by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Cat in an Alphabet Endgame, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
All the past events have led to this. Las Vegas public relation agent Temple Barr is about to walk down the aisle with Matt Devine, the ex-priest-turned-radio-counselor who just received a tantalizing offer to host his own television show. Mystifying Max Kinsella, the magician who first lured Temple to Vegas only to disappear, has returned with both his memories and his lost cousin, and homicide detective Lieutenant Carmen Molina has finally given up her pursuit of him as a murder suspect. Overseeing all of this is feline narrator Midnight Louie and his probable daughter Midnight Louise, as their Midnight Investigations play a large role in the events that culminate in a wedding with many astounding resolutions.
The novel picks up where the previous left off, moments after a burglar had the misfortune of meeting Electra Lark, the armed owner of the Circle Ritz. It’s not the first time someone has attempted a burglary there, as rumors abound of stolen fortunes ostensibly raised for the IRA. Instead of introducing new plot points, author Carole Nelson Douglas very wisely focuses on resolving those that have been developed throughout the series, finally arriving at an extremely satisfying and extremely clever conclusion.
Midnight Louie was introduced as the mysterious narrator of the Crystal Phoenix romance novels in the 1990s, and his adventures with his human roommate Temple Barr have provided over twenty years of ingenious plot twists, sympathetic characters, and clever satire of Las Vegas and pop culture lifestyles. Petite Temple Barr has finally found her prince charming, and all she needs to do now is find the perfect Princess Diana wedding dress that won’t make her appear as though she’s being swallowed by fabric. Matt Devine and Max Kinsella unearth answers to their own complicated and traumatic family dilemmas, as does the abrasive Lieutenant Molina. The detective/undercover lounge singer has always been a thorn in our heroes’ backsides, and even with hostilities lessened, she continues to meet them with a raised eyebrow and barbed remark.
It was with such mixed emotions that I approached Cat in an Alphabet Endgame, book 28 and final installment of the Midnight Louie mystery series. As much as I felt compelled to speed-read through and discover how the author would tie-up all of our beloved characters’ stories, I also wanted to savor every moment and not turn that final page. Readers who may have missed or forgotten a book or two are quickly brought up to speed in the introduction, and loyal fans will be rewarded with an imminently delightful and genuinely gratifying end. It’s a huge challenge to end a series while pleasing a vast audience, but Carole Nelson Douglas more than lives up to the task. This much anticipated novel should be slowly relished, despite the temptations to cheat and see the fate of these endearing friends.
To enter to win either an e-book or print copy of Cat in an Alphabet Endgame, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “alphabet,” or comment on this article and please state whether you want an e-book or print copy. A winner will be chosen September 10, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
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Love Midnight Louie, and Carole Nelson Douglas. Sort of sad to see the series come to an end. Guess all good things must end at some point. I hope Louie will continue on….certainly hope he does not die at the end of the book! I’d cry my eyes out!
Would love an e-book. I ? Midnight Louie!
As a fan of Midnight Louie and the gang from the very beginning, I would be thrilled to win a print copy of the final book in this series.
I really love Midnight Louie. Looking forward to the book. Print.
Another Midnight Louie book, a great addition to a great series. Looking forward to reading.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
So glad to see this wonderful review, and Cynthia, this was a complex achievement! You really kept all spoilers at bay, so readers will still find the surprises. It’s such a relief. I didn’t want to get hit by a comet and leave readers hanging!
I have never read any of the Midnight Louie books. I have read Carole Nelson Douglas’s Irene Adler series which I really enjoyed. I would love to win a print copy and track down the other books to read what I have missed.
vlhcats@gmail.com
Love cozy mysteries with animals in. They are so interesting. Thanks for the chance to win
I’ve always been fond of Midnight Louie, and I heard Carole Nelson Douglas read years ago in Champaign, IL.
Print copy, please..
E-book copy please and I haven’t heard of this series. So this will be totally new to me. Thank you so much for the chance.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Haven’t read this series yet but would like to. Thanks for the chance to win.
A print book please donamaekutska7@gmail.com
I would so love a print book. Midnight Louie is the best series.
It has been a long time since I read any of the earlier Midnight Louie series! This new series sounds like a good place to catch up and start again. So Matt and Temple are finally tying the knot – good to hear that they will be in the new series with Louie!
SAD THAT THIS IS THE LAST MIDNIGHT LOUIE BOOK. REALLY WANT THIS TO READ. WOULD LIKE A PRINT COPY! THANKS FOR THE CHANCE! calicolady60@hotmail.com
We have a winner!