Kitty Confidential

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—another ‘plucky young woman solves crimes’ story? But *Kitty Confidential* disarms you within minutes, thanks to Fitz’s knack for blending millennial ennui with supernatural stakes. The protagonist’s voice is so distinct (imagine if Fleabag had a near-death experience and a talking cat) that I found myself laughing out loud at her asides about the absurdity of her situation. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with clues tucked into the protagonist’s snarky observations about the afterlife’s red tape, but the real draw is the world: a purgatory-adjacent realm where ghosts are as petty as the living, and the only creature with answers is a cat who communicates in cryptic judgment. Ann Richardson’s performance elevates the material significantly. She nails the protagonist’s mix of exhaustion and manic energy, and her character voices—particularly the cat’s smug, seen-it-all tone—are standout. My only critique? The pacing stumbles slightly in the second act, where the detective work drags just enough to make you wish Fitz had trimmed a few of the protagonist’s tangential rants. And while the ending ties up neatly, the villain’s motives feel a tad undercooked compared to the rest of the book’s sharp wit. Still, the audio production is crisp, with no distracting edits, and Richardson’s timing makes even the weaker moments enjoyable. If you’re craving a cozy mystery with teeth (and a healthy dose of ‘why is my life like this?’ humor), this is your next listen—just don’t blame me if you start side-eyeing your own pet afterward.