Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery

Welcome!  Julie Chase is the author of A Kitty Couture Mystery series which contains Cat Got Your Diamonds, Cat Got Your Cash, and the latest Cat Got Your Secrets.  Readers can find out information about the author and her writing on her website.   Julie Chase also writes under Julie Anne Lindsey (The Geek Girl Mysteries).

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase is the third story in A Kitty Couture Mystery series.  Lacy Marie Crocker owns Furry Godmother in New Orleans, Louisiana.  It is a pet boutique and organic treat bakery that caters to all animals.  Lacy is dropping off dreidel dog treats for a bark-mitzvah at a catering hall next to The Cuddle Brigade when she notices a slew of emergency vehicles.  She gets out to inquire what is occurring and discovers that her father’s friend, Wallace Becker is dead. When Lacy discovers her father was the last person (besides the killer) to see Wallace alive, she knows she needs to act quickly.  Lacy starts delving into Wallace Becker’s life to find out who would have wanted him dead.  She needs to work in her investigation in between baking pet treats, creating costumes, helping with the preparations for the party honoring her father, and her NPP Welcoming Committee commitments (thanks to her mother).  In addition, there are her two suitors, Chase Hawthorne and Detective Jack Oliver. 

Cat Got Your Secrets was easy to read and had a good pace.  I did feel that the murder occurred too early in the book (right at the beginning) which makes the book feel long.  Cat Got Your Secrets can be read alone.  Everything a reader needs to know is provided in the story.  I felt the author tried to stuff too much into one book.  There are numerous people and animals introduced (along with wacky costumes for the pets).  None of the human characters are fully developed (very superficial).  There are details missing from the story (an example is the father’s first name).  I am rating Cat Got Your Secrets 2 out of 5 stars (just not for me).  Lacy is a difficult character to like (and lacks depth).  She is 30 going on 16 (I might be giving her too much credit).  Lacy has unreasonable expectations, runs around like the Roadrunner, overreacts to every little thing, breaks laws, etc.  There is just one zany antic after another.  Then there is her demanding mother (a woman who loves parties and events).  The mystery is not complicated, and it is easily solved early in the novel (one clue will give it away).  There was a repetition of information especially in the beginning.  Cat Got Your Secrets failed to capture and hold my attention.  I wanted more substance and less wackiness.  I am not the right audience for A Kitty Couture Mystery series.  Cat Got Your Secrets will be out on September 12.  Please remember that while this cozy mystery was not to my liking, each reader is different.  Things I did not enjoy, other readers will find entertaining!  That is the beauty of books!

I appreciate you visiting today and reading my latest review.  I have spent the last two days preparing for Hurricane Irma (checking the roof, stocking up on supplies, gassing up the car, getting prescriptions refilled, etc.).  You would think with all the technology at our disposable, they could find a way to dissipate these type of storms.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Deadly Brew by Karen MacInerney next time.  May each of you have a wonderful Wednesday.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Cat Got Your Cash: A Kitty Couture Mystery

Happy Sunday!  The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton will be published on Tuesday, April 11.  It is a Christian novel.  One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline also releases on Tuesday.  There are new books coming out every week this month!

Cat Got Your Cash by Julie Chase is the second book in A Kitty Couture Mystery series.  Lacy Crocker owns the Furry Godmother in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She designs outfits for animals and creates organic treats.  Lacy is picking out which of her pet couture creations she is going to show Annie Lane, fashion designer.  Lacy is hoping to partner with Annie and have a pet companion line to Annie’s Mardi Gras designs.  Lacy arrives at Annie’s home and receives no answer to the ringing of the bell.  Lacy knocks on the door, and it swings open to a meowing Siamese kitten.  Lacy follows the kitten into the kitchen where another kitten awaits along with Annie in a pool of blood. A startled Lacy drops her box of designer creations into the blood, and then picks up the murder weapon.  Lacy contacts Detective Jack Oliver instead of 911 believing he will understand the situation (like her fingerprints on the murder weapon).  When Lacy finds out that the kittens are being sent to animal shelter, she steps in and offers to take care of them.  The next day Lacy returns home to pick up the kittens to find them gone.  Someone broke in and stole them.  Thankfully, the kittens are quickly retrieved, and Lacy relocates them to her parents’ home.  Lacy discovers that Annie set up a trust for Cotton and Cashmere, the kittens.  Dylan Latherope, Annie’s ex-husband, wants to regain custody of the kittens and stalks Lacy trying to obtain them.  Lacy sets out to discover the identity of Annie’s killer while working on new costume designs and handling obligations she has incurred from her parents in return for cat sitting duties.  She does manage to find time to flirt with Jack Oliver and Chase Hawthorne.  But then the killer decides to take matters into his own hands, and Lacy finds herself and her beloved cat, Penelope in danger.  Lacy will need her wits about her if she is going to make it out of this situation alive along with Penelope.

Cat Got Your Cash is easy to read and has a fast pace.  This book is definitely more cozy than mystery.  I felt that more time is devoted to the Lacy’s zany antics than the murder mystery.  There was one wacky incident after another in this book.  It is a screwball type of humor that reminds me of I Love Lucy (I know I am dating myself with this reference—how about Young and Hungry for the millennials).  I did find information repeated especially regarding Penelope wanting to ride the robotic vacuum cleaner at the store, Lacy’s mother with her phone calls and parties, Lacy’s attraction to the two men, and Imogene, her shop assistant, mystic abilities.  I give Cat Got Your Cash 3 out of 5 stars.  The mystery is not complicated and many readers will be able to identify the killer.  Cat Got Your Cash is the second book in the series, but it can be read alone.  Details from the Cat Got Your Diamonds (first book in series) and Lacy’s history are included in this novel.  I was not a fan of this cozy mystery.  It was just too inane and unrealistic for me.  Lacy is a businesswoman (running her shop at a profit), but comes across as seriously lacking in the brains department.  Then there is the love triangle (they certainly are popular in books this year) that dominates the story.  If you enjoy outlandish, humorous type of novels (my mother loves them), then you should check out Cat Got Your Cash (releases 04/11).  The next book in A Kitty Couture Mystery series is Cat Got Your Secrets.  It will be out on September 12, 2017.

Thank you for visiting today and reading my review.  I will be reviewing Kale to the Queen by Nell Hampton.  I am currently reading Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen.  I hope you have a lovely, relaxing Sunday.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader