ISBN: 0-812-54012-3 Order from: Amazon.com
Another entry in the humorous Midnight Louie mysteries, this novel alternates a human and a cat narrator, a number of zany characters, and perplexing relationships.
Reviewed by David on December 31, 1998
Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth, Cat)
Synopsis: In this Halloween mystery, Temple Barr, a short, curious and energetic PR consultant for a Las Vegas casino is dragged by her eccentric landlady, into a séance intended to contact the dead. Surrounded by special effects, Las Vegas style, a number of famous psychics, and the town's sleaziest yellow journalist, Temple inevitably stumbles upon a dead body. With her appropriately colored black tomcat Midnight Louie, Temple has her hands full with the investigation of the psychics, each with a set of motives. However, it is the debunking magicians, both live and dead, that make Temple's life truly complicated.
Full Review: Carole Nelson Douglas is the author of several fantasy, science fiction and mystery books, including the pleasant series starting with Six of Swords, and Probe. This is another of her Midnight Louie mysteries, a book where Temple Barr and her tomcat alternate as narrators. The series started with Catnap.
The red-haired, diminutive and perky Barr, who loathes the adjective "cute" when applied to her person or any part thereof, is eager to enter into the spirit of Halloween for her employers, the classy Crystal Phoenix Casino. However, a séance to contact the spirit of Houdini—the greatest escape artist and psychic debunker in history—surrounded by a Haunted House attraction, is not Temple's cup of tea. However, despite her reluctance, Temple becomes fascinated with the eccentric and perilous world of psychics when one of them does not survive the séance.
With everybody hiding secrets, and Temple's past, and possibly future lover the Mystifying Max having connections to the victim, the investigation becomes a personal quest for the young publicist. Both of her romantic interests, the bewitching magician Max Kinsella and the deceptively innocent ex-priest Matt Devine expose deep currents: from hints of international terrorism to familial vendettas.
The feline detective, Midnight Louie, himself is plagued by the supernatural, as well as his impertinent offspring, Midnight Louise and an imperious Burmese neighbor. While most mysteries are resolved at the end, there are some secrets left for subsequent development.
This series is at times rather fanciful, and overly melodramatic. The supernatural cat visions, as well as the IRA references are a bit over the top for the context of humorous mystery.
The mystery is sprinkled with mid-brow literary references, satirical exaggeration, and occasionally serious moments. Douglas has an especial fondness for Poe's "Raven" and Welles' "Citizen Kane".
There is some gradual development in the life of the main character and her friends, although the book can be read as a stand-alone story.
The feisty and intelligent heroine, combined with the hectic pace and humorous tone, make this an enjoyable and fun read.
Overall: 6.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1996, Tom Doherty Associates (Forge), November 1997, Mass market paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 0-812-54012-3 Order from: Amazon.com