Until three years ago, Dixie Hemingway was a deputy with the Sarasota County Sherriff's Department in southwest Florida. Then came a tragic accident. Now Dixie's a pet-sitter on Siesta Key, a lush, exotic barrier island where the people tend to be rich, suntanned, and tolerant of one another's quirks. As Dixie tried to get her life back in order, pet-sitting is the perfect job. She goes into people's homes while they're gone and takes care of their pets; she likes the animals, they like her, and she doesn't have to deal with people very much. She especially does not have to be afraid that she'll run into a situation that will cause her to lose her hard-won composure. But when Dixie finds a man bizarrely drowned in a cat's water bowl, she is drawn into a tangled web of danger and secrets. Unbeknownst to Lieutenant Guidry, the homicide detective handling the murder, Dixie begins her own investigation into the whereabouts of the cat's owner, who has now vanished. Fans of The Cat Who... book series by Lilian Jackson Braun will adore this riveting new pet-oriented sleuth and will eagerly await Dixie's next case: Will duplicity dog the dachshund? Despite the title, which suggests yet another cute kitty cozy, this first-rate debut is more dark than light. Set on Siesta Key, near Sarasota, Florida, the story features Dixie Hemingway, whose family tragedy drove her from the police force and into the bars. Still healing, Dixie is clean and working again, only this time as a pet sitter. When a dead man is found inside one of her client's homes, Dixie must get involved with police work again, this time as an outsider. Clement weaves interesting subplots into the story, such as the story of a young gay man who can't come out to his militant parents and Dixie's own struggles with the loss of her husband and daughter in a senseless accident. When Dixie finds another body--this time that of her client--she becomes of more than passing interest to the police. Despite the grim subject matter, Clement lifts the mood with descriptions of the cute pets Dixie tends each day. A nice mix of lite and dark. Jenny McLarin Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "A knock-out read. Clement offers vivid characters, a super plot, and a sense of place so real you can almost feel the sand between your toes. For anyone who loves mysteries, animals, or just plain great writing, this is a book to savor."- Laurien Berenson, author of Hot Dog "At once a cozy mystery for animal lovers and a jarringly earthy hard-boiled whodunit about human corruption. Clement's sleuth, Florida pet-sitter Dixie Hemingway, is an engaging combination of vulnerability and toughness, but the real heroine of the story is a gritty Abyssinian cat. A good read!"- Susan Conant, author of Bride and Groom and the Holly Winter Dog Lover's Mysteries "Kick off your flip-flops, find a hammock, and settle in for a fun read. Clement's Floridian heroine, Dixie Hemingway, spouts laugh-out-loud one-liners and words of wisdom in this intriguing whodunit filled with twists, turns, and some pretty captivating critters!"- Cynthia Baxter, author of Lead a Horse to Murder "Funny, engaging, and true to life."- Lee Charles Kelley, author of To Collar a Killer " Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter has it all: a feisty heroine, lovable animals, and a solid whodunit. What more could you ask for?"- Barbara Seranella, creator of the Munch Mancini crime novels "This first in a new mystery series is a keeper, with its plucky protagonist, cats galore, and a nice sense of place.... Look forward to the next in this smart series." - Library Journal "An entertaining debut. Dixie is a complex, well-conceived character and the plot fast-moving and believable."- Kirkus Reviews "An appealing heroine....The difficulties and humor inherent to the pet-sitting business, a local law-enforcement hunk with romantic potential and crisp writing all bode well for future entries in the series."- Publishers Weekly "First-rate...a nice mix of light and dark."- Booklist "A new star in the 'mysteries with animals' firmament...this book stands out in the genre for its plotting, pacing, and well formed characters, in addition to an enticing tropical locale. May there be many more installments."- The Kingston Observer "Clement uses rich descriptions of her home turf to provide a concrete sense of place for her gripping mystery. Her characterizations are convincing, and the animals Dixie cares for are an integral part of the story." - The Tennessean "Impressive...a sure keeper, with well-developed characters, seamless prose and a winning plot.... Anticipate additional installments in this commendable new series." - MysteryLovers.com Until three years ago, Dixie Hemingway was a deputy with the Sarasota County Sherriff's Department in southwest Florida. Then came a tragic accident. Now Dixie's a pet-sitter on Siesta Key, a lush, exotic barrier island where the people tend to be ric