*****Note: This review originally appeared on GoodReads.com.

CURIOSITY THRILLED THE CAT
A Review
--------------------------
Maybe the cat was thrilled, but I think most readers have higher standards for entertainment.

First, let me say that I love the premise. Cats. Library. I mean, isn't at least some of the success of the internet based on the premise that people love cats and people love information (false or otherwise). Okay, I exaggerate much, but you get the idea...This book should be a recipe for success--at least niche success. Cat ladies. Librarians. People who like cats. People who like libraries. Most mystery readers...

But, here is where it all goes wrong, at least up to the point where I stopped (on page 74).

1. The Hook
First, one has to read and read and read some more to get to the hook. And when the hook finally arrives, well, let's just say that at least in my case, I could have cared less. I was not attached to the protagonist (or even the cats, which ought to say something)...

2. The Protagonist
As mentioned above, I felt no connection to the protagonist. We learn that she considers Boston home and that she has moved to a cold state to work on a Carnegie Library. And then she wanders around talking to people--not quite randomly, but randomly enough for me to think, "Meh."

3. Editing/Writing
The book is in need of additional editing and reads, I hate to say, like a draft. (A draft based on a good idea, but a draft nonetheless.)

4. Writing, Part II
I know some of the "draft-like" writing stems from this being one of the author's first books, and I am not a writer myself, so who am I to judge, right? Well, since we all spend money to read (or taxes to borrow from the library), I think we can at least fairly comment on what we feel is worth our buck and what is not. Writing is one of those things that improves the more we commit to it, but when someone is paying money for it, well...you get the idea. Here is an example of what I mean:

From Chapter Six:

"He looked like a slightly younger, much blonder version of Harry Taylor, who took care of the library grounds...'Ms. Paulson? I'm Larry Taylor...'"

The reader has not met Harry Taylor, so this is strange.

It continues. "...He had Harry's green eyes. 'Are you related to Harry?'"

I did not include the full section, but let me just say that this: First-draft writing. The reader has not met Harry Taylor. He has not been described to the reader, and the reader has no reason to care that either Harry or Larry has green eyes. (Maybe they become major characters later, but...)

5. Pace
This book is slow. And, to me, boring. The protagonist stumbles upon a body and does not even mention it to the other characters until virtually forced. What? That does not move a story along! And, why must we follow her to Tai Chi class? I am sure this comes up later, but, "Yawn."

6. "If you hang a hammer in scene one..."
I forget who said that, and I am paraphrasing, but if anything is worth mentioning, it should be worth the reader's time. If it does not drive the story, it should not be mentioned. Canvas shoes? Nah. Just shoes. Ornate wooden sun fixture for the library? In a mystery, it better land on someone or inspire a clue. But, I am not motivated to read on to find out if it does (and suspect it won't).

I could go on and on, but I will not. I wish the author great success in her future writing, but I simply cannot get into this book.