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Black Cat and the Secret in Dewey's Diary: A tale of history, mystery, riddles and gold
While Kimberlee searches for lost gold coins in Austria, she attracts the attention of a stalker determined to beat her to the treasure. Back home in Fern Lake, Black Cat and Angel face their own challenges . An elderly woman, bent on revenge, threatens Black Cat and Angel's lives, and a man who disappeared twenty-five years ago has returned to Fern Lake with plans to wreck financial havoc on Kimberlee's family.
264 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 18, 2021
As far as I remember, I enjoyed the previous three books of this series considerably more than this one. I feel the need to explain what went wrong here. Here's what earned these 2.5 stars.
1st star - for the beautiful descriptions of Germany and Austria and Elaine's inspiration for the story.
2nd star - for the story of Dewey Brooker
.5 star - for the cats
I almost didn't finish this story. The only reason I did was because I wanted to find out what happened to Dewey, Hans, and the treasure Hans had hidden. The mystery of the treasure didn't even start until chapter 11, and Kimberlee and Dorian didn't start looking for it until several chapters later. Before and during Kimberlee’s mystery in Germany and Austria, there is another mystery going on back in Fern Lake with her husband Brett and neighbour Jack.
This second - technically the first - mystery has no connection to the one in Fern Lake. I think it was only added because this series is supposed to focus on Black Cat and since it wouldn’t make sense for him to go with Kimberlee, Elaine had to find a way to include him and his mate, Angel. I think she could have found a better, stronger way to connect the two mysteries.
Elaine's descriptions of Germany and Austria were quite beautiful and clear. That's why I would have preferred that Elaine kept to just the Germany-Austria mystery. All the jumping back and forth from Kimberlee and Dorian in Austria, to Brett and Jack's in Fern Lake, to Black Cat and Angel's commentary, made this feel jumbled and forced. Mind you, I might have mistaken the feeling of the story being forced, as me having to force myself through the book. Either way, it wasn’t as smooth as it could have been.
Elaine also did a great job with Dewey’s story. I could feel his fear and pain clearly as he struggled through his time in WWII. The story of how he met Hans was sweet and I wish we had been able to meet both of their families. I really wish this story had been better, but because of Dewey’s story, the beautiful descriptions of Germany and Austria, and the cats, this wasn’t a complete waste of time.
1st star - for the beautiful descriptions of Germany and Austria and Elaine's inspiration for the story.
2nd star - for the story of Dewey Brooker
.5 star - for the cats
I almost didn't finish this story. The only reason I did was because I wanted to find out what happened to Dewey, Hans, and the treasure Hans had hidden. The mystery of the treasure didn't even start until chapter 11, and Kimberlee and Dorian didn't start looking for it until several chapters later. Before and during Kimberlee’s mystery in Germany and Austria, there is another mystery going on back in Fern Lake with her husband Brett and neighbour Jack.
This second - technically the first - mystery has no connection to the one in Fern Lake. I think it was only added because this series is supposed to focus on Black Cat and since it wouldn’t make sense for him to go with Kimberlee, Elaine had to find a way to include him and his mate, Angel. I think she could have found a better, stronger way to connect the two mysteries.
Elaine's descriptions of Germany and Austria were quite beautiful and clear. That's why I would have preferred that Elaine kept to just the Germany-Austria mystery. All the jumping back and forth from Kimberlee and Dorian in Austria, to Brett and Jack's in Fern Lake, to Black Cat and Angel's commentary, made this feel jumbled and forced. Mind you, I might have mistaken the feeling of the story being forced, as me having to force myself through the book. Either way, it wasn’t as smooth as it could have been.
Elaine also did a great job with Dewey’s story. I could feel his fear and pain clearly as he struggled through his time in WWII. The story of how he met Hans was sweet and I wish we had been able to meet both of their families. I really wish this story had been better, but because of Dewey’s story, the beautiful descriptions of Germany and Austria, and the cats, this wasn’t a complete waste of time.
February 11, 2020
As a cat lover and also an author who writes mysteries featuring cats, I truly enjoyed this book. Even though it was the first one of this series that I've read, I had no trouble keeping up with the storyline because of the way the backstory was smoothly introduced. I loved the descriptions of Germany and Austria and the historical tidbits about World War II (this author also writes a World War II cozy series). The story was a fun puzzle and even contained a treasure hunt. The interplay between the two cats, Black Cat and Angel, was cute.There were moments of sadness when Angel got hurt, and Kimberlee was questioned by the police as a suspect in Mrs. Herman's murder. I would recommend this book and hope to read more of this series and other books by Elaine Faber.
September 5, 2024
odd thing to happen
I have a bookstore and I love getting crafts, old books and new books in. So when I was at the store of course with my cats I got a delivery. I ignored it but one of the cats jumped up and knocked it down to the floor.
I have a bookstore and I love getting crafts, old books and new books in. So when I was at the store of course with my cats I got a delivery. I ignored it but one of the cats jumped up and knocked it down to the floor.
February 18, 2020
3.5 stars
With Black Cat and The Secret in Dewey’s Diary, you get two mysteries in one. Kimberlee happens upon one of the mysteries when she receives a WWII diary that she didn’t order. Though she’s ready to count it as a loss, Black Cat senses that there’s something in it that Kimberlee needs to see. And what she finds, leaves her intrigued. A hidden treasure and hints about where it is are contained in the diary. However, the treasure is across the globe in Austria. As luck would have it, Kimberlee’s friend Dorian has a work trip in Germany and an extra ticket. I really enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the scenery that Kimberlee saw during her unexpected trip to Germany and Austria. I also liked the way that this particular mystery was resolved.
The mystery in Fern Lake actually consisted of several small crimes and a suspicious death. I think the smaller crimes were supposed to throw us off, and the suspicious death left me questioning Kimberlee’s character since she treated the victim in such a bad way. Through the book, we do see that there were past incidents that must have led to her attitude, but given the fact that she’s so sweet to everyone else and so mean to an elderly lady was a little off-putting.
I like how Black Cat gives people nudges toward clues and alerts them to danger. He and another cat, Angel, talk to each other, but they don’t actually talk to humans. Two of my cats are always talking to each other, and I wonder what they talk about!
I did like the plot line that led Kimberlee to Europe, and I wish more of the book had to do with that rather than the other story. Too many unconnected crimes and mysteries were happening in Fern Lake, and it made the story feel disjointed to me.
I’m hoping that in the following books, one mystery will be given all of the attention. I like following the clues and solving the mystery along the way. It was more difficult to do that with everything that was happening. My favorite parts were definitely the way the author described the settings in the books. If you enjoy cozy mystery books with cats, you should give this series a try. I’d recommend starting with book one since the characters and discussions in this book are tied to the prior ones.
With Black Cat and The Secret in Dewey’s Diary, you get two mysteries in one. Kimberlee happens upon one of the mysteries when she receives a WWII diary that she didn’t order. Though she’s ready to count it as a loss, Black Cat senses that there’s something in it that Kimberlee needs to see. And what she finds, leaves her intrigued. A hidden treasure and hints about where it is are contained in the diary. However, the treasure is across the globe in Austria. As luck would have it, Kimberlee’s friend Dorian has a work trip in Germany and an extra ticket. I really enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the scenery that Kimberlee saw during her unexpected trip to Germany and Austria. I also liked the way that this particular mystery was resolved.
The mystery in Fern Lake actually consisted of several small crimes and a suspicious death. I think the smaller crimes were supposed to throw us off, and the suspicious death left me questioning Kimberlee’s character since she treated the victim in such a bad way. Through the book, we do see that there were past incidents that must have led to her attitude, but given the fact that she’s so sweet to everyone else and so mean to an elderly lady was a little off-putting.
I like how Black Cat gives people nudges toward clues and alerts them to danger. He and another cat, Angel, talk to each other, but they don’t actually talk to humans. Two of my cats are always talking to each other, and I wonder what they talk about!
I did like the plot line that led Kimberlee to Europe, and I wish more of the book had to do with that rather than the other story. Too many unconnected crimes and mysteries were happening in Fern Lake, and it made the story feel disjointed to me.
I’m hoping that in the following books, one mystery will be given all of the attention. I like following the clues and solving the mystery along the way. It was more difficult to do that with everything that was happening. My favorite parts were definitely the way the author described the settings in the books. If you enjoy cozy mystery books with cats, you should give this series a try. I’d recommend starting with book one since the characters and discussions in this book are tied to the prior ones.
February 14, 2020
Two mysteries, one that starts decades ago, another that happens in present day, set Kimberlee off on a journey to discover the truth. How are they related to each other?
Black Cat and Angel have relocated to Kimberlee's home now, after having adventures last summer. Black Cat wants Angel to enjoy home and the bookstore.
Something is causing her to not feel comfortable. She is irritable and not as affectionate as the Angel he knows. Also the woman next door is not the same loving human Black Cat remembers. Everything is just a bit "off." Things become worse when Kimberlee looks like a murder suspect, even as the police and her family are convinced she is incapable of murder.
Is it fate or coincidence that a book Kimberlee ordered turns out to be a diary from a WWII American soldier who befriended a Germany soldier when both are left for dead on a notorious battlefield for days. This historical element sets Kimberlee off on an international quest of discovery.
Once again there is an accident which could cause an end to Black Cat and Angel's relationship.
Can someone save them and shed light on what has been wrong up to this point?
An exciting adventure told from varying viewpoints.
Black Cat and Angel have relocated to Kimberlee's home now, after having adventures last summer. Black Cat wants Angel to enjoy home and the bookstore.
Something is causing her to not feel comfortable. She is irritable and not as affectionate as the Angel he knows. Also the woman next door is not the same loving human Black Cat remembers. Everything is just a bit "off." Things become worse when Kimberlee looks like a murder suspect, even as the police and her family are convinced she is incapable of murder.
Is it fate or coincidence that a book Kimberlee ordered turns out to be a diary from a WWII American soldier who befriended a Germany soldier when both are left for dead on a notorious battlefield for days. This historical element sets Kimberlee off on an international quest of discovery.
Once again there is an accident which could cause an end to Black Cat and Angel's relationship.
Can someone save them and shed light on what has been wrong up to this point?
An exciting adventure told from varying viewpoints.
October 10, 2019
This is the fourth book in the Black Cat series. I have never read a book where the reader is given access to the thoughts and words passing between two felines, but I found the idea really intriguing. These particular felines become the catalyst (see what I did there? Catalyst? Haha!) for Kimberlee, a bookshop owner, to take a second look at a diary she receives one day in a shipment of books. The diary belonged to a WWII American soldier, and as its story unfolds, Kimberlee learns of a possible treasure and a long-lost frienship. But there's more to Black Cat's story than the diary--there's present-day vandalism, possible murder charges for someone close to the kitties, and a dispute about the ownership of a valuable property.
I would recommend this mystery to anyone who loves cats and anyone looking for a clean story with plenty of twists. One note--I wished I had read the other three books in the Black Cat series before beginning with this one because I missed some of the history that had passed in Black Cat's feline and people families. I recommend starting with Book One, Black Cat's Legacy.
I would recommend this mystery to anyone who loves cats and anyone looking for a clean story with plenty of twists. One note--I wished I had read the other three books in the Black Cat series before beginning with this one because I missed some of the history that had passed in Black Cat's feline and people families. I recommend starting with Book One, Black Cat's Legacy.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews