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The series started out with Helen Hawthorne, the main character, working for cash under the table to keep her ex-husband from finding her or her money. The series has evolved, and Helen is now married and running a private detective agency with her husband, Phil. But never fear, she still ends up working minimum wage jobs, but now she’s going undercover to help solve the case.
Catnapped! revolves around the cat show industry and Helen ends up working as a cat groomer for a breeder. A divorcing couple can’t agree on anything except their shared love of their show kitten. But when the kitten is kidnapped (catnapped!) Helen & Phil are on the case. Unfortunately, the ex-husband ends up dead, and the wife arrested for the murder. Meanwhile, things aren’t all good on the home-front either. The Coronado apartment building is in need of major repairs, and Margery seems more inclined to sell than renovate.
One of the best things about this series is how Viets shines a light on the minimum wage jobs and the people that work so hard for so little. Invariably I learn something new in every book – like the grooming involved with show cats! I love the south Florida setting, not only because I live there but because Viets really brings it to life – the setting becomes almost another character. This is another smart mystery with intrigue, laughs and a lot of heart.
Check out Elaine Viets’ guest blog for an inside look at bathing a cat!
5/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
CATNAPPED! by Elaine Viets. NAL Hardcover (May 6, 2014). ISBN 978-0451466303. 288p.
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[…] I am thrilled to have Elaine Viets as my guest blogger today! And please check out my review of Catnapped! […]