Cat on a Blue Monday

Carole Nelson Douglas

9/9/2000

Temple Barr is persuaded by Electra Lark to take another convention. This time it is a purebred cat show. When a cat at the show is maliciously shaved, the cat's owner, Peggy Wilhelm, does not dare leave the show again while it is open. So Temple agrees to help Peggy's aunt.

Blandina Tyler is an elderly lady with a houseful of rescued cats - close to 100 of them. Temple takes over for Peggy in helping feed and clean for the cats. She finds Blandina to be a Catholic who loves her cats and her church. Unfortunately, the priest has told her the cats will not be in Heaven. That angers her and she threatens to withdraw her monetary support from the church and nunnery next door.

Temple and her neighbor Matt find themselves pulled into the small neighborhood community. Then Blandina is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. Did she trip over a cat, fall naturally, or was she pushed? Why is her cane broken into a number of pieces? Now Temple is caring for a houseful of rescued cats that will need a new home.

The major problem with this book is the cast of likely suspects is too short for a mystery reader. I was certain I knew who the murderer was by process of elimination. I did not have any reason for the murderer's actions until Lt. Molina explained them at the end of the book. Yet there was still only one suspect in my mind.

Otherwise it is enjoyable. Temple's, Matt's and Midnight Louie's past are revealed in unexpected (and at times, embarrassing) ways. The murder is disconnected at times, yet all ties together at the end. Temple falls for another stray kitten - but will Louie accept her? And who is the newest resident Louie meets in the apartment building?

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