Death by the Dozen

The cover of Death by the Dozen features a small picture of Captain Jack.  Captain Jack is a kitten that is found by Mel who is one of the owners of Fairy Tale Cupcakes.  Mel lives over the shop.  One day she and Angie hear a noise that "..sounded like someone being stabbed."  The sound was coming from the dumpster.  They find a tiny white kitten with a black patch over one eye.  Being film buffs they name the kitten Captain Jack after Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean.

This kitten winds up in Mel's apartment and finds its way into her heart, 

Since there is an animal on the cover, it fits the criteria for this challenge.  Captain Jack may not be a major character but the cat does provide companionship for Mel when she needs it most.  I am sure I will be reading more books with animals but I did want to include this one because I also fell in love with a kitten that was found and now Reese is a very active member of our household.  Reese was not found in a dumpster but we saw him at a private club that we belong to and brought her home.  I don't know if she was after a cupcake when she was found but she sure likes her kitten "milk".