Hairless Harassment

Pet Whisperer P.I. #3

by Molly Fitz, Melissa Storm

I never signed up to be a private investigator with a snarky, talking cat for a partner, but there's no backing down now. Especially considering a prominent politician was murdered pretty much right in my backyard.

The only witnesses were the senator's two hairless cats, Jacques and Jillianne. Normally pets want to help us solve their owner's murders, but this time it seems the two devious felines might actually be the ones who committed it…

Surprisingly enough, my own partner in crime, Octo-Cat, actually wants to help this time, but he can barely understand our two prime suspects because of their strange Cornish Rex accents. And I thought speaking tabby was hard!

So, there you have it, even with two successful cases behind me, I really don't know how I'm going to solve this one. Is it too late to go back and pick another career?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Cozy, Cats, Fantasy

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2019

About the author

Molly Fitz is the quirky, cozy mystery pen name of USA Today bestselling author, Melissa Storm. And while she can't technically talk to animals, she and her doggie best friend, Sky Princess, have deep and very animated conversations as they navigate their days. Add to that, five more dogs, a snarky feline, comedian husband, and diva daughter, and you can pretty much imagine how life looks in the Casa de Fitz.

Molly lives in a house on a high hill in the Michigan woods and occasionally ventures out for good food, great coffee, or to meet new animal friends.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble seems to be following Angie Russo and her cat companion, Octo-Cat, as they move into their new house. The neighbor, a senator with outspoken views on the environment, is found dead in her house. Although local authorities rule the death an accident, Angie and Octo-Cat are on the case -- there's just something strange about the situation. Angie needs to talk to the senator's two cats, but that proves harder than expected. The two hairless kitties only speak in riddles.

Fun story! Angie is becoming a great amateur sleuth, and Octo-Cat is wonderfully snarky. The plot kept my attention, and the ending was great!

I listened to the audio book version of this 3rd book in the Pet Whisperer P.I. series (Tantor Audio). Narrated by Ann Richardson, the audio is about 3 hours long. Richardson does a great job of narrating. Her voice is pleasant and she reads at a nice pace. I like how she voices the characters -- even the pets! All in all, a very entertaining listening experience.

I love the humor and the characters in this series. Octo-Cat is spoiled. Angie is capable, but sometimes a bit rattled by her new found ability to talk to animals. Nan is so supportive and awesome. Heck, even Angie's mother (the reporter) is growing on me. Always a fun story!

On to the next book in the series -- Dog-Eared Delinquent!

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Octo- cat to the rescue!! He's a talking tabby who can communicate with Angela, his human. Together they solve murders in this cozy mystery. It has a lot of twists and turns and I couldn't guess the killer! I really enjoyed it so much 😸

Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫😸

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

“ Hairless Harassment (Pet Whisperer P.I. #3)” is the third of 16(!!) books in the series.

Angie has decided to become a crime-solving PI instead of working as a receptionist/paralegal/something in the law firm. Or maybe in addition to working at the law firm…I listened to this book a couple months ago and couldn’t take notes while driving. (Yup - another not-lesfic, and not-hetro sex roadtrip selection!).

The potential witnesses to the current death/murder are the deceased’s two cats. They’re about as helpful as was the dog in book #2, but it was cute how they spoke in riddles. Despite being cats, Angie is still only able to understand Octocat, not the new two. Also despite being cats, Octocat doesn’t like them and doesn’t want to be very helpful solving the death/murder.

Angie’s grandmother and mother become more involved in the PI business, and they were pretty entertaining as side characters. All in all, though, this storyline was a very disappointing mystery, and the interactions between the animals was tiresome.

The narrator delivered another great performance, but despite the audio quality, this book disappointed all of us in the car, and I rate “Hairless Harassment” as 2*. I don’t currently plan on listening to the remaining books in the series.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senator Lou Harlow was murdered, and the only witnesses are her hairless cats Jacques and Jillianne. Did the cats do it? Octo-Cat has a problem with their language. How are they going to solve this crime? The senator was liked by everyone, she had no known enemies.

Thanks to her energetic and pushy mother, Angie is now sort of officially the Pet Whisperer P.I. Although each book works well as a standalone, it's fun to watch all the relationships evolve, and that the cat hasn't morphed into a caricature; I also enjoyed a touching moment.

I don't know if it was me, but I felt HAIRLESS HARASSMENT dragged a little, possibly because Angie is settling in her new home. And I'm so glad her grandmother has moved in; I really love her Nan. I was slightly taken aback when Angie thought that she was "... flirting with the help". Who does she think she is, even if she's now living in a manor? I was hoping there wouldn't be any typos this time. Alas, there were a few not many, but this one really should have been caught: "tp" instead of "to". I was really surprised by who the killer turned out to be, and the next installment looks very promising. I'll be there!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick fun read

[Leeanne G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed the second book of this series but between book 1 and book 3 this series improved. Angie went up in the world and now finds herself the owner of Octo-Cat’s former mansion home. I am so jealous of Angie because her new bedroom is in a tower and she has her own personal library!!

"How could I feel any other way, considering I now slept in a tower like Rapunzel and would have my own personal library like Belle? I’d stepped into a living fairytale. Sure, it turned into the Haunted Mansion ride when the lights went out, but… but… Now I had my own personal library!"

Octo-Cat was nicer in this book, except towards his exotic hairless house guests. Speaking of the hairless house guests, they were adorable! I often pet sit for a Sphynx named Thomas so I’m totally used to them. I can understand the reactions of the character’s to the strange Jacques and Jillianne though. Sphynx’s are unusual and strange in many ways. I wish we could have learned a little bit more about how they differ from “regular” cats because they are different in more ways than the most obvious one, their absence of fur. In my experience Sphynx’s are rather high maintenance and have distinct personalities. I also used to pet sit another Sphynx named Oscar and he was considerably different from Thomas. Thomas is much more of a handful and acts more like a dog than a cat. He even walks on a leash!

I thought it was really fun that the author had the Sphynx’s talk in riddles, just like the ancient Sphinx of Greek Mythology did.

My favourite part of the book was when Angie and Octo-Cat held a funeral for his favourite teacup, that had met an unfortunate end. I really shouldn’t have been laughing at that part. I’m the kid that held short funerals for my gluesticks before dropping them sadly into the garbage cans. The same with markers and pens. I totally understood why Octo-Cat was so upset over a teacup, and I did feel for him.

I liked how solving this mystery became a family effort. I already liked Nan and it was nice to meet Angie’s mom, even if her mom was a little too excited about another murder in town. I also really enjoyed the bantering between Angie and Octo-Cat more in this book, and there is a lot of it.

Favourite quote: "It’s not a decision we make to chase the shiny red dot… Some things just are. Like how the sun rises, the rooster crows, the cat also chases the shiny red dot." - Octo-Cat

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angie and Oct0-Cat have moved into Octo-Cat's former home, and Nana is joining them there. A neighbor's death has them on edge, especially when the neighbor's cats claim they caused her death. Of course, Angie, with Oct-Cat's help, is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened. This tale is fun from beginning to end, and a bit scary at times. It is nice to watch the growing relationship between Angie and Octo-Cat as they begin to understand each other better. A good, entertaining mystery for cozy readers and cat lovers.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. The ending seemed to come out of nowhere and it much investigation was done.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘A fresh corpse next door. What a housewarming gift!“

Angie, Octo-Cat and Nan are “movin’ on up” to Octo-Cat’s former owner and benefactor’s home. Angie’s a bit freaked out; her old rental could probably fit in one of the seven bedrooms. In some ways, she’s moving into a palace...with a turret bedroom..and a view of the water...and a cat runs the show!

Moving day arrives, and with it comes another murder! Her next door neighbor, Senator Lou Harlow, was found dead at the bottom of her stairs! With no clues, the cops are willing to believe she just got clumsy and an accident occurred, but Angie thinks otherwise. Octo-Cat is even sad..he liked the lady. Her choice of Sphinx cats on the other hand, makes him shudder. But, he’s Angie’s only connection to finding out just what happened. Maybe her mother is right; Pet Whisperer PI May become her moniker....

These books are like snacks: short and sweet. You can read them in a short time and they are very enjoyable. Molly Fitz is a great writer and I hope this series continues a long time! Highly Recommended 5/5

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time, Angie and Octo-Cat are joining forces with Angie's mom. When Angie's mom is assigned to cover the death of a politician, that just happens to live next door to Angie, she agrees to look into the matter. Not sure if it is an accident or murder. The politician has two hairless cats that might be a little evil. Octo-Cat is not happy about having to deal with those two. Was it an accident or something more sinister?

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A senator dies, leaving behind two Sphinxes. Angie and Octocat work to decide if the senator died from an accident or if she was murdered. I love watching Angie and Octocat work together and seeing how their relationship works. This is a wonderful book and a fascinating series.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with a talking cat. The narrator did a good job telling the story. Some LOL moments. A fun read.

Thank you to Molly Fitz for the opportunity to listen to the audio book after winning it in a facebook event. My review is voluntary and all opinions and comments expressed are my own.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Being a PI is work enough but having a cranky cat as part of the team wasn’t part of the plan. Humour and suspense galore to make an amazing story.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read! Such an easy and light listen. The characters are delightful, and I just love how cozy and magical the story felt.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

There seemed to be too much mom and grandma to me. The love triangle is boring and I hated the pee scene. But I can’t help. It wish I had this special power

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hairless Harassment by Molly Fitz is the third Pet Whisperer PI novel. Angie Russo along with Octo-Cat are moving into the mansion where Octo-Cat resided with his previous owner. Angie owed him a big favor for talking with the Yorkshire Terrier and this was Octo-Cat’s request. She is startled to see police at the house next door when she arrives and learns the senator who resided there is dead. The death is ruled an accident, but something seems fishy about the case (and it’s not the smell Octo-Cat’s wet food). The only witnesses to the crime are the victim’s two Sphinx cats, Jacques and Jilliane. As usual, Octo-Cat is not keen to help, and he especially dislikes this pair who speak in riddles. Despite Octo-Cat’s vocal objections, Angie moves the felines into the mansion so she can extract information from them. The new home is a little spooky for Angie at night, so she convinces Nan to move in early (she claimed the master suite) and gets the added bonus of freshly perked coffee in the morning (Angie still has issues with coffee makers). But when she starts hearing odd noises and finds windows left open, Angie wonders if she has additional company in her new abode. If Angie can solve this case, her mother suggests putting out her shingle as Pet Whisper PI. Join Angie, Octo-Cat and Nan on their latest case in Hairless Harassment.

Hairless Harassment is a diverting tale. Hairless Harassment can be read alone if you have not indulged in the other two Pet Whisperer PI novels. I like Molly Fitz’s engaging writing style which draws the reader right in. There were a couple of slow moments (recounting what happened in the other two books), but otherwise the story proceeded at a snappy pace. The characters are quirky and realistic. Nan is my particular favorite and I just love Octo-Cat’s snarky dialogue. Octo-Cat’s little paybacks are hilarious and give me insight into what my cats are thinking (makes me want to hide my all my Converse sneakers for protection). I liked the way the Sphinx cats talked in riddles which went along with their background. The mystery is straightforward, but I thought the method of murder was clever (and diabolical). With Nan, Angie and Octo-Cat living in the same home, there are bound to be some entertaining adventures in their future. Hairless Harassment is an amusing and playful story guaranteed to brighten your day.

[Courtney (pawsitivelybookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“One can never have too many opinions or too many cats.”

I initially bought this book because of the Sphynx cats. I have two and they’re rare to come across in books. I didn’t realize this was the third in a series but it didn’t really matter. This book is able to be read on its own without much confusion.

I loved the relationship between Angie and Octo-Cat. Octo-Cat was so sassy, he reminded me a lot of Salem from the original Sabrina the Teenage Witch series from the 90’s. He was such a cat, too! Sweet and sour 😅

The mystery in this one really did have me stumped. I had a few suspects over the course of this quick book, and none ended up being correct.

This was a quick, fun read with good Sphynx representation 😍 I even loved the usually rude comments people make about hairless cats and their appearance. It’s one of those “it’s funny because it’s true” moments.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was weak and I’m not exactly sure why. The end game sure was mediocre.

There were some totally weird things that made no sense. For example, someone grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth and when she bit him and he let go, she didn’t run. Instead she had a quick conversation with him and didn’t ask why he’d done that. She later thought about it in one sentence and that was it.

Another time someone drove something like 175 MPH and didn’t stop when the police were tailing her. She led them on a high speed chase. When she was finally caught and handcuffed, some criminal suspect was apprehended. Then she was uncuffed because she had good reason to speed. She could have killed people! She should still have gone to jail and would have in real life.

The mystery was okay. It wasn’t particularly exciting and an investigation really didn’t happen. It was just not scintillating. I felt the same way about the previous books.

The characters were fine. There are two potential love interests now and I hate love triangles. But I like the new guy a lot. The mother and grandmother are fairly interesting but the heroine is kind of wishy washy. The hairless cats were pretty cool. Octocat has the dumbest name. It sounds like a five-year-old named him. He’s a stereotypical, not at all realistic, cat but entertaining. His antics were sometimes predictable but not always.

I don’t know if I’ll read the next one.

The reader, Ann Richardson, is very good. She’s just too soft spoken when just narrating rather than doing conversation.

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Hairless Harassment, the 3rd book in the Pet Whisperer PI Series as a gift from Molly Fitz, the author of the series. I became a huge fan of Molly’s after reading the first book in the series and becoming acquainted with “Octo-Cat.” the real hero of these stories. All the characters that appear as regulars—Angela, Nan, Angela’s mom—are all memorable and likable characters, but it’s Octo-Cat that makes these book’s real page turners.

As Colette, the author of Gigi said, “Time spent with a cat is never wasted.” I have spent quality time with many cats over the years. Some were my real-life furry companions, some in stories about real cats, while others, like Octo-cat were fictional characters. Some books, like Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat That Touched the World, had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Octo-Cat, with his antics, keeps me laughing from the first page to the last page in all his stories.

If you love cats and love a great mystery, you will want to read every book in this series in the order in which they were written. The good news is that you can read them at any point in the series and enjoy the read because Molly includes enough of the backstory in each book so the reader knows what happened earlier that led up to the current story.

[Katinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angie Russo is moving into her new home, which she had bought because of a promise made to Octo-Cat. It was the home that he had lived in with his previous owner until she had been murdered, and to him it was also the only place that would always truly be home to him.

But on moving day, the next door neighbor, a prominent & beloved senator is found dead, the victim of an apparent accident involving her two sphinx cats and a staircase. But was it really an accident or had the senator been murdered? And if so, who would do such a thing to someone so beloved by everyone and why?

This was the third book in the Pet Whisperer P.I. series. I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery immensely and had a difficult time putting it down to sleep at night. It was a fun and quick read, and my biggest complaint was that I wanted more!

The relationship between Octo-Cat & Angie is one that can be easily seen and understood by anyone who has ever been owned by a cat of their own, and I loved seeing the familiar behaviors between cat and human played out as clearly as I can see them enacted in my own house between each of our cats & their chosen human.

Anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries involving animals who are also the main characters should enjoy this book. I know I definitely did and am looking forward to reading book 4 in the series.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the first book I have read, it is #3 in the series. Amelia Russo, owner/servant of Octo-Cat, tries to earn her living as part-time paralegal employee and solver of neighborhood crimes with her partner (Octo-Cat). Octo is able to converse with Amelia after she gets an electrical jolt from the office coffeemaker. Already impulsively nosy, her Nan and Mom encourage her investigations and act as helpers/partners in crime investigation. Moving into a huge mansion by way of an unusual inheritance, Amelia is alone in the midst of large estate lots and surrounded by woods. Visiting with a neighbor and congresswoman, Amelia sees the unfortunate demise of the host. Now her ears perked higher than Octo-cat, she must find why this accident happened. Is it a political motive, simple accident, or a well-staged murder? She finds a an acquitted ex-con handyman, his real estate sister, former boyfriend, even her office partners in the murky sludge she must sift through. The 2 Sphinx cats of the deceased now find safety in Amelia's house and Octo-cat becomes their interrogator/interpreter for Amelia. Good cozy mystery although shorter than I expected. Great for a quick rainy day read. I was given this free book to read and have no connection to anyone involved in this book.

[Evelyn Grabas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fairly good story, but I cringed at the thought of a human allowing a cat to be the alpha. Although I realize that the reason Angie lives in a mansion and receives sufficient money to maintain it, herself and Octo-Cat is due to her accepting the position of caretaker for the cat. But, really, if she does not do what the cat wants, is he going to tattle on her? So he can upchuck a lot, but as far as damaging the household, she can simply keep him closed up in one room until he decides to behave. I know everyone says that humans don't own cats, cats own humans, but, if that is the case, it is because the human allowed it. I had my one cat for 18 years and took it very badly when he passed and now have another who is my constant companion. But, my cat (former and present), knows what the word "no" means, neither of them would ever wake me in the morning but wait until I get up. It is called training and if they can train lions and tigers, it is not beyond realization to think that a little pussycat can be trained.
I really think I will pass on this series as I do not read that which aggravates me.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Octo goes on guard

A terrific short read that you will fly through. A plot of accident or murder? She is sure that it is murder but the official word is accident. Can the two other occupants of the house throw any light on the matter? The relationship between our human heroine and her cat gets stronger and deeper as another investigation looms on the horizon.
Well Octo has gotten his wish, today is the day they move back into his former home. The mansion. However their packing is interrupted by her mother's arrival and the news that their Senator is dead. Worse she is the next-door neighbour to their new home. A quick trip with her mother gets her more information - a trip down the stairs and the fact that two Sphinx cats also live there. Throw in her ex-boss, guilty cats, her feeling that it was murder, her inquisitive Nan and mother plus a threat to the state national park and stir well. Are the two cats really as guilty as they think? Why is her ex-boss trying to get into the house? Will she be next?

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hairless Harassment by Molly Fitz was a nice light respite from some heavy reading I'd been doing. The characters were fun and some of the mother-daughter interaction spoke of real life to me. I've often said that Grandchildren are a parent's payback to their children LOL. It seems to be true with Nan and Angie's mom.

Octo-cat has the kind of personality I could imagine a cat having. Angie even describes body language that I know is true of cats. The Spinx cats were cute with their riddles. They obviously believed what they were saying and I was happy to see the explanation of why they were freezing themselves.

I guessed the murderer right from when the person first showed up. Maybe it's because of all the crime novels I read.

Angie definitely has a problem with her love life. Since the book was a breeze to get through, I'm figuring it will take several books to flesh out a relationship for her.

This book was fun to read and did not require a previous experience with the author's books in order to be enjoyed.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” – Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride

While several things in this book were inconceivable , as in unbelievable, it was the misuse of words that had me "good griefing" (and quoting Inigo) my way through the pages. "Bourgeois" means middle class, so it doesn't work as used in chapter 5. In chapter 9, the possibility of being "pitched into the wharf" is mentioned. That would be a neat trick since most wharfs are made of wood or, occasionally, stone/concrete. Later the author misuses the word "then" when she meant "than," and frankly, after the other two mentioned, "then" wasn't even the pet peeve it usually is.

Get a dictionary and use it. They even have an app or that (several).

I may try one more in this series, but if such egregious mistakes continue or it doesn't get more believable, I'll probably stop.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Once I started I couldn't put it down. I like the spoilt cat and it is his antics that make this such a great series and very funny. The mystery was good too and I hadn't worked it out by the end, so plenty to keep you guessing.
Octo-Cat has finally got his own way and he and Angie are moving back into his old home. But on the day of the moving Angie's mother discovers what she thinks is a murder and she wants Angie and Octo-cat to investigate with her. When Octo-cat learns who the victim was, his previous neighbour he is all for it until he learns in order to solve the case he will have to question her two sphynx cats. Unfortunately as Angie can only talk to him there is no cutting out the middle man or should I say cat. The lady who died was a senator leaving the suspect pool wide open if she was murdered but the police think it was an accident. Moving house is stressful but will proving that she was murdered prove to be even more?

[Quenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, so I took a chance and pulled this one from the Audible Plus catalog and really liked it. Normally by the third or fourth book in a cozy mystery book the main character has become so intrusive in the way they investigate that I just can’t handle them. It didn’t seem like this character had. Maybe that is because she uses animals and doesn’t have to involve people so much.

The case wasn’t that interesting to me, but I liked getting to know Angie, Nan and of course Octocat. The author did a good job of giving Octocat a distinct personality and the narrator gave him a great voice. I also liked that there wasn’t any romantic side plot for the lead. She is just living her life and still adjusting to her new talent.

This is the first new series I have read where I went and put the other books in the series in my “to be read” queue. I just really liked it.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Octo-Cat got his wish and they are back living in the mansion where he lived before his human was murdered. This is one spoiled kitty and believes in revenge--big time!! When the owner of the house next door fell to her death it is ruled accidental--but was it? Only her two cats know for sure and even Octo has a hard time understanding them so he can relay information. Nana comes to live with them and Mom--well she is a pain but comes through at the end.

So--did the cats trip their human causing her to fall--they sure seemed to think so. And then Octo almost did the same and boy did he feel guilty-it seems he really does love his human!

So what was it that caused the cats (all three of them) to trip their humans? And was the perpetrator found? You will have to find out by reading this clean and enchanting cozy mystery!!

[Susan Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Fitz takes on a murder mystery with Hairless Harassment. Angie and her annoying cat, Octo-Cat have a body that needs a reason for its death. Angie was shocked by a faulty coffee maker where she works and woke up being able to talk to a cat – hence, Octo-Cat. Solving Octo-Cats owners murder she inherited the cat and his large house. When her mom (the news reporter) was awarded the story of why and how a senator (who happened to live next door to Angie) died they realize it isn’t as easy when the only witnesses are two Sphynx cats who had a language that left Octo-Cat frustrated and irritated. But determined to find the killer, Angie and Octo-Cat forged ahead. After several failures and successes, the murder was solved and justice prevailed. Molly Fitz brings her stories with Octo-Cat and Angie alive and you want to read more. I can’t wait for the next book!