The Man Who Understood Cats: A Caleb & Thinnes Mystery

Jack Caleb & John Thinnes #1

by Michael Allen Dymmoch

Two unlikely partners join forces to solve a murder disguised as suicide and catch a killer ready to strike again.

Gold Coast psychiatrist Jack Caleb is wealthy, cultured, and gay. When one of his clients is found dead in a locked apartment—apparently from a self-inflicted wound— burned-out Chicago detective John Thinnes doesn’t believe it was suicide. And Caleb is inclined to agree.

But Thinnes regards a shrink who makes house calls suspicious and starts his murder investigation with the doctor himself. An attack on Caleb that's made to look like an accidental drug overdose starts to change the detective’s mind.

Soon, the two men find themselves a whirlwind of theft, scandal, and blackmail. Forced into an unlikely partnership, they’ll have to confront not only a killer, but hard truths within themselves that will change them forever.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, LGBT, Queer, Procedural

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 1993

About the author

Michael Dymmoch was born in Illinois and grew up in a suburb northwest of Kentucky. As a child she kept a large number of small vertebrates for pets and aspired to become a snake charmer, Indian chief or veterinarian. She was precluded from realizing the former ambitions by a lack of charm and Indian ancestry and from the achieving the latter by poor grades in calculus and physics. This made her angry enough to kill. Fortunately, before committing mayhem, she stumbled upon a book titled Maybe You Should Write a Book and was persuaded to sublimate her felonious fantasies. Moving to Chicago gave Michael additional incentives to harm individuals who piss her off. On paper of course.

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicago cops are called to the scene of an alleged suicide. Thinnes notices that the victim was left handed but the right hand was holding the gun, but the ME still calls the case a suicide. The victim was a patient of wealthy gay psychiatrist Dr. Caleb, who Thinnes suspects knows more than he's admitting. No one involved with the case is safe from blackmail, falsified pictures, drugging, and murder.

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a M-M romance at all so readers beware. One of the MCs is gay and the other is resolutely straight. They get together a lot in my imagination only hah!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

there were imperfections here and things the author might have done differently if they hadn't been writing in 1993 but one thing I like a lot is that it's not about a gay dude's suffering as the vehicle for a homophobe to Learn A Valuable Lesson About Acceptance. It's actually about a dude who thinks he's not a homophobe at all, but learns a valuable lesson about some messed-up stereotypes he's still carrying around, whilst the tough-as-nails gay dude walks around being tough as nails and SPOILER saves the other protagonist's life and CARRIES HIM BODILY out of danger because he is just that freaking tough.

Also, I there is the potential for a skin-crawling May/December pairing with lots of squicky power imbalances in one charactercharacter's backstory, but ALSO SPOILER the author totally subverts your worst fears about where they're going and has the older party act most honorably and responsibly.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not what I expected from the cover (I tend to read blurbs and then forget them!) I thoroughly enjoyed this, not only as a crime story, but also seeing the relationship develop between Thinnes and Claeb, and no, NOT in that way, which made it, if anything, even more refreshing.

Solid characters, nicely portrayed with enough personal angst to have me cheering them on. And a well-edited book, with no SPaG errors.

Looking out for the next one with these two. Strong four stars. (I would have given it a solid five, but for the lack of participation by the cats mentioned in the title - I was hoping for a little more 'cattishness' = grinning here = )

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOTTOM LINE: #1 Detective John Thinnes/psychiatrist Jack Caleb, Chicago; cosy police procedural. Wealthy shrink gets mixed up in a dirty case when one of his long-term patients is found shot to death. Smoothly plotted, well-written, award-winning debut, and a nice addition to the “genteel cosy” genre.

Thinnes is a traditional cop, with a wife who’s losing patience with their relationship and his over-dedication to his job. Caleb is a driven man, filled with both guilt and hope, taking on causes and patients other therapists won’t touch. He seems to be the prime suspect in the murder but something isn’t quite right.

The internal voices of both men are far too similar, but perhaps that’s deliberate. And although there’s a lot of coincidence and everything gets tied up a bit too nicely at the end, it’s a good first novel, and I look forward to #2, DEATH OF BLUE MOUNTAIN CAT.

I’m quite sure I read this before, and liked it rather well at that time. While I remembered only slight bits and pieces this time, memory may have made the story seem a bit blander this time. She’s a good writer, although there are signs of first-novel-itis - the similar internal voices needs work - she’ll have to differentiate between them rather clearer if she can.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD CATS - Ex
Dymmoch, Michael Allen - 1st in Thinnes/Caleb series

Chicago detective John Thinnes doubts the evidence pointing to an accountant's suicide. Dr. James Caleb, the dead man's psychologist, also refutes the evidence; pooling their talents, they search for proof of their suspicions. Station-house talk and details of street procedure provoke nerve-wracking tension as small incongruities arise, followed by arranged accidents and finally murder. W

In spite of the title, this is not a cozy novel. It is a very good police procedural. I enjoyed the characters and the interaction between them. I appreciated that it didn't stereotype gays or straights. I shall definitely read more of this series.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The murder of an accountant - staged to look like a suicide, but not well enough to fool the investigating detective - throws together homicide cop John Thinnes and psychiatrist Jack Caleb who treated the dead man. Both want to find the killer and the motive behind the murder, and the more they each learn about the case, the more often their paths cross.

An intriguing murder mystery with an engaging duo of protagonists - a good series opener that kept me eagerly turning pages and will likely have me coming back for more.

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting plot that struggled through the first few chapters. Clever ideas hidden are nearly lost.

[Nicola Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because... Cats.

I hadn't read a kindle book for over a year because my kindle died. I recently treated myself to a new one and all my old books transferred across. Which to read first?.... 'Well, this one has says in the title...'
That was all I knew, and so I started to read...

Dymmoch has a great way with words. The first few paragraphs had me booked as he uses wonderful language to set the scene and pull you into the book. His ability to describe, has you feeling like you are experiencing it all for yourself, and you have no problem in imagining and getting a feel for why the characters and places he describes are like. I love the way he adds subtle references to cats and their behaviour, and how some human behaviour is comparable.

I enjoy a good mystery, and this book does not disappoint. Twists and turns as the story unfolds. We see characters evolve and learn about themselves, especially the character Thinnes. I think he goes on the biggest journey of all, with the help of Caleb. Caleb is a psychologist and gives interesting snippets into human behaviour and thought process.

I don't want to waffle on too long, and I don't want to give any spoilers. What I will say is that I was unable to put my kindle down until I had finished it, and I will definitely be reading more in this series.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 3.5 for the slowness of the plot but that's okay because it's from 1993.

This is definitely a "Traditional Detective Mystery." The plot unfolds over days not hours and the tension we expect today is not there. It's a languid read reminiscent of some of the European murder mysteries that aren't violent.

The detective and the psychiatrist go round and round, but end up working well together. Oh yes, the psychiatrist is homosexual and his world plays an integral part in the background story and lands him smack in the middle of the detective's suspicions. At the same time the detective is struggling with his marriage and his discomfort around the psychiatrist.

I'm curious about Dymmoch's other books, so I may try them but not this month. I have too many books still on my TBR.

[CDWB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone else who knows Cats

I initially was drawn to this book because "cats" was in the title. Loving these sly, precocious creatures drew me there and I'm glad it did. The author indeed must know cats and sure as heck knows how to write. A world worn cop and a gay psychiatrist are brought together to solve the murder of his patient. The characters are fully developed and you get to know them as people. The storyline and plot are meticulously laid out. It's a great "who dun it" that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books. Recommendations: just about anyone who loves a great mystery.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I expected a little more cat interaction, but there's not much at all. It was a pretty good locked-room mystery, although there were a couple of chapters that weren't well-written and were a bit confusing...I guess you can chalk that up to the first novel thing. I'd say this was a middle-of-the-road read for me...didn't love it, didn't hate it, wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.

[Andy2302 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quick, I can say that without hesitation. A successful young psychiatrist learns of the death of a patient. He gets involved as the Homicide cop is working the scene. The story is as much about how the two men interact as about the possible murder. The writing is amateurish with poor editing. 2.5 stars rounded up because I like the hard cover jacket art.

[Diane L Lahren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because of the title, I'll admit it made me curious. I like to veer from the path of authors I turn to for a satisfying read. I found this book to be interesting because of the vivid descriptions of the scenes and story lines going on. I believe there is promise for this new author. Read it and see for yourself.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While cats don’t figure into the story too heavily, there are plenty of other things to distract you in this whodunnit. Red herrings, even. What mystery would be complete without them? So plow your way through the gay characters, the rich bad guy, etc. and see if you can spot the killer.

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent first in the series about a psychiatrist and a cop who start as antagonists and end as unlikely allies. Quirky take on cat people vs. dog people. Some police procedural with a dose of psychology and a good mystery.

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
http://bookcrossing.com/journal/12054...

[NK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story - but. too much going on.

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good mystery

This was a very good mystery as I really had no idea who the killer was. Character development was excellent. I am looking forward to the next book.

[John Fitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good who done it.

Well written and a great mystery. Well developed characters: interesting relationships.
Finished it one day, as in couldn’t put it down

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

Not romance. They are just friends throughout the whole series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not put it down

Very well written. I read a lot of mystery, mostly from the UK. This was an excellent find. Recommend highly

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The award-winning THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD CATS is a police procedural in which the cop shares time and details with a psychiatrist who is gay. For mystery junkies, this may sound a good bit like Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series in which a psychologist shares some of the time and most of the details with a cop who is gay. Once past those details, the two series are very different (except that Jack Caleb and Alex Delaware are both rich and the cops aren’t).

In Michael Allen Dymmoch’s series, of which THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD CATS is the first, Detective John Thinnes of the Chicago Homicide Division is called to what clearly appears to be a suicide, a young man killing himself with a gunshot to the head. While Thinnes is examining the scene, Doctor Caleb arrives, explaining that he was concerned because Allen Findley, a young accountant, is obsessive-compulsive yet failed to arrive for a scheduled appointment. Caleb explains that someone with Findley’s condition could not do that.

Thinnes is quick to put Caleb at the head of the list of suspects; who ever heard of a psychiatrist making house calls. But there are things about the crime scene that set off warning bells for Thinnes, not the least of which is the perfection of the crime scene. It looks like it was an arranged movie set for the scene in which a suicide is discovered.

The doctor and the homicide investigator have nothing in common but each is drawn to the other, seeing the honesty and decency that is part of the other man’s character. Thinnes isn’t going to let Findley’s death be written off. Caleb isn’t going to let Thinnes be tempted to do so.

As they investigate, they realize that Findley may have found evidence of money-laundering, art theft, and real estate fraud in one of the accounts he was assigned. When Thinnes makes it clear that he is believes Findley was murdered, he and Caleb are blackmailed, assaulted, and there are attempts made on their lives. It is particularly difficult for Thinnes when he realizes that if Caleb isn’t guilty of killing Allen Findley, the most likely suspect is another cop.

I read this book when it was published in 1993; I enjoyed it then and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. Thinnes and Caleb are very likeable characters. Their awkwardness together gradually dissipates as they discover they have much in common. Both men served with distinction in Vietnam. Both are intelligent men who approach their jobs practically and with reason. Thinnes’ perception of gay men is turned around when he realizes that Caleb doesn’t fit the stereotype in anyway. Caleb’s perception of the police is turned around when he realizes that Thinnes doesn’t fit the stereotype of gay-bashing cops looking to harm and demean homosexuals.

I have read all of Jonathan Kellerman’s books and enjoyed them neither more nor less than Dymmoch’s books. Dymmoch’s are a much faster reading experience than Kellerman’s but the shorter length of the first’s books doesn’t mean the story is less compelling, less well-written, or less enjoyable. I do wish that Dymmoch had written as many Thinnes/Caleb books as Kellerman has written Delaware/Sturgis books.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

goodreads summary: Two sharply different men find themselves thrust together by a murder in this prize-winning novel. Jack Caleb is a Chicago psychiatrist, wealthy, cultured - and gay. John Thinnes is a streetwise homicide cop with a wife problem and a teenage son he doesn't see very often. When one of Caleb's patients is found dead, possibly a suicide, Thinnes catches the case - if it is a case. Convinced that something about Allen Finley's death cries murder, Thinnes defies his superiors and looks for a killer, with Caleb prominently in his sights. But he remains doubtful, not because of evidence or lack of it so much as his own almost buried sensitivity to the complexities of human nature. Discovering that Caleb is unabashedly gay, Thinnes draws back from the man, letting the common stereotype of gays take hold, yet Caleb continuously confounds that stereotype. A series of unsettling events - an attack on Caleb meant to seem like a self-inflicted drug overdose, the indications of an art theft scheme, and a barely failed blackmail threat to Thinnes himself - all work to change some of Thinnes's most stubbornly held concepts about Caleb, about the case, and about his own life. Further deaths lead to a harrowing scene where the two men confront the real killer and come to a deep understanding that is a revelation to them both.

[James Wurth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very, very good!

Well written police procedural with characters that are both interesting and compelling. I think I'm going to enjoy the rest of the books in this series.

[Blaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in this one and the interesting situation that the author sets up between the two protagonists. There's a lot less to the cat motif than I expected, which is neither here nor there, except that I thought at least one of the characters would be more cat-like than he was. The plot is well designed and well executed. I was a little disappointed in the ending – I felt the author pulled his punch a bit – but all in all I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good police procedural.

[Lori S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars

Good read. The cats in the title refers to Dr. Caleb's way of categorizing people as to whether they're cat people (patient and not really need of constant reassurance or attention) or dog people (those who need to be acknowledged by others on a constant basis). However, this really doesn't seem to make much difference to the over all plot - which features the murder of an inoffensive accountant, blackmail, a crooked shrink, a marriage on the rocks, stolen art work, a psychiatrist, and a detective determined to get to the bottom of it all.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and engaging. Funny that I thought it was a woman writer, but then saw it had a man's name when I was telling my friend about it. Now I know that it IS a woman lol!

Has some very interesting insights into life/the world, tucked in between the plot.

The mystery kept unraveling and new pieces were added right up to the end. I enjoy not quite knowing who the culprit is, though it's fun trying to figure it out!

This is the first in a series, so I just may have a new favorite author...

[Kristijan Sašilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing! I mean, the fact that the main character's homosexuality isn't a focal point of the storyline, rather a complete normalcy, as it should be. Detective's stereotypes are cute, if anything. The story progresses slow at the beginning, racing by the finish but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Looking forward to reading the next installment:)

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chicago cop investigating a murder is helped by a psychiatrist who is also a suspect. I met the author at Bouchercon in Vegas (while we were waiting for the shuttle bus to the airport from the HO!) and she gave me this book. A good debut with interesting characters and a nice mystery plot.