Visiting author Winnifred Westminster turns up dead after a speaking engagement at Coffee Cat Books where she tells those in attendance the story of the very real murder her book is based on. A murder she assures them that local law enforcement were never able to solve, but after years of research, she assured them she’d found the answer they couldn’t. During the speaking engagement, Winnie tells … tells the story of the murder but doesn’t share the ending. She tells the group that they will have to buy the book if they want to see how it all turns out. When Winnie turns up dead, Cait and Tara suspect that someone must have wanted to prevent her from telling the end of the story and unveiling a secret that the killer obviously doesn’t want revealed.
Cait and the gang set out to solve not one but two murders amongst homecoming festivities and a Halloween celebration.
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A Whale of a Tail
Whales and Tails Mystery, Book #18
Kathi Daley
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Visiting author Winnifred Westminster turns up dead after a speaking engagement at Coffee Cat Books where she tells those in attendance the story of the very real murder her book is based on. A murder she assures them that local law enforcement were never able to solve, but after years of research, she assured them she’d found the answer they couldn’t. During the speaking engagement, Winnie tells the story of the murder but doesn’t share the ending. She tells the group that they will have to buy the book if they want to see how it all turns out. When Winnie turns up dead, Cait and Tara suspect that someone must have wanted to prevent her from telling the end of the story and unveiling a secret that the killer obviously doesn’t want revealed.
Cait and the gang set out to solve not one but two murders amongst homecoming festivities and a Halloween celebration. (Goodreads)
Review:
The mysteries are well plotted and carried on well throughout the entire book. As is typical from this author, there is more than one mystery to solve. One is who killed the author, Winnifred, and the other is who killed Amy, a girl that was murdered years ago. At first look, it seems as if the murders are related, but are they or not?
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The authors is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I like how Cait and her family and friends are so close knit and you can tell how much they love each other. It is great how Cait and Cody’s relationship has grown, just like in real life.
I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. I cannot wait to see what Cait and Cody get into next.
The whole “Scooby gang” gets involved when an author is murdered after presenting a talk at Coffee Cats Books. Cait’s younger sister brings up the idea that being connected to this cat rescue slash bookstore coffee shop is turning out to be a dangerous proposition. Still, she has no plans to leave the island even though she is turning age 21.
Plenty of party planning is going on, with the approach of Halloween and Homecoming, along with Cassie’s birthday. The brothers’ bar seems to be doing well.
The murdered author taunted readers at her latest book signings that she had solved a fifteen year old true crime which originated on their very island. Is her murder a direct result of that knowledge?
It seems it might be, when Finn also disappears while investigating.
Lots of tense moments, caused not only by a murder that hits close to home, but also by memories and secrets brought back to the surface when former high school graduates return to the island.
This book can be read as a stand alone, but faithful readers of this series will adore Watson, the magical cat, and his low key contributions to solving the crimes.
“A Whale of a Tail” earns 5/5 Cold Case Conundrums…Engaging Page-Turner!
Exciting Eighteen! Coffee Cat Books is hosting the Tuesday night Mystery Lovers Book Club with acclaimed mystery writer Winifred Westminster as a guest speaker. Her new novel focusing on a fifteen-year-old cold case residents of Madrona Island are sad to remember. She had known a very young Amy Anderson and was her deeply saddened to learn Amy had been brutally murdered at a high-school homecoming after party. Winnie write a novel about the case, but the shocker is her pronouncement that she knows what happened…she knows who killed Amy. When deputy Finn, Cait’s brother-in-law, finds out Winnie professes to know the identity of the killer, he is very curious why she didn’t come to the police. He heads out to talk directly to Winnie about her evidence, but you guessed it, Winnie is dead!
This is one of my favorite Kathi Daley series! I really enjoy the entanglements caused by reopening an unsolved murder case and subsequent crimes to keep the secret from the public, and here Kathi Daley has done it well creating an intriguing mystery with several possible suspects along with motives including jealousies, secrets, and some teenage antics the adults would like kept in the past. Cait and her BFF both knew the victim as well as Cait’s brother and husband. Their insights into the whereabouts and alibis of the suspects made this somewhat personal. The final reveal…intriguing and thrilling twists I didn’t see coming, but it still turns out with “justice for all.” Kathi’s signature well-written style includes vivid descriptions, holiday festivities (Halloween in July was fun), dialogue to illustrate tone and personalities, and lots of “fur” friends to enjoy, with the feline sidekick finding a forever home. This entertaining series is well-worth reading, and despite so much having happened over the eighteen books, newbies can start here and join in without being at a disadvantage…Don’t miss out!
Love this series and any series written by this author. Looking forward to the next book she writes.
Kathi Daley has done it again. This book was so entertaining that I could not put it down once I started reading. The twists and false leads were constant and kept the story flowing and me guessing. Love the idea of the magical cats helping with Cait’s investigations. Watson certainly stole the show and the hearts of everyone he met. The Coffee Cat Books store is a great place to visit. The idea of having stray cats available for adoption at the store is a fun concept.
The Scooby gang is again trying to solve another case. You need to read this series to enjoy the pleasure of reading one of Kathi Daley’s stories. All cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this book.
A Whale of a Tail is book eighteen in the Whales and Tails Mystery series. This was another great story in this series. Cait and the gang never fail to capture my attention. Definitely worth the read!
What do you do when the author who just spoke at your bookstore is found dead, murdered? Winnie is an author who spoke to a group of book lovers at Cait and Tara’s bookstore and left everyone wanting to know more. She told her story, one that included a young girl who ended up being murdered at a high school party. At the end of her dialogue she says she knows who the killer is but everyone will have to wait until the book comes out to learn the answer. Cait isn’t really shocked by the murder but knows that she will do whatever she can to find a murderer. Cait and the gang think that both deaths are related and look at them as a whole. Whoever killed the girl must have heard what Winnie said and killed her to keep her from revealing their identity. The list of suspects is long and with having to go back so many years to look at the first death things aren’t going to be easy. Will the cat that has entered the picture be of help in solving these mysteries or will this one be a dud. Follow the twists and turns that their investigation takes and be shocked by its to do outcome. In the end can they find the killer and answer the question of why did you feel the need to murder?
Cait and her group along with the help of a truly interesting cat set out to solve two murder mysteries – one recent and one cold case – that will lead the reader on an intriguing journey of the ins and outs of whodunit and why. Excellent mystery that will keep you guessing with some very interesting characters. Definitely one you don’t want to miss if you love cozy mysteries. Highly recommend.
A Whale of a Tail is the 18th episode in the Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery series. Kathi Daley writes yet another magnificent installment in this cozy mystery series, filled with all the elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, romance, humor, love, friends and family, and a sense of community.
This story takes place on Madrona Island, an island near Washington state, a week before Halloween. Caitlin Hart West, who owns the bookstore/coffee shop Coffee Cat Books with her best friend, Tara O’Brian, introduces a guest speaker, mystery author Winifred Westminster, to the Tuesday night Mystery Lovers Book Club event. Winnie announces that she plans to release a new book this Christmas based on the real life unsolved murder which occurred almost 15 years ago of Amy Anderson, a Madrona Island high school student. Soon after this announcement, Winnie is found dead. A slew of suspects quickly emerge and secrets from the past are revealed. Despite numerous distractions that occupy her time, Cait works with her friends and family, and the magical cat, Watson, to uncover the murderer.
Ms. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read. I look forward to reading the next chapter in Cait’s and Cody’s life.
A Whale of a Tail ( Whales and Tails Mystery book 18 )
By: Kathi Daley
A Whale of a Tail is book eighteen in Whales and Tails Mystery Series. This is a good, clean , cozy mystery. I was drawn in at the start and did not want to put it down. I was not disappointed. Loved the story and the characters. A visiting author speaks at The Coffee Cat Books about a book she has written. It is based on a murder that happened several years back and no one solved it. She tells everyone that she knows who the killer was, but not telling . They would have to read her book. Cait and the Scooby gang has their hands full with a cold case and a new murder. Are they related? Did the same person do both? Will Cait get any help from a mystery cat this time. The author keeps you guessing till the end.
A Whale of a Tail is the eighteenth book in Kathi Daley’s awesome Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery series. The well-written storyline flows smoothly, and the red herrings and the twists and turns kept me engaged and guessing. This is a fun and clean read, and the affable characters are well developed. There’s an emphasis on caring and compassion, not only for family and friends but for the entire community as well. I highly recommend all Ms. Daley’s books to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery.
Caitlin “Cait” Hart and Cody West have settled into married life. Cody is spending some time with his mom in Florida, and Cait is looking forward to his return. Cait and Tara O’Brian, her business partner and best friend, are hosting an author speaking engagement at Coffee Cat Books. Everyone is shocked when the author, Winnifred “Winnie” Westminster, announces that her upcoming book will reveal the identity of the person who murdered a local teenager, Amy Anderson, during a party fifteen years ago. Concerned for the author’s safety, Cait and Tara told Cait’s brother-in-law, Deputy Ryan Finnegan, about Winnie’s big announcement, and he decided to pay her a visit immediately. When he arrived at the house she was staying in, the front door was partially open. Sadly, when he entered the house, she was lying on the floor in the living room floor, with a bullet in her chest. Cait and the Scooby Gang join forces and, with the help of a beautiful longhaired brown cat named Watson that Tansy sent to her, start snooping around and asking questions in an effort to figure out not only who murdered Winnie Westminster, but also find out what happened to Amy Anderson fifteen years ago. Meanwhile, Cait, her family, and Tara are preparing for a homecoming after-party following the game on Saturday, Cassie’s twenty-first birthday party on Monday evening, and a Halloween party Thursday evening at O’Malley’s, the bar her brothers, Danny and Aiden, own.