Shock and Paw : A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Shock and Paw 
A Cat Cafe Mystery
Cate Conte
St. Martin's Paperbacks

This is book eight of the series. Christmas, cozy, and exotic cats, what more could you possibly need. This holiday season Cat Cafe Mystery has all the great cozy feels that one has come to expect from Cate Conte. This is a festive and feline centered mystery that makes me want to find a cat cafe. A great cast of characters and plenty of suspects to keep you turning the pages while at the same time wondering why the city council has a contract with a guy who doesn't seem very handy. Enjoyable as always and I can't wait to read the next one.

Spirited Blend : A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery - Lauren Elliott

 Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Spirited Blend : A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery
Lauren Elliott
Kensington Books

Book three of the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS series starts with multiple mysteries including the threat of Shay’s father, Doyle, being seen in town and the machinations of the false friend, Madame Malvina, putting Shay, Liam, and his cousin Conor on the offensive. At the center of the story is Cora Sutton, the Mayor’s wife, who learns that she and Shay share an ancestor from Ireland, Biddy Early. Biddy was known as a healer and the owner of a magical blue bottle that disappeared when Biddy died. Against Shay’s advice, Cora tells anyone and everyone and her family tree, even hinting that she may even have the mysterious and mythical blue bottle. The very bottle that contains the blue diamond which is secretly hanging around Shay’s neck and acts to amplify and focus Shay’s abilities. Shay does a tea reading that shows misfortune on the horizon. Surely Doyle is responsible for the death. If not him, then Madame Malvina has to have had a hand in it.

 

Shay is learning to trust her abilities but alas, it did not prepare her for the new neighbors, Brad, her no good, cheating, thief of an ex-husband and his wife, Shay’s ex-friend, Angela, the assistant who stole her husband, money, and reputation. So, mystery number two causing Shay angst is trying to figure out why on earth would those two move from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Bray Harbor, California and move in right next to Shay. 

The last mystery of this book is trying to figure out why and how former San Francisco detective Liam is as thick as a 4x4 plank of wood, just ask his Irish Gran. Shay is so well written that I have felt the frustration right along with her as Liam “parades” woman after woman past her and even has the numbskull nerve to ask her for dating advice. ARGGGGGGG.  

Once again, Lauren Elliott has crafted a wonderful cozy that has a touch of magic, a slow burn romance, wonderful character growth, a tea house, a furry and Spirited friend, and a bit of folklore. I was captivated by the ups and downs and completely thrown off by the red herrings. Tassi seems to be developing a bit of intuition, perhaps this will be developed as well. While this is a stand-alone and part of an overall story, there is plenty of plot development and shared history. This story arc is far from over and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Elliott brings us next.

Dead Post Society: A House Flipper Mystery by Diane Kelly

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Dead Post Society: A House Flipper Mystery
Diane Kelly
Minotaur Books

Book 7 in the House Flipper series is just as good as the six that preceded it. While looking over the grounds of a dilapidated boarding school, house flipper and carpenter Whitney convinces her cousin and business partner Buck to purchase and flip the very sad and run-down headmaster's home, a once grand Victorian with good bones.   A house with good bones, but bad and tragic history, and Whitney can't help but to get caught up in the cold case involving a murder-suicide when she finds a bullet lodged in a cracked porch post. 

The mystery drew me in every bit as much as it drew in Whitney. The story just didn't add up and there were plenty of suspects, including one very psychotic former TV personality who really should not be allowed to work with the public. There were some great clues laid out and some good attempts to misdirect. Whitney does a great job with both internet research and (steel-toed) boots on the ground pounding the pavement clue hunting. Plenty of suspects in plenty of places to keep us guessing. Oh and one more fun aspect of the book is that we get the point of view for Sawdust, Whitney's sweet kitty. Sawdust has been a hero more than once in the past.

Highly enjoyable plot great and diverse characters. I am a big fan of sleuths who work well with local law enforcement and vice versa. Whitney is married to a cop who supports her sleuthing not that he doesn't worry about her safety as they make plans for their future. I am making plans to make the Lemon Pistachio Orzo Salad to share with family thanks to the recipe at the conclusion of the story.