DEAD IN PARADISE… Key West is paradise–unless you’re the dead woman in the Toucan Suite. The Hemingway cats, Megs and Bartholomew, who wander the grounds of the B&B, think Liberty Anderson was a spy. But spying on whom? And why? Trouble, the black cat detective, must decipher their cryptic communications and piece together a motive for murder.Ginger Browne runs the B&B on a shoestring. … shoestring. The Paradise is her home, her history, and her refuge. An unsolved murder could be the kiss of death for this native Conch’s struggle for financial and emotional security.
Trout Richardson is one of the many recluses who came to Key West to escape his past and work as a charter boat captain. Was Liberty merely a charter to him? Or is there more to their relationship?
Both Trout and Ginger resist their mutual attraction, but Trouble knows they’re on an irreversible course toward love and redemption. Trouble must help them resolve the mystery of Liberty’s murder and steer them down the path toward each other.
All while a killer roams the island paradise of the Conch Republic and a lost treasure is up for grabs.
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I love the black cat and the solid mystery. There’s just enough romance. Barrett has a way with quirky characters.
I enjoyed Trouble in Paradise. The mystery was interesting and has many twists and turns that keep you guessing. The characters are interesting. I love Trouble! He is wonderful.
Trouble’s human Tammy Lee, is off on a cruise. She leaves Trouble with her friend Ginger who owns a delightful Bed and Breakfast called Paradise. If you’ve been reading these books along with me you’ll know that Trouble is the son of a famous cat detective named Familiar, and he appears to have the same skills.
When Charter Captain Trout Richardson shows up looking for the woman who booked his boat, Ginger finds her guest, Liberty Anderson, deceased on her bed. Not a very good way to start a day in Paradise.
As the investigation begins, Trouble of course is in the middle of everything. I really love that every chapter begins with Trouble’s musings or interactions.
This tale gets more intriguing as you turn the pages. Adding to the murder there is also the occupant of the ‘Bird Cage’ room that keeps expecting phone calls. Plus some someone is looking for something, causing even more havoc for poor Ginger.
Fast-paced and fun with intrigue and suspense, plus some romance aided by Trouble as well.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Paradise, Murder, Secrets, and Trouble
Trouble in Paradise by Rebecca Barrett is a fun mystery. I loved the setting, the characters and learning a bit about the Hemingway Cats. Trouble is staying with Ginger at the Paradise B&B in Key West while Tammy Lynn takes a cruise.
Ginger
Likes
• Lovely disposition, very friendly
• Energetic
• Great hostess, baker, and cook
• Intelligent, she has a solid business plan
Dislikes
Ginger is a great character. I didn’t see anything that would make me dislike her.
Trout
Likes
• Keeps to himself
• Honorable and trustworthy
• Seems to be a good judge of people
• He realized that he wasn’t happy in his previous life and made a huge change that has worked out for the better.
Dislikes
He drinks too much, but he is trying to control it, and as the story moves we can see the changes in him.
Mystery
There are a couple of mysteries going on here, with a few red herrings. There was lots of chaos going on at the Paradise B&B and even more secrets surrounding the guests staying there.
However, I adored the Hemingway cats, Mitzi Gaynor/Megs and Lou Costello/Bartholomew. The way they weren’t impressed with Trouble and confused him with their strange banter was terrific.
Trouble was a little off on the mystery and didn’t catch the killer until the bipeds figured it out. I think there were too many things going on for him. Although, he did figure out one of the mysteries.
5 Stars for Trouble in Paradise by Rebecca Barrett
My rating for Trouble in Paradise by Rebecca Barrett is five stars. I adored the story, mystery, characters, romance, and Trouble. I enjoyed learning about Key West which sounds beautiful. I was also fun to take the tour of Hemmingway House with Ginger. I liked the way history was woven in with this contemporary story.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Trouble in Dixie by Rebecca Barrett.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book on your site. ~Jen
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5.0 out of 5 starsThis cozy is the perfect blend of who-dunnit mystery and romance
By Claire LeNoir on May 22, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Utterly charming! This cozy is the perfect blend of who-dunnit mystery and romance, set in the lush tropical Key West, and featuring Trouble, the black cat detective. “Trouble in Paradise” is Rebecca Barrett’s second book in the multi-author series featuring Trouble, the black cat detective, and it’s a grand addition to the series. The leading lady, Ginger, is a Key West Conch, running a Bed and Breakfast handed down the female lineage from her grandmother. One of her female guests turns up dead, but it’s never really clear (till the climax that is) why, or even if she was the intended victim. Hemingway cats with their seven paws feature big in the story, as do the environs of Key West. A psychologist turned fishing guide, nickname of Trout, offers a helping hand to Ginger, but his mysterious past is cause for concern not just for Ginger, but for the police detective on the case. A French literary agent, an overweight rich man, an angry ex-wife, a box of ashes, a hidden attaché case, a Cuban with a wayward gymnast daughter, and a savvy collector of valuable items all add to the intrigue. But Trouble is the star, and this time he has two Hemingway cats—Megs and Bartholomew—to either help or hinder in his investigation. This is a fun book, complexly plotted, with compelling characters, and the writing is wonderfully well done. Thank you, Rebecca.