Cat and Mouse

by Shaw Collins

Another small town mystery with Cassia and her fearless cat Miss Mansfield. After two months, the Mandress mansion finally feels like home. Until a feisty mouse ruins Cassia's breakfast. To make things worse, chasing down that mouse turns into more of an adventure than Cassia bargained for - and that's not even including the deadly happenings at Mucho Junk storage space. Can Cassia solve all the mysteries before she's seen as a permanent suspect in any bad event? Come spend time with Cassia Lemon and the quirky people of Forgotten Valley in Cat and Mouse.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

296 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

ASIN‏: ‎B0BP2LLQR1

Publication date‏: April 25, 2023

3 stars

“Cat and Mouse” by Shaw Collins is the third book in the Cassia Lemon Mysteries series and it picks up where book 2 ended, with Cassia struggling to come up with the finances needed to take care of the huge mansion her aunt has left her.

While things seem to be looking up when her lawyer tells her he has tracked down another of her late aunt’s savings accounts, the funds are still meager. On another upside though is the stolen furniture and other belongings the previous fake housekeeper had taken were finally located and Cassie receives a key to a storage unit, a very large storage unit.

Misadventure with the storage unit caretaker soon sees Cassia once again in handcuffs and being booked for murder.

“Cat and Mouse” is a fast-paced cozy mystery, and the author, Shaw Collins, did a good job of keeping the identity of the real killer from me until the very end.

I’d normally give the book 4 stars, but there are some things that I felt needed a better explanation. I’m also feeling that Cassie’s character can’t function without a lot of help from Genevieve. I like a strong protagonist and Cassia just feels like she is just muddling along in this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaw Collins has written a deadly cozey mystery murder of cat and mouse with Cassia Lemmon being played by a murdering thief.The usual array of colorful and quirky characters are back but not alone because there's a deadly schemer lurking in the background unbeknownst to all. The characters will initially draw you into their stories ,with an unsuspected death will entice you further when Cassia is suspect number one and the intrigue builds further once she and friends tarts searching for answers in hope of solving what happened before she gets framed for a murder she hasn't committed .The plot thickens as Shaw Collins leeds us through clues and motives. You'll have a hard time putting this cozey aside once you start reading until you've reached its unexpected and climatic ending. Acquire " Cat and Mouse " for hours of intriguing and enjoyable entertainment. Kat

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume follows on from the previous ones. There's the murder investigation at the heart of this book, and then there's the research into Cassia's family. The style remains the same, always pleasant to read, as does the pace of the story, which suits me well for the investigation but leaves me decidedly wanting when it comes to the mystery surrounding her aunt. I have the impression that it will be several more volumes before we really learn anything important on this subject. I would have preferred Cassia to make more discoveries. I suppose it's to make me want to read the next volume, but the investigations are nice enough to make me want to continue the series, whereas this background story that doesn't move forward tends to frustrate me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series where Cassia Lemon has inherited Mandress Mansion from an aunt she didn’t know she had and has to reside there for 1 year by the terms of the will. I really enjoy the characters - Cassia, Genevieve and the black cat Miss Mansfield! Cassia is a bit of a frailty cat herself and her new friend Genevieve is the opposite! Miss Mansfield is, well, a cat, and to Cassia’s dismay, totally uninterested in helping her catch a mouse teasing her in the kitchen! Cassia finally gets some of the inheritance money and keys to storage lockers where the maid stole and stashed the mansion’s things, but the man in charge is really nasty. When he turns up dead, Sheriff Andrews is happy to cast Cassia as the murderer! A fascinating and often funny book that I received a free copy of. I write this review voluntarily.

[Kayla Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat and Mouse (book three of series): after a few months in her inherited mansion, Cassia finally gets the keys to one of the estate’s cars AND the storage units housing what used to be in the house. But now the mansion has a mouse problem and the day after she is at her storage unit, the manager there is found murdered. Oh, and Cassia is the primary suspect. With the help of her best friend Genevieve, Cassia needs to clear her name, find the real killer, and UNPACK.

Another great part of this series. Forgotten Valley is the perfect place to lose yourself for an evening, despite the dead bodies. I recommend having baked goods on hand. I may have said this before, but I love Cassia and Genevieve’s friendship and I love that the friendship is so important to the plot. Just gals solving mysteries together, drinking root beer and eating pie.

I know I’ve said this when talking about other books in this series: Cassia has a way different outlook on life than I do. She just lives in the moment and isn’t a type A nightmare. It is so foreign to me and I keep trying to understand her. And then! At one point in Cat and Mouse, Cassia muses about how her study of the universe has impacted her views on life and that the vastness of time and space has made her think that all the trials of this world matter very little. So maybe that is why she is so unbothered by things in a way that fully baffles me, a nightmare person.

Thank you to Book Sirens and Shaw Collins for the ARC!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat and Mouse is Book 3 in A Cassia Lemon Mysteries by Shaw Collins. I have read all 3 books in this series and each book becomes my favorite and Cat and Mouse is so good. The FBI has located a lot of Cassia's aunts furniture in storage. I found this murder mystery to be excellent. The characters in this series are like "book friends" with new characters added to each new story. Since Cassia has to live in the mansion with her aunt's cat, Miss Mandress, I hope there are lots more adventures for Cassia and her friends. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat and Mouse is Book 3 in the Cassia Lemon Mysteries series written by Shaw Collins. This murder mystery story was entertaining and very original. It is a fast-paced cozy mystery, and the author, Shaw Collins, did a good job of keeping the identity of the real killer from me until the very end. Great character development, plot was well detailed and engaging. Overall great addition to the series. Will continue to watch this series for more adventures with Cassia and the gang. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished it in one day, what else can I say? I do love (not to say I envy) the friendship of these two feisty women. Again, witty and fun with another beautiful cover, I need to say.

I am definitely looking forward to see how this story unfolds in the next part of this series.

Thanks to Booksirens for a copy of the book.

[Bookworm_acre · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's my first Shaw Collins book and also of this book series so I didn't relate to the previous books and characters. But I really enjoyed this book and the story and I had to laugh at Miss Mansfield and her relationship with the house mouse.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there is more to come. In this installment Cassia gets into so much a murder, a mysterious hidden room and a treasure map. We find out a bit more on the Mandress's and the return of all the stolen items. This story has a lot going on but leaves so much up in the air, so I hope this is not the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, fast paced story. I love how the characters are being developed from book to book. I can't wait to see what adventures await Cassia.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series by Shaw Collins. Cassia and Gen seem to find trouble wherever they go. Cassia is finally getting the stolen stuff back but trouble rears its head and she is accused of murder, again. I cant wait for the next book.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This murder mystery story was entertaining and very original. Cassie is trying to get settled in her inherited mansion but has a few insecurities which hinder her ability to really enjoy the huge home. A new murder doesn't help her situation. I like this series but am hoping Cassie starts to enjoy her new life more as the series continues. I understand her reluctance to accept the inheritance with all the strings attached. I like her new friends and their characters are well written including a few quirky ones. The story moves along quickly and kept my interest throughout.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.