As the fog crept in with velvety paws and settled for an evening nap over San Francisco, an unlikely pair of brother and sister white cats with orange tipped ears watched a strangely attired human enter the murky waters of Mountain Lake. In its depths laid numerous golf balls from the nearby golf course and a twelve-foot long albino alligator? Did that man really know what he was doing? As the feline siblings, Isabella and her much more food- loving brother Rupert, kept watch over these strange proceedings, their person waited dubiously on the shore. Then, with a little "Mrao" from Isabelle, she knew what to do.

Not normally out so late in the night, Isabella and Rupert live in a small, yet, comfy apartment above the Green Vase, a seldom open curio and antique shop in San Francisco's historic Jackson Square that their person had inherited after her supposedly deceased uncle has willed it to her. Their owner has little need to sell things from the shop now that she has discovered that her Uncle Oscar has left her certain possessions (not always known to her) that will send her on a treasure quest with mysterious clues to solve. As his niece grapples with clues and events both large and small, her uncle has other chicken to fry (so to speak) that involve the political realm and especially over an upcoming election for interim mayor. High stakes are riding on who will be elected. Will certain shenanigans interfere with that process?

Rebecca Hale's HOW TO TAIL A CAT is the fourth book in her Cats and Curios Mystery series. It is definitely a different type of cozy mystery; full of human suspense and deception, yet is most often written from the perspective and interests of a cat's eye view with a nameless owner whose main benefit to them seems to be to get their fried chicken snacks. Isabelle is the more intelligent and strategic cat and gently nudges things along to help Oscar's niece find the important connection in her quest to the Steinhart Aquarium.

HOW TO TALE A CAT is full of quirky, yet credibly described characters, such as the Previous Mayor, Spider, Horton Fin, the Millionaire Tramp and Sam Eckles, a frog specialist. As this book was my first introduction to the series, it is quite readable as a stand-alone story; however, I am sure potential readers would really benefit from reading the previous books in the series. I look forward to enjoying the pleasure of reading those stories about these very talented cat sleuths. As the story develops, you are lead on an intriguing, but at times, confusing journey under and on the streets of San Francisco, but doubly fun for those familiar with this beautiful city. There is a cliff-hanger ending which I am sure will be revealed in the next book in the series. This is a PURR-fect treat for feline and mystery fans alike! Warning: Like cat treats, this series may prove to be addictive!

Book Summary

WHEN IS A WHITE ALLIGATOR A RED HERRING?

Okay, granted, an albino alligator on the loose in San Francisco is pretty darn exciting. But my two cats, Rupert and Isabella, and I have better things to do than tail a reptile from Nob Hill to Fisherman’s Wharf. We’re investigating the mysterious Steinhart brothers, the 1900s-era benefactors who provided the original funding for Clive the alligator’s aquarium. Follow the money, as my uncle Oscar used to say…

In the media circus surrounding Clive, one clown gets a little too close to the renegade gator—our very own aspiring mayor, Montgomery Carmichael. We’d hate to see Monty meet an undignified end, but we’re on a hunt of our own—for Uncle Oscar’s latest treasure. Of course, that’s assuming the whole thing isn’t a crock…