sandlynn's review
3.0
Theresa Weir, who also writes as Anne Frasier, is an author I greatly enjoyed in the past for her unusual, off beat tales. Girl with the Cat Tattoo, published in 2013 definitely qualifies. This book is a novella, coming in at 160 pages. The copy of the book I have has a different cover than the one that pops up on Goodreads, and I’m glad it does since the cover with the cat on it looks a bit amateurish.
In Girl with the Cat Tattoo, we are introduced to Melody who is a children’s librarian in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area. She is also the widow of a cop who was killed in their home two years earlier. The only witness was their tuxedo cat, Max. That may seem like an odd note, but Max factors very importantly in this book. In fact, we the cat’s point-of-view almost exclusively in the beginning of this story. It takes a little getting used to, but by the end, he’s actually a fully fleshed out character who is as important as the hero and heroine.
Ever since the murder of her husband, Melody has found it difficult to return to a normal life. She does her job, comes home, and every so often she goes out, parties hardy, drinks way too much, and brings home a stranger for the night. Max is concerned and disgusted by these unwelcome guests. He misses David too but wants Melody to have a responsible man in her life who will make them both happy. So, he makes it his mission to find one for her. With that, he slips out of their house one day and, for the first time ever, leaves the yard and ventures into the world.
Before long Max is having an adventure. He makes friends with what appears to be a homeless man and tags along with him to a food bank/shelter. Once there, a shelter worker named Joe takes pity on the “homeless kitty,” feeding him. At the end of the work day, he sees that the kitty has a collar with his name and address and proceeds to take him home.
Joe seems like a nice guy and Max is cautiously optimistic that he might have succeeded in his mission, especially since Melody appears slightly flustered around this new person and Joe looks interested as well. The only thing both Melody and Max don’t know is that Joe can’t afford to be interested in Melody right now and he is not what he appears to be.
As I mentioned above, this is one heck of an unusual story structure that I was uncertain of, at first, but ultimately, I bought into it. Initially, we do not get much, if any, of the inner thoughts of either the hero or heroine. Most of the action is seen through the eyes of Max the cat. Only later, do we transition to how Melody feels about Joe and vice versa. It put me off a little at the beginning because Melody and Joe start seeing each other and Joe even starts sleeping over and we still don’t get much of their inner monologue. Things do take a turn and we learn of Joe’s reluctance to reveal much about himself, where he lives, etc. and why. And, we share Melody’s frustration over getting involved with someone who appears to be hiding something. What we do know is that Melody does not want to get involved with anyone in law enforcement and that fact is clear to Joe as well.
For 160 pages, this story does begin to pack in quite a plot. We get a bit of a who-done-it, harking back to the what and why of Melody’s husband’s death and the fall-out of that discovery which even ends up with a guest appearance by — no joke — Ellen DeGeneres! (You’ll just have to read it to see how she fits in.) For all of its charm, this story did frustrate this reader by not including more about Melody and Joe’s feelings and musings in the beginning. This could’ve been a 200 page novel, easily. Some people might not like the over focus on Max, but I felt that this was one of the few times that an animal was used well in a very substantive way in a romance novel. Truly, the cat is a character and the ending was perfect for him. I could’ve used just a page or two more to wrap up that little, charming twist. Really, Girl with the Cat Tattoo didn’t blow me away but it left a smile on my face. I’ll give it a “B”.
In Girl with the Cat Tattoo, we are introduced to Melody who is a children’s librarian in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area. She is also the widow of a cop who was killed in their home two years earlier. The only witness was their tuxedo cat, Max. That may seem like an odd note, but Max factors very importantly in this book. In fact, we the cat’s point-of-view almost exclusively in the beginning of this story. It takes a little getting used to, but by the end, he’s actually a fully fleshed out character who is as important as the hero and heroine.
Ever since the murder of her husband, Melody has found it difficult to return to a normal life. She does her job, comes home, and every so often she goes out, parties hardy, drinks way too much, and brings home a stranger for the night. Max is concerned and disgusted by these unwelcome guests. He misses David too but wants Melody to have a responsible man in her life who will make them both happy. So, he makes it his mission to find one for her. With that, he slips out of their house one day and, for the first time ever, leaves the yard and ventures into the world.
Before long Max is having an adventure. He makes friends with what appears to be a homeless man and tags along with him to a food bank/shelter. Once there, a shelter worker named Joe takes pity on the “homeless kitty,” feeding him. At the end of the work day, he sees that the kitty has a collar with his name and address and proceeds to take him home.
Joe seems like a nice guy and Max is cautiously optimistic that he might have succeeded in his mission, especially since Melody appears slightly flustered around this new person and Joe looks interested as well. The only thing both Melody and Max don’t know is that Joe can’t afford to be interested in Melody right now and he is not what he appears to be.
As I mentioned above, this is one heck of an unusual story structure that I was uncertain of, at first, but ultimately, I bought into it. Initially, we do not get much, if any, of the inner thoughts of either the hero or heroine. Most of the action is seen through the eyes of Max the cat. Only later, do we transition to how Melody feels about Joe and vice versa. It put me off a little at the beginning because Melody and Joe start seeing each other and Joe even starts sleeping over and we still don’t get much of their inner monologue. Things do take a turn and we learn of Joe’s reluctance to reveal much about himself, where he lives, etc. and why. And, we share Melody’s frustration over getting involved with someone who appears to be hiding something. What we do know is that Melody does not want to get involved with anyone in law enforcement and that fact is clear to Joe as well.
For 160 pages, this story does begin to pack in quite a plot. We get a bit of a who-done-it, harking back to the what and why of Melody’s husband’s death and the fall-out of that discovery which even ends up with a guest appearance by — no joke — Ellen DeGeneres! (You’ll just have to read it to see how she fits in.) For all of its charm, this story did frustrate this reader by not including more about Melody and Joe’s feelings and musings in the beginning. This could’ve been a 200 page novel, easily. Some people might not like the over focus on Max, but I felt that this was one of the few times that an animal was used well in a very substantive way in a romance novel. Truly, the cat is a character and the ending was perfect for him. I could’ve used just a page or two more to wrap up that little, charming twist. Really, Girl with the Cat Tattoo didn’t blow me away but it left a smile on my face. I’ll give it a “B”.
jasmyn9's review
5.0
I feel in love with Max after the first line:
"Max had been a cat as long as he could remember, but he was pretty sure he'd been a rock star in one of his previous lives."
That just about sums up Max's personality. He is an amazing character, and half the book is told from his perspective. The only thing he loved more than himself was Melody, and he figured she needed a man and he was the perfect person (errr cat) to help her find one. So off he goes and has quite an adventure, bringing it home to share with Melody.
Melody is a very quirky and unusual person. She's a children's librarian and is often caught out whilst dressed in costume for that day's story time. Max is the current love of her life and when he goes off for his wander she gets very upset and worried. It was awesome to watch the two of them related to each other and at times lovingly completely misunderstand each other as well.
There is more than just a fun cat and a quirky girl in this or it wouldn't be much of a romance. The romance brings with it just a touch of drama and secrecy that comes very close to ruining the whole thing, but somehow Max jumps in a saves the day again.
As a novella you could fly through this book in one sitting, and I recommend doing it that way because you won't want to put it down. While Max is definitely the life of the party here, the romance is also beautiful.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/10/review-girl-with-cat-tattoo-cool-cats-1.html#sthash.4qqCvZbZ.dpuf
"Max had been a cat as long as he could remember, but he was pretty sure he'd been a rock star in one of his previous lives."
That just about sums up Max's personality. He is an amazing character, and half the book is told from his perspective. The only thing he loved more than himself was Melody, and he figured she needed a man and he was the perfect person (errr cat) to help her find one. So off he goes and has quite an adventure, bringing it home to share with Melody.
Melody is a very quirky and unusual person. She's a children's librarian and is often caught out whilst dressed in costume for that day's story time. Max is the current love of her life and when he goes off for his wander she gets very upset and worried. It was awesome to watch the two of them related to each other and at times lovingly completely misunderstand each other as well.
There is more than just a fun cat and a quirky girl in this or it wouldn't be much of a romance. The romance brings with it just a touch of drama and secrecy that comes very close to ruining the whole thing, but somehow Max jumps in a saves the day again.
As a novella you could fly through this book in one sitting, and I recommend doing it that way because you won't want to put it down. While Max is definitely the life of the party here, the romance is also beautiful.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/10/review-girl-with-cat-tattoo-cool-cats-1.html#sthash.4qqCvZbZ.dpuf
ccgwalt's review
4.0
We all need a bit of whimsy in our lives, and The Girl with the Cat Tattoo is guaranteed to add it. I wasn't sure about getting so much of the book from the cat's POV, but I love Max's voice. He isn't a person in a cat suit, he's so cat-like! Weir gets cats. ;-) Max's perspective on things is often a bit off and almost always funny. Being a novella, the character development isn't a deep as I'd like, but still good. The slight suspense story is interesting, but it's the romance that predominates. What steals the show is Max's sometimes wise and sometimes totally off-based way of viewing things.
Recommended for anyone wanting a light, fun romance with a decidedly different POV. Also recommended for anyone needing a smile today.
Recommended for anyone wanting a light, fun romance with a decidedly different POV. Also recommended for anyone needing a smile today.
nogenreleftbehind's review
5.0
I feel in love with Max after the first line:
"Max had been a cat as long as he could remember, but he was pretty sure he'd been a rock star in one of his previous lives."
That just about sums up Max's personality. He is an amazing character, and half the book is told from his perspective. The only thing he loved more than himself was Melody, and he figured she needed a man and he was the perfect person (errr cat) to help her find one. So off he goes and has quite an adventure, bringing it home to share with Melody.
Melody is a very quirky and unusual person. She's a children's librarian and is often caught out whilst dressed in costume for that day's story time. Max is the current love of her life and when he goes off for his wander she gets very upset and worried. It was awesome to watch the two of them related to each other and at times lovingly completely misunderstand each other as well.
There is more than just a fun cat and a quirky girl in this or it wouldn't be much of a romance. The romance brings with it just a touch of drama and secrecy that comes very close to ruining the whole thing, but somehow Max jumps in a saves the day again.
As a novella you could fly through this book in one sitting, and I recommend doing it that way because you won't want to put it down. While Max is definitely the life of the party here, the romance is also beautiful.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/10/review-girl-with-cat-tattoo-cool-cats-1.html#sthash.4qqCvZbZ.dpuf
"Max had been a cat as long as he could remember, but he was pretty sure he'd been a rock star in one of his previous lives."
That just about sums up Max's personality. He is an amazing character, and half the book is told from his perspective. The only thing he loved more than himself was Melody, and he figured she needed a man and he was the perfect person (errr cat) to help her find one. So off he goes and has quite an adventure, bringing it home to share with Melody.
Melody is a very quirky and unusual person. She's a children's librarian and is often caught out whilst dressed in costume for that day's story time. Max is the current love of her life and when he goes off for his wander she gets very upset and worried. It was awesome to watch the two of them related to each other and at times lovingly completely misunderstand each other as well.
There is more than just a fun cat and a quirky girl in this or it wouldn't be much of a romance. The romance brings with it just a touch of drama and secrecy that comes very close to ruining the whole thing, but somehow Max jumps in a saves the day again.
As a novella you could fly through this book in one sitting, and I recommend doing it that way because you won't want to put it down. While Max is definitely the life of the party here, the romance is also beautiful.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/10/review-girl-with-cat-tattoo-cool-cats-1.html#sthash.4qqCvZbZ.dpuf
setaian's review
4.0
Tired of her owner, Melody bringing men into their home for no-strings sex, Max, her cat, decides it's time to intervene and find her a new partner. Someone who can replace her husband who was murdered two years earlier.
Exploring the neighborhood, he comes across Joe working at a homeless shelter and decides he is the man for Melody. But after bringing him home he quickly discovers that a new man for Melody means less attention for him.
Girl with the Cat Tattoo is a quick and cute love story about a woman, a man and a cat. 103 pages so don't expect too much character development but it's pretty good fun, and hey, what's not to like about a heroine who is a librarian.
Buddy read with Michelle, Michelle, Michele, Stacia and Vicki.
Exploring the neighborhood, he comes across Joe working at a homeless shelter and decides he is the man for Melody. But after bringing him home he quickly discovers that a new man for Melody means less attention for him.
Girl with the Cat Tattoo is a quick and cute love story about a woman, a man and a cat. 103 pages so don't expect too much character development but it's pretty good fun, and hey, what's not to like about a heroine who is a librarian.
Buddy read with Michelle, Michelle, Michele, Stacia and Vicki.
rebar351's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book especially having the book in a cats perspective. Made as hilarious and I really liked the mystery aspect of the book as well. It was a very quick read. I think there needs to be a second book from Max's perspective. I would definitely recommend this book :)
lovelifeandbeyond's review
2.0
I don't usually read romance novels, but I have read and liked some - this was not one of them. It's a little too cutesy with a clumsy suspense angle to it.
I read it for the cat!
I read it for the cat!
melarsen57's review
3.0
Very cute very fast read little romance/mystery with Max the cat as a lead character. Enjoyed it!