Book Review: The Man With My Cat

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Man With My Cat     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Paul Engleman
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Political Intrigue   Cats   Humorous
St. Martin’s, Jan 2000, $23.95, 240 pp.

Phil and Frankie Mooney do not want a cat, but his father’s will forces the couple to accept Phull. However, the arrangement fails as the eight-year old tomcat sprays everything that does not move and then some. Neutering is out due to the age of the feline until their friend Pat Ryan introduces them to a vet willing to perform the surgery.

When Phil arrives to bring Phull home from the vet, the receptionist informs him that a woman has already picked up the cat. Upset because the cat is missing, the Mooneys and Pat begin to search for the abducted feline. Instead of locating Phull, they find the murdered corpse of the vet. The police suspect Phil and Pat killed the victim. Their investigation has taken on an even more ominous demeanor because prison is imminent if they fail to uncover the identity of the culprit.

Anyone who cares about cats will understand the dilemma facing the eccentric protagonists who do not want the feline, but are unable to let Phull go. THE MAN WITH MY CAT is a clever satirical mystery that guides readers through the sewage of Chicago politics. Paul Engleman has written a thought-provoking tongue-in-cheek mystery that will appeal for those who want to read about something outside the mainstream of the genre.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner