Not everyone reads hard-boild detective novels. Some people enjoy mysteries with animals that help solve the crime. While cats and dogs are common, there are other animal detectives too. This list comes from the members of ICPL's Let's Talk Books group. If you missed the discussion we had, check out the list below for some of our best liked titles.
The cat who saw red
Braun, Lilian Jackson.
MYSTERY Braun, Lilian Jackson
Something is amiss at Maus Haus. Not just the mystery of an unsolved "suicide" which hangs over the old mansion, but something ominous in the present-day residence. When Qwilleran moves in to work on his new gastronomical assignment, strange things begin to happen. First it's a scream in the night, then a vanishing houseboy. But when his old girlfriend disappears, something has to be done. Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum set out to solve the mystery--and find a murderer!
Dog on it
Quinn, Spencer.
MYSTERY Quinn, Spencer
Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Chet might have flunked out of police school ("I'd been the best leaper in K-9 class, which had led to all the trouble in a way I couldn't remember exactly, although blood was involved"), but he's a detective through and through. In this, their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters
Published in 2009, Dog On It is the first book in the Chet & Bernie series by Spencer Quinn. The 15th (Tender is the Bite) and 16th (Its A Wonderful Woof) titles in the series were published in 2021. Spencer Quinn is the pen name for author Peter Abrahams.
- Beth
The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency
Morton, Mandy, author.
MYSTERY Morton Mandy
Prepare to be besotted with Mandy Morton's The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency, the first book in a new series that turns the traditional British cozy on its head and features feline crime-solvers. Hettie Bagshot has bitten off more than any cat could chew. As soon as she launches her No. 2 Feline Detective Agency, she's bucketed into a case: Furcross, home for slightly older cats, has a nasty spate of bodysnatching, and three of the residents have been stolen from their graves. Hettie and her sidekick, Tilly, set out to reveal the terrible truth. Is Nurse Mogadon involved in a deadly game? Has the haberdashery department of Malkin & Sprinkle become a mortuary? And what flavor will Betty Butter's pie of the week be? In a haze of catnip and pastry, Hettie steers the Furcross Case to its conclusion, but will she get there before the body count rises--and the pies sell out?
Aa of 2022, The No.2 Feline Detective Agency series contains 8 titles. This was the first.
- Beth
Antiques Wanted
Allan, Barbara, author.
MYSTERY Allan Barbara
Spring lassos small-town Serenity, as Brandy Borne’s crime-bustin’ mama Vivian hatches a harebrained scheme to run for county sheriff—ropin’ in her daughter to join the rodeo as campaign manager. As the two-woman posse tracks down voters at a local assisted-living home, Brandy’s attempts at corralling Mother’s impractical whims make her feel like a tinhorn on a bucking bronco. But sure as shootin’, unhappy trails lie ahead. . . . Shortly after the Borne gals receive a valuable signed photo of an old-timey cowboy actor from the elderly aunt of Vivian’s political opponent, a massive explosion sends Brandy to the ER and auntie to the grave. With a string of unexplained deaths turning Sunny Meadow into Boot Hill, the ditzy duo—aided by their clever shih tzu Sushi—must lay down the law on a deadly outlaw . . . before someone’s elected the next victim, with the Bornes headin’ toward their last round-up!
Book 12 in the 17 part "Trash 'n' Treasures" mystery series written by Muscatine, IA writers Barbara Collins and her husband Max Allan Collins under their joint pseudonym Barbara Allan.
- Beth
The scent of murder
Logan, Kylie, author.
MYSTERY Logan Kylie
A riveting mystery following Jazz Ramsey as she trains cadaver dogs. The way Jazz Ramsey figures it, life is pretty good. She's thirty-five years old and owns her own home in one of Cleveland's most diverse, artsy, and interesting neighborhoods. She has a job she likes as an administrative assistant at an all-girls school, and a volunteer interest she's passionate about--Jazz is a cadaver dog handler. Jazz is working with Luther, a cadaver dog in training. Luther is still learning cadaver work, so Jazz is putting him through his paces at an abandoned building that will soon be turned into pricey condos. When Luther signals a find, Jazz is stunned to see the body of a young woman who is dressed in black and wearing the kind of make-up and jewelry that Jazz used to see on the Goth kids back in high school. She's even more shocked when she realizes that beneath the tattoos and the piercings and all that pale make up is a familiar face. The lead detective on the case is an old lover, and the murdered woman is an old student. Jazz finds herself sucked into the case, obsessed with learning the truth.
The first book in the Jazz Ramsey series by Kylie Logan.
- Beth
Three bags full : a sheep detective story
Swann, Leonie, 1975-
MYSTERY Swann, Leonie
On a hillside near the cozy Irish village of Glennkill, a flock of sheep gathers around their shepherd, George, whose body lies pinned to the ground with a spade. George has cared devotedly for the flock, even reading them books every night. Led by Miss Maple, the smartest sheep in Glennkill (and possibly the world), they set out to find George’s killer. The A-team of investigators includes Othello, the “bad-boy” black ram; Mopple the Whale, a Merino who eats a lot and remembers everything; and Zora, a pensive black-faced ewe with a weakness for abysses. Joined by other members of the richly talented flock, they engage in nightlong discussions about the crime, wild metaphysical speculations, and embark on reconnaissance missions into the village, where they encounter some likely suspects.
Outfoxed
Brown, Rita Mae.
MYSTERY Brown, Rita Mae
In the pristine world of Virginia foxhunting, hunters, horses, hounds, and foxes form a lively community of conflicting loyalties, where the thrill of the chase and the intricacies of human-animal relationships are experienced firsthand--and murder exposes a proud Southern community's unsavory secrets. . . . As Master of the prestigious Jefferson Hunt Club, Jane Arnold, known as Sister, is the most revered citizen in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain town where a rigid code of social conduct and deep-seated tradition carry more weight than money. Nearing seventy, Sister now must select a joint master to ensure a smooth transition of leadership after her death. It is an honor of the highest order--and one that any serious social climber would covet like the Holy Grail. Virginian to the bone with a solid foxhunting history, Fontaine Buruss is an obvious candidate, but his penchant for philandering and squandering money has earned him a less than sparkling reputation. And not even Sister knows about his latest tawdry scandal. Then there is Crawford Howard, a Yankee in a small town where Rebel bloodlines are sacred. Still, Crawford has money--lots of it--and as Sister is well aware, maintaining a first-class hunt club is far from cheap. With the competition flaring up, Southern gentility flies out the window. Fontaine and Crawford will stop at nothing to discredit each other. Soon the entire town is pulled into a rivalry that is spiraling dangerously out of control. Even the animals have strong opinions, and only Sister is able to maintain objectivity. But when opening hunt day ends in murder, she, too, is stunned.
Double booked for death
Brandon, Ali.
MYSTERY Brandon Ali
Darla Pettistone left Texas for New York after unexpectedly inheriting her Great-Aunt Dee’s Brooklyn bookstore. She didn’t know that the store’s mascot—Hamlet, an oversize black cat with a personality to match—was also part of the deal. And he may be more trouble than Darla bargained for… As the new owner of Pettistone’s Fine Books, Darla Pettistone is determined to prove herself a worthy successor to her late great-aunt Dee…and equally determined to outwit Hamlet, the smarter-than-thou cat she inherited along with the shop. Darla’s first store event is a real coup—the hottest bestselling author of the moment is holding a signing there, which brings hordes of fans and some protestors. But when the author meets an untimely end during the event, it’s hardly good for business, even though it’s ruled an accident…until Hamlet digs up a clue that seems to indicate otherwise. Now Darla fears a killer might be lurking about… Can the interfering Hamlet point the paw at the culprit without losing one of his own nine lives?
Book one in the The Black Cat Bookshop series by Ali Brandon.
- Beth
Cat in a red hot rage
Douglas, Carole Nelson.
MYSTERY Douglas, Carole Nelson
This tough talking twenty-pound tomcat PI is playing at the top of his game as he walks the walk and talks the talk on the mean streets of Las Vegas. Temple Barr and Midnight Louie are up to their tails in froufrou, chapeaux, and murder when the Red Hat Sisterhood convention hits Las Vegas. Electra Lark, Temple's spirited landlady, has dragged her to the con. Accused of murder after a woman is found strangled with an official Red Hat Sisterhood scarf, Electra begs Temple to clear her name by posing as a pink-hatter, an under-fifty member of the organization. Louie and his partner in Midnight Investigations Inc., Midnight Louise, join the hunt for the killer at the Crystal Phoenix. They find old friends already there, including C-movie actress Savannah Ashleigh, and her Persian cats, Louie's ex-love, the Divine Yvette, and her sister Solange. As Temple and Louie dig under all the makeup and shopping bags it becomes clear that a whole lot of folks want to crush or cash in on the red-hot rage of female empowerment that is the Red Hat Sisterhood.
Cat in a Red Hot Rage is the nineteenth title in Carole Nelson Douglas's sassy Midnight Louie mystery series.
- Beth
While my pretty one knits
Canadeo, Anne, 1955-
MYSTERY Canadeo, Anne
The Black Sheep Knitters—Maggie, Lucy, Dana, Suzanne, and Phoebe—meet once a week without fail, sharing the varied and colorful skeins of their lives as much as knitting tips, recipes, and small-town gossip, and creating an intricate, durable pattern of friendship. Now a shocking murder has peaceful Plum Harbor, Massachusetts, in knots —and the Black Sheep women must herd together to protect one of their own from a scandalous frame-up. Maggie Messina, beloved owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, is thrilled to be hosting a workshop for one of her former students, now a celebrity in the knitting world. But the celebration is upstaged when Amanda Goran, the owner of the rival Knitting Nest, is found dead in her shop on the other side of town. Maggie had reasons to dislike Amanda, a thorn in her side ever since Maggie's shop surpassed Amanda's in popularity. Then again, it wasn't hard to dislike Amanda—the contentious woman, whose marriage was on the rocks, seemed to specialize in causing misery all over town. But the pointed evidence has a detective casting a suspicious eye on Maggie. She may be a whiz at knitting, but can she keep the police from needling her before her shop, her reputation, and her circle of friends become unraveled?
Book one in the Black Sheep Knitting mystery series.
- Beth
Lending a paw
Cass, Laurie, author.
MYSTERY Cass Laurie
With the help of her rescue cat, Eddie, librarian Minnie Hamilton is driving a bookmobile based in the resort town of Chilson, Michigan. But she’d better keep both hands on the wheel, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Eddie followed Minnie home one day, and now she can’t seem to shake the furry little shadow. But in spite of her efforts to contain her new pal, the tabby sneaks out and trails her all the way to the bookmobile on its maiden voyage. Before she knows it, her slinky stowaway becomes her cat co-pilot! Minnie and Eddie’s first day visiting readers around the county seems to pass without trouble—until Eddie darts outside at the last stop and leads her to the body of a local man who’s reached his final chapter. Initially, Minnie is ready to let the police handle this case, but Eddie seems to smell a rat. Together, they’ll work to find the killer—because a good librarian always knows when justice is overdue.
Book one in the six book Bookmobile Cats mystery series.
- Beth
Curiosity thrilled the cat
Kelly, Sofie, 1958-
MYSTERY Kelly Sofie
Owen is a tabby with a catnip addiction and Hercules is a stocky tuxedo cat who shares Kathleen's fondness for Barry Manilow. But beyond all the fur and purrs, there's something more to these kitties. When murder interrupts Mayville's Wild Rose Summer Music Festival, Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect.
Book one in The Magical Cats mysteries starring Kathleen Paulson, a librarian from Boston, and two stray cats with special powers, Owen and Hercules, in fictional Mayville Heights, Minnesota.
- Beth
Into the wild
Hunter, Erin.
jFICTION Hunter, Erin
Four clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their powerful ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. An ordinary house cat may be the bravest warrior of them all.
Book one in the Warrior Cats series.
- Beth
The celery stalks at midnight
Howe, James, 1946-
jFICTION Howe, James
Chester the cat is more than ever convinced that Bunnicula is a vampire when there is a harvest of white vegetables on the morning after the night that Bunnicula was probably wandering through the neighborhood.
Book three in the Bunnicula series.
- Beth
The adventures of Tintin : a novel
Irvine, Alexander (Alexander C.)
jFICTION Tintin
When young reporter Tintin finds a secret message hidden in the mast of a model of the ship Unicorn, he sets out on a global adventure with his dog Snowy and hearty Captain Haddock to find the Unicorn's secret before their dangerous enemies.
Lost treasure of the Emerald Eye
Stilton, Geronimo.
jFICTION Stilton, Geronimo
When Geronimo's sister, Thea, discovers an old, mysterious map showing a secret treasure hidden on a faraway island, the gang of the "Rodent's gazette" is dragged into a treasure hunt.
Lost treasure of the Emerald Eye is the first book in the Geronimo Stilton series, which as of 2022 contains 82 books. Geronimo Stilton is an Italian children's chapter book series written by Elisabetta Dami under the pen name of the title character. Scholastic has published the English language editions of this series in the US since 2004.
- Beth
A traveling cat
Lyon, George Ella, 1949-
jE Lyon
When discovered on the playground in front of the drive-in movie screen, Boulevard, a stray cat, stays in her new home for a short while before taking to the road.
Book 4 in the "Cat Who..." series, a 29 book cosy mystery series written by Lillian Jackson Braun between 1966 and 2007. The Cat Who books center on the life of (former) newspaper reporter, James Qwilleran, and his two Siamese cats, Koko (short for Kao K'o Kung) and Yum Yum. The 30th title in the series was incomplete at the time of the authors death and was never published.
- Beth