CAT IN AN ALIEN X-RAY

Las Vegas’ shortest, toughest, furriest PI is on the prowl again.

It’s no easy task to watch over public relations specialist Temple Barr, but her roommate, noir cat Midnight Louie, takes his guard duties seriously. Though Temple is engaged to former priest and popular radio show host Matt Devine, her heart flutters at the news that her former lover, magician and undercover agent Max Kinsella, is back in town and reluctantly working with Lt. Carmen Molina of the Las Vegas Police Department, who, in the past, had accused him of murder. Matt’s been blackmailed into nightly meetings with Kathleen O’Connor, aka Kitty the Cutter, whose horrific early life in Ireland helped turn her into a IRA operative and stone-cold killer. Kitty was the first lover of a very young and innocent Max while he and his cousin Sean were visiting Ireland. When Sean was killed, Max became Kitty’s obsession. Meanwhile, Temple is offered a job by an old-time showman whose current project has something to do with UFOs. The alien invaders of his imagination have nothing on the earthbound invaders who’ve made his partially finished building and parking lot a dumping ground for dead bodies. Louie and his gang of feisty felines, who’ve saved Temple and her friends many times in the past (Cat in a White Tie and Tails, 2012, etc.), have their work cut out for them, since Temple, Max and Matt are all involved in dangerous projects and moving in contrary directions as they try to solve the latest murders and dig up the truth about the past.

Fans will be delighted with Midnight Louie’s 25th adventure, which continues to expand the ongoing tale of murder, treachery and angst. Newcomers may want to start with the first volume to enjoy the total experience.