Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Book Review: Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton

Emily Westhill runs the best donut shop in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, alongside her retired police chief father-in-law and her tabby Deputy Donut. But after murder claims a favorite customer, Emily can’t rely on a sidekick to solve the crime—or stay alive. 

If Emily has learned anything from her past as a 911 operator, it’s to stay calm during stressful situations. But that’s a tall order when one of her regulars, Georgia Treetor, goes missing. Georgia never skips morning cappuccinos with her knitting circle. Her pals fear the worst—especially Lois, a close friend who recently moved to town. As evening creeps in, Emily and the ladies search for Georgia at home. And they find her—murdered among a scattering of stale donuts . . . 

Disturbingly, Georgia’s demise coincides with the five-year anniversary of her son’s murder, a case Emily’s late detective husband failed to solve before his own sudden death. With Lois hiding secrets and an innocent man’s life at stake, Emily’s forced to revisit painful memories on her quest for answers. Though someone’s alibi is full of holes, only a sprinkling of clues have been left behind. And if Emily can’t trace them back to a killer in time, her donut shop will end up permanently closed for business . . .[summary via Amazon]

It's been a while since I've read a cozy mystery, and I thought I would dip my toe back into the genre, with this new series from Ginger Bolton. I couldn't have picked a better choice! From the first chapter, this story featuring amateur sleuth Emily Westhill grabbed me and didn't let go, until the final denouement.

Emily and her father-in-law run a donut shop, the Deputy Donut. She's still nursing heart ache, following the death of her husband, Alec, who died on the job as a police officer. She's a heartwarming and caring woman, and I think readers will warm to her instantly.  

When one of her donut shop regulars turns up dead, she naturally is determined to find out who the killer is. Her method of investigating what one of my favourites. While she does ask questions, she isn't overly nosy and doesn't go looking for trouble. With an adorable sidekick in her feline companion "Dep", she goes hunting for clues.

Survival of the Fritters was a delightful first novel in this series. I really enjoyed the Threadville mysteries (written under the name Janet Bolin), and I can't wait to see what Ginger Bolton dishes up next. If you enjoy culinary mysteries, with beautiful constructed characters, and a cute feline too, you will certainly love this series!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Book Review: Cat About Town by Cate Conte

The first novel in a frisky new mystery series set in a small New England town, where an unlikely citizen is called in to solve the purrfect crime. . . 

Maddie James has arrived in Daybreak Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts, eager to settle down and start her own business—and maybe even fall in love. When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life, she’s inspired to open a cat cafĂ©. But little does Maddie know that she’s in for something a lot more catastrophic when her new furry companion finds the dead body of the town bully. Now all eyes are on Maddie: Who is this crazy cat-whisperer lady who’s come to town? If pet-hair-maintenance and crime-fighting weren’t keeping her busy enough, Maddie now has not one but two eligible bachelors who think she’s the cat’s pajamas . . . and will do anything to win her heart. But how can she even think about happily-ever-after while a killer remains on the loose—and on her path? [summary via Amazon]

Cat Conte (also known as Liz Mugavero) previously wrote the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, and I was thrilled to hear she had written a new series.

Cat About Town is a most delightful debut in a new series. From the very first flick of the tail of an adorable stray, who later becomes known as JJ, until the finale denouement, this is a story to delight even the pickiest of feline mystery lovers. 

Maddie James is in town for her grandmother's funeral, but when she meets a new feline friend (enter the ever adorable JJ), she takes the first steps into an adventure that will see them solve a murder together. I adored Maddie with her inner "crazy cat lady" persona. Of course JJ was delightful. He had me thinking that maybe I should put a harness on my cats and take them for a walk!!! (Of course my own cats had other ideas!).

I really liked the mystery. This one stumped me, and I didn't manage to solve it before Maddie and JJ. In the process of trying to solve the mystery, I fell in love with this little beach side town, with its interesting residents, and delightful shops.

All in all Cate Conte delighted me (and I'm sure other readers) with Cat About Town and I can't wait for another visit with Maddie and JJ.