cover image THE CAT'S MEOW

THE CAT'S MEOW

Emily Carmichael, . . Bantam, $6.99 (464pp) ISBN 978-0-553-58634-3

Nefertiti, known as Titi to her owner and friends, wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that a novel featuring a talking cat, amnesia and nefarious thugs can be a sophisticated read. Indeed, it seems that anthropomorphic pets really add that extra purr, or so Carmichael (Gone to the Dogs , etc.) proves in yet another charming romantic caper, this time featuring Mckenna Wright and, of course, her cat Titi. An overworked lawyer with a drive to succeed, Mckenna faces one of her biggest challenges when she uncovers a crucial piece of evidence on a high-profile case. Winning the case means making partner at her law firm, but concealing evidence from her nemesis, opposing counsel Tom Markham, means breaking the law. Her deliberations prove irrelevant, however, when a car accident leaves her with temporary amnesia and, more frighteningly, the ability to understand her cat. Through Mckenna's downward spiral from lawyer to burger flipper and pooper-scooper, the regal Titi attempts to teach her to relax and enjoy life. Mckenna soon learns that this means falling for Tom Markham, whom she no longer sees as a lazy excuse for a lawyer but as a kind man who's too sexy for words. Steamy between-the-sheets action, sensitive soul searching and a tail-twitching denouement all add to the feline fun. Agent, Nancy Yost. (Nov.)