"The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon Morton Digby" by Delas Heras is a whimsical and imaginative tale that combines elements of humorous fantasy, detective story, and ghostly intrigue. Set in an alternate world run by cats and dogs in the 1950s, the novel introduces readers to a unique blend of murder mystery, ghosts, and a vengeful fiancée, creating a narrative that is both quirky and entertaining.

The premise of the story, centered around the mysterious murder of journalist Flint Lockford in Greenwich Village, sets the stage for a feline-driven detective investigation. Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner Detective J.B. Puddleworth navigate the challenges of solving the case, all while contending with the feisty and determined fiancée, Bianca Moon, who seeks justice with her own paws.

The world-building in this alternate reality is inventive and filled with delightful details, creating a setting where cats and dogs take on human-like roles. The concept of Ghosthall, an abandoned courthouse inhabited by rowdy ghosts, adds a layer of supernatural fun to the narrative. Flint's journey as a ghost, navigating the afterlife and making new spectral friends, brings an additional element of humor to the story.

However, the strength of the premise is somewhat overshadowed by uneven pacing and moments where the narrative feels scattered. The transition between the murder investigation and Flint's ghostly adventures, while entertaining, can be disjointed at times, making it challenging to maintain a seamless flow.

The characters, particularly Bianca Moon and Flint Lockford, are vibrant and full of personality, contributing to the overall charm of the story. The dynamic between the detectives and the vengeful fiancée adds a layer of tension and humor, creating engaging interactions throughout the novel.

In conclusion, "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon Morton Digby" is a three-star read that offers a delightful blend of fantasy, detective work, and ghostly escapades. While the narrative's pacing may falter at times, the creative world-building and quirky characters make for an entertaining and light-hearted experience. Fans of whimsical mysteries and alternate realities populated by anthropomorphic animals will find this book to be a purr-fectly enjoyable diversion.

I thought this book was really interesting. It was written from an angle I’ve never read before but it was still a good mystery/detective novel. It took me a little longer to get through than normal for me so that’s why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 but I would happily continue reading the series

Did not like this book. It was not the right fit for me. It was just too weird in my opinion and the wrighting was not good. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher giving me this arc.

*DUPLICATE REVIEW*

An old school detective story with cats and dogs as the characters? Sounds purr-fect!

This really was a howling good time! The animal references were clever, the story was fun, and there was an interesting mystery to whittle away at. When it came to building a narrative around the furries, the author thought things through quite well, capturing all of our beloved pets' idiosyncrasies while amusingly anthropomorphizing them.

Bianca was a terribly frustrating character, given all of the bad choices she made. But she was a cat so it made sense. It’s funny how you can make something work for a feline that would just cause groans and eye rolls for a human character. You just can’t expect great decisions from a cat, especially after she’s lost the love of her life. (Before you argue that cats cannot fall in love, spend some time with one who has been separated from his or her beloved playmate.)

This book needs some time in the spotlight, as I haven’t noticed anyone barking about it on social media. It is well written and serves as a good palate cleanser between darker or heavier reads!

I am immensely grateful to Double Six Books, Members’ Titles, Members’ Audiobooks, and NetGalley for my e-galley and ALC. All opinions are my own.

A moving and utterly thought-provoking work of contemporary literature, This book explores the intricacies of life, love and self-discovery. It is undoubtedly a captivating and reflective book thanks to its engaging characters,
Bianca Moon is going through a turning point in her life and is struggling with past regrets. The Book is beautifully written, drawing readers into Bianca's world and encouraging them to think about their own actions and decisions. This is a must read.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity.

#theninelivesofbiancamoon, #DelasHeras, #romance, #netgalley

This book was super boring. The third person wasn't helping. I don't know what else to put here besides that. I did like the relationship between Bianca and Flint. It was my favorite part. Also the ending is erupt and just ends. I wanted to know what happened to Roxie. I did skim read all the way to the end. The world was super interesting.

This book is so much fun when Bianca finds out her beloved Flint had a piano fall on him she is beside herself with grief and decides to find out what really happened. Flint was a reporter and she thinks he was on to something in Porten and that’s what got him killed. Just know this Brooke is so much fun and I thought it couldn’t get any better but when Flynn realizes he is a ghost OMG… So hard. I love books where animals act like people and every time I thought of the Scottish detective sitting in the chair with his little feet hanging over not touching the floor it made me giggle. Besides all that though the plot is a good one and it’s so worth reading this is a definite five story and one I highly recommend I only wish I would’ve listen to the audiobook but will definitely buy it in the future when it is released. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a big surprise! As soon as I began reading this I was laughing, it offered the same charm and quirkiness as Legends and Lattes for me. The characters were really distinctive and I really appreciated the friendships included in this.
The unique world building for the ghost realm was so fun! It gave me Luigi’s Mansion vibes actually for how fun and cartooney it felt.
Overall, I will happily read more from this series!

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon is a must-read, fusing feline fun, spectral escapades, and riveting detective work in a unique historical setting. It provides a gripping exploration of revenge, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds of love beyond life itself.

Thank you for the ARC.

<i> Set in the 1950s, in an alternate world run by cats and dogs, the action kicks off with the mysterious murder of journalist Flint Lockford on the streets of Greenwich Village. Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner Detective J.B. Puddleworth launch their investigation, but must contend with Flint's feisty fiancée, Bianca Moon, who is determined to take justice into her own paws.
Meanwhile, Flint's ghost arrives at Ghosthall, an abandoned courthouse now home to a band of rowdy ghosts. There he meets new friends and learns the ins and outs of being a spook. When he sets out to find Bianca, he is shocked to learn she has embarked on a reckless quest for revenge. Determined to protect her from her own feline fury, but limited by his ghostly powers, Flint must rely on Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner to collar the killers before Bianca runs out of lives. </i>

A cozy mystery/ 1950s detective story, but populated by cats, dogs, and ghosts? This was a fun one for sure. So many elements to love, and lots of sly animal puns worked their way in. Purrfection.

Thank you Delas Heras, Double Six Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

It's the 1950s in Greenwich Village, but not our Greenwich Village, this one is an alternate reality where cats and dogs run the world. Investigative journalist Flint Lockford, an Irish wolfhound, has his whole life in front of him: he has a comfortable life, a scoop on a big story, and he is about to propose to his girlfriend, an Angora cat, Bianca Moon. That is, until a piano is dropped on his head. Now Flint is a ghost and has to navigate a parallel society with rival ghost gangs and the humans who do their bidding. If trying to figure out how to be a ghost isn't enough, Flint must uncover the identity of the dog behind his murder while preventing Bianca from jeopardizing her lives in a quest for revenge.

I typically do not gravitate to stories with anthropomorphic animals, but the synopsis of the book pulled me in! This book had everything I needed: alternate reality, ghosts, whodoneit murder, rookie cops, and a revenge story. Plus, it was a lighthearted read. It reminds me a lot of the movies that were popular in the 1950s, not just with the manner of speaking and the slang, but with the hijinks and shenanigans. In older films, if it could go wrong, it did, and in the most over the top kind of way. Heras did a great job capturing that aspect of media in that time.

While this book is lighthearted, the author also captured the societal hierarchy that was also common in that time period. One of the female dogs encounters misogyny but uses that to her advantage, rising to the ranks as one of the best hit dogs around. The lives of cats within that society are less valuable because cats have more than one life, often ignoring that eventually, cats can get down to their last lives. In this novel, cats and dogs can marry, but it is often looked down upon by certain members of society. Bianca Moon doesn't tell her parents that she is dating a dog because she worries about how they will take the news. This book also highlights the manners and chivalry that can also be found within that time period. The author did a great job balancing both the good and the bad from the time period, bringing light to the issues, but not making it the focal point of the story.

The best part of this story are the characters. The cast of characters were so wonderfully complex and had the most amazing names. We have Flint Lockford the journalist, Bianca Moon a cat with a thirst for revenge, Roxy the alley cat, Detective J.B. Puddleworth and Junior Detective Morton Digby the fumbling detectives on their first murder investigation, and many others. I loved the rival ghost gangs and the personality of each crew. This book had me from the first page.

Thank you NetGalley for a digital copy so that I can provide an honest review for this book.

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon, Morton Digby #1, by Delas Heras (June 2023) Double Six Books

This novel is a blend of fantasy and murder mysteries featuring cats and dogs. It is set in the summer of 1954 in a magical New York City where cats and dogs are the only inhabitants. The story begins with Flint Lockford, an Irish wolfhound journalist, planning to propose marriage to a Turkish Angora cat, although they don’t plan to have children of their own, they want to adopt puppies and kittens.

Unfortunately, when Flint dies, Detective Morton Digby (a border collie mix) and his partner, Senior Detective J.B. Puddleworth (a Scottish terrier) must prove that Flint’s death was not an accident, but rather a planned murder.

Meanwhile, Flint’s ghost meets new friends and discovers the mysteries of being a spirit.

His fiancée, Bianca Moon (the Turkish Angora cat) is furious upon learning about his death and decides to take matters into her own paws, knowing she still has seven lives left (Thus, the title.) Her impulsive actions either help or complicate the detectives’ investigation as they uncover the suspects’ motives for killing the journalist.

This book is an enjoyable read. Although I am not a fan of stories with anthropomorphic animals, I am impressed with the world created by the author, especially how the cats’ nine lives pan out (which makes me sad because dogs only have one life). As a murder mystery thriller, I found the plot suspenseful and ALMOST guessed the mastermind correctly. Therefore, I am giving this 4 out of 5 stars.

How can you resist the idea of a hard-boiled detective novel where all the participants are cats and dogs?  Plus, when you add in the roaming ghost of the murdered Flint Lockford, I was hooked.  This seriously had everything I love in one novel - mystery, quirky detectives, ghosts, and animals!  

Flint was likable from the start.  Hard working, dedicated, and totally devoted to his soon-to-be fiancée.  To say that I was a bit shocked that he was bumped off so early in the book is an understatement.  Maybe I should have been expecting it, but I was still surprised.  I was happy that he stuck around to try and help solve his own murder.  

Bianca is Flint's girl, and I was both happy and intrigued by the fact he was dating a cat.  Bianca is feisty and independent, as any cat should be.  However, her increasingly reckless behavior as the story progressed gave me a touch of anxiety on her part.  But I could support her drive to find out who had killed her love.  

The mismatched detective duo is a classic combination.  One proper and the other more play it by ear that come together to solve the crime in the end.  Even though they were a bit hapless throughout the story, although not completely so. Is it their fault that the clever kitties Bianca and Roxy were often a step ahead?

The side characters were often the stars of the show, in my opinion.  Especially Roxy, the alley cat, and Professor Chumley, a fellow ghost.  They add a bit of liveliness and sometimes a humorous break in the action.  

While I had a hunch I knew how the story was going to end, the journey to that point was a lot of fun.  The actual bad guy caught me by surprise as well.  I'd have never guessed them either.  If you're a fan of detective novels of the fifties or even just mysteries in general, you might love this book.  It's fun, a bit silly at times, but overall a good mystery that takes a few twists and turns along the way.

A moving and thought-provoking work of contemporary literature, "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" by Delas Heras explores the intricacies of life, love, and self-discovery. Heras is an engrossing and reflective book thanks to its engaging characters, emotional depth, and analysis of personal evolution.
Bianca Moon is experiencing a turning point in her life and is struggling with previous regrets, unrealized goals, and the quest for purpose. A series of life-altering experiences Bianca has while on a quest for self-discovery shift her viewpoint and put her ideas of happiness and fulfilment to the test. Heras deftly interweaves the various stages of Bianca's life, examining themes of love, loss, identity, and the human spirit's resiliency.
The ability of Delas Heras to develop relatable, complex characters is one of the novel's most outstanding features. While negotiating the complexities of her relationships and facing her inner problems, Bianca Moon proves to be a compelling protagonist who is imperfect yet tenacious. Family, friends, and love partners give narrative depth and variety while also contributing significantly to Bianca's process of self-discovery.
The reflective and emotional writing style of Heras perfectly captures the complexity of Bianca's experiences and the breadth of her feelings. The tale is exquisitely written, drawing readers into Bianca's world and encouraging them to think about their own actions and decisions. The author's examination of subjects including self-acceptance, personal development, and the quest for happiness adds depth and relatability to the story.
"The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" explores the complexities of relationships and how they affect our lives. Heras looks at the different types of love and how they influence our identities and decisions. The book inspires readers to explore their personal relationships and the value of self-awareness and authenticity in achieving happiness. The pace of "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" can be slow at times, focusing more on the protagonist's personal journey than on exterior story developments, which some readers may find to be off-putting. Any small pace issues are, however, made up for by the emotional depth, likeable characters, and reflective aspect of the story.
The modern fiction book "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" is masterfully written and introspective, and it resonates with its examination of personal development and the complexity of life. This novel is an engaging and thought-provoking read because to Delas Heras's adept storytelling, well-drawn characters, and expressive prose. "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" is a novel that will have a lasting impression if you're looking for a reflective and passionate voyage of self-discovery.

Set in the 1950’s in a universe where cats, dogs and ghosts are commonly intertwined, reminiscent of old detective movies, “The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon” presents a world that’ll transport you into an astounding story told through several points of view, which narrate the the murder investigation followed up by Bianca Moon, a cat that seeks revenge for the mysterious death of her fiancé, Flint Lockford, who was sorrowfully crushed by a piano.

You won’t be able to stop reading this due to it’s particular setting and the lovable characters, ranging from detectives such as charming Detective Digby, to murderers, like businessdog Tatiana Valova, and even ghosts, which can be found in Ghosthall, all this enveloped in the graceful writing style of Delas Heras. It’s a book worth remembering for young readers, as well as older ones.

I’m grateful with NetGalley, Delas Heras and the publisher for letting me read this before its publication.

I was intrigued by the clever twist on the standard mystery/detective story in the form of cats and dogs as the characters. Given the time period and the setup, I was expecting noir - I'm not exactly sure what I got, but it definitely wasn't that...

To me, it felt like the author was trying to do a lot of things with this one, and the result was a bit of a mishmash that I had a hard time connecting to. There are a lot of characters. I do not know much about dogs or cats so while it's possible that the extended descriptions and character traits ascribed were snarky or funny or interesting if you did, but to me they mostly felt like odd details that didn't add anything to my understanding of the characters or their role in the story.

The ghost element was another piece that should have drawn me in but somehow never did. Perhaps this is negate the plot moves along at a fairly slow pace, and it felt a bit cobbled together as a result. I don't know - I just never felt like it grabbed me and pulled me in enough to keep reading... This wasn't a good fit for me.

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon is a little different from what I would usually pick up, but it turned out to be a fun and quirky read. It did take me a little while to get into the story it is well-written and easy to read. I didn't find it particularly fast-paced, but the speed worked well with the plot.

I really enjoyed the world-building and liked the alternate world where things are run by animals. In this particular book, they are cats and dogs. I liked the characters and the way they were created. Each character's personality is represented based on what type of breed they are. There were a couple of characters that I would have liked to see developed a little more but overall they were fun to follow, and this is only book one in the series so hopefully as the series continues they will develop too.

This is the first time I've read anything from this author, but I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series.

If you're looking for a quick and quirky read I highly recommend this one!!

I would like to thank Delas for getting in touch and sending me a NetGalley widget for this book.

These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

I tried several times to get into this but I just couldn't. Dogs wearing suits, using their paws like hands? What was the point of them even being dogs if they were just going to act like humans? It didn't work for me and I couldn't get into it. The story sounded interesting, but I won't be trying again. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC.

This was such a quirky read, and I truly have a special fondness toward quirky reads. I'm typically not one for detective stories. They just don't often appeal to me. So some of the plot wasn't quite my cup of tea. But that overall did not hinder my enjoyment of the book! It was quirky and fun to read if a bit confusing to my ADHD brain.
More of a 3.5 rating!

Thanks to NetGalley & Double Six Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest & fair review!

I'll be honest, I don't typically read books starring anthropomorphic animals. But this was brilliant. I loved the world that was created, the rules the author set for ghosts and the societal expectations for the animals based on their breed.

It's a very easy read, and very enjoyable. I relished every new page and loved most of the characters (Roxy is a favourite), and I'm pleased to see that it's meant to be the 1st in a series, so I'm looking forward to reading the next book! Keep it up, author!