A Spell of Murder by Clea Simon
A
Spell of Murder
Witch
Cats of Cambridge Book 1
by
Clea Simon
Genre:
Cozy Mystery
“It’s
Harriet’s fault. It’s always her fault, not that she’ll ever
admit it.” So begins A Spell of Murder: A Witch Cats of Cambridge
mystery, the first in a new cozy series that mixes feline fiction
with a touch of the paranormal, and a little romance as well.
Becca,
newly single and newly unemployed, wants to believe she has psychic
powers. With nothing but time – and a desire for empowerment –
she’s studying to become a witch. What she doesn’t know is that
her three cats – Harriet, Laurel, and Clara – are the ones with
the real power. And when Harriet – “a cream-colored longhair with
more fur than commonsense” – conjures a pillow for her own
comfort, Becca believes her spells are finally working. Could that be
why Trent, the coven’s devilishly handsome leader, has been showing
her special attention? Or why Suzanne, a longtime coven member, draws
her aside to share a secret – a confidence that may lead to murder?
The first in Clea Simon`s Witch Cats of Cambridge series is perhaps unlike anything you have ever read. It is a cozy mystery in the sense that the sleuth is not a police official. In fact, one could say the main sleuth is a cat and her litter mates. Clara, the youngest, by minutes, of three cats narrates this tale for us. It is an introduction of things to come, with an interesting ending with some exciting news.
The main human protagonist is struggling and unsure of where her future will take her. She is making new friends and seeking new talents for herself. Being only human, she is somewhat oblivious to the world around her. That slack is picked up by her three feline companions. Harriett, the eldest and largest, is mainly concerned with creature comforts and from where and when her next meal will be served. Laurel, the sleek and showy exotic one, is a bit more self absorbed. Smallest and most colorful Clara, nicknamed the Clown, is the nurturing and observant cat. She takes it upon herself to watch out for their human, Becca.
Becca becomes interested in witchcraft, upon her natural curiosity and research into history. She joins a small coven of Wiccans, who have no clue what they are doing. When one is murdered, and Becca happens to be the person to find the crime scene and body, life becomes more complicated. The cats must save their human from being caged.
The way this story is told and the observations made by Clara kept me turning pages.
I am looking forward to seeing the direction this series takes us.
Clea
Simon is the author of "A Spell of Murder," the first in
her new "Witch Cats of Cambridge" series. She is also the
author of "World Enough," a rock 'n' roll noir, as well as
the Blackie and Care series (most recently "Cross My Path")
chronicling the adventures of the pink-haired Care and the black
feral cat who loves her. In addition to these darker books, she is
also the author of the Dulcie Schwartz feline mysteries, the Pru
Marlowe pet noir mysteries, and the Theda Krakow mysteries, as well
as three nonfiction books, including The Feline Mystique: On the
Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.
The
recipient of multiple honors, including the Cat Writers Associations
Presidents Award, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her
husband, Jon Garelick, and their cat, Musetta.
Thanks for taking the time to read A SPELL OF MURDER! I'm working on book 2 in the series now (tentatively titled AN INCANTATION OF CATS). You can find out more on my website, www.CleaSImon.com
ReplyDeletethanks,
Clea