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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Cat Who Caught a Killer in Books
Oct 30, 2022
I love cats and I love reading about murder (strange I know!) so even though this book is quite different to what I normally read, I thought I'd give it a go and, overall, it was pretty good.
This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent. Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.
I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.
With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery. There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.
Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.
This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent. Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.
I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.
With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery. There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.
Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated Claws of Death in Books
Aug 16, 2023
Who is Crabby Enough to Commit Murder?
After getting out of rehab, Jackie Norwood is looking for any way to rebuild her life, and professionally, she is taking her celebrity chef name on the road, judging food festivals. Her first one is a crab festival in Texas. She is horrified to realize that her fellow judge is her nemesis, Heather Curtis. Then disaster strikes when Heather drops dead after tasting their first dish – a dish prepared by Jackie’s ex-boyfriend. With the police looking at the two of them as suspects in Heather’s murder, Jackie has to jump in and find out what really happened. Can she do it?
Author Cathy Wiley has introduced Jackie in some short stories in the Destination Murders series, and I’m thrilled to see Jackie get her own novel finally. I liked getting to know Jackie better, and the rest of the cast, introduced here, are fantastic. The story starts quickly and never lags. I enjoyed how Jackie pieced things together at the end. Throw in some humor, and this was a book I never wanted to put down. It was over all too quickly. Those who enjoy crab will be interested in the recipes at the end. If you are looking for a fun new series, you’ll be thrilled you got your claws into this debut.
Author Cathy Wiley has introduced Jackie in some short stories in the Destination Murders series, and I’m thrilled to see Jackie get her own novel finally. I liked getting to know Jackie better, and the rest of the cast, introduced here, are fantastic. The story starts quickly and never lags. I enjoyed how Jackie pieced things together at the end. Throw in some humor, and this was a book I never wanted to put down. It was over all too quickly. Those who enjoy crab will be interested in the recipes at the end. If you are looking for a fun new series, you’ll be thrilled you got your claws into this debut.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated Pink Lemonade Cake Murder in Books
Sep 5, 2023
Three Strikes, You’re Dead
Summer has come to Lake Eden, and Hannah is excited to be hosting the snack booth at the baseball tournament in Lake Eden, debuting her new pink lemonade themed desserts. One of the celebrity participants is Bernie “No-No” Fulton, a local who pitch part of a season for the Twins. But when Hannah’s mother finds No-No’s body under the bleachers, Hannah has a new mystery to solve. After all, Delores had a reason to dislike the man, so Hannah’s mother is a suspect. Can Hannah figure out who wanted him out permanently?
Once again, fans of the series will know what to expect. The mystery is decent, but the story is padded with lots of talk about food, even for a culinary cozy. And the sub-plot involving Mike slows down the beginning of the story. I also had a hard time buying how the police deal with Hannah’s sleuthing in this book. And yet, I still do like checking in on the characters, and the recipes sound delicious as always. The cliffhanger makes it obvious we are back in the soap opera territory I had hoped we’d left behind. If you are curious about the series, start with the early books to see why so many people read it.
Once again, fans of the series will know what to expect. The mystery is decent, but the story is padded with lots of talk about food, even for a culinary cozy. And the sub-plot involving Mike slows down the beginning of the story. I also had a hard time buying how the police deal with Hannah’s sleuthing in this book. And yet, I still do like checking in on the characters, and the recipes sound delicious as always. The cliffhanger makes it obvious we are back in the soap opera territory I had hoped we’d left behind. If you are curious about the series, start with the early books to see why so many people read it.
Dirty Heart (Cole McGinnis #6)
9.0
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Final book in the Dirty Series arc. Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis’s life nearly ended the...
Contemporary MM Romance Crime Mystery Suspense
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated Muddled Matrimonial Murder in Books
Jun 14, 2023
Dead Stalker
Not only is Thanksgiving approaching, and with it lots of orders for cupcakes that caterer Emory Martinez must fulfill, but she’s also working on the wedding of her best friend, Brad, to Gabe. The road to the wedding is going to be rocky, however, as Gabe seems to be having the worst case of cold feet imaginable. Then Brad and Emory find the body of a woman at the wedding venue. The victim is Brad’s stalker, whom he hasn’t seen in years and didn’t even know was in the area. With the police looking at the grooms as the prime suspects, Emory must add finding a killer to her to do list.
I’d kind of forgotten about Brad’s stalker until she became the focus of this storyline. The plot was great since Emory, despite what she uncovers, keeps coming back to the grooms as the best suspects. Yet when we reach the suspenseful climax, things make perfect sense. There are some interesting developments that fans of the series will enjoy. And yes, I do recommend reading this series in order. That’s fine since the characters are so charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them again here. There are another dozen recipes, including some twists on Thanksgiving favorites and lots featuring cranberries. If you are looking for a fun cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.
I’d kind of forgotten about Brad’s stalker until she became the focus of this storyline. The plot was great since Emory, despite what she uncovers, keeps coming back to the grooms as the best suspects. Yet when we reach the suspenseful climax, things make perfect sense. There are some interesting developments that fans of the series will enjoy. And yes, I do recommend reading this series in order. That’s fine since the characters are so charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them again here. There are another dozen recipes, including some twists on Thanksgiving favorites and lots featuring cranberries. If you are looking for a fun cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated DM Me for Murder in Books
Feb 15, 2024
Mega-Influencer’s Murder Leads to Mega Trouble
Murder is the farthest thing from Coco Cline’s mind that Monday morning. Instead, she is thrilled that mega-influencer LaTage wants to use Coco’s company, Center of Attention Consulting, to launch her rebranding. Then Coco arrives at their meeting to find LaTage dead. With the police asking Coco for help understanding the online world that LaTage inhabited, she can’t help but dig just a little deeper. Will she be able to uncover a clue that will lead to the killer?
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Coco and her friends are in top form, and I loved watching their relationships develop. The plot was fantastic with a couple of great twists and many suspects that Coco had to sort through to reach the logical solution. If you’re looking for a warm beach getaway, the setting with definitely appeal to you as well. I love seeing cozy mysteries expanding their themes. However, if you aren’t super into social media, you’ll still understand everything that happens here, and there’s plenty of talking to suspects face to face. Fans will be delighted with this book. If you want a fun, modern cozy, you’ll be glad this series trended to the top of your to be read pile.
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Coco and her friends are in top form, and I loved watching their relationships develop. The plot was fantastic with a couple of great twists and many suspects that Coco had to sort through to reach the logical solution. If you’re looking for a warm beach getaway, the setting with definitely appeal to you as well. I love seeing cozy mysteries expanding their themes. However, if you aren’t super into social media, you’ll still understand everything that happens here, and there’s plenty of talking to suspects face to face. Fans will be delighted with this book. If you want a fun, modern cozy, you’ll be glad this series trended to the top of your to be read pile.
The Witless Protection Program
10.0
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In the fifth Catering Hall Mystery by Agatha Award-winning author Maria DiRico, series sleuth Mia...
Brie Careful What You Wish For
8.0
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When a mean and quarrelsome woman is found murdered in her own home, most of the residents of Balsam...
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A secret binds them together, the truth will unravel them. Jenny Ocean’s life is already on...
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From USA Today Bestselling author L.J. Shen comes a new, fun, steamy standalone about a notorious...