Alec Charlesworth, recently retired
librarian, and even more recently made a widower, takes a holiday cottage in Norfolk
with his dog Watson. When he opens an e-mail from a Dr Winterton (vaguely
remembered as a library user) he is presented with an attached folder
containing files that set out a far-fetched account by an actor named Wiggy of an encounter
he had with a talking cat named Roger.
At first Alec is dismissive (and critical of
Wiggy’s literary talent) but some preliminary research corroborates some
aspects of the tale and, on returning home and meeting Dr Winterton, he
realises that not only does Roger exist, but that his powers go beyond talking,
and that knowledge such as that is very, very dangerous.
So a tale that begins light and whimsical
turns more serious with the humour darkening several shades as Alec is drawn inexorably
into Roger’s mysterious and somewhat horrific world.
As befits the author of ‘Eats, Shoots and
Leaves’, the story is well written (once Wiggy’s narration is left behind) and
mischievously presented, making for a quick light read that, intriguingly, can
be equally appreciated by both cat-lovers and cat-haters.
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