Book Review: Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3 by Julie Chase

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase

A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3

Cozy Mystery 

Crooked Lane Books 

September 12, 2017

Hardcover: 320 pages 

ISBN-13: 978-1683312833 

E-Book ASIN: B06XVWR8Q9

About the Book:

Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, she’s busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique, helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle’s bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene—and the last person to see the victim alive was her own father.

It’s up to Lacy to clear her dad’s name from the suspect list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with her own secrets. And Lacy’s not the only one with bones in her closet.

My Review:

I'm going to start right out and let you all know that the Kitty Couture Mysteries Series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series' ever.  I love the author's writing style, the conversational tone with which she writes each book, and the her characters are a hoot.  

Upon delivery of a pet treat order, she finds out that the owner of the location of the delivery was found dead that morning; locked in a freezer.  Unfortunately, the last person to see the man alive is Lacy's veterinarian father, putting law enforcement's sights set on him.  Lacy knows she cannot just sit idly by even though Detective Jack Oliver is on the case.  He's extremely capable but this is Lacy's father.  She does some pretty dumb things in the book but I can't say I wouldn't do everything I could to help out my father if something like this happened.  

Cat Got Your Secrets is full of twists and turns as the author takes the reader on an adventure that opens up cans of worms in the lives of some of the more affluent members in the Garden District.  I love the background story of Lacy becoming more involved in society related events at the request (or demand) of her mother.  While, Lacy is from an affluent family in the New Orleans Garden District, she doesn't act like it. She is very down-to-earth and her character has been written wonderfully. She has the opportunity to never want for anything but she wants to make her own way in the world. Instead of falling back on family money, she worked hard to get through college and start her own business - a pet boutique. 

Oh, Detective Jack Oliver....be still thy fluttering heart. His character in this series is a fresh take on cozy mystery heroes. Sure, he's the standard potential love interest police officer but he's so much more. His banter with Lacy had me rooting for them through the entire book. The chemistry is spot on and can be felt by the reader.  His character has depth and emotion and he's oh, so patient with Lacy and her antics while trying to "help" solve crime.

Jack Oliver isn't the only potential love interest in Cat Got Your Secrets. Her friend Scarlet's brother-in-law, Chase Hawthorne, is back in town and has set his sights on Lacy. I still don't feel their chemistry like I do when Jack enters the picture. There's nothing particularly wrong with Chase but I just don't feel any of the right vibes when he's with Lacy. The sizzle and tension are non-existent; I actually get more of a brother-sister vibe from them (except when Chase mentions things about kissing Lacy). I'm giddy with delight at how things progress with the love interests though and can't wait for the next book.

I am still very impressed by the way the author was able to keep suspicion off of the true killer. I was none the wiser until the big reveal and didn't suspect a thing. The path to solving the murder was paved with several potential candidates that had means and motive. Bravo, Julie Chase, bravo!!

This was previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

Visit the Author's website;

Purchase Link: 

Amazon

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ New Year Nuisance (Holiday Cozy Mystery Book 4) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

ASIN: ‎ B0BDXS2GJV
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (January 26, 2023)
Publication Date: ‎ January 26, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 196 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

CELEBRATE GOOD CRIMES!

New Year's Eve has always been a special time for the small town, Holiday Junction, with its annual tradition, the Sparkle Ball, along with the town Merry Maker spreading joy and cheer to all its residents. But this year, the joy is short-lived when local nuisance and troublemaker, Hillary Stevens, is found murdered in holiday town’s mini-village.

As the town's resident nosy journalist, Violet Rhinehammer is determined to uncover the truth behind Hillary’s murder and bring the killer to justice. But her investigation is complicated by her own secret - she is the town Merry Maker, and must keep her identity hidden from Mae West, her best friend who is visiting for the festive town’s Sparkle Ball.

With suspects at every turn and a town full of secrets, Violet must use her keen investigative skills and determination to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. Will she be able to solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice, or will her own secret be her downfall?

New Year Nuisance is a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue, perfect for fans of small town crime novels. With well-developed characters and a twisting plot, this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

My Review:

New Year Nuisance is the fourth book in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series, a spin-off of the Camper and Criminals series. The spin-off is headlined by Normal's ace reporter Violet Rhinehammer. She exits Normal to move onto greener pastures and finds herself in a different small town. Book four finds the town of Holiday Junction preparing for their New Year's celebrations. As Violet continues to keep Junction Journal afloat and tend to her civic duties, a local is found dead in the mini-village. Now Violet, and a special guest are on the case.

I love it when Tonya Kappes unites, or in this case reunites, characters from a different series.  Having Mae visit Violet in Holiday Junction was a fantastic blending that I hope we see more of in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series. Violet and Mae really had to put their heads together on this one. 

New Year Nuisance is a fun and quick read. I enjoyed Violet and Mae together in this book. My love for Violet's character continues to grow as the series progresses. I love continuing to get to know everyone in Holiday Junction. We get to meet a lot of interesting people and learn how important holidays are in this town. The mystery was well thought out and I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was or why until the author reveals everything. I was shocked. Definitely looking forward to the next book.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ In the Wick of Time (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones ~ #CozyMystery ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery

In the Wick of Time (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones

About In The Wick Of Time:

 

In the Wick of Time (Magic Candle Shop Mystery)

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Setting: Savannah, Georgia

Crooked Lane Books (October 17, 2023)

Hardcover: ‎288 pages

ISBN-10: 1639105077

ISBN-13: 978-1639105076

Digital ASIN: ‎B0BSKWTKZN

Amazon

Tabby Winslow will help her twin sister Sage with anything and everything—and that includes putting out the flames of suspicion when Sage’s boss is found murdered in this magical mystery, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Sofie Kelly.

December in Savannah, Georgia, is a sight to behold. With all the festivities—including the traditional riverfront luminary display during the boat parade—twin sisters Tabby and Sage Winslow are busier than ever setting up for the big celebration. But that isn’t the only thing on the sisters’ minds. Both Sage and her fellow employee Mary Nicole are vying for the sought-after assistant manager job at the plant nursery. But when Loren Lee, their boss, is found dead, and Sage becomes the police’s favorite suspect, both Winslow girls know that they’ll need more than a flicker of magic and their sisterhood to solve the murder and clear Sage’s name.

Soon, Tabby realizes that this is just one of the many problems they have. If being a suspect for murder wasn’t enough, there are more magical problems that they have to fix: Sage’s boyfriend is having a paranormal experience of his own he can’t control, there’s an energy vampire searching for his supposedly lost cousin, her cat suddenly dislikes her, and oh—every time Tabby hiccups, she turns completely invisible. The suspect list grows with each day and it seems everyone has a reason or a connection to Loren Lee.

Tabby and Sage are burning the candle at both ends—but will it be enough to keep their friends safe and find this killer? Or will they be burned by their efforts?

My Review: 

In the Wick of Time is the second book in the cozy mystery series, Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Sage and Tabby Winslow are twins who co-own The Book and Candle Shop. They are exact opposites, which tends to happen with siblings, twins or not. 

Sage also works for All Good Things Nursery. When her boss is found dead, Sage becomes suspect number one. Tabby and Sage start digging into the case because they know Sage didn't commit the crime.

I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, along with the rest of the characters. The story was enjoyable, and both the cover and the blurb brought me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Witch's Tail by Melanie Snow #Paranormal #CozyMystery ~ The Spellwood Witches, Book One

Her mentor died fighting to save an enchanted forest.

Can she solve his murder before she’s bewitched?

Witch’s Tail

The Spellwood Witches

Book One

Melanie Snow

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Spirit Paw Press, LLC

Date of Publication: September 8, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-7324375-6-2

Number of pages: 220

Word Count: 46,311

Cover Artist: Molly Burton

Amazon

About the Book:

Can she awaken her dormant powers and stop a desperate killer destroying the forest?

Sarah Spellwood feels she’s hit bottom. Divorced and jobless, she relocates to the enchanting village of Witchland intent on solving the murder of her late mentor. But as she pursues clues buried in the man’s fight to save the endangered forest-dwelling lynx, she makes an enemy of a ruthless land developer.

Encountering fairies in the woods, Sarah discovers she’s been repressing unique gifts passed down from her ancestor and founding witch, Lativia Spellwood. But though she can now hear her deceased friend’s dog speak, she isn’t sure her abilities are enough to expose the greed and corruption covering a killer’s lies.

Can Sarah work with the magical beings to bring a murderer to justice?

Witch’s Tail is the charming first book in the light-hearted The Spellwood Witches cozy mystery series. If you like paranormal puzzles, delightful canine companions, and environmental enlightenment, then you’ll love Melaine Snow’s wagging-ly fun whodunit.

Buy Witch’s Tail to set a snare for an assassin today!

My Review:

Sarah is a descendant of Lativia Spellwood, founder of Witchland. After Sarah's life falls apart in New York she finds herself back in Witchland, New Hampshire. She's taking over the law business of her mentor, whose death occurred under mysterious circumstances. As she settles in, she also tries to figure out the death, while fighting with a land developer bent on destroying the magical forest surrounding Witchland.

Witch's Tail is a cute, witchy cozy mystery. I loved the characters and Sarah's determination to find out how her mentor died. Her ancestry may include witches, but Sarah was not prepared for fairies, talking dogs, or the awakening of her magical gifts. She took everything in stride, even though there was a bit of disbelief.

Sarah is a strong character. She takes her responsibilities as a lawyer seriously and puts her training to good use. Following in her mentor's footsteps, she goes toe-to-toe with an unscrupulous land developer. She perseveres but not without difficulties. As she tries to uncover what really happened to her mentor, Sarah also faces a barrage of attacks from an unknown assailant. I enjoyed the pacing of the book and the author's storytelling.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery by Katherine H. Brown ~ #CozyMystery

Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery by Katherine H. Brown

 

Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Independently Published (January 17, 2022)

Print Length: ‎ 36 pages

Digital ASIN: ‎ B09QMRXW4T

Amazon

 

About Costumes & Cadavers:

Nobody ever plans to be the death of the party. 

Party guests congratulate Charity Basham, owner of Sassy Supplies Crafts & More, on the scariness of her backyard skeleton decoration. Unfortunately, Charity didn't put out any skeleton decorations. 

With the discovery of a dead body, her Halloween party turns into a nightmare. With her fingerprints (and some white cat fur) are all over the murder weapon, Charity finds herself at the top of the suspect list. 

Can she clear her name before the dishy Detective Sota arrests her for murder?

My Review:

Costumes and Cadavers is a short cozy mystery story. The book wastes no time setting up a murder mystery. Sassy Supplies Crafts & More shop owner Charity Basham is hosting a Halloween party. The discovery of a dead body in her garden puts a damper on the festivities.

This short story is enjoyable and is a very quick read. Costumes & Cadavers is a fast-paced murder mystery. I was engaged in the captivating story, characters, and mystery. If you've got a few minutes, grab Costumes & Cadavers for a hauntingly good time.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Saph's Cozy Corner.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Candle With Care: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery #CozyMystery

Candle With Care: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

4th in Series Setting - Georgia

Publisher: Muddle House (February 11, 2025)

Print length: ‎ 290 pages

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0DT2GB9BD

Purchase Link: Amazon

About Candle With Care:

Amateur sleuth and candle maker Tabby Winslow and her twin sister, Sage, are finally making a go of The Book and Candle Shop. It seems like the only heat they’ll feel this June is from the strong sunshine in Savannah, Georgia. Then their acquaintance Detective Sharmila Belfor is gravely injured in a vehicular assault and is in a coma. Cops turn the city upside down searching for the offender, keying in on the detective’s boyfriend Herbert R Ellis, her felon cousin, and her case files. Fearing the police are looking at the wrong people, Herbert begs Tabby to investigate. He knows what most don’t, that Tabby has psychic abilities that allow her to home in on emotions and motives. Since he’s a lifelong friend of Dr. Quig Quigsly, Tabby’s fiancé, she agrees. But before she finds answers, Sage’s former coworker is murdered, and her twin pleads with Tabby to find the killer. With dead ends at every turn, Tabby fears the city’s troubles are paranormal in origin. By investigating the crimes, she risks exposure of the way her family manipulates energy and uses other psychic talents. Keeping a low profile is essential. Meanwhile, Quig’s parents are throwing them a black-tie engagement party in two weeks, and Tabby is burning the candle at both ends. Can Tabby end the crime wave and protect her loved ones before she is quenched?

My Review:

Candle with Care is the fourth wonderful book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Tabby and Sage are running The Book and Candle Shop. Sage is also running a farmer's market type event in front of their store to sell plants. "Sage of Plants" has been a huge hit. Amid their success though, is a town fraught with danger. One of their detectives is a assaulted in a what appears to be attempted vehicular homicide and a dear friend of Sage's is murdered.

I love the characters in this series. I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, as well as Quiq, along with the rest of the characters. The story was enjoyable, and the cover and the blurb got me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex. This series is amazing.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Tallowed Ground: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery ~ #Paranormal #CozyMystery

Tallowed Ground: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones

 

Tallowed Ground: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Setting: Georgia

Publisher: ‎ Muddle House Publishing (September 10, 2024)

Digital Print Length: ‎ 269 pages 

ASIN: ‎ B0D9HLPS2W

Amazon

About Tallowed Ground: 

When a killer props his third and latest victim against the double tombstone of Tabby and Sage Winslow’s grandparents’ grave in Savannah, Georgia, the psychic twins are stunned. Even worse, the victim is the very man they filed a restraining order against a few months ago for trashing their book and candle shop. Coincidence...or a connection? Then a clue about the murders points to Tabby’s career as a candlemaker. Now, she is the number one suspect in the killing spree.

The twins investigate all three victims, finding little that might tie the cases together besides where the bodies were found—in or near Bonaventure Cemetery, a beautiful 100-acre historic graveyard with a storied past. Then Tabby’s Medical Examiner boyfriend is mysteriously pulled from the case, with his dream job in jeopardy. The situation reaches a flashpoint when new evidence points to Tabby. With her freedom and the family business in jeopardy, Tabby and Sage match their wits and psychic abilities against the wily killer.

That is, until Tabby’s spirited inquiry lands her in the worst kind of trouble. Can Tabby clear her name before the fiend snuffs her flame…for good?

My Review:

Tallowed Ground is the third book in the cozy mystery series, The Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Sage and Tabby Winslow are twins who co-own The Book and Candle Shop. They are exact opposites, which tends to happen with siblings, twins or not. 

Bodies keep appearing in the cemetery where Sage and Tabby’s grandparents are buried. When the third and latest body is propped up against their tombstone, and the body identified, Savannah’s finest make themselves at home in The Book and Candle Shop. Clues continue to point to Tabby, and the police are relentless in their pursuit of her as the serial killer. Tabby is running out of time to protect herself, her family, and prove she’s not the murderer.

I love the characters in this series. I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, along with the rest of the characters. The story was enjoyable, and the cover and the blurb got me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

 

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.