A Bibliography of Feline Fantasy & SF Novels for Adults
Compiled by Fred Patten
Note: This is a fraction of the entire listing. If you’re on broadband, try the high speed version instead.
A Bibliography of Feline Fantasy & SF Novels for Adults
Compiled by Fred Patten
Note: This is a fraction of the entire listing. If you’re on broadband, try the high speed version instead.
This is a list of adult novels, and those Young Adult novels that are mature enough that adults will enjoy reading them, which feature intelligent/talking cats. They range from fantasies with talking ‘natural’ cats to science-fiction novels about felinoid aliens and bioengineered intelligent cats.
Not included are novels in which intelligent cats are only minor background characters, or SF novels with alien cats that are not anthropomorphized such as Alan Dean Foster’s Cat-A-Lyst and Jack Lovejoy’s Outworld Cats, or “cat lovers’ mystery” novels in which the cats are normal cats which do not detect. (Koko, in Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who… series, may be an abnormal cat, but he is not an anthropomorphized cat.) Also omitted are the many anthologies of cat fantasy or mystery short stories, since usually less than 50% of those stories feature intelligent cats.
These listings are of first editions; many of the titles are out-of-print. When a book is currently available, its title is an Amazon.com link via which that current edition may be purchased, if desired.
Aiken, Joy SmithSolo’s Journey Map by Scot Aiken Putnam Nov 1987 255 p. |
Solo is a gifted kit in a Quorum of feral alley cats. After he becomes its leading Dom, he has a vision that the ferals must end their dependence upon the Owners, move into the wilderness, and learn self-sufficiency to become truly independent. |
Alton, Andrea I.
| Demon of Undoing Map by Scot Aiken Baen Books Jun 1988 308 p. |
Fenobar is a prince of Clan Fen on a planet of fierce felinoid warriors, but his crippled arm makes him an outcast. He is forced to make friends with Sig, a despised human, and learn from him to rely on wits rather than battle frenzy. |
Babson, Marian
| Nine Lives to Murder HarperCollins/Collins Crime Club Oct 1992 188 p. |
Famous actor Winstanley Fortescue falls on the theatre’s cat, Monty, when someone tries to kill him, and the man’s & cat’s minds become switched. Win must investigate his attempted murder while in the cat’s body, while his own body with the cat’s mind causes embarrassing problems. |
Beese, P. J. & Hamilton, Todd Cameron
| The Guardsman Pageant Books Jul 1988 313 p. |
Ki Lawwnum, a Lionman from the planet Nide, is commander of the Imperial Guard of the human Interstellar Empire. He must balance his personal oath to protect the Emperor against the good of the Empire as Emperor Ozenscebo degenerates into an insane pervert. |
Bell, Clare
| Tomorrow’s Sphinx Margaret K. McElderry Books Nov 1986 292 p. |
Kichebo, a cheetah of unusual intelligence and black coloring in a future devastated Egypt, achieves mental contact through space with humans who have abandoned Earth, and time, to Asu-Kheknemt, royal hunting cheetah of Pharaoh Tutankhamen. |
| The Ratha series | |
| Ratha’s Creature Atheneum Mar 1983 259 p. |
25,000,000 years ago, a tribe of cougar-like cats develops speech and domesticates food animals. But unintelligent feral cats outnumber & threaten them. Ratha is outcast for questioning the elders, but she returns to save the clan with fire. |
| Clan Ground Atheneum Oct 1984 258 p. |
Ratha has become the new clan leader of the Named, and taught the cats to use fire. She allows an intelligent feral cat to join the clan. The charismatic Shongshar persuades the cats to turn fire from a tool into a god, with him as High Priest, overthrowing Ratha. |
| Ratha and Thistle-Chaser Margaret K. McElderry Books Apr 1990 232 p. |
When the Named migrate to a new home, they find a lone feral cat who turns out to be Thistle-chaser, Ratha’s cub who was abandoned because she was believed unintelligent. Is she really? If she is smart, will Ratha admit she made a mistake? |
| Ratha’s Challenge Atheneum Mar 1983 259 p. |
The Named come into conflict with mind-linked cougars controlled by their dominant personality, True-of-voice. Thistle can tune in to their group mind. Ratha must decide if Thistle can help both clans, or if she is now under True-of-voice’s influence. |
| Ratha’s Courage Firebird Books/Viking Penguin Spring (?) 2007 ??? p. |
Not yet published. |
Betancourt, John
| Rememory Popular Library/Questar Oct 1990 197 p. |
In a decadent future, people have themselves bioengineered into animalforms such as dogmen, catmen, and others to create new urban tribes. Slasher, Hangman, and Jeffy are three catmen thrill-criminals who specialize in robbing dogmen. |
Bottriell, Lena Godsall
| Umbulala: Through the Eyes of a Leopard Artwork: Paul Bottriell Photoprints: Paul Bottriell & Lena Godsall Bottriell Questech Productions, Ltd. Nov 1993 vi + 214 p. |
A Kiplingesque tale of Umbulala, the black leopard; of his birth to Ingwe the spotted leopardess; his happy cubhood with sisters Sibindi and Kusasa; his blood feud with Kosi, the crippled lion; his assumption of lordship of the African bush; his mating with leopardess Tola and the start of a new generation. |
Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown
| The Mrs. Murphy Mystery series | |
| Wish You Were Here Illus. by Wendy Wray Bantam Books Dec 1990 242 p. |
Mary Haristeen (Harry), postmistress of Crozet, Virginia, investigates a series of grisly murders. Mrs. Murphy, Harry’s gray tiger cat, and Tee Tucker, her Welsh Corgi, with Pewter, the grocer’s fat cat, discuss the crimes and conduct their own investigation to save Harry from the killer. Other talking animals appear briefly. |
| Rest in Pieces Illus. by Wendy Wray Bantam Books Sep 1992 292 p. |
Harry, Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker, and Pewter investigate two murders including one with a dismembered corpse. New talking animals include Paddy, Mrs. Murphy’s tomcat ‘ex-husband’; Simon the opossum; an owl; others. Mrs. Murphy tells cat ghost stories to two kittens. The animals save Harry from the murderer. |
| Murder at Monticello; or, Old Sins Illus. by Wendy Wray Bantam Books Dec 1994 [x] + 298 p. |
Harry Haristeen investigates a 190-year-old murder at Thomas Jefferson’s estate, Monticello, and the modern murders resulting from discovery of the body. Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker and Pewter accompany her. Paddy finds an important clue in a fireplace. Other talking animals appear briefly. |
| Pay Dirt; or, Adventures at Ash Lawn Illus. by Wendy Wray Bantam Books Dec 1995 251 p. |
Harry is at Ash Lawn, estate of James Monroe, when a surly biker menaces the staff. The biker is soon killed; the first in a series of murders that move to Crozet. Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker, and Pewter unobtrusively call Harry’s attention to clues. Murphy and Tucker save Harry from the killer. |
| Murder She Meowed Illus. by Wendy Wray Bantam Books Dec 1996 x + 285 p. |
Steeplechase racing leads to murdered jockeys. In the background of the human investigation, Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker, Pewter and Paddy question cats Rodger Dodger and Pusskin, and three racehorses. Other animals who give information include barn mice led by Loulou, a Jack Russell terrier, and a heron. |
| Murder on the Prowl Illus. by Wendy Wray Bantam Books Apr 1998 320 p. |
Harry Haristeen investigates when practical-joke phony newspaper obituaries turn into real murders. The two cats and the corgi also investigate in the background. Other talking animals appearing briefly include Simon the opossum, Winston the bulldog, Tee Tucker’s brother Owen Tudor, three horses, a fox and a bobcat. |
| Cat on the Scent Illus. by Itoko Maeno Bantam Books Mar 1999 321 p. |
A pilot and his plane disappear, and a participant in a Civil War battle reenactment is shot with real bullets. Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter fetch clues to Harry. The animals save the life of a man shot in his car by driving it to safety, the dog on the gas pedal while the two cats twist the steering wheel. |
| Pawing Through the Past Illus. by Itoko Maeno Bantam Books May 2000 305 p. |
Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter investigate (and find bodies) and kibitz the humans’ investigations as the gathering of old classmates for Crozet High’s two combined class reunions sets off murders. Other talking animals appear briefly: Poptart the horse; Flatface the owl; singing barn mice. |
| Claws and Effect Illus. by Itoko Maeno Bantam Books Mar 2001 292 p. |
A murder at the Crozet Hospital sets off a chain of staff intrigue and violent deaths that involve Harry Haristeen. Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter find clues and hidden rooms in the old building. The two cats and dog briefly discuss riding to hounds with two horses, Gin Fizz and Poptart. |
| Catch as Cat Can Illus. by Michel Gellatly Bantam Books Mar 2002 [3] + 287 + [2] p. |
Harry, with the unsuspected help of Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter, investigates three murders centered around the Crozet salvage yard. The two cats & dog talk with vicious Pope Rat, Abraham the courtly hound, the three horses Gin Fizz, Poptart & Tomahawk, two mice, a blue jay & an owl, and Simon the opossum. |
| The Tail of the Tip-Off Illus. by Michael Gellatly Bantam Books Mar 2003 [2] + 309 + [1] p. |
Harry Haristeen investigates two new murders while Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter watch to protect her from the killer. New talking animals are Reverend Herb Jones’ cats Cazenovia & Elocution; Brinkley, a young Labrador Retriever new to Crozet; two Yankee dogs passing through and a nameless hawk. |
| Whisker of Evil Illus. by Michael Gellatly Bantam Books Feb 2004 xiii + 297 + [1] p. |
Rabies may be a murder weapon. Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter converse with the cats Cazenovia & Elocution, the dog Brinkley, Harry Haristeen’s horses, Simon the possum, and new talking animals Flatface the owl, barn mice Arthur & Martha, swallows Madison & Thelma, a nameless vixen & her cubs, a bluejay, and others. |
| Cat's Eyewitness Illus. by Michael Gellatly Bantam Books Apr 2005 xi + 287 + [3] p. |
A statue of the Virgin Mary that cries tears of real blood leads to murder at a monastery in the Blue Ridge mountains. Harry Haristeen investigates, aided by Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter. Other animals with small talking roles are barn mice, a cardinal, Tee’s brother Owen, the cats Cazenovia & Elocution. |
| Sour Puss Illus. by Michael Gellatly Bantam Books Mar 2006 xvi + 246 + [3] p. |
Harry Haristeen remarries her former husband Fair. An attempt to start wine vineyards in Crozet leads to murders. Talking animals besides Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker & Pewter include Flatface (owl), Simon (possum), Matilda (blacksnake), Owen (tee’s brother), cats Cazenovia, Elocution & Lucy Fur, Martha & Arthur (mice), Jed (donkey), and numerous unnamed wild animals and birds. |
| Puss ’n Cahoots Illus. by Michael Gellatly Bantam Books Feb 2007 ??? p. |
Not yet published. |
Carter, Brian
| In the Long Dark Map by the author Century Hutchinson Ltd. Nov 1989 viii + 243 p. |
The conflict between two prides of feral cats in a coastal English town is told in terms of street gang warfare. Silver’s laid-back, loose-knit community of toms and shes is suddenly besieged by the sadistic Shadow mob led by psychotic Skeets. Ben, Scarnose, Dancer, Smiley, Lucy, and others in both gangs are personified. |
Cary, Kate & Baldry, Cherith
| Authors who collaborate under the pen-name of Erin Hunter |
Cherryh, C. J.
| The Compact Space/Chanur/Hani series | |
| The Pride of Chanur Star map by David A. Cherry DAW Books Jan 1982 224 p. |
Pyanfar Chanur, captain of The Pride of Chanur, a ship of the lion-like hani, meets Tully, of an unknown species (human), fleeing murderous kif slavers at a galactic trading station. She helps him, touching off a deadly interstellar confrontation. |
| Chanur’s Venture Star map by David A. Cherry Phantasia Press Sep 1984 201 p. |
Tully returns, offering Pyanfar an exclusive trading contract with humanity. This could bring great prestige to the lowly Chanur clan, or it could get them crushed by more powerful hani rivals, or other galactics including the revenge-seeking kif. |
| The Kif Strike Back Star map by David A. Cherry Phantasia Press Apr 1985 294 p. |
When the kif seize Tully, and Hilfy of the Pride’s crew, Pyanfar and her shipmates lead a raid to rescue them, which involves them in kif politics and a new multispecies crisis which threatens to destroy the balance of power in Compact Space. |
| Chanur’s Homecoming Star map by David A. Cherry Phantasia Press Jul 1986 312 p. |
With an interstellar war looming, Pyanfar is forced to ally the Pride with a faction of the kif, the hani’s traditional enemy, which could ruin the Chanur clan’s status. A return to her homeworld, Anuurn, shows the hani’s natural society and politics. |
| Chanur’s Legacy Star map by David A. Cherry DAW Books Aug 1992 386 p. |
10 years later, Hilfy is captain of her own ship, Chanur’s Legacy, but she chafes at remaining in the shadow of her now-famous aunt Pyanfar. A risky attempt to make her own reputation plunges the Legacy into a new maelstrom of galactic politics. |
| The Chanur Saga Front. by Michael Whelan Star map by David A. Cherry DAW Books May 2000 685 p. |
Combined edition of the first three novels: The Pride of Chanur, Chanur’s Venture, and The Kif Strike Back. |
Coney, Michael
| Cat Karina Ace Books Aug 1982 294 p. |
In the year 122,640 Cyclic, a decadent semi-pastoral Earth society is shared by True Humans and Specialists, humans with bioengineered animal genes. Karina, daughter of El Tigre, a leader among the felinas, gets involved in her father’s revolution to keep the True Humans from dominating the Specialists. |
Cox, A. B.
| The Professor on Paws W. Collins & Sons Jul 1926 vii + 306 p. |
The ‘essential portions’ of Prof. Ridgeley’s brain-tissue are surgically transplanted into a cat by Prof. Cantrell. The cat has Ridgeley’s mind and can talk. A farce in which the cat is battled over by Prof. Cantrell, who wants scientific fame, and the Prof.’s daughter & her fiancée who hope to persuade him to help them make a fortune with a ‘marvel cat’ music-hall act. |
Cregar, Elyse
| Feline Online: What Happens When a Smart Cat Surfs the Internet? Tamerac Publishing Co. Jun 2001 [iv] + 150 p. |
Tarzan, a Siamese cat belonging to Amanda, an elderly seamstress, is enabled to read and write by the goddess Bastet, as the first in Bastet’s plan to persuade humans to return to the worship of cats. Tarzan’s secret use of Amanda’s computer and e-mail causes unexpected problems for Amanda and her human friends. |
Crowley, John
| Beasts Doubleday Sep 1976 184 p. |
21st-century America collapses into anarchy. Among those caught in the scheming to control the shattered country are humans; leos (bioengineered human-lion hybrids); Reynard, a lone experimental fox-man; and Sweets, an intelligent dog. |
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This listing was compiled for the Are There Too Many Cats in Science Fiction? panel
at L.A.con IV, the 2006 World Science Fiction Convention
Anaheim, CA, 23–27 August 2006
Please send recommendations for additions to this bibliography to Fred Patten
Please send review copies of books to: Fred Patten, c/o Golden State Colonial Convalescent Hospital
10830 Oxnard Street, North Hollywood, California 91606
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