The Bengal Identity, by Eileen Watkins, is the second of the series featuring her cat groomer Cassie McGlone. I thoroughly enjoy this series. The heroine, Cassie, works with the police not against them, or in spite of them, etc. Ms. McGlone understands the importance of working with law enforcement; and does not wander aimlessly around her environment asking stupid/ignorant questions in the hopes of solving the crime. The mystery is well written with humor, and of course, involves the cat highlighted in the author's title. I have bought the first two books in her series including this one and The Persian Always Meows Twice. I have the 3rd book, Feral Attraction, in my cart for September, and am already looking forward to any of her future books. I greatly enjoy mysteries that showcase animals, especially when the author displays an understanding of the animals, whether felines, canines, equines, etc., as well as compassion towards the animals. The mystery itself is the most important ingredient in this genre, but is closely followed by character development, and interest in the subject that allows the mystery to build. Ms. Watkins is definitely a must read for me, because she shows respect for her characters: both human and animal.

Another good ready by Eileen Watkins. The Bengal personality in this book is very similar to ones I've known. I liked the mystery about was the cat stolen and the tracking of possible owners as well as tracking down what happened to the person who dropped off the cat at the groomers for boarding.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written, fast moving and full of adventure. I learned a lot about cats, pets, valuable Bengals, cross-breeding and bobcats. Also, I learned how to kidnap them. The identity of the kidnappers kept me guessing until the end. Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Like it’s predecessors, The Bengal Identity offers a solidly crafted mystery that will be enjoyed by cat lovers and mystery aficionados alike.  Not only does Eileen Watkins not hesitate to address issues of importance to animal lovers (in this case the reckless breeding of hybrid cats), she does so in a way that is informative and inoffensive.  When combined with her skillful plotting, it is no wonder the Cassie McGlone mysteries are bestsellers.


In The Bengal Identity, Cassie is tasked with solving a murder and finding a missing owner.  When a man brings a brown cat of unknown origin begging Cassie to board her for a few days, Cassie reluctantly agrees.  But she and her assistant quickly discover that something isn’t quite right. When they bathe Ayesha, the brown washes away leaving a distinctive pattern underneath.  Why is she being disguised, and who is the man who left her behind. When the man turns up as the victim of a hit and run and Cassie’s business is targeted, she begins to wonder what Ayesha’s connection to the situation is and who really owns her.


Cassie and the other central characters are well developed.  Even if you haven’t read Eileen Watkins’s previous mysteries, it is no problem to jump right in with The Bengal Identity.  If you enjoy mysteries and you love cats, you definitely should take the time to read The Bengal Identity. I enjoyed it, and after the teaser, am already looking forward to the next book in the series.


5 / 5


I received a copy of The Bengal Identity from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


-- Crittermom

Princess Fuzzypants here: If I had to board with someone, I would choose to stay with Cassie. She really gets us kitties and she is smart and has a big heart. She knows something is amiss when a strange young man leaves a cat with her telling her he will be back for the cat soon. She is already suspicious when she discovers the cat has been dyed and underneath she is a Bengal. She reports her suspicions even before the young man is murdered.
Now Cassie has a beautiful but high maintainance kitty in her care and no idea to whom she belongs. While Cassie attempts to locate the real owner, someone wants to Cat-kidnap Ayesha.
There are several different storylines that all converge around the cat to make an entertaining and exciting romp. Cassie and her friends are humans I enjoy greatly. She helps with the investigation without getting involved in anything but an organic way. It all flows without any wrong or jarring steps.
I give this a hearty five purrs and two paws up.

Cassie McGlone runs a cat boarding and grooming service in Chadwick, NJ. Just as rumors are circulating about a wild cat roaming the nearby hills attacking dogs and children, a man drops off a cat to board at her shop. The cat's fur has a strange texture and appears dirty, so she gives the animal a bath. Brown dye cascades down the drain, revealing that the kitty is an expensive purebred Bengal. The man never comes back to get the cat, so Cassie starts investigating whether the feline might be stolen. When the stranger who dropped the cat off is killed in a hit and run accident and someone attempts to break into Cassie's business, it appears the case is much more than just a case of possible cat-napping.

The Bengal Identity is the second book in the Cat Groomer Mystery series. The covers are always eye-catching and inviting. The bright orange background and lovely Bengal kitty on this latest cover definitely got my attention! The characters are likable and the background theme of a cat groomer and boarding business is fun and interesting. Cassie is an intelligent main character, and the supporting cast, such as Cassie's veternarian boyfriend and her employees, really add to the story. In this newest addition to the series, the mystery moved along at a nice pace with plenty of twists and clues. I thought I had things figured out....I was close, but the plot held some surprises back until the very end.

I like this series. The mix of humor, cat facts and mystery really appeal to me. I'm definitely going to keep reading! The next installment in the series, Feral Attraction, comes out in September 2018.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I have always wanted a Bengal kitty but they are way out of my price range. To read about one is the next best thing.

While the town is also dealing with some sightings of a big cat in the wild that had a attacked a dog and scared a child. Cassie McGlone, owner of Cassie’s Comfy Cats was pretty surprised when one of her feline guests turned out to be a Bengal. When he arrived at her shop all she saw was a big brown kitty, but a bath started to show the cat’s true identity. Cassie suspects the feline had been catnapped. Cassie then learns the man that boarded the Bengal with her has been killed so she opens up to the police about her very special guest. But a break in makes her realize that someone will go to great lengths to steal this cat. Cassie starts her own investigation to find the kitty’s true owners while the police try to apprehend the killer. What they find is positively shocking!

Cassie is a fun protagonist. She is thoughtful and smart and would do anything to protect her friends or the cats in her care. Her assistant Sarah is a caring woman as well. She has opened her home to Harpo, a pretty Persian after his owner was killed in the previous story. She is injured in this story, but she doesn’t let it hold her back much at all. Together they make a great team. Dr. Mark Coccia is back and spending time with Cassie, but he is having some employee issues at his vet clinic that is weighing heavy on his mind and need to be handled. Detective Angela Bonelli knows the information she gets from Cassie will help her solve the case. I love the open way they work together. We meet a couple other characters that I hope return in a future book too.

There is more than one mystery in this story and there are some really nice twists. The story is well written with excellent depictions of time and place making it so easy to visualize everything. There is a part of this story that is so relevant and so current, but when the sheer magnitude of what was happening was revealed I was livid. To avoid spoiling the story for others I will say no more about that except to say this story is a wonderful read that elevated my blood pressure just a bit.

I love these characters and where Ms. Watkins has taken them. You can tell how much she loves cats by all the love of them that her characters share.

As with the first book in this series, The Persian Always Meows Twice, I read it all in one sitting. I am excited for Feral Attraction to be released on September 25!

Cat lovers' cozy mystery. Interesting and engaging mystery.

The Bengal Identity by Eileen Watkins is the second book in A Cat Groomer Mystery series. Cassie McGlone owns Cassie’s Comfy Cats in Chadwick, New Jersey. A man arrives at the shop wishing to board his cat, Ayesha with Cassie because his home burned the previous night. Even though he cannot provide identification or veterinary records, Cassie agrees to board Ayesha. When putting the cat in her cage, Cassie notices something sticky on her coat. A bath shows that Ayesha has been dyed to cover up her beautiful spots (rosettes). It seems that someone has also removed the cat’s chip. A consultation with Dr. Mark Coccia, the local veterinarian and Cassie’s boyfriend, reveals that Ayesha is a rare Bengal which is quite valuable. While watching television, Cassie sees a report of a hit-and-run accident that killed a man who had no identification. The sketch revels it to be the same man who dropped off Ayesha. Cassie contacts Detective Angela Bonelli and starts searching for Ayesha’s owner. At the same time, there are sighting of a large cat on Rattlesnake Ridge. Is there a connection between the wild cat and Ayesha? Then someone tries to break into Cassie’s Comfy Cats. Someone wants Ayesha and Cassie is determined to find the cat napper. Join Cassie on her latest hair-raising adventure in The Bengal Identity.

The Bengal Identity can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included. I found The Bengal Identity easy to read with a steady pace. The author’s writing style is straightforward, and it is obvious that that Eileen Watkins is knowledgeable about cats. She presents some interesting information on Bengal’s in this book. I had to laugh when Ayesha’s caterwauling was described. I knew immediately what the problem was and waited to see when Cassie would figure it out. The author accurately described the sound a female cat makes when in heat. Ayesha and the other cats in the book are the primary focus of The Bengal Identity. I love the description of Cassie’s Comfy Cats. The cats that stay there have deluxe quarters and plenty of places to roam and explore (gave me some ideas to use in my cat’s rooms). The mystery is uncomplicated. The solution can easily be discerned along the reason. Cassie devoted her time to looking for Ayesha’s owner. Solving the murder was just a bonus. My rating for The Bengal Identity is 3 out of 5 stars. The Bengal Identity is a light, cozy mystery that will appeal to feline lovers. The next installment A Cat Groomer mystery series is Feral Attraction.

I somehow completely missed that this was the second book of a series and I would have liked to know more about Cassie, it didn't cause much of a problem while I was reading. Ayesha, the cat, could have been her own character. I really liked the main character, Cassie, as she was a strong, well-written woman without being "too good". There were a somewhat predictable plot points, but it certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of this otherwise well-written, well-plotted book. I'll definitely be going back and reading book one!

This is a delightful series that will please cat lovers and all animal lovers.
The Bengal Identity by Eileen Watkins is the second book in the cozy A Cat Groomer Mystery series.
Cassie McGlone moved to the picturesque town of Chadwick to give herself a fresh start after leaving a horrible relationship. Opening her own shop, Cassie’s Comfy Cats, a cat grooming and boarding specialty boutique, she’d started to make a name for herself around the town and gather a list of clients. She loves cats and her business is thriving.
One day a mysterious man comes in with a cat that needs a bath and request it be boarded without any papers. Upon bathing the cat Cassie finds that a Bengal is underneath dye and may be a missing show cat.
The mystery deepens and Cassie is determined to find out the where the cat belongs, When the mysterious man is murdered in a hit and run Cassie is more concerned that whoever originally stole this prize show cat may be dangerous.
This is catnip for all cat lovers ! The protagonist is a true cat lover and advocate, the setting is fun and interesting and the sleuth was well crafted. I enjoy this series and hope it continues to a third book.
Thank you for the ARC of this delightful series to review. My opinions are my own. I look forward to the third in series and more cozy catnip for this cat lover.

Loved this cozy mystery. This is the first book by Eileen and found out that there is a book before this on but it was easily read as a stand-alone. Now to find the first one.....

Bengal Identity, #2 in the cat groomer series, features Cassie McGlone as the owner of a cat groomer/boarder business. A frantic young man drops off a
cat to board as his house burned down. Unable to turn down someone in obvious need, she agrees to take the cat even without vaccination proof. Cassie bathed the cat and discovered her fur had been dyed to hide her spots. Intrigued, Cassie investigates. While the mystery is fine, the novel's strength is the depth of feline facts from breed characteristics to advice for behaves issues. Entertaining, especially for cat lovers.


who has a penchant for getting to

A delightful series that is just getting better! I love that the setting is unique. As a reader, I am used to the mysteries that have animals, but this series takes it a step further which makes it that much better. The characters are well written and their personalities really shine through. The mystery was thought out and executed perfectly! I am so glad this series is really hitting it stride and getting better and better.

The debut novel in this series (The Persian Always Meows Twice) was one of my very favorite books of 2017, and I loved the sequel just as much, if not more! This one stars a beautiful Bengal cat named Ayesha who would have quite a story to tell if only she could talk, but since she can't, it's up to cat groomer/cattery owner Cassie to get to the bottom of things when the mysterious man who claims to own her dies under mysterious circumstances. The situation becomes even more suspicious when she discovers that Ayesha has been dyed and her microchip was removed. What on earth has this poor cat been through and how does it tie to the dead man?

There are secondary mysteries to be solved in the form of mysterious goings-on at Cassie's boyfriend's veterinary clinic and a series of scary attacks by a wild cat deep in the woods. I correctly pinpointed the murder suspect before Cassie did, but the motive was more shocking and disturbing than I ever could have imagined. This series is special because it's completely cat-centric in every way, making it pure purr-fection for those of us addicted to cat cozies. I'm envious of Cassie's career as a roomer, enabling her to make a living from her passion for cats, even though they manage to drag her into some pretty hairy situations! (Bad pun alert!)

The Bengal Identity
A Cat Groomer Mystery, Book #2
Eileen Watkins
5 Stars


Synopsis:

Everyone knows a leopard can't change its spots. But can a thief hide the spots on a catnapped Bengal? Groomer Cassie McGlone is about to find out . . .

With no ID for his pet, an agitated young man shows up at Cassie's Comfy Cats claiming his house has burned down and he needs to board his big, brown cat, Ayesha. But after a bath washes dye out of the cat's coat and reveals beautiful spots, Cassie suspects the exotic-looking feline may in fact be a valuable Bengal show cat, possibly stolen. At the same time, there are rumored sightings of a "wild cat" in the hills of Chadwick, New Jersey. Could there be a connection?

When Ayesha's alleged owner turns up dead, it looks like whoever wants the beautiful Bengal is not pussyfooting around. Working with the police, Cassie and her staff need to be careful not to reveal the purloined purebred's whereabouts while they discreetly make inquiries to cat breeders to find her real owners. But after a break-in attempt rattles Cassie's cage, it's clear someone let the cat out of the bag. And when a second body is found, it's up to Cassie to spot the killer, who may be grooming her to be the next victim . . . (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Cassie is a smart caring woman who knows her stuff about cats. She will do almost anything to protect the cats that she boards and takes care of. When Cassie and her assistant, Sarah, find that a cat in their care has been dyed and the person that dropped the cat off has died, she knows that she has to get to the bottom of what is going on. With the help of Dawn, her friend, and Sarah, she tries to figure that out.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place and listening in on conversations.

There was more than one mystery in this book which was great. The mysteries were well plotted and well developed. I was pretty sure of the culprit early on but there were enough other things going on that I really did not mind. I really liked that Cassie did not stumble upon a dead body, which is what happens in a lot of the cozies that I read.

You can tell that the author knows a lot about cats and that she has a fondness for them. This book dealt with breeding issues and the real problem of illegal breeding of exotic cats. It also gave some very disturbing images of non-reputable breeders.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Whether you are a cat person or not , you will enjoy this book. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

The Bengal Identity by Eileen Watkins is the second book in the cozy A Cat Groomer Mystery series. In the first readers were introduced to Cassie McGlone who had moved to the picturesque town of Chadwick to give herself a fresh start after leaving a horrible relationship. Opening her own shop, Cassie’s Comfy Cats, a cat grooming and boarding specialty boutique, she’d started to make a name for herself around the town and gather a list of clients.

Now we rejoin Cassie in her shop when a man walks in desperate to find a place to board his cat claiming his home had burned down. Cassie is a bit reluctant with no papers to assure proper medical care or the animal being spayed but agrees to keep her separate from her other boarders. But after the man leaves Cassie finds as she grooms Ayesha that the cat seems to have been dyed and thinks she is possibly a stolen show cat.

Before Cassie can get any answers on her new boarder’s owner however she finds on the news that a man has been killed in a hit and run. The victim is none other than the one that dropped off Ayesha so now Cassie finds herself yet again working with her friend in the police department to solve yet another murder in their small town.

Being the second book in the Cat Groomer series I already knew that I had enjoyed the first installment and anticipated this one to be a fun read as well and thankfully I was not disappointed at all. With a strong female lead and some interesting critters along with a slowly developing romance the series has a nice mix of elements to enjoy.

I would say with this addition to the series I was a tad surprised there weren’t quite as many suspects as I would expect but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing as the author instead fills the story with several things going on in the small town. A part of the mystery here was with all these events occurring was where exactly would the story head to and would everything be connected in the end. With a great wrap up to everything I am definitely still a fan of the series and will look forward to the next installment.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a cozy for cat and animal lovers. The main feline characters is really interesting and one of the most lively and well written in the books.
On a general level the book is entertaining with an interesting plot. It was not hard to identify the culprit even if the book kept me entertained till the end.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books

The story started out slow for me. I almost stopped reading it but plugged on. I found this to be an unusual story. There were a few subplots with not too may twist and turns to throw you off. I felt suspect pool was limited and thus made it easy for me to figure out who was involved in the murder. The reason was obvious from the first few chapters. What made this read interesting for me is it involved exotic cats and illegal breeding operations and a cats only boarding facility.

What I did like was the interaction between Cassie and Mark, the boyfriend-vet and Sarah. I also enjoyed learning cat facts as I have never had a female cat adopt me. In the story there are hints about cat problems, breed rescue sources and specifics about Bengals.

Cassie McGlone's owns, Cassie's Comfy Cats, a shop in Chadwick, NJ that caters to grooming and boarding of cats. A new client drops off his cat for boarding on the pretext that his house has been damaged in a fire and he needs to relocate. This new client is found dead a few days later not by the amateur sleuth. In the performance of their duties, Cassie and Sarah discover that the cat has been died to hide her breed from observers. Thus begins the mystery- why, where did this cat come from and who will be the rightful owner when all is said and done?

A mysterious young man steps into Cassie's Comfy Cats pet grooming facility, asking for shelter for his cat. After having groomed the kitty, Cassie and her assistant discover that Ayesha's fur has been dyed brown, and she's far from an ordinary cat.

When the strange man that left Ayesha at Comfy Cats turns up murdered, Cassie realizes that she's been involuntarily involved in a mysterious plot. Why had the Bengal cat been disguised as an ordinary brown kitty? Was that man actually Ayesha's true owner? And who is trying to break into her shop?

This is a pleasant, easy-going book. Part of a series of cozy mysteries called Cat Groomer Mysteries, it is probably a must-read for fans of the feline. I found the plot smart and quite funny. There is some background to the characters, although I would personally have enjoyed a bit more to their stories. It is, as one would expect, very cute as far as the cat descriptions are concerned, and probably well researched on the topic. All in all, a pleasant one-day read.