Crafty Cat Crimes: 100 Tiny Cat Tale Mysteries

by Stefan R. Dziemianowicz (Editor / Contributor), Robert Weinberg (Editor), Darrell Schweitzer (Contributor)

The game is afoot, and the four footed are its most cunning players in Crafty Cat Crimes. In one hundred cagey cat-tale mysteries, the largest literary litter of kitty crimestoppers ever convened in one volume prowl the mean streets in pursuit of feline felons, justice, just desserts--and the occasional pat on the head.

You don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy these stories of crime and intrigue. You just have to like challenging mysteries where a twist in the tale comes naturally. There is virtually no crime these cats don't put the paw on. Whether confronted with cat burglary, catnapping, or murder most foul, they work through seemingly insoluble puzzles with a stealth, feline finickiness, and silent grace that are the envy of their two-footed counterparts.

Crafty Cat Crimes includes selections to suit every reader's taste: cat cozies for the domestic-minded, comic cat capers that look at the funny side of human and animal relationships, even hardboiled escapades that mix cats and gats.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Short Stories, Animals, Crime, Anthologies, Contemporary

613 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Born in 1957, Stefan Dziemianowicz works for the publisher Barnes & Noble as an editor.

Reviews

[Carol]

This is a 613 page anthology of very short mystery stories, all featuring cats in one way or another. Cats being mysteries themselves are very good at solving mysteries created by we imperfect humans:) Each of the 100 little stories here, by different authors, take only minutes to read and all feature cats either as the good guys… or in some cases the bad. Of course everyone who is, or has ever been, owned by a cat knows that there is no such thing as a “bad” cat...simply misunderstood. Some of the stories are deadly serious while others are absolutely hilarious. Even if you are a “dog” person you will find these little stories delightfully entertaining…and for “cat” people…they are diffidently recommended by your cat.

Actual rating 4.5

[Yuliya]

Out of all of the stories I only liked about 4. To me a lot of them were not that interesting, a bit repetitive in themes while adding nothing new

[Joyce]

An anthology of short stories featuring cats as characters. Sometimes the cat is the murderer, the detective, an assistant to their owner in detecting a crime, characters with only other cats, characters sharing the story with humans – any, and all possibilities are explored. For three years, this has been my “in between books“ distraction, while waiting for a book to come in from the library, or for me to make up my mind about what to read next. After all this time, I never thought I’d finish it! Gifted to me by a friend, I now need to find someone else to pass it onto.

[Karol]

This book seems to be a fairly comprehensive anthology of crime-related short stories where a cat is either the main character or the cat's involvement is critical to the outcome of the story. Of course, I enjoyed some stories more than others and in an anthology of this size it's not surprising that there were 2 or 3 of the stories I didn't like at all. Overall, I have enjoyed picking up this tome at various times (usually between other books) and reading a story or a few.

[Georgene]

100 short stories featuring cats. What's not to like? I've never been big on keeping track of the names of authors until recent years, but there's 2 authors in this book I've heard of: J.A.Jance and Bill Pronzini. But the rest I'm unfamiliar with. So read and enjoy!

[Pat]

Cats and mysteries, what's not to like?

[Lyn Jensen]

With so many stories collected into one book, some are very good, while others falter.

[Charburger]

I read one story every morning when I first woke up - a fun routine.

[Jessica Lerbs]

I liked almost all of the stories.

[Chazzi]

This is an anthology or collection of stories where the cat is the main character. Mystery oriented and short in length they are really enjoyable and varied. Detective, felon, observer...the variety is there but the main character is the Cat.
They are sharp and observant and ca be protective or self sufficient...whatever it takes to survive.
Each story is a compact story that thakes just afew pages. A Great read if you just have short bursts of time to read or justwant a short recess from life.
The author list is from well known to those that are just good writers. Pronzini,Collins, Jance and more, the stories are all funa nd interesting to read. A book that is good to take your time with and enjoy the short crimes within...

[Gail]

Actually this book is full of small cat tales, easy to read when time is short. I usually read a story almost every night before bed. Very cute stories for those who love cats or who just love cat stories.

[Arin]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10398674

[T.M. Bradshaw]

A diverse collection of cat-centric mysteries, very entertaining.

[Lynn]

A really delightful collection of short (very short) cat stories. Who knew there could be such a wonderful diversity of stories about cats!

[Leo]

a very good collection of short crime/mystery stories involving cats. very diverse and enjoyable