Review: Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit

Ace freelance PR woman Temple Barr is miffed when she learns that she hasn’t got the spot as chief flak for Teen Queen, the hot new reality TV show that’s about to start filming in Las Vegas. But what really gets her knickers in a twist is having Lieutenant C. R. Molina come knocking at her door looking for a favour. Molina’s daughter, barely-13-year-old Mariah, has been accepted as a Teen Queen contestant. What has the lieutenant concerned is not the potential damage to her daughter’s tender self-esteem but the very real threat of physical harm. Someone has been leaving mutilated Barbie dolls around town in a blatant threat against the show’s contestants and producers. Molina wants petite Temple to go undercover on the show to keep an eye on Mariah.

So donning a black wig to cover her ravishing red locks and punk gear to disguise the rest of her, Temple becomes 19-year-old goth gal Xoe Chloe Ozone. Meanwhile, her disappearing significant other, Max Kinsella, continues in his pursuit of The Synth, that mysterious cabal of magicians, and her on-off love interest, ex-priest Matt Devine, pursues his own past. Luckily, Temple still has one protector: that tough-talking furry dude, Midnight Louie, who’s determined to keep his “doll” safe from all harm.

I have a real soft spot for the Midnight Louie series. They’re fun and frothy, but they always have something of an edge. Call it a velvet knife, if you will. Or perhaps velvet-covered claws. In any case, Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit manages to take digs at reality TV, American Idol, and the youth-and-beauty-obsessed culture of North America, all without losing sight of the (admittedly rather thin) plot.

Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit actually ends up being more of a character piece than usual. Molina, who usually just shows up to torment Temple, is shown to be much more than simply an antagonist. And Temple herself shows more sides than I’ve seen in previous instalments. I will admit to missing Max quite a bit, though.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Catherine Thompson - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.