Mysterious, intelligent and clever, cats make perfect characters for the modern cozy mystery. Sometimes they sit on the sidelines watching the sleuth puzzle out the clues, other times they take an active role by helping to paw through the evidence. Some of them even have their own chapters where they investigate crimes on their own. But no matter what role they play, cats add a whimsical air of coziness to any mystery.
Why do mysteries with cats have such appeal? It’s simple. As anyone who has ever been adopted by a cat will attest, cats are inquisitive and stealthy, never hesitating to dip their claws into dangerous situations. These are all qualities that make them the perfect detectives. And what cat lover hasn’t wanted to be able to communicate with their cat and foster a closer bond?
Having spent hours myself trying to figure out what my cat was thinking, it seemed only natural to write mysteries from a cat’s point of view. By channeling my inner feline, I thought I might be able to discover the hidden meaning behind the seemingly bizarre behaviors which we mere humans are not enlightened enough to understand.
Disappointingly, my fictional felines have not revealed why cats love to lay on the keyboard or knock things off the shelf, unless it is to point their human in the direction of a lead. Indeed, cats are well suited to sniffing out clues, especially with their heightened senses and ability to sneak into places that human sleuths might not be able to get to. In many books, the cat’s superior intellect is the very thing that points the human detective in the right direction.
Not only do cats make great sidekicks because of their uncanny ability to solve crimes, they are also marvelous companions and provide a sounding board for our human characters to talk out the clues and, thus, a more interesting way to keep the reader informed. Cats are also usually quite witty, so when the story is told from their point of view or when they can actually talk to people, it adds a nice element of humor.
I think cats are essential for a cozy mystery and I pen several series that feature them. Some of my favorite chapters to write are the ones from my feline sleuth’s point of view. In my upcoming book, A Twist in the Tail, a pair of four-pawed detectives, guesthouse cats Nero and Marlowe, help their owner find the murderer of her first guest. This turns out to be no easy task, especially when several of the residents are harboring deep secrets.
Given all the elements that cats add to mysteries, it’s no wonder that many series have been written that feature felines. Below are some of my favorite cozy mystery series that provide a glimpse into the fascinating world of feline detectives.
The Cat Who Series by Lilian Jackson Braun
Just as charming today as it was when the first book appeared over fifty years ago, this series features one of the most beloved cat pairs in cozies—Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. The pair join humble millionaire reporter Jim Qwilleran in a series of small-town mysteries that spans twenty-nine books and counting. The series contains the world’s most innocent romance between Qwill and Polly and lots of small-town charm. When Koko lets out one of his ear-piercing meows and Qwill’s mustache tingles, you know you’ll be in for a good read.
The Midnight Louie Mysteries by Carole Nelson Douglas
Snarky hard-boiled feline sleuth Midnight Louie has always been a favorite of mine. The series, set in Las Vegas, gives a fresh twist on cozies and somehow maintains a small-town feel even in the big city. Midnight Louie’s thoughts are hilariously interspersed in the chapters as he goes about helping his human sleuth, PR freelancer Temple Barr. Add a mysterious magician as a love interest to the mix and these books have the perfect smidge of romance mixed in with the mystery.
Mrs. Murphy Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
You know a series is going to be good when the author pen’s the books with her cat and this one does not disappoint. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountain Town of Crozet, Virginia, this series oozes with quirky characters and country charm that makes you feel like you are part of the community. I love that it has three animals sleuths; felines Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Tee Tucker the Corgi help their human Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen solve these puzzling small town murders.
Joe Grey Mystery Series by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
This series is fun as it has most of the action from the perspective of feline investigator Joe Grey as he and his clever cat friends solve crimes in the seaside village of Molena Point, California. The mysteries are twisty and fast paced. This series plays heavily on the cats who have their own paths for character growth as the series progresses. It’s interesting to see the personalities of the feline sleuths change along with those of their humans.
Magical Cats by Sofie Kelly
This series features a combination of cozy favorites—a librarian, a small town, and cats. In this series, librarian Kathleen Paulson solves mysteries with her two adopted cats, Hercules and Owen, in the fictional town of Mayville Heights, Minnesota. When Kathleen first moves to town and adopts Hercules and Owen, she never imagines just how special the two felines are. These are classic whodunits in a small-town setting made more interesting by the addition of the two cats who have certain magical abilities that help in procuring clues.
Second Chance Cat Mysteries by Sofie Ryan
In my mind, any series set in Maine is going to be a great read and, in fact, I set a lot of my own mysteries there. This series set in North Harbor Maine features the owner of a second-hand shop, Sarah Grayson, and her big black rescue cat, Elvis. Adding a fun twist to the mix, a group of senior citizens runs an amateur detective service out of the shop, providing plenty of opportunities for Sarah and Elvis to get involved in mysteries. It’s funny, suspenseful and a great series of puzzling mysteries.
Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James
Librarians and cats go together like onion dip and Ruffles, and this series has both. Set in Athena, Mississippi, librarian widower Charlie Harris and his Maine coon Diesel solve crimes with a dash of southern charm. Complete with quirky characters and lots of suspects, this popular series is a real page turner. Whether Charlie and Diesel are solving crimes in their small college town or on vacation, readers will love the classic whodunits and charming interaction between man and cat.
***
