• A Familiar Tail

  • Witch’s Cat Mystery Series, Book 1
  • By: Delia James
  • Narrated by: Elise Arsenault
  • Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (401 ratings)

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A Familiar Tail  By  cover art

A Familiar Tail

By: Delia James
Narrated by: Elise Arsenault
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Publisher's summary

Unlucky-in-love artist Annabelle Britton decides that a visit to the seaside town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is the perfect way to get over her problems. But when she stumbles upon a smoky gray cat named Alastair, and follows him into a charming cottage, Annabelle finds herself in a whole spellbook full of trouble. Suddenly saddled with a witch's wand and a furry familiar, Annabelle soon meets a friendly group of women who use their spells, charms, and potions to keep the people of Portsmouth safe. But despite their gifts, the witches can't prevent every wicked deed in town.

Soon, the mystery surrounding Alistair's former owner, who died under unusual circumstances, grows when another local turns up dead. Armed with magic, friends, and the charmed cat who adopted her more than the other way around, Annabelle sets out to paw through the evidence and uncover a killer.

©2016 Penguin Random House LLC (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A special brew of magic, murder, mayhem...and one extraordinary cat." (Laurie Cass, best-selling author)

What listeners say about A Familiar Tail

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    252
  • 4 Stars
    99
  • 3 Stars
    36
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    245
  • 4 Stars
    79
  • 3 Stars
    26
  • 2 Stars
    9
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    6
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    221
  • 4 Stars
    91
  • 3 Stars
    41
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    5

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

vapid story; goofy narrator,lots of eating

Why oh why do audiobook firms hire readers with verbal affectations and tics? Couldn’t is cou-ENT; likewise, wou-ENT. As these and other similarly mangled words are understandably frequent in the text, I’m going to have to give up with 5+ hrs to go.
If story better, might not seem so annoying. Alas. I can’t even get a good feeling for the murder mystery. Ugh. All this woman does is eat, also. So tired of single female leads who own cats endlessly eating and describing each bite in detail.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great first in a new series

Delia James has written a great first in her new series. She has crafted believable characters, with a brand new idea. Elise Arsenault gave a great performance bringing all the characters to life. I can't wait for the next installment. I highly recommend this book.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

This is a well written and enjoyable cozy mystery. The story line was fresh and entertaining. The characters were believable in the world created for them. The story overall is plausible and enjoyable.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty Good

This an enjoyable cozy mystery with well developed characters and plot. Delia James created a believable world with realistic situations. The only thing I didn't like was that the story was drawn out and too long. Other than that I enjoyed the story and recommend it to others.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A new talent

Cozy murder mystery and a witch's coven all in one book! I have to say how enjoyable this book was for me. I can't wait to read the next book by this author.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

realistic and...relatable

My go to is fantasy and rarely is pop culture referenced which made it all the more.. inviting. Also not far fetched. cute modern tail. as cute as a book involving a mysterias murder..

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Adorable story! I love the kitty!

Would you listen to A Familiar Tail again? Why?

Yes. I loved the characters and the realistic way the story was told.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It did! I enjoyed how the narrator pulled me into the story and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

Which scene was your favorite?

Whenever Alistair was around!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can't recall anything specific, but I think it was when Annabelle realized Alistair was a very "special" cat.

Any additional comments?

Great book! I just got the second one in the series can can't wait to start listening to it!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great beginning to a new series

If you could sum up A Familiar Tail in three words, what would they be?

Great character development

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alastair. Love a very active and informative 'Familiar'

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes which is difficult when I have so many things that have to get done. Thank goodness it is the audio version so I can take it with me...LOL I shop with an earplug in my ear.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to the next installment and hope it will come out in audio format soon.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Cute book with a smart kitty

The book was cute. I love cats and mysteries so I couldn’t resist listening to this book. Unfortunately, it was very predictable. She gave away the killer early on. I may try the next book but I won’t be listening to this one again.
I enjoyed the narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely cozy with a touch of supernatural.

Fun story with likeable characters and an adorable cat. lovely read for a June evening.

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1 person found this helpful