Stray Kat Waltz

Karen Kijewski

9/13/2002

Kat Colorado is drug into a case she doesn't want to take. She is grieving the loss of one of her close friends. She feels she can't take on anything as serious and emotional as a wife trying to escape an abusive husband. After the woman, Sara Bernard, left Kat's office, Kat is attacked by a man who is following Sara. It turns out Sara is married to a "respected" policeman, Jed Bernard.

Sara keeps returning to Kat. Kat gives in after Sara almost dies. Kat sets up protection. Sara ignores Kat's suggestions. Her new apartment is broken into. Kat starts following Jed following Sara. The more she investigates, the more things seem askew. Everyone except Sara calls him a paragon. Sara has the marks to show she has been hit around.

After Sara acts stupid once again, Kat quits. But Sara's lawyer convinces Kat to continue. Kat also discovers Sara now has a second job as a motivational speaker. Kat divides her attention between Jed and Sara, trying to discover exactly what is really happening underneath all the stories and lies.

If you have followed my reviews, you know I like the Kat Colorado series (otherwise, would I try to read all of them?). I find Kat a darker character than the private investigators in "cozy" mysteries, Yet she has a solid background, friends and family who are supportive and part of the stories. Once again, they are an integral part of this novel. The first page sets the tone for the whole book - somber.

The mystery is involved, with clues spread throughout to give the reader the ultimate solution. Yet they are obscured well enough to keep the reader guessing. Sara Bernard is well drawn, showing her vulnerability as an abused wife while hiding darker secrets.

This, along with all the Kat Colorado books, can be found at . There are reviews there as well, if you'd like more opinions than my own.

Notice: Sexual situations

Katwalk
Katapult
Kat's Cradle
Copy Kat
Wild Kat
Alley Kat Blues
Honky Tonk Kat
Kat Scratch Fever
Stray Kat Waltz