Cat on a Hyacinth Hunt

Carole Nelson Douglas

Temple Barr and Midnight Louie have returned to Las Vegas after Christmas in New York City (Cat in a Golden Garland). Matt Devine has returned from Chicago, excited from his visit home. He has been able to shake many of his ghosts. He has been able to accept his mother as her own person rather than the woman beaton down by Cliff Effinger. Max Kinsella has returned as well, ready to resume his relationship with Temple.

Unfortunately Matt's and Max's past history is merging in Las Vegas. Temple is the person who takes the brunt of the collision. She is not around when the dead body is found. Yet Lieutenant Carmen Molina still considers her and wants to know where she was. Midnight Louie had been spotted with Midnight Louise at the crime scene. Temple doesn't want to admit she was with Max.

Matt, Max, Molina, Midnight Louie, and Temple are drawn closer together. Instead of drawing apart, solving personal issues that have arisen through this series, they get more complicated. Matt resolves his feelings about Temple. Max more fully explains his. Things come together when the four of them run into each other in the lobby of a magic show. No one realizes what danger is looming.

This is not a stand alone mystery. If you have not read these books, do not start with this one. The dead man is one from earlier novels. Other repeating characters reappear. This is a good book as part of the series. It would be a poor one to read if the reader has not met any of these characters and watched their evolution. Instead, start with one of the first three or four novels, the first being Catnap.

Midnight Louie Series:

Catnap
Pussyfoot
Cat on a Blue Monday
Cat in a Crimson Haze
Cat in a Diamond Dazzle
Cat with an Emerald Eye
Cat in a Flamingo Fedora
Cat in a Golden Garland
Cat on a Hyacinth Hunt
Cat in an Indigo Mood
Cat in a Jeweled Jumpsuit
Cat in a Kiwi Con
Cat in a Leopard Spot
Cat in a Midnight Choir
Cat in a Neon Nightmare
Cat in an Orange Twist
Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit
Cat in a Quicksilver Caper
Cat in a Red Hot Rage
Cat in a Sapphire Slipper
Cat in a Topaz Tango
Cat in an Ultramarine Scheme
Cat in a Vegas Gold Vendetta
Cat in a White Tie and Tails