It’s not often that a researcher attempts to tackle a fortean mystery and manages to come up with a convincing evidence-based explanation. But that is exactly what Michael Mayes has done with regards to the black panther mystery in the United States. In Shadow Cats: The Black Panthers of North America, Mayes examines every possible angle of this phenomenon and digs into the science for a truly fresh approach to an animal that science says does not exist. This fully illustrated, full-color book contains the best photographic evidence available on these large, black, long-tailed cats. It’s a book that Illinois State University zoologist Angelo Capparella says “brings a refreshingly scientific and analytical perspective to the gathering of extensive data and the assessment of large black cat sightings.” An essential volume for zoologists and cryptozoologists alike.