Review: The Great Cat Nap by A.M. Bostwick

She’s beautiful. She’s charming. She’s a star. But there’s this thing: Ruby the Russian is missing. Oh, and there is something else you should know: she’s a cat. A.M. Bostwick takes the standard detective novel and creates something fun and new in her adventurous debut Middle Grade novel, The Great Cat Nap.

The premise of The Great Cat Nap is straightforward, yet inventive. Ace, a modest, cool-guy kind of cat, is a journalist at a Wisconsin newspaper, The Daily Reporter, and he also happens to be a detective. Things are going smoothly at the office until Ace sees a photo of the dainty Ruby on the cover of the newspaper. Things get going when he reads the headline: “MISSING: PRIZE-WINNING CAT.” Immediately, Ace can’t get over the beautiful Ruby. He’s drawn to her. Ace breaks out of the office and, with his scene-stealing best friend Sloan, begins his search to find the missing Ruby.

There is a lot to admire in The Great Cat Nap. Bostwick has a knack for describing her feline subjects. The cat jokes are quick, constant, and (often) amusing. For a reward, Ace wants tuna fish. There are a plethora of catnaps to be had. Catnip appears on several occasions. Grooming is a priority. Bostwick even gives us a couple of scenes of sunbathers. Sloan is so hungry that he “could eat a mouse.” To make everything even better, Bostwick gives her subjects a true guardian: “The Kooky Cat Lady.” How can you not love such a character?

Another part of Bostwick’s writing that really works is the relationship between best friends Ace and Sloan. Children will, undoubtedly, see their own relationships on display. During the best scene of The Great Cat Nap, Ace goes to see Sloan, who hasn’t been around in a few days. Their interaction could be cold, but it’s not. Sloan tells Ace that he’s embarrassed because of his last grooming (and vet) visit. Ace frantically says to Sloan, “Sloan, I, uh, well, this is, um…” Ace’s delicately handling of his friend’s new look seems authentic, and Sloan’s quick remark, “Don’t say it. I know what I look like,” is a sincere reply. We’ve all had the same moment with our own friends. Sometimes, we just have to accept things and go on with life. Ace and Sloan show readers that what they look like isn’t really that big of a deal. After all, they have a catnapping to solve.

The Great Cat Nap is full of amusing scenes, and the mysterious whereabouts of Ruby the Russian will keep readers guessing until the end. The ultimate reveal is satisfying, but it’s what leads up to the end that makes Bostwick’s debut such a fine experience. Clear your calendars and check off your holiday shopping lists. A.M. Bostwick’s The Great Cat Nap is an engaging and fun read that children and adults alike can enjoy. To put it plainly: it’s nearly purrr-fect.