Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed The Cat Sitter's Cradle (Dixie Hemingway, Bk 8) on + 1474 more book reviews
Fun cozy mystery in the "Cat Sitter" series. This time, Dixie is dealing with a dead body in a swimming pool and an apparent undocumented alien who just gave birth in a local park.
Leanne D. (eclecticmusicmama) reviewed The Cat Sitter's Cradle (Dixie Hemingway, Bk 8) on + 426 more book reviews
I read this book with a bit of a broken heart when I learned that Blaize had passed away in 2011. We are fortunate to have her son, John, helping to complete his Mom's work.
Another great book set on Siesta Key...enjoy!
Another great book set on Siesta Key...enjoy!
Richard M. (algernon99) -
This has been a great series from the beginning. I was really worried, however, because the author, Blaize Clement, died. Her son John took over; this is the first book he has written in the series. This is a very nervous time for all of us who love Dixie Hemingway and her friends.
I'm happy to report that this book, at least, carries on the tradition in an acceptable way. Dixie is still Dixie, mostly.
Now, a few observations. I had a little trouble with the plotting and pace. I was OK until maybe page 170 or thereabouts, when some startling and--for me, at least--extremely unlikely things are revealed. The kind of thing that makes you roll your eyes and think, "Oh, come on!" As I read on, there were a few more of these hard-to-swallow events.
Also, as all cozy readers know, there will be times when the heroine does something foolhardy and dangerous. The best writers somehow make you willing to suspend your disbelief and go along with the story without realizing that you shouldn't really believe all this. In this one, I was definitely aware that I shouldn't be believing that Dixie was really doing something stupid.
It occurred to me that perhaps one reason that the "I-really-shouldn't-be-doing-this-but-I'm-going-to-go ahead-anyway" moments here were not convincing is that they were written by a man. Dixie's thoughts were subtly more masculine than feminine. Maybe.
At any rate, I had to roll my eyes occasionally and force myself to go on with the story a few times. After doing so, the mystery comes together relatively well. And since I'm a man and wouldn't recognize the way a woman thinks under any circumstances, perhaps Dixie's thinking bothers me a bit because it seems more like the way I might think. Maybe.
Bottom line: If you like the previous stories, read this one, too. It may not be as seamlessly wonderful as the other books, but it's still fun.
I'm happy to report that this book, at least, carries on the tradition in an acceptable way. Dixie is still Dixie, mostly.
Now, a few observations. I had a little trouble with the plotting and pace. I was OK until maybe page 170 or thereabouts, when some startling and--for me, at least--extremely unlikely things are revealed. The kind of thing that makes you roll your eyes and think, "Oh, come on!" As I read on, there were a few more of these hard-to-swallow events.
Also, as all cozy readers know, there will be times when the heroine does something foolhardy and dangerous. The best writers somehow make you willing to suspend your disbelief and go along with the story without realizing that you shouldn't really believe all this. In this one, I was definitely aware that I shouldn't be believing that Dixie was really doing something stupid.
It occurred to me that perhaps one reason that the "I-really-shouldn't-be-doing-this-but-I'm-going-to-go ahead-anyway" moments here were not convincing is that they were written by a man. Dixie's thoughts were subtly more masculine than feminine. Maybe.
At any rate, I had to roll my eyes occasionally and force myself to go on with the story a few times. After doing so, the mystery comes together relatively well. And since I'm a man and wouldn't recognize the way a woman thinks under any circumstances, perhaps Dixie's thinking bothers me a bit because it seems more like the way I might think. Maybe.
Bottom line: If you like the previous stories, read this one, too. It may not be as seamlessly wonderful as the other books, but it's still fun.
Warning, spoilers later in review. It's good that John has taken over his mother's legacy--her series was one of my favorites. He's changed them, however, into a mere reflection of the earlier novels. The books have lost Dixie's voice.
This is partly due to the new author not having the depth of knowledge his mother had about animals and the setting, and his word choices concerning the animals are odd--such as describing a Siamese cat as fluffy when they are known for short, sleek hair (no undercoat). Nor does Charlotte the cat have other Siamese traits that could have added humor or depth to the story. And what's with taking the food away if the cat won't eat it? Some cats would be taking out the frustration on the curtains!
Several reviewers over at Amazon have praised his seamless adoption of his mother's work, but I detect plenty of seams. His info dumps when he adds in information that has been established in previous books (Billy Elliot, her breakfasts, the white Keds) are a bit intrusive. But they must be handy, as it would be a much shorter book if they were taken out.
I also feel that he makes Dixie make stupid choices to move the plot along. Her decisions are not as nuanced as they were in previous books. She does not react as a former police officer would.
His tale leaves lots of loose ends, which may or may not be addressed in the next volume. He also has some really implausible plot bits--such as a man who takes over someone's identity, files taxes under that name/SS number, and then assumes the other man will not question it when he gets notified he paid his taxes twice--for twenty years? There are several severe flaws in that whole scenario, not to mention what the IRS would think or do.
I have a half dozen similar points but I will cut this short and say if another of these sequels should fall into my hands I will read it, but I won't search the titles out the way I did before. And I sure miss Blaize.
This is partly due to the new author not having the depth of knowledge his mother had about animals and the setting, and his word choices concerning the animals are odd--such as describing a Siamese cat as fluffy when they are known for short, sleek hair (no undercoat). Nor does Charlotte the cat have other Siamese traits that could have added humor or depth to the story. And what's with taking the food away if the cat won't eat it? Some cats would be taking out the frustration on the curtains!
Several reviewers over at Amazon have praised his seamless adoption of his mother's work, but I detect plenty of seams. His info dumps when he adds in information that has been established in previous books (Billy Elliot, her breakfasts, the white Keds) are a bit intrusive. But they must be handy, as it would be a much shorter book if they were taken out.
I also feel that he makes Dixie make stupid choices to move the plot along. Her decisions are not as nuanced as they were in previous books. She does not react as a former police officer would.
His tale leaves lots of loose ends, which may or may not be addressed in the next volume. He also has some really implausible plot bits--such as a man who takes over someone's identity, files taxes under that name/SS number, and then assumes the other man will not question it when he gets notified he paid his taxes twice--for twenty years? There are several severe flaws in that whole scenario, not to mention what the IRS would think or do.
I have a half dozen similar points but I will cut this short and say if another of these sequels should fall into my hands I will read it, but I won't search the titles out the way I did before. And I sure miss Blaize.
Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed The Cat Sitter's Cradle (Dixie Hemingway, Bk 8) on + 451 more book reviews
This is the 8th in the Dixie Hemingway series.
Another pet sitting job and another dead client, Dixie is always getting mixed up in murder.
This book is different compared to her other books. It was hard to get into and the Dixie character has changed. I did not enjoy this book like I did her others. The true murderer is well hidden in the book.
Dixie Hemingway Mysteries
1. Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter (2005)
2. Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund (2007)
3. Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues (2008)
4. Cat Sitter On a Hot Tin Roof (2009)
5. Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs (2010)
6. Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons (2011)
7. The Cat Sitter's Pajamas (2012)
8. The Cat Sitter's Cradle (2013) by John Clement, Blaize Clement (1932 - 2011)
9. The Cat Sitter's Nine Lives A Mystery (2014) by John Clement, Blaize Clement (1932 - 2011)
Another pet sitting job and another dead client, Dixie is always getting mixed up in murder.
This book is different compared to her other books. It was hard to get into and the Dixie character has changed. I did not enjoy this book like I did her others. The true murderer is well hidden in the book.
Dixie Hemingway Mysteries
1. Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter (2005)
2. Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund (2007)
3. Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues (2008)
4. Cat Sitter On a Hot Tin Roof (2009)
5. Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs (2010)
6. Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons (2011)
7. The Cat Sitter's Pajamas (2012)
8. The Cat Sitter's Cradle (2013) by John Clement, Blaize Clement (1932 - 2011)
9. The Cat Sitter's Nine Lives A Mystery (2014) by John Clement, Blaize Clement (1932 - 2011)
Anne J. (boatcml) reviewed The Cat Sitter's Cradle (Dixie Hemingway, Bk 8) on + 20 more book reviews
action packed from beginning to end
