A Case of the Claws - Review

A Case of the Claws: Classic Tales of Feline Crime by Catherine Aird

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A charming collection of festive morsels of suspense featuring our feline friends.

‘A Case of the Claws’ is a short story collection of Christmas mysteries in the tradition of cosy crime fiction, collecting four stories by four leading crime writers, each an entertaining, well-written tale with a shared theme – the narrative is led by our clawed feline familiars, demonstrating their unique brand of crime-fighting.

In “The Trinity Cat”, Ellis Peters recounts how a vagabond, somewhat adopted by Holy Trinity Church and neighbours, leads police straight to a murderer’s door when one of his benefactors is brutally murdered; Patricia Highsmith follows with “Ming’s Biggest Prey” – a battle of wills between Ming and his mistress’ cruel boyfriend who is intent on his demise; “Touch Not the Cat” by Catherine Aird tells how a cat’s futile attempts to save his human parent’s life nevertheless provides crucial forensic value; and, finally, Edmund Crispin’s “The Hunchback Cat” presents a fireside locked room mystery with a flourish of feline psychology.

A delightful selection of short, razor-sharp tales, ‘A Case of the Claws’ is an entertaining treat for the festive season, celebrating our favourite furry companions, and perfect for enjoying during a wintry afternoon or evening.



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