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atlantic_reader_wannabe's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. Though the ending felt a little strange, it was still readable. Cat lovers would definitely enjoy this if they enjoy a mystery.
booksuperpower's review
4.0
Fear Familiar by Carolyn Haines (Caroline Burnes) is a 2017 KaliOka Press publication.
I loved this romantic suspense series back in the nineties, and I even kept a few of the Harlequin Intrigue paperbacks- so I was thrilled to discover that the first three books in the series have been released in digital format. (This first one is available in the Kindle Unlimited program, if you subscribe)
When Eleanor Duncan and a scruffy black cat more or less rescue each other in a university parking lot, she decides to keep him, aptly naming him ‘Familiar’. But, Familiar needs a vet so she takes him to visit Dr. Peter Curry, who gives Eleanor shocking information regarding an animal research center, and feels Familiar was a recent and lucky escapee.
Sure enough, someone wants that cat back in the worst possible way, and Eleanor soon finds herself embroiled in a web of conspiracy, intrigue and danger, which could put her life at risk.
This plot is very complex and original, and although the book was published back in 1989, it seems to have aged well, although it is clearly written before smart phones and other modern technologies, and you might catch an outdated phrase, or reference here and there, but mostly it goes unnoticed.
Eleanor’s character goes through a transformation, becoming stronger and wiser, as she struggles to control the ghosts of her troubled past, and get to the bottom of this puzzling mystery, discovering she has more strength and courage than she thought possible.
‘Familiar’ has his own ‘voice’, and he allows the reader to ‘hear’ his thoughts and follow his actions as he does his part to keep Eleanor safe. He’s one smart cookie, with cute observations about humans, and is a delightful part of the story.
The story is fast-paced and absorbing, with lots of action and a little romance, too. This book laid a solid foundation in which to build what would become a long running series that began in 1989 and ran through 2009, I believe, and is a testament to how popular it was. I would love to read them order, someday, so I hope they all show up in the kindle store someday.
In the meantime, the series has been revived with a ‘second generation’ of adventures featuring Familiar’s son- Trouble. You can even read them concurrently and double the fun!
I enjoyed becoming reacquainted with Familiar and his charming disposition. This series brings back fond memories and is a little nostalgic for me. So, I’m very happy this series is getting a new life, allowing dedicated fans a chance to reconnect with it, while also finding a new audience.
If you like romantic suspense, mysteries, or are a cat lover, you will probably enjoy this series.
This book will be featured on my blog’s Flashback Friday feature July 28, 2017- Look for it at:
The Book Review- http://www.thebookreview.com
I loved this romantic suspense series back in the nineties, and I even kept a few of the Harlequin Intrigue paperbacks- so I was thrilled to discover that the first three books in the series have been released in digital format. (This first one is available in the Kindle Unlimited program, if you subscribe)
When Eleanor Duncan and a scruffy black cat more or less rescue each other in a university parking lot, she decides to keep him, aptly naming him ‘Familiar’. But, Familiar needs a vet so she takes him to visit Dr. Peter Curry, who gives Eleanor shocking information regarding an animal research center, and feels Familiar was a recent and lucky escapee.
Sure enough, someone wants that cat back in the worst possible way, and Eleanor soon finds herself embroiled in a web of conspiracy, intrigue and danger, which could put her life at risk.
This plot is very complex and original, and although the book was published back in 1989, it seems to have aged well, although it is clearly written before smart phones and other modern technologies, and you might catch an outdated phrase, or reference here and there, but mostly it goes unnoticed.
Eleanor’s character goes through a transformation, becoming stronger and wiser, as she struggles to control the ghosts of her troubled past, and get to the bottom of this puzzling mystery, discovering she has more strength and courage than she thought possible.
‘Familiar’ has his own ‘voice’, and he allows the reader to ‘hear’ his thoughts and follow his actions as he does his part to keep Eleanor safe. He’s one smart cookie, with cute observations about humans, and is a delightful part of the story.
The story is fast-paced and absorbing, with lots of action and a little romance, too. This book laid a solid foundation in which to build what would become a long running series that began in 1989 and ran through 2009, I believe, and is a testament to how popular it was. I would love to read them order, someday, so I hope they all show up in the kindle store someday.
In the meantime, the series has been revived with a ‘second generation’ of adventures featuring Familiar’s son- Trouble. You can even read them concurrently and double the fun!
I enjoyed becoming reacquainted with Familiar and his charming disposition. This series brings back fond memories and is a little nostalgic for me. So, I’m very happy this series is getting a new life, allowing dedicated fans a chance to reconnect with it, while also finding a new audience.
If you like romantic suspense, mysteries, or are a cat lover, you will probably enjoy this series.
This book will be featured on my blog’s Flashback Friday feature July 28, 2017- Look for it at:
The Book Review- http://www.thebookreview.com
jenndian's review
4.0
Great, captivating book that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next! That Familiar the cat has his own voice in the book, just made it charming and more interesting! So happy this series is available again since I missed it the first time around. If you enjoy Rita May Brown or miss the Cat Who... books by Lilian Jackson Braun, you'll enjoy this series!
bcbrownbooks's review
4.0
(Forgive that this is a "remembered" review. I am reviewing based on what I recall from this book when I read it several years ago, prior to being on Goodreads.)
Fear Familiar was the first book I picked up and read in Ms. Burnes' series. At the time, I can remember not being happy that the only book in the waiting room was a romance novel. Half a chapter in, however, I was pleasantly surprise.
Burnes writes with quick humor and solid character voice. It was several chapters in before I even recalled the story was a romance. Instead her focus (while holding a relationship prominent) is on the intrigue and the gumshoeing of Familiar the cat. While the books can be difficult to find, the strength of the feline character has been enough to make me seek out more in this series.
(My rating system: 1 = Disliked, 2 = Fine but not for me, 3 = Enjoyed, 4 = Really liked, 5 = I would seek to re-read this book.)
Fear Familiar was the first book I picked up and read in Ms. Burnes' series. At the time, I can remember not being happy that the only book in the waiting room was a romance novel. Half a chapter in, however, I was pleasantly surprise.
Burnes writes with quick humor and solid character voice. It was several chapters in before I even recalled the story was a romance. Instead her focus (while holding a relationship prominent) is on the intrigue and the gumshoeing of Familiar the cat. While the books can be difficult to find, the strength of the feline character has been enough to make me seek out more in this series.
(My rating system: 1 = Disliked, 2 = Fine but not for me, 3 = Enjoyed, 4 = Really liked, 5 = I would seek to re-read this book.)
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