A Cat of One's Own (Alice Nestleton Mystery) [Hardcover]

Lydia Adamson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Alice Nestleton Mystery | Publication Date: February 1, 1999

The perfect read for cat and mystery lovers alike, the latest addition to the Alice Nestleton series centers on a two-toned cat named Jake. The cat-sitting actress's latest adventure begins innocuously enough when her old friend Amanda asks her help in selecting a feline companion for her Gordon setter. While the shelter workers warn that Jake will be nothing but trouble, Amanda and her setter insist on taking him home immediately. When Jake is cat-napped and Amanda's rescue attempt has fatal results, Alice decides she must turn to sleuthing once more. Up to her neck in a cryptic array of clues, a cast of cunning killers, and a cat worth more than she thinks, Alice is sure of only one thing-- this time her curiosity might well cost her her life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Adamson's fluffy cat series continues to grow at a kittenish pace with this 17th entry in a series that began less than a decade ago with A Cat in the Manger (1990). Since then, cat-sitting New York actress Alice Nestleton and an assortment of colorful felines and equally appealing humans have moved from a paperback format to hardcover without missing a meow. A simple request from old acquaintance Amanda Avery to help her choose a cat from a pet shelter launches Alice on her new adventure. Despite being told that he is "difficult," Amanda insists on adopting Jake, a feline of unusual coloring and character. Jake's adoption is followed shortly by his disappearance from Amanda's locked apartment; left in his place is an ominous ransom note. Amanda's disastrous attempt to deal with the ransom leaves Alice trying to cope with two orphaned animals, a murder and a plethora of clues. Some of the clues suggest that Amanda had unexpected theatrical ambitions. Others indicate that the animal shelter may harbor more than animals. Boyfriend Tony Basillio and disreputable old mystery writer Sam Tully are enlisted to aid Alice as she once more turns from actress to sleuth in order to avenge a friend and clear herself of suspicion.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Alice Nestleton's (A Cat on Jingle Bell Rock, LJ 9/1/97) latest cat-sitting adventure involves locating a cat-companion for her friend Amanda's dog. When the subsequent snatching of the cat results in murder, Alice investigates. Another gem for cat mystery fans.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 186 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525944281
• ISBN-13: 978-0525944287
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,065,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good light-read, August 7, 2001

By 

"playfullycute2000" (Cedar City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Cat of One's Own (Alice Nestleton Mystery) (Hardcover)

This book was not exceptionally good, but I like it because it is a light, easy book you can read anytime. I read it in less than a day and enjoyed it.

Alice Nestleton-a struggling actress cat-sitter- has a friend that just pops into Alice's life one day. She hadn't seen her for more than 2 years. Her name is Amanda Avery. She had a husband who died and left her a dog. Amanda promised her husband before he died that she would get a cat to keep the dog- who grew up around cats and loves them- company. So she wants Alice to help her find one. They go to an animal shelter and find Jake, the wild cat with a very peculiar coat-one side completely tan, the other completely black. Amanda wants him. And so the story begins. He gets kidnapped and Amanda needs to pay 15,000 to get him back. Alice goes with her to the drop-off spot but stays behind. When she finds Amanda, Jake is just fine, but not Amanda. A good book that I recommend to mystery-lovers, and especially to cat-lovers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A believabl mystery that was impossible for me to solve!, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Cat of One's Own (Alice Nestleton Mystery) (Hardcover)

I liked this book by Lydia Adamson the best of all that I have read. In this book Alice is more understanding of other people's, especially Tony's, feelings and I can see why they stick together. Also, as I read the books, I get to know Alice's other friends better and see why they do so many favors for her. The problems that Alice has are more or less typical of many peoples - except of course for the murder! This is a quick book to read, which was good, because once I started it I didn't want to stop!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun mystery, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Cat of One's Own (Alice Nestleton Mystery) (Hardcover)

Many years have passed since cat sitter cum actress Alice Nestleton ahs seen or heard from Amanda. However, out of the blue, Amanda calls, pleading with Alice to help her. The curious Alice visits her former acquaintance, who informs her that she wants to honor her late husband's wishes and adopt a cat as a companion to their dog Good Girl. She has turned to the cat woman, who her takes the woman to an animal shelter. Amanda adopts Jake, an unusual looking harlequin cat.

A few days later, Jake is gone. A caller demands $15,000 if Amanda wants to see the feline again. The wealthy widow goes to prearranged meeting place. Jake is rescued, but Amanda is subsequently killed. Alice, who was following at a discreet distance, becomes a suspect. Even if she was not, Alice would still investigate the strange crime to satisfy her cuiosity.

Reading a Lydia Adamson cat mystery is like eating potato chips. You cannot stop. The lighthearted novels are addicting, and they are just plain fun. A CAT OF ONE'S OWN provides further insight into the protagonist's feelings, especially about her significant other and her stalled professional career. Once an individual tries an Alice Nettleton mystery, they too will be big fans.

Harriet Klausner