Like Juneau Black's cozy mystery series with animals as people, Mandy Morton’s "The Cat and the Pendulum" is set in a world populated exclusively by cats. Obviously, the cats are analogues for humans, and they occupy all strata of society. There are no police, and this is where the two main characters Hettie Bagshot and Tilly Jenkins come in. They own and run a detective agency, The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency, and have a number of successes to their names. They are good friends, and not only work together, but also live together in a cozy house.

This novel opens with them returning from vacation to a communication from their friend Agatha Crispy, a hugely successful mystery novelist, who asks them to come to London to help her with a problem.

Agatha tells them that someone has stolen her recently completed manuscript. Hetty and Tilly begin investigating immediately, heading to Kitzrovia for clues, based on a connections between Agatha's home and this tourism location. Kitzrovia is a neighbourhood devoted to all things Victorian, including Madam Two Paws waxwork exhibitions, a music hall, grimy inns, and walking tours of streets where Jack the Nipper murdered several cats years earlier.

The detecting duo find plenty of clues and suspects and a few dead bodies killed by a Nipper copycat, and of course, find the manuscript and identify the killer.


Before I began reading, I wondered whether this book would be insufferably cute, or whether it would just be an interesting way to tell a story, and it kind of lies right in the middle of those two poles. Mandy Morton injects plenty of nefarious dealings into the novel, and has her two main characters deal with their own issues (Tilly was formerly homeless, and Hetty has some trouble managing her anger) while they travel the streets of Kitzrovia.

There is also some silliness, exemplified in the amusing names and cat-related puns, and what starts as a light mystery of the theft of an unpublished manuscript, and plagiarism, exposes much darker matters: murder tourism, copy cat murders, attempted murder, and the exploitation and abuse of children.

I particularly liked that though Morton used the Jack the Ripper murders as inspiration, she did not sensationalize the murders in her novel, and ensured that each murder victim was shown to be more than just a person down on her luck or with a messy life.

I was surprisingly entertained by the activities of the Feline Detective Agency (and very hungry as I read, as Hetty and Tilly seem to always be eating!)

Thank you to Netgalley and to Farrago Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

An amusing light read with a twist of mystery. It was very cute and funny. Perfect for fans of cosy crime mystery especially if you like cats.

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.

So, being that this was WAY down the line within the series, of course I had to indulged and read them beforehand. I really enjoyed the beginning of the series the plot and build up was great. The characters are so thought out, cleverly named and more. I highly recommend this series.

I was smiling the whole time I read this book. Mandy Morton creates a world with only cats and no humans. I absolutely adore Tilly and Hettie. Aside from being a very good mystery there bits of humor. I would recommend this book to anybody that likes cats and mysteries. I am so looking forward to her next book.

Book ten in the series isn't the easiest to get into and is probably a much better read in order but that isn't to say that this was not a good book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.

Thank you to Duckworth Books and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC for an honest review.

The Cat and The Pendulum was fantastic! I didn't realize the story was going to have animals. I also didn't know that it was part of a series. So I'm going to go back and try to read the other books in the series. I feel this is a book that can be enjoyed by all ages!

I would love it if they made a movie out of it!

⭐⭐⭐ -- love the cover on this one!

I requested this one because I have never read a book where all the characters were animals. In this case cats. I was intrigued and thought it would make an interesting change of pace. I enjoyed the mystery and thought it was well written and well paced. However, the "cheese factor" was a bit too much for me with all the cat puns. it was cute and humorous at first, but got old quick. 🤷🏻‍♀️ That said, if you enjoy a good mystery and are a cat lover, than this book would be right up your alley!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this novel. I am rating this book based the stars due to lack of time to leave a full review. #NetGalley #TheCatandthePendulum

Very interesting and a cozy book, I really loved the characters, the story, the humour and the pins included in this book. I approached the book with caution since I Have never read something like this but boy oh boy! Did I love it. Thank you publisher for the e-arc.

Okay, although, I didn't finish this, I'm giving this three stars because the writing is excellent, the puns, literary references, and the humor is way above average.

My problem: I've heard good things about this cozy mystery series, and when I saw the book, I immediately asked for an ARC copy. It's my fault that I didn't realize this series is about anthropomorphic cats. I excepted the cats to have humans.

Unfortunately, I could not suspend my disbelief, which is regrettable because Mandy Morton's writing is delightful.

I cannot possibly say everything I want to about this book without spoilers or seeming gushing.

But this is 10/10.

I tend to read thrillers and mysteries and I was really interested in this one. What Morton does with her main characters as cats is probably the most astonishing triumph of literature I have seen. In some way the main characters being cats softens you and then packed with a punch of real social and criminal issues you end up reacting more strongly.

This book focuses on copy cat killings of “Jake the Nipper” and Morton reminds her readers of how truly ghastly the obsession and celebrity of murder has become. This was such a revelation to see written! It absolutely is shocking that we celebrate these crimes. Incredible.

Away from that, you will love Hettie and Tilly, you will because there is no other choice. People (cats) that you know exist here and it’s an absolute luxury of a read

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a delightful series where former stage star Hettie joins former street cat Tilly to become the Number 2 Feline Detective Agency. In the books, our familiar world is now inhabited by very human cats who, whilst wearing clothing and going about a recognizable life, still remain totally cats. It reminds me a bit of Beatrix Potter. This time, they are invited to London by the queen of crime, Agatha Crispy, whom they helped out in a previous adventure. Her new manuscript has been stolen before it could be posted to her publisher. The famous author wants the two cats to investigate the various characters who have had access to her home. To this end, Agatha books them into a B & B in Kitzrovia which seems to have been time warped into the late Victorian era.

There are some decidedly shady characters, some of whom are quite happy to exploit the murders of Jack the Nipper and some of whom are quite capable of murder too. In the investigations the one crime morphs into two and then three crimes, all of which the ladies are determined to bring to justice. The mysteries and how they are solved are fascinating but I enjoy most the ambience created in this lovely feline world. It has a decidedly period feel to it in general and the world created for Kitzrovia is absolutely Dickensian.

This is number 10 in the series and I would recommend reading all the books but if you had to dip into one to start, this would be a fun one. I think it might just be my favourite so far. Five purrs and two paws up.

This a a cosy crime story in the style of Agatha Raisin with all the red herrings and clues you would expect but all the characters are cats! Although it felt slightly weird, I did enjoy the story and didn't guess the ending.. Names such as Agatha Crispy. Jack the Nipper and Boris Katloff are amusing and cleverly thought out. This is book 10 of the series and I would like to go back and start reading from number 1..

My thanks to Duckworth Books/Farrago for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Cat and the Pendulum’ by Mandy Morton in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 10 in her No2 Feline Detective Agency series of cosy mysteries that features Hetty Bagshot and Tilly Jenkins, two anthropomorphic cats who run the Feline Detective Agency. I have now read a few books in the series and found them all charming.

One of the occasional characters in the series is celebrated feline crime writer, Agatha Crispy. In ‘The Cat and the Pendulum’ she hires Hettie and Tilly to locate a missing manuscript. The feline detectives travel to London where they are plunged into a world of Dickensian thieves and murderers.

The streets of Kitzrovia are infamous as the hunting grounds of the 19th Century murderer, Jake the Nipper. Local residents and businesses are making the most of the interest in Nipperology with Nipper themed events.

As always Mandy Morton delights in puns and poking gentle fun at various targets while still making the important point that the sensationalism around Jack the Ripper focuses on the unknown murderer rather than his victims. She also acknowledges these women in her dedication.

As in previous books the cats really love their food. Might they be part Hobbit tucking in regularly though accompanied by plenty of milky teas rather than ale?

‘The Cat and the Pendulum’ was a great deal of escapist fun and I not only look forward to the next case for Hattie and Tilly but plan to read others in this playful series of cosy mysteries.

My thanks to Farrago Books and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

The Cat and the Pendulum is a whimsical and delightful mystery by Mandy Morton brimming with puns, food, and fun but also a solid mystery (in fact, two … no, make that three) at its core. This is book 10 in the series centred around Miss Hettie Bagshott who runs a detective agency with her friend and sidekick Miss Tilly Jenkins. Only Hettie and Tilly just happen to be tabbies and their agency—the No 2 Feline Detective Agency (no prizes for guessing that pun). This rather innovative series is set in an alternative cat world, which is much like our human one, with the exception that there aren’t any police in the picture. This is only the second book I have read in the series, and they’re easy enough to follow as standalones.

In The Cat and the Pendulum, Hettie and Tilly return from a week-long seaside holiday to find a letter from none other than the Queen of Crime, Agatha Crispy, summoning them to London to look into a case she has for them. Both ladies are excited, and Tilly who’s been reading all about a copycat killer committing murders like Jake the Nipper in the same neighbourhood, Kitzrovia, is convinced this is the case Agatha is handing to them. But when they arrive, they find that what Miss Crispy wants them to look into is the theft of her latest manuscript which has disappeared without reaching her publishers. Being the only copy since all her work is ‘top secret’ until published, its value is immense. They begin to look into all the cats who visit Miss Crispy regularly and also those employed in her home. Meanwhile, as they are to stay in an inn run by Miss Crispy’s cook, Mrs Croop which just happens to be located in Kitzrovia, they get a chance to look into the copycat killer as well. They soon find that many of the cats that are associated with Miss Crispy have some or other connection with Kitzrovia as well, from running shops or establishments or acting at the theatre there. Kitzrovians also seem to be engaged in making the most of the Jake the Nipper legend, and exploit it for the businesses in what seems to Hettie and Tilly to be a rather morbid and disrespectful way, and many don’t take well to Hettie and Tilly’s interventions. Hettie and Tilly investigate both matters while also exploring all Kitzrovia has to offer.

What I love about these books is how Morton manages to fill them with puns and catty elements in just the right balance without going too far or over the top with them. So, in this book while we have the title of course and Agatha Crispy, Boris Katloff on television, presenting theories on the Jake the Nipper murders, Twiglet in Vanity Fur magazine modelling clothes, or the fake French Madame Two Paws running her museum, Mr Dickens, Sherlock Holmes and Stratford Upon Avon remain as they are as does Miss Crispy’s Mousetrap! I also loved the little touches that she adds like Agatha Crispy enjoying her bowl of cream every day much like her real-life counterpart who relished her Devonshire clotted cream.

And like the last book in the series, in this one too, Mandy Morton puts Enid Blyton to shame in terms of the food in it. The sheer amount of food these tabbies (and their friends) eat is jaw dropping—pies and baps, sausage rolls and pasties, custard slices and trifles, scones and tea cake, and much much much more. And having just had a meal is no impediment to having a whole other one. Just reading about them makes one hungry!

Both mystery threads in the book were interesting, and as in the other book I read, these aren’t cosy in any way—Jake the Nipper’s murders were rather gruesome, and in the present too, some of the cats are as ruthless and degenerate as humans, as are their motivations. To add to the mysteries were also the original Jake the Nipper murders which Tilly certainly also wants the answer to. The resolutions too, are fairly unexpected and come with their own bit of danger and drama.

If you love cats and if you love mysteries, you will certainly love this one.

This is book 10 in the Feline Detective Agency series. I have only previously read book one although I do have books 2 to 6 sat on my bookshelf waiting to be read. It can be read as a standalone but I think the reader should read the first book at least in order to understand what it's all about.
Every character in the boom is cat and it is an addictive but bonkers read. The author is extremely clever in creating this and I love how everything/everyone has a car related name e.g. madam two paws wax works, flea street.
Thanks to Farrago and netgalley for this advance read.

I was looking forward to reading this and I was not disappointed.
Hettie and Tilly have been summoned to London by Agatha Crispy, the mystery writer they had befriended previously. She has a job for them, her latest manuscript has been stolen and she needs it back.
She has arranged for them to stay in Kitzrovia, a place where Jake the Nipper killed 5 cats in 1888.
When they arrive there they find that the place is like a theme park and everywhere has been themed on the murders - the room they are staying in has been named after one of the victims, there are cocktails in the pub named after them, there is a nightly Jake the Nipper tour every night - to name a few things. This doesn't sit well with them and they feel that the dead are not being respected. To add to this there also appears to be a series of copycat murders happening.
They both that something is amiss and in their own inimitable way, eating their way through fish suppers and cream cakes, they throw themselves into the investigation. In the absence of Bruiser and Poppa, two American tourists, Marni and Arthur, become their co-investigators as they uncover the dark secrets of Kitzrovia and track down the manuscript.
For fans of previous books, enjoy. For new readers enjoy and then go back and read the rest in the series as they are just as well written and funny.

A missing manuscript that is the work of Agatha Crispy and the long-ago murders of Jake the Nipper set the stage for murderous events in “The Cat and the Pendulum,” the latest in the “No. 2 Feline Detective Agency” series by Mandy Morton. Yes, you read that right, folks. The characters in these books are cats, including the two proprietors of said detective agency, Hettie Bagshot and Tilly Jenkins, who investigate crimes in an England that requires, shall we say, a real suspension of disbelief. But it’s worth it, because Hettie and Tilly are really, really, good detectives.

Our two girls have just returned from a well-earned vacation to find an invitation from the famous crime writer Agatha Crispy. She wants them to visit her at her London home, to discuss a problem. She needs their expertise. Her latest manuscript -- titled “The Cat and the Pendulum” -- has gone missing. Find it, she hopes they can. To do that, they must embark on a stay in Kitzrovia, which happens to be the old stomping grounds of Jake the Nipper, where he plied his trade of gruesome murders. And the denizens of Kitzrovia won’t let anyone forget it; the whole place is a veritable homage to the murders. And there’s a copy-cat on the loose; cats are being dispatched in the same places where the earlier killings took place. Nobody in Kitzrovia seems too upset about this, however. It’s good for business!

First off, mention must be made of the eating that takes place throughout the books. Our cats do like to eat. Readers are treated to a rolling commentary throughout the pages, and no, it isn’t kibble. Our detectives are feline aficionados of whatever they can get their little paws on.

Ms. Morton always makes sure there’s a wealth of suspects to reckon with. Some rather nasty characters in this one, definitely; dodgy reenactment actors, smarmy undertakers, and especially, Cheesedon Wilks, who “keeps a nice church” in Kitzgrovia, St. Mavis and Cucumber. We are told that St. Mavis was the patron saint of salads, and alas, was burnt at the stake for growing lettuce. I don’t make these things up, folks. Mandy Morton does.

Our ‘tecs, seasoned professionals that they are, do a whole lot of sleuthing, looking for the manuscript and uncovering the truth behind what is really going on in Kitzrovia. One thing you might notice; there are no police in these books. Hettie and Tilly do all the mystery solving completely on their own.

There’s a whole lot going on here, including another murder (at least the manuscript is returned), plagiarizing, and kitten labor exploitation. “The Cat and the Pendulum” has rather a darker theme that earlier books in the series, I thought. Hettie and Tilly are on top of their game as always, and they hatch a plan that will expose what’s going on in Kitzrovia and rid the district of its problems at the same time. They’re on a mission to return normalcy to the area, as normal as it can get, anyway. And right some very bad wrongs. They get some help, in a very unexpected, but welcome, fashion. The graveyard at St. Mavis and Cucumber hides its secrets well.

“The Cut and the Pendulum” is one of those books that will keep you entertained throughout. So, sit back, enjoy a bag of crisps and a Screaming Scamp or two and immerse yourself in these pages. It’s always a fascinating journey.

What a fantastic addition to the series! Hettie and Tilly are in London, searching for Agatha Cripsy's stolen manuscript. Meanwhile, the streets of Kitzrovia are once again haunted by Jake the Nipper. The detectives find themselves drawn to the serial killings.

The mystery behind Jake the Nipper murders and the stolen manuscript kept me guessing till the end. I really loved the ending - and there seems to be some form of closure to Jake the Nipper's identity as well as the recent killings.

Completely engrossing and entertaining mystery. Mandy Morton is a master storyteller and to write a mystery featuring cats and set in a cat-world, well that's the work of a genius.

Highly recommended!