Probable Claws
By Clea Simon
Poisoned Pen Press, $24.95
ISBN: 978-59058-564-1
Click here to read an interview with the author.

Life is anything but stable for freelance music writer Theda Krakow. Now that her boyfriend Bill Sherman is retired from the police and taken ownership of the music club Last Stand, Theda feels that he is intruding onto her territory without earning his dues. Her career as a music writer is indeed in flux, as she is also being offered a staff position in a more expanded column, which would curtail her freedom as a freelance journalist. Much worse, though, is the sudden poisonings of cat food that seems to be traceable back to food provided by the animal shelter headed by Theda’s friend and vet Rachel.

Things continue to go downhill from there for Theda. Rumors start linking Theda to the attractive bartender, Bill seems to spending all of his time with another young female musician and shelter volunteer, and someone's spreading lies impugning Theda’s reputation and credibility as a journalist. The worst occurs when Theda discovers Rachel's body and is arrested after its known that the two women had argued and Theda's fingerprints are found on the weapon.

Once again Simon creates an elaborate mystery that weaves the musical industry with a love of animals. The cat-punning titles belay very serious themes of drug and animal abuse and euthanasia, and Theda has become a complex character who doesn't always act in her own best interests. The one great love in Theda's life is her cat Musetta, so when her other passions — Bill and her job — are threatened, it's her furry friend she relies on most. Music, cat, and mystery lovers will rejoice in this uncute mystery series that continues to mature and evolve with its complex characters and even more interesting plots.

Review by CINDY CHOW

©2009 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.