Audiobook Review: Final Catcall by Sofie Kelly

In the fifth installment of the Magical Cat Mysteries, kitties Hercules and Owen are helping their owner and librarian, Kathleen Paulson, unravel another mystery. When a theater troupe relocates to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, the locals are looking forward to a performance of Yesterday's Child. However, rumor has it that the production is cursed. The rumors may actually be close to the truth, especially when Kathleen discovers the director has been murdered. With her mom in town to step in as director, and her ex-boyfriend surprising Kathleen with a visit, the last thing Kathleen needs to do is solve another murder. Especially as police officer, Marcus, is still upset at her involvement in the previous murder cases, however Hercules and Owen are scenting out clues and Kathleen has her nose on the case as well.

A long-running cozy mystery series needs to bring something special to each book. While it is the small town and murder that binds each novel, there must be something special about the characters and hidden surprises that keeps readers interested. Sofie Kelly achieves this with her Magical Cats mysteries. In each novel she creates a interesting whodunnit for readers to solve, but it is her characters (and cats!) that have readers coming back for more.

At the end of Cat Trick readers see a separation between Marcus and Kathleen. Marcus believes that Kathleen doesn't trust him, and Kathleen will do anything to protect her friends. I find the turn that Sofie Kelly has taken their relationship very realistic. With a police officer and amateur sleuth dating there certainly has to be give and take. I know that I'm not sure how I would take it if my spouse nosed around in my job everyday! I like that Sofie Kelly is taking these characters through the many turns of the road that make up relationships, and I was eager to see if they could solve their differences.

Of course the cats are back! I love Hercules and Owen so much. They are very much like my cats in their little antics. Although my cats can't walk through walls like Hercules or disappear like Owen. Even so, many pet owners will find they can relate their own cats to the always mischievous and fun Hercules and Owen.

Kathleen's mom makes a visit to Mayville Heights to replace the murdered director, and it was interesting having her in town and watching the mother and daughter relationship. Her mom is not conventional, but definitely a delight. 

I could write 100 pages on how wonderful these characters are! This series is full of small town charm, and the characters are charming as well, but also real. Kathleen and her friends have formed a solid friendship, and the kind that when found is something to treasure. Together there is nothing that they can't overcome.

I'm looking forward to taking another visit with these characters in A Midwinter's Tail and seeing what murder and mayhem is to follow.

I listened to Final Catcall as an audiobook and it was narrated by Cassandra Campbell. Cassandra Campbell is a seasoned narrator and I've listened to her quite a bit. She narrates everything from popular literary fiction to science fiction and always brings a flawless narration. I really enjoyed listening to Final Catcall. She narrates the characters perfectly, including Hercules' little meows! I plan to keep listening on audio to this series.

Check out Final Catcall by Sofie Kelly at Amazon, Audible.

Book Review: Meow If It's Murder by T.C. Lo Tempio

T.C. Lo Tempio's debut mystery series features one highly intelligent amateur sleuth and one adorable, and handsome dark stranger. That dark stranger would be Nick, the tuxedo cat. One day Nick walks into Nora's life, when he walks into the deli she owns. From there they have a adventure, as Nora discovers that Nick belonged to a PI that was investigating a high profile case of accident death. Lora Grainger drowned while on a ship, and the case seems open and shut but Nora's crime beat reporter intuition are rising up again and she's certain something fishy is going on. With Nick at her side she sets to investigate and find exactly what happened to Lora.

As a fan of both cats and classic mysteries I have to say there was an absolute lot to love about T.C. Lo Tempio's debut. She hits the ground running with this first series, that has both a classic and modern mystery vibe.

The reader starts by peeking in on the victim just moments before her death. Lola Grainger is aboard a boat on a business "pleasure" trip with her husband, when she suspects someone is black mailing him. These early scenes reminded me very much of Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, with murder most foul on the seas. The classic mystery comparisons continue when we meet Nora Charles and a tuxedo named Nick walks into her life. For those that are fans of both classic mystery books and movies will remember Nora and Nick Charles from The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett. From there T.C. LoTempio blends classic and modern together in an unforgettable mystery.

I really enjoyed the fact that Nora isn't just your regular run-of-the-mill nosy amateur sleuth trying to solve a crime. Being an ex-crime beat reporter now turned deli owner she has a natural instinct for crime, and it was enjoyable watching her use her high intelligence to solve the crime. Of course has a "lot" of help from Nick.

Nick absolutely stole the show for me. I'm the pet owner (sorry I mean, bossed around) of a tuxedo myself and I just adored Nick. While most people seem to think that the tuxedo is just a color description of a cat, I've learnt that there is definitely a personality to tuxedos and Nick personifies that greatness that is the tuxedo. Nick isn't just there to look pretty either. He helps supply Nora with clues along the way, with his handy use of scrabble tiles!!

I absolutely adored Meow If It's Murder from start to end. From both me and the felines in my house it gets five high paws, and we are excited to see what kind of adventures Nick and Nora get up to next!!

Check Out Meow If It's Murder by T.C. LoTempio on Amazon.

Book Review: Murder in the Middle by Diane Weiner

In Diane Weiner's second book in the Susan Wiles Schoolhouse Mysteries, retired music teacher Susan finds herself investigating the disappearance of the school bookkeeper, Sophie Bartolo. Despite her daughter, police detective Lynette's reluctance Susan delves into the mystery and becomes neck deep in a tangled web of clues, involving a disappearance and a very suspicious death. 

There was a lot to like in Diane Weiner's first two novels, as she introduced us to the life of retired teacher Susan Wiles. I found her third adventure as enjoyable, if not more so, as Susan tries once again to track down a murderer, and keep the rest of her life together.

Diane Weiner throws the reader right into the mystery, with the disappearance occurring within the first few pages. I love when an author does this, as I find a slow lead-up to the mystery can quite often bring about boredom and a reluctance to continue with a story. Never fear of getting bored with this one, from the first action packed pages to the end, Murder in the Middle kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to solve it alongside Susan.

Part of what will keep readers coming back to this series is Susan herself. She's vividly written, as she tries to to solve the mystery and deal with real issues as well. Diane Weiner doesn't gloss over the life of a retired teacher, and Susan comes across as a real person.

I had a splendid time reading Murder in the Middle. It has a Murder She Wrote vibe to it, and as a long time fan of the show this is certainly a good thing. If you're looking for a good mystery series with a mature amateur sleuth, I strongly recommend this series.

Check out Murder in the Middle by Diane Weiner at Amazon.

Book Review: Murder Ties the Knot by Christy Fifield

Murder Ties the Knot takes us on a trip back to Keyhole Bay, Florida, where Glory is preparing for her friend, Karen's wedding. While the wedding preparations are proceedings Glory manages to tangle herself in a murder mystery again, when Beth, the lady who is making Karen's wedding quilt, goes missing and is accused of murder. Contending with a bridezilla and her own shop, Glory must find the time to find a killer too, before Beth and her husband spend a long time behind bars!

Snow is still falling in the great north of Canada, and I'm dreaming of a warm, sunny Spring. Taking a journey to Keyhole Bay, Florida, in Christy Fifield's latest book was the perfect adventure to get me in the mood for Spring.

I've enjoyed this series right from the beginning and I always love another adventure with Glory and her friends. However, I have to admit I rather have a soft-spot for her resident ghost, Uncle Louie, who speaks to her via the store parrot, Bluebird. It's always a hoot and a half joining the residents of Keyhole Bay on an adventure and this time it was no exception!

A wedding brings the best and worst out of everybody, especially with eclectic and interesting family visiting. Combine the double murder with this, and I absolutely couldn't put this story down. It was a thrill a minute as everyone gets ready for the big day and Glory tries to find a killer!

I think readers will be hard pressed to not like this series. It really does have something for everyone, from the ghost Uncle Louie to the strong friendship that binds Glory and her friends, the subtle, sweet romance and a thrilling mystery to solve. If you haven't taken a trip to Keyhole Bay take one today, because I'm sure, like me, you will be wanting to visit again and again.

Check out Murder Ties the Knot by Christy Fifield at Amazon.

Book Review: How to Catch a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale

How to Catch a Cat is the sixth book in the Cats and Curios Mysteries and see's Oscar's niece preparing for America's Cup race as her role as administrative assistant for the interim Mayor of San Francisco. Meanwhile Oscar is hunting down a killer, with a penchant for killing city workers, particularly interns, with deadly knitting needles. As Oscar sold the killer the antique needles he feels guilty and is determined to hunt her down before she strikes again! 

I like this series because it is a little unique and different. Oscar's niece is very rarely named, but that doesn't stop her being an integral part of each mystery, and doing her part to help solve each mystery! Of course she is "owned" by two cats, Isabella and Rupert, and they clearly steal the show as every cat is known to do!!

The mystery itself was very fascinating as being a knitter myself I found the murder weapon of choice quite disturbing, and the killer definitely re-defines the word "creepy". 

Part of the mystery entails a story going back to the 1700s, aboard a Spanish ship, with two cats very similar to Isabella and Rupert. I found this part of the story very fascinating and I liked how Rebecca M. Hale brought the two stories together.

How to Catch a Cat was a splendid, thrilling mystery, in what is already a enjoyable series. I would highly recommend this series to cat lovers, as the antics of Isabella and Rupert (and their Spanish counterparts) will keep you smiling right up until the last page.

Check out How to Catch a Cat by Rebecca M Hale at Amazon.

Audiobook Review: One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake

Carly Bell Hartwell lives in Hitching Post, Alabama, a town with the unique reputation of being the number one place couples go to get married. Her mama runs a local wedding chapel, and there is a lot of activity in town as a wealthy senator is in town for his son's upcoming wedding, due to take place at her mama's chapel. However, there is also plenty of activity at her own potions shop, when a old friend stops by. Carly hasn't seen Katie Sue (now Katherine) since she left town many years ago. However it seems that Katie Sue is back to cause trouble for the wealthy Calhoun's. When Katie Sue turns up dead Carly is determined to find a killer and let her friend rest in peace.

I've been a fan of Heather's writing since my days of reading the Lucy Valentine books. It's been a joy to watch her develop her writing range, and move onto the magical mysteries, by the way of the Magic Potion Mysteries and the Wishcraft Mysteries. Up until now, I've favored the Wishcraft Mysteries slightly more. With already four mysteries in the Wishcraft Mysteries (and a new release coming in May), I've been reading that series longer. However, after finishing One Potion in the Grave, I don't think I could pick a favorite between the two series anymore.

While I certainly enjoyed A Potion to Die For, One Potion in the Grave made me really love this series. Narrated by Carly Sue, we hear a story of a woman with a troubled past, that certainly didn't deserve to die before her time. Carly Sue is determined to find the killer, at all costs. For me, Carly is so real. She has a on-and-off again relationship with police officer, Dylan. Not all love is black and white, and Carly and Dylan certainly have a colorful history, including a burning chapel! She's passionate about her friends and family and confused about her relationship with Dylan, and one of the most delightful amateur sleuths I've read.

I loved the mystery in this story. While I did guess several aspects of the mystery, I was surprised by the final denouement. Heather Blake writes human nature and emotions and in this story she really taps into the dysfunctional family very well. 

One side story line that I loved was Carly's relationship with her cousin, Delia, who is the black to Carly's white, and they are a odd couple, but it is a joy watching them get closer. More than this, I loved Carly's relationship with her Aunt Margie. Margie is a riot. She shoots people for trespassing and uses a pitchfork to ward off unwanted guests. After an injury she ends up staying with Carly and it was fun watching them interact and their relationship grow stronger and closer.

With such an eclectic range of characters, readers will adore this series. It is full of characters that you will remember long after you've turned the last page, and fondly be looking forward to another visit to Hitching Post.

I listened to One Potion in the Grave on audio and I loved Carla Mercer-Meyer's narration. While I don't live in the south, her southern accent sounded authentic and she brought all the necessary emotion required to Carly, as she hunts down a killer, while mourning the loss of her friend. I hope she continues to narrate this series as I'm really enjoying the extra enjoyment she brings for me to this series.

Check out One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake on Amazon, Audible.

Giveaway: Win a Set of 6 Cozy Mysteries

It's Friday and it's time for another fabulous giveaway! This time I have six cozy mysteries to send off to someone's shelves.

One lucky winner will win: 

• A First Date with Death by Diana Orgain
• Horse of a Different Killer by Laura Morrigan
• Borrowed Crime by Laurie Cass
• Ladle to the Grave by Connie Archer
• AND two bonus March New Releases

What are the bonus books you ask? A surprise! I will say both bonus books were released in March by Penguin/Berkley Prime Crime and both feature cats on the covers!!

To enter:

1. Comment below with your email address

2. Giveaway is open to US/Canada and ends on March 25, 2015 at midnight.

3. The winner will be contacted via email.