Retired police officer Lulu and her new friend, Conrad the talking calico cat, suspect foul play following the death of Lulu's mother-in-law. A cozy crime mystery with few surprises or intrigue.

While this was easy to read, it was a real struggle for me to get through and unfortunately I DNF'd it at about 75%.

There were a few things that made this book very much not for me, the first being the writing itself. It was extremely rudimentary with every detail over-explained - every outfit change, every drink made, even the washing up. Her travel routes are detailed step by step in more depth than Google maps directions, and as someone who lives just around the corner from where it's set I can tell you it really isn't interesting enough to warrant that! All of this extensive detailing just made it harder to get through without adding anything to the plot or character development.

The second thing, and what made me decide I couldn't finish this book, is the author's decision to insert their grievances about the "politically correct" modern world and how everyone is just too sensitive these days. A serving Met police officer complaining about the Professional Standards Unit stopping them being racist (it's okay, he only wants to be a little racist, as a treat) was the proverbial straw for me. There was no indication from the author or the text that these were bad takes from the characters.

I'm also not really sure what the point of the talking cat was - perhaps this was revealed in the last 25% that I couldn't face. I'm a big cat lover, which is why I was drawn to this book, but even I couldn't warm to Conrad.

The Cat Who Caught a Killer might be a good fit for audiences that agree with author's nostalgia for the "good old days" when there were less consequences for your bad actions, and those who don't mind long-winded descriptions and having their hand held through every step - but it certainly wasn't a good fit for me and not one I'd recommend to anybody I know.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and quirky mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Conrad is a gorgeous tri-coloured cat. He's also, like most cats, caring, empathetic and very bright. Plus he has a taste for Evian and despises tap water.

He invites himself on the canal boat home of Lulu, a retired police detective who is doing her best to cope as a widow.

The actually mystery story is pretty unremarkable but with Conrad's imput it takes on a whole extra dimension.

Hes a very wise cat
He knows that to be different is dangerous so only speaks to the human he knows he can trust.
Having known and loved a cat who travelled slewed across his mum's neck this tale is very authent

“she saw a cat heading her way, walking in the middle of the towpath as if he owned it. Lulu could tell it was a tom, just from the way he strutted along with his tail in the air, but she knew right away that he was special because he was a calico – a mixture of black, white and orangey brown – and most calicos were female.”

My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Cat Who Caught a Killer’ by L T Shearer.

I pretty much fell in love with this delightful mystery from the moment that Conrad, the Calico Cat, walked into Lulu Lewis’ life.

Lulu is in mourning due to the recent death of Simon, her beloved husband. She is retired though had served for thirty years in the Metropolitan Police, rising to the rank of Superintendent. She currently is adjusting to life on her new canal boat, The Lark, as well as visiting her mother-in-law in a nearby care home.

Although Emily Lewis is suffering from dementia, her general health is good and so when Emily dies overnight, Lulu has a sense that there’s something suspicious about her death. Assisted by Conrad she undertakes a discreet investigation.

Lulu also contacts one of her former colleagues, DI Philip Jackson, who is still on the job and can offer advise along with covert support and resources.

This was such a charming tale and a genuine mystery that had me glued to my e-reader from start to finish.

I was sad to reach the final page though was delighted to see that she is writing a second book featuring Conrad (and Lulu of course).

A charming cosy mystery bound to delight cat lovers as well as fans of cosies.

The title of this book really intrigued me so I put in a request to read this before it was published. This book is a very unique read and is perfect for a cat lover. The writing style reminded me a bit of the Richard Osman books, which were actually referenced in the story !

It was okay read, I got through it quite quickly after a sluggish start. I did guess who the killer was quite early on which slightly spoilt it but still I carried on reading.

Lulu Lewis is a retired detective living on a narrow boat in Little Venice. She is still mourning her husband, who died six months ago in a hit & run accident. She lives a quiet life, frequently visiting Emily, her mother in law in a care home. Apart from suffering from Alzheimer's she is still hale & hearty. One morning as she sets off to visit she is met by a large calico cat who introduces himself as Conrad. He seems to have taken to her & much amused Lulu takes him along to visit Emily. Conrad tells her the Emily has a lovely healthy aura so when Lulu arrives the next day & is told the Emily is dead she is shocked.. The speed at which her brother in law is arranging things & his plans to have Emily cremated in spite of her having specifically stated she wished to lie beside her deceased husband makes her very suspicious & along with Conrad & an ex colleague the trio set out to find the truth.

I absolutely loved this book! Conrad was a wonderful character who I would love to encounter again. I admired Lulu- if not her political affiliations! Overall it was a quick & highly enjoyable read & I really hope this might be the start of a series. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This was a compulsive read.

The scene setting was excellent. I could certainly picture the 'home' where Emily was and the workings of it sounded authentic. The police procedures seemed to be genuine too. So a well researched book.

I do like the idea of a cat who can talk, one you can discuss ideas with, one who is empathetic to the way you must be feeling and a useful sounding board for ideas and thoughts.

The conclusion of the book was good because it was reached in a logical way. It did not need someone to pull some important information out of the hat at the last minute. As a result it was a refreshing read and I hope the first of many.

This is a cosy, unique read. You don't have to be a cat lover, but, I'm guessing cat lovers will be the main readers.

A retired, widowed, police detective lives on a houseboat and meets a talking cat. Her much loved mother in law then dies and Lulu (the protagonist) and Conrad (the cat) begin investigations into how a reasonably healthy woman should die so suddenly.

I found it an easy read and a mixed one. In and amongst the detective story and the conversations with Conrad, there are some uncomfortable views on present day and a thread of longing for the 'good old days' and it does meander somewhat.
Overall, it's an easy, uncomplicated read. A 2* OK read from me.

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan publishing for the opportunity to preview.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (plenty of others like that out there already).

I absolutely loved this book!

This is an enjoyable easy read - with a difference! One of the main characters (who I absolutely loved!) is a very special cat named Conrad - who (without giving anything away!) helps our heroine to track down and bring to justice a very unpleasant killer.

I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the various settings, they brought the locations to life. I especially enjoyed the canalside settings, having lived by a canal many years ago.

I really like the author's writing style - not just a "bald" plot, but a fully detailed and rich view of our heroine's life.

The characters (variously nasty and nice) are well written - my especial favourite remains Conrad though!

Recommended if you enjoy authors such as Richard Osman.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

A fast and easy cosy mystery featuring a talking cat and a former police detective.

The problem with this type of novels is that they can sometimes be boring and to a certain degree predictable. Unfortunately The Cat Who Caught a Killer was just that for me: instead of being entertaining, it was just a bore to get through. ...

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Following the death of her mother-in-law, retired police superintendent Lulu and her newly acquired friend Conrad the talking calico cat suspect that all is not what it seems and investigate further. This is marketed as a cozy crime mystery, and it’s definitely a gentle story that’s easy to follow as it unfolds with no explosive or unexpected twists.

However, this definitely wasn’t for me and I had to limp through it. The author is definitely older and can’t help inserting their gripes with how sensitive and bad everyone is now and how much better things were in the Good Old Days when young people didn’t have piercings or hurt feelings on social media, or when police officers could be racist as a little jokey joke with no consequences (these examples are lifted straight from the book) - for a cosy mystery, there’s a lot of politicising on the author’s part. There’s also a lot of meandering, extensive description and praise for specific areas of London, notably Maida Vale and Little Venice, which gets repetitive and boring to read after the third consecutive mention in the same chapter.

A la Stephenie Meyer, every single action is accounted for. Lulu’s every single wardrobe change, her (long) walking routes, even the way she makes a mug of instant coffee is painstakingly recorded step by step. This adds nothing to the plot, no red herrings or clues for later reveals are part of these long winded descriptions, and it takes up so much of the word count that it makes reading this book much more of a slog than it needs to be.

I think this is a good fit for an older audience who shares the author’s more conservative values and ‘back in my day’ nostalgia. It’s easy to read if you can get through the repetitive, long winded description. However, again, it wasn’t for me and I didn’t enjoy it.

This storyline is a bizarre concept, but it works!

Lulu, a recently widowed ex-police officer, is befriended by a talking cat called Conrad.

When a relative with dementia dies suddenly Lulu is suspicious. Everyone around her seems to think she is mad for questioning things, but her ex-cop intuition niggles. With the help of the very intelligent, unusually coloured, calico cat (who only she can talk to!) she investigates the events (and people involved), leading up to the death.

A little predictable but an enjoyable read. A feline twist on the classic whodunnit. I will defintely look at cats differently from now on!

Retired police officer Lulu lost her husband Simon 3 months ago when Conrad the Calico Cat walked onto her narrow boat and her life. He also talks to her and only her.
Then her mother-in-law dies suddenly after having been fine the afternoon before when Lulu visited her in the care home where she lived as she suffered from dementia. This doesn’t sit right with the retired police officer and she and Conrad start investigating which gets them into hot water.
This is an utterly charming and heartwarming story, despite the difficult times Lulu is living through.
I could not put the book down, wanting to know what would happen next. I loved it.

Loved this book and for any cat lover and murder/mystery reader this is a must. A talking cat that comes along at just the right time and not only offers comfort but educates as to the needs of cats. A former policewoman who's husband recently died and then the sudden loss of her mother in law are too much to ignore. A brother who suddenly reappears with a greedy foreign wife, what is going on? The intrepid due, with the help of friends soon track down who is responsible then settle down to a quiet life?

I love cats and I love reading about murder (strange I know!) so even though this book is quite different to what I normally read, I thought I'd give it a go and, overall, it was pretty good.

This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent. Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.

I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.

With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery. There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.

Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.

A cosy crime mystery featuring a recently widowed detective and her talking calico cat. The story was predictable but I enjoyed the cats interactions with Lulu, his intelligent insight and detective skills. I want to read more of his adventures.

A nicely written little gem, so easy to pick up and escape into. There were no big surprises apart from the initial reveal. I enjoyed the characters and loved Conrad, and it was really interesting to take a walk around London, especially Lords. A definite recommend for anyone who enjoys cosy crime.

The star of this cozy detective novel was obviously Conrad the calico cat, who couldn’t love him and his insights into life. However as a whole the book lacked something for me. It was very predictable and I spotted the baddie straight away so unfortunately no mystery. I did enjoy the relationship between Conrad and Lulu and descriptions of life on the canal .
I’ll be interested to see how the next book in the series develops. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review

It's a pity -. but this book was definitely not for me. The two stars are for the last few chapters, which were very good indeed. Unfortunately the beginning and muddle alternated between unbelievable and downright silly! For readers wanting a light read this book may suit - just not for me.

Lulu Lewis is a recently widowed lady. She lives on a canal boat in Little Venice and visits Emily, her mother-in-law, in the care home frequently. One day Conrad the cat appears on the boat and to her surprise he talks to her. She takes him to see her mother-in-law and he comments that she has a lovely aura and apart from the Alzheimer's she is in good health.
When she goes to visit the next day, she is told that Emily passed away during the night. When she is told by her Richard, her brother-in-law that the cremation is the following Wednesday, she feels that something isn't right as Emily wanted to be buried next to her husband.
Lulu ropes an old colleague from the Police into help her and with Conrad's assistance, the truth begins to emerge.
This is a cosy mystery that is easy to read and has a believable story.