Brother-and-sister black cats Brandon and Ophelia are separated when their owner, a wealthy Palm Beach philanthropist, drowns in her swimming pool, and the woman's son boxes them up and throws them out of the house. Ophelia is found by Ruby Sparks, a tarot card reader tending her sister's New Age shop. After Ophelia befriends Zuki, Ruby's pit bull, the two find Brandon at a nearby pawn shop. When Luciana, the housekeeper for the cats' previous owner, shows up and asks Ruby to read the cards to learn if the woman was murdered, Brandon and Ophelia are shaken. A prophecy from a koi named Philomena and another tragic death lead the cats and Zuki into a murder investigation and trouble. The anthropomorphic cats and dog kick off a series in which they read tarot cards, plan trips in cars and trucks, and find a killer. VERDICT Recommended only for readers who are already fans of the author's "Black Cat Bookshop" series, written as Ali Brandon, or those who enjoy talking cats and dogs in their mysteries. Suggest for fans of Rita Mae Brown's "Mrs. Murphy" books or Shirley Rousseau Murphy's "Joe Grey" mysteries.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

This whimsical series launch from Stuckart (The Queen's Gambit and two other Leonardo Da Vinci mysteries) introduces Ophelia and Brandon, two handsome black cats who can communicate with all their fellow animals except for humans. The littermates live the good life in Palm Beach, Fla., until their wealthy owner, the Old Woman, drowns in her swimming pool and her cat-allergic son dumps them on the street. Brandon goes looking for help, but before he can return, Ophelia is rescued by Ruby Sparks, animal lover, Tarot reader, and temporary proprietor of her half-sister's Santeria-themed shop, Botanica Santa Rosa. When the Old Woman's former housekeeper, Luciana Torres, shows up at the shop, seeking guidance from the cards because she suspects her boss was murdered, and then ends up dead herself, Ruby feels compelled to uncover the truth. Ophelia and her army of animal friends—including Brandon, a stray mutt named Rally, and a psychic koi called Philomena— are eager to help. Lighthearted and quirky, this will enchant cozy readers and animal lovers. Agent: Josh Getzler, HSG. (Nov.)