Cat lovers are thrilled to welcome an expert groomer to the picturesque town of Chadwick. But scratch below the surface, and unmasking a killer becomes a game of cat and mouse . . . Professional cat grooming isn’t all fluff—when the fur starts flying, Cassie McGlone, owner of Cassie’s Comfy Cats, handles her feistiest four-legged clients with a caring touch and nerves of steel. While these … of steel. While these qualities certainly help keep her business purring, they also come in handy when she makes a house call to her best client, millionaire George DeLeuw, and discovers his murdered body next to his newly orphaned Persian, Harpo.
To help the local police find the actual killer, Cassie begins her own investigation. But no one, from George’s housekeeper to his vindictive ex-wife, is giving up clues. Not until Cassie is given permission to temporarily board Harpo does anyone show interest in the Persian’s wellbeing. Someone is desperate to get their paws on Harpo before the feline helps untangle a felony. Are there deadly truths that a cat whisperer like Cassie can coax out? She needs to tread lightly and remember she gets one life, not nine. . . .
“A delightful debut mystery. It’s smart, well-plotted, and features a cast of characters—both human and feline—that I want to see more of. This book will be catnip for cat lovers.”
—Laurien Berenson, author of Wagging through the Snow
“The purr-fect mystery to curl up with for a lovely cozy read, preferably with a cup of tea, cuddly cat optional but recommended.” —Leslie Meier, author of Turkey Trot Murder
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A fun book! Since I am a cat lover, this was the purrfect book for me! The idea of a cat groomer and boarder made for an interesting story and something I had never really thought of before. I enjoyed the fun little cat facts and it was clear that Cassie loved cats and her business. I found the storyline intriguing as I tried to figure out who killed DeLeuw and how his cat, Harpo, seemed to be connected. I am really looking forward to reading more of this series and learning about different cat breeds along the way. Cassie is a strong and determined young woman who may not have a high-paying job, but has a job she loves. I am also looming forward to seeing a relationship develop between Cassie and Dr. Mark, the vet. I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves cats and mysteries!!
Pleasant read
A joy to read
Liked the story. Can’t wait to read the next one.
reading it now, keeping my interest. I like cats…so it’s gotta be good !
Reading #2 already!
I have a Persian and I learned a lot about their grooming.
Mystery who done it. With a new business in a small town. New client finally got something going in the right direction and bam gone. Does she play detective to solve the murder because this isn’t getting any better people she thinks are innocent are being accused of this murder. Is she really being lied to. Should she just let the detectives do their job. She has her own business to run. Her friend has a new kitten but it needs to be tended to first so she takes it to the local vet. Romance is in the air.Too good to be true. First date got the brush off. Second date alright. Mutual friends getting personal boundaries inclusive and overstepping to help do to being a small town and everyone knows everyone. Happy ever after with drama of the boyfriend from before that finally grew up
Excellent new first-in-series! This crazy cat lady very much enjoyed this cozy mystery, the setting for which is Cassie’s Comfy Cats in Chadwick, NJ. Cassie has recently purchased this beautiful 100+ year old home to use as a cat boarding and grooming facility after becoming a certified animal behaviorist and groomer. I was happy to meet a lovable Persian, Cassie’s companion cats and those she boards, and was introduced to a mystery that keep me engaged and looking for the bad guy/ gal.
Cassie left behind a stalking ex-boyfriend in Morristown, opening her business in a small town she was familiar with when visiting best friend, Dawn, who has a health food store in Chadwick. She is slowly building her business, beginning with the one cat she grooms in his home. Harpo is an adorable Persian whose very wealthy owner, George DeLeux, has his own in-home grooming room. When arriving for the regular appointment, Harpo was outside the McMansion and the front door was open, both highly unusual events. Once inside, Harpo led her to his master and friend, who was lying face down with a head injury, dead.
Cassie couldn’t imagine the man having any enemies, but he must have had at least one. The only suspect so far is Dion Janos, son of Cassie’s handyman. As she asks a few questions around town and at the visitation, Cassie makes someone very nervous, sufficiently so that unusual incidents occur. Detective Angela Bonelli, assigned to the case, is willing to hear what Cassie finds as she knows Cassie might hear things the cops would not. George’s attorney agreed to allow Cassie to board Harpo until the will is read, but suddenly Harpo becomes valuable to his only two family members. And Cassie becomes a target.
I like Cassie and her dedication to caring for her own cats as well as those who are boarded with her. We learn the most about her, bringing a 3-dimensional woman to the forefront. She hires Sarah, a former high school math teacher as her assistant. While much of her personal past is deflected, there is no doubt she is a willing learner and hard worker. And she becomes a valuable employee and friend. Others that I look forward to getting to know better are Angela Bonelli and local veterinarian Mark Coccia.
The author is adept at putting together scenes in such a way as to increase suspense or keeping the momentum going. This reader was drawn in from the first page and I was sorry to turn the last page. Plot twists introduce new suspects while eliminating others, and crimes behind the murder require the work of the FBI. The ending is nothing short of exciting and very satisfying. I highly recommend this cozy mystery to crazy (or not so crazy) cat lovers everywhere!
THE PERSIAN ALWAYS MEOWS TWICE by Eileen Watkins
The First Cat Groomer Mystery
Cassie McGlone recently moved to Chadwick, New Jersey and opened Cassie’s Comfy Cats, a cat grooming and boarding business. While most clients come to her shop, Cassie made the exception for millionaire George DeLeuw and his lovely Persian, Harpo. When she arrives for a grooming appointment, she finds the front door open and a scared Harpo outdoors. Inside she finds George’s murdered body. Cassie is determined to keep Harpo safe, and if that means finding George’s killer, so be it!
There are so many things I like about this book. I love that Cassie specializes in grooming cats, and wish I could have taken my semi-longed haired cat, Seneca, to her. I also like how she uses her psychology background to help train cats. I enjoy the fact that Cassie doesn’t start out trying to solve the murder, but rather she does what any animal lover would do- help Harpo. Of course, in trying to both protect Harpo and find him a good home she eventually ends up working to discover the murderer. There are plenty of diverse characters and enough red herrings to keep readers guessing.
THE PERSIAN ALWAYS MEOWS TWICE is an intelligent realistic mystery which shares responsible pet advice while providing plenty of thrills.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Persian Always Meows Twice is the first book in the new series A Cat Groomer Mystery. Cassie McGlone has opened Cassie’s Comfy Cats in Chadwick, New Jersey. Cassie is off to her biweekly appointment at George DeLeuw’s house to groom his Persian cat, Harpo. She arrives and finds Harpo outside and the front door ajar (you know where this is leading). She follows Harpo to George’s study where she finds him dead from obvious blunt force trauma. Detective Angela Bonnell of the Chadwick PD is assigned the case. With herself and Nick Janos’ son (Cassie’s handyman) suspect in the murder, Cassie starts investigating. Unfortunately, no one is giving her bupkis. Then Cassie becomes the temporary guardian of Harpo and someone is determined to get their paws on George’s confidant. Did George’s high standards get him killed? And why is everyone after Harpo?
The Persian Always Meows Twice is nicely written. The author has an easy writing style which makes for a pleasant paced story. There is just the right amount and type of humor. I found the characters to be nicely developed (especially for the first book in the series). Cassie is a smart, personable and caring woman with her own business (hooray). I also think she is brave since she bathes cats (not an easy task unless the cat has been bathed since it was a kitten). Cassie’s business sounds like a lovely place for cats. My cats would love the perches in her place. I thought it was funny that Cassie is not willing to let cats sleep in her bed (that is one of the best benefits unless they commandeer your pillow), but she does allow a cat on her table (while she eats). My rating for The Persian Always Meows Twice is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The only disappointment was the mystery—it was light. I wish the author had made it more complicated or added in a good twist to surprise me. The killer’s identity is not a puzzler. I was happy with the investigation and the amount of action. I like that Cassie worked with the police to help solve the crime (and that the detective did not constantly tell Cassie to stay out of the investigation). I will definitely be reading the next book which is The Bengal Identity.