The Cat Sitter’s Whiskers

The appealing 10th Dixie Hemingway mystery (after 2014’s The Cat Sitter’s Nine Lives and the third written by Blaize Clement’s son, John, after her death in 2011) finds the former sheriff’s deputy and professional pet sitter heading off to feed her clients early one morning in Siesta Key, Fla. Dixie’s first customer is an eight-year-old Maine Coon cat, whose owners, the Kellers, have left him at their art-filled ranch house while they’re away. After a trip to the garage, Dixie returns inside and comes face-to-face with an intruder wearing a Tibetan mask, from Mrs. Keller’s collection, that reminds her of Dick Cheney. The man knocks her out with a stone figurine. When Dixie regains consciousness, she calls the police. Oddly, no valuables are missing, nor is there any sign that someone broke into the house. With its sunny Florida setting, this cozy is sure to banish the winter doldrums. Agent: Al Zuckerman, Writers House. (Mar.)