These are troubled times, and sometimes you need something a little fluffy. A cat, perhaps, or the seven of Anna Romano, the lead character of this new series of adventures. I’d chosen this title on the back of knowing that there were (a) cats (b) scenes set in publishing. In fairness, that sounds a bit niche – let’s call it pudding noir.

Cats… is quite a quirky book, with ambition beyond its relatively short length. The story is strong, though Bannerman takes distinct risks in providing first person narration to three of the characters. This is done quite well even if all three are irritating, certainly at first. Anna reminds me of a famous author I’ve not quite met but whose public persona annoys me: in fairness, I find her less annoying as the book progresses. I’m not sure that my view of the other two characters improves in the same way. But I wonder whether Bannerman has done something quite interesting: since Anna is an author, perhaps it is really she who is narrating on behalf of the other characters, since they actually have a fairly similar voice. This is something that could be explored in the future Romano adventures that Bannerman has promised. So I think it is a plus point – but I’m also sure that some readers might not find it quite as charming.

Although this is a short book, I took a break during reading it. A mark of the quality of a story is whether you think about it while you are away, and I can report that I did: I wanted to know how Anna and co end up. The twist is a rather good one, though it throws up as many questions as answers.

One for all pudding noir fans.

Thanks to Emma Welton for the invitation to take part in the blog tour. Do look at the other reviews on the tour. And speaking of the tour, we have a giveaway for you:

Non US residents: For your chance to win a Kindle copy of Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping please follow this link.

Terms and conditions: One non-US winner will receive a Kindle copy of Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping. The winner will need to provide their Kindle email address and add damppebbles@gmail.com as a Safe Sender to their Kindle account (information on how to do this can be provided upon request). There is no cash alternative and the winner’s name will be selected at random. The giveaway will end at midnight (BST) on Saturday 29 September 2018. Good luck.

US residents: There are two prizes up for grabs; entrants can win either a $10 B&N voucher or a signed paperback copy of Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping. To enter the giveaway to win one of these prizes please follow this link.

Terms and conditions: One US winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping and one US winner will receive a $10 B&N voucher. The draw will be random and you cannot choose your prize. There is no cash alternative. The giveaway will close at midnight BST on Saturday 29 September 2018. The winner of the paperback will need to provide their postal address. The winner of the B&N voucher will need to provide their email address. These addresses will be passed onto Cheryl Denise Bannerman for her to distribute the prizes. The addresses will not be kept. Good luck.

And here’s your UK link to get the book. (This is as usual an affiliate link.)