Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass, 2014, Obsidian, $7.99, softbound, 340 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: quite good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
The second in a series, this book can stand alone. It follows librarian Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, as they drive the library's bookmobile to various spots around town. Minnie has a few problems in her life, most of them to do with work -- until she and Eddie happen across a woman in need of help for her husband, who's had a stroke. Minnie and Eddie take the couple to the hospital, where Minnie finds out the man in question is Russell 'Cade' McCade, her favourite artist. The four become steadfast friends, so it's not surprising that Minnie agrees to help out once again when Cade is suspected of murder.
It's a good mystery, but the most fun to be had is in reading about Eddie's antics. The characters are well-done and interesting, and readers will want to read the next installment just to visit those characters again. The book has humour and suspense, and plenty of local flavour. It's certain to draw both cat lovers and book lovers.
If you like this one, try: Murder Past Due, by Miranda James; Bookmarked for Death, by Lorna Barrett; and Double Booked for Death, by Ali Brandon.
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross, 2012, Harlequin Teen, $9.99, softbound, 357 pages. Category/Genre: steampunk. Cover: very good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
The second in The Steampunk Chronicles, this book takes place in New York five days after the first book, 'The Girl in the Steel Corset,' left off. It follows teenagers Griffin, Sam, Finley, and Emily as they try to clear their friend Jasper of murder charges.
Jasper has been taken by Reno Dalton, his old gang boss. Dalton is threatening everyone Jasper loves in order to force Jasper to return a device Jasper stole from him. Jasper knows Dalton won't do anything good with the device, but feels he has no choice in the matter.
There are some interesting developments, character-wise as well as plot-wise, in this book; fans of Cross's 'The Girl in the Steel Corset' won't be disappointed.
If you like this one, try: The Girl in the Steel Corset, by Kady Cross; The Girl with the Iron Touch, by Kady Cross; The Girl with the Windup Heart, by Kady Cross; and Soulless, by Gail Carriger.
Enchanted World: The Art of Anne Sudworth by John Grant, 2000, Paper Tiger, $21.95, softbound, 112 pages. Category/Genre: art. Cover: beautiful. Where we got it: borrowed it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
This book is a collection of Anne Sudworth's fantasy art; along with being a gallery of her works, the book aims to enlighten the reader as to the creative process in Sudworth's mind. This is done through quotes from the artist herself, and the author offers his insights, too.
Fans of Sudworth will love this book, but fantasy lovers who aren't familiar with her work will appreciate it as well.
If you like this one, try: The Magical Realm of Sallie Middleton, by Celestine Sibley.
