Simcha-Sophie

This mystery is light and fluffy, features a tabby cat and a tuxedo cat with magical powers (tabbies are my downfall) and books. I read this to give my mind a rest, to read mostly the way I used to read: for pure unadulterated enjoyment without thinking too much.

Although I read mysteries because I love the puzzles and am always pleased when I can be clever enough to figure out the ending, I like it more when I’m stumped or surprised and can marvel at the author’s cleverness. This book went about half and half that way; I figured part of it out early on and didn’t quite guess the other part for certain until it was revealed. But it’s as if Kelly writes for a particularly dim-witted audience: you can see her laying the clues
and leading the reader very clearly down the road. I was aware of everything having significance and of the clues matching up with specific characters. Well, there was one surprise, but it was the kind of annoying surprise that’s out of left field, where a different character suddenly appears about halfway or more through the book without having been mentioned at all before this. There is the requisite handsome cop and budding romance.

I found it to be okay in an entertaining sort of way, and I’ll probably get the subsequent books from the used book store. Because I am curious, and I did enjoy it.