Look What the Cat Dragged In, Jason Rekulak (Review by Kristin Kurek)

Look What the Cat Dragged In follows Penny Padgett, a children’s book author from Philadelphia. After her beloved cat, Popcorn, goes missing during a storm, Penny tries to lift her spirits by cat-sitting an acquaintance’s cat, Godfrey. While Godfrey appears affectionate and charming, Penny’s health begins to decline. Meanwhile, a series of mysterious accidents befalls the people around her. Could Godfrey be more than he seems? Is something sinister lurking inside the cat?

My circumstances as a reader could not have been more perfectly aligned with this book. I am currently fostering a cat that my family insists is too feral to become a housecat. I don’t share their concerns because he has been nothing but affectionate with me. That said, it doesn’t stop me from occasionally waking up in the middle of the night with cat jaws sunk into my scalp. I did check the foster cat for signs of demonic possession. Anyway…

This book is a creepy, entertaining romp into the demonic, making it the perfect read for a chilly autumn night. Penny is an unreliable narrator, which keeps readers guessing throughout the story. The novel leans more heavily into traditional horror than the author’s previous books, and there is some mild gore. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook while walking through South Philly and actually had to stop walking at one point to gag at one of the more gruesome scenes. As a trigger warning, animal lovers should know that this book is not particularly kind to its furry cast.

Overall, the plot is fast-paced and relentlessly propulsive. I loved the characters, especially the feline ones, and found myself rooting for them throughout. Most of all, I can confidently say that you’ve probably never read a book quite like this before.