The Slender-Fingered Cats of Bubastis — Xanna Eve Chown

It wasn't true that you could see the Cats from
space. It was impossible, a ridiculous idea
that wouldn't stand up to even the slightest
examination. And yet there were people on
Bubastis who believed it…

Most archaeologists â€" including Professor
Bernice Summer eld â€" know only two facts
about Bubastis: one is, that its cheerless
swamps are home to ve giant stone Cats,
whose ancient origins are shrouded in
mystery; the other, that is has more bugs
and beetles than anyone should ever have
to deal with.
So, when Bernice, Ruth and Jack arrive
on the planet to search for a missing girl,
they are unprepared for what they will
nd. Like the insectoid villagers with a
decidedly squeamish attitude to mammals.
Or the archaeological expedition made up
of over-sexed students. Or the alarmingly
unprofessional Neon Tsara…
To make matters worse, Jack suddenly
nds himself on the wrong side of the law
and Ruth has brain-ache from ingesting
forbidden historical knowledge. Worse
still, Bernice has promised to write a book
of poetry that's due to be published in a
week... and she can't think of anything to
rhyme with ‘Bubastis.'