Pat J.J. Murphy

Misto, the yellow tabby-ghost cat, is still around, dividing his attention between train robber Lee Fontana and Sammie Blake, a young girl to whom he belonged in a previous life. The devil is still in pursuit of Lee, but he has broadened his quest to include the falsely-accused and convicted Morgan Blake in an effort to claim his true objective, Blake’s daughter Sammie. For this outing, the devil has a henchman in Brad Falon, the true perpetrator of the crimes for which the young man has been incarcerated.
While the truly evil Falon attacks and repeatedly torments Blake’s wife Becky, Lee frets over his fellow inmate’s situation; finally he is drawn into a desperate attempt to find a way to prove Morgan’s innocence. And soon a plan is hatched; if they are successful, the devil will have been thwarted one more time . . . .

Misto is much more involved in the telling of this tale than he was in its predecessor; the ghost cat's antics add a delightful dimension as they weave through the narrative. Nevertheless, the focus of the story is on Lee Fontana and the Blake family.
The cast of characters is broadened to include Becky’s mother and aunt; an unexpected twist casts a new light on everyone’s relationships. Bradford Falon adds a truly evil element, heightening the suspense and ratcheting up concern for the fate of the young husband and father.
A much more likeable Lee Fontana benefits from some insightful character development and the inclusion of enough backstory to understand his motivations. Readers will find themselves rooting for the success of the audacious scheme that just might prove Morgan Blake’s innocence and set him free.
The devil may be determined to destroy the innocent man’s life, but the wily ghost cat is fiercely determined to thwart his every attempt. A desire to ascertain the outcome of the battle between the devil and the intrepid ghost cat will keep the pages turning in this charming sequel.

Recommended.… (mer)