This story had me chuckling out loud several times while reading. In this second book in the Bad Luck Cat Mystery series, Hitchcock (the lovely black cat) is seen at the scene of yet another murder, senior citizens are trying their hands at rodeo roping, and Sabrina Tate finds herself doing a bit of amateur sleuthing to clear her cat's name....again. This series is always entertaining!

I love all the quirky side characters in this series. Aunt Rowe is always up to something....this time it's roping goats. Does she know how to ride rodeo and rope goats? Nope. Is she willing to admit she doesn't know how to rope a goat? Nope. Does she admit someone her age has no business riding in a rodeo? Nope. Just made me smile. I hope in 10 years or so that I'm feisty enough to go out and rope goats if I want to... I wouldn't want to...as I don't like rodeo (or circus performances for that matter) due to animal abuse. But....I COULD venture out and try it if I wanted to. :) My dog would probably let me rope her...carefully. :) Aunt Rowe is always up to something. :) If it isn't Hitchcock riling up the townsfolk by finding bodies or being seen at murder scenes, then it's Aunt Rowe doing something strange. I also enjoy how many of the local residents give Hitchcock side eye and call him a reincarnation of the legendary devil cat. While he is a black cat....and seems to appear at the scene of gruesome killings....he's really just a sweet, sleek, mini-panther. :)

The mystery is entertaining in The Black Cat Knocks on Wood. As usual, it moved along at a good pace with a fun side plot (senior rodeo). There were plenty of suspects and twists. Hitchcock freaked out the town again. And Sabrina once again had to prove her cat is not evil. Poor Hitchcock....so misunderstood. :)

I listened to the audio book version of this story (Tantor Audio). Narrated by Amy Rubinate, the audio is just a bit over 8 hours long. I have hearing loss, but could hear and understand this entire book. It did take me a bit to get used to the southern accent....but once I was accustomed to Rubinate's voice, this was an entertaining listen. Only took a chapter or two.

Fun read! There are four books in this series so far. I'm finally down to the last one I haven't read...book 3....The Black Cat Sees His Shadow. I will definitely keep reading this series. I enjoy cozy mysteries that make me laugh. :) ( )

Very unimpressed. I recall finding enough possibility in the first book to look forward to reading the second, but this one is just another cozy in the mass produced bandwagon.

It's not a bad read; the characters are likeable enough, the plotting of the mystery skilled enough, but it's just the same old rehash; same old formula. It has all the elements, but none of the sophistication. Mediocre. ( )

The Black Cat Knocks on Wood by Kay Finch is the second book in A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series. Sabrina Tate is trying to work on her new novel, but Aunt Rowe (an eccentric) and her friends are practicing for the goat tying competition. They wish to compete at the Texas Hill Country Pro Rodeo (and maybe perform as well. Sabrina is worried that Aunt Rowe will hurt herself (Aunt Rowe is stubborn and determined). Sabrina also does not like the rodeo because she believes it is cruel to animals. Sabrina rents a cottage from Aunt Rowe (Rowena Flowers) at Around-the-World Cottages. Each cottage is decorated after a different destination (like Paris and Monte Carlo). Pearl who owns the Sweet Stop is having some difficulties. Pearl arranged to purchase the empty shop next door (for expanding the Sweet Stop) with Crystal Devlin (realtor) and then Crystal reneged on the deal (after Pearl gave her earnest money). Pearl tried to talk Sabrina into loaning her Hitchcock, Sabrina’s black cat. Pearl was hoping to give Crystal some bad luck (the town is very superstitious). Sabrina refused Pearl’s request. Then Sabrina receives a call from Pearl. Pearl needs to see her right away. When Sabrina arrives at the destination, she finds Pearl and a dead Crystal Devlin (Pearl called Sabrina instead of 911). Then a black cat rushes out of the building and the police show up (at least someone called them). Pearl ends up the primes suspect in Crystal’s death. Pearl needs help and Sabrina cannot resist a good investigation (even if it will mess with her writing schedule). Will Sabrina be able to corral the killer before Pearl ends up in the poky?

The Black Cat Knocks on Wood was not quite as good as it sounds. I found the book to be slow paced. There were very few clues (not that you need them, but it is fun to find and follow them). I found Sabrina to be a little bit of a contradiction. She is supposed to be an animal lover and against animal cruelty (really dislikes rodeos). But she has a cat door and lets her cat roam outside (and he manages to get into town). The town is scared of the cat (but she takes the cat with her into town). Why would she let it outside where someone could get a hold of it and hurt it? I found some reactions (from townspeople) a little over-the-top. An example is the dry cleaning lady. When the lady opens her door and sees the black cat, she screams and slams her door! Sabrina was a little brusque in her questioning of people (who do not even have to talk to her or answer her questions). My favorite character was Aunt Rowe (Rowena Flowers). I really liked her and wish she was the main character. I think the novel would be more entertaining (just my feelings). I give The Black Cat Knocks on Wood 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). I think with a little tweaking; this could be an enjoyable series. This is the second book in A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series, but you can read it as a stand-alone. The author does a good job of updating the reader in case they missed the first book. Will I read the next book in the series? I believe I will give it a try.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. ( )