The Black Cat Knocks on Wood

Happy Saturday!  It is the last Saturday in June.  Can you believe the month is almost over?  Next weekend is the Fourth of July! We are experiencing some rain this afternoon.  Our usual afternoon summer shower.  The one thing I do not like about the rain is that Doozy, my dog, will not go outside.  He is afraid of the rain. When I know he has to go, I have to physically drag him to the door and then shove him out (and then slam the door closed quickly). Anyone watching us gets a good laugh! 

The Black Cat Knocks on Wood by Kay Finch is the second book in A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series.   Sabrina Tate is trying to work on her new novel, but Aunt Rowe (an eccentric) and her friends are practicing for the goat tying competition.  They wish to compete at the Texas Hill Country Pro Rodeo (and maybe perform as well.  Sabrina is worried that Aunt Rowe will hurt herself (Aunt Rowe is stubborn and determined).  Sabrina also does not like the rodeo because she believes it is cruel to animals.  Sabrina rents a cottage from Aunt Rowe (Rowena Flowers) at Around-the-World Cottages.  Each cottage is decorated after a different destination (like Paris and Monte Carlo).  Pearl who owns the Sweet Stop is having some difficulties.  Pearl arranged to purchase the empty shop next door (for expanding the Sweet Stop) with Crystal Devlin (realtor) and then Crystal reneged on the deal (after Pearl gave her earnest money).  Pearl tried to talk Sabrina into loaning her Hitchcock, Sabrina’s black cat.  Pearl was hoping to give Crystal some bad luck (the town is very superstitious).  Sabrina refused Pearl’s request.  Then Sabrina receives a call from Pearl.  Pearl needs to see her right away.  When Sabrina arrives at the destination, she finds Pearl and a dead Crystal Devlin (Pearl called Sabrina instead of 911).  Then a black cat rushes out of the building and the police show up (at least someone called them).  Pearl ends up the primes suspect in Crystal’s death.  Pearl needs help and Sabrina cannot resist a good investigation (even if it will mess with her writing schedule).  Will Sabrina be able to corral the killer before Pearl ends up in the poky? 

The Black Cat Knocks on Wood was not quite as good as it sounds.  I found the book to be slow paced.  There were very few clues (not that you need them, but it is fun to find and follow them).  I found Sabrina to be a little bit of a contradiction.  She is supposed to be an animal lover and against animal cruelty (really dislikes rodeos).  But she has a cat door and lets her cat roam outside (and he manages to get into town).  The town is scared of the cat (but she takes the cat with her into town).  Why would she let it outside where someone could get a hold of it and hurt it?  I found some reactions (from townspeople) a little over-the-top.  An example is the dry cleaning lady.  When the lady opens her door and sees the black cat, she screams and slams her door!  Sabrina was a little brusque in her questioning of people (who do not even have to talk to her or answer her questions).  My favorite character was Aunt Rowe (Rowena Flowers).  I really liked her and wish she was the main character.  I think the novel would be more entertaining (just my feelings).  I give The Black Cat Knocks on Wood 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay).  I think with a little tweaking; this could be an enjoyable series.  This is the second book in A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series, but you can read it as a stand-alone.  The author does a good job of updating the reader in case they missed the first book.  Will I read the next book in the series?  I believe I will give it a try.

The first book in A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series is Black Cat Crossing. You can follow Kay Finch on Facebook. I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. 

I am off to relax for a while.  I am having a bad flare up today and can hardly move (in my lower back).  I hope everyone is having a great Saturday.  I will be back later with another review (I have more books to review than days of the month).  I am currently enjoying From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden (it is slow going).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader