A cozy-ish 1950's detective story set in an alternate world ruled by cats and dogs. I found the premise interesting and the book had a promising start. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, which were mainly focused on Detective Morton, Bianca, Flint, and the assassin, as I love when stories follow different characters and we get to see how they will eventually interact.

I especially enjoyed learning about the ghost world, which I actually thought would be my least favourite part of the book! All of the ghost side characters were so fun and it was interesting to see how the new ghosts adapted to existing as a ghost. I would have loved it if the ghost world was developed a bit more, with more time spent with all the ghosts.

However, Bianca really annoyed me throughout the entire book, and I could not wait to be finished with it to just stop reading from her perspective. She was so reckless and was acting very selfishly. I really wish there would have been more growth in her character, but she was not concerned about anyone's feelings but her own. I understand she was dealing with the grief of losing her boyfriend (fiancé), but she did not care who she hurt in her pursuit of vengeance. Unfortunately, Bianca's actions left me feeling unsatisfied at the end.

Overall, it was an entertaining read, even with grief and death mentioned throughout the book. I am still intrigued by most of the characters and would be interested in future books. Also, I really loved the audiobook, the narrator was fantastic - really suited the 1950's feel.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I could not connect with this story and I can’t quite pinpoint why. I struggled with the world that it was taking place in and having the main character as a dog.

I’m sure this is someone’s cup of tea but it just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Double Six Books for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this interesting book.
First the narrator, Price Waldman. He is wonderful. Having a good narrator makes such a difference in enjoying an audiobook. When the narrator isn't up to the task, it's hard for me to know if the book is any good or not. In thiis case, I didn't have to wonder. Waldman is probably a pro. And he was able to do many different voices very effectively.

I really liked this book. Yes, it's about cats and dogs. No, it's not a cozy mystery. These cats and dogs live in a 1950s New York City that is only populated with cats and dogs and like any group, it has its good guys and bad guys. The story opens when Flint, an investigative journalist dog, is murdered by a piano falling on him. He has just bought his fiancée, Bianca Moon, a lovely white Angora cat, an engagement ring. And the game is on. Two homicide inspectors are assigned to the case. Flint is now a ghost and can watch how everything proceeds. Bianca is determined to catch the killer. Flint has to be taught how to be a ghost and, it turns out, he can communicate with one living being. Bianca takes a lot of convincing that the voice in her head is really her beloved fiancé.

Read this book. There are so many twists and turns, so much good use of known names. Someone refers to the stories of Hercule Merlot! Listening/reading this book is fun. Delas Heras is one smart cookie. The story has noir, hardboiled detective sleuthing, silliness, love, and friendship. And icing on the cake, we get to learn a whole lot about the "lives" of ghosts.

The premise of this sounds so fun.

Set in the 1950s with humanoid dogs and cats- mystery, murder, ghosts and a vengeful cat fiancé. Bianca Moons fiancé gets killed by a fallen piano and his ghost sees that it was done on purpose- Bianca uses her lives to investigate the murder. It follows different POVs.

Meh.
I didn’t really enjoy it.
The gimmick of cats and dogs felt.. not great.
None of the characters really had any growth. You would kind of expect Bianca to get smarter as she investigates but she doesn’t. You want the detectives to make better decisions too and they don’t.

I did enjoy the narrator. Extremely dramatic and kinda fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and Double Six for an advanced listening copy.

I found this completely and utterly charming. What a lovely twist on a classic who-dunnit. Really cleverly done - you can still empathise and sympathise with the characters - and find them utterly infuriating (I’m looking at you Bianca!)

A cute caper. I'm not sure I understand the world of cats and dogs as gumshoes. It's also hard to tell what era this is set it - cell phones don't exist but taxis do. There were a lot of unused opportunities for puns. I guess the author didn't want to make it campy. I also don't understand why there are only cats and dogs and not other animals.
Otherwise, it's a pretty standard PG rated noir police drama.

What a neat read! Not my usual pick up but the audiobook was great! Is there such a thing as a charming whodunnit?! This one was good bend for my imagination. With the animal characters, honestly it made me think of when I read to my daughter. I’m glad I came across this one, if you get the chance, check out the audio!

Puns and clichés abound in this quirky 1950’s style supernatural-ish detective noir where dogs and cats are personified. While there are some interesting themes explored in a very tongue in cheek way, you can’t read this believing it is anything other than a cute and creative divergence from reality. Think Sam Spade meets Monty Python.

This tale is for those who love cozy mysteries and are looking for a quick listen with a fabulous narrator (Prince Waldman – perfect voice for the genre). The only requirement: must have a sense of humor.

This book was not my usual choice to read. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that I was listening to a charming voice delivering the audiobook, I would have put it down. However, I would have deprived myself of a great story. I don't normally read books in which the main characters are animals (unless I'm reading a children's book) but due to the world-building in this book, it worked.
The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon is a love story, a murder mystery, a ghost story, and a revenge tale. Delas Heras creates a universe that is fantastical but also has strict rules. The reader learns the rules as the characters do. This made the fantasy more relatable.
I was enthralled by the mystery of Flint's death. I was angry with Bianca for being so careless with her lives. The story had so many fun twists and side characters. The detectives and Bianca are obviously 'barking up the wrong tree' with their suspect list. When the true villain is revealed, it is quite a harrowing scene. I truly enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. Price Waldman's narration was delightful and clear. He made the story even more entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley, Delas Heras, Price Waldman, and Double Six Books for the advance copy.

If you had nine lives how many would you be prepared to loose to find out who killed your fiancee? Bianca Moon is a cat and she doesn't set out to loose any of her lives but events keep conspiring against her in the hunt for who killed her news hound fiancee.
When I first started listening to The nine lives of Bianca Moon I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it but it is surprisingly fun for a who dunnit novel, and if you are happy to suspend belief to a world of talking cats and dogs and ghostly spooks, then this will be perfect for you.

This book really wasn’t for me. I’m sure it might work for those who like American detective novels, but this felt a little too fake to me. The narrator was good, but this just isn’t my genre.

Name of Book: The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon
Series: Morton Digby #1
Author: Delas Heras
Narrator: Price Waldman
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Publisher: Double Six Books
Pub Date was: June 20, 2023
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 364

There is no doubt this is something different. However, I have been in some kind of a so- so book hold so when I saw the blurb on this it got my attention.

~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.

Story is set in the 1950s, in an alternate world run by cats and dogs and starts with the mysterious murder of journalist Flint Lockford in Greenwich Village.
Junior Detective Morton Digby and partner Detective J.B. Puddleworth have started to investigate but also have to deal with Flint’s fiancée, Bianca Moon.

The narrator Price Waldman is awesome! His performance of ALL the characters makes this story a fun read.

Want to thank NetGalley and Double Six Books member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Day was June 20, 2023.

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.

Set in the 1950s, in an alternate world run by cats and dogs, the action kicks off with the mysterious murder of journalist Flint Lockford on the streets of Greenwich Village. Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner Detective J.B. Puddleworth launch their investigation, but must contend with Flint’s feisty fiancée, Bianca Moon, who is determined to take justice into her own paws.

Meanwhile, Flint’s ghost arrives at Ghosthall, an abandoned courthouse now home to a band of rowdy ghosts. There he meets new friends and learns the ins and outs of being a spook. When he sets out to find Bianca, he is shocked to learn she has embarked on a reckless quest for revenge. Determined to protect her from her own feline fury, but limited by his ghostly powers, Flint must rely on Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner to collar the killers before Bianca runs out of lives.

I absolutely loved this book!! A cosy detective story set in the 1950s, where the good and bad GUYS are replaced with good and bad CATS and DOGS. Dead and alive. This book was so much fun and exactly what I needed after reading a bit of a dud that I had to force my way through. I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, and the narrator, Price Waldman gave the story an olde feel and did a fab job.

I really liked the writing style and the short and concise chapters that were told from several points of view. The characters were all lovable and the story was interesting. The unusual take on this story didn’t take away from the murder mystery element, there was suspense, atmosphere and twists, and I would never have guessed who the main bad ‘guy’ turned out to be.

This book made me happy – you should read it and be happy too!!!

My thanks to the author and Double Six Books for my advance copy to listen to and review via Netgalley.

This was such an enjoyable read! I love the concept of a world populated by dogs and cats and the semi-serious tone was perfect. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator’s old New York delivery suited the work so well and even elevated the story. I’ll be looking forward to the next installment in the series!

<i> Set in the 1950s, in an alternate world run by cats and dogs, the action kicks off with the mysterious murder of journalist Flint Lockford on the streets of Greenwich Village. Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner Detective J.B. Puddleworth launch their investigation, but must contend with Flint's feisty fiancée, Bianca Moon, who is determined to take justice into her own paws.
Meanwhile, Flint's ghost arrives at Ghosthall, an abandoned courthouse now home to a band of rowdy ghosts. There he meets new friends and learns the ins and outs of being a spook. When he sets out to find Bianca, he is shocked to learn she has embarked on a reckless quest for revenge. Determined to protect her from her own feline fury, but limited by his ghostly powers, Flint must rely on Junior Detective Morton Digby and his partner to collar the killers before Bianca runs out of lives. </i>

A cozy mystery/ 1950s detective story, but populated by cats, dogs, and ghosts? This was a fun one for sure. So many elements to love, and lots of sly animal puns worked their way in. Purrfection.

Narrator Price Waldman did a purrfect job as well.

Thank you Delas Heras, Double Six Books, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.