Bad Kitty

Bad Kitty
By Michele Jaffe
Harper Collins, 2006. 268 pgs. Young Adult

Seventeen year old Jasmine “Calamity” Callihan’s annual end of summer vacation is in Las Vegas at the Venetian Hotel. Jasmine wishes she could have been on vacation with her best friends Polly, Roxy and Tom. Instead Jas is with her overprotective father, twenty five year old perky step-mother, and snotty cousin Alyson. Six foot Jas wants two things in life: to become a forensic scientist and find a boyfriend she can –literally- look up to. When Jas sees a six foot three green eyed hottie working at the hotel snack bar, she thinks he just might fit the bill. While wondering how to draw Jack’s attention, Jas is attacked by a three legged orange cat. The cat belongs to the son of an infamous model, Fiona Bristol, who is camped out at the Venetian. Fiona’s husband allegedly killed her lover, in front of her small son, and is still on the loose. Jas states she has an,“incredibly ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” She proves that as the three legged cat attack turns into a catalyst for more disaster. When Jas sends a text to her bemused friends, “Stole car. Got arrested. Met man of dream. Must go die now. Miss you”, they descend into Las Vegas to help. Jasmine and her friends, along with their unwelcome companions Alyson and her clone Veronique, set out to solve the mystery behind Fiona Bristol. It looks like the cute snack hut guy Jack is involved as well. But Jas doesn’t know if he works for the crazed killer or the beautiful model.

Bad Kitty is lighthearted in tone but does address the identity struggle that bi-racial Jasmine faces. Her father is a genius and although Jas bemoans any similarity between the two her intelligence is obvious through her sleuthing skills. The author uses footnotes to showcase the text messaging between the friends. Their banter can be amusing but is slightly overused. The novel is heavily influenced by Meg Cabot. I liked the fresh and balanced approach to family. Although Jas has an inner circle of friends there is definite parental involvement.