A Wintery Cozy Mystery for My Fellow Beer Lovers

I love, love, love the Sloan Krause mystery series—not so much for the puzzling whodunits, but more for the small Bavarian town surrounded by snow-topped mountains and German-themed breweries! Be still, my heart! Here in Texas, I jump at any chance to visit our very own little German town in the Hill Country called Fredericksburg. It’s just too much fun shopping at cutesy stores and dining at my favorite German-themed microbrewery. Oh, how I love the Enchanted Rock Ale… sigh.

Anyhoo, this mystery was a little weak. The killer reveal was kind of a no-brainer, but whatevs. I enjoyed accompanying Sloan and her fellow microbrewing partner/love interest as they puzzled over the mystery whilst visiting with his family, who, of course, are as charming and lovely as Sloan’s in-laws. Naturally, it would be boring if everything worked out perfectly, so Garrett has to come clean with a secret he’s been withholding for silly reasons. This is why romance books drive me nuts—too much secrecy and miscommunication! At least this time, Sloan chose to actually communicate with him instead of holding it all in. Way to go, girl! This might be the first time she’s gotten out of her own way, and I love this for her.

Overall, this book gave me all the wintry, Bavarian village vibes that made my cozy little heart brim with joy. However, die-hard mystery lovers may feel it’s lacking, so please note that this is more of a 100-piece children’s jigsaw puzzle than a 1,000-piece brain-scratcher. In this case, we’re dealing with a rather shady group of doctors and researchers at the local hospital who are about to announce a “breakthrough” medical miracle study that will rock the entire world off its axis. How this is happening in a tiny tourist town of two thousand residents is beyond me, but let’s not overthink it. As it happens, one of the researchers loses her mind when a flash drive goes missing, and she makes a big scene at Nitro while frantically searching for this thing that apparently will be the death of her. Oops… wrong choice of words. Anyhoo… a murder happens—on the ski slopes, of course—and all signs point to the shady doctors.

Again, I wasn’t too thrilled with the mystery in this installment, but I enjoyed the entire experience nonetheless. There’s a lot to be said for interesting characters, a romance you really want to root for, and a cozy Bavarian town that just brims with holiday charm in the wintertime. So grab yourself a hoppy winter ale—or a hot toddy—and curl up with this book for a cozy night in, away from the madness and crowds.

Two Stars for ‘She Doesn’t Have a Clue’

I have many thoughts on this rom-com/cozy mystery mashup, but let’s start on a positive note. I loved the locale–a creepy mansion with hidden rooms in the San Juan Islands. Sidenote: I highly recommend vacationing there because it is absolutely stunning! Here’s a visual of my REI bike tour of the islands:

Okay, so back to the book. I enjoyed being transported to this gorgeous place, only this time, I’m stuck in a spooky mansion with a murderer on the loose! I loved the Nancy Drew aspect of the mansion’s hidden rooms and spooky corridors. I’ll also give the author snaps for the funny quips and witty banter between our plucky main character and her “Hot-Stralian” love interest. So, if you enjoy a rom com with slapstick humor, you’ve come to the right place.

Alright, now let’s get down to the real talk. While reading this book, I realized that X-rated rom-com/cozy mysteries are NOT my jam. I enjoy a splash of romance in my cozies, but I can do without the explicit sex scenes that happen smack dab in the middle of a suspenseful moment when the killer runs away! I mean, who does that? Maybe it’s just me, but if I just survived a harrowing, life-threatening moment, sex with a hot Australian would be the last thing on my mind.

I hate it when a story gets interrupted, and I have to endure an entire chapter of sexy shenanigans before jumping back into the mystery again. This is why I don’t like musicals. Right when I’m getting into the story, a song and dance breaks out like a prolonged commercial break. It’s just not for me.

As for the mystery, I thought it was pretty well done with red-herrings and a mansion full of shady suspects. None of the characters pulled me in, including the MC who just seemed silly, especially with her ridiculous “sleuthing sweater” that she wears while thinking through her plots. Why anyone insist on wearing a hideously ugly, scratchy sweater on a routine basis is beyond me. I guess this is an attempt to make her seem quirky and cute, but I just found it to be annoying. Maybe that’s my problem. I’m not a fan of the overly quirky, cute characters. It just seems forced an unrealistic to me, especially when gimmicks like the “sleuthing sweater” are involved. Oh, and I would be remiss to not mention the MC’s TSTL (Too Stupid to Live) antics during the climax. I have to be super vague here to avoid spoilers, but I will say that this scene was absolutely ludicrous and highly unnecessary. At this point, I was rooting for the villain because the MC obviously had a death wish.

Overall, I don’t recommend this book to cozy mystery purists, such as myself. However, rom-com fans might enjoy the silly banter and smutty chapters.

A big thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

Top 5 Must-Reads: Magical Cats, Vampire-Slaying Southern Women, and Creepy Ghosts Galore

Wowza—it’s been a minute since my last post. I’ve had a rough go of it lately with the whole job-loss thing and equally depressing job-search thing. Life sure can throw some curveballs, eh? Either way, we’re here to have fun, so let’s talk five-star reads! Here are some highlights from my spring 2024 reading list: 

Nimbus by Jan Eldredge 

Cat lovers, you’re in for a treat! This is such a cute book with magical felines, a kind-hearted witch, and the cutest little sweater-wearing, Shakespeare-quoting rat sidekick! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was completely invested in little Nimbus’s homeward-bound journey. Fantasies aren’t really my cup of tea, but I made an exception for this one. The cover alone sold me. I mean, how could I turn away from those adorable little faces? The evil dream demons were terrible, but the worst characters were the cruel humans dumping their pets. Nimbus’s newfound friends have tragic backstories involving human cruelty, which can be hard to read, but the kind-hearted witch, Agatha, renewed my faith in humanity, reminding me that there’s a lot of good in this world. I loved getting to know each of the resident cats–even the grumpy ones–through Nimbus’ magical dream-walking escapades. They’re all quite fascinating, and I’m rather fond of the tubby calico, Fern, and her stuffed squirrel toy. This story is just too cute and the ending was the cat’s meow!

Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan 

This book was a fun—and much-needed—surprise that arrived at my doorstep, thanks to my sister! She even sent me a Disney cats throw blanket so I could cozy up with a good book during my dark days of sudden unemployment. Isn’t that the nicest thing? Anyhoo, this book proved to be the perfect distraction with its cast of vampire-slaying Southern women. Judging by the cover, I was expecting more of a light paranormal romance, but this book was SCARY!!! Yo! I was not expecting grisly scenes of vampires/zombies (a hybrid, I guess?) tearing people apart. This is NOT a cozy little Southern romantasy, people! Lucky for me, I absolutely love gross horror stories with feral, non-sparkling vampires terrorizing the town. I also loved that this story centered around four generations of vampire-slaying women. One of whom has a dark secret that comes out later in the book…when things get real. Whilst protecting the town from the newly-turned vampire/zombies, they sort out their family drama issues, and boy does it get messy. Think Steel Magnolias meets 30 Days of Night meets Six Feet Under. Loved it!!!

Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowman

Once again, I’ve realized I can never go wrong with a Royal Spyness mystery. I only “read” these books via Audible because the narrator cracks me up with the characters’ voices. Since watching “Emily in Paris” (please don’t judge me!), I’ve been drawn to books that transport me to this fascinating city with streetside cafes, dazzling cityscapes, and croissants galore. Naturally, this story surrounds a fashion show by none other than Cocoa Chanel!  Hijinks ensue when Lady Georgianna stumbles upon a dead body at a VIP runway show and soon becomes suspect number one! Seriously, the detectives in these books are always so clueless. I mean really…why would a pregnant British woman come to Paris to kill a complete stranger? Is it terrible that I was happy the murder victim turned out to be a pushy, entitled, “new money” woman who thought she could buy her way into everything? Ugh…Americans! Anyways…I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical whodunnits that are heavy on comedy and light on mystery.

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

I love, love, love a slow-burn horror story, but only if it’s done well. It could be ruined with an underwhelming ending or turn into a convoluted, confusing mess. Lucky for me, this book delivered a dark, creepy ending that left me wanting more. The premise alone gives me the willies! Imagine going to a sparsely populated island with secretive townsfolk who are all living in a time warp. There are just SO MANY QUESTIONS! Why don’t the townsfolk ever leave the island?  Why did an outsider’s dead son scribble “Clifford Island” on the floorboards of his bedroom right before he died? Why do the islanders participate in strange daily rituals? And why is it so scary for them to deviate from their routines? What’s out there in the woods peeking inside of windows??? All these questions had me glued to the pages—and boy was I creeped out. We’re dealing with different narrators throughout the book: Willow, the interloping woman trying to solve the puzzle of her dead son’s cryptic note; and Harper, Willow’s brother searching for his missing sister—a quest that gets darker and stranger by the day. Slow-burns aren’t for everyone, but I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with creepy, ghostly stalkers lurking in the woods.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix 

Kakaweeeeeee! Oh my goodness, y’all, this book was a hoot! With his mix of comedy and horror, Grady Hendrix is an acquired taste. For the most part, I avoid horror satire, but Grady Hendrix is an exception because his characters and storylines are just so entertaining. This one revolves around a divorced single mom who’s summoned back to her dreaded family home to take care of her dead parents’ affairs. To make matters worse, she must deal with her deadbeat brother who is a real piece of work. He carries some deep-seated disdain for his sister, and we soon learn why as the memories of their bizarre childhood start to unfold. Something is VERY WRONG with that house, and it all boils back to their eccentric mother’s love of puppets. One puppet in particular is Pupkin, a demonic toy that tends to take control of its handlers! Think Slappy from Goodbumps meets the Exorcist. Things escalate very quickly—power tools are involved. Seriously, this book would make one heck of a movie. Despite the comedy aspect, this book has some very creepy parts, especially the childhood flashback of Pupkin whispering in ears and forcing people to do some bad things. Trust me, it’s intense!

Thirsty Thursday Pick: ‘Death Distilled’ by Melinda Mullet

First, let’s start on a positive note! This is a quality books series with well-drawn characters and a fantastic Scottish setting. I’m loving the slow-burn romance (sans the annoying love triangle trope) between Abi and her whiskey distillery partner, Grant. There’s also an adorable Wheaton terroir named Liam thrown in the mix!

Now I have to keep it real. This is not my favorite installment, mainly because I wasn’t really interested in the plot involving members of a has-been rock band getting killed off by a vengeful murderer.  I didn’t care for the lead rock star, Rory, who enlisted Abi’s help in solving the crimes. I also REALLY didn’t like that he was making the moves on her, especially given his age. If she crushed on him back as a child, wouldn’t’ that make him kind of old? And then there’s his flirty little vixen daughter making the moves on Grant. If she’s in her early 20s, wouldn’t that be a little age inappropriate?

I’m not entirely sure how old our two main characters are exactly, but these brewing romances were giving me the ick. Aside from that, I suppose the mystery aspect of this book was OK. There were a LOT of suspects thrown in the mix, so it was really anyone’s guess whodunnit. The big reveal was kind of a “meh” for me. But what the heck, I’ll give the next book a go because I love the Scottish whiskey distillery backdrop and really want to know when Abi or Grant will make a move!

Four Paws Up for ‘Tell-Tale Bones’ by Carolyn Haines

A big thanks to publisher for offering me an ARC! As with all of Sarah Booth Delaney’s adventures the deep South, this one did not disappoint! Returning to this delightful mystery series after a long hiatus really felt like a long-overdue reunion with some old friends. This is the 26th in the series (wow!), and it’s clear that these characters have really come into their own over the decades.

Really, for me, the whodunnit is secondary to the beautiful Zinnia, Mississippi setting, where Sarah and her soulmate Sheriff Coleman Peters ride horses together amidst the rolling green hills to watch the sunrise…ah, such sweet bliss. Might I just add that it is about dang time these two finally got together! Ugh…all that silliness between Sarah and Graf is over and Coleman’s certifiably insane ex-wife is no longer imprisoning him by sheer guilt alone!

As for the cold-case mystery, I really must give it five stars! We’re dealing with a distraught woman looking for her missing daughter, an evil woman abuser with powerful connections, a mysterious raven, and an Edgar Allen Poe theme. The plot thickens when we learn the missing daughter is one of many troubled teens who vanished over the years. The intrigue really had me tearing through the pages until I finally reached the satisfying ending with zero plot holes.

This book really has it all—ghosts, seances, grave diggings and cute animal sidekicks to boot! I just loved this entire adventure and look forward to accompanying my girls, Tinkie and Sarah, as they embark on their next escapade through the Mississippi Delta alongside their fur-babies.

Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake

Furbidden Fatality book In true cozy mystery fashion, this story follows a single, unlucky-in-love gal who is at a crossroads in her young, 30-something life. Now for the twist! She just won the lotto and has millions of dolla dolla bills to spare! When an adorable homeless kitten crosses her path, she discovers a rundown animal rescue in the midst of closing down furever—oh no! So of course she has to buy it and save all the homeless doggies and kitties that have nowhere else to go—not even the city pound, which is underfunded and over capacity. This is sadly the case in the real world, and I speak from 12 years of experience as a seasoned dog rescue volunteer who got chewed up and spit out by the F****D-up system. I’ll stop right here before I get up on my soapbox. Trust me, you don’t want that!

The mystery: This is a fun little whodunnit involving nefarious vandals, shady townsfolk and one sadistic animal control officer who seems to have it in for one particular dog (a pit bull, of course). Kari’s efforts to spruce up the rescue gets thwarted when she stumbles across his dead body on her property—making her suspect No. 1! Why was he shoveling a hole in her dog yard? Who’s smashing her windows and leaving misspelled threats on her doorstep? Why is the police department so pitifully useless? Well you’ll have to read the book to find out!

What I liked: The protagonist Kari Stuart is living my dream of running my very own animal rescue/sanctuary, providing a safe place for all the sweet doggies that get turned away from the so-called “No Kill” (aka Slow Kill) rescues. Might I just add that the term “No Kill” is a misnomer because these shelters are indeed killing dogs. It’s a numbers game and no dog is safe—especially at the most beloved shelters (*cough* Austin Pets Alive *cough*) where dirty, dirty politics are at work. A dog’s chances hinge upon their level of popularity with politically-savvy volunteers and the “dog behaviorists,” whom by the way have zero dog-training certification credentials and just use a one-size-fits-all method of punishment-based methods—including shock collars that they like to call “remote collars.”

Oops…did I just get on my soapbox a bit? Sorry y’all! Ok, back to the book. So Kari is a girl after my own heart, and I appreciate her willingness to eschew a luxurious life in Tuscany with her riches to answer the call of duty—hoorah! I especially love her cute little black kitty sidekick who magically knows how to warn her when danger is near.

What didn’t work: Kari is clearly a passionate cat lover, but I didn’t really sense much of a connection with dogs. I’m not sure how much research was put into the making of this book, but I think it would have behooved the author to watch an entire season of Pit Bulls and Parolees. If anyone can embody the passion—the spirituality even—that goes into a dog rescue operation, it’s Tia Torres and her two daughters. I think this may have been more believable if Kari was running a cat rescue, but dogs…not so much. I really hope this develops further in the next book, and I have faith that it will because I’m rooting for Kari!

This review is in honor of Brindle, Goldman and Dennis (aka Denny Bear). All three died at the shelter this year. 

Overall: This is a fun little mystery that is sure to please animal lovers—especially us crazy cat ladies! I applaud the author for bringing more attention to our nation’s overburdened and underfunded animal centers. It seems like you’d have to be a lotto winner in order to start a new rescue facility in a society that places very little priority on animal welfare. Sorry—had to throw in one last soapbox zinger.

Shoutout to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Lil Bootz’s Meowder Mondays: A Murder She Wrote Reading Roundup!

Hello and happy Monday! Lil Bootz is here to take the sting out of this detestable day of the week by bringing you stories of murder, mayhem and spooky castles! So take a break from the monotonous emails and enjoy purrusing these cozy mysteries starring none other than our favorite busybody, JB Fletcher!


Death of a Blue Blood

Move over, Downton Abbey! Castorbrooke Castle has more nefarious blue bloods and manipulative housemaids than you can shake a stick at! JB Fletcher and her sort-of boyfriend George Sutherland got more than they bargained for when they arrived at the castle for a posh New Year’s Eve ball. Before the champagne is even popped, she’s already stumbling upon her second dead body. I mean, at some point, she should quit acting surprised when this happens. Without fail, someone croaks when she makes an appearance at a party. I love you, JB, but if I see you entering the room, I’m out. Either way, her festive vacation soon turns into a game of Clue and it’s up to JB and George to solve this thing because the local law enforcement is as worthless as a dead slug.

If you love a good old fashioned whodunit, you’ll enjoy this mystery. There’s even a dead body in the conservatory! There’s a good chance you’ll guess the killer early on, but who cares? It’s all about traveling to far and distant lands (with high murder rates) alongside the ever delightful and fashionable JB Fletcher.

Blood on the Vine

In this wine-infused mystery, I get to travel to Napa Valley! I’ve always wanted to go there but never got around to it…maybe because my husband’s more of a beer guy. Either way, I was able to experience the sites through JB’s eyes as she explored the tranquil vineyards, tasted delicious wine at lovely candlelit restaurants and traversed the touristy village with her Scotland Yard detective buddy George Southerland. If you’re expecting their romance to heat up amidst all the wining and dining, don’t hold your breath. Let’s face it, poor George is and will forever be friend-zoned. JB needs to stop stringing the poor ol’ chap along. There are plenty of single grannies out there who would snatch him up in a heartbeat.  Aside from that minor grievance, I absolutely loved every bit of this book. Similar to her adventures in Castorbrooke Castle, JB is surrounded by a bunch of greedy vultures who all have ample motives for killing off the infamous Bill Laddington. He made a lot of money-—and enemies—during his stint in Hollywood as a big-time movie mogul. And, wouldn’t you know, just hours after JB Fletcher joins him for dinner at his winery/castle, he’s floating dead in his moat! Local law enforcement, again, ain’t worth a hill of beans, so she and George must solve the case…while enjoying a taste of the grape here and there. This was a fun puzzle to piece together, and I must admit that the big unveiling was a surprise this time! This book ranks right up there at the top 10 Murder She Wrote installments, definitely worth a read!

Lil Bootz’s Book of the Month: A Midwinter’s Tail

Once again December snuck up on me like a green and red tinseled puma, and that means I only have a month to get through my pile of Christmas mysteries!  Lil Bootz and I decided to commence the season of holiday cozies with this dog- and cat-themed mystery series by the lovely and talented Bethany Blake. As usual, she delivered a fast-paced whodunnit that puzzled us until the final chapters. Here’s our assessment of A Midwinter’s Tail! Note: we scored a free ARC on Netgalley in return for an honest review.

In a nutshell: In this fourth installment of the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series our leading lady Daphne Templeton is settling into her new life as a petsitter for the townsfolk of Sylvian Creek. Since moving into her cute little cottage on her sister’s farm, she’s stumbled upon quite a few dead bodies, which makes me wonder if perhaps she, like J.B. Fletcher and all the other lovely amateur sleuths in these picturesque small towns, is indeed a harbinger of death! Either way, Daphne is a delightful animal-rescuing lady who I adore, so let’s just ignore the possibility that she’s a jinx and move on. In this mystery, she takes an unwanted trip down memory lane when CeeCee French–a former high school mean girl–is found dead under the town Christmas tree. Things get stickier than a melted candy cane when Daphne’s BFF becomes the prime suspect! Will she find the killer before another unwanted present ends up under the tree? Will Daphne’s crush finally get over his issues and smooch her under the mistletoe? Will Socrates find love amidst all the murder and mayhem? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

What we liked: What don’t I like about this series!? I read a lot of cozies, but this is one of my faves because Daphne is such an endearing, relatable character who revolves her life around animals. I love that her pups play big roles in the mysteries and that they tag along with her everywhere she goes.

What needs work: MORE TINKLESTON, PLEASE! Daphne needs to figure out a way to take her little black kitty along on her many adventures. Why not put him in a harness or tote him around in a kitty satchel? He would’ve looked so cute in a little bowtie at the Bark the Halls Ball…just saying.

Favorite character: In this particular book, I most enjoyed the clumsy little trouble-making pug donning a little red sweater emblazoned with the words “Bah Humpug.”  He cracked me up every time he’d enter a scene like a miniature bull in a china shop. I hope this isn’t the last we see of him in the series, especially since he has a magical ability for finding clues while wrecking havoc along the way.

Least favorite character: Of course, the worst, most repugnant character of all is CeeCee French! What’s to like about a woman who never outgrew her high school “mean girl” persona? Even worse, she runs a company that makes toxic dog food!!! I was happy as a pug with a chew toy when her goose got cooked. Sorry not sorry!

This book is best pared with: Frosted sugar cookies and a steamy mug of spiked cider! A purring lap-cat is an added bonus.

Overall: This is the perfect Christmas cozy for those of us who enjoy dog-themed mysteries with a dash of romance.

Lil Bootz’s Halloween Treat: Black Cat Crossing


Summed up:
Following the tried-and-true cozy mystery formula, the book follows a mid-30s single lady who’s returning to her quaint hometown to start life anew. She finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery when someone knocks off her aunt’s adversary, a conman who claims to be her half-brother. Our hapless small town sleuth must nab the killer before her aunt gets thrown in the slammer. There’s also a fun little subplot involving an enigmatic black cat named Hitchcock who is feared by many as the harbinger of bad luck. Mayhem ensues as she tries to save the cat from a crazed madman while sorting out the many, many suspects.

What I liked: I LOVE the Texas Hill Country and escape to Fredericksburg every chance I get. So it was fun immersing myself in the atmospheric Texas-German hamlet amidst the hills and valleys dotted with lazy cows and scrubby trees. How amazing would it be to live rent free in a cabin retreat where you can just write mystery books all day long with a cute little black kitty sidekick curled up by your side? Oh, but to dream.

Character critiques: I didn’t love nor hate Sabrina. She’s just a nice bowl of vanilla ice cream, pleasant enough but in need of some colorful sprinkles. Although I must admit that she scored some cool points when she rescued Hitchcock from the overly superstitious village idiots. For a murder mystery author, you’d think she’d have some sleuthing skills, but really she just stumbled upon the clues the same way she practically tripped over the dead body slumped under a tree. Time to step it up, girlfriend, if you want me to continue with this series.

Problem areas: OMG Aunt Rowe! Need I say more? This woman was SO clueless and flippant about being the No. 1 suspect in a murder case. I got the sense that she was supposed to be a quirky, silly old lady, but really she was annoying AF! She dug herself deeper into the hole by making glib statements to the police like, “Of course I hated him and wished he was dead.” Oh lordy. Of course, she didn’t want to cooperate with her niece who was trying so hard to keep the po-po at bay.  I think the ending would’ve been much more satisfying if they just threw the old bat in the slammer and let Sabrina take over her quaint little cabin resort. Seriously, I should write this shit.

This book is best pared with: A stiff bottle of Scottish whiskey (you’re going to need it when dealing with the infuriatingly naïve Aunt Rowe)  and a purring cat on your lap. Don’t ask Lil Bootz though because that crazy flying squirrel never sleeps!

Will I read another book in this series? Yes, most likely because I love the setting and would like to know what else is in store for Hitchcock. Also it’ll be interesting to see if Sabrina will ever finish her dang book!

Lil Bootz’s Book of the Month: The Persian Always Meows Twice

Meowza! Lil Bootz and I are super excited about this new mystery series that is just purrfect for people like me who are crazy for crime-solving kitties! Much to my delight, I found this book in a “get well” gift basket filled with pink balloons, chocolate bars and dog toys. Needless to say, my friends know me well! And lucky for me, I had a whole week off from work to polish off the book and all my chocolate goodies. What can be better than books, chocolate and days upon days of free time? I ask you!

What I love most about this new series is that the cats have a starring role! Normally in my magical cat-themed mysteries, the critters rarely share the limelight with the main characters. But in this mystery, the story revolves around Cassie, a professional cat groomer, and her feline clients. In fact, a fluffy Persian becomes the main attraction when her owner gets bludgeoned in his stately mansion. Soon after discovering his lifeless body in the foyer, she swoops up his gorgeous Persian, Harpo, before she ends up at a shelter–or worse–in the hands of a shady family member who has something to gain from the mysterious man’s demise.

Why did someone snuff out a seemingly harmless millionaire? Did it have something to do with a potential client who is on the verge of patenting new technology that could change the face of data encryption? What do all of these so-called bereaved people have to gain from adopting poor little Harpo?

It’s up to our intrepid cat groomer, Cassie, to answer these questions before the fluffball ends up in the wrong hands. Lucky for Harpo, nobody can claim her until the will is out of probate. That gives Cassie plenty of time to question the many shady suspects–from the bitter wife to the schmarmy executive assistant to the greedy, entrepreneurial  sister. And if that’s no enough fancy feast on her plate, Cassie also has do deal with a stalking ex-boyfriend who is seriously cramping her style with her new crush, the hot veterinarian.

Like a cracked-open can of seafood medley, there’s a lot going on here! And there’s definitely something fishy about Harpo’s many potential adopters. But have no fear! No cat will be harmed under Cassie’s watch–and you better believe she’ll fight tooth and nail to save her furbabies and four-legged clients from abusers. Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of this leading lady and I can’t wait to see what’s for store for her in the next installment. This is definitely a win for all my fellow cat ladies out there who enjoy a good whodunnit. Four paws up!