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Curiosity Thrilled the Cat (Magical Cats) Mass Market Paperback – February 1, 2011

by Sofie Kelly (Author)

1,785 ratings

Book 1 of 16: Magical Cats

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Meet small town librarian Kathleen Paulson and her fantastical felines, Hercules and Owen, in the first novel in the New York Times bestselling Magical Cats Mystery series.

When librarian Kathleen Paulson moved to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, she had no idea that two strays would nuzzle their way into her life. Owen is a tabby with a catnip addiction and Hercules is a stocky tuxedo cat who shares Kathleen's fondness for Barry Manilow. But beyond all the fur and purrs, there's something more to these kitties.

When murder interrupts Mayville’s Wild Rose Summer Music Festival, Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect. More stunning is her realization that Owen and Hercules are truly special—perhaps even magical. Now, with a little legwork from her four-legged friends, Kathleen may be able to solve this purr-fect murder...

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the New York Times Bestselling Magical Cat Mysteries

“Owen and Hercules are a delight.”—Kings River Life Magazine

“If you are a fan of Miranda James’s Cat in the Stacks mysteries, you will want to read [this series].”—MyShelf.com

“Coziness at its finest. I adore those magical cats!”—Socrates’ Book Reviews

“With great characters and an interesting story, readers will be in for a treat with this classic whodunit.”—RT Book Reviews

“Small-town charm and a charming cat duo make this every cat fancier’s dream.”—The Mystery Reader

About the Author

Sofie Kelly is a New York Times bestselling author and mixed-media artist who lives on the East Coast with her husband and daughter. She writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Cats mysteries and, as Sofie Ryan, writes the New York Times bestselling Second Chance Cat mysteries.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2011
Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451232496
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451232496
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.2 x 0.85 x 6.7 inches
Book 1 of 16 ‏ : ‎ Magical Cats

Best Sellers Rank: #265,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,303 in Amateur Sleuths
- #1,344 in Cozy Animal Mysteries
- #1,861 in Women Sleuths (Books)

Customer Reviews:
1,785 ratings

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Sofie Kelly

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Sofie Kelly: Six Quick Questions

Sofie Kelly is the pseudonym of writer and mixed-media artist, Darlene Ryan. As Sofie Kelly she writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Cats mysteries. And as Sofie Ryan she writes the Second Chance Cats series. Sofie/Darlene lives on the east coast with her husband and daughter. In her spare time she practices Wu style tai chi and likes to prowl around thrift stores.

How did you get started as a writer?

I've been writing forever. (I won third prize in a poetry contest in third grade.) I wrote radio commercials for years and lots of bad short stories that I couldn't get published--for good reason--they were awful. But the more I wrote, the more I learned.

Did you always want to be a writer?

No. I wanted to move to California, become a director and marry Michael Cole from The Mod Squad, which gives you an idea of how old I am. I think I became a writer by evolution. I went from writing commercials and short stories to writing articles and eventually books.

Was English your favorite subject in school?

It wasn't--which always surprises people. My favorite subject was math, at least until calculus came along.

Where do you get your ideas?

Everywhere. It could be something I hear on the news. It could be something someone says to me, or something I overhear. (Yes, I'm guilty of eavesdropping in public.) And I like to watch people and make up stories about who they are and what they're doing.

What's the secret to writing a book?

The secret to writing a book is...that there is no secret. Writing a book is like everything else in life, you have to show up and do it. There may be writers who wait for inspiration to hit and then the words just pour out, but I'm not one of them. I work from an outline and I write a certain number of words each day. Some days it's easy. Some days I keep clicking on the Word Count and moaning, "Am I done yet?"

What do you like to read?

The short answer is everything. I read a lot of mystery,women's fiction, and paranormal, but if something about a book intrigues me--the title, the subject, sometimes even the cover art--I don't pay any attention to the genre. I tend to read more than one book at a time and one of them is usually non-fiction.

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1,785 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book entertaining from start to finish, with an exciting plot full of twists and turns. The book features well-drawn characters and is particularly appealing to cat lovers, with one customer noting how each cat has a unique personality. Customers praise the writing style, describing it as well-written and easy to read, while also appreciating the charming town setting and fast-paced narrative.

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Enjoyment Mystery story Cat love Character development Writing quality Series quality Charm Pace

136 customers mention "Enjoyment"136 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining from start to finish, with one customer describing it as a great whodunit.

"Great book! Now I'm reading the rest of the series. If you like cats and paranormal, it's for you." Read more

"...Really: This is fun. There's sweet humor, not much laugh-out-loud funny, but if you are a cat person it will all seem so very familiar...." Read more

"...Well-plotted (beyond the "usual" cozy), and with a flair for witty dialogue, this is truly a how-to of writing an excellent mystery...." Read more

"...She said to add that this book is highly recommended as a great whodunit, especially for all of you who love cats too! Meow! Owen..." Read more

94 customers mention "Mystery story"94 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery elements of the book, describing it as a light-hearted, exciting story with twists and turns that provides an interesting puzzle.

"...It's just a fun story that will take you away for a little while. Just what the doctor ordered." Read more

"...'s festival -- is structured with aplomb, and the outcome involves a split conclusion...." Read more

"...A wonderful cozy for cat lovers." Read more

"...Of course, the story involves very high-minded people, well able to pass righteous judgment on others while living their unmarred lives, baking up..." Read more

84 customers mention "Cat love"84 positive0 negative

Customers love the cats in the book, describing them as interesting and purrfect, with one customer noting the author's deep understanding of feline behavior.

"...It's even better with cats, and these cats are utterly catlike. What more could I ask for?..." Read more

"Recently, a friend gifted me four of Ms. Kelly's delightful cat mysteries (3 Magical Cats and one from another series), and they were wonderful...." Read more

"...Ms. Kelly's treatment of the cats is exceptional...." Read more

"This one required a more than willing suspension of disbelief; cats with superpowers!..." Read more

56 customers mention "Character development"52 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting the finely drawn characters, with one customer highlighting the unique personalities of the cats and another mentioning the good portrayal of women who are friends.

"...It has all the ingredients for "summer reading:" an appealing protagonist, a believable premise, entertaining characters, and a dead body...." Read more

"...The writing is unexceptional, there was sufficient character development, and the plot was reasonable...." Read more

"...That these have great mysteries and wonderful characters makes it even better...." Read more

"...This is a fun series to read. The cats each have a unique personality. Like brothers, they do occasionally squabble...." Read more

38 customers mention "Writing quality"38 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting how the prose captivated their attention throughout.

"...What makes this book sparkle is the writing. Sofie Kelly created a protagonist who has a sense of humor, and a sense of proportion, too...." Read more

"...and with a flair for witty dialogue, this is truly a how-to of writing an excellent mystery. Think my cats would approve! Highly recommended!" Read more

"...There is a lilting, almost melodic qualiity to her writing which makes it almost impossible to put the book down...." Read more

"...while living their unmarred lives, baking up a storm and never using bad language...." Read more

21 customers mention "Series quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series, with one mentioning it's reminiscent of another cat series, and another noting it's a great beginning to the collection.

"Great series bought all 15 for a gift. She loves them" Read more

"...A nice first in this new series and I look forward to reading more." Read more

"What a great beginning to a series! I just fell in love with the cats. I wonder what I would do if mine had those special powers??..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It is reminiscent of another cat series that I have enjoyed, but has its own plot and good characters. A good read!" Read more

19 customers mention "Charm"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book charming, particularly appreciating the cute cats featured in it, with one customer noting how the characters feel perfectly natural.

"...It is charming. Heroine Kathleen Paulson has just moved to Mayville, Minnesota to take a job as head librarian for a library under renovation...." Read more

"...that aren't too far fetched (I say as someone owned by cats), the charming town (this seems to be the most incredible part), and a main character who..." Read more

"...writer in this genre - and her cats, Owen and Hercules just seem perfectly natural as they walk through walls and disappear!..." Read more

"...say, the magical qualities of these cat characters make them extra charming for me...." Read more

11 customers mention "Pace"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pace, describing it as a fast read.

"...Is someone trying to deliver a message? The story's fast paced and entertaining...." Read more

"...you enjoy cats, love a mystery and want the tale to be a light and fast read...." Read more

"...sisterhood are a good combination in a light, reasonably engaging, quick read...." Read more

"...It made me smile. It was a fast read that makes me want to read the next one. Should prove a nice addition to my collection of cozy books." Read more

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Kathy Di Fede
Fun and mystery combined
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2025
Verified Purchase

Great book! Now I'm reading the rest of the series. If you like cats and paranormal, it's for you.

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Esther Schindler
Great summer reading: A cozy mystery for book and cat lovers.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2011
Verified Purchase
I'm perfectly willing to exert intellectual attention on books. Goodness knows I read enough of them. But when I have a long plane ride, I want lightweight entertainment. Just tell me a story, darnit, so that I can ignore the squalling baby seated next to me.

Curiosity Thrilled the Cat was just what I wanted. It has all the ingredients for "summer reading:" an appealing protagonist, a believable premise, entertaining characters, and a dead body. It's even better with cats, and these cats are utterly catlike. What more could I ask for? (Well, I could ask for the baby to sleep for more than half an hour...)

Our basic story: A few months ago, Kathleen left Boston to reboot her life and run the library in a small town in Minnesota. She's struggling with the effort to renovate the library, but she is also making friends and getting to know the two cats she adopted (or, rather, who adopted her). But when a visitor dies and circumstantial evidence suggests that Kathleen might be involved, she -- and her cats -- have to find out what really happened. Which is made more curious because the cats seem to have distinctly uncatlike behavior... or do they?

That sounds just so-so, and in some hands a "yeah, right, whatever" novel might indeed be the result. What makes this book sparkle is the writing. Sofie Kelly created a protagonist who has a sense of humor, and a sense of proportion, too. The cats really are wonderful, and I totally buy Kathleen's relationship with them. When one purrs, Kathleen describes it, "The rumbling was kind of like being in the service bay of a Volkswagon dealership." The author could easily have overdone it, but never falls into that trap.

Really: This is fun. There's sweet humor, not much laugh-out-loud funny, but if you are a cat person it will all seem so very familiar. Like this: "'What are you eating?' I asked, and I swear he put both paws on top of whatever it was he'd been gnawing on. 'Oh, like that's going to work,' I said, crossing the kitchen floor. 'Let me see.' ...He dropped his head and lifted one paw."

I won't give away too much of the plot (not that it's that hard to figure out), but I *will* assure you that this book is a winner -- enough so that I already pre-ordered the next in the series. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat is not deep thoughtful literature that will stand the test of time. It's just a fun story that will take you away for a little while. Just what the doctor ordered.

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18 people found this helpful

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Lois Fisher
Love this series!
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
Recently, a friend gifted me four of Ms. Kelly's delightful cat mysteries (3 Magical Cats and one from another series), and they were wonderful. But this first book in the Magical Cat series is the best!
This book shows the reader how Kathleen (the heroine) learns of Owen and Hercules' mystical powers (beyond the normal ones of felines). Hilarious. So are Kathleen's conversations with her many human friends. The mystery -- the death of an obnoxious guest conductor at Mayville's festival -- is structured with aplomb, and the outcome involves a split conclusion. Well-plotted (beyond the "usual" cozy), and with a flair for witty dialogue, this is truly a how-to of writing an excellent mystery. Think my cats would approve! Highly recommended!

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GABixlerReviews
A Different Kind of Review--guest reviewer Owen; A Cat Lover Special!
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2011
Verified Purchase
Easton gave me a practiced celebrity-greeting the-little-people smile. Unpack one of those computers just for him? When pigs fly, I thought. Unfortunately, it wasn't a pig that suddenly launched itself onto the conductor's head. It was a cat.My cat. Owen. For a moment Owen perched on top of Easton's head, tail twitching, like some sort of kitty Davy Crockett hat. Before any of us could move, he leaped over to the top of one of the bookshelves, shook himself and gave us a wide-eyed stare. What was he doing at the library? How the heck had he gotten into my bag without my noticing?~~~

Curiosity Thrilled
The Cat

A Magical Cats Mystery
First in Series
"Something Whiskered This Way Comes..."

By Sofie Kelly

Hello! My name is Owen and I'm one of the two main characters in this book! I'm the one that...disappears...

Actually, I think I was asked to tell the story about the murder because I set up the storyline, sort of... You see, I jumped and appeared on the head of Gregor Easton. No, it wasn't a head statue, it was the real guy, who just happened to be criticizing my Mom at the time! I had to do something, didn't I?

Mom had been hired to become the head librarian and oversee a major renovation to The Mayville Heights Free Public Library. It was almost done but the contractor seemed to be taking sooooo long. And that had caused Gregor Easton, a well-known composer and conductor who was guest artist for the Wild Rose Summer Music Festival, to be frustrated because no internet access, as promised in the new brochure, was yet available!

Although things became calm and Easton finally left, Mom was concerned enough to get up early the next day and go to find an independent contractor, Oren, to ask for his help in getting the computer tables put together and try to move the renovation along while the main contractor handled the power. She knew Oren worked mornings at the Stratton Theatre. But she couldn't find Oren right away and started looking. She found, instead, Gregor Easton...He was dead!

Worse, a note was later found that indicated that Mom had invited Gregor to meet her at the Library, where the police found other clues that revealed that he had probably been killed there!

Mom was in bigggg trouble, so Herc and I knew we had to help. We took turns guarding Mom because she decided she was going to try to find out what was really going on since she knew she was a suspect! But while we were doing it, Mom caught on to our secrets big-time! We were busted! But Hercules was to blame! Let her tell you...

"My knees started to shake. I sat down. Hard. Hercules had vanished. He hadn't darted past me. He hadn't run around the corner. He'd walked through a solid wooden door just as if it wasn't there. I could see it again in my head without closing my eyes. He'd vanished through that door and it was almost as though there was a faint pop as the end of his tail disappeared..." Hercules," I called. "C'mon, puss. Where are you?" There was silence and then a faint "Meow" from the other side of the closed door. He was in there. Somehow he was in there. I grabbed the doorknob. Locked. I twisted the knob in frustration. Of course it was locked. The room was part of a murder investigation..."

You all will see that both Herc and I found many clues--even though Mom didn't realize what they meant right away. Then she began to put things together until, wow, a killer came after her! Well, needless to say, we were right there to save her life. While Herc went for help, I took a flying leap--well, let Mom tell you, I get mad just thinking about it!

"Owen appeared in midair, teeth bared, ears flattened against his head. He landed, yowling on [the killer's] head and dug in his claws..." Mom took over once she was able and then help was coming!

I have to tell you, folks, that this was really a very complicated case. The police were trying, and we were gathering clues, but it was Mom who, after her own life had been saved, finally put together who had killed Easton. A truly great whodunit for all you readers!

Oh, Mom thinks that you might want to know a little more about me and Herc. Well, Mom came to visit an old abandoned mansion near to her new home when we were just kits. We recognized her love as soon as we saw her and followed her home! But she didn't know we could do tricks...and, frankly, I'll bet she now wonders sometime if we are ghost cats, since that old mansion is supposed to be haunted...

I just know we'll be back at BRH (her blog) in the future, cause the owner here loves cats too and even collects cat mystery books! How Cool is That! She said to add that this book is highly recommended as a great whodunit, especially for all of you who love cats too!

Meow!
Owen...

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Kindle Customer
A Wonderful Cat Cozy
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2015
Verified Purchase
What a delightful book! This is the first book of the Magical Cats Mystery Series by Sophie Kelly. It is charming. Heroine Kathleen Paulson has just moved to Mayville, Minnesota to take a job as head librarian for a library under renovation. Two stray cats, Hercules and Owen immediately adopt her. It doesn't take long before Kathleen notices that both cats have certain magical powers. A corpse turns up, and Kathleen goes on the hunt for the killer, with the aid of her two magical cats. Sophie Kelly has a delightful way with prose. There is a lilting, almost melodic qualiity to her writing which makes it almost impossible to put the book down. Ms. Kelly's treatment of the cats is exceptional. She obviously has spent a great deal of time observing cats and their habits, and she is the only cat mystery author that I think feels about her cats the way I feel about mine. A wonderful cozy for cat lovers.

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Lenore
Absolutely delightful!
Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2020
Verified Purchase

A wonderful book with two fabulous magical cats. It’s only at the very end of the book that their true magical natures are established. After all, no self-respecting cat lets everything out of the bag all at once. You need to let your human have time to get used to new abilities.

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figgy
excellent
Reviewed in France on August 13, 2012
Verified Purchase
Excellent bouquin pour enfant. Il me tarde de lire les suivants. Pour toute amateur de roman/litterature policier enfantile et surtout amoureux de chats.

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helen
clever cats
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2011
Verified Purchase
Iwanted an easy read now!!(one of the things I like about kindle) I,m not a cat fan I adore large dogs but as a changefrom my recent love affair with Wolves I thought I,d try this, an entertaining story and yes I,m almost converted ---at least to cats in fiction (my GSD would not be happy for real) Helen cambridge

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Edith Barbara
Unterhaltsame Geschichte
Reviewed in Germany on February 22, 2013
Verified Purchase
Dieses Buch unterhält vor allem durch die Vielzahl liebenswerter, teils schrulliger Personen. Dabei gerät die Krimihandlung fast in den Hintergrund, auch wenn die kluge Bibliothekarin meist am Ermitteln ist. Zwischen 4 und 5 Sternen schwanke ich nur deshalb, weil die magischen Fähigkeiten der liebenswerten Katzen eine recht untergeordnete Rolle spielen. Ich hatte mit Magie à la Harry Potter gerechnet und etwas völlig anderes, Unspektakuläreres, bekommen.
Trotzdem freue ich mich auf die Fortsetzung(en), auch wegen der dezenten Liebesgeschichte. NB: Das Englische ist nicht schwierig.

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Mary D
Magical cats, magical read!
Reviewed in Australia on November 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great stories, entertaining, fun. I love the way the author develops the characters, and builds community. I feel a part of the group. Wonderful fantasy read!

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and mystery combined

4.0 out of 5 stars Great summer reading: A cozy mystery for book and cat lovers.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Different Kind of Review--guest reviewer Owen; A Cat Lover Special!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Cat Cozy

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful!

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent

5.0 out of 5 stars clever cats

5.0 out of 5 stars Unterhaltsame Geschichte

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical cats, magical read!

Fun and mystery combined

Great summer reading: A cozy mystery for book and cat lovers.

Love this series!

A Different Kind of Review--guest reviewer Owen; A Cat Lover Special!

A Wonderful Cat Cozy

Absolutely delightful!

excellent

clever cats

Unterhaltsame Geschichte

Magical cats, magical read!