More Than One Way to Kill a Cat

by Ilse Van Staden

“Well, thought Harry, did you want to hear my list? A snail plague, an unsolicited pet, a missing client, a missing spade, noises in the dark, a whole nest of dead cat and kittens, and – did I mention it? – another missing client! Talk about being over it.” Harry is a gardener, who occasionally has to kill things for a living – weeds, insects, snails. This makes him a murderer, according to his five-year old daughter Martha. She wants a snail for a pet, before he “petticides” it. But a cat will also do. On the same day that Martha’s pet arrives, Harry discovers something buried in a client’s garden. But then the client disappears. While Harry is confronted with deaths and disappearances, his wife Nancy goes on a wild goose chase searching for the meaning behind the find. Harry learns there is no easy answer to the when is killing murder?

284 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2019

About the author

Ilse van Staden staan dwarsbeen oor die grens tussen die wetenskap en die kunste. Sy studeer veeartsenykunde aan die Universiteit van Pretoria en praktiseer vir agtien jaar as veearts. Maar intussen skryf sy digbundels (Watervlerk word in 2004 met die Eugène Marais-prys vir poësie bekroon), verwerf ’n graad in kreatiewe skryfkuns aan Unisa, bou ’n kleihuis en maak soms skilderye. Benewens talentvolle digter en skilder is Ilse ook die skrywer van ’n kortverhaalbundel en ’n Engelse roman. Sy woon saam met haar man Eugene en ’n bont kat, Matilda, in Tannum Sands in Queensland, Australië. Goeie dood wat saggies byt is haar eerste roman in Afrikaans.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story that will keep your interest. I will be looking for more books by this author.

I recieved a copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only.

[Cindie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Harry is likable as are his wife Nancy and daughter Martha, I found this story disjointed at times, I had to Re-read sections to try and figure out whether it was Harry’s story or his client Cecily’s chapter and then there was causal mention of other clients. I got to a point when I wanted the story to end. And then when it did, it was even more confusing. I think the author should add more details and connect those details better and choose a different ending.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Voracious Readers Only and the Author. This was a fun story to read. It is interesting in that each chapter has a title describing what it is about and they are almost mini stories inside the big story. I enjoyed learning about each character and I think I liked Cecily the best. I hope to read more by this author.

[Anna Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. This book is an enjoyable who done it with a mysterious back story. The characters are very likable and keep your interest. I recommend this book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in return for an honest review.
This was good book and an interesting story. I found it a little bit bitty so a little bit difficult to really get your teeth into. I enjoyed how it was wrapped up in the end although I found the last paragraph slightly confusing.

[Gill King · Rating 4 out of 5]

The complications of everyday life. Cats, children (definitely with their own minds) and the curious relationships we encounter and form in daily life. Well worth a read.