The Persian Always Meows Twice

At the start of Watkins’s delightful first novel and series launch, cat groomer Cassie McGlone, newly moved to Chadwick, N.J., finds her best customer, wealthy George DeLeuw, dead on his study floor. Her taking temporary custody of George’s Persian, Harpo, lands her in the middle of a fierce squabble over the feline. Another problem is Cassie’s old boyfriend Andy, whom her interfering mom tells where to find her, oblivious to Cassie’s very good reason for dumping him. Andy’s arrival is followed by a suspicious fire at Cassie’s combination store and residence. With George’s sister, ex-wife, and several business associates in town, there’s a passel of suspects for both crimes, but Chadwick’s Det. Angela Bonelli has her sights on Cassie’s handyman, Nick Janos, and his introverted computer-nerd son, Dion, who claims George stole an encryption code he created. The calm in the storm is veterinarian Mark Coccia, fresh from his own broken relationship but showing a definite interest in Cassie. Happily, Harpo and the loads of other cats in this welcome debut don’t overpower the story line. Agent, Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency. (Oct.)