This was a really cute and cozy read. A cat who is from the Victorian ages who is given a second chance... or nine other chances to lives the rest of his life as a ghost. It is such a great concept and I loved reading it. I enjoyed reading about the cat's point of view throughout history: Victorian ages, WWI, WWII, 60s to present. I was interested in where everything was going. The only issue that I had was the language barrier. I felt that since this took place in Edinburgh, there were a few slang terms or sayings that were hard to pick up in the book. Perhaps it would be easier if I was listening to it. Also, adding the fact that the cat will speak with a Victorian mindset made it a little difficult for me to grasp what was going on at times. I think this is more my fault than the book's. I would recommend it to others as a nice, cute, and cozy read.

3.5/5⭐
I will start off that I am biased because I am a huge cat lover and anything cat related is already so close to perfect. But I loved this story. I loved Grimalkin so much, but how could you not??? He was just a cold old cat living through our history and experiencing.

This story was sweet and went by quickly. I loved the historical element so much as it was interesting seeing what history was like in Scotland at the time. As an American it is nice seeing the a view into history and events in the eyes of other people in different countries and also seeing their culture throughout time, with different decorations and slang.

Also Eilidh was so amazing, I also love animals so I saw a lot of her in me. And I really loved their relationship as I know the love I have for my cats is deep and I hope they see it in a way similar to Grimalkin. I also loved the last haunting so much. And just all the stories and seeing love through different relationships over the decades.

If you want an easy sweet read I would recommend it. The hostorial part was entertaining but I definitely loved the Grimalkin and his ideas and views of humanity and the love he has for humans, also he is super funny.

Alex Howard shares a delightful perspective on "The Ghost Cat," a charming novel that weaves the tale of a Victorian era cat from Edinburgh. Struck by an untimely demise, the cat is granted the opportunity to experience its remaining eight lives in the ethereal form of a "ghost cat." The narrative unfolds across from the 19th century to the contemporary era, with each incarnation encapsulated as a distinct short story. Despite their independence, these stories are linked by recurring themes, settings, and characters, enriching the narrative with a sense of continuity. The novel skillfully integrates historical events, both global and local to Edinburgh.

This book was an absolute delight. (As a lover of books and a lover of cats, I suppose there was no going wrong here.) The Ghost Cat is a clever and charming account of the passage of time through the eyes of a witty housecat. Chronicling the space of time between Victoran Edinburgh to modern day, this enchanting cat's point of view had me smiling, laughing, and shedding a few tears. This book is smart in its study of over a century of Edinburgh history, and is a must-read for fans of history, literature, and cats. Especially cats.

I really looked forward to reading this book -- a ghost cat who lives through a century and a half in a London House? What a great premise. Sadly, Howard makes a decision to have the cat live just one day in every twenty years or so, which, I think, hurts the story.

A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays.
William Shakespeare


Grimalkin is a young cat living in 1902. On this morning, a young charlady lights some coal to warm the house and Grimalkin curls up to enjoy the heat. As he closes his eyes, he doesn’t realize this is his last day on earth. But once he passes, he’s granted the ability to spend his remaining lives as a ghost cat. He watches as the world changes, meeting new characters along the way, and always finding adventure.

The Ghost Cat is an absolutely charming and heart-warming tale of time travel through a cat’s eyes. Grimalkin takes us through the Victorian age, all the way to dealing with COVID. Each haunting has its own unique characters and Grimalkin is challenged to follow the fast paced changes that occur through each haunting.

While the concept of this book was intriguing, its execution fell flat. I was hoping for more magic in the pages but found none. And while it was interesting to see how the cat viewed the changing world, I would have liked more detail and maybe more time spent with the characters. Each haunting seemed a bit rushed and not complete. Beyond that, the conversations were a bit dull and didn’t necessarily flow with the story. However, I chalk some of that up to the fact that Grimalkin wasn’t there for the full conversation either.

I still found The Ghost Cat to be a cozy read and one that was endearing if not awe-inspiring. Definitely a good read for cat lovers!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

This is a charming and unique tale about a cat who passes prematurely and so lives his 9 lives out in Edinburgh as a ghost cat. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and appreciated the footnotes about the more obscure aspects of history.

We follow a cat, Grimalkin, through his eight ghost lives. Something goes awry in the afterlife after his first life lived and he can't go back for eight more living lives, so he goes back as a ghost to observe various events at his home. We meet some famous people and some random people during important events in history. Things that seem insignificant are actually important, and everything is connected. I loved the story of Eilidh despite it being so brief.

I think if you love a cat you will enjoy this sweet and cozy read. If you don't have cats or have never loved one, this may not be for you.

Love cats and love the "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" series so this was right up my alley!

In this book, we follow a cat through his 9 lives in Edinburgh. It was really interesting as his lives span8 over 150 years and there are sorts of interesting observations made throughout his 9 lives.

It was a short cozy book that you can easily read in one sitting. There were definitely some lives I found myself more invested in than others, but that is what I love about this book. Everyone who reads it will take something different from it and relate to different lives of the cat!

This was a very cozy journey through Edinburgh's history. I really appreciated the inventiveness of the idea as well as the authors inclusion of historical details that really fleshed out the different time periods. I do wish that the magical element had been touched on a bit more, but I understand it is a more literary leaning book. Would absolutely recommend, especially for those that love and know Edinburgh.

THE GHOST Cat by Alex Howard

This novel is about following a cat through his nine lives in Edinburgh, moving through the ever changing city and its inhabitants over centuries.

An interesting and cute story. It takes you through time and the new inventions along the way. Many characters plus the main cat.

Thanks to Net galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review..

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

If you know the truth about cats, then you know they are some of the wisest of creatures, and therefore Grimalkin will of course make a wonderful guide through almost 150 years of history! Born in 1887 in Edinburgh Grimalkin lives his first 15 years of life as “a thinking cat and, as such, enjoyed a life of quiet contemplation.” But in a cosmic mixup he passes a bit before his time and is granted the opportunity to live 8 more lives as a ghost cat. Through his eyes we see the world in snippets of time as it changes on its steady pace into the 21st century. Grimalkin shares his perceptions of fashion, food, decorating styles, language, inventions, world events, the people he observes and so much more all from his home base of the flat in Edinburgh where he was born. Told with wit and wisdom this is an account that is outright funny, endearing, warm and bittersweet. Any lover of history or cats will enjoy it! Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced reader copy.

First of all, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. I feel privileged to have witnessed Grimalkin’s life and observations of the world across the span of nearly 150 years.

This book has no plot. And that is not a criticism. Sometimes observing the world, the passage of time is an art and I appreciated the calm of this book.

I fully plan to gift this charming novel to my friends after Pub Day!

This was so silly and cute! A Victorian era cat living in Edinburgh dies prematurely, so he gets the option to live out his remaining eight lives as a "ghost cat." The rest of the book follows each life, from the 1800s to modern day, with each life reading as its own short story, though themes, places, and characters run throughout. Fun tie-ins with both global and local historical events; thankfully, the more obscure references were explained in footnotes. A quick, cozy read for anyone who loves cats and/or Edinburgh and/or feeling warm and fuzzy.

A fun, heartwarming tale wrapped in the history of Edinburgh as told by an average Victorian cat. Follow along with the ghost of Grimalkin as he watches history be made in his town.

3.5/5

Such an enjoyable book to read! Grimalkin is such an entertaining little floof to follow around for his lives, witnessing the passage of time and how human society has changed throughout the decades. I thought this was a very interesting take on exploring the different time periods, and it was a delight to read some familiar names and a take on their origins. Grimalkin's love for Eilidh is something that I wish I could know if my cats had for me. Each life time he experienced, he was determined to see her, and that I LOVED. I enjoyed following Grimalkin along on his "hauntings", but there were some that I wasn't as interested in on following. The ones that did tie together, whether to other hauntings or notable characters of the specific timeline, were very fun to follow. However, I do wish there was more of an epilogue on Grimalkin and him reaching the afterlife. Grimalkin coming to terms with his own "morality" (if you can call it that for a cat) was done in a way that could be applied to humans. I love reading people's takes on life itself, and this was a fun take on it, albeit a cat's!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is everything you need and want it to be! It is a cozy read and it’s through the eyes of a cat that becomes immortalized by mistake. I chose this because I read Before the Coffee Get Cold and loved it. I also was intrigued because the setting is Edinburgh, and I am in love with that city! It is a perfect setting for this read and plot as well. Imagine Outlander but instead it’s a cat traveling through time. The only complaint I have is that it was a little too focused on History and I felt like some portion of that could have gone towards plot.
Thank you, to Net Galley and Alex Howard for the opportunity of reading this ARC.

If you need a cozy read about a Victorian cat that becomes an immortal ghost cat that travels through the ages then this is the book for you. This is definitely a rainy-day cozy read great for relaxing and losing yourself in a stroll through time with Grimalkin. It was a bit dry at times but still worth the read.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be - a cozy story about a cat. The Ghost Cat follows Grimalkin, who watches several generations pass through his building in Edinburgh. The book has a strong sense of place, which I desperately wanted, since I recently visited Edinburgh and want to return. There's a focus on history as well, as the book spans over 100 years, which I really enjoyed. To be honest, I've always been more of a dog person, but Grimalkin definitely endeared me to cats. I would definitely recommend this to fans of cozy speculative stories like Before the Coffee Gets Cold and cat lovers alike.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.