Lightning Flash Writing

Six years ago yesterday, my son and I went to the animal shelter to adopt a cat. He was (is) obsessed with cats, and I’d always wanted one but never had anything bigger than a hamster. It was a year to the date that I had kicked out my husband, and I finally felt stable enough after all that *gestures wildly* nightmare fuel. I was ready to bring someone new into our lives.

We looked online at everyone’s photos and I had my heart set on an older calico named Jam. However, when we saw this tuxedo cat in person, my son was transfixed, and she seemed drawn to him as well. We were able to pet and hold her, and she came home with us a few days later.

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I’ll be honest: as a kid, I wanted a cat to dress up and push in a doll stroller. Yes, I was one of those children. As an adult, that urge had thankfully gone away because this cat wouldn’t even keep her collar on, and trying to put bat wings on her for Halloween didn’t go over too well.

Having her around gave me someone to care for and talk to… I mean, in addition to my kid, of course. She’s sometimes a little child, sometimes a roommate, and sometimes the only adult in the house. She’s become so much more than a pet, making me notice animals in fiction more than before.

I mostly see them as companions in cozy mysteries, most likely because the amateur sleuth needs something to talk to when they’re otherwise home alone. (I’m basing that off the overall idea that in many cozy mysteries I read, the main character is usually a woman who lives alone, though that changes over the series.)

This way, instead of just reading an internal monologue, we “hear” them thinking out loud, bouncing ideas off their cat or dog in a way that feels natural (and often funny). It’s the classic show, don’t tell—the sleuth mutters, “But why was the door locked from the inside?” while their cat stares at them, unimpressed. It’s way more engaging than just reading a paragraph of pure exposition.

Pets also add warmth and personality to the story. A picky cat might turn up its nose at food from the wrong person (hmm… suspicious), or a dog might insist on following its owner straight into trouble. Sometimes, they even help solve the case—whether by accident or because they notice something their human misses.

And, of course, cozy mysteries often feature protagonists going through a life transition—starting over after a breakup, changing careers, or moving to a small town for a fresh start. A pet gives them a built-in companion, reinforcing the comforting, homey feel of the genre.

Despite loving animal books as a kid (I’m looking at you, Socks and Ribsy, both by legend Beverly Cleary) and being a lifelong cat person, I haven’t read many adult novels with animal narrators. But I love the idea of the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown—co-written by her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown. I wonder if my cat Hildie could help me write a book… She’s not one of those cats who lounges on keyboards, so she might actually be more help than hindrance. Then again, I’m sure she’d insist on being listed as the primary author.

Do you have a favorite mystery with a great pet character? Or a book where an animal steals the show? Let me know—I’m always looking for recommendations!

Two cozy mystery series I’ve read and loved recently have animal companions.

In the Record Shop mystery series by Olivia Blacke, a stray orange and white cat named Daffodil found his way to Sip & Spin Records. The sisters are named Juniper, Magnolia, and Tansy, so it fits that their cat gets a flower name, too. He is picky about who he’s around, which helps them solve the first mystery.

I’ll admit that the puppy in the Grilled Cheese mystery series isn’t much of a focus in the books, but that might be because I was so distracted by all the different grilled cheese recipes that I couldn’t think of much else. Seriously, though – Carly finds the dog in the first book and isn’t sure she can keep him. (Spoiler alert) She does, and names him Havarti, which is very fitting.

Thinking about Beverly Cleary’s books Socks and Ribsy gave me this idea for a writing prompt…

Write a 250-word story from an animal’s point of view as they go on some type of adventure, but don’t flat-out say what it is. If they’re going to the vet, put the reader in their skin so they feel the uncertainty (or excitement!) of what comes next.