As read on BBC Radio 4 - the text of the broadcast. ( )

Cat out of Hell is so far the most problematic book that I have had to review so far. I thought it would be a sweet story about a talking cat, instead it was a grim story about a talking cat, well it tried to be grim, but it was mostly confusing and silly with a lot of plot holes. The only part of the book that I really liked was the scenes with Watson the dog. I wish that I had a dog called Watson then I also could have called out to him: “Come at once if convenient, Watson! If inconvenient, come all the same!" or “Come Watson, come! The game’s afoot!”

The book narration was a bit problematic, it shifted between screenplay style, first person narration, emails, e-miaow (apparently telepathic conversation between a cat and the cat master. Don't ask me) and, of course, all plot holes. It’s even written in the book: “I no longer care much for the gaps in this story, so I hope that you don’t either.” I care, I hate gaps, and I don’t want to be sitting after reading a book wondering about this and that. I mean why bring up stuff in the first place if you’re not going to explain it? Gah!
Now I’m going to get on with my life and leave this book behind me.

1.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review! ( )

This review first appeared on scifiandscary.com

Reviewing books is a bit of a balancing act sometimes. I thoroughly enjoyed Lynne Truss’s comic horror tale ‘Cat Out of Hell’, and stand by the 4-star rating I’ve given it. The rating is an entirely subjective one though, it’s my opinion of the book immediately after finishing it. It’s what I think of the book now, in a year’s time I might feel differently. I write this in the absolute certainty that a lot of people who read the review won’t like the book at all.

Anyway, enough navel gazing, on with the review.

‘Cat Out of Hell’ is a silly, witty, gripping, inventive and occasionally creepy short horror novel about evil felines and the truth of their nine lives. The protagonist is Alec, a mild-mannered librarian who gets pulled into investigating mysterious goings on relating to an urbane talking cat Roger. What follows is as ludicrous as you might expect. Thankfully the author tells the story with such enthusiasm and joy that it works.

The cover proudly boasts ‘as read on BBC Radio 4’ and that sums the books up perfectly. It’s very British: cosy and clever and entertaining. There is horror here (the climax is pretty gruesome), but it’s not going to give anyone nightmares. The gore is theatrical, appropriately enough given that it’s published by the revitalised Hammer brand. The horror often feels like something that might have graced British cinema screens in the 1960s or 70s. The blood never seems truly real and the horrific events somehow distant.

Like many classic horror tales it often uses letters and second hand accounts of events to tell the story. This allows Truss to keep the talking cats just enough at arms length that they don’t seem completely ridiculous. She brings things up to date by throwing in emails, out of office replies (to great comic effect) and references to YouTube clips. International audiences may struggle with the with sheer volume of British cultural references packed into the book. Truss throws in Sherlock Holmes, Kenneth Branagh, James Bond, Judi Dench, The Durrells and Littlehampton among others. The weaving of such specifics into the book gives it a definite sense of place and time. This might have seemed at odds with the fantastic events Truss is relaying, but her light comic touch makes it work.

That comic tone as well as the references make this an almost overwhelmingly English book. Truss infuses it with a gentle surrealism that’s a little like Monty Python. There is also a warm affection for English culture and places that worked perfectly for me but may not for every reader.

If the above appeals then I think you’ll enjoy this book. It’s not deep or groundbreaking, but it is gently entertaining, funny and creative. Best read by the fire on a wintry Sunday afternoon with a pot of tea and some chocolate digestives.

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I am not fond of horror stories. I was expecting this to be humorous. I struggled to the end and the premise was interesting but it was not to my taste at all and if it were a paperback I would donate it somewhere and not give it house room on my shelves. ( )

adult fiction; mystery/suspense. Count on Lynn Truss for sharp writing and faultless grammar. This took a little while to settle into, but once I did I really couldn't put it down (hence dinner was served a couple hours later than originally intended). ( )