Friday, 18 July 2025

**FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #331 featuring **Lifeless in the Library ~ Moorecliff Manor Cat Cozy Mystery Book 4** by Leighann Dobbs **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

The Mewton-Clawson Library blog header for BionicBasil.com featuring Amber, the head librarian cat at BBHQ, posed before a colorful bookshelf. Surrounded by whimsical flowers, butterflies, and a quill, this charming design welcomes readers to book reviews and literary adventures in the BBHQ universe.

Hello furbulous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

OMC, lovely library visitors, what a week! The Library Mice are still AWOL, well, let me rephrase that, they went on their jolly's to The Festival of Cheddar last week. And they were supposed to be back in Mewton-Clawson on Monday.

It seems that they decided rather unexpectedly, to head onwards to another festival called Mousecapade Under the Moonlight... oh fluff me, they won't be back until next week now.

They sent me the flyer:

Mousecapade Under the Moonlight is an absolute masterpiece of squeaky revelry ~ where whimsy meets whiskers in moonlit delight 

Here are the sparkling highlights of this twilight tiny-tent spectacular:

Midnight Mousmosa Bar

Tiny fizzy drinks topped with parsley leaf umbrellas. For sophisticated rodents only. 

Mewsic from the Burrow Beats Collective

Featuring:

DJ CheddarTail spinning “Squeak Symphony Vol. 3”
Live squeak-alongs with Tiny Paw’s and his enchanted harp
Glowstick tail accessories for maximum rave floof

Moonlight Maze of Mystery

A spiral of hedgehog-safe hedges lit by fairy lights. Dash through tunnels looking for The Golden Crumb, a biscuit of legends.

Whisker Paint & Paw Print Studio

Attendees can dip their paws and tails in glitter paint to create mousterpieces

(Rumour has it Pandora is there... I need to ask Parsley.)

Also available...

Tiny Tent Glamping Grove

Fully floofed miniature tents with lavender-stuffed pillows and a “No Ferrets Allowed” policy. Every night there's a midnight meditation here.

The Squeakeret Parade at Moonrise

Mice in glow-in-the-dark cloaks wave tiny banners of unity, sass, and cheese diplomacy. Gorgon Zola delivers a speech titled Literature and Lunchables: A Rodent's Rights.


Oh, fluff me, they'll come back and want a pay rise, plus a bonus, and holiday pay, back pay and more time off!

Anyhoo, I wasn't feeling up to taking a selfie after that news, so here's supurr smashing throwback to 2015 when I WAS HAVING A REALLY GREAT TIME in the catmint!

Amber's having a really great time in the catmint (NOT!!! MOL), BBHQ’s orange and white feline resident, lounges in a sunlit garden surrounded by blooming purple flowers and lush greenery. Her bright coat contrasts beautifully with the vibrant flora and tall trees, creating a peaceful moment of pet companionship and natural beauty. Copyright ‘www.bionicbasil.com’ appears at the bottom, highlighting a perfect scene for cat lifestyle, garden photography, and seasonal pet content

Just look at my face, pure, radiant happiness, and I bet mew can't catch your breath at how elated, totally free and fun-loving I look! I'm so blissful that my fur is pawsitively tingling, well, it's glowing!

Yeah, wait till the Library Mice see that! MOL

Now, let's continue with the Prudence Saga, and mew won't believe what happens in this episode. If mew missed last week's instalment, click here.

>^.^<

Part 20

(Just so I don't lose track of where I am in the story, well I am getting older, and I sometimes forget things these days! MOL)

The coronet gleamed under the lantern’s flickering light, its jewels catching every shadow, every secret.

Willie held it carefully, her paws steady, but behind her eyes, I saw it.

Realisation.

Clawdia stepped forward, her smirk sharp and wicked.

“Now that mew know what mew hold,” she purred, “mew understand why I can’t let mew keep it.”

Hissy shifted, claws flexing. “Mew seriously think we’re handing it over?”

Clawdia’s eyes darkened.

“No,” she murmured. “I think mew don’t have a choice.”

And in that moment, Clawdia moved. Fast. Too fast. She lunged for the coronet, her claws flashing, reaching, grasping. Willie twisted away, holding tight.

Clawdia snarled.

Muskulls lunged, grabbing Clawdia’s wrist, but she wrenched free, her eyes wild.

“This isn’t about mew!” she hissed. “This is about what comes next!”

My breath hitched. What came next? What else did she have planned?

Willie met my gaze, and in that second, I knew. We weren’t just fighting for an artefact. We were fighting to stop whatever Clawdia had already set in motion.

And we had to stop it now.

And in the centre of the chaos, Clawdia stood her ground.

The coronet gleamed in Willie’s paws, but it was no longer the prize. The real fight? It was about stopping Clawdia before her final plan ignited.

“Mew think taking that crown away from mew is enough?” Clawdia laughed, her tail flicking. “Mew still don’t understand what I’ve done.”

Hissy bristled. “Tell us, what did mew do?”

Clawdia tilted her head, her smirk sharp, deadly.

“The coronet,” she purred, “is just a symbol.”

Willie stiffened, her paws tightening around the artefact. “What do mew mean?”

Clawdia exhaled slowly, eyes glinting. “Did mew ever wonder why this estate was built here? Why its history was so… carefully rewritten?”

I felt the words sink into my bones like ice. This wasn’t just about inheritance. This was about something buried long before any of us were born.

Clawdia stepped back, her eyes flicking all around the room.

“Fuskerton Grange wasn’t built on land,” she whispered.

Muskulls breath hitched beside me. Willie’s tail twitched.

I clenched my jaw. “Then what was it built on?”

Clawdia smiled. 

Then, the walls trembled.

A deep, guttural rumbling, as if something ancient beneath us had just begun to wake up.

And in that moment, I knew.

This fight was bigger than all of us.

>^.^<

Until next time, when fluff knows what will happen next - well, I do, obviously! MOL 

A whimsical floral blog divider featuring a vibrant stretch of green grass adorned with tall, delicate purple flowers. Among the blossoms, butterflies in soft hues of blue, lilac, and white flutter gently, creating a dreamy, summer-like atmosphere. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and gentle movement—an ideal natural break between blog sections or story chapters on BionicBasil.blogspot.com

Interior of The Mewton-Clawson Library at BionicBasil.com—an enchanting literary haven curated by the BBHQ cats. The image showcases soaring wooden bookshelves filled with colorful spines, vintage tomes, and feline-approved reads. A plush reading chair nestled in the corner invites cozy contemplation beneath soft ambient lighting. Delicate décor touches, including whimsical plants, collector’s knick-knacks, and a paw-sketched poster, add personality and warmth. This charming space is the headquarters for BBHQ’s literary adventures, lovingly overseen by head librarian Amber the cat, whose role is to archive cat-centric tales, interdimensional chronicles, and the occasional time-traveling manuscript
A minimalist black-and-white illustration of three stacked books with a whimsical twist—one tiny mouse perched proudly on the top book, while a second mouse stands on the ground gazing up with curiosity. The books are sketched with soft line detail, evoking the cozy charm of classic storybook illustrations. This gentle, literary-themed divider adds a playful pause between blog sections on BionicBasil.com
Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
A Blog hop badge featuring two cute cats for the Friendly fill-ins challange every Friday at 15 and meowing and four legged furballs

1. _________________ is a book that I would reread again.
2. My ______________ is in need of _______________________.
3. I’ve been working on _________ for _________.
4. I finally figured out _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. The Convoluted Universe: Book 1 by Delores Cannon is a book that I would reread again. Interesting stuff!

2. My craft room is in need of a serious declutter, and I just don't seem to get around to it!!! Maybe soon, or maybe I will just live in denial a while longer! LOL

3. I’ve been working on a few new writing projects for most of this year. B Team stuff, Middle Grade novels and others, plus I've discovered a few part-written novels that are now on the  'to complete pile' as soon as the other stuff is cleared.

4. I finally figured out how to organise my cluttered writer's brain, so I start and finish stuff. Rather than start, then forget about it, The B Team stuff is not the issue, it's The Non B Team stuff that sometimes loses steam... I just need to add more cats!!! LOL
A whimsical floral blog divider featuring a vibrant stretch of green grass adorned with tall, delicate purple flowers. Among the blossoms, butterflies in soft hues of blue, lilac, and white flutter gently, creating a dreamy, summer-like atmosphere. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and gentle movement—an ideal natural break between blog sections or story chapters on BionicBasil.blogspot.com

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

A charming literary-themed blog divider featuring a vintage typewriter at its center with a sheet of paper displaying a paw print—symbolizing the creative spirit of BBHQ. Flanking the typewriter are two whimsical stacks of books. On the left stack, a tiny mouse stands alert on the top volume, while the right stack hosts another mouse lounging comfortably. The illustration is sketched in a detailed, hand-drawn style, blending cozy bookish vibes with playful feline flair—perfect for adding personality between blog sections on BionicBasil.com
Amber’s top cat book review of the week at BBHQ features ‘Lifeless in the Library’ by Leighann Dobbs. The image showcases a cozy library interior with colourful bookshelves, green houseplants, a desk lamp, and a stack of books. A whimsical mouse perched atop the stack adds charm, while the book cover displays feline mystery themes. Banner text reads ‘This Week’s Top Book Pick!’ with the website www.bionicbasil.com, creating an inviting visual for cat lovers and book enthusiasts.
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Lifeless in the Library


A Moorecliff Manor Cat Cozy Mystery Book 4

by

Leighann Dobbs


       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

Araminta Moorecliff and her mystery solving siamese cats, Arun and Sasha, are at it again when the Moorecliff Manor annual charity cat show turns deadly.

With a house full of finicky felines and cat fanciers, it’s not going to be easy to figure out who done it. At least this time we know it’s not the butler.

I reviewed the first book in this fun series earlier in March, actually it was the same day the Prudence saga kicked up to Defcon 1! MOL 

And the second book, on the 2nd of May, can be read here. Last week, I reviewed Book 3, which can be read here too.

Well, I thought I would do books 4 and 5 to conclude my current and most epically epic review season, and that way we get to put the series to bed, well, back on the shelf! MOL

I adore this series, it's just been a total blast getting to know the characters, and all the books are less than 175 pages long, they're readable in an afternoon!

Anyhoo, let me do the review properly now! MOL

If mew’re searching for a cozy mystery that’s as delightful as a cat sleeping in a sunbeam, look no further than Lifeless in the Library, the fourth book in the furbulous and charming Moorecliff Manor Cat Cozy Mystery series. This next instalment has all the pawsitive vibes mew’d expect from a tale centred around a charity cat show that, quite hilariously, goes awry. Meet Araminta Moorecliff, our intrepid sleuth, who probably has more cat toys in her house than most people have socks! Once again, she’s accompanied by her sassy Siamese duo, Arun and Sasha, who display their own brand of feline flair while helping to solve yet another murder in the historic Moorecliff Manor. (Top Tip, never stay there! MOL) The story blends humour with mystery, and the witty banter between Araminta and her cats is enough to have mew meowing out loud, especially when they indulge in their totally top paw feline tendencies. The plot thickens faster than a ball of yarn in Melvyn's paws, and as the charity cat show kicks off, the mood turns from whimsical to tail-raising in a jiffy. With felines prancing and owners squabbling, the last thing anypawdy expects is murder. The clues are cleverly woven into the narrative, along with a bucket load of red herrings and delightful characters leading to an unexpected twist that will mew turning those pages.
And let’s not forget about the setting, Moorecliff Manor, with its cozy library and myriad of cat-themed décor, is a character in its own right, a purrfect backdrop for this feline mystery. Plus, the fact that this time “it’s not the butler” had me smirking, sometimes the best kept secrets are hidden in plain sight, or in this case, amid a flurry of fur! This is a delightful read filled with intrigue, humour, and, of course, pawesome cats, which is why we are here, only books with cats, purrlease! MOL

It’s a purrfect read for anypawdy who loves whodunits spiced with a touch of feline charm. So get your favourite deckchair out, a nice cup of tea, well, mew know that catnip is my preference, though it may not be for everypawdy, and settle in for a suspenseful and fun afternoon in the garden, on the balcony or wherever mew like, and lose a couple of hours in a supurr book!

Another totally terrific addition to this highly entertaining series!

The entire series comprises five books (so far), and I'll be odering book 5 tomorrow, ready for next week!

(In book 2's review, they were available on Kindle Unlimited, but it seems NOT anymore)

Paperback: 107 pages
Audio: 2 hours 52 mins
A minimalist black-and-white illustration of three stacked books with a whimsical twist—one tiny mouse perched proudly on the top book, while a second mouse stands on the ground gazing up with curiosity. The books are sketched with soft line detail, evoking the cozy charm of classic storybook illustrations. This gentle, literary-themed divider adds a playful pause between blog sections on BionicBasil.com
My Rating Scale
Amber’s Paw Print Rating Scale from BionicBasil.com – a humorous, pyramid-style visual used by head librarian Amber at BBHQ to rate books in the Mewton-Clawson Library. The chart features descending rows of bold purple paw prints, forming a five-tier rating system with playful labels for each level: •	5 Paws – “TOTALLY TOP FLUFF ~ READ IMMEDIATELY!” – the highest honour for truly unputdownable feline fiction or pawesome adventures that leave tails twitching and whiskers wide with excitement. •	4 Paws – “FURRY GOOD FLUFF ~ LICKED ALL THE PAGES!” – thoroughly enjoyable reads with great character whisker-work and plot twists galore. •	3 Paws – “ENJOYABLE FLUFF ~ WOULD READ AGAIN” – solid stories with charm and enough intrigue to warrant a repeat nap-time read. •	2 Paws – “NOT FLUFFING BAD ~ NOT THE BEST BUT OKAY” – mildly entertaining tales that may appeal to some kitties, but lack a little purrsonality. Emergency reading. •	1 Paw – “FLUFF OFF ~ GO NAP INSTEAD” – reserved for disappointing reads that failed to capture even Amber’s keen librarian curiosity. This quirky BBHQ-exclusive scale brings feline-approved humour and charm to every book review post on BionicBasil.com, offering readers a quick glance at a book’s fluff factor in true pawsitive style.
A whimsical floral blog divider featuring a vibrant stretch of green grass adorned with tall, delicate purple flowers. Among the blossoms, butterflies in soft hues of blue, lilac, and white flutter gently, creating a dreamy, summer-like atmosphere. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and gentle movement—an ideal natural break between blog sections or story chapters on BionicBasil.blogspot.com
Rating of:

Lifeless in the Library

Overall Enjoyment
5 Paw Rating – “TOTALLY TOP FLUFF ~ READ IMMEDIATELY!” – the highest honour for truly unputdownable feline fiction or pawesome adventures that leave tails twitching and whiskers wide with excitement
A charming literary-themed blog divider featuring a vintage typewriter at its center with a sheet of paper displaying a paw print—symbolizing the creative spirit of BBHQ. Flanking the typewriter are two whimsical stacks of books. On the left stack, a tiny mouse stands alert on the top volume, while the right stack hosts another mouse lounging comfortably. The illustration is sketched in a detailed, hand-drawn style, blending cozy bookish vibes with playful feline flair—perfect for adding personality between blog sections on BionicBasil.com

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

Friday Blog Hop Banner featuring hops at Brian's Home - The Cat Blogosphere - Feline Friday - Nature Friday - Flashback Friday - Friendship Friday - with all the links displayed below.
A whimsical floral blog divider featuring a vibrant stretch of green grass adorned with tall, delicate purple flowers. Among the blossoms, butterflies in soft hues of blue, lilac, and white flutter gently, creating a dreamy, summer-like atmosphere. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and gentle movement—an ideal natural break between blog sections or story chapters on BionicBasil.blogspot.com

Do enjoy the book if mew decide to read it.

It's time for me to say BFN or bye-for-now as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time and I'll be back next week with another specially paw-picked book just for mew, and don't forget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

A cute purple paw print to sign off Amber's Book Review post on www.bionicbasil.com



A whimsical floral blog divider featuring a vibrant stretch of green grass adorned with tall, delicate purple flowers. Among the blossoms, butterflies in soft hues of blue, lilac, and white flutter gently, creating a dreamy, summer-like atmosphere. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and gentle movement—an ideal natural break between blog sections or story chapters on BionicBasil.blogspot.com

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A whimsical floral blog divider featuring a vibrant stretch of green grass adorned with tall, delicate purple flowers. Among the blossoms, butterflies in soft hues of blue, lilac, and white flutter gently, creating a dreamy, summer-like atmosphere. The composition evokes a sense of tranquility and gentle movement—an ideal natural break between blog sections or story chapters on BionicBasil.blogspot.com
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