Customer Reviews

Who's Kitten Who? (Reigning Cats & Dogs Mysteries, No. 6)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After a luxurious vacation in Hawaii that ended in murder, as well as an unexpected proposal; newly-engaged veterinarian and amateur sleuth, Jessica Popper is ready to get back to business. Unfortunately, business for her isn't just treating sick animals throughout Long Island's North Shore in her mobile veterinary clinic; it almost always involves a little murder.

Despite their age difference, Jessica "Jessie" Popper would do anything for her nearest and dearest friend, Betty Vandervoort - including wearing a hideous, mint green maid-of-honor dress for her wedding - so when she asks Jessie to investigate the murder of talented playwright and actor, Simon Wainwright, Jessie doesn't hesitate to dive in headfirst. Sadly, she had no idea that this investigation would land her a starring role in the latest production by the dead man himself. After years of struggling, Simon Wainwright finally struck gold with his most recent script, garnering the attention of Broadway bigwigs who could not only make him a star, but provide him with all the cash he'll need to live in splendor. When he's found in a costume trunk, it's pretty obvious that foul play is involved. Jessie, however, never could have imagined the type of sordid relationships surrounding the popular playwright. Luckily, she has experience with sordid relationships. As the fiance of Nick Burby, ex-private investigator, and current first-year law student, Jessie is quite familiar with the ugly side of relationships. Since their engagement, however, Jessie believes that she has finally found the strength to be happy - romantically, that is. Until Nick's parents come into town, and take up residence in Jessie's tiny cottage, their maniacal Maltese, in tow. Jessie always believed that she had the chops to put up with pestering soon-to-be in-laws; but when they arrive in the midst of an investigation and play rehearsals, in addition to her normal veterinary business, she knows that she certainly doesn't have the time to play hostess. Therefore, when she loses her cool, and makes the mistake of alienating her future relatives, she realizes that she's in the doghouse with her one-eyed Dalmation, Lou, and her tailless Westie, Max. But, as they say in show business, no matter what's going on in your life, the show must go on. Even if your life happens to be in danger.

Since I completed RIGHT FROM THE GECKO, I have eagerly awaited Cynthia Baxter's WHO'S KITTEN WHO?, and I couldn't be more pleased with the release. Over the years, Baxter's Jessie Popper has evolved into a close friend, and confidante, of sorts; what with her frequent remarks about pop culture and her passion for animals. Which is why, as Jessie stumbles upon some bumps in her relationship with Nick, you can't help but sympathize with our heroine. As always, Jessie is her bubbly, well-educated self. She is full of personality, and her determination to assist a friend in need are present at all times; however, she does display a slight bit of sadness as she is forced to tolerate Nick's invading parents, and the turmoil they just happen to be creating between the two lovebirds. While I have always been a strong supporter of Nick Burby, and his relationship with Jessie, I can't help but find myself disliking him in this installment, and thinking that the two might just be better off apart. Romance and relationship crisis aside, Baxter has penned a cleverly-written, unstoppable mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Her foray into the world of theater gives readers the chance to experience the life of an actor, actress, or playwright; and provides us with the opportunity to see just how cutthroat the entertainment industry truly is. WHO'S KITTEN WHO? is the cat's meow!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Veterinarian Jessica Popper has a unique practice on Long Island in which she doesn't have an office but a clinic on wheels so she can care for her patients where it's convenient for them on their turf. She can use less stress in her personal life because she just got engaged to Nick and is afraid it won't last. When his parents come to visit, she and her future mother in law clash so Nick feels they need some time apart.

Luckily, Jessica has something to keep her mind occupied; a speaking part in a community theatre that is scheduled to go to Broadway. The writer and star of the show Simon Wainwright is found murdered in a trunk, his head bashed in. Jessica's best friend and leading lady who cared for Simon asks her to find the killer which is not easy because she is dealing with thespians who know how to fake their emotions. However, the killer is watching Jessica, warning her off and if she doesn't listen, she will be the next victim.

WHO'S KITTEN WHO? is a humorously entertaining amateur sleuth mystery especially the scenes with the heroine and her feline mother-in-law. This tale contains a finely developed mystery because there are many suspects with motives who want the victim dead. There is enough action to keep readers absorbed in the storyline but it is the characters who make this who-done-it an interesting tale as the various personalities more often squabble than work together.

Harriet Klausner

This is the second book I've read in this series. I bought it after thoroughly enjoying "Dead Canaries Don't Sing." I found the mystery portion of the book entertaining and, for the most part, I bought into the plot. One note - hopefully, a woman with a DVM would not be foolish enough to go traipsing off in solitude so often, especially when she has already been threatened. But I could live with that shortcoming and the way Dr. Popper extricated herself from those situations was amusing or ingenious.
However, I don't know that I can read any more of these books if she is going to play "doormat" for her fiance Nick. Yes, I know she's afraid of commitment; but he's a pig. I don't want to give away the whole story or the romantic subplots, but I almost tossed the book out when she apologized to him and he deigned to forgive her. His apology was required and the fact that it was not offered and she didn't expect it disgusts me. I found that premise idiotic, offensive and insulting to women.
In short, the search for a murderer was fun and the love story almost ruined it for me.

This is the first book I've read by Cynthia Baxter. Usually it's hard to jump into a series like this, but it wasn't. She writes very well and keeps you in suspense without boring you!!

While it's a good enough book otherwise, I'm so bothered by (1) the way she puts up with really unacceptable inlaw/finace situation and (b) her *apology* at the end... that I really didn't like this book. How can a self-respecting woman - of great accomplishment, she's gone through veterinary school - take the crazy situation and seemly meekly accept blame for it. Then after rather bad treatment from the finace, I completely fail to see what she is apologizing for and why he didn't apologize at all! Insofar as I could imagine with was real, I think it's a unhealthy relationship and has no future. I wasn't impressed by Nick in a few other books in this series but in this one he takes the cake.

The reason I keep ordering from Amazon is that
each supplier is great, just as this one was.

The book was real good. This author keeps getting better in each book that she writes. I have read all of the books by this author.