“The Neighbour’s Cat” by J.S. Ellis
“The Neighbour’s Cat,” J.S. Ellis
A serial killer, a beautiful lady, and a cat. I am stunned at the author’s imaginative vibe. No Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple but Theodore, a cat is ready to ward off the most cold-blooded serial killer who is going on killing women of all ages without keeping any trace.
“The Neighbour’s Cat” by J.S. Ellis is a chilling tale of Dean Carter told from the unique perspective of his pet cat, Theodore. The story unfolds with alternative narratives, one from Dean and the next from his cat Theodore, whom he had rescued from a wet shoebox and named Theodore, meaning, ‘God’s Gift. ‘ But though Dean named it God’s gift, it was not so for Dean, finally. Better, it acts as justice of God in his sinful life.
The story follows Dean as he targets his new neighbour, Jane, a crime writer still grieving the recent loss of her husband, Matthew. Matthew has dies suddenly, mysteriously.
Through Theodore’s eyes, readers gain insight into Dean’s twisted mind and his obsession with killing brunette women. The author delves into Dean’s past, revealing how his first kill at age sixteen shaped him into the monster he is today. As Dean stalks Jane and plots her demise, Theodore desperately tries to find a way to warn her, having failed to save Dean’s previous victims.
Ellis’s writing is engaging and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds. The use of a feline narrator adds a unique and intriguing layer to the narrative, allowing readers to experience the events from a different perspective.
However, the book does contain some disturbing and graphic content, including detailed descriptions of Dean’s murders and his use of succinylcholine to subdue his victims. While these elements serve to illustrate the depravity of the villain, some readers may find them unsettling.
The characters are well-developed, with Dean being a chilling and manipulative antagonist, and Jane a sympathetic protagonist struggling to move on from her husband’s mysterious death. Theodore’s loyalty and determination to protect Jane make him a compelling narrator, despite his inability to directly communicate with the human characters.
Overall, “The Neighbour’s Cat” is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that offers a fresh take on the serial killer genre. While not for the faint of heart, fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction will likely find this novel a captivating read.