The first in a brand-new series, Sofie Kelly’s Curiosity Thrilled the Cat is a magical, humorous and delightful addition to the world of cozy mystery novels. The well-rounded cast of characters and the well-thought-out plot make it difficult to put this one down.
Setting
This enchanting new series is set in the Mississippi River town of Mayville Heights, Minnesota. Some features of Mayville Heights include the James Hotel, the Stratton Theater, Wild Rose Bluff, and the Mayville Heights Free Public Library (MHFPL), which is undergoing a thorough renovation.
The town includes both a “Main Street” and an “Old Main Street,” which the characters admit can be a bit confusing at times. Mayville Heights also features Lake Pepin, of which there is a picturesque view from the MHFPL windows. Mayville Heights is also the location of “Wisteria Hill,” an abandoned estate where several feral cats make their home.
Mayville Heights is gearing up for the annual Wild Rose Summer Music Festival.
Character Development
Sofie Kelly introduces Kathleen Paulson, formerly of Boston, but now making her home in Mayville Heights. She works as head librarian at the Mayville Heights Free Public Library, and is the supervisor of the rather extensive library renovation. Kelly introduces the remaining characters in a very relaxed, unforced manner as Kathleen Paulson moves through her daily routines.
We meet her library co-workers, particularly Susan and Mary, who are necessary but incidental to the plot. We are introduced to Kathleen’s friends and neighbors when she attends a tai chi class: Maggie, the tai chi instructor; Rebecca, the next door neighbor in her mid-sixties; Violet, a member of the town choir and also in her mid-sixties; Roma, the veterinarian (who's also not too bad at treating humans); and Ruby, another member of the festival choir.
We are introduced to the skilled workmen helping at the library: Will Redfern, the contractor on the library renovation project who seems to be more absentee rather than hands-on; Harry Taylor, the diligent groundskeeper; Oren Kenyon, a carpenter handy-man in his mid-fifties described as the farm-boy version of Clint Eastwood; and Larry Taylor, the electrician.
Everett Henderson is a Mayville resident – a very wealthy gentlemen who not only owns the abandoned Wisteria Hill estate (wonder why it's abandoned?), but who is also funding the library renovation project.
Gregor Easton graces the town of Mayville Heights with his presence as a well-known composer and conductor. He is to be the guest artist for the Wild Rose Summer Music Festival. He is described as a “creepy old perv,” and seems to have his eye on young Ami Lester (who has a granddaughter-type-relationship with Rebecca). Many residents wonder why someone as worldly as Easton would stoop to participate in their insignificant music festival. But Easton is a man with a past, and as often happens, the past comes back to haunt him.
The two most intriguing characters are introduced before the end of the second page. They are Kathleen’s cats, Owen and Hercules. These cats adopted Kathleen during her visit to Wisteria Hill -- the feral cats simply decided to follow her home. They have a tight bond with Kathleen, they exhibit unusual feline skills, and they turn up in unlikely places with unexpected gifts (aka clues) for Kathleen. Hercules (Herc for short) has a fun obsession with “Fred the Funky Chicken.”
Plot Development
The plot moves swiftly and smoothly. As might be expected, Kathleen not only finds the victim’s body, but she is also a person of interest in the case. The unfortunate victim is found in the Stratton Theater, but how is it that the victim’s blood is also on the floor at the library? And how do all the “accidents” at the library fit into the picture, especially since Kathleen is the target of the accidents? As Kathleen strives to fit the pieces together, many of the characters step in along the way to help her out. Of most help are Owen and Hercules, who are in the right places at the right times, lending a paw to help Kathleen in ways no one else can, and clear her reputation.
Sofie Kelly’s new cozy mystery series is captivating and imaginative, with a few welcome twists on this entertaining genre of mystery novels. Although the twists aren’t necessarily “real life” occurrences, they definitely add mysterious fun to this mystery story. Whether or not you are a cat lover, you’ll enjoy and appreciate Kelly’s imagination and easy-reading style.
Source:
Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
Penguin Publishing, New York, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-451-23249-6
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