A sub-type of cozy mysteries that has become extremely popular is mysteries with talking animals. Thanks to the recommendation of a friend, I recently read the first book in a new series by Susan Wittig Albert "The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter". In this delightful new series Ms. Albert, imitating the writing style of Beatrix Potter, mixes fact with fiction to create a whimsical world of talking animals and eccentric human characters. Following the death of her finance, Beatrix Potter purchased a farm and moved to the Lake District in England. This much is fact. Most of the rest is fiction. Beginning with a listing of the cast of characters (historical, fictional, and animal), the author places Ms. Potter amongst the not always welcoming people of Near Sawrey, England. She purchases Hill Top Farm and sets to the task of learning how to be a farmer, although not all the villagers believe this is appropriate occupation for a woman. A number of mysteries large and small greet her arrival; however, by the end of the book all is well—thanks in large part to the timely assistance of some four-legged and feathered friends. Fans of Beatrix Potter’s children’s books should enjoy this series. Susan Wittig Albert also writes the popular China Bayles mystery series. The library also has the second book in this series "The Tale of Holly How".

Other authors who write mysteries of this variety are Carole Nelson Douglas, Rita Mae Brown. Lilian Jackson Braun, Marian Babson and Susan Conant.

Carol Nelson Douglas visited Scottsbluff a few years ago while doing an author tour for the Panhandle Library System. She writes in a number of different styles and genres, but her most popular series may be the Midnight Louie mysteries. Midnight Louie is a cat with an attitude. The series is set in Las Vegas, and Louie, an eighteen-pound tomcat, has the run of the city. He’s a Mickey Spillane kind of sleuth and does his own narration. Rough around the edges, he "cats" around and has many female conquests. His human is Ms. Temple Barr who he is constantly saving from one predicament after another. Ms. Nelson’s latest Midnight Louie book is "Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit".

Rita Mae Brown (and Sneaky Pie Brown, the cat) write the Mrs. Murphy mystery series. Ms. Brown never wanted to write mysteries; however, Sneaky Pie did, thus the Mrs. Murphy series. Mrs. Murphy is a tiger cat and her human is Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen. Assisting Harry and Mrs. Murphy in their adventures are Pewter the cat and Tee Tucker, a Corki. All the animals talk to each other and are keen observers of human beings with humorous results. "Cat Eyewitness" is Rita Mae Brown’s latest Mrs. Murphy adventure.

The cats in the "Cat Who…" mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun do not talk. In this series journalist Jim "Qwill" Qwilleran is assisted in his sleuthing adventures by two Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. Qwill acquired the cats while in the process of solving the murders of their owners. Koko’s psychic powers are the gimmick in this series. While Koko seems to have a sixth sense for solving crimes, Yum Yum is a cuddly kind of cat. "The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell" is the latest in this extremely popular series.

Another author of "cat" mysteries is Marian Babson. Born in Salem, MA, Babson has lived in England for most of her life so her mysteries have a distinct English flavor to them. "Please Don’t Feed the Cat" is the library’s most recent book.

Finally, dog lovers, there is a series for you. Susan Conant plays both sides of the street. She writes two series "The Cat Lover’s Mysteries" and "The Dog Lover’s Mysteries". The dogs in Conant’s dog lover’s series are two Alaskan malamutes Rowdy and Kimi. Their human is Holly Winter a dog trainer. "Scratch the Surface" and "Dogfather" are our most recent Conant books.

As an owner of cats and dogs, I have long been fascinated by the thought that they have their own systems of communication and views of humans. The author’s of these books take that conceit and run with it. The popularity of these books is due in large part to their charming characterizations, light-hearted humor, and quirky plots. They delight and don’t offend. If a reader is looking for a pleasurable read, try one of these series.

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