful. Is one of the witches seeking to steal the magic from the others?

Investigating forces my cat Olaf and me to suspect everyone. We must use our amateur sleuthing skills outside the protected area of the Witchness Program. To make it more difficult, a toad is our only help—but that’s a whole different problem.

Answers to long-held mysteries are revealed—Why is Olaf terrified of toads? Do I look good in sequins? And... who is catnapping familiars?

If we don’t find the culprit, Olaf or I could be the next cat that vanishes.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2022

About the author

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch.

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible.

She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The missing cat caper

Familiars are going missing in the supposedly safe haven of Witchteria Lane. The residents are on edge and Abby a witch and cat shifter is concerned enough to investigate when not only are there multiple missing cats/familiars but the new batch that was supposed to come never arrived. Abigail uses her dual nature to infiltrate and investigate. When Olaf her familiar is catnapped she kicks her investigation into high gear but will she be able to save all the familiars in time?
Quirky mystery but full of laughs and adventure. I love the old broads of the GGW who’ve taken Abigail under their wings or possibly conscripted her against her will depending on the day lol. Love the banter between Abby and Olaf it’s wonderfully snarky and laugh out loud funny. Great mystery stories and a great series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[HeatherAnne Norbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a cozy that is not centered on murder - a rare find. I appreciated that this book still had intrigue and mystery, but no one died! Familiars are going missing and new familiars aren't showing up. Abigail and Olaf are on the case - indentured by the elderly witches of the GGW. We meet a few interesting new characters along the way too.

I do wish Abigail would put some forethought into her actions sometimes. I just wanted to scream into the pages of the book when she makes unsafe choices! Fortunately, all of her friends have her back or this would be a short-lived series with all the danger she puts herself into needlessly! Her bond with Olaf is strengthening and her friendships with the GGW deepening. Now... maybe some action on the romance front?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in this series is so much fun. When the over the top GGW's familiars go missing they turn to Abigail to figure it out and find their familiars. And new familiars are not arriving as usual either. What is going on? So along with her familiar, the snarky Olaf, Abby decides the best way to see what is going on is to shift into a cat. What an adventure! It turns especially serious when Olaf is kidnapped ! Will Abby be able to figure it all out and find Olaf and the familiars? With lots of laughs and some very strange and quirky moments we are treated to another wonderful book in a series not to be missed! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Familiars are missing. Cats destined to be familiars are also missing. Who do the witches go to for help in finding them? Of course, they look to Abigail to be their saving grace! Even though their methods are not always thought out beforehand, Abigail and her familiar, Olaf, always do their best! They are helped a little by a trio of elderly witches who are always good for a few laughs! I think this 3rd book in the Witch Shifter Cozy Mystery series is the best so far! Don't miss this one!

[Federica De dominicis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

With this new installment the saga keeps getting better and better. The banter, the mysteries and the overall fun is sure to gift a great reading time!
The dynamics between the characters are brilliant, the story captivating and the writing smooth.
Highly recommended!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another riveting read. I found this book to be interesting, a bit tense in spots, good twisty story-line, unusual and very entertaining. Would read again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Irena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I really enjoyed this. The interaction between witch and familiar is well constructed and the elements of humour well written.

[Maureen Butina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps one guessing…

A Clever CATnapping is a fast moving mystery that kept me guessing till the last chapter. Enjoyed the character development in this third book by ML Bonatch. Can’t wait for the next in the series!

[Wanda Siesicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! When cat familiars go missing and the older witches can't seem to find them. It's now up to the which to see if she can find them. Abigail can switch into her cat form to see if she can locate the missing familiars. But does that help or hinder her investigation? If you like sassy, funny and fun old witches and snarky and sarcastic cats, your going to love this book. Pull up a chair and sit down to read your book. Who knows a cat may climb into your lap while your reading.

I freely offered my honest review for a free copy of this book.

[DianaRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CLEVER CATnapping by M.L. Bonatch is the third installment in her new series, A Witch Shifter Cozy Mystery. The pace is steady with enough tension to make this a good mystery cozy. Get ready, Olaf the bossy, food driven familiar pretty much steals the story. 

Abigail found out she's half mortal and half witch that can shift into a cat. With the help of her familiar (Olaf thinks he's in charge) they have solved a some mysteries and murder crimes. They now becoming the local crime investigators. Now familiars start vanishing and no new young cats have shown up for witches in training. It's not long before Abigail and Olaf find themselves in trouble the two of them keep persevering, that is until Olaf vanishes.

I recommend this story to anyone that enjoys cozy witchy mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.