cover image Fool’s Moon: A Tarot Cats Mystery

Fool’s Moon: A Tarot Cats Mystery

Diane A.S. Stuckart. Midnight Ink, $15.99 trade paper (336p) ISBN 978-0-7387-5708-7

This whimsical series launch from Stuckart (The Queen’s Gambit and two other Leonardo Da Vinci mysteries) introduces Ophelia and Brandon, two handsome black cats who can communicate with all their fellow animals except for humans. The littermates live the good life in Palm Beach, Fla., until their wealthy owner, the Old Woman, drowns in her swimming pool and her cat-allergic son dumps them on the street. Brandon goes looking for help, but before he can return, Ophelia is rescued by Ruby Sparks, animal lover, Tarot reader, and temporary proprietor of her half-sister’s Santeria-themed shop, Botanica Santa Rosa. When the Old Woman’s former housekeeper, Luciana Torres, shows up at the shop, seeking guidance from the cards because she suspects her boss was murdered, and then ends up dead herself, Ruby feels compelled to uncover the truth. Ophelia and her army of animal friends—including Brandon, a stray mutt named Rally, and a psychic koi called Philomena— are eager to help. Lighthearted and quirky, this will enchant cozy readers and animal lovers. Agent: Josh Getzler, HSG. (Nov.)