I thought this was a good start to what could be a very interesting series. I liked that the author allowed the cats to act like cats, even when exhibiting their magical abilities. (There are no talking cats in this book) I like that their mysterious abilities were not yet explained too.
The mystery itself was very well done and the end was plausible but not obvious, so that I did not foresee it. There were hints of some very witty, humorous writing, although not enough - perhaps that part of the author's voice will get stronger with subsequent books. I'm really looking forward to the next one.
Dixie Hemingway (no relation) was a deputy with Sarasota County's Sheriff's Department in southwest Florida. After a tragic accident she has problems dealing with people so she leaves the Sheriff's Department and starts a business pet-sitting on Siesta Key. She takes her job seriously but also realises that her life needs something else.
That something else is probably not a dead body at one of her jobs. Drowned in a cat's water bowl she finds herself a suspect and being chased by some unsavory characters.
It's a cosy mystery, you don't really expect much but this one was quite interesting in itself. I did guess the murderer but the red herrings kept me questioning my guess which made it all the more enjoyable. I look forward to more in this series.