A Review of "Painted Cats"

The new book "Painted Cats" by Neal Litherland sees the return of Leo, the hard-boiled Maine Coon bruiser, searching the tough gritty streets of NYC for a mysteriously missing mama.

This is the third book I've read by author Neal Litherland, second in what I'm calling the 'Leo series' and the fluid, crafty, enriching writing style I've come to expect from him has not let me down. Truly a master of the writing craft, Litherland seamlessly and near flawlessly navigates through Leo's trials and adventures with seemingly effortless ease. From suspenseful cat escapes to the witty back alley dialogue I've come to know and love from these books, Litherland manages to magically create a secret world that one can wholeheartedly lose oneself in.

This story kicks off with an old friend, Delilah, coming to ask Leo for his help tracking down a friend of hers who has recently disappeared. Now this in itself is reason enough to be suss but her disappearance leaves behind a kitten. Delilah swears there's no way her friend, Mischief, would leave behind her kit, no matter her predicament. This cements the suspicion in Leo's mind that there's been foul play, so he takes the job.

As Leo searches the mean streets and back alleys all around New York, he's faced with another challenge, one he's never expected- taking care of a young one. Leo takes to his surrogate father role with surprising ease and even though he doesn't like to admit it, takes a shining to Trouble, Mischief's boy.

Not only does Leo help train Trouble in fighting techniques but he educates him in how to be a tough alley cat. Leo is refreshingly humble for a bruiser in that he knows all his best planning may one day fail and he takes this into account when training the kitten. He knows he must prepare this kitten for real life on the streets and doesn't hold back in his training. Tough but fair.

But the search for Mischief is not as straight forward has Leo had hoped. He must call in favors from old friends and cash in some debts in order to get anywhere. As we follow Leo's journey we get to meet a host of new characters from all around New York. With personalities ranging from a sexually fluid tomcat trying to get his rocks off in Scratch Alley to an uptown queen who humbly and eloquently acts as Trouble's babysitter and trainer for a time, the reader is immersed in a unique world of animal adventures.

We get to see a new side to Leo in this story as well. The role of father figure, which he doesn't seem too reluctant to take on. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't pussy foot around (pun most definitely intended) with the kit as he trains him for life on the mean streets. But he lets his heart of gold shine through as true protector to his surrogate son. Not only does he physically protect the kitten, he equips him with the tools necessary to protect himself, which is what all good parents and parent figures must do.

Leo is forced to take Trouble along with him on certain journeys and every moment is a teachable one. The book does not shy away from the cruelties of life as a stray but also gives hope for another day. Through dark dank subway tunnels and double-backing trails, we follow Leo as he continually manages to outsmart the baddest of the bad but little do they know who they're up against when this bruiser decides to help an old friend out of the goodness of his heart. Leo doesn't shy away from action either, diving fang first into his opponents with a no holds barred fighting style that leave many of his adversaries bloodied and limping, if not dead.

This book is filled with suspense as Leo slowly unravels the mystery surrounding Mischief's disappearance. The plot is full of turns and twists that will keep you reading long into the night.

Litherland's style of writing is as it ever is- smooth, fluid, witty, adventurous, suspenseful, all coated in gritty noir sleekness. His descriptions make you feel like you're trotting alongside Leo as he scrounges through trash cans, rides on the city bus bumper, and climbs trees to meet with old friends. The witty banter between friends will fill your lungs with laughter and the thinly veiled threats of a Maine Coon bruiser will make you remember that Leo is not one to be messed with! Personally, I'm a huge fan of Leo's sarcastic wit and sometimes caustic sense of humor. He's a hero for the common kitty who has no one else to turn to.

So, if you like reading animal adventures set to a noir style that doesn't shy away from the troubles of the real world, then this will be right up your alley. Pun wholeheartedly intended.

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