The Cat, the Professor, and the Poison by Leann Sweeney is the second book in the “Cats in Trouble” mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian (Penguin), May 2010
Between her kitty quilt-making business and her three beloved cats—Merlot, Chablis, and Syrah—Jillian Hart has her hands full. That doesn’t stop her from wanting to solve the mystery of the milk cow that’s gone missing from her friend’s farm. But imagine her surprise when a stolen cow leads to the discovery of fifty stray cats and one dead body—a victim of cold-blooded murder.
Now Jillian has an even bigger investigation on her hands. Good thing her kitties are always ready to help. With their curiosity, smarts, and talent for sniffling out rats, the three felines are bound to help Jillian and her best friend, Deputy Candace Carson, stop a killer—someone evil enough to give humans a bad name.
What I like most about this book was learning more about Jillian and her past and I especially love her friendship with Candace. When the professor is found dead and later the exterminator, the case that Jillian is looking into become more personal when she is threatened in her own home. While figuring out the clues, her stepdaughter comes to visit and her cats play a protective role in keeping Jillian safe. The mystery was good especially with some good humor and twists and turns as I kept turning the pages to see what happens next. In addition, I like the cat tidbits. This was a great read and I can’t wait to read the next book. My rating: 5 stars