Book 70, 2020

Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs by Blaize Clement

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Late last night I finished the book Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs by Blaize Clement. It's the 5th installment in her "Dixie Hemingway" mystery series, but only the second book in the series I've read. Main character is Dixie, former police officer and current pet sitter.

At the vet's office to pick up a client's parrot, Dixie encounters Jaz, an anxious teen who's in tears because her stepfather ran over a rabbit. Dixie can't help but feel something is off about the pair. Later, while taking care of the parrot at its owner's home, three young toughs accost Dixie and demand to know where Jaz is. Now Dixie's curiosity is roused, but that's not the only drama going on in her life. Her brother's boyfriend, Paco, has disappeared on an undercover assignment, leaving Michael melancholy and fearful for Paco's safety. On top of that, a childhood friend of Dixie's comes to her, asking for help. Maureen's husband, Victor, has been abducted, and she claims the kidnappers are demanding one million dollars in ransom. Dixie finds herself unwittingly drawn into Maureen's chaos, while trying to find Jaz, who has also disappeared. But, if there's one thing Dixie is good at, it's following clues and finding answers.

Enjoyable, engrossing story. Dixie is a compelling character. Life has beaten her down, leaving her cautious and guarded. She retains her big heart and her compassion for others, however, which is why she keeps getting involved in situations that don't really involve her. I admire her tenacity and her dry wit. The book featured a well-crafted plot that included Dixie's day-to-day routine, along with her sleuthing. Some things I figured out, others caught me by surprise.

Favorite lines:
♦ Heads of warring nations could learn a lot about how to achieve lasting peace by watching dogs and cats who live in the same house.
♦ In his striped cotton robe and wire-rimmed round glasses, he looked like a grown-up Harry Potter.
♦ ...trying to get a cat to swallow a pill can cause strong men to break down and weep.
♦ "It's not the heat, it's the stupidity."
♦ I'll bet sometimes after she talks to certain guests, Oprah goes backstage and hollers into a wadded-up towel.
♦ Chocolate brings out the hog in me.

Very good book, four stars.