About the Book
Format: E-Galley
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Release Date: March 2016
Synopsis from Goodreads…
Introducing Blackie, an unusual feline hero, and his companion Care in the first of this dark new mystery series."
Three figures, shadowy against the light. That s all I remember from my past life, as I am dragged, dripping and half-drowned, from the flood. My saviour, a strange, pink-haired girl, is little help. She can barely care for herself, let alone the boy she loves. And although she has sworn to avenge the murder of her mentor, she must first escape the clutches of drug dealers, murderers and thieves. I would repay her kindness if I could. But we are alone in this blighted city and I am a cat.
The past is an enigma to Blackie, the voice of Clea Simon s dark new mystery. Combining elements of feline fantasy and cozy whodunit, The Ninth Life introduces this unusual hero and his companion, Care: two small creatures in a nightmarish urban landscape, fighting for their lives, and for the lives and memories of those they love.
My Review
It’s a unique plot told from the point of view of a cat named Blackie. Readers will cringe as Blackie faces situations that a human would have difficulty surviving, but Blackie faces them head on. A young woman named Care saves his life and he has now dedicated himself to protecting her. The author does an amazing job of showing the reader how much Blackie truly loves Care and his frustration with not being able to communicate with her. Although the story is told from the feline point of view, Blackie does not talk to humans and has no magical powers.
This book might not be for everyone as there is violence and animal cruelty involved. I did have some problems with that myself, but Clea does a great job in writing a story that’s very different from her cozy mystery series.
I’m looking forward to reading more adventures of Blackie and Care.
For reading challenges:
2016 What An Animal Reading Challenge
2016 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge
2016 NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge
FTC Disclosure: The publisher and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Clea Simon is the author of 19 cozies in the Theda Krakow, Dulcie Schwartz, and Pru Marlowe pet noir series. The latter two are ongoing and include her most recent books, Code Grey (Severn House) and When Bunnies Go Bad (Poisoned Pen Press). The Ninth Life, the first book in her Blackie & Care mysteries, a darker series, will be published by Severn House on March 1. A former journalist and nonfiction author, she lives in Somerville, Mass., with her husband, the writer Jon Garelick, and their cat Musetta. She can be reached at http://www.cleasimon.com
Author Links:
http://www.cleasimon.com home page
@Clea_Simon Twitter
Purchase Links:
Tour-Wide Giveaway
Smart kitty then
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance, looks great, and I hope to get a chance to read it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking a chance with me. I do promise, no matter how violent I get - I would NEVER kill or seriously injure a cat in my books!!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this new book. Any book with cats in them and to have them be a hero is even better. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI am a little concerned about the animal cruelty, but I see a comment from the author above that made me feel better.
ReplyDeleteI love to learn about a series I might like right at the beginning. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm wanting to try this darker mystery because I enjoy Clea's cozy mysteries so much.
ReplyDeleteI like when a cozy is different from the norm. More mystery and darker has me curious. And I love that cover.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound interesting
ReplyDeleteYvonne, thank you for your honest review, and for hosting this terrific giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great title to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your interest! And please believe me. I would no more read a book in which there is real animal cruelty that I would write one
ReplyDeleteI am definitely planning on picking this one up. Great review and thanks for the warning that it is on the darker side.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I saw Clea Simon at Left Coast Crime this last weekend. She talked about the fact that this book is a little darker than her usual. And she also said there will be more with Blackie. Enjoyed her panel.
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