The Bengal Identity

Book excerpt: A case of Bengal catnapping leads a groomer-turned-sleuth to a deadly new case in this cozy cat mystery by the author of Feral Attraction. Grooming and boarding the cats of Chadwick, New Jersey, has introduced Cassie McGlone to some colorful characters, both human and feline. But something’s fishy about the agitated young man who wants to board his big, brown cat, Ayesha. After a bath washes dye out of the cat's coat and reveals beautiful spots, Cassie suspects Ayesha may in fact be a valuable Bengal show cat—possibly stolen. And when Ayesha's alleged owner turns up dead, it looks like whoever wants the beautiful Bengal is not pussyfooting around. Working with the police, Cassie and her staff need to be careful not to reveal the purloined purebred's whereabouts while they discreetly make inquiries with cat breeders to find her real owners. But after a break-in attempt rattles Cassie's cage, it's clear someone let the cat out of the bag. Now Cassie better act fast to catch a killer who may be grooming her to be the next victim. “It doesn’t take a cat lover to fall in love with this perfectly crafted cozy series.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review