The meow of death . . . Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, is a long way from Hollywood, but it’s the place legendary actress Deanna Daltry wants to call home. Taking up residence in a stone mansion off Cemetery Hill, the retired, yet still glamorous, septuagenarian has adopted two kittens from Lara Caphart’s High Cliff Shelter for Cats. With help from her Aunt Fran, Lara makes sure the kitties settle … makes sure the kitties settle in safely with their new celebrity mom.
But not everyone in town is a fan of the fading star. Deanna was in Whisker Jog when she was younger, earning a reputation for pussyfooting around, and someone is using that knowledge against her. After being frightened by some nasty pranks, Deanna finds herself the prime murder suspect when the body of a local teacher is found on her property. Now, it’s up to Lara, Aunt Fran, and the blue-eyed Ragdoll mystery cat Lara recently encountered to collar a killer before another victim is pounced upon . . .
Praise for Linda Reilly’s Deep Fried Mysteries
“I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzler of a mystery. Reilly cooks up a perfect recipe of murder and mayhem in this charming cozy.” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Hat Shop Mysteries
“Smart, sassy, and a little bit scary. Everything a good cozy should be!” —Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries
“Everything I want in a cozy mystery: endearing characters, an enchanting setting, tantalizing food descriptions and a top-notch mystery plot!” —Susan Furlong, author of the Georgia Peach Mysteries
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It was so much fun to return to Whisker Jog and the High Cliff Shelter for Cats in this second Cat Lady Mystery! The characters are fun to spend time with and all the cats are adorable. The mystery kept me guessing until the end with all its twists and turns. I hope this series will continue for a long time!
Claws of Death is the second book in Linda Reilly’s Cat Lady Mystery series. This is a light cozy with a well-plotted storyline and a great cast of well-developed characters, both human and feline. The story flows at a steady pace, with an intriguing mystery, and a hint of the paranormal. The plot moves swiftly and there are lots of twists and turns, a few red herrings, and plenty of suspects to keep the reader engaged. I didn’t guess the culprit’s identity until the reveal. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading clean cozy mysteries.
Lara Caphart is adjusting nicely to her move back to Whisker Jog, New Hampshire and enjoys spending time with her old friend, Sherry Bowker, who owns and operates Bowker’s Coffee Shop with her mom, Daisy. Fran Clarkson, her aunt, is making great strides in her recovery from knee surgery, but knows she’ll have to have the same procedure on her other knee soon. The relationships between Lara and lawyer Gideon Halley and Fran and Police Chief Jerry Whitley are growing nicely. High Cliff Shelter for Cats, the unique animal shelter Lara and Fran operate in their home has been successfully placing cats in forever homes. Deanna Daltry, a well-known actress, recently moved back to Whisker Jog and adopted two adorable kittens, but Lara is concerned because the housekeeper, Nancy Sherman, doesn’t seem to like cats and believes they belong outside. Laura finds herself in the middle of another murder when she discovers the body of Donald Waitt in the private cemetery behind Deanna’s home. Deanna believes she’s the prime suspect because of her previous relationship and recent confrontation with the victim. Gideon is concerned for her safety and doesn’t want her to investigate and Jerry wants her to stay away from his investigation, reminding her multiple times about the saying about ships being sunk by loose lips, but it isn’t possible for her to just sit back and not help clear the names of innocent people. With the help of Blue, a beautiful, blue-eyed Ragdoll cat only Lara can see, she ferrets out clues.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
In this second book of the series legendary actress Deanna Daltry has decided to move back home and wants to adopt some kittens in the process. Lara meets Deanna when she stops by to inquire about adopting some kittens and helping others who want to do the same. Lara and Aunt Fran are happy to help but want to make sure that the actress will be providing a wonderful home to such precious cargo. While there Deanna invites Lara to a tea party being held in her honor the following day. At the party a couple of strange things occur, Deanna finds worms in her purse and Lara finds a strange message written in lipstick on Deanna’s car. Deanna also seems to have words with a man who wasn’t invited to the party. When said man is found in Deanna’s cemetery, located on her estate, the police look to her as a suspect. She has heard that Lara recently help the police solve another murder and asks her for help. Can Lara help Deanna figure out who the killer is and will it end up being Deanna in the end. Follow along as Lara looks into the past for clues to help figure out just who had something against the dead man and why. Along the way Lara comes into contact with a housekeeper who doesn’t like cats, a new hire that seems to good to be true, and a ton of history from the past to delve through. This is such a lovely series whose characters show the love a furry friend can bring to anyone’s life. I can’t wait to see what happens next and meet the new cats and kittens sure to grace the pages.
Actress Deanna Daltry moves back to her hometown and adopts two kittens from a woman named Laura and her aunt who own a small shelter. When they go to check on the kittens, though, they find a dead man whom Deanna used to date. The press is parked outside her house, but Laura decides to work on the case as a sleuth. I like the characters and the mystery.
Just an all around good series with cats, magical or otherwise
Claws of Death provides the same entertainment as the first installment Escaped Claws did.
Linda Reilly does it again by providing cozy mysteries readers with a good solid, fun and entertaining mystery that will keep you guessing the whole time. I have to admit I am sold on the authors writing style, she truly writes mysteries that are hard to find fault in.
I enjoyed the new characters especially the new rescue helper Kayla, I believe she will become a great helper to Lara.
You’ll find one recipe Lara’s Blueberry Buckle in the back of the book.
If you’re looking for a book with mystery, murder, love, new friends and cats, this one is for you.
I loved this one: I couldn’t put it down!
Linda Reilly has created a solid mystery and enjoyable cast of characters with CLAWS OF DEATH, her second installment in the Cat Lady Mystery series. This book finds Lara and Aunt Fran well established in the community as a cat refuge and they are happily connecting their kitties with the deserving citizens of Whisker Jog. Business has been so good that they have been able to hire a new employee. Lara is even in a blossoming relationship with hunky Gideon.
However, quiet, picturesque Whisker Jog, New Hampshire receives a major shakeup when actress and former Whisker Jog resident Deanna Daltry comes to town. Most of the town is starstruck, but not everyone has welcoming words for the glamorous but down-to-earth star. When Deanna adopts a pair of cats from Lara and Aunt Fran, Lara has no idea she’ll be sucked into another frightening murder, this time with a famous actress and client as the main suspect.
It seems that Deanna may be hiding some secrets from her colorful past. And she’s not the only one!
I loved this cozy mystery, with its seamless storytelling and wonderful descriptive writing that made me feel as if I were right there. The mystery is well plotted, with lots of great clues and red herrings, yet I was completely surprised by the ending. Lara is a sympathetic heroine and I enjoy the touch of paranormal, with mystical cat, Blue (a cat that only Lara can see), a frequent harbinger of clues and action.
If you love cozy mysteries and delightful characters that feel like friends, don’t miss CLAWS OF DEATH! If you are a cat lover, even better. It even has a delicious recipe for Blueberry Buckle at the end of the book. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Claws Of Death
Cat Lady Mysteries, Book #2
Linda Reilly
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The meow of death . . .
Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, is a long way from Hollywood, but it’s the place legendary actress Deanna Daltry wants to call home. Taking up residence in a stone mansion off Cemetery Hill, the retired, yet still glamorous, septuagenarian has adopted two kittens from Lara Caphart’s High Cliff Shelter for Cats. With help from her Aunt Fran, Lara makes sure the kitties settle in safely with their new celebrity mom.
But not everyone in town is a fan of the fading star. Deanna was in Whisker Jog when she was younger, earning a reputation for pussyfooting around, and someone is using that knowledge against her. After being frightened by some nasty pranks, Deanna finds herself the prime murder suspect when the body of a local teacher is found on her property. Now, it’s up to Lara, Aunt Fran, and the blue-eyed Ragdoll mystery cat Lara recently encountered to collar a killer before another victim is pounced upon . . .
Praise for Linda Reilly’s Deep Fried Mysteries
“I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzler of a mystery. Reilly cooks up a perfect recipe of murder and mayhem in this charming cozy.” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Hat Shop Mysteries
“Smart, sassy, and a little bit scary. Everything a good cozy should be!” —Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries
“Everything I want in a cozy mystery: endearing characters, an enchanting setting, tantalizing food descriptions and a top-notch mystery plot!” —Susan Furlong, author of the Georgia Peach Mysteries (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I very much enjoyed getting to spend more time with Lara and Aunt Fran. Their relationship seems natural and realistic. They may not always agree on everything but you never doubt their love for each other. The secondary characters added a lot to the story and I am interested to see if Kayla makes an appearance in future books. And all of the cats are as important of characters as any of the human, and I love this aspect of the series. And I loved Blue, Lara’s magical cat. He is very helpful in guiding Lara along the path that she should take.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing. Through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place and listening to conversations. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The pacing moved along at a steady pace and kept me engaged through the entire story.
The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. There were some twists and turns that I did not see coming and it was not an easy mystery to solve. Which is just how I like my mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like animals in your cozies, check this book out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Lara and her Aunt Fran have turned over their Victorian house to the cats. And not just ANY cats.
This is a story about second chances. The cats are up for adoption. The ladies are beginning relationships of their own. One adopter, the center of this story, is a renowned actress who seems to be having a stream of tough luck, which includes the body of a former beau turning up in her garden.
Lara has a secret ally — a ghost cat no one but she can see. Fortunately this cat has additional talents. A wonderful cozy mystery.
I recommend it to all who love small town tales and romances and especially those who enjoy figuring out WHO Dunnit and WHY.
Claws of Death (A Cat Lady Mystery Book 2)
By Linda Reilly
But not everyone in town is a fan of the fading star. Deanna was in Whisker Jog when she was younger, earning a reputation for pussyfooting around, and someone is using that knowledge against her. After being frightened by some nasty pranks, Deanna finds herself the prime murder suspect when the body of a local teacher is found on her property. Now, it’s up to Lara, Aunt Fran, and the blue-eyed Ragdoll mystery cat Lara recently encountered to collar a killer before another victim is pounced upon .
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of Claws of Death by Linda Reilly in exchange for an honest review. The book is a light read, with no graphic violence. If you love cozy mysteries and cats especially shelter cats, don’t miss CLAWS OF DEATH. It has a well-plotted storyline with a great cast of characters. All of the characters are well developed. The plot moves quickley with a few twist and turns. While Claws of Death is the second book in A Cat Lady Mystery series, it can be read alone.The mystery in the book is kind of secondary to the relationships both in Lara’s personal life and those that are part of the adoption process.
enjoyed
Mystery was not transparent as with most cozies. A little murder, a ton of love and lots of furbabies. Loved it!
Claws of Death by Linda Reilly is the second in the Cat Lady Mysteries.
Set in Whisker Jog, New Hamshire, Lara and her Aunt Fran have gotten High Cliff cat shelter and adoption center opened. They meet legendary actress, Deanna Daltry, when she returns to her hometown and adopts 2 kittens.
During a welcome back celebration for Deanna, pranks begin happening to her but when a body is found on her property, she is the top suspect. Lara again is thrown into an investigation.
The story has great flow, terrific characters, and plenty of twists and turns with a bit of romance and a bit of a ghostly kitty.
I also enjoyed reading about the cats and the adoptions. I want to visit Whisker Jog and visit High Cliff.
I was given an ARC from Netgalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
What a fun, fascinating cozy mystery, a solid 2nd offering in the Cat Lady Mystery series! This author brings to life a delightful cat shelter owned and operated by Fran and her niece, Lara, and a collection of gorgeous cats ready for adoption. It is a complex mystery that I couldn’t solve. The first mystery in the series wow-d me, and this is another wow!
Welcome back to High Cliff Shelter for Cats in beautiful Whisker Jog, New Hampshire! Fran is a school teacher who has taken a year off for knee replacement surgery, and her niece, Lara, a watercolor artist, returned to help and decided to stay. So many people have dropped off cats to Fran to take care of that, when Lara returned, they began the High Cliff Shelter for Cats. They chose some to keep, and some to find fur-ever homes for, and review applications from anyone wanting to adopt.
That includes Deanna Daltry, a famous actress, returning to Whisker Jog and wanting to adopt a cat. She decides on a pair of kittens, Noodle and Doodle, pending the application process. She invites Fran and Lara to a reception being held for her by the Ladies’ Association. During the reception, a man came in to see her who she asked to leave. A threat is found on Deanna’s car that brings an abrupt end to the reception. When Lara goes to Deanna’s home with the kittens, she looks out the window to see someone lying down in the graveyard of the long-ago owners of the mansion. They find the man from the reception, Don Waitt, murdered. Being on her property, Deanna is the primary suspect.
I really like Lara and Fran, they are the perfect ladies to care for a cat shelter. Theirs is the kind of home I’d love to have! They are well-defined through actions and dialog, as are other characters throughout. Lara has a secret helper at the shelter. Blue, a gorgeous, fluffy Ragdoll, can only be seen or heard by Lara. Blue looks exactly like a cat her aunt had owned many years ago when Lara was a regular visitor.
The mystery is written very well, introducing great ideas such as children volunteering to read to cats at shelters – a win-win for both the children and the cats. Friendship is a major theme, including Lara and best friend Sherry, and a lonely Deanna. The plot twists brought surprises at every turn, a new suspect who might have wanted to hurt a kind older man…or frame Deanna for it. I enjoyed learning a little about the wildflower and herb in the story, and various things about cats imparted as part of the story of pets and pet adoption.
I was not prepared for who the real bad guy was; the killer was a complete surprise. I was very pleased with the novel overall. It flowed well, grabbed my attention at the beginning, and held it throughout. There were no loose ends, and I am completely looking forward to the next one. I love cat-themed cozy mysteries, and this series is a delight. I highly recommend Claws of Death to those who enjoy cozy mysteries with likable characters, a mystery that stumps the reader, and of course, cats.
From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Claws of Death by Linda Reilly was an excellent follow up in her Cat Lady Mysteries series. I am hopeful that series will continue for a long time as it really ticks all the boxes for a great cozy mystery.
Ms. Reilly’s descriptive writing had me immersed once more in Whisker Jog with Lara and Aunt Fran. The shelter is up and running and there is a new resident in Whisker Jog, Deanna Daltry a legendary movie star, who has adopted two kittens from the shelter. Soon after the adoption, there’s a murder on Deanna’s property; and Lara is on the case.
The plot moved swiftly and there were plenty of suspects as well as twists before the reveal. The characters are developing well in this series and I felt like I got to know them so much better in this book. I really like Gideon and Lara together; and I adore Aunt Fran. She is great role model for women of “a certain age”.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
A series I never get tired of
It was an easy read to pass the time.
I was so happy to finally get to read CLAWS OF DEATH! After reading the first book in the series, ESCAPE CLAWS, I knew this was a series that would half a place on my bookshelves.
It was a great amount of fun to return to Whisper Jog, New Hampshire, and spend time with Lara, Aunt Fran, and all the other delightful residents of the small town. Author Linda Reilly writes characters that I would be friends with. I can see myself spending any enjoyable hours in the company of these people, Just as I spend many enjoyable hours reading about them.
CLAWS OF DEATH is a wonderfully written story that captured my attention on page one and fed my imagination until the very last page. The mystery aspect is well crafted and intriguing, with just the right amount of twists and turns to challenge my guesses. A real page turned that I hated to see end.
I give CLAWS OF DEATH 2 paws up and 5 meows!
Claws of Death by Linda Reilly is the second A Cat Lady Mystery. Deanna Daltry, the actress, is coming to Whisker Jog, New Hampshire and she wishes to adopt a cat to keep her company in her newly renovated mansion. When Deanna shows up for her appointment at Lara Caphart’s High Cliff Shelter for Cats she falls in love with two adorable kittens. The next day at the Ladies Association Welcome Tea and Reception for Deanna, someone puts worms in Deanna’s purse and then leaves a threatening message on her car. It seems Deanna’s antics from her youth are coming back to haunt her. When Lara and Aunt Fran drop off the kittens at Deanna’s home, Lara, thanks to Blue, spots a person slumped against a tombstone in the graveyard. They rush to the graveyard, but it is too late to save Donald Waitt. Deanna dated Don in high school and had not spoken to him until the day before at the tea. Deanna requests that Lara use her sleuthing skills to find Don’s murderer. With the help of Aunt Fran and the mysterious Blue, Lara sets out to trap a killer.
Claws of Death is a cute cozy mystery. I found the book to be nicely written, have a good flow, just the right length and had steady pacing. Claws of Death is set in animal friendly small town with caring residents (for the most part). While Claws of Death is the second book in A Cat Lady Mystery series, it can be read alone. I liked Blue, the Ragdoll ghost cat. It added a mystical element that enhanced the story. There are many delightful moments with cats. As Lana and her newest employee take care of the animals at the shelter, adoption days, and the sweet little girl that comes to read to them. There are lovely, relatable characters in A Cat Lady Mystery series. Lara and Aunt Fran who have turned their home into an animal shelter, Gideon who is Lara’s boyfriend and lawyer, Kayla Ramirez who is the newest employee of the shelter, and Chief Jerry Whitley who enforces the law for the town and is dating Fran. Claws of Death is predominantly more cozy than mystery. The murder is investigated but the animals and the personal relationships take precedence. I thought the whodunit was simple, and I accurately identified the guilty party before Don was found in the graveyard. The why and how are discovered later in the book. I am giving Claws of Death 3 out of 5 stars. Travel to Whisker Jog in Claws of Death to meet the friendly townspeople, the adorable felines, find out who is playing pranks on Deanna and discover who did away with Don.
Loved this book! In the second book in this series, an actress originally from Whisker Jog returns to town. When a man is found murdered behind her home, she becomes the prime suspect. Lara, of course, decides to investigate. The cat shelter is doing well in this book and Lara and her aunt hire their first real employee. I love the cat shelter part of this series and like the way it works. I hope there will be more books in this series. I want to see what happens with Lara and Gideon’s relationship as well as what happens with the cat shelter. And of course you can’t forget Blue, the cat only Lara can see. Great series for cat lovers!