The Cat Sitter's Cradle by Blaize and John Clement

Reviewed by Jeanne

Dixie Hemingway, former cop and now pet sitter in Siesta Key, has had more than her share of strange encounters in both occupations, but this one may top all the others: while making her morning rounds for clients she finds an exotic bird, non-native to Florida, lying in the bushes—not far from a young woman who has just given birth.  The young woman speaks little English so when she becomes frantic after Dixie and friend Joyce offer to get help, they suspect she may be illegal. They take her and the new baby to Joyce’s house while they try to figure out what to do with mother and baby. 

Meanwhile, Dixie is dealing with a somewhat difficult new client and his equally difficult family and wondering if she’s ready to embark on a new romantic relationship. Her first foray wasn’t a disaster, but it didn’t exactly end happily either. Then Dixie finds herself involved with another murder and has to reassess some of the people she knows—or thought she knew.

I’ve enjoyed the Dixie Hemingway (no relation to Ernest) mystery series.  Dixie is strong but flawed heroine, a woman left shattered by the sudden deaths of her husband and young daughter in an accident some years before.  That’s the reason she left the police force, and the reason she’s more than a bit reluctant to form relationships. Siesta Key is vividly portrayed, so much so that I always think I’d like to visit.  Supporting characters are also strong in the series, including Dixie’s brother Michael and his partner, Paco. I also like the animals Dixie works with, all of whom have their own personalities.  We also pick up bits of information about animal care and behavior, but this is tossed in casually, never shoehorned in.  I’d classify this as a traditional mystery:  not overly violent or bloody, but with just a bit of an edge. The books are always well-plotted, bringing the various story lines to a satisfying conclusion.

I admit to a bit of trepidation about this book, however.  Dixie’s creator, Blaize Clement, passed away, leaving her son John to continue Dixie’s adventures. Even though he’s said he and his mother talked a great deal about the direction of the books, there’s always that question of an author’s voice—that unique way of expressing themselves that good writers have.  I’m pleased to say that John acquits himself well.  There were a couple of places where I wondered about phrasing or feelings, but for the most part he has captured his mother’s writing style well.  This is a good solid mystery with appealing characters.

The series doesn’t have to be read in order, unless you’re like me and just prefer to do it that way.

Update:  According to a Facebook posting, John has finished the next book in the series, The Cat Sitter’s Nine Lives, which will be out in 2014.  He is now at work on the tenth book, as yet untitled.