Kindle
$0.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$8.88
Paperback
$7.07
Buy used:
$7.07
FREE delivery May 13 - 16. Details
Used: Good | Details
Sold by idaho_youth_ranch_books
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dust cover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or limited small stickers. Book may have a remainder mark or be a price cutter.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

M. K. Wren
+ Follow
M. K. Wren
+ Follow
See all
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Curiosity Didn't Kill the Cat (A Conan Flagg Mystery) Paperback – February 12, 1988

by M. K. Wren (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
See all formats and editions
A widow who feels her husband's drowning was not accidental calls upon a former intelligence agent and private detective to uncover the truth
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    261 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ballantine Books
  4. Publication date
    February 12, 1988
  5. Dimensions
    4.25 x 1 x 7 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0345350022
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0345350022
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books (February 12, 1988)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 261 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0345350022
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345350022
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.25 x 1 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. M. K. Wren

    M. K. Wren

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Martha Kay Renfroe is an Oregon writer, author of mystery and science fiction under the pen name M.K. Wren. Her work includes the “Conan Flagg” mystery series and the postapocalyptic novel A Gift Upon the Shore, set along the Oregon coast.

    See more on the author's page
  2. M. K. Wren

    M. K. Wren

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
44 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Bradley
5.0 out of 5 stars Just as good 20 years later
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
I found this book a little over 20 years ago, and loved it so much that I bought the whole series in paperback. Over the years, the paperbacks have disappeared, and the books went out of print. I was thrilled to find them available as books on my Kindle. The novel is just as good as I remembered it. Although published decades ago, the book doesn't come across as being all that dated. The mystery is solid, and the suspense keeps you wondering. Well worth reading.
Helpful
 Report
goodfruit
4.0 out of 5 stars Smart Murder Mysteries
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
Since I was born and raised near the location these books take place I enjoyed reading them. I also enjoy that this book has good character development, has some smarts and uses a gun only as a last resort. Plus there is the cat and the bookshop.
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Avid reader
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Well written. Good use of grammar sentence structure. Good idea. Not enough of the cats involvement. For instance, what happened after the main character is attacked in the bookstore. The cat is there screaming, leaping. He never asks if his c a t is ok. Would have made the plot somewhat more interesting if there was more interaction between him and his cat and the bookstore patrons and the cat. Cats are not 'islands' the need, crave and go after affection
and attention. Who feeds the cat? Also too convoluted drawn out at the end. Found myself speed reading to get to t h e conclusion. See this is the authors first attempt so Will read t h e next. Author shows talent. Needs polishing and editing. Don't write about what you don't understand. Such as pet cats. Research with cat people how they and their cats interact. Don't drag the ending on too much. The reader will loose interest. I hope the author ex p ands the other characters. Such as his bookstore employee, who seems to be his" Muddy Penny". Also the woman doctor.
Helpful
 Report
cherie bonesteele
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2017
Verified Purchase
Love the works of MK Wren --- sorry she no longer wrote this series and now is no longer with us.
Helpful
 Report
LAS Reviewer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014
Conan has retired from one of those agencies with acronyms that use special forces and spies for the government. He now has a bookstore where he rents books to readers. He also does special orders for customers and is living a calm life by the sea. At least, it was. Now there’s been a “suicide” that feels like murder and he’s seen an old friend of his from the past. Are the two related? Why would the Major be hanging in his town?

I’ve read Ms. Wren’s work in the past and know her to be a concise, precise writer who doesn’t waste time with extra description or drama to tell her story. That’s true in this story, too.

Conan Flagg, her main character, left the service because he almost died from an injury. He’s very aware of his surroundings, he’s almost on hyper alert at all times, and he’s willing to fight to protect those around him, his store and his town. He just has to figure out just what is going on. He finally does but he’s not happy with the results. They are using his bookstore to drop coded messages. Who would expect espionage in a small coastal town? It’s a good guess that those Russian trawlers sitting three miles out might.

I enjoyed watching Conan determine who in town might be a player. He has an even more personal interest in it when he finds the Major dead in his office. It’s just by chance he isn’t dead, too. With what he knows and what he guesses, he calls in help and then begins watching people to prove his theory.

The story is busy, entertaining, and I liked the way Ms. Wren showed off Conan’s manly strength and personality. He doesn’t run and he doesn’t give up. The ending is exciting, dangerous and interesting at the same time. You never know who your friends are until you need them.

originally posted at long and short reviews
Helpful
 Report
R. D. M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Mystery From A Great Oregon Coast Writer!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2017
The first Mystery novel of Detective Conan Flagg, his Coastal Bookshop and his bookshop security and companion, his loyal Cat!. This great Mystery adventure set in Holiday Beach. Some Wonderful History...The setting modeled after Lincoln City, OR, the Lincoln Book Shop formerly at the Nelscott Strip ran each day by my good friend , whom i miss dearly, Mrs. Gail Ramas and the companion of the Book Shop, the loyal Cat. So many great memories were made at the Lincoln Book Shop. This was where, my friend, introduced me to M.K. Wren, author of the great Coast Mysteries, at one of the first book signings the hightlight of my day was to meet Martha Kay Renfro, the Authors actual name. Such a sweet person an her constant companion her precious dog too. I was very grateful and thankful for that day. Many more Conan Flagg Mysteries were to follow, each one spellbinding, an awesome Sci-Fi Trilogy, a great Novel "A Gift Upon The Shore", and yrs later a return to her mystery genius, A Neely Jones Mystery. I am thankful for all her books, her life, as a great author and person.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Nash Black
4.0 out of 5 stars Series Introduction to Conan Flagg
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2010
CUROSITY DIDN'T KILL THE CAT by M.K. Wren is a fine introduction to Conan Flagg, Conan is ex-CIA operative who was sent home from Berlin with a bullet in his lung. He makes a new home on the coast of Oregon near the ranch his father built and followed his desires to the world of books.
Conan has a love of books, a Rolodex file of experts in many fields, a native American mother and Irish father, a love of classical music, a cat named Meg who loves bits of paper more than catnip toys, a host of small town friends, and above all his assistant Miss Dobie.
When Captain Harold Jeffries, U.S.N., Ret. ends up drowned in the surf below Conan's house it looks more like murder than an accident. When the book Captian Jeffries had checked out of the rental library ends up back on the shelf the next morning then Conan knows someone is using his shop for business other than selling books.
This story is dated, but strong enough that I've ordered the others in the series. A good book remains a good book no matter when it was written.
Nash Black, author of QUALIFYING LAPS.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report