Leann Sweeney – The Cat, the Vagabond and the Victim

The sixth book in the Cats in Trouble Mystery series, published August 5, 2014.
Genre: cozy mystery
Cover: sweet, but too revealing



When Clyde the cat travels two hundred miles back home only to find his former owner dead, the story makes national news. While everyone seems eager to tell Clyde's incredible tale, someone needs to step up to care for him. Because the media attention is creating chaos at the local shelter, cat quilter Jillian Hart agrees to foster the loyal orange tabby, hoping his location is kept secret.
But while the media circus around Clyde continues, Jillian learns the real story behind his owner's death - he was murdered. Why would an elderly man already dying from a serious illness become a murder victim? As the local police search for an answer, Clyde makes another escape. Jillian is drawn into the case when she finds Clyde has returned to his home again - and he's found another body. When the motive behind these murders is finally revealed, Jillian understands Clyde is in danger of becoming the next victim, and she must help find the killer before the claws really come out....


While the national press is focused on Clyde, the cat, Jillian is taking care of him. She knows he is grieving for his former owner, the man he travelled all those months for. She hopes her own cats will give him some comfort and company.
But when he runs out the door the moment her boyfriend Tom comes in, she is devastated. What if something happens to him this time? But her best friend and local police deputy Candace Carson is not too worried. He will probably go back to his own home again, so they will find him soon enough.

For now, Jillian wants to know more about Clyde’s owner. Everyone is focusing on Clyde, and forgetting about his owner. Why did Norm Jeffrey send his beloved cat away to his family, could he not take care of him himself anymore? And when the coroner rules that his death was caused by an overdose of his heart medication, it doesn’t make sense. He was fighting his illness, and determined to win. Candace allows Jillian to come along with her when she is interviewing Buford, the caretaker the family hired to look after Norm. Candace has a history with Buford, and really dislikes him.

But when next they find Buford murdered in the same house, the stakes are raised. Who is behind it all? Was it drugs? The men Buford owned money? Or does it have something to do with Norm Jeffrey’s estranged family? They sure are characters.
It will all depend on the will, especially when they find out that Norm was much richer than he showed in his lifestyle.

And so, with the irritating young reporter-wannabe Emily Nguyen dogging all her steps, Jillian sets out to find out the truth.


Another of my favourite cozy mystery series, it all evolves around cats. The three cats Jillian has herself, the cats of her friends and family, and the cats she encounters. Jillian makes quilts for cats, and they are in high demand. After being widowed for a few years, she is finally good friend with her stepdaughter Kara, who moved to her small town and has taken over the local newspaper. And now she is ready for the next step with her boyfriend Tom, who is a private investigator and security specialist, but first they need to find out what their family will think of that.

The mystery is a good one, but if you look closely at the cover, it spoils it too much, as I guessed most of it beforehand. Still, it is a very well written series, and this one is a very nice addition to the series, especially after the darker previous one.
Family really can be a blessing or a curse, or both ...

If you are a cat lover, you really need to read this series. Although you might feel the need for a cat cam of your own after doing so.

8 stars.

© 2015 Reviews by Aurian