The Cat, The Vagabond and The Victim by Leann Sweeney is the sixth book in the “Cats in Trouble” mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, August 2014

Heir of the cat…

When Clyde the cat travels two hundred miles back home only to find his former owner dead, the story makes national news. While everyone seems eager to tell Clyde’s incredible tale, someone needs to step up to care for him. Because the media attention is creating chaos at the local shelter, cat quilter Jillian Hart agrees to foster the loyal orange tabby, hoping his location is kept secret.

But while the media circus around Clyde continues, Jillian learns the real story behind his owner’s death—he was murdered. Why would an eldery man already dying from a serious illness become a murder victim? As the local police search for an answer, Clyde makes another escape. Jillian is drawn into the case when she finds Clyde has returned to his home again—and he’s found another body. When the motive behind these murders is finally revealed, Jillian understands Clyde is in danger of becoming the next victim, and she must help find the killer before the claws really come out.

Leann continues to deliver a dynamic and light whodunit that always leaves me filled with warmth towards a diverse cast of characters that engaged and entertained me from the first page to a finale that I wanted to re-live over and over again. The tone was very comfortable and refreshing and I liked how easily the chapters flowed from one scene to the next in this mystery were the suspects were few with some surprises that culminated in an ending that picked up speed as the story came to a close. The small town atmosphere adds to the warmth of this character-driven drama as well as the dialogue between Jillian and those she encounters. This is the best one yet and I’m thrilled there is another book forthcoming in this delightfully charming series.