ISBN: 0-812-86634-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
Another, more intimate and intense, entry in the humorous Midnight Louie mysteries, this novel alternates a human and a cat narrator, a number of zany characters, perplexing relationships and perilous conspiracies.
Reviewed by David on December 31, 1998
Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth, Cat, Humor)
Synopsis: In this New Year mystery, Temple Barr, a short, curious and energetic PR consultant for a Las Vegas casino, is stressed by her relationship with the two men in her life, and is imperiled by their old enemies.
A dead body is discovered by Temple's dignified cat, Midnight Louie, and his impertinent daughter Midnight Louise. Temple's investigation into the death, as well as her nemesis', the police lieutenant Molina, becomes urgent when the corpse turns out to be connected to both of Temple's rival romantic interests. The handsome and deceptively innocent ex-priest Matt Devine overcomes his hidden rage, and is punished for his good deed. The elusive magician Max is hunted by his own past involvement in international intrigue. However, it is Temple, the bystander, who becomes the true target of their enemies.
In the meantime, Louie tries to help his human roommate, and comes too close to both romance and danger.
Full Review: Carole Nelson Douglas is the author of several fantasy, science fiction and mystery books, including the pleasant series starting with Six of Swords, and Probe. This is another of her Midnight Louie mysteries, a book where Temple Barr and her tomcat alternate as narrators. The series started with Catnap.
The red-haired, diminutive and perky Barr, who loathes the adjective "cute" when applied to her person and any part thereof, is torn between her growing love for the blond, angelic Matt, and her once (and hopefully future) relationship with the dark and mysterious Max. This book, more than the previous in the series, concentrates on the heroes: Temple, her two men and the police lieutenant Molina. From the emotionally wrenching attempts to clarify her relationship with the two men, to the deadly danger from Matt's and Max's enemies, Temple is harrowed in this installment. Although still somewhat humorous, this episode is noticeably more intimate and darker in tone. Hidden depths are revealed in the steely Molina, and the mystifying Max becomes clearer about his motives. This is an ambiguous development. While this mystery gathers many threads from the past books, and develops many characters, the dark, and frankly melodramatic tone jars slightly the humorous, madcap tone set by the previous books.
This novel would definitely benefit by being read after the previous ones. While there is a (slightly awkward) recapitulation of the past, the reader would not appreciate the revelations in the book nearly as much without having experienced the characters of Matt, Max and Molina in previous episodes.
The feisty and intelligent heroine, combined with the hectic pace and humorous tone, make this an enjoyable read. However, I would strongly recommend starting with one of the previous Midnight Louie mysteries, before continuing with this one. There are enough threads left untied for one or more sequels as well.
Overall: 6.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1998, Tom Doherty Associates (Forge), November 1998, Cloth, 383 pages
ISBN: 0-812-86634-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com