REENACTORS, VINTAGE WEAPONS, and TWO DEAD BODIES! Kylah West has faith in her horses and her skill to ride them in a reenactment of the Civil War battle of Albrecht Creek. Still suffering from her husband’s suicide, Kylah’s only focus is work. But her concentration is broken when she meets U.S. Marshal Wolf Stockton and the body of a young reenactor is found, shot through the heart with a vintage … heart with a vintage rifle.
Is it revenge, an accidental shooting, or a hint that opposing forces in the community are boiling over? Those questions turn personal for Wolf and Kylah when her life is endangered. Into the exciting world of stunt riders, tension between the university sponsoring the reenactment and a Cherokee nation tired of being wrongly blamed for everything, strolls Trouble, black cat detective.
Trouble attaches to Kylah when he realizes her vulnerability. He works with Wolf to determine who is behind the murders—and who is attempting to ambush Kylah and her horses as she gives the key performance of the reenactment. As the feline races the clock to keep Kylah safe, he also realizes the two bipeds have another deep need—for each other. He must help solve the mystery while showing his humans the path to true love.
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Trouble in Action is a cozy mystery/romantic suspense novel, featuring Trouble, the Sherlock Holmes of cat detectives. True to its blended genres, the book is delightful, fast paced, with a touch of whimsy, while still offering serious sleuthing, an authentic set-up, and compelling characters.
This is also Susan Tanner’s third book in a 10-book Familiar Legacy series featuring Trouble, the black cat detective. Her prior books in this on-going series are Trouble in Summer Valley and Turning for Trouble. While her newest book keeps the romance and charm of her first two, Tanner ups her game with Trouble in Action with heightened suspense and intricate plotting with not one, but two murders set against the backdrop of a troubled-plagued Civil War re-enactment.
For those not familiar with the series, the Familiar legacy books are the original brain-child of award-winning, best-selling author Carolyn Haines. But the ten books (and counting) in the series are authored by a rotation of women writers with variations in setting and style. Yet all have Trouble, the black cat detective, as an active point of view and engaging sleuth. Don’t let the cat detective aspects fool you though—the books, like Trouble in Action, are strong mysteries with classic romances.
Aside from Trouble, the book focuses on the two romantic leads: pretty, strong, yet emotionally wounded Kylah West, a horse trainer and stunt rider, and attentive, protective Wolf Stockton, a U.S. Marshal with strong ties to the Cherokee Nation, who also works with troubled teens.
Romance readers will have much to enjoy in the book, as will mystery readers. As with most cozy mysteries, and more assuredly with animal cozies, Trouble in Action requires a bucket full of willing suspension of disbelief. But that’s all part of the fun, excitement, and the pure escapist lure of such books.
[Reviewer’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I was the author of the third book in this series of ten books.]
This reenactment is getting serious!
The investigation of a murder at a Civil War Reenactment event needs the help of an experienced detective and Trouble is the cat investigator for the job. There are too many suspects and too many crimes. The killer has to be found before there is another victim!
I liked the Civil War Reenactment setting mixed in with a university. It created a lot of possible scenarios and throwing in some romance made it even better!
Trouble, the Cat Detective to the rescue! His love for bipeds and his Sherlock Holmes-ian deductive skills save the day (or the Civil War reenactment to be more exact).
“Trouble in Action” by Susan Tanner is well researched and well written.
I enjoyed this fast moving addition in the “Trouble, the Cat Detective Series”>
I really enjoyed reading Trouble in action. I love the characters and the small town setting. The characters are detailed and relatable. I really like how their romance develops. Such a wonderful and sweet romance. The plot is entertaining. The mystery is interesting and has many twists and turns that keep you guessing. I loved this book and I really enjoyed the ending! I look forward to reading more in this series and more from this author.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book for the purpose of finding typos and posting this review.
First off, I am a fan of the Familiar Legacy series, featuring Trouble the black cat detective. I came upon this series after finding the Sarah Booth mystery series by Carolyn Haines. Carolyn has penned the original series featuring Trouble’s father, Familiar. She was the one to convince some of her peers to help out with the Familiar Legacy series, and so far they’ve all been great reads.
In Trouble In Action, we find ourselves following Kylah West as she bar-hops and is totally blitzed (drunk). Kylah catches the eye of Wolf Stockton, a Cherokee of the local tribe who is also a deputy of the Marshall Service and Trouble, who is in town with his human Tammy Lynn at a book conference. Both Wolf and Trouble realize that Kylah, in her current intoxicated state, could be the flashpoint of some trouble. Wolf manages to get her back to her hotel room without incident – however the incident happens elsewhere.
In the morning we follow Wolf as he is called to the fairgrounds where the College of the Carolinas Albrecht Campus is holding their First Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Albrecht Creek. A woman in full period costume has been shot through the heart at her campsite. Wolf is called as a courtesy by the sheriff to the scene, as the fairgrounds abut the Qualla Boundary, property of the Cherokee Nation.
What follows is a very well though out and intricate tale of following the clues (and lack thereof) of the mystery of the murder of the woman. Kylah herself is targeted, and Wolf does his best to keep Kylah safe… as they both feel the attraction to each other start to develop into something more.
I mention a lack thereof of clues, as this tale will keep you guessing until the end as to whodunit. It is carefully crafted yet keeps you reading to find out more. Trouble has his paws full in helping to solve the mystery and keeping Kylah safe.
This is the third tale penned by Susan Y. Tanner for the Familiar Legacy series. She has done a great job penning these stories for Trouble, and is a delight to read. Look no further if you’re in the mood for a light romance to go with your murder mystery.
Of another note, please read to the end – this series features “Trouble’s Double”. We the fans of the Familiar Legacy series all love black cats, and Carolyn, Susan et al let us show off our sable furred friends. This book happens to feature one of my fosters, Wanda Bellatrix Feline. If at the end of reading any of the Familiar Legacy stories you find yourself wishing for a feline companion of the sable hue, please check out your local animal rescue. There are a lot of cats, black or otherwise, looking for a great home and a wonderful human to boss around. You won’t be sorry.
Hello My name is Trouble and I help solve crimes. Sounds interesting-right? Oh did I mention I’m a cat? I belong to Tammy Lynn who allows me to travel around and do what I love.This time around I’m helping protect Kylah West-a stunt rider and solve the murder of Maisy McGuire ( a Civil War reenactor). Wolf Stockton is the man in charge of trying to figure out who wants to harm Kykah and who wanted Maisy dead. A non stop read full of action and suspense.
When Trouble sees a drunken Kylah in a bar, in true fashion he looks out for her. Luckily, Wolf, a true knight in shining armour, does the same, and sees her to her hotel, leaving a note describing where she’d left her truck. She awakens with one heck of a hangover and one sharp detective cat.
She is in town with her horses to attend a Civil War reenactment. The setting is a character in the story, a college town located near a sprawling Cherokee reservation. Not everyone is pleased about this new historical event especially after a body turns up.
The story is rich with local color as the trio, Trouble, Wolf, and Kylah, seek to discover who killed the young history teacher. And we have romance, of course! Kylah is one tough lady who is not seeking romance. But Wolf . . .sigh!
The book is fun, the setting interesting and unique, and Trouble, well, he’s in fine form. Always a bit stuffy, you understand. But he gets the job done! Don’t miss this one!
In Trouble in action, Trouble is in North Carolina where his human, Tammy Lynn, is attending to several writers and book signing functions. This gives Trouble some free time which he spent following a young intoxicated women around growing increasingly worried about her safety and well-being. Wolf is in the same bar and watches as the woman is bothered by some pushy guys and decides to protect her.
Kylah agrees to let Wolf take her to her hotel where he leaves her to sleep off the alcohol excess.
Kylah is a stunt rider on horses she trains to perfection. She was contracted to perform at the first annual re-enactment of the battle of Albrecht Creek.
She and her right hand man have been practicing daily but on the day following the drinking session a woman was killed with an old Calvary style revolver. Wolf is asked by the local sheriff to assist in the case and gets to meets Kylah and Jake, her assistant, officially.
Kylah had been drinking on the anniversary of her husband’s suicide 5 years earlier and thinks she never will get over it.
On one of the practice days for the re-enactment, someone is shooting at Kylah. This causes Wolf serious concerns as he is starting to be rather attracted to Kylah.
Trouble is meantime investigating the murder of the woman by her tent as well as following Kylah around and attending to interviews with potential witnesses or guilty parties. At a practise session Trouble finds a rope strung between trees which would cause Kylah’s horse to fall and potentially crush her. Luckily he gets Wolf there in time to cut the rope just before Kylah arrives galloping through the trees ready for the jump.
This brings Kylah and Wolf even closer together and makes them realize they have something special going on.
The organizer of the re-enactment event is a very arrogant guy whose wife will be participating in the re-enactment although he is against it.
On the first day of the event Kylah will be doing the jumps with her horse so Wolf uses all the manpower he can get to ensure the path is clear and there are no traps. On arrival at the meeting place Wolf realises there is danger, he yells at Kylah to get down which she did just as two gunshots are heard. Kylah is ok but the wife of the organizer is fatally shot.
Wolf goes to collect the organizer to take him to the hospital to say his farewells and then goes to see one of his long time buddies who always had loved the woman although she had married another guy. He is totally devastated and had been seeing the woman regularly for an ongoing affair.
Kylah and Wolf relationship is developing very fast meantime, they realize that they love each other and they are worried about what will happen when Kylah goes back home. The rest of the event was cancelled and the FBI called in to assist in solving two murders and two attempted murders.
Trouble attends the meetings and continues to study clues; he guides Wolf and the doubting sheriff and investigator to study a plan which was in the office of the organizer.
Later as he is waiting with Kylah for Wolf to come back, they hear a truck stop at the office trailer. Kylah and Trouble go to investigate and find the event organizer trying to sneak out a Calvary revolver which has all the makings of the gun used to shoot his wife. Trouble meantime drops a vase from a sideboard making a huge racket attracting the attention of Jake and Wolf who just arrived back. With their combined efforts they manage to get Kylah out and the man disarmed before Trouble attacks his legs for good measure.
Having solved the cases Wolf had to decide whether to follow Kylah to her hometown, let her go (never) or ask her to stay in North Carolina. To his intense relief she agrees to stay and Jake will stay too.
Trouble can go back to his human Tammy knowing all is well with his detective skills and manipulation in the romantic department.
Kylah West trains and performs stunts on horses and has been hired to participate in a civil war reenactment. When one of the participants has been found dead the entire event may have to be canceled. Trouble, the great cat detective realizes that Kylah is vulnerable and is going to need his help.
This story has the perfect balance of mystery, romance, and twist and turns that will keep you in suspense and guessing until the end.
Kylah is in town for the Civil War reenactment. On her first night she goes out on the town where she meets Wolf. Well sort of, she’s drunk and he secures her back in her hotel.
Trouble is actually with his bi-ped Tammy Lynn, she’s attending a book conference and out and about with authors and friends. When he gets bored he decides to follow Kaylah, just to be sure she stays safe. Tammy Lynn knows he’ll be back so doesn’t worry.
Now Wolf is a Deputy with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the morning that little escapade he’s called in to a murder scene. The victim was found by one of the tribe’s children. The unfortunate thing is the murder is on the grounds where the reenactment is scheduled.
Lots of suspense with Trouble sniffing out clues. I like that Wolf doesn’t doubt his sleuthing abilities.
Kylah’s horses are just as amazing as her riding abilities, I loved the interactions with her foreman and how she doesn’t back down from anyone.
Lots of fun as Wolf sneaks his way into her heart and Trouble solves the mystery all while keeping Kylah safe.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the second that I have read. Good characters and a lively plot made this book special. I was gifted a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Trouble in Action by Susan Y. Tanner kept me totally intrigued as the story had to do with stunt riders and war re-enactment. I felt as if I was right there with My lab on the horses, as well as Wolf and Trouble.
Mystery, romance, dead bodies, twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
Not forgetting the great cat Detective Trouble and his way of protecting and getting involved.
So sit back and enjoy the “ride.”
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
The latest adventure of Trouble and Tammy Lynn takes them to North Carolina for a book conference, soon afterwards, Trouble is out and about with his latest charge, Kylah West, an expert horse trainer, who encounters Wolf Stockton at the first annual Battle of Albrecht Creek Civil War Reenactment after a murder had been committed on the grounds. Trouble sensing a case is afoot at the reenactment show, works with Ms. Kylah and Wolf, the Deputy of the Cherokee Nation Marshall Services, to solve a murder and several accidents of several Civil War reenactment participants before someone else becomes the next casualty?
The characters of Kylah and Wolf have an immediate connection that is explored fully in this romantic mystery with a humorous flair which is a very nice touch in this story. One of my favorite scenes is their hilarious dialogue about who owned Trouble, who followed them during the event. The scene of Tammy Lynn and Wolf discussing Trouble’s remarkable sleuthing abilities is another great scene of this agile feline. The author adds a very healthy dose of humor in the romantic scenes that provide comedic relief with the characters following a black cat’s lead of finding clues to a murder mystery, much to their amazement.
The author gives the reader a brief overview of the Civil War reenactment along with some history regarding Wolf’s Cherokee heritage. I love the fact two of the characters are Native American and through their conversations do give a brief glimpse about their cultural values that is entertaining as well as a learning experience for this reader.
The story has a slow start in the beginning of the book which is a slight drawback. The plot does pick up once the murder victim is discovered at the campsite that continues at a very good pace that kept this reader’s interest throughout this book to the very end. Ms. Tanner makes several good references to a previous Trouble adventure story, which is a plus for readers who want more adventures with Trouble and his crew in this book series.
I gave this book a four star rating for the realistic character development and a good solid storyline. This is a nice light read that is perfect for a quiet weekend at home. If you love books with a smart feline detective with a cast of great realistic characters, this book is for you. I will continue to read more of the Trouble, the fabulous cat detective mystery series in the near future.
I was given an ARC for a honest book review.