The Poisoned Pie Mystery, by Nicki Thornton

Something for younger readers. Nicki Thornton has written several magical mysteries, starting with The Last Chance Hotel, featuring would-be wizard Seth Seppi and his talking cat Nightshade. This is the second book – I missed the first – in which she bows to the inevitable and gives Nightshade her own spin-off adventures. All the other characters are human, so apart from being able to talk, Nightshade is as limited in her options as you would expect any cat to be, which just makes it more fun.