As Dark As My Fur by Clea Simon

She found Blackie almost drowned and brought him back home to nurse him to wellness.  Her mentor had just died and she was lonely, a cat would help.  What she doesn't know is that the soul of her mentor is in the black cat...

Severn House Publishers and Net Galley allowed me to read this story for review (thank you).  It will be published April 1st.

When she gets a notice she will be evicted for nonpayment of rent, she's desperate and desolated.  How can she pay that when she has no money?  When an old man asks for her aid, she tells him she will help.  She finds his magnifying glasses and returns them to him.  Then another man approaches her and he wants her to find a missing employee.  She agrees to look for three days (thinking she can find him by then) and asks for half payment up front.  The man pays her.  She should have thought more about how he found her and why he wanted such a young one to do the work.  The money was just too attractive, though.  The first thing she did was buy food for both herself and Blackie.  Then she goes out on her quest.

This is a bit different theme than Ms. Simon usually uses.  It's set in Victorian times and the backstory is sad.  It's very good read and I really enjoyed watching the young girl upset the plans the bad man had in mind.  She's just starting out, so I look forward to reading more about her and Blackie.  They make a mean team.