Simon, Clea – MEW IS FOR MURDER

[LJ Roberts]

MEW IS FOR MURDER (Amateur Sleuth-Boston-Cont) – G+ Simon, Clea – 1^st
in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2005- Hardcover

Theda Krakow is a freelance journalist and cat lover. Passing a house in her neighborhood with a multitude of cats, she is concerned the elderly woman, Lillian, may be a cat hoarder. On a return visit, Lillian has fallen and died. Thea, concerned about the cats and unconvinced Lillian's fall was accidental, becomes involved with a young musician/waitress who had been helping Lillian.

More a traditional mystery than a cozy, this is a delightful debut. The characters and dialogue are convincing, including, for those of us who love our pets, Thea's conversations with the cats—no, the cat's aren't verbal. Simon clearly loves Boston and knows the music scene. The plot is tight and believable. The book is lighter than I normally read, but enjoyable.