No comments about Babies, Bikes and Broads: The third book in the Cat Rising series (The Cat Rising Series).

No comments about Yo Puedo Leer Con Los Ojos Cerrados!/ I Can Read With My Eyes Shut.

5 comments about Claws and Effect.

1. Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, the local post office operator/detective is out to solve another of Crozet's mysterious murders along with her pets Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker. The hospital is not the sort of place the town would've expected to be a crime scene, but after Hank Brevard, the plant manager, is killed in the old boiler room, no one knows what to expect. When semi-retired doctor Larry Johnson becomes the next victim after Harry's set foxhunt to catch the real killer fails, Mayor Jim Sanbourne's wife, Mim, has a terrible breakdown over her and Larry's past. Sheriff Rick Shaw and Deputy Cynthia "Coop" Cooper become even agitated that they catch the crazy murderer. They believe both of the murders are connected to Crozet Hospital, but they can't make the connection until they investigate old records of the hospital's IVAC units. Sam Mahanes, the director, swears their old so his nurses can operate them easily and they're cleaned whenever they become filthy. According to the only IVAC unit manufacturer and cleaner for miles, Crozet had stopped sending them in for cleanings four years ago and that the billings Shaw and Coop found were forgeries. Just a week after Larry's killed, nurse Tussie Logan is shot straight through the heart at her apartment and only Mrs. Murphy knows why. Browns exciting and surprising mystery goes right to the top with Agatha Christie's and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's.
   Claws and Effect isn't just completely about the mystery. Even with all the killings in the small Virginian town, its politics aren't cooling down, in fact, they're heating up rapidly. Jim Sanbourne, the long time mayor, is beginning to support big business in Crozet. The only person in town crazy enough to challenge him is his own daughter Marilyn, or Little Mim, as Harry calls her. As their relationship goes downhill, Big Mim has a terrible crisis when Larry's killed. Many years ago, the two young friends fell madly in love, but Mim's mother didn't approve of her marrying such a poor medical student. Mim was too scared to stand up to her, so she agreed to marry the incredibly rich Jim Sanbourne. After Larry's funeral though, the older woman realizes her true feelings almost twenty years too late.
   What really sets this novel apart from other murder mysteries is that the main detectives are all animals. Mrs. Murphy is the older tiger cat in charge of the others who's always willing to look into any mystery that crosses her path, big or small. Next there's Pewter, the gray, very opinionated, cat with a huge appetite. Her other animal friends agree that if she were to have kittens, Pewter would starve them if there wasn't enough food. Half the time, she's sleeping or just being whiney, but Murphy always manages to pull her into another one of her schemes. Tee Tucker, Harry's corgi, will do anything to protect her guardian. She's very loyal to Harry and provides a solution to any of her feline friends' arguments.
   Like few mysteries out there, the conclusion was very surprising based on the information uncovered by the characters. In the last chapters of the book leading up to the conclusion, Coop, Harry, and all her animals visit the boiler room again where Hank was killed and Harry was attacked from behind. Murphy shows them the secret door on the floor that leads to the storage of the old, unprofessionally cleaned IVAC units when they hear footsteps outside. The humans go into the cellar and the animals hide behind the empty cardboard boxes as they wait. It's only Hank's replacement, but someone from behind knocks him out, making him fall into the cellar. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker attack him, allowing Harry and Coop to escape, leaving the knocked out plant manager and hoping he'll be all right. The animals find the rumored tunnel used in the Underground Railroad and quickly climb with Harry and Coop. When the get out at the other end in the parking lot, the rush to their car to find Director Mahanes coming back from a meeting, but he can't fool Tucker's nose. She alerts Harry, an owner who never doubts her crime-solving pets, and attacks Mahanes to the ground as Coop puts the cuffs on him.
   Money, politics, and murder make the perfect blend for a great cat mystery. Rita Mae Brown illustrates yet again that she, and her cat Sneaky Pie Brown of course, are two of the best contemporary mystery writers there are.
   
   R. Turner



2. In the 9th book in Mrs. Murphy and Tucker mystery series, something fishy is going on at Crozet Hospital. A staff member is found dead in the boiler room at the small town hospital, and before long, Mary Minor Haristeen (aka Harry) is poking her nose into the death. She soon starts to speculate that something must be going on in the hospital that caused a killer to become nervous and murder the manager. Normally curious by nature (she has been known to read the postcards), postmistress Harry is aided in the mystery by her cats, Mrs. Murphy (a tiger) and Pewter (a rather fat grey cat), and her dog, Tee Tucker (a Welsh corgi). As the animals accompany Harry nearly everywhere, they use their heightened senses to find clues and gently guide their human to help put the pieces of the mystery together. Hospital corruption is exposed, and Harry, with the help of Deputy Cynthia Cooper, must work quickly to find the murderer before any more victims turn up.
   
   
   I have enjoyed each of the books in this series, and found this one to be one of my favorites. I was kept guessing until the end as to who the murderer might be, and even though I figured out what was going on with the hospital, I found myself wondering how Harry and her animal friends would uncover the truth. I was shocked and saddened by the death of a long-time member of the series, because the books are good not only for the mysteries, but for the strength of the characters. These books make you want to pack your bags and visit Crozet, Virginia.
   
   
   If you enjoy the KoKo and Yum Yum mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun, give this series a try. The 1st book in the series is called "Wish You Were Here". Enjoy!



3. In the 9th book in Mrs. Murphy and Tucker mystery series, something fishy is going on at Crozet Hospital. A staff member is found dead in the boiler room at the small town hospital, and before long, Mary Minor Haristeen (aka Harry) is poking her nose into the death. She soon starts to speculate that something must be going on in the hospital that caused a killer to become nervous and murder the manager. Normally curious by nature (she has been known to read the postcards), postmistress Harry is aided in the mystery by her cats, Mrs. Murphy (a tiger) and Pewter (a rather fat grey cat), and her dog, Tee Tucker (a Welsh corgi). As the animals accompany Harry nearly everywhere, they use their heightened senses to find clues and gently guide their human to help put the pieces of the mystery together. Hospital corruption is exposed, and Harry, with the help of Deputy Cynthia Cooper, must work quickly to find the murderer before any more victims turn up.
   
   
   I have enjoyed each of the books in this series, and found this one to be one of my favorites. I was kept guessing until the end as to who the murderer might be, and even though I figured out what was going on with the hospital, I found myself wondering how Harry and her animal friends would uncover the truth. I was shocked and saddened by the death of a long-time member of the series, because the books are good not only for the mysteries, but for the strength of the characters. These books make you want to pack your bags and visit Crozet, Virginia.
   
   
   If you enjoy the KoKo and Yum Yum mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun, give this series a try. The 1st book in the series is called "Wish You Were Here". Enjoy!



4. In the 9th book in Mrs. Murphy and Tucker mystery series, something fishy is going on at Crozet Hospital. A staff member is found dead in the boiler room at the small town hospital, and before long, Mary Minor Haristeen (aka Harry) is poking her nose into the death. She soon starts to speculate that something must be going on in the hospital that caused a killer to become nervous and murder the manager. Normally curious by nature (she has been known to read the postcards), postmistress Harry is aided in the mystery by her cats, Mrs. Murphy (a tiger) and Pewter (a rather fat grey cat), and her dog, Tee Tucker (a Welsh corgi). As the animals accompany Harry nearly everywhere, they use their heightened senses to find clues and gently guide their human to help put the pieces of the mystery together. Hospital corruption is exposed, and Harry, with the help of Deputy Cynthia Cooper, must work quickly to find the murderer before any more victims turn up.
   
   
   I have enjoyed each of the books in this series, and found this one to be one of my favorites. I was kept guessing until the end as to who the murderer might be, and even though I figured out what was going on with the hospital, I found myself wondering how Harry and her animal friends would uncover the truth. I was shocked and saddened by the death of a long-time member of the series, because the books are good not only for the mysteries, but for the strength of the characters. These books make you want to pack your bags and visit Crozet, Virginia.
   
   
   If you enjoy the KoKo and Yum Yum mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun, give this series a try. The 1st book in the series is called "Wish You Were Here". Enjoy!



5. I've been reading the Mrs Murphy books for years. Got a little behind. But am catching up with Claws & Effect. As with all these books, they are well written and very entertaining. Plus I love the animals!

5 comments about My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes (Picture Puffin).

1. I can't wait to get my hands on this for our baby granddaughter. Both of our children could recite this book - it was always the one they got out of the library over and over and over (along with Drummer Hoff!) What a shame that it's out of print - I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a copy.



2. This is definitely one of my childhood favorites. It's got good rhyme and rhythm and repetition for kids, which will help them to get familiar with the story. As someone working with kids, I know how much they love when they can memorize the books! I love it, and I will buy it for my kids someday.



3. I remember reading this when I was little - I just recently found it in my parents' basement. I brought it in for my kids at school, and it works great. (I'm a music teacher.) We are singing "There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly," and this is the same form, building on what came before it. The kids really loved it and could "read" along with me after the first page. I even had them figure out the rhyme without telling them, and they were really proud that they could do it. I wish it were still in print, but I guess that means I just have to hold tight to my copy of it!



4. We picked up a much-loved copy of this book at a garage sale this summer for about 10 cents. The text is great and the pictures are adorable, and my daughter (now 20 months) has loved it ever since we watched out cats playing with a box one day and then got it out to read. This last week she has been totally obsessed and wanted it read to her 10,000 times, and now she'll flip through it, "reading": "MY cat--boxes!"
   
   The book reads:
   
   (p1) My cat likes to hide in boxes.
   
   (p2) The cat from France likes to sing and dance.
   
   (p3) But my cat likes to hide in boxes.
   
   (p4) The cat from Spain flew an airplane.
   The cat from France likes to sing and dance.
   
   (p5) But my cat likes to hide in boxes.
   
   and so on, for the cats from Norway, Greece, Japan, etcetc. There are about a dozen different cats who do cool stuff, but in the end, "my cat" still likes to hide in boxes.
   
   The only thing I don't like is that the text about the other cats builds up until it's really long near the end, but I just read about the next cat in line and skip it. Then again, my kid is only 20 months and has a short attention span--for an older kid that wouldn't be much of an issue.
   
   I just bought two copies for Christmas presents. :)



5. My daughter loved this book. She loved it to pieces. The last time I saw it, she found it in a box of books I was saving for when her children came over, and she pounced on it (yes, she did!) and said, "Oh, my book!"
   
   And took it home. The covers were off. The front cover long lost.
   And at the time that I first began to read it to Melyssa, I think she was about 4, we had three cats that hid in boxes, bags, behind furniture and trees. And we all loved the cats and the book!

5 comments about Mog the Forgetful Cat (Mog).

1. My granddaughter loves this book and it has to be read to her over and over again, especially at bedtime. I think she identifies with someone who is forgetful, but for whom things work out in the end. This book has been giving us no end of pleasure.



2. This book was one of my favorites as a child, so I purchased a copy to give my four year old niece for Christmas. I couldn't believe they changed the best part of the story, and replaced it with "Bother That Cat"
   
   I had my original copy for years, and read it often when I worked as a nanny or in daycare. The children always loved shouting "Drat That Cat!" at Mog's antics.
   
   Disappointed.



3. Some stories stay with you forever...this is definitely one of them for me! I remember so many things from this book, "Drat that Cat!" being the number one thing. I also fondly recall the family sitting around the dining table eating breakfast and each of them having little egg cups for their soft-boiled eggs. How they served the thief (who wears a little mask over his eyes!) coffee while they wait for the policeman to get their statements. And of course the accident-prone yet loveable MOG! The illustrations are beautifully rendered and the story is so one-of-a-kind. Terrific and highly recommended book!



4. I first bought this book for my daughter when she was 3. she is now 31 and I am buying Mog second time around for the next generation. How's that for staying power and enjoyment?



5. I bought this book for my children as it was my favorite one as a child. Too bad the publisher has changed some words for political correctness. Buy the vintage version, not a new copy. Most disappointing.

4 comments about The Cat Who Wore a Pot On Her Head.

1. Hey! Don't blame us for enriching phonemic awareness of pre- and early readers with this hilarious story. That's what's happening at our house because our six year-old wants to hear this story every night. When the eldest of 10 kittens wears a shiny pot as a hat, she has a hard time hearing her mother's instructions. Highly original and nonsensical household chaos ensues. The wacky rhyming text in this inventive plot does not fail to induce uncontrolled giggling. (Our favorite: "Mup the moop on the feep?") Witty illustrations highlight the absurdity of each situation when the cat with the pot on her head repeats what she thought she was told. Depending on your point of view, the moral of the story could either be to always or to never wear a pot on your head!



2. This is the best book ever written! I am 20 now and still in love with "Bendemolina, Bendemolina, the cat with the pot on her head". This was my ratty dog-eared most favorite book of all time when I was little--it got read every night. It became a part of our family traditions (i.e. anytime I wasn't listening I got called a Bendemolina). By the way, I can't remember if that's how you spell the kitty's name, but that's how it sounds--and wow, that book has great sounds! If you buy this book, I can guarantee that your children will love it. Finding that it is still in print, I'm going to buy it for my boyfriend's two small sons. Yay! More moop on the feep!



3. This book has been well written and illustrated and is hilarious from front cover to back cover. It has been read over and over again in this household.
   
   I highly recommend this book to both children and adults.



4. As a mother of four this book was my children's favorite bedtime story! Both of my daughters(19 and 21) have purchased this book as a intimate gift for their boy friends. I am back to buy the book for my young neice. I hope this becomes her favorite childhood book and will pass it on to others.

2 comments about Ratha and Thistle-Chaser: The Third Book of the Named.

1. I always thought Ratha could just as easily be a villain as a hero. She is rash, uncompromising, and ruthless in her upholding of the law, and never hesitates to use the Red Tongue. However, in this book, the character of Newt is a genuine heroine. Sympathetic but not pitiable, Newt battles against her haunted past and the deformity that it left upon her. Newt is a survivor, and you love to see how she does it.
   The emotional journey of the two characters is riveting. Ratha, who has always believed that the ends justify the means, is forced to see herself in a shocking new light. Newt must battle against her own half-Named heritage, overcoming obstacles of speech and the terrible fits that plague her. Worst of all, the cats of the Named must struggle with the most difficult part of sentience: forgiveness.
   With rich themes of reconciliation and acceptance, this book was the one that really made Ratha come alive for me, as she becomes a leader who comes to see all of the vibrant, bitter colors of the world, instead of the black and white dichotomy of the Named and the Unnamed.



2. I just recently finished this book,and I say in all honesty that that it is AWESOME!!!The added viewpoints of Ratha's daughter Thistle-Chaser(a.k.a.Newt) and Thakur give the story more depth.I loved Thistle-Chaser!Her challenges of a crippled leg,learning speech,and seizures in which she dreams of Ratha biting her are daunting,and I was impressed with the courage she showed in facing them.Although I like Ratha a lot,she is definiteltly an ambivalent,'gray' character,who is complicated and messed up.Thistle-Chaser is messed up,too,due to the trauma she went through as a cub,but she is more of a true heroe than her mother;she is gentler,more likeable,more forgiving.Thakur,of course,was great.I have always liked his kind,open-minded nature,and I loved the way he helps Thistle-Chaser throughout the book.The ending is great,and I can't wait to read the next book!

No comments about The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline Specialty Handbook: Ophthalmology (5-Minute Consult).

5 comments about Home Is Where the Cat Is.

1. Jean Cocteau said:
   I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. And this is right,so home really is where cats are.



2. I love this little book. I had bought several of her calendars and always enjoyed them. But this book can be kept thoughout the years.



3. A great book for the child who loves cats.
   
   author of "Hobo Finds A Home"



4. This is a great little book for the cat lover. Wonderful quotes are paired with Lesley Anne Ivory's exquisite cat paintings.



5. This is neat little book and great for any cat-lover. Quotes from the famous and not so famous. The pictures are great. I bought it because I am doing cat art and the illustrations are outstanding and capture the cat's unique personalities.

5 comments about Carlotta's Kittens (Cat Pack, the).

1. Carlotta's Kittens by Phyllis Reynolds Nichols

   Read this book. It's a mystery about cats and kittens and tails. This book is about a girl cat who has kittens and her friends from the alley. When she got back with her kittens her friends taught the kittens to do cat stuff, until one of the kittens got kidnapped by a one-eye cat. And some of Carlotta's friends go rescue the kitten by tricking the one eye cat.

   I liked this book because it was funny. This book kept making me laugh. When I was reading this book it reminded me of a cat that fell off a tree and landed in my dad's arms.

   I think the author wrote this book so that kids should find baby animals a home so they could know some animals are in danger.




2. Carlotta's Kittens is an awesome book! It's exciting, adventurous, and hilarious! I rented it from the library and once I started reading the first and second chapters, I started loving it! I haven't read the first two books of the "Club Of Mysteries" series, but I still think it is one of the greatest books I've ever read! My favorite characters are Carlotta, Polo, Catnip, and Elvis. I loved all the characters, actually...but anyways, why don't YOU read it? I think you'll love it too!



3. Carlottas kittens are here! 5 little adorable kittens! When they come to the club of mysteries the he casts know there is going to be trouble. Like they could get eaten up by this do bertrem the bad. Od steak knife a cat who collects tails from his victims. And worst of all Carlotta's Owner who will take them to the pound if he finds them. They msut find a home and fast before it's to late.
   
   There are more books in this trilogy. If you have ever read or seen shiloh this is by the author. If you like long hard books you will still like this.



4. The things I like about Carlotta`s Kittens are that it has passion, drama and the kittens are so cute you're going to love it. I think that Carlotta`s Kittens is for all ages especially grades 2 through 5. The things I dislike about the book is the cat named Steak Knife. I did not like him because he was going to chew off one of the character's (Catnip`s) tail. The other thing is I don't know why I didn't mention this before but he has a tail collection! The two things about Carlotta`s Kittens is 1:The Neal Family adopted Jumper and Spinner.2:I also enjoyed when Carlotta said, "You may be big and you may be strong but you've all got the brains of a banana!"



5. This is my favorite book of all time because it has a great amount of adventure and laughs. Marco and Polo are so cute and since I am a cat lover that gave me a plus in rating this book 5 stars.