The Black Cat Detectives by Kit Gray
See also: other cozy mysteries
I’d give it a 4,5 stars, but I’ll go ahead and round it up to 5, because there’s not much more you can ask from a cozy mystery with kittens!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
Argitalpen data: 2026/05/26
Lenght/luzera: 304 pages/orrialde
Publisher/Argitaletxea: Crooked Lane Books
I chose it because of the cover, I won’t deny it. The title and the fact that there are kittens in it made me eager to read it!
It had to wait though, as I had more pressing releases and this week I started… and finished it. I stretched it out over a few days, because I just wanted to enjoy the kittens’ perspective and adventures. I’m glad to see that this will be a book series (I think… I hope?).
Plot:
Mila, a wannabe magician, finds herself entangled with three kittens that she finds in an alley, and a murder on her stage–the murdered person being her not-as-clean-as-he-seemed boyfriend.
All evidence point to Mila and she needs to start up her own investigation to clear her name—with her new little helpers, of course.
It is narrated from the POV of Mila and the three kittens (four voices in total). It may sound like too many, but it’s well balanced and easy to follow, as each one (especially the kittens) has their distinct and genuine personality.
I appreciated the feel-good vibe that the kittens add to the story, their ingenuity and their view of the world, which is refreshing.
Each of them has a singular personality and it shows that the writer either knows cats very well or has researched them properly.
The discoveries along the story are entertaining, and the amateur sleuthing by Mila is clever and conversational, while that of the litter of kittens is equal parts inventive and chaotic, adding a charming layer to the adventure.
Spoiler alert:
If you’re looking for magic and a grand fantasy, you’ll be disappointed. The mystery itself is entertaining, but I knew who the killer was very early on (although the motive eluded me a bit longer). Still, the writing and the adventure put a smile on my face, and I deeply appreciated it.
You’re free of spoilers again:
A completely feel-good book with suspense, but not the intense kind.
At the end, there’s a list of names and places and another of content warnings (bad things that may be upsetting for different sensitivities).
Target audience:
It is very cat-lover oriented; if no cat has yet claimed you as their human, you may not enjoy or get this book as much, especially since three out of the four POVs belong to the kittens.
Special quotes (beware of vague spoilers):
- For every cat who ever chose to spend their life loving a human. (It is lovely dedication).
- Her heart filled with warmth as she wrapped fond memories of her adopted home around herself like a quilt. Chap. 1.
- Our part was raised above theirs, clearly indicating that we were more important. Chap. 6. → A well captured cat attitude.
- Desist that ruckus at once, catlings. Chap. 7. → totally captures a queen’s voice.
- A rooster and half a dozen hens meandered around the field, scratching at the bases of the plants and dropping their business everywhere. None of them even had the self-respect to bury it. Chap. 10.
- If a room could give a hug, this one would’ve been golden and soft. Chap. 12.
- (…) and as the great Richard Whately once said, “Lose an hour in the morning, and you will spend all day looking for it”. Chap. 15.
- The air is thick with panic. Chap. 16.
- (…) everything appeared to be flashing between blue and red, as if the whole world were gripped in a battle to the death between raging fire and calm, insistent water. Chap. 16.
- To Mila the place up a bit. Chap. 24.
- (…) drooling all over her and purring like a happy thundercloud. Chap.. 29.
Puntuazioa/Puntuación/Rating: ★★★★⯪
