Book Review: Borrowed Crime by Laurie Cass

In Laurie Cass' third book in the Bookmobile Cat Mysteries, Eddie the cat and his human, librarian Minnie Hamilton are cruising the streets in their bookmobile. It is almost winter, and Minnie is concerned with funding in keeping her pet project, the bookmobile, running. Things take a turn for the worst when a volunteer on the bookmobile is shot. 

When it comes to cozy cats there are some really cute, intelligent cats. My favorite cozy cats include Diesel from the Cats in the Stacks Mysteries by Miranda James, Hamlet in the Black Cat Bookshop Mysteries by Ali Brandon and of course Koko & Yum Yum from the Cat Who Mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun. So needless to say Eddie has a lot of stiff competition when it comes to making it into my top group of adorable and smart kitties residing in the pages of cozy mysteries. Eddie, with his "mrr"s and his way of having a conversation with Minnie and her Aunt, has wormed his way into my heart, and I love watching his antics on the bookmobile and how he reacts with all the librarian patrons. He truly is adorable!

Together with Minnie, Eddie gets down to the business of detecting in this latest Bookmobile Cat Mystery. Our poor deceased is a sweet, pleasant man, who Eddie adores on first sight, so why would he be the victim of a senseless crime? As Minnie starts to investigate it appears that there is more than meets the eye. 

I liked getting to know Minnie, her Aunt and Eddie, and all the other patrons in the library and town. Laurie has created a eclectic mix of characters, that are fun to watch as they interact, and some going out their way to make her life difficult, like library director, Stephen. It all adds up to a very enjoyable setting for this mystery, and one I enjoyed immensely.

I have a preference for mysteries with a library setting and cats, so naturally this was a home run for me. However, I think with Eddie's adorableness, penchant to try to get more snacks, and Minnie's determination to solve the crime, this duo will win over even those that don't like cats. Borrowed Crime is a first-class mystery and one that readers will enjoy immensely.  If you haven't picked up this series, I strongly recommend starting with Lending a Paw, book 1. However, these read so well as a standalone as well, that it would be quite okay to start with her latest book, Borrowed Crime.

Check out Borrowed Crime by Laurie Cass on Amazon.