Kitty Kitty

August 1, 2008
Gr 9 Up-This sequel to "Bad Kitty" (HarperCollins, 2006) finds 17-year-old Jasmine in Venice, Italy, where her father has relocated the family in an attempt to distract Jas from the amateur sleuthing she has pursued in the States. When the body of her Italian-class friend is found in a canal and the police rule the death a suicide, Jas tries to convince them that Arabella would never take her own life and that, in fact, she had suspected that someone was stalking her. The police refuse to listen, and Jas decides to solve the mystery on her own. The arrival of her cousin Alyson and Alyson's friend Veronique (whom Jas dubs the "Evil Hench Twins") complicates her investigation; however, the surprise appearance of Jas's best friends from home is an unexpected boon. Narrated in the teen's breezy, slangy voice, the story is interrupted by interpretive footnotes that become more lengthy and numerous as the caper continues. The mystery at the heart of this novel proves satisfying and features a number of red herrings and unexpected twists that will intrigue fans of the genre. Unfortunately, Jaffe's sometimes convoluted and note-laden narrative threatens to overwhelm the plot and limits the book's appeal. Nonetheless, fans of the previous novel and lovers of Meg Cabot, whose literary influence is clearly felt here, will find "Kitty Kitty" a welcome addition."Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2008
The author of Bad Kitty (2006) delivers another frenzied combination of chick lit, mystery, and sparkling fun. Poor Jas. Dadzilla has whisked her to Venice (Italy), where shell spend her senior year without her California pals. Her solution: be Model Daughter, so Dad will let her go home. Unfortunately, Jas cant stay away from a mystery. This time its the death of a girl in her Italian class. Police rule suicide; Jas disagrees. When her friends pay a visit (surprise!), the mystery gains momentum, and Jas finds herself running around ina squirrel costume trying to catch a killer.Readers unacquainted with the first book will need time to get used to the high-octane characters and frenetic patter, which occasionally spins out of control; and except for a few appearances, forget cats. What works best is the over-the-top, laugh-out-loud silliness between Jas and her protective entourage, and Jas own wildly colorful personality, which, along with her insatiable curiosity, suffers fromthe usual teen insecurities about clothes, parents, and boys.Another book is on the way.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2009
In this whodunit, high school super sleuth/funny girl Jasmine (Bad Kitty) and her fabulous posse of friends find adventure amidst the curving byways and mysterious canals of Venice. First Dadzilla drags Jasmine to Italy, then her acquaintance Arabella is found dead, plunging Jasmine into a dangerous hunt for the murderer. Sharp dialogue continues to carry this entertaining series.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)