Julie Chase is back with her fourth delightful Kitty Couture mystery, perfect for fans of Rita Mae Brown and Blaize Clement.With a pet pageant around the corner and a killer unleashed, Lacy will have to collar the culprit before the claws come out.Lacy Marie Crocker can hardly believe it’s been a year since her return home to New Orleans. There hasn’t been a dull moment since opening her pet … moment since opening her pet boutique last summer, and thanks to the popularity of Lacy’s organic pet treats, and the arrival of the National Pet Pageant, Lacy desperately needs some help before she is overrun by the demand for pupcakes and crinolines.
The entire Garden District seems to be counting the minutes until opening night of the pet pageant and everything is going spectacularly until Viktor Petrov, the pageant emcee takes a spill from the balcony during dress rehearsal. All signs points to murder and homicide detective Jack Oliver sets his eyes on Eva Little, one of Lacy’s committee sisters and the only other person on the balcony at the time of the fall, as the killer. But when it comes out that Viktor was notoriously rude, the doors blow wide open with potential suspects who could’ve wanted him dead.
Lacy’s determined to find the killer and exonerate Eva, but when Lacy receives a mysterious warning—a plush kitty from Lacy’s shop with its mouth crudely stitched over—it’s clear that she’s been found first. Full with killer recipes for your pet, Cat Got Your Crown is Julie Chase’s uproarious fourth Kitty Couture mystery.
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Lacy Marie Crocker was already busy running her pet boutique and bakery called The Furry Godmother when her mother enlisted her help for the National Pet Pageant, that was being hosted by her hometown of New Orleans. She grabbed her pink tool box to help with any costume disasters need. With her work at her store and the costume repair, Lacy began to feel like this has become a never-ending job!
As Lacy was about to leave for her lunch break with her favorite detective, the Pageant’s Emcee, Victor Petrov, falls to his death from the balcony above and practically lands on Lacy. At this point, Lacy is ready to toss the designer costumes and head back to her boutique. As the clues begin to unwind like a spool of her thread, Lacy finds herself caught up in the mystery. Will she be able to sniff out the killer? Or, will the killer find her first?
Julie Chase, is a talented author, that brings you in and along with the mystery. With her descriptions of the city of New Orleans, one can imagine being there right along with her main character. As Lacy uncovers the clues, various suspects emerge. I had a difficult time figuring out who killed Viktor Petrov! Fans will enjoy this entertaining mystery. Thank you to #NetGalley for providing this book for my review.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The National Pet Pageant has finally come to New Orleans and Lacy Marie Crocker is right in the middle of everything. She is on hand to help with all the pets apparel with her trusty pink toolbox filled with fabric, thread, lace, sequins and even a tiara or two. She is also working on a new recipe that pets and their owners can share and baking pupcakes and pet couture to keep the shelves and racks full at her pet boutique, The Furry Grandmother.
Rehearsals at the pageant are barking right along and then the emcee takes a header right off the balcony. Viktor Petrov didn’t fall though, he was pushed. Detective Jack Oliver and Lacy were side by side and witnessed the entire thing. Lacy also noticed a woman on the balcony. Eva Little, one of Lacy’s mother’s friends. She becomes the prime suspect but it isn’t long before more suspects come to light. With a firm nudge from her mother and to the frustration of Jack, Lacy starts snooping. But the killer is on her trail warning her to back-off or else.
These characters are so much fun. Everyone is engaging and fleshed out. Again Lacy has a lot of weight on her shoulders. She has had two men vying for her attention, but in this one, Jack seems to be the one winning her heart which makes me super happy. I have been Team Jack for a while. But attorney Chase Hawthorne is also at the pageant. He has found many pet owners need lawyers in times of divorce to set up ownership and visitation of those furry loved ones. The client that brought him to the event has a very interesting doggie that keeps Chase on his toes.
Lacy’s over the top mother is in charge of making the National Pet Pageant run smoothly along with her committee. She expects perfection not only in the event but right down to what her committee members are wearing. Lacy isn’t always on the same page but she does her best to cater to her mother’s every whim. He father is the calming force that is needed a time or two. Lacy’s former nanny, Imogene, tries to stay on top of everything at the boutique but she is running herself ragged with all the extra business from the pageant. We are introduced to a new character, Willow, she seems to fit right in. I really enjoy the dialogue between the characters. There are serious conversations but some are laugh out loud funny.
There is so much happening in this story but it never seems overwhelming. The pace is quick. The mystery has many twists and turns and is very well plotted. I was totally all over the place when it came to the murderer. The red herrings throughout definitely worked on me.
I loved this story and the animal antics never fail to grab me. Lacy’s cat Penelope riding around on her Roomba always cracks me up. This time a dog had me almost rolling on the floor laughing. The humans are funny too. There is a bit of magic this time, I mean they are in New Orleans, but I not sure how I feel about that yet. I have to see where the author takes this idea.
I encourage you to read the series from the start in order if it is new to you. They have all been perfect escapes for me.
The quintessential cozy mystery – a murder mystery, a bit of romance, cute pets and a heroine who just can’t stay out of trouble all set against the wealth and lushness of the Garden District of New Orleans – this book has it all. Glad the romance triangle is resolved – not a fan of those. And a great conclusion in this book – dramatic and suspenseful! Not a complex story, just an easy and enjoyable read which I would highly recommend to fans of this genre.
Loved, loved, loved!!!! So happy to see a return book in this series. The National Pet Pageant is in town and the MC suddenly falls to his death right in front of Lacey and Detective Oliver. Lacey gets caught up in investigating and receives numerous threats. This was a fun read that kept you guessing. Hoping for more books in this fun series and more of Lacey and Detective Oliver’s relationship!!
Cat Got Your Crown by Julie Chase is book 4 in the Kitty Couture Mystery series. It could be read as a stand alone as, Ms Chase does a great job getting you up to date.
When the National Pet Pageant comes to New Orleans it brings bribery and murder and Lacy is right in the middle of it.
This book has it all. Plenty of plot twists to keep you wondering, romance, family, wonderful characters, a great setting, and a hint of magic. There is even a bit of humor. This is an easy read cozy.
I was given an ARC from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an honest review.
Cat Got Your Crown is my first book my this author but the fourth in this series. I did not have any trouble keeping up with the story or confusing the characters. While I am probably missing a little background, the mystery takes prominence in the story and moves quickly with an endless supply of suspects. Lacy has been back in town around a year and has her pet boutique running smoothly. While working at National Pet Pageant her mother is planning, Lacy witnesses the emcee fall to his death. All evidence point to murder and Lacy’s friend Eva looks good for the crime. Welding threats, a crush on the sexy policeman, and a best friend that everyone thinks is more, Lacy stumbles her way to solving a crime and makes a new friend along the way. Light hearted and fast paced, the story hits the right spots for a fun, slightly romantic but highly enjoyable cozy mystery.
Murder at a Pet Talent Show
A popular and famous pet talent show comes to New Orleans and brings murder and chaos with it. While this is the 4th episode in this series, it stands alone very well. While prior episodes are mentioned, it is just enough to inform the new reader without being tedious. It made this new reader want to read all of the prior books! This was quite the fun read. The animals and their owners are terrific. The plot with all of its twists and turns keeps the reader guessing. There seems to be no stopping the action! A brief pause for a little romance or family fun and then something more happens. This book is just the right length to have plenty of story development and detail and not go on forever. I want to read I received this book for free and this is my honest review.
Lacy runs the “Furry Godmother” and store that caters to pets and their pet parents. It’s quirky and fun just like Lacy. Now Lacy’s Mom has roped her into helping with a Pet Pageant. Lacy helps with the costumes. That all changes when the MC for the pageant is killed. Lacy not only becomes a judge in the pageant, but she is also investigating the murder. This book make New Orleans sound fun and beautiful. I have never been there, but it makes me want to visit. The story moves along as Lacy keeps sticking her nose in where it doesn’t belong and she keeps getting threats. Jack, Lacy’s homicide detective is right there trying to keep Lacy save. Very fun.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
The has easily become one of my favorite series, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. The characters (both human and pet) are a delight to read about. The mystery is well-written and plotted. There are several well placed red herrings to keep the reader engaged. The secondary story about Lacy and Jack’s relationship is developing nicely. Also, the secondary story about the new character Willow was very entertaining. This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery or part of the series.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.