Rose tells Theda she received a phone call threatening her cats and is very concerned for her safety and that of her cats, especially since someone has been stealing cats from area catteries and shelters. At first, Theda thought the cat-napping was related to the upcoming Halloween holiday (black cats and all that), but when Rose is found murdered, Theda thinks the threats may have been more personal.

Next, Theda reconnects with once local music celeb, turned Hollywood, Cool. Cool has become a recluse after successfully completing a rehab program, but she too is being blackmailed to keep her secrets secret. As Theda writes her article she begins to see patterns emerge from both Rose’s threats and Cool’s, as well as Rose’s cat-nappings and others from a local shelter run by her friend, Violet. Can Theda bring down a cat-napping ring and get the exclusive for a big payday or will Musetta be the next victim?

There are several different threads running through Cattery Row, and while they are eventually all tied together, it is not in an entirely satisfactory way, and the conclusion is a bit rushed. There is a lot of exploration of relationships, Theda and current beau Bill, Theda and former beau Rick, her friend Bunny and her boyfriend are about to have a Wiccan commitment ceremony, and Violet and her partner, Caro.

Each couple is working through issues, Bill and Theda not sure whether or not to take the relationship to the next level, Rick and Theda with unresolved issues when he left for Arizona abruptly, and Violet who is allowing her stress level effect to her health, yet none of the issues seem to get resolved (though Violet does stop smoking). The alternative music scene tries to provide a constant background for all the various subplots and characters, but often ends up just providing a lot of noise. Theda and her gang do love their cats and do treat them as royalty, though cat lovers who like their mysteries a bit more cuddly may want to skip this one.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry