5 Stars for "The Super Spies and the Cat Lady KIller" from Ella

The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer is a delightful YA mystery which has kept me entranced right from the very beginning. Yes, I know I hardly qualify as the target audience for this novel, but I forget my age when I read books. In many ways, The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer is like Harry Potter without wands.

The descriptions were perfect – not too much, but good enough to form a clear picture. I could see the ugly ‘face’ of the Cat Lady’s house, the willow with its drooping branches and the creek flowing nearby. The action moved smoothly on, increasing in pace again and again. Very good voice and clear narrative make this a clever choice for young readers.

Characterization was brilliant. I could picture Sarah and her younger sister – their voices distinct, despite their closeness – and Jackie, Sarah’s fashion-conscious friend. I’m not aware exactly how the details of their appearance came to settle in my brain, but I feel confident I could sketch them, if I could sketch at all. The ‘baddies’ were well described, too, and Sarah’s aunt and uncle were exactly what one would expect a protective aunt and uncle to be like.

I enjoyed the dialogues – clear, flowing, intelligent, and with a sprinkling of humour. This is the sort of book that would encourage any reluctant teen reader to pick up a book again. It’s engaging and fun. The protagonists don’t always follow the rules – what teen ever does? – but their moral compass is solid, and their intentions are always good. They are role models worth following, clever and resourceful, even when their knees shake in fright.

A delectable YA novel, full of fun and adventure, The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer fully deserves five shiny stars. Loved reading it. I wholeheartedly recommend it.