Title: Indigo: The Cat’s Meow
Author: Lucius Parhelion
Cover Artist: n/a
Publisher: Torquere Press
Amazon: n/a
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 72 pages/19200 words
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
A guest review by Sirius
Summary: Another gem by Lucius Parhelion, where the cat is the most hysterical character. I just wished it was longer.
Blurb:
Good jobs were hard to come by in 1930, even in booming Southern California, even in Hollywood. Fred Doyle was relieved when the chores his brother Charlie conned him into taking over, serving as handyman and cat sitter for their landlady’s son, accidentally led to decent work with Carl Belasco, youngest and sharpest of the Production Heads at Metropolitan Pictures.
But now Fred and Carl are being drawn together by more than painting woodwork on weekends, trying to keep track of Mr. Flurry the cat, or even correcting errant movie directors. They’re realizing that a more intimate and illegal taste they share is turning them toward each other. Too bad that onlookers, including the ever-conniving Charlie, may notice the growing attraction before Fred and Carl do.
Given this tangle, a quick trip to buy decorating supplies on romantic Catalina Island is likely not the wisest of ideas…
Review:
Okay guys, this is Lucius Parhelion and I love stories by this author, so you probably know what to expect. In case you don’t, we have meticulously-developed settings and, as in many stories by this author, the action happens in 1930s and Hollywood is often involved as well. The characters as always have things happening in their lives besides meeting each other and eventually falling in love with each other — they have education to pursue, jobs to find, other stuff to take care of. I really like that aspect in this author’s stories.
I also thought that contrary to the last story I read and reviewed here by this writer, where I thought romantic aspect had a little bit too much telling and not enough showing, this story had perfectly developed. While there is subtle chemistry between Ben and Carl — we have glance here, thought there — and the last scene does not come out of nowhere. I thought it was really, really well done. I also loved how the author portrayed both the uncertainty on Carl’s part and how much he wants to win Ben’s affections.
And of course humor. I loved how this author used the animal in The Retrieval and here we have Mr. Flurry, the cat. Off the top of my head I cannot think of a writer who does humor in such an understated way, making me giggle every time I read it. I also love how this writer uses the animal not only as comic relief but also as a catalyst for bringing the guys closer together.
“Mr. Flurry thought Fred’s trousers needed a few tests for resistance to piercing. They were debating this when Fred heard a key turning in the lock of the front door”
The guys are funny even when cat is not on the page, but when Mr. Flurry is there, everything is hysterical.
My only niggle was Charly, Ben’s brother. He was a great character, but I thought that for 1930s he accepted the relationship just a tad too easily.
Highly recommended
I love this author’s writing! Wish he or she had a blog or newsletter so I could keep up with new releases. Sirius, have you tried Faster Than The Speed of Light? My favorite.
Hi Val, I love this author’s writing too. You know, about the blog and/or newsletter, I agree and disagree. I mean, no, I definitely agree, because I can see that readers do not know about his/her new releases and I would think letting people know is always a good idea. What I do love though, is how this author keeps such a low profile, does not participate in internet dramas and just, you know, writes great stories 🙂 I think I really like that. I loved Faster than the Speed of Light, I wish this writer did something just as long at least and more more 🙂
I loved this one too. These books are just such a treat. I agree with you that this is more rounded than previous one, of the most recent short ones Teal is still my favourite!
OMG Raine wasn’t Teal so hilarious as well. I always know that when I pick up a story by this author, it will be at least good and quite likely to be awesome. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for the review, Sirius! I didn’t know about this one. I really liked The Retrieval so I will pick this one up today.
I do not think you will be dissappointed kiracee :). Thanks for commenting.
Looks like a good choice 😀
Thank you for your review 😎
I hope it will be a good choice for you Helena 🙂
Thanks Sirius! I’ll put it on my list. :geek:
I’m starting to buy this writer’s stories and they have been well worth it!
And this is from someone who doesn’t generally like historical romances.
Reggie, thank you so much, I am always so happy to introduce something new and if you like it even better 🙂
I’m with you, Sirius. I love Parhelion’s stories.
That said, there are often ambiguous moments in Parhelion’s stories that I struggle to understand. I read over certain paragraphs several times, and mostly I can work out what’s happening. However, with this story, there are a couple of instances where I’m completely bamboozled. It’s to do with the interaction between Carl Belasco and Fred’s brother Charlie. I’m really not sure exactly what was going on. 😕
I loved the reading experience anyway, and agree with you about Mr Flurry. 😀
Hi Gaycrow, you mean their conversation closer to the end of the story? I went and reread it and if you wish I could email privately to share my take on what was going on :). I am not saying that my take is correct of course, but I had one :). Mr. Flurry was awesome.
I THINK I get the gist of the conversation at the end. But I don’t get the whole “thing” between Charlie and Carl. Do you have my email address? I’d love to discuss this with you. 🙂
Hi Gaycrow, when you (or anybody else) leaves a comment on the review, the author of the review (only author, nobody else) can see the commenters’ email addresses, when we get the notifications that comment was made. When I comment on my fellow reviewer’s writing on the site, I do get notifications of the comments, but do not see the emails addresses visible on them.
So yes, I can see your email address. Okay, I will email you with my take on things 🙂
I’ve liked the other Parhelion stories I’ve read (a Pair of Knaves most recently.)
Hi Cryselle, yep I liked Pair of Knaves myself too 🙂