I desperately tried to like this book. I mean, what's not to love? It's cat detectives in a cat world! Sure, the writing was more than a little clunky and Hettie wasn't exactly the most focused cat, but OK, it's a cute book, whatever.

And then the racism. Oh god, the racism.

First we have the Jamaican cat Marley Toke (get it? because Jamaica) who sprinkles "Jamaican catnip" into the food at the place where she works (get it? like weed!) and who talks like a white person's imitation of Jamaican patois (as another reviewer pointed out, the way it's written out is uncomfortably close to old Hollywood "yessuh!" speak).

Then we get the Siamese cat Miss Ping. Oh dear god. I'm gonna write this out because y'all need to be as horrified as I was when I read this:
"You have to spleak wiv Mister Splinkle. I send for him to come quickerly."

That's everything she says. Literally, her only lines are Mr. Moto-esque "Asian" English. I would've thrown the book across the room if I hadn't been too stunned to move and it wasn't a library book.

I couldn't read much more, but I desperately hoped it got better, so I skipped a ways to see:

"She certainly fought like a g*psy cat" (censoring by me)

Aaaaaaaaaaaand, that's the big nope from me, folks.

You know, I can let slide (barely, with much side eye) British racism in books from the '30s-'50s because times were terrible and enough people didn't see what was wrong with this. But this is a book written in the 2010s. There is absolutely no reason for all this racism to get published in what's ostensibly a cute parody book.

One star because no stars doesn't count. Very poor, see me. No points for trying. ( )

This is a very creative, humorous and quirky mystery novel. Cats are in charge. No humans. It's a world of anthropomorphized kitties. Hettie Bagshot and her assistant, Tilly, have started a detective agency in a rented room behind a bakery. Hettie knows nothing about detecting or crime, but figures she can wing it and make enough money to pay the two pound a week rent. Their first mystery involves the theft of three dead cats from the Furcross Home for Slightly Older Cats. The three elderly cats had opted for the euthanasia package, but after their peaceful sendoff, someone snatched their bodies right out of the graves! Hettie and Tilly are hired by the owner of Furcross who begs them to discover the nefarious bodysnatchers before all the residents bail from the care home in fear.

There are lots of references, puns and cute jokes sprinkled throughout this book. It took me a chapter or two to really get into the story. But once I got used to the fact that all things were cat-centric in this cozy mystery, I began to enjoy the tale.

Hettie is a cute main character. I had to smile when she reminisced about her days in rock-and-roll. Tilly is a sweet side-kick. Her love of cardigan sweaters is endearing. All of the supporting characters are quirky and fun. The mystery is light. The mood is humorous and fun. It's baptism by fire for the cats on the No. 2 Feline Detective Agency's first case, and they rise to the occasion with kitty-like aplomb. The ending wasn't really a surprise, but it was thrilling with a sharp edge of humor.

For those looking for a mystery with good humor and lots of creativity, this is it! It's a light, quick read. Don't expect a detailed murder mystery, but enjoy a quick romp through an old folks home for slightly older cats.

There are four books in the Hettie Bagshot Mystery series.

**I voluntarily read a copy of this book from St. Martins Press via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.** ( )