Creature Cozies: A Menagerie of All-New Mysteries    edited by Jill M. Morgan Order:  USA  Can Prime Crime, 2006 (2005) Hardcover, Paperback     Reviewed by Theresa Ichino For an animal-lover and aficionado of cozy mysteries, an anthology like this one is a delight. Creature Cozies features the writers' own pets in - if not starring, certainly critical - roles in adventures ranging from whimsical to chilling. Five stories showcase dogs; the other six, cats. (A dog-lover, I counted.) Of course, cats are traditionally the more curious and purportedly more intelligent of the two species; ideal (or so cat-lovers assert) as associates in crime-busting. However, in one of these tales, the cat is an unwitting accomplice. (To be fair, so is one of the dogs.) It is obvious that the authors had fun with their assignments; equally obvious that they dote on their pets. One of the bonuses is a set of photographs showing their four-footed associates as well as forewords that give a bit of background. Another plus is the appendix describing the authors and their previous works. Any anthology, to borrow a well-known metaphor, is like a box of chocolates. Before one even starts, there is the gleeful anticipation of delights to surprise and please. Of course, one is sometimes disappointed; but in general, Creature Cozies entertains. Heroic feline and canine friends defend unsuspecting humans in several tales; a couple serve as accomplices, as already mentioned; and all advance the plots, be they sinister or devious. One chilling gem of a tale had a twist at the end so surprising that I had to read it twice. Creature Cozies assembles a fine crew of writers whose goal is to entertain as well as to introduce the reader to well-loved furry friends. This anthology is worth the read; so indulge in a copy, put on a pot of tea or coffee, and cuddle up on the sofa with your own four-footed pal. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews