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Sunny & Shadow Mystery #2
Cat Nap
Let sleeping cats lie…
Kittery Harbor, Maine, may not be a hotbed of criminal activity, but Sunny Coolidge and her feline companion, Shadow, have a knack for nosing out trouble. While Shadow copes with a sore paw and an irritating puppy invading his turf, Sunny gets mixed up in a financial dispute between rival vets and ex-spouses Jane and Martin Rigsdale. Sunny agrees to help Jane confront Martin about his moneygrubbing ways, only to find herself caught at the scene of a crime: Martin has been murdered.
Though Jane is pegged as the lead suspect in the investigation, Martin, with his greedy ways and his catting around, did not have a shortage of enemies. Did a scorned lover or cheated creditor put Martin down for good? It’s time for Sunny and Shadow to team up again, sniff out a killer, and clear Jane’s name before someone decides to put them to sleep, too.
Kittery Harbor, Maine, may not be a hotbed of criminal activity, but Sunny Coolidge and her feline companion, Shadow, have a knack for nosing out trouble. While Shadow copes with a sore paw and an irritating puppy invading his turf, Sunny gets mixed up in a financial dispute between rival vets and ex-spouses Jane and Martin Rigsdale. Sunny agrees to help Jane confront Martin about his moneygrubbing ways, only to find herself caught at the scene of a crime: Martin has been murdered.
Though Jane is pegged as the lead suspect in the investigation, Martin, with his greedy ways and his catting around, did not have a shortage of enemies. Did a scorned lover or cheated creditor put Martin down for good? It’s time for Sunny and Shadow to team up again, sniff out a killer, and clear Jane’s name before someone decides to put them to sleep, too.
296 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 7, 2013
36 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
November 17, 2022
Fun- cozy mystery - love triangle - small town gossip & politics - interesting read how the cat, smells different objects/people and cute the way he describes people.
September 24, 2020
In reading the 2nd novel of this series, I also learned of another concern for cats and dogs as they walk outside in the winter elements that I was not aware of as we had dogs when I was growing up but as an adult I’ve only shared life with indoor cats. As cats gravitate to warm places, social media always mentions checking any vehicle parked outside in several ways before starting a car or truck but I was unaware of the danger of "Ice Melt" which is more chemically active than the salt used years ago. These chemicals can be lethal when licked off paws or ingested from melting puddles. In a conversation Sunny has with Dr. Jane Rigsdale (Veterinarian), Jane explains one of the dangers of the chemicals being used to melt winter’s ice.
There’s a new mystery in Kittery Harbor, Maine, for Sunny and Shadow to solve but unfortunately Sunny and Shadow are solving part of this mystery independently. On a cold winter night, there is an unexpected 4-pawed visitor at Shadow’s new home with Sunny and her father. Although Shadow definitely loves Sunny and is thoroughly enjoying the luxuries and comforts of his new home (especially on these cold winter nights), Shadow’s afraid to completely trust Sunny due to some of his previous experiences with humans. Sunny has also had her heart broken in a past relationship so Shadow’s been helping Sunny’s heart heal too.
Shadow already had my love and devotion as a favorite cat character as introduced in "The Big Kitty" but I will especially recommend it to anyone rescuing a kitten or cat and sharing their lives for the first time. Rescuing animals requires patience and understanding and Shadow’s story can help explain that trust and understanding isn’t as simple as an on/off switch as old fears from past experiences don’t dissipate overnight.
“Well, the stuff you get in most stores now is more chemically active than plain old salt. Sometimes it can even crack the pads on a cat or dog’s paw.As the series continues I am again reminded of the wonderful names given to businesses in cozy mysteries that absolutely delight me as a reader and are much more imaginative than in real life. My favorite in this series to date is a café named "Spill the Beans."
Getting that stuff caught in there is like having a pebble in your shoe, except it’s not only getting stuck between your toes but burning them, too.
Just warm up a little mineral oil and work it in around the pads…picked up a bottle of mineral oil, and went to the built-in sink, running the hot water.
After holding the bottle under the stream of water for a couple of minutes, Jane opened the bottle, let a drop of oil fall on her wrist, and nodded, “Just right.”
…and Jane rested his (Shadow’s) paw in the pool of warm oil she’d collected in her palm.
…massaging the oil between the pads on his (Shadow’s) paw.
...just try the oil massage for a week. If he (Shadow) doesn’t show improvement, then we’ll try something medical."
There’s a new mystery in Kittery Harbor, Maine, for Sunny and Shadow to solve but unfortunately Sunny and Shadow are solving part of this mystery independently. On a cold winter night, there is an unexpected 4-pawed visitor at Shadow’s new home with Sunny and her father. Although Shadow definitely loves Sunny and is thoroughly enjoying the luxuries and comforts of his new home (especially on these cold winter nights), Shadow’s afraid to completely trust Sunny due to some of his previous experiences with humans. Sunny has also had her heart broken in a past relationship so Shadow’s been helping Sunny’s heart heal too.
Shadow already had my love and devotion as a favorite cat character as introduced in "The Big Kitty" but I will especially recommend it to anyone rescuing a kitten or cat and sharing their lives for the first time. Rescuing animals requires patience and understanding and Shadow’s story can help explain that trust and understanding isn’t as simple as an on/off switch as old fears from past experiences don’t dissipate overnight.
June 2, 2014
This is the second book in the A Sunny & Shadow Mystery series. In this book, the uneasy friendship between Sunny and Jane continues to develop with Will stuck in the middle. This is an unusual love triangle for a cozy mystery. The norm is that the female protagonist has two men she can’t or won’t decide between. There is also the addition of another possible love interest, Tobe Phillips. Mike, Sunny’s father, also shows growth in this book, both in his recovery from his heart attack, his independence, and his social life.
The mystery in this book centers around the death of Jane’s ex-husband and proving Jane’s innocence. The ending had quite a twist and I didn’t figure it out all. Shadow continues to provide his point of view to the story which is very well done. The setting and the difficulties of living and working in a Northern climate are described in realistic detail. After reading many southern series, this was a nice change.
I am definitely going to continue with this series, good characters and well written mystery plot!
The mystery in this book centers around the death of Jane’s ex-husband and proving Jane’s innocence. The ending had quite a twist and I didn’t figure it out all. Shadow continues to provide his point of view to the story which is very well done. The setting and the difficulties of living and working in a Northern climate are described in realistic detail. After reading many southern series, this was a nice change.
I am definitely going to continue with this series, good characters and well written mystery plot!
March 3, 2018
A cute cozy with Shadow the cat as a main character. Shadow doesn't talk or even understand human talk, and he doesn't have superpowers like some cat cozies, but he's lovable, smart, and we can follow his thoughts as he works through problems with the Two-Legs. I love the cute nicknames for humans, such as Gentle Hands, Old One, etc. Sunny is his current human. She moved back to a small town on the Maine coast when her father suffered a serious heart attack. She then got laid off from her job in the city, so she stayed to take care of her Dad and work at a travel/local adventure agency. One of her old friends also recently returned to town after a divorce and sets up practice as the local vet. Unfortunately, her ex also sets up his vet practice in the nearby town. He's a real sleazeball and manages to get himself murdered. It's a cute story, an easy read, with likable characters, especially Shadow. I'm sure I'll read more of this series.
May 12, 2023
This was a cute pet cozy mystery. I loved that the romantic interest didn’t take over the main story. I also loved how Shadow was voiced. It was so much more believable than some of these animal mysteries. Shadow’s inner thoughts were what I imagine kitty thoughts are like. And his code mass for every day things were hilarious. It’s awesome that digs are Biscuit Eaters. I was mildly surprised by who killed Martin but it was certainly a believable ending.
March 14, 2017
There are some female detectives who I stopped reading because they keep putting themselves in danger. This book has a cat I feel the same way about. LOOKOUT, Shadow, you are making life hard on yourself.
Now that I have that off my chest, I'll say that Sunny (the main investigator) and her dad are great characters. Shadow (the cat) is realistic. The mystery is well plotted. The town is lovely. Let's hear it for Kittery, ME.
I hope the vet stays in town, Shadow needs her.
Now that I have that off my chest, I'll say that Sunny (the main investigator) and her dad are great characters. Shadow (the cat) is realistic. The mystery is well plotted. The town is lovely. Let's hear it for Kittery, ME.
I hope the vet stays in town, Shadow needs her.
April 17, 2020
This is a new author to me but one I will continue reading. Sunny decides to help her friend and cat's vet settle a problem the friend is having with her ex husband. Little does Sunny know she will become involved with a murder investigation and her friend will become the number one suspect. Sunny's pet cat, Shadow, will find himself in his own frightening situation.
May 3, 2014
Sunny and Shadow are at it again, sniffing out another murderer. Even with an injured paw Shadow is still Sunny’s trusty sidekick as she gets right in the middle of some sparing ex-spouses. Martin Rigsdale was a terrible husband and Jane thought she was rid of him, but he came back wanting another payoff. Jane decides to set him straight for good and drags Sunny along as a witness. Unfortunately they were too late, all the found was Martin dead in is veterinary clinic and Jane becomes the prime suspect. Turns out Martin had plenty of secrets and enemies, Sunny and Shadow just need to find the right one before anyone else gets put to sleep permanently.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
My granddaughter grabbed this book out of my hand and pointed at the cover and said “Wiley”. Even she knows how much our kitty looks like Shadow. But Shadow is a very special cat, he is very inquisitive and that can get him in trouble but he also has a keen sense of smell that can usually get him out of it. What I really like about this story and this series is that the author not only writes from Sunny’s point of view she also writes from Shadow’s. Anyone with a cat knows we wonder sometimes just what our cats are thinking and having Shadow talking about the picture box in the living room or the way he likes to snuggle up with his human will put a genuine smile on your face. The way he talks about that “Biscuit Eater” and its owner had me laughing out loud.
Sunny had come back to Maine to take care of her father after his heart attack. She has a job at Maine Adventure X-perience and the winter is a pretty slow time for tourists so she spends her time updating the website and waiting the phone to ring or emails to come in. She is still catching up with old friends and hoping to get a certain someone interested in her the way she is interested in him.
Donally has written quite the mystery for her starring characters. Martin may not have been killed by his ex, or a jealous husband, heck there are Russian loan Sharks in Kittery Harbor. Could they be involved? The author surprises us with some very clever twists and turns.
The cozy is a purrfect escape and I am so happy that the next book in the series Last Licks (A Sunny & Shadow Mystery) will be out May 6. I am looking forward to snuggling up with Shadow again very soon.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
My granddaughter grabbed this book out of my hand and pointed at the cover and said “Wiley”. Even she knows how much our kitty looks like Shadow. But Shadow is a very special cat, he is very inquisitive and that can get him in trouble but he also has a keen sense of smell that can usually get him out of it. What I really like about this story and this series is that the author not only writes from Sunny’s point of view she also writes from Shadow’s. Anyone with a cat knows we wonder sometimes just what our cats are thinking and having Shadow talking about the picture box in the living room or the way he likes to snuggle up with his human will put a genuine smile on your face. The way he talks about that “Biscuit Eater” and its owner had me laughing out loud.
Sunny had come back to Maine to take care of her father after his heart attack. She has a job at Maine Adventure X-perience and the winter is a pretty slow time for tourists so she spends her time updating the website and waiting the phone to ring or emails to come in. She is still catching up with old friends and hoping to get a certain someone interested in her the way she is interested in him.
Donally has written quite the mystery for her starring characters. Martin may not have been killed by his ex, or a jealous husband, heck there are Russian loan Sharks in Kittery Harbor. Could they be involved? The author surprises us with some very clever twists and turns.
The cozy is a purrfect escape and I am so happy that the next book in the series Last Licks (A Sunny & Shadow Mystery) will be out May 6. I am looking forward to snuggling up with Shadow again very soon.
September 1, 2015
Meh. This book was not terrible but not fantastic either. Just Meh.
I had trouble warming up to Sunny. She was good to her father and her cat. But she spent way too much of the book mooning over men, especially Will, and making snarky internal comments about Jane that showed her jealousy of the other woman. It read a great deal like one of those catty 'girl books' that I avoided in high school (and could never see why anyone would want to read). Sunny has a lot of growing up to do; she comes across like a teenager rather than an adult.
The plot was somewhat interesting the my lack of engagement with Sunny made it difficult also to care too much about the storyline. I also felt that some of the elements were really contrived.
Finally - mini spoiler - I hate mystery novels where the ending is 'foisted upon' the charters 'investigating' the crime, rather than the solution being determined by the efforts of the 'investigators' (see the real story if you would like more details about the contrivances and this comment).
Overall an OK read with some problems. I know this book is early on in the series (and I am usually more generous in my assessment of the earlier books in a series. However, while I will not be actively avoiding the books, I highly doubt that I will be looking up any others in the series.
I had trouble warming up to Sunny. She was good to her father and her cat. But she spent way too much of the book mooning over men, especially Will, and making snarky internal comments about Jane that showed her jealousy of the other woman. It read a great deal like one of those catty 'girl books' that I avoided in high school (and could never see why anyone would want to read). Sunny has a lot of growing up to do; she comes across like a teenager rather than an adult.
The plot was somewhat interesting the my lack of engagement with Sunny made it difficult also to care too much about the storyline. I also felt that some of the elements were really contrived.
Finally - mini spoiler - I hate mystery novels where the ending is 'foisted upon' the charters 'investigating' the crime, rather than the solution being determined by the efforts of the 'investigators' (see the real story if you would like more details about the contrivances and this comment).
Overall an OK read with some problems. I know this book is early on in the series (and I am usually more generous in my assessment of the earlier books in a series. However, while I will not be actively avoiding the books, I highly doubt that I will be looking up any others in the series.
May 13, 2013
Cat Nap is the second book in the A Sunny and Shadow Mystery series.
Jane and Martin Rigsdale, both vets, have been divorced for a few months. Martin has been after Jane to give him some desperately needed money. Going so far as to ask Sunny to convince Jane and he will make sure Sunny benefits. Once Jane learns this, she asks Sunny to go with her when she confronts Martin. They arrive at Martin's clinic and soon find him in an exam room dead. Right on there heels, Dawn, the receptionist, enters and accuses them of murdering Martin. But Martin is a man that never met a woman that he didn't want to love. Then, throw into the mix that he is blackmailing one of his mistresses and has misused some money that a loan-shark was having him launder.
So Sunny and Jane have their hands full trying to sort through all the suspects and can finally give Will, Sunny's policeman friend, enough information and facts to apprehend the murderer.
Mike and his lady friend, Mrs. Martinson, are back to lend some chuckles to the book. But the character that I most enjoyed was Shadow, the black cat. He doesn't provide clues, but does have his paws in helping to capture the person that has been holding him captive. I think his best thought that reader will read, is his calling Mrs. Martinson's puppy, The Biscuit Eater.
I am certainly looking forward to the next book.
Jane and Martin Rigsdale, both vets, have been divorced for a few months. Martin has been after Jane to give him some desperately needed money. Going so far as to ask Sunny to convince Jane and he will make sure Sunny benefits. Once Jane learns this, she asks Sunny to go with her when she confronts Martin. They arrive at Martin's clinic and soon find him in an exam room dead. Right on there heels, Dawn, the receptionist, enters and accuses them of murdering Martin. But Martin is a man that never met a woman that he didn't want to love. Then, throw into the mix that he is blackmailing one of his mistresses and has misused some money that a loan-shark was having him launder.
So Sunny and Jane have their hands full trying to sort through all the suspects and can finally give Will, Sunny's policeman friend, enough information and facts to apprehend the murderer.
Mike and his lady friend, Mrs. Martinson, are back to lend some chuckles to the book. But the character that I most enjoyed was Shadow, the black cat. He doesn't provide clues, but does have his paws in helping to capture the person that has been holding him captive. I think his best thought that reader will read, is his calling Mrs. Martinson's puppy, The Biscuit Eater.
I am certainly looking forward to the next book.
July 7, 2013
Enjoyed this second "Sunny & Shadow" mystery. A local playboy veterinarian is murdered, and police suspect his ex-wife, who is also a veterinarian. Even though Sunny sees her as a rival for a local cop's affections, she thinks her old classmate is innocent. As they set out to find proof, they encounter Russian mobsters, a blackmailer and a crazy cat lady. I never figured out who did it until the end. This book was much better-written than many cat mysteries I have read lately. It is a very enjoyable cozy.
July 9, 2014
I read enjoyed this book. We had a mystery involving the death of a vets ex-husband. Lots of secrets about him come to light. Also we have the cat Shadow, who is one of the smartest cats I have ever read about. He has a mind of his own and has memories of some not so good times in his life. Shadow gets catnapped in this book and you wonder when he will succeed in escaping. I thought there also was going to be a romance between Sunny and the Constable but that is kind of up in the air. I will definitely be reading book 3 to find out.
May 13, 2014
Second Book in the Sunny & Shadow Mystery Series. Vet Martin Ragsdale continues to cause trouble for his ex-wife Jane until he meets his untimely death. Who killed Martin and why? While Sunny is trying to help Jane, Shadow wonders away from home after feeling threatened by repeated visits from Mrs. Martinson and her new "biscuit eater" as Shadow calls the new puppy. Not only does Sunny set out to clear Jane's name in the murder but she must now try and find Shadow. Fun and enjoyable read.
July 12, 2015
Definitely better than the 1st book in the series. Again, I really like the way Shadow is written and it is the biggest draw for me. The mystery made sense and the loan sharks were almost a comic relief in a scary way. I ended this one feeling relief, which is not the norm for me with a cozy. Cozy and cat lovers I'd give this series a chance.
July 23, 2021
Really loving this series. One thing I really love is that you get to see and know what Shadow (the cat) sees, smells and hears and thinks throughout the story. It's very well done. Besides Shadow the cast includes Sunny , Shadows owner, Jane a vet and Will the local constable that both Jane and Sunny like.
So murder, blackmail, catnapping is what is going on in this story. A very good read.
So murder, blackmail, catnapping is what is going on in this story. A very good read.
May 24, 2015
Once again enjoyed this author. Sunny, Mike, Will, Jane and of course Shadow the cat were full of surprises. Near the end the title makes sense and if you enjoy cozy mysteries here is another must read.
March 14, 2015
I have to periodically break from Dark, Brutal, Savagery and I always turn to light mystery. Engaging characters and entertaining!
August 18, 2018
Was interesting at first. When it got to a certain part, I lost interest because I didn't understand this aspect of the story.
What is interesting about this series is you read the cat's point-of-view of the story. Shadow is the star and I loved his observations! I cared about him more.
What is interesting about this series is you read the cat's point-of-view of the story. Shadow is the star and I loved his observations! I cared about him more.
May 10, 2023
I love books with cats or dogs as hero type characters so this one made my day. I have 3 cats, but I think they are all more like the retarded buzzard in the Warner Brothers cartoons and I know for a fact they would run if I was being attacked.
Shadow is special. He's been kicked out of more homes than a cockroach, so he's very street smart. He's finally found a good home with Sunny and her dad only to be accosted by a visiting neighbor's "biscuit eater", a puppy. In the meantime, Sunny is helping investigate the murder of a friend's ex-husband. When Shadow gets his nose out of joint by the constant visit by the neighbor and her unruly pup, he thinks it's time to leave, only to be kidnapped on the road. What happens next is pure fun and excitement.
Shadow is special. He's been kicked out of more homes than a cockroach, so he's very street smart. He's finally found a good home with Sunny and her dad only to be accosted by a visiting neighbor's "biscuit eater", a puppy. In the meantime, Sunny is helping investigate the murder of a friend's ex-husband. When Shadow gets his nose out of joint by the constant visit by the neighbor and her unruly pup, he thinks it's time to leave, only to be kidnapped on the road. What happens next is pure fun and excitement.
May 29, 2017
This second book in the Sunny and Shadow mystery series was also an interesting read. Sunny's friend Jane is suspected of murdering her ex-husband, Martin. While investigating to help clear Jane, Sunny's pet cat Shadow disappears; and she searches for him and places posters around the town. She and Jane continue to be romantically interested in Constable Will Price and a new man, Jane's attorney Tobe Phillips. The author's depiction of Shadow the cat's behavior and thought processes appeared to be right on target. The book had some unsavory characters and some exciting moments.
February 4, 2020
I bought the whole series of these books, not recalling having already read the first book (must have been shortly after it came out). But as soon as I started reading this book I remembered the first and how much I enjoyed it. What's memorable about these is seeing things from the cats perspective. In some ways it's a little hokey, but it's cute and different. I really like the main characters and I love any mystery set in Maine, especially Maine in the winter time (or Maine in the summer, or Maine in the fall, etc.)
September 21, 2017
I read this series out of order because I was feeling especially tender-hearted around the time I finished book #1 and my wife thought Shadow's misadventures in book #2 would disturb me. She wasn't wrong. At least the kitty is getting the message that his new home is home, and that Sunny would never throw him out.
As for the mystery, it's just silly. Sometimes that's okay, especially when the characters are coming into focus and the setting is more intriguing as you spend more time there.
As for the mystery, it's just silly. Sometimes that's okay, especially when the characters are coming into focus and the setting is more intriguing as you spend more time there.
July 26, 2017
Delightful mystery with main character Sunny and her cat companion, Shadow helping to catch a killer.
July 27, 2017
Again, this next book in the series did not disappoint, Sunny & Shadow make a great team. Can't wait to see what happens next!
June 24, 2018
This series continues to delight. Shadow, while definitely having thoughts and opinions, has thoughts and opinions that are so very, very CATTISH!
September 12, 2017
Sunny and Shadow solve yet another murder mystery. A fun easy read.
September 21, 2017
great book.
April 2, 2018
Another fast-paced, fun book in the series! Sunny and Shadow are entertaining - and Shadow seems real enough to pet. The next books are on my TBR shelf!
June 27, 2019
A complete review can be found on my blog here: https://doncasterkittenbooks.wordpres...
November 19, 2019
I wasn't convinced when I realised some of this book is written from the point of view of a cat but it actually works really well!
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