Sleight of Paw: A Magical Cats Mystery by Sofie Kelly

                 I must say, now that I have read the second book in the Magical Cats Mysteries, I am really disappointed I did not continue with this series earlier.  While I enjoyed the first book, the second is far better.  Not only does it flow better, but all of the characters seem to be getting settled into who they are.  These advancements made this book a great joy to read, and I eagerly await the next.

                Kathleen Paulson is really starting to settle into here new life in Minnesota.  She has a home, two magical cats, good friends, and even a love interest.  While Kathleen would deny the love interest part, all in all, she is truly becoming part of the town.

                She isn’t fully there yet, though.  There are still people and things Kathleen does not know about having not grown up in the town.  One of those people is the elderly Agatha Shepherd.  When Agatha is found dead, it is clear Kathleen is from somewhere else because she is one of the few people that needs to learn who Agatha is.  A woman held in high esteem, she is a person who helped children realize their true potential.  That is why it’s such a mystery as to why someone would want to hurt Agatha, much less kill her.  It isn’t until Kathleen starts to investigate the murder that she realizes all is not as it seems with Agatha.  There is a secret about her that practically no one knows, not even the ones that have known her for years.  To make matters even more difficult for Kathleen, the few people that do know the secret are keeping firmly quiet.

                On the surface, it might seem odd that Kathleen is investigating the murder.  Unlike last time, Kathleen did not find the body and does not need to clear her name.  Her friend Ruby, however, is in the predicament this time.  Ruby found the body, and very quickly she becomes the main suspect.  This does not sit at all well with Kathleen, and she sets out to prove the police wrong.

                As I mentioned earlier, this book had more flow and character development than the first.  When I think about it, though, that should not be a surprise.  In the second book, the initial introductions are over and the author can concentrate more fully on who each character is.  Two characters I especially like and would love to see more of are Harrison and his son Harry Jr.  Harrison is a sweet old man, and his son, Harry Jr., is just as kind-hearted.  Sadly, according to Kathleen’s magical cats and Harrison himself, he is dying.  I really hope Harrison and the cats are wrong, because I would be truly sad to see him go.