The Ninth Life by Clea Simon is the first book in the NEW “Blackie and Care Cat” mystery series. Publisher: Severn House Publishers, March 2016

Introducing Blackie, an unusual feline hero, and his companion Care in the first of this dark new mystery series.”

Three figures, shadowy against the light. That s all I remember from my past life, as I am dragged, dripping and half-drowned, from the flood. My saviour, a strange, pink-haired girl, is little help. She can barely care for herself, let alone the boy she loves. And although she has sworn to avenge the murder of her mentor, she must first escape the clutches of drug dealers, murderers and thieves. I would repay her kindness if I could. But we are alone in this blighted city and I am a cat.

The past is an enigma to Blackie, the voice of Clea Simon s dark new mystery. Combining elements of feline fantasy and cozy whodunit, The Ninth Life introduces this unusual hero and his companion, Care: two small creatures in a nightmarish urban landscape, fighting for their lives, and for the lives and memories of those they love.

This was interesting drama told from a different perspective, that of a cat and unlike those that I normally read. This is not a cozy so I was somewhat prepared for what was between the pages and I must say the author had a compelling way of telling a story that draws you in and maintains that level of intrigue that kept me pushing forward as I had to know how this was going to end. Blackie and Care are an unlikely duo and I liked how all the pieces, one by one, fell into places, of course with some misdirection that deepened the overall mission of this narrative.