Sleight of Paw (Magical Cats)

GB: I decided not to invite Owen or Hercules to come this time, so that I could tell you a little more about Kathleen, their Mom, who reminds me of myself, treating her cats as companions, talking to them, etc., however, Hercules came walking through my door right as I started to write and I quickly changed my mind! Then I saw Owen in my yard...Herc! Glad to have you visit! Is Owen coming in? I had opened the door but didn't see him, then turned around... [pics and excerpts on BRH blog]Gee, I see why Kathleen never gets used to having Owen reappear...Hi, Owen, I see you've already made yourself comfortable...Soooo, guys, I really enjoyed Sleight of Paw and am anxious to tell BRH Readers about the book 'cause I have to say it may be my favorite of the books by Sofie Kelly that I've read so far!Don't look at me like that, of course, I think all of them are wonderful, but some can still be favorites...can't they?Herc: Well, first I want to say that we are so happy to be back to visit at BRH! I hope you don't mind us dropping in, as they say, but I heard that we're getting a lot of fans visiting you whenever we talk about our books, so we didn't want to disappoint, ya' kno'? I guess I'll go ahead and start since I was the first to get involved, even though Owen was there for all the excitement! But I brought in clues galore or Mom wouldn't have had any ideas to start with!So, first, let me tell you what happened! Mom was eating with Maggie, waiting for Ruby, when Ruby rushed in all upset..."Somebody help me!" Mom, of course, hurried over and then volunteered to go back outside into the alley. Agatha Shepherd was there...dead...Of course, the police were immediately called and Marcus and others showed up, but, well, you know that Mom gets very involved with things that happen in her life... Ruby was her friend, Agatha was Ruby's friend; therefore, she had to help Ruby!Especially when Ruby was arrested for her murder...Now, there were a couple of things Mom had seen, but, as usual, Marcus told her to stay out of his investigation so she kept them to herself and started asking questions. You see, she had seen several people arguing with Agatha earlier that day. Each time, she'd had an envelope in her hand and the various people seem to grabbing for it or trying to persuade her to do something about it. So, of course, those individuals were immediately contacted--but they said that what was in the the envelope had nothing to do with her murder.Now, you know, that just made Mom even more curious--and sure that that envelope was indeed important!Mom always talks to us about everything and, especially, when she gets involved with an investigation. She says it helps her to talk out loud and put the pieces together, but we know that she's really expecting Owen and me to help. Right Owen?Owen: Mmmmmm? What's That Bro?! Man, you'd been yakking so long, I took a catnap! Is it my turn to talk?Herc: Well, I guess, that is, I was in the middle of... But, sure, you so ahead...Owen: Ok, let me get back to the story now that we've had our little bit of "tom-foolery" LOL...Get it?!!! Tom-Cat? Tom-Foolery? Oh well, this is a hard crowd...Anyway, Agatha had been run over and there were several clues about the vehicle that had been used, including a piece of glass that Mom had found when she was checking to see if Agatha was still alive. She did turn that over to Marcus, but was feeling bad because she had therefore helped to provide evidence against Ruby!Well, you know that just made her try harder! And by the time she was putting all the clues Herc had found together with what she'd learned through talking with people, she figured out who she thought had done it... That's when it got crazy, 'cause she wanted to go check it out and get proof! Without telling anybody else!OMG, what are we going to do with this woman?!! Herc looked at me. I looked at him...My turn, I knew it, 'cause Herc won't go out in the snow and get his little paws alllll wet...Hey, just teasing, Bro...Well, anyway, Mom sure did need us to solve this cozy mystery! What, you don't know what a cozy is? Well, that is a book where somebody starts investigating a murder even though they are not involved and normally have another job like Mom is the town librarian... If you start our series, right now, Herc and I will be soooooo pleased to have you visit with us. Myself, BTW, wouldn't mind if you had a little catnip available...while Herc would prefer sardines... I thought I should slide that in because I figure you are going to be another fan and invite us over to visit, right?Now, don't forget our series is called "A Magical Cats Mystery" because, duh, Herc and I have a few magical tricks that we just might share with you... and, besides, our Mom is a good cook and she'll probably invite you to come for dinner or "do lunch" once you two are friends...Mom makes a fantastic friend, because, hey, she solved the murder and got her friend out of jail! How about that! Have you ever heard of a better friend than her? Mmmmmm?Get this book!GABixlerReviews

Sofie Kelly is a wonderful writer. She writes well, and has many comic reliefs woven in. The humor is unexpected, kind of turn on a dime, but realistic comments by the characters, just as you or I might respond to a situation with flippancy or sarcasm, or action. This is the second book and NOT the last book I plan to read in the Magical Cats Mystery series. Yes, I will follow Kathleen, Hercules and Owen on their next serious and funny adventures. The super-powers these cats have are especially handy, and it looks like at some point, readers may find out more about the feral cats' gifts. If you are having a low point in your life, DO read this series. It helps you focus on fun, and funny characters and helps lighten the load you may be carrying. I plan to read Sofie Kelly's other series, as I am so pleased with the Magical Cats series. You don't have to read in order, as Sofie gives you background on people and cats, etc. There seem to be typos no matter which books you get anymore. I found many "a" s missing, but then I read with a Kindle and make notes on such things. Thank you Sofie for making your readers laugh. You are an amazing writer! I really enjoyed this Book 2, and am already lining up the next book in the series. Enjoy!

This is another series that I hadn't read for a while, and it was good getting back to it. I just love these cats and how Kathleen talks to them, and not in the crazy cat lady way either--they really seem to understand her and add their own opinions. Owen was the one who loved to stow away in the messenger bag, and it was definitely a good thing that one of those times she'd let him come along. Hercules liked going through walls and managed to come up with a key piece of evidence.At first I wasn't sure whodunit, but as the story progressed, I had my suspicions, and I was right. There was a good little twist involving the murder weapon. The running joke about Roma's new boyfriend was so funny--at the end there was a cute surprise. I was getting annoyed with Kathleen for constantly telling her two besties that Marcus wasn't her type simply because he arrested Ruby. It just seemed a little childish of a reason to me, but as good friends always do, they brought her to her senses eventually. Kath was normally pretty level-headed aside from going to meet a killer alone. I'm glad this series is still going on!

"Sleight of Paw" is the second in Sofie Kelly's Magical Cats Mystery series featuring Kathleen Paulson, a librarian and her two magical cats, Owen and Hercules. The two cats have the ability most of the time to understand what Kathleen is saying to them, and Hercules can walk through walls and doors and Owen can make himself invisible. As a cat lover, I enjoy the two kitties very much.In this mystery, someone has killed elderly Mayville Heights resident Agatha Shepherd, a former teacher who had helped so many troubled children to straighten out their lives. Most of the town was grateful to Agatha for one reason or another, and why anyone would want to run her down in an alley and leave her for dead was inconceivable. But Agatha was dead and Kathleen was convinced it was murder.I read the second and third books out of order. I really liked this one except for the same complaint other reviewers have about the editing. In places it was confusing because of the addition of extra words or the omission of words.Kathleen is a very likeable character who has made a circle of friends in the short time she has been in Minnesota and has adapted to the cold winters after moving there from Boston. Her friends are great because they are always willing to help when needed and always willing to go out for some fun if they can manage it along with busy schedules. Mayville is a cozy small town that has a Winterfest each year and that was very enjoyable to read about, too.For cozy mystery readers and for mysteries featuring cats, I highly recommend this book.

I am now on my last magical cats and will be lost till the next one. Although it is a crime murder mystery it is well written and easy reading. Although the cats are different supposedly they are similar to the pets we all have and can relate. The narrator Kathleen tells her cats not to do something..they do it. I tell my dog not to roll in fox doodah she does it. Kathleen rattles the cats dinner dishes and the cats come running.. I rattle my dogs dinner dish I almost get knocked over in the rush. See all relative. Give the Sofie Kelly books a try they are really great holiday reading when read one after the other

The mystery is well paced and is a satisfying way to spend a rainy afternoon. The two cats Owen and Hercules each have a 'magical' talent which Sofie Kelly uses to good effect to push the story forward without them becoming a deus ex machina. The Characters introduced in the first book continue to develop and most of them have a realistic depth. If you like 'cozy cat mysteries' you'll enjoy this book.

i loved this book a murder mystery with cats what could be better

A murder. A small town. And a librarian whose cats have magical abilities. The second book in the series is another enjoyable read with a good balance between mystery and magic.

I loved this story from beginning to end - well written and intriguing all the way through. Even if you are not a cat lover, you will love this mystery story with a twist!