|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
Theda Krakow is a freelance reporter with a soft place in her heart for cats. She is a music reporter, who prefers to follow the local music scene and feminist rock. As she has managed to create problems with the paper she normally writes for, she ends up looking to alternative papers and other formats. She is offered a fluff piece with no connection to the music scene. She would also have to work with a photographer she does not particularly like. But as Theda needs the money, she agrees to write the story. This story puts her in contact with a local cat breeder and award-winning cats. While Theda attempts to get her facts straight, she finds herself on the trail of a cat thief and a kitten mill. As though this is not even excitement, Theda also finds herself hunting down a murderer. Theda must act quickly in order to rescue the missing cats and prevent the killer from striking again. CATTERY ROW deals with several animal-related issues that most people do not know about. While everyone has seen the free cat signs, no one thinks that this might be due to a kitten mill rather than an accidental pregnancy. In addition, while one might find show cats beautiful few think of stealing them. Nor does one think about selling pure-bred cats in foreign countries where import rules are different. While this book does not go into a lot of details about the inhumane treatment of these animals, enough information is provided for the situation to still be heartbreaking. Theda Krakow is an unusual character. She attempts to be a hardhearted music writer; yet, she really is a softy when it comes to animals and her friends. This juxtaposition causes a problem with the flow of the book. This book tries to devote equal attention to the local music scene and to the cat world. I would imagine this was done so as to make Theda seem better rounded as a character. This might be the desired outcome but it is not the result. The music scene has little to do with the mystery plot and is distracting. It is difficult to determine how the reader is supposed to feel about Theda, as she is inconsistent. CATTERY ROW does provide a different look at the cat show world as well as cat lovers in general. This book also has a potentially strong protagonist. With a little more consistency, Theda Krakow would be a strong and determined character.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, May 2005
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
