Book Review: The Persian Always Meows Twice by Eileen Watkins

Cassie McGlone, owner of Cassie’s Comfy Cats in Chadwick, New Jersey, knows that professional cat grooming isn’t all fluff. She handles her feistiest four-legged clients with a caring touch and nerves of steel. And she needs all the nerve she can muster on her latest house call—when she finds the murdered body of her favorite client, millionaire George DeLeuw, and his newly orphaned Persian, Harpo.

Cassie wants to do whatever she can to help the local police find George’s killer. Taking temporary custody of Harpo seems simple enough—until it becomes clear that someone is desperate to get their claws on the cat. Could the feline be the key to untangling a felony? As cat at whisperer Cassie tries to coax out deadly secrets, she better tread lightly. After all, she gets one life, not nine.[summary via Amazon]

Recently, I have been completely gushing over new series. Of course, the gushing is not about to stop, because I absolutely fell in love with the Cat Groomer Mysteries!

Cassie McGlone is starting her life again in Chadwick, after a disastrous relationship. She's using her pet grooming skills and opens up Cassie's Comfy Cats. However, when her wealthiest client turns up dead, she's going to have to use different skills to solve the murder!

I took to this series like a cat to cat nip! Being a Crazy Cat Lady myself, I just loved all the details the author puts into the cat grooming aspect. I have a Maine Coon cat, and I definitely appreciate the author sharing the ups and downs of owning a long haired cat. Of course, I wouldn't trade my floofy cat for the world. Perhaps this is why I just adored Harpo, the Persian cat, that the story centres around.

The mystery centres around a wealthy client, George DeLeuw. It was interesting as Cassie delves into George's past life, and tries to untangle the mystery. Of course, all the while trying to keep Harpo safe! The mystery was first rate and the final denouement was a surprise, as was the way it came about! I just love a good edge-of-the-seat mystery, and The Persian Always Meows Twice definitely delivers.

If you love cat-themed cozies, and maybe your first cozy mystery [like me] was The Cat Who books, then I suggest picking up this series. I already have the next one, waiting to be started!

Book Review: Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody

After Jane helps a friend with a sticky personal problem, word starts to spread around her bridge club—and then around all of West Cambridge, Massachusetts—that she’s the go-to girl for situations that need discreet fixing. Soon she has her first paid assignment—the director of a 55-and-over condo community needs her to de-escalate hostilities among the residents. As Jane discovers after moving in for her undercover assignment, the mature set can be as immature as any high schoolers, and war is breaking out between cliques.

It seems she might make some progress—until one of the aging “popular kids” is bludgeoned to death with a golf club. And though the automatic sprinklers have washed away much of the evidence, Jane’s on course to find out whodunit . . .[summary via Amazon]

New series alert! Well new-to-me series alert!! I really enjoy Barbara Ross' Maine Clambake series, and I was thrilled to discover this series as well.

Jane Darrowfield is taking snooping to a whole new level. She's asked to help untangle some issues at a local retirement community. Little does she know that someone is about to be murdered, and she's going to be in the middle of it!

I just LOVED this book! It's definitely a contender for Top 3 of 2022! The writing is easy to fall into, and the characters and mystery have so many layers. I adored Jane. Yes she's a busybody, but one with a purpose! From her bridge club to everyone at Waldon Springs, this story was so enjoyable!

The mystery itself was excellent. Absolutely first class! I definitely had a hard time guessing the murderer, and Jane got there before me! 

I will definitely be coming back for another mystery in this series! Luckily for me the second book in this series is already released!

Book Review: A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard

It's movie time in Sugar Springs and the whole town is pitching together to get the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the event of the year—the premiere of Missing Girl, local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film.

Thrilled to bring tourists to Sugar Springs, the town comes together to host the late author's event. But when a stranger arrives, boasting he has definitive proof that Wally didn't write Missing Girl...well, drama leaps from the page into real life. Mishaps start taking place around the theater—and then the stranger is discovered dead in his hotel room right before his press conference.

Can Arlo and her Friday night book club to sleuth out the killer and solve the mystery before the town's Hollywood dreams go up in smoke?[summary via Amazon]

Oh how I missed the Main Street Book Club mysteries!!! A Murder Like No Author is the third book in the series and it seems like forever since I visited Sugar Springs. This time bookstore owner, Arlo Stanley, is getting ready for the film premiere of local author, Wally Harrison. However, things don't go smoothly when a dead body turns up at the theatre . To make matters worse, her "book club" members are determined to stick their nose into the investigation.

Oh poor Arlo! As usual her book club, making up her guardian Helen, and friends, Fern and Camille, is causing strive and police chief, Mads, looks to Arlo to reign them in. However, reigning in the girls is easier said then done, and that is when the hilarity [and a great story] starts to take place!!

I really enjoyed the murder mystery. With Wally Harrison being a previous victim [refer to the first book] and someone accusing Wally of stealing the book, Missing Girl, there is quite a tangled web to untangle, and I had a lot of fun doing it. The mystery is excellent and will keep even the most seasoned reader guessing right until the end.

I've come to expect a great story with this series, and A Murder Like No Author doesn't disappoint. If you are looking for a fabulous book-within-book series, I recommend picking up the Main Street Book Club Mysteries. The antics of the book club coupled with the murder mystery is the perfect way to spend a Summer afternoon!

Book Review: A Margin for Murder by Lauren Elliott

It's time for another adventure with bookseller, Addie Greyborne. This time she's on the road with her assistant, Paige, as they travel to nearby town, Pen Hollow, for a library booksale. There appears to be tension at the booksale, as the library is closing down, and the town is very angry at both the Mayor, and the benefactor that has pulled out. Addie is planning on just buying a few books and leaving. However, when the option to buy the bookmobile turns up, Addie leaps at the chance. Her vision for driving around in the bookmobile is short lived though, when it is involved in a fatal crash. What appears to be an accident soon turns to murder, especially when the local Sheriff is determined to point the finger at Addie and Paige.

The Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries are one of my absolute favourites. I love books about books, and this one is a first class series. Every story delivers a tantalizing story, involving interesting books and a fascinating whodunnit. Of course, there is also the sub-plots surrounding Addie and her friends, that keep me coming back for more.

I really liked the setting of picturesque Pen Hollow, with all its history and gothic intrigue. The murder itself was interesting and difficult to solve. I didn't manage to solve it before Addie did, and  the ending left me saying "oh my". It was definitely a denouement that would make Agatha Christie proud!

I absolutely loved everything about A MARGIN FOR MURDER. Beyond the mystery, Addie's friend, Serena, is pregnant and there is a lot going on in Addie's love life. The ending gave me that "curled toes in cozy delight" feeling, and I can't wait for the next adventure!

Book Review: Strawberried Alive by Jenn McKinlay

STRAWBERRIED ALIVE is the latest book in Jenn McKinlay's popular Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, and she left me devouring this book whole!

All seems calm at the Fairy Tale Cupcake Bakery. Mel is happily married to Joe, and Angie and Tate are enjoying the early days of parenthood. However, things look to change when Mel is shot at outside the bakery, and local business owners start turning up dead! Is Mel the target, and who would want to kill her neighbours? Mel and her friends are going to have put their special skills to the test to solve this one.

I love this series. I've been reading them since I discovered the first book, SPRINKLE WITH MURDER, in 2011. They are always on my must-buy list, and every book just showcases how fabulous this series is. The latest instalment is no different. I love the slightly different angle of this one, with Mel being targeted. Is it for something she has previous done? Maybe someone doesn't like her sleuthing? Without gushing too much, I simply loved the mystery and especially the final denouement. Mel definitely gets to have a Miss Marple moment, with unveiling the killer!

I can't say enough good things about this series. If you haven't read these yet, I strongly recommend picking up SPRINKLE WITH MURDER and reading all of them. While it is not essential to read them in order, these books are like cupcakes and you simply can't have just one!

STRAWBERRIED ALIVE is another fantastic instalment in the series, and I can't wait to see what adventures Mel, Angie and Tate go on next!