This book was so fun!
I think this was maybe my first book with an animal run world, and I was a little iffy about the idea, but I shouldn’t have been!
I loved that it was almost the 1950s of the real world, with some minor tweaks to accommodate a world run by cats and dogs. Oh. And there’s ghosts.
The world building of the ghostly plane was very fun, I loved all the little details that explained how the other side “live”.
I enjoyed all of the characters, and all 3 of the different POVs. It was the perfect mystery with all the pieces finally coming together at the end.
I absolutely loved the ending,

I already can’t wait to see what Morton Digby gets up to next!

THE NINE LIVES OF BIANCA MOON is a fun, humorous mystery that takes into account so many of the stereotypes we have of cats and dogs. Heras has created memorable characters in Flint, Bianca, and the rest of the cast. The story is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book is the way Heras explores the inner species relationships between cats and dogs. We see how Flint and Bianca, a dog and a cat, work together to find the guilty animal, despite their different personalities and instincts. This is a refreshing take on the cat vs. dog trope, and it makes the story even more enjoyable.

I'm excited to read the next installment in the Junior Detective Morton Digby series and see what other mysteries Heras has in store for us. In the meantime, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of humor.

The narrator was enjoyable and added life to the characters.

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon happens in a parallel universe where Cats and Dogs get engage, die, become ghosts and solve mysteries!

Bianca Moon lost her boyfriend a journalist dog named Flint (she would clarify this by saying “it is actually my fiancée) when he was killed by a falling piano. Now is up to the police, and apparently Bianca to find out who is behind this crime. Bianca had already lost 2 of her 9 lives when she was younger, and even though she has 7 left and live until she’s an old cat she decides to risk every single one of her life’s to find out who killed Flint. Also, I almost forget… Flint is ghost, and he can talk to Bianca, so through all the book we get glimpses of what happens when Cats and Dogs die in this universe.

Overall I enjoyed, it was a little weird at the beginning, who would had thought that Dogs and Cats can fall in love and solve mysteries right?

Thank you Netgalley and Double Six Books for this ALC in exchange of my honest opinion.

I really was hoping that this book would fill the Shady Hollow hole in my heart, but I couldn't get into it. The setting in World War II just isn't as charming as the book wants me to think. The society is sexist, which is kind of odd since the cats and dogs element is like racially tinged. The addition of ghosts makes this too much for me. Suspend disbelief for animals, sure. Add in realistic world war stuff? it gets harder.

What a fun ride, this is a cute and surrealist tale of murder and mystery, set in 1950’s NYC inhabited solely by anthropomorphised cats and dogs. Bianca Moon is a cat working at a bar, where she meets the love of her life Flint Lockford. They are soon to be engaged, when something awful happens and Bianca is heartbroken. Detectives Puddleworth and Morton Digby from NYPD are working the case, but dissatisfied with their progress Bianca takes it upon herself to investigate. Little does she know what that will entail and that she will be involved with animals from the afterlife.

Part biography of Bianca Moon and part cosy murder mystery, this is an entertaining lighthearted read with some fun twists. The descriptions and world building are great, although it does seem to take a little while to get going. Personally I would have preferred a slightly faster pace, but overall an original, lighthearted and enjoyable read.

The narrator does a great job conveying all the characters.

3.5 rounded up.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story takes you to another world of cats and dogs. It is entertaining and you can picture the scenes in the book. The book is about an investigation of the death of a dog and the dog's lover that is a cat does everything in her power to get justice for her dog lover. I found it really cute. The ending is mostly a happy ending. Overall I enjoyed this book. The narrator also made the book a great listen. Thank you Netgalley for this audiobook.

Unexpected murder mystery set in the 1950’s from the perspective of personified canines and felines! I have to mention after reading the description of this particular murder mystery, I was both intrigued and speculative.

I do not want to give away the surprises contained in this novel. I was very pleasantly entertained in particular by the perspectives of so many different characters! It was also written in such a way that the pieces fall together ever so nicely.

The performance of the narrator carried me on an amazing journey of mystery and adventure. It was both entertaining and well done. I highly recommend both the story and the way this audiobook was executed.

I went into this one a tiny bit hesitant wondering if it would feel too kiddish being about animals or too fantasy being about talking animals. I was so wrong! I absolutely loved it! The narration and voices was fantastic and the story itself was so clever and unique!

This is a clever, dark-comedy murder mystery taking place in 1950s-era New York City -- which is inhabited and run by anthropomorphic dogs and cats. While the mystery itself was run-of-the-mill and somewhat predictable, the tale is inextricably woven into the fantasy world in which the well-developed characters live. That is to say, the fact that cats really have nine lives (while dogs have only one) factors heavily into the storyline. And although the novel is written in good humor, it is far from a "cozy" mystery. To the contrary, it can be quite grisly at times.

The story is well written, and the audio book was very well performed by Price Waldman, who had the perfect pitch for the setting and characters.

I noticed on the cover that this mystery was "Morton Digby #1," referring to the junior detective on the case that was the center of the narrative. Should there ever be a "Morton Digby #2," I am sure I'll give it a listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Double Six Books for the audiobook for review! All opinions are my own.

Delas Heras’s “The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon” is a book perfect for any fan of hard-boiled detective novels, but who wishes those novels were populated by cats and dogs instead of gumshoes and dames. Also, the book possesses a light-hearted paranormal element that adds a new twist to the genre.

Junior Detective Morton Digby, a border collie, and his partner, a Scottish terrier, are trying to solve the murder of one journalist, Flint Lockford: an Irish Wolfhound. Bianca Moon, Flint’s cat girlfriend, is also trying to track down the killer. Cats have nine lives in this story, getting resurrected wherever they were born each time they are killed. Bianca’s investigation doesn’t go so well, and there’s a question whether she’ll get out of it alive. On the other side of the veil, recently deceased Flint Lockford is trying to adjust to life after death while finding his killer and protecting his girlfriend. I mean, “fiancée.”

This was a fun, quick listen. It follows almost all the tropes you would expect from a detective novel, but the addition of the paranormal elements was entertaining. There is a lot of stereotyping of breeds: hounds make the best cops, terriers are tenacious, bulldogs drool... The author offers us a nice selection of red herrings, and the supporting characters all serve their function.

The narrator, Price Waldman, did a good job portraying all the different characters, though I didn’t take to a couple of the female voices. They felt a bit too trite.

This was a fun read and, being the first in the series promises to be followed by some more creative content. Being the owner of both a border collie and an Irish wolfhound, I enjoyed the fact that they were the main characters. I would definitely check out the sequel if I wanted something that promised to satisfy and didn’t take too much heavy literary lifting. I received this book from NetGalley.

An old school detective story with cats and dogs as the characters? Sounds purr-fect!

This really was a howling good time! The animal references were clever, the story was fun, and there was an interesting mystery to whittle away at. When it came to building a narrative around the furries, the author thought things through quite well, capturing all of our beloved pets' idiosyncrasies while amusingly anthropomorphizing them.

Bianca was a terribly frustrating character, given all of the bad choices she made. But she was a cat so it made sense. It’s funny how you can make something work for a feline that would just cause groans and eye rolls for a human character. You just can’t expect great decisions from a cat, especially after she’s lost the love of her life. (Before you argue that cats cannot fall in love, spend some time with one who has been separated from his or her beloved playmate.)

This book needs some time in the spotlight, as I haven’t noticed anyone barking about it on social media. It is well written and serves as a good palate cleanser between darker or heavier reads!

I am immensely grateful to Double Six Books, Members’ Titles, Members’ Audiobooks, and NetGalley for my e-galley and ALC. All opinions are my own.

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon is set in a world where cats and dogs exist instead of humans. This was a really different cozy mystery. The world of the ghosts has interesting and complex rules. I was fascinated by the unique world building. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Title: The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon
Author: Delas Heras
Rating: ✿ ✿ ✿

Synopsis: Murder, ghosts, and a vengeful fiancée? The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon is the purr-fect blend of humorous fantasy, detective story, and ghostly fun.

Opinion:

"The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" is an enchanting novel that takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through different dimensions and the mysteries of life and death. The author weaves a captivating tale, introducing us to Bianca Moon, a character whose story is both intriguing and heartwarming.

The narrative is a refreshing departure from the norm, offering a unique blend of genres that keeps readers engaged throughout. The seamless combination of a detective story, the concept of cats having nine lives, and the enigmatic presence of ghosts adds an exciting layer of complexity to the plot.

The author's descriptive writing style is a definite highlight. From the vividly painted scenes to the well-crafted character descriptions, the readers are transported into a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. The use of dog and cat breeds as clever stereotypes for the characters further enhances the immersive experience.

One of the strengths of the book is the diverse cast of characters, ranging from goody-goodies to baddy-baddies. This mix adds depth to the story, making it more dynamic and engaging. The interactions between the characters, particularly the protagonists and the antagonists, create a compelling dynamic that keeps the reader invested.

The exploration of profound themes like mortality and opportunities squandered adds an emotional layer to the narrative. It prompts readers to contemplate their own lives and choices, making the book more thought-provoking and relatable.

While "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" is an enjoyable read, there are areas where constructive criticism can be offered. Further development of certain secondary characters could make the plot even more intricate and enhance the overall storytelling. The best character for me was Roxy! So I would have liked more about her.

Furthermore, while the book adeptly combines various genres, some readers might appreciate a clearer focus on the central themes to avoid potential confusion. Providing a more defined direction for the story's progression could strengthen the narrative's impact and emotional resonance.

In conclusion, "The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon" is a delightful and imaginative adventure that is well worth the read. The captivating blend of genres and descriptive writing make it a standout work. The novel's unique concept and thought-provoking themes are commendable. This book is a testament to the author's creativity and storytelling prowess.

// netgalley arc reader

This book was not what I was expecting atall, but in the best possible way!

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon was set in the 1950s in a world that is run by cats and dogs. The book begins when Flint, a journalist, is murdered by a falling piano. We follow Flint's journey into the afterlife as he becomes a ghost and watches those attempting to solve his murder.
Meanwhile, Flint's fiancee, Bianca Moon, isn't satisfied with the investigations and takes matters into her own paws. However, this is particularly perilous and several disastrous situations see her rapidly using up her nine lives.

This book was super cute, but with a gritty murder story running throughout. In many ways it just shouldn't work, but it REALLY did! I loved the characters, the writing and the storyline. Pure escapism!

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

I really struggled to get into this story - the dogs and cats being the "people" is just not something that I could easily ignore, but if you're a lover of extreme fantasy then it shouldn't be a problem!

Awesome! Thank you so much, Net Galley and publishers, for this ARC (actually ALC, since I've listened to the audiobook). The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon is a story like no other I've read/listened to before. I'm really into mysteries and whodunnit, but having it told in a world where the "people" are dogs and cats was a new experience for me. The plot is light and fun, full of puns and interesting characters. Give it a go!

I just couldn't care less about the detectives (they're really not the star of the show here) and the crime resolution came a little out of nowhere IMO. But following Bianca and being led into the world of ghosts was fun.

This is a world of Cats and Dogs. Where they like a normal human world, have houses, jobs, careers, love, ghosts and crime! Our story follows 2 protagonists: Flint (Dog) and Bianca (Cat), who are madly in love. But when Flint dies of a horrible accident, Bianca is intuited by the detectives involved that it might be a murder. Driven by revenge and vengeance Bianca decides to give all it takes to find out the murderer.

The book reminded me of a part in Puss in the Boots story, where he is about to lose his 9 lives. And that concept of 9 Lives of a Cat is shown here in a Daredevil form. It was a hilarious read and I never imagined getting so hooked to the story, that I absolutely did nothing else. It's a light murder mystery with a twisted take on animal lives. Surely a must-try if you are open to exploring something different!

Thank you @netgalley @ibpalovesindies and @delaswriter for the Digital ARC

Genre: #murdermystery #fantasy #satire
Rating: 4.5/5 Star

The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon by Delas Heras, an audiobook narrated by Price Waldman was an unusual experience. After a fair amount of psychological thrillers, I need to have some different genre books so I taking this time to experiment. I choose this book as the description was interesting and sounded like nothing I read before.
I must say I struggle a bit at the beginning as needed to switch my brain to this imaginary world. But then I started to listen to this as a fairy tale and become easier with each chapter. Price Waldman did a fantastic job and the book sounded so alive!
And I loved the fun parts! One of my favorites was, instead of "he said" was "he barked" :D and of course, if we accept they are dogs, they do bark.
It was definitely a great book in between thrillers as was nice and easy! I do believe it could not be for everyone but if you like to try different books, definitely this is worth it to try!
Thank you, NetGalley and Double Six Books for a copy of this audiobook!

This was a super cute cozy and I love that these are dogs & cats instead of humans in the story! This was just what I needed to read at the right time! I will definitely pick up the next book in the series when it comes out!

#TheNineLivesofBiancaMoon
#NetGalley

I loved this audiobook. The narrator sucked me into the story very quickly. The story is awesome. I loved the alternate universe. It’s such a great concept. I didn’t see the ending coming, or some of the twists! If you want a story where animals solve a mystery, this might just be up your alley!