The Bengal Identity by Eileen Watkins is the second book in the “Cat Groomer” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington Books, March 27, 2018

Everyone knows a leopard can’t change its spots. But can a thief hide the spots on a catnapped Bengal? Groomer Cassie McGlone is about to find out.

With no ID for his pet, an agitated young man shows up at Cassie’s Comfy Cats claiming his house has burned down and he needs to board his big, brown cat, Ayesha. But after a bath washes dye out of the cat’s coat and reveals beautiful spots, Cassie suspects the exotic-looking feline may in fact be a valuable Bengal show cat, possibly stolen. At the same time, there are rumored sightings of a “wild cat” in the hills of Chadwick, New Jersey. Could there be a connection?

When Ayesha’s alleged owner turns up dead, it looks like whoever wants the beautiful Bengal is not pussyfooting around. Working with the police, Cassie and her staff need to be careful not to reveal the purloined purebred’s whereabouts while they discreetly make inquiries to cat breeders to find her real owners. But after a break-in attempt rattles Cassie’s cage, it’s clear someone let the cat out of the bag. And when a second body is found, it’s up to Cassie to spot the killer, who may be grooming her to be the next victim.

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This was an enjoyable whodunit that had a comfortable tone and the pacing was on par with how well this story was told. A disguised cat, a dead body or two and someone wanting said cat, all played a factor in this engaging whodunit. The author did a great job in providing plenty of suspects and clues littered throughout the telling of this tale. The multi-plot drama held me captive as I had to know what happens next with Ayesha’s identity, Cassie’s search for a killer, and more situations that included Mark and a wild cat running afoot. Everyone played pivotal roles that enhanced my reading pleasure. A great read and I look forward to the next book in this wonderful series.

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FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the author.