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  • ONE DEADLY TAKE : a gripping and witty cozy murder mystery (The Cat Caliban Mysteries Book 1)

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D.B. Borton
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ONE DEADLY TAKE : a gripping and witty cozy murder mystery (The Cat Caliban Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by D.B. Borton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars (1,363)
Cat Caliban is not your average grandmother . . . she has a surprisingly sharp tongue, a good supply of gin and loves to solve mysteries.

Welcome to Northside, Cincinnati — a working-class neighbourhood. It’s the new home of feisty fiftysomething Cat Caliban and her three mischievous cats.

Armed with nothing but a library card and a stack of well-thumbed mystery novels, Cat’s ready for her first case as a sleuth-in-training. . . she doesn’t have to wait long!

When the body of an elderly homeless woman is found in Cat’s apartment block, she sets out to investigate.

She soon discovers a surprising link to the Golden Age of Hollywood silent movies.

Can Cat find the murderer before the credits roll on the case?

Perfect for fans of Steve Higgs, Dorothy Cannell, Lucy Connelly, Ellie Alexander and Richard Osman.

Please note this is a revised edition of One for the Money.

Readers love ONE DEADLY TAKE:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The writing is witty, the characters diverse and intriguing, and the plot well-constructed.’ Leslie

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A truly cozy mystery.’ Pat

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A delightful whodunit. A woman for whom “feisty” was coined.’ Louise

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fun, romance, drama and mystery rolled into one package.’ Melissa

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Lots of fun that will keep you guessing.’ Gail

Meet Your New Favorite Senior Sleuth
Cat Caliban is Cincinnati's newest, oldest and funniest detective-in-training. She enjoys a G&T, has a nice line in put-downs and can rub people up the wrong way — although underneath she has a heart of gold. She’s the proud mom of three cats with three grown children who drive her crazy. Recently widowed, she embarks on a brand new career as a private investigator, hoping her obsession with detective novels will come in handy . . . although her sharp tongue might be a hindrance. It may be late in life for such a drastic change, but Cat reckons she’s young for a detective — look at Miss Marple or Mrs. Pollifax. Even Nancy Drew had less training than Cat, so why wouldn't she be a success?

Setting
Northside is a rough-around-the-edges urban neighborhood in Cincinnati that might intimidate many, but not a tough broad like Cat. But it has its own quirky and gritty charm. The streets are lined with a variety of second-hand stores, including Goodwill and an army-navy surplus. The hub of the local community is Bill’s Hardware, where the widget you want is usually hanging from the ceiling. Northside may be far from upscale, but it’s the perfect place to reinvent yourself.
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  1. Book 1 of 12
    The Cat Caliban Mysteries
  2. Print length
    228 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 10, 2025
  6. File size
    1.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 12 books in this series.
  • Kindle Price:
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From the Publisher

cozy mystery, female sleuth, amateur detective, witty crime novel, humorous mystery, senior sleuth,

detective story, murder mystery, Cincinnati setting, feisty heroine, golden age Hollywood, sleuth

crime-solving cats, murder investigation, mystery novel lover, crime fiction, book club mystery,

Steve Higgs, Dorothy Cannell, Lucy Connelly, Ellie Alexander, Richard Osman

private investigator fiction, cat mystery, detective grandma, lighthearted crime, quirky whodunit,
ONE DEADLY TAKE
TWO POINTS FOR MURDER
THREE FOR THE KILL
FOUR FATAL ELEMENTS
FIVE DEGREES OF MURDER
SIX FEET UNDER
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,363
4.3 out of 5 stars 177
4.4 out of 5 stars 108
4.6 out of 5 stars 90
4.4 out of 5 stars 74
4.3 out of 5 stars 47
Price EUR 0.85 EUR 4.27 EUR 4.27 EUR 4.27 EUR 4.27 EUR 4.27
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DWNDJ5Z1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books crime thriller, mystery and suspense
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 10, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1835269343
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 12 ‏ : ‎ The Cat Caliban Mysteries
  • Best Sellers Rank: #291,172 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars (1,363)

About the author

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D.B. Borton

D.B. Borton

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D. B. Borton

Specializing in humorous mysteries, D. B. Borton has published thirteen mystery novels in two series, the Cat Caliban series, now being reissued and continued by Joffe Books, and the Gilda Liberty series, as well as the mystery novels SMOKE and BAYOU CITY BURNING, and the humorous science fiction novel SECOND COMING.

A native of Houston, Texas, Borton became an ardent admirer of Nancy Drew at a young age. At the age of fourteen, she acquired her own blue roadster and began her travels. She has lived in the Southwest and Midwest and on the West Coast, where she has collected three degrees in English without relinquishing her affection for the expressiveness of the everyday language that real people speak. Her research skills and her ear for language both serve her well in mysteries set in realistic places and featuring characters with authentic voices.

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,363 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book a totally enjoyable read with never a dull moment, featuring interesting characters and an engaging plot involving old Hollywood. Moreover, they appreciate the humor that makes them laugh out loud, and one customer notes how the story is peppered with information about Hollywood's heyday. However, the book receives mixed feedback about its writing style, and several customers express concern about the excessive use of foul language.
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39 customers mention readability, 35 positive, 4 negative
Customers find the book easy to read and never dull, describing it as a totally enjoyable and intriguing read.
...I'd recommend this to anyone who would like a fun read.Read more
Fun, easy read. Has a great cast of characters. Cat Caliban is Nancy Drew if Nancy had been a mother and raised boys.Read more
...A real page turner. Great, well developed characters. Light and entertaining while touching on the underlying themes of bias and racism.Read more
Good read...Read more
35 customers mention character development, 33 positive, 2 negative
Customers enjoy the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer particularly appreciating the cranky old broad heroine.
Interesting characters and a nice cozy mystery. Am looking forward to reading the next installment of the Cat Caliban mysteries.Read more
Loved this quirky murder mystery. Great story line and characters! Story peppered with info about Hollywood's heyday....Read more
I found myself smiling while reading this. Held my interest, characters were believable, like friends one would enjoy knowing....Read more
...Absorbing plot. A real page turner. Great, well developed characters....Read more
31 customers mention story, 27 positive, 4 negative
Customers enjoy the story of this mystery book, with one customer highlighting its well-paced narrative and another noting how it incorporates information about Hollywood's heyday.
A cozy mystery with an interesting plot and filled with absolutely delightful characters. Looking forward to reading more about this charming group.Read more
After reading a few chapters it may be a good story but there's too much swearing that isn't necessary for the story....Read more
Unconventional dialogue and story. I was drawn to the lead character because she was very like some folks I know. Easy to read....Read more
I enjoyed this story and found the characters engaging....Read more
29 customers mention humor, 29 positive, 0 negative
Customers find the book humorous, with several mentioning it will make them laugh out loud, and one customer noting how the right amount of humor is mixed into the detective story.
LOVED Cat, the newby sleuth of a certain age! Funny and endearing. I'm definitely going to read more books in this series.Read more
Hilarious! Never a dull moment. As a cat lover, I can fully appreciate Cat Calaban’s antics with her cats....Read more
Loved this book. Had me laughing out loud. Liked the community fun living spirit of the charactersRead more
Great book. Author has a great sense of humor. Looking forward to reading the next book by this author.Read more
20 customers mention mystery, 19 positive, 1 negative
Customers enjoy the mystery elements of the book, describing it as a cozy and enjoyable read, with one customer highlighting the dual storyline involving murder and jewelry, while another notes it's a fast-paced light mystery.
Fun mystery...Read more
A cozy mystery with an interesting plot and filled with absolutely delightful characters. Looking forward to reading more about this charming group.Read more
I loved it so different than anything I’ve read lately . Such a good mystery and wonderful characters ty so muchRead more
...Well crafted mystery with so many laughs along the way.Read more
13 customers mention content, 11 positive, 2 negative
Customers find the book excellent, with one describing it as delightful.
Great book. Author has a great sense of humor. Looking forward to reading the next book by this author.Read more
Excellent book. Definitely not my usual reading. It was so good, I actually did not want to,put it, down. My first by her. So different, loved it.Read more
This book was okay, a quick read. IMHO, there were too many characters for me to keep up with....Read more
Loved this book. Had me laughing out loud. Liked the community fun living spirit of the charactersRead more
9 customers mention writing style, 6 positive, 3 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book.
...I come down on the "love it" side. I enjoyed the writing style, the main characters and found the mystery quasi-challenging....Read more
Returned due to no interest in this author writing. Did not read but one chapter. SueRead more
I'm hooked. Great writing, great humor with a bit of a noir feel to it. Will be reading her other books!Read more
...Smooth & quirky - loved the writing, the dialog, the story. Just a great introductory read to this series!!Read more
15 customers mention language, 1 positive, 14 negative
Customers find the language of the book excessive, with multiple reviews mentioning too much foul language and swearing.
Could not listen to it all the way through. Too much foul language. It might be ok for someone that talks that way but it was not for me.Read more
After reading a few chapters it may be a good story but there's too much swearing that isn't necessary for the story....Read more
Too much cursing.....not reading another...sad too...story was good. I also think requiring 20 words for a minimum in a review is unreasonable.Read more
...The amount of profanity, albeit mild, really put me off....Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Pat
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Cozy Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Unlike many novels wearing the title cozy mystery, this one actually pursued a mystery. One that retained reader interest with eclectic but realistic characters, whose physical description, tastes, preferences, and orientations were sufficiently described to satisfy reader curiosity but without being boring and overbearing.
    There's a well-developed, well-deserved storyline leading to a plausible but not obvious conclusion. The author didn't have to resort to some tacky infusion of romance or sexual activity to keep reader interest.
    Wow! What a pleasant surprise in this overcrowded genre.
    I certainly recommend this novel.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • john abbate
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Cat Caliban has decided to change her life. At 59 she is a widow with grown children . She sells her house, buys
    an apartment building, finds a dead body and decides to become a private investigator. The plot is well developed and the characters are diverse and fun. There is humor sprinkled throughout the book all of which leads to a good read. I did have two reservations however. While there were clues and red herrings scattered throughout the book with good effect, the motive was presumed but not really developed. I also found all of the cursing, particularly in the beginning of the book, to be distracting and unnecessary.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Shirl C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really did not expect to like this book, so I was pleasantly surprised that it was so good! Great story, interesting characters and funny! What could be better?
    Helpful
     Report
  • Sam
    3.0 out of 5 stars Unnecessary swearing
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The story was somewhat entertaining but I was put off by using the Lord's name in vain quite frequently. The other cuss words did not upset me.
    Sorry to say I will not order any more books by this author
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Melissa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Likeable and enigmatic characters. Fun, romance, drama and mystery rolled into one package. Although it was only a product of the time it was set, it was funny to think that only a few decades ago, information was so much more difficult to find; now we have the internet!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jenna
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Mystery, too much swearing
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved the mystery as well as really great characters. Each person was unique and added well to the story. The mystery was great -- I definitely didn't solve it ahead of time. It was very well thought out and executed.
    The only thing I didn't like was all the swearing. I'm not a prude; but it seemed quite excessive. I've read a lot of mysteries and none of them had enough half as much.
    I'm undecided about reading the next one. Like I said, the characters are great and the plot is vey well done.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Queen Talk Talk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted in a good way.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I like this cat lady. This book (series) is set in the 1990's before cellphones and the Internet were everyday necessaries. The characters are deep. The detective reasoning top notch. more please.
    Helpful
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  • Leslie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected Delight
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    DB Morton is a brand new author to me, and I'm so glad I took a chance and read this first book in the cat caliban series. The writing is witty, the characters diverse and intriguing, and the plot well constructed. I will go back for more!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ready for No 2
    Reviewed in Australia on June 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Really loved this book. The characters are characters and the cats gorgeous. Looking forward to reading the next one. Just brilliant
    Report
  • Bev
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love the gang
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What a wonderful and interesting story, yes it's set in the 80s but the characters are brilliant and I can see them evolving through the series, and now there's a new tenant.
    I hope Leon and his brothers are featured in the next books
    Report
  • Kindle Customerdaffy duck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly written
    Reviewed in Australia on March 20, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A good old fashioned story that was hard to put down. I enjoyed it immensely and off to discover mire books by the author. Thank you for the entertainment.
    O
    Report
  • stevieb
    5.0 out of 5 stars New author to me.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Good, easy reading.
    Nice story, well told.
    Report
  • Ared
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I haven't read anything so well written since Terry Pritchett. A real page Turner, excellent protagonist. Couldn't put it down
    Report
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