Expert groomer Cassie McGlone knows how to handle even the feistiest of felines, but their owners are a different tale . . . Around the quaint town of Chadwick, New Jersey, are two families in need of Cassie’s help. Wealthy perfectionist Gillian Foster is orchestrating the restoration of her family’s nineteenth century home and wants her purebred Himalayan, Leya, boarded at Cassie’s Comfy Cats. … Leya, boarded at Cassie’s Comfy Cats. Meanwhile, the elderly Tillmans are in dire straits, hoarding possessions and a clowder of cats in their run-down house. Perhaps Cassie can persuade the couple to surrender a few of their furry friends. Unfortunately, neither task is cut and dried . . .
Mrs. Tillman is mysteriously asphyxiated in the night, and suspicion falls on her husband—and their cats. Meanwhile, the Fosters host a banquet for the local historical society, and when one of their guests falls gravely Gillian is convinced someone is out to get her. After a second death occurs, it’s clear a killer isn’t pussyfooting around. Now it’s up to Cassie to get these houses in order before disaster pounces again . . .
Praise for Gone, Kitty, Gone
“Enticing. . . . Distinctive characters, all of whom contribute to the crime-solving in one way or another, drive the well-paced plot. Cat cozy lovers will be enchanted.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Feline-focused, perhaps to the detriment of human characters—and what’s more cat than that?”
—Kirkus Reviews
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Claw & Disorder earns 5/5 Cat Conundrums…Entertaining Fun!
Following Towne Antiques’ recommendation, “…everyone says great things about her,” Gillian Foster arrives at Cassie’s Comfy Cats to scrutinize the facility and determine if it meets her high standards for her Himalayan purebred. She wasn’t much impressed questioning various elements, but she’s in need of something immediate. Assistant Sarah takes the opportunity to pull on Cassie’s heart strings over the plight of several cats in the questionable care of seniors Bernice and Chester Tillman. They hope to de-clutter these hoarders’ home, check on the health of several inside cats, and possibly take in a few others to avoid already overcrowded shelters. Sadly, tragedy entangles Cassie and her friends. Poor Bernice is found asphyxiated, and circumstances make her husband or any one of the cats as a person or “feline” of interest. Poor Mrs. Foster, although excited about her open house showcasing the renovation and design elements, didn’t expect a dead body to become part of the decor. However, someone isn’t done yet.
I am allergic to most cats, but I didn’t sneeze once. Eileen Watkins penned a delightful “fur-friendly” cozy with her fifth book in her Cat Groomer Mystery series. I worried, as a newbie, being at a disadvantage, however, she uses the traditional cozy formula I enjoy revisiting just enough background and connections, no spoilers of previous books, to keep me well informed and engaged. The murder mysteries had me guessing whether they’d all be tied together, and although I dismissed some of my early theories, my inner Sherlock was pleased I was on the right track. Eileen’s writing style used a first-person narrative, a favorite, from Cassie’s perspective given me vicarious involvement with the “I-s” and “me-s” and “my-s.” Her use of descriptive language brought the various people, places, and things well into focus, and the realistic banter illustrated the varied personalities and emotions causing me to be completely invested in the story. Excellent read for cozy fans!
Unfortunately, there were no bonuses, no cat grooming tips, no recipes for treats best for two- and four-leggers alike. But, I enjoyed the tidbits, insights, and information about cats and cat rescues along with some romance, jazz, and enough murder to delight any cozy fan!
Anyone who has wrestled wriggly cats into pet carriers, given them medication, or groomed them will appreciate this exciting mystery! Cassie and her assistant Sarah give us a glimpse of the joys and challenges of cat care. When murder or attempted murder involves their clients, business becomes even more interesting.
Cassie’s Cozy Cats specializes in boarding and grooming felines. Her boyfriend, Mark, a veterinarian, also loves animals and does pro bono work at the local shelter. Two shelter volunteers are shown in action when they help with cats that were owned by a very personable elderly couple. Bernice had asthma that was made worse by the number of cats in their home. Despite their love of their pets, she and her husband Chester allowed a visit from the volunteers. Before a decision was made, however, Bernice was smothered, and the brilliant cops in their town suggested that a pillow fell on her face during the night and one or two cats slept on it, or that Chester, whose memory is failing, did it and forgot. The same cops discounted Chester’s concerns of special memorabilia missing from their home. The shelter volunteers were allowed to take Bernice’s cats, and Chester kept his favorites.
Much less personable is the high-strung Gillian, owner of Leya. She boarded the beautiful cat during the final days of their home renovation. Obsessed with getting their home on the historical registry, she and her husband renovated the home to look as it did when built two centuries earlier. Cassie delivered Leya back home just a couple hours before the historical society reception and tour and stayed for it. Gillian had the caterers prepare foods that would have been served at the time of the original construction, downloading recipes for them to follow. The recipe for pease porridge had very specific instructions to make it gluten free, due to her gluten intolerance. The party broke up early when a guest left by ambulance due to a severe reaction after eating only from this so-called gluten-free recipe.
Cassie didn’t want to get involved in solving either of the mysteries despite the murder investigations she helped with in the past. With the concern Sarah and her friend Robin had for Chester and the lack of help from police in his town, Cassie asked Chester detailed questions about what was missing and who had been in the home. Her curiosity got the better of her with the situation of wheat flour in Gillian’s special recipe when her husband brought Leya back to board again, and Gillian came in, clearly mentally disturbed. Something more than a catering accident was going on there.
Trying to find whodunit in more than one seemingly unrelated crime was quite the challenge, especially when being unable to talk with some of the suspects. Cassie was able to get their Chadwick detective involved with the death of Chester’s wife, since there was no detective in his little town. Sarah, Cassie’s boyfriend Mark, and her best friend Dawn are excellent to discuss her ideas with, offering suggestions of their own. The resolutions were highly satisfactory with no loose ends. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries with cats, a cat centered business, and characters that become old friends as the series progresses.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Cassie McGlone is the owner of Cassie’s Comfy Cats in Chadwick, New Jersey which is a boarding and grooming facility strictly for cats. Cassie is currently helping two families in need who are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Gillian Foster is boarding her Himalayan cat, Leya, while her house is remodeled but things soon get dicey there. Then there are the elderly Tillmans who are in dire circumstances and hoarding both possessions and cats. But when Mrs Tillman is mysteriously murdered, Cassie gets involved in the case.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. The book’s well-written with wonderfully enticing characters. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and kept hooked until the end. The mysteries are engaging and kept me guessing. I’m very much looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
Cassie owns Cassie’s Comfy Cat featuring cat grooming and cat boarding. In this, book #5, she has two events that need her expertise. One is an elderly couple who have too many cats and too much stuff in their home and Cassie’s mission is to persuade them to surrender a few cats to new furever homes and then sort out the couples living situation. Things get complicated when the wife dies under very suspicious circumstances. At the same time, a customer wants to board her Himalayan kitty while she undertakes the renovation of her home. One thing leads to another and soon there is talk of attempted murder on her during a dinner party. It’s a lot to juggle but Cassie, with the help of her veterinarian boyfriend and her employee, Sarah, will sort it all out.
For cat lovers, this is one great series. The mystery is complex and kept me guessing to the end. Cassie is a well developed character, very believable. I have read the whole series in order but each one works fine as a stand alone.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Claw and Disorder
A Cat Groomer Mystery, Book #5
Eileen Watkins
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Expert groomer Cassie McGlone knows how to handle even the feistiest of felines, but their owners are a different tale . . .
Around the quaint town of Chadwick, New Jersey, are two families in need of Cassie’s help. Wealthy perfectionist Gillian Foster is orchestrating the restoration of her family’s nineteenth century home and wants her purebred Himalayan, Leya, boarded at Cassie’s Comfy Cats. Meanwhile, the elderly Tillmans are in dire straits, hoarding possessions and a clowder of cats in their run-down house. Perhaps Cassie can persuade the couple to surrender a few of their furry friends. Unfortunately, neither task is cut and dried . . .
Mrs. Tillman is mysteriously asphyxiated in the night, and suspicion falls on her husband—and their cats. Meanwhile, the Fosters host a banquet for the local historical society, and when one of their guests falls gravely Gillian is convinced someone is out to get her. After a second death occurs, it’s clear a killer isn’t pussyfooting around. Now it’s up to Cassie to get these houses in order before disaster pounces again . . . (Amazon)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Cassie is a caring person who has a special place in her heart for cats. It is great to see how hard she works for these cats and her and her employee make a great team. They work well to keep the business running well and they also try to help out in the community. But this time they have a problem that they need to fix, the murder of an elderly woman and her husband being accused of murder. They will have to work hard to figure this one out.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I could picture in my mind’s eye Comfy Cats and all of their borders. The mystery was well plotted and it had enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and it was not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Grab a copy and enjoy.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Claw & Disorder by Eileen Watkins is book five in the A Cat Groomer Mystery. This is the first one I have read but was able to get current quickly. It can be read as a stand alone.
This easy to read Cozy has everything, plenty of suspects, plot twists, likeable characters, romance, humor, it touches on a medical condition alot of people are dealing with.and of course, cats. I didn’t want to put it down.
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.
For the cat lover’s out there, this story is sure to appeal to y’all. Cassie McGlone owns Cassie’s Comfy Cat, a cats-only groomer and boarding business in Chadwick, NJ. Her boyfriend is a local veterinarian and guitarist, Mark Coccia. Cassie’s assistant, Sarah, has also been helping her church members look in on an older couple who are cat hoarders (Chester and Bernice Tillman) while trying to persuade them to clean out and give away lots of the items they’ve accumulated over the years; plus a few cats. The home would then be more safe and sanitary for couple who’s health is precarious. Furthermore, at the shop, a woman, Gillian Foster, brings her beautiful Himalayan cat, Lena, in to be boarded while her home is undergoing renovations.
Two crime scenes are now set up in this thought-invoking plot. One at the Tillman’s—who on earth would want to harm this aging couple? And, the second at the Foster home—which clearly houses a very unhappy family of three. The claws and disorder in this lively tale will keep reader’s entertained for hours! I highly recommend this story and the previous stories in the Cat Groomer series.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you
CLAW & DISORDER by Eileen Watkins
The Fifth Cat Groomer Mystery
It’s nice when people think so highly of your services that they recommend you to others. But for cat groomer Cassie McGlone two recent recommendations land her right in the litter box! Cassie’s first referral leads her to wealthy Gillian Foster who needs to board her purebred Himalayan. Dealing with this exacting woman is kitten play when compared to the second referral. Cassie is asked to help an elderly couple in a ramshackle home who are hoarders. With the husband, Chester, seeming to be suffering from dementia and his wife having multiple medical issues they are unable to properly care for the multiple cats living with them. Hoping to convince them to relinquish at least some of the cats, Cassie is saddened to hear that the wife suddenly died. While the police suspect that she may have been smothered by her husband or the cats, Cassie is doubtful. Will she be able to prove the innocence of both Chester and the cats?
Cassie McGlone navigates two disparate worlds in the fifth Cat Groomer mystery. From a wealthy, dysfunctional family to a loving couple struggling with hoarding and other health issues Cassie finds herself as a confidant as people involved keep her abreast of what’s happening. While her boyfriend cautions her not to get too involved, Cassie’s friendliness as well as her curiosity keeps her in the middle of everything!
While the two storylines didn’t intersect, their themes were similar and I appreciated how Cassie dealt with two very different sets of people. I appreciate how the hoarding issue was handled, with care and compassion as opposed to exploitation and derision. I got a not so pleasant vibe from Mark in CLAW & DISORDER. I love his new hobby as well as his reaction to the sultry songstress of the group, but perhaps its his warnings to Cassie that gave me a wonky vibe. While he’s not wrong, something is off. Meanwhile I love Sarah even more.
CLAW & DISORDER is a mystery of perceptions. Interesting characters, both human and feline, who really care, but don’t take any guff either, live in these pages and I love spending time with them.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.