Words With Fiends

Black Cat Bookshop Mystery #3

by Ali Brandon

Brooklyn bookstore owner Darla Pettistone and her oversized black cat, Hamlet, have solved a few complicated capers. But after a recent brush with danger, Darla needs to get Hamlet out of a feline funk...

Lately, Hamlet hasn’t been chasing customers or being his obnoxious self—something Darla surprisingly misses. Concerned, she hires a cat whisperer to probe Hamlet’s feline psyche and then decides to get out of her own funk by taking up karate to learn how to defend herself in case the need arises again.

But when Darla finds her sensei dead at the dojo, it seems that even a master can be felled by foul play. Darla decides to investigate the matter herself, and the promise of a mystery snaps Hamlet out of his bad mood. After all, Darla may be the sleuth, but Hamlet’s got a black belt in detection...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Cats, Books About Books, Animals

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 5, 2013

About the author

DIANE A.S. STUCKART who also writes as ALI BRANDON, ALEXA SMART and ANNA GERARD, is a member of that proud breed, the native Texan. She was born in the West Texas town of Lubbock, home to Buddy Holly, prairie dogs, and Texas Tech University, where her mom once taught. Most of her formative years, however, were spent in Dallas with her parents and siblings: one younger sister and three younger brothers. And then, when she was fifteen, her dad's work took them north of the Red River and into Oklahoma, settling just outside Oklahoma City. 

Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darla Pettistone owns her own bookstore, complete with a bookstore cat named Hamlet. Since their last dangerous adventure, Hamlet has been depressed. It seems like he might be suffering from PTSD and Darla is more than a little concerned. She calls in an expert cat whisperer, who prefers to be called a feline behavior empath.

Darla, too, needs some help. With all the danger she has been involved in, she signs up for self-defense classes. Along with her teenage worker, they take karate. They do well in their classes, but are shocked when they find their sensei’s dead body. Darla can’t sit by quietly doing nothing. She jumps right into the investigation with Hamlet right by her side.

First, I have to say how much I appreciate that a series is advertised as a cat mystery and the cat lives up to his potential? He’s not just a pretty kitty on the cover. He’s very much a part of the story. He’s not a talking cat nor does he have special magical powers. He’s a bookstore cat who loves his human. His presence is felt throughout the book.

This is the third book in the series. I loved this one even more than the first two. With cozy mystery series, it’s always nice to start with the first book but not always necessary. It does give you a good feel for the character’s grown. I would recommend starting with book #1 but it’s not necessary with this series. There’s no continuing storyline that you’ll miss out. It’s just more fun to start at the beginning. At least it was for me.

Darla is a strong character. She’s vulnerable, but she’s not going to be pulling the covers over her head and hiding from danger. That being said, she also doesn’t act ditzy leaving readers wondering why she’s doing something stupid. Her actions are all understandable.

The supporting characters are well developed and likeable, except for the villainous ones, of course. I would like to see more of Detective Fiorello Reese, known as Reese. He and Darla are on their way to a special relationship but they are taking it at a slow pace. It’s very believable.

Of course Hamlet is my favorite character. He’s the star of the show! Darla makes a nice companion for him.

The story took many twists and turns. As hard as I tried to figure it out, I was totally wrong and didn’t see the end coming. Nicely done!

I’m looking forward to reading the next book, Literally Murder. It looks great too. I can’t get enough of Hamlet.



FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Anne (Booklady) Molinarolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I love cats and Cozy Mysteries, so Ali Brandon's Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Series is exactly down my alley.

Both Darla Pettistone and Hamlet are not themselves and haven't quite been since their near fatal experience from A Novel Way to Die. The petite Red-headed bookstore owner and her young Goth employee, Robert are taking self defense classes from the nearby Dojo until they arrive on a Sunday morning to test for their yellow belt. Sensei Master Tom Tomilinson is barely breathing. It appears to be a suicide attempt, but nothing ever is whatever it seems. And our amateur sleuth finds herself investigating another suspicious death.

As if that's not enough, Hamlet - Darla's big black cat and the unofficial mascot of Pettistone's Fine Books - isn't chasing customers, being his rude self, or pulling books off the shelf. Darla is so worried that she hires a "cat whisperer" to help Hamlet get back to his old self.

And there are her Word Games and the realization she, Darla Pettistone, really needs to expand her circle of friends, because one is a fiend.

Darla and Hamlet had me in stitches all throughout the last 3/4's of the novel. And I wish I was at the competition or had at least seen the video. Awesome! I laughed until I had tears running down my face. Ali Brandon is always easy to read and keeps you quickly turning the pages.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would think that a mixture of Karate, a missing woman, Private eyes, Italian Greyhounds, and a luscious black cat, named Hamlet (or Hammy for short,) a book shop and more, likely to end up in murder? Well, since I didn't mention the online word game...you can be forgiven for being confused. However, murder it is and more on it's way.

Darla Pettistone, owner of Pettistone Fine Books, is also taking a form of Karate with her shop assistant, Robert, the Goth. Hamlet is feeling below par, but, I will assure you he will tower over all when this crime is solved.

There is a murder of the Sensei. Who? Why? What? is going on? These are the questions posed when Darla and Robert discover the body of their Sensei. And, finding the small dog outside in panic, Robert attempts to 'Foster' it.

So, o.k. this book has it all. Murder is only the beginning. All, I'm going to tell you is the last 20% of this tale had me sitting up straight and actually getting nervous. I was wanting to shout out to Hamlet, but...he didn't need my help!

When I get a physical reaction to what I'm reading, nerves..tears..or laughter, I know I'm reading a quality novel. This book lived up to it's title and it was a heck of an ending. Yea! Off to the next volume.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this entire series to no end. This is in part because of my deep love of books (and, HEY, it's set in a bookshop) and in large part because Hamlet, the cat, reminds me so much of my own Hekitty, who rules my home with an iron paw!

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 3rd novel of the series is a terrific new addition to the series. Solving murder mysteries has come at a price for Darla, Robert, and even Hamlet. Hamlet interacts with a cat whisperer while Darla and Robert have begun karate lessons. Little did they realize that the karate lessons would put them in the midst of more danger.

The novels in this series can each be read as a stand-alone but for this series in particular, I would suggest reading the novels in order as then the reader can luxuriate in the progress of each character which becomes so much richer in knowing their back-story from previous storylines. As examples, James T. James is dating one of the customers and the tenant in the basement apartment Jacqueline "Jake" Martelli is moving beyond her initial cases as she opened Martelli Private Investigations, Inc. in the 2nd novel.

This fun series is not to be missed by bookstore lovers, amateur sleuths, and all who love extraordinary felines.

[Alison Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many crime-solving cats in cozy mysteries, and I've never had one that could so much as help me find my keys.

This was another fun entry in this series, with Hamlet the bookshop cat taking the cake, as usual. I appreciated that the murder didn't occur in the store itself this time, because I think Darla would never have another customer again. I also liked seeing Robert get a big role in this one, even if the author is sometimes a bit off in her teen language, and it was super sweet how much he cared for the little doggo the murder victim left behind.

I don't read cozies to be shocked by a big twist ending, but I did wish the villain in this one hadn't been quite so obvious. Darla is also kind of conveniently dense about a few things, one of them relating directly to the title. But I still flew through this one and always enjoy being back in this bookshop with its wonderfully standoffish kitty mascot.

[Addison Public Library]

With Hamlet suffering from PTCS (post-traumatic cat syndrome), Darla hires a cat whisperer to sort out his feline psyche. Darla also suffered the same event and is trying to overcome her feelings by taking a self-defense class at a local dojo. When the Sensei is found dead, it is first thought to be a suicide. Soon, however, murder rears its head and both Hamlet and Darla have to overcome their fears before the murderer strikes again.
KD 4-17
Check out this book today!

[Leeanne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kind of surprised that I enjoyed this as much as I did. I wasn't expecting to give it 5 stars. Why? Well, I liked the first one enough but I wasn't that interested in continuing with the series. The first one had a good mystery, the characters were nice and the bookstore was cool but I didn't really connect with the book or the characters. I did originally put it at 5 stars, but thinking back I didn't love it that much, not as much as this book anyways.

In this book Darla and Hamlet are dealing with the aftereffects of a terrifying, near-death experience from the second book (I'll have to find a copy of that one). Hamlet is in a bit of a funk and not acting like himself. Darla is dealing with hers by taking self-defense lessons along with her employee Robert. At least, they were until the sensei is found dead in the dojo. For Hamlet, Darla employs a cat whisperer or- as he prefers to be called - a feline behavioral empath to help figure out what is up with Hamlet. That bit was interesting. Hamlet becomes more involved in this story than in the first one and it was a welcome addition. I didn't really like the cat all that much, but that has changed.

I don't know if Robert is a new edition or if he arrived in the previous story. He befriends and rescues a small Italian greyhound who belonged to the sensei, Master Tomlinson. Roma is so sweet and I loved learning a bit about a breed I'd never heard of before.

The mystery was really good. There was a completely unexpected twist at the end. Hamlet lends a paw, redeeming himself in the process. This book has it's funny parts, it's sad parts and it's scary moments. I hope the rest of the series will be this good because now I'm really looking forward to them!

[Nancy Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Ms. Brandon.

[Aprilleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like some things about this series, and I really wanted to love this book given it's partially set in a karate dojo, but I'm getting tired of the sloppy setups. For the police to immediately assume this was a suicide is ridiculous! First, the police are not that stupid, although it seems to be fashionable in fiction these days to present them that way. Jake says it herself in chapter 8, “Even the greenest street cop knows what to look for in these situations.” Interesting statement considering she was also the one defending the idea of suicide in previous chapters. Second, the man adored his dog and would never put her at that kind of risk, nor would a man of his known background and reputation deliberately set up two students to find his body. It’s not honorable and doesn’t make any sense at all. And the officer spouting off about suicide knew this background! But hey, it's convenient for the plot so let's just go with it?! You need the reader to buy into the plausibility of the story so it needs to make sense, and this just screams, “No way!” This isn’t the first highly unlikely plot point I’ve run into in this series, so this is quickly becoming a bad habit.

And I’m getting real sick of Jake constantly calling Darla “kid” and speaking to her like she’s an unruly twelve year old. It��s not cute, it’s offensive and denotes a lack of respect. Reese isn’t much better, using a nickname she’s told him not to use and treating her like a coffee shop waitress every time he comes over (Darla’s words, not mine). That is not the way friends address each other in New York, even when one is younger. An adult might address a teen as “kid,” particularly if they aren’t sure of the name, but never another adult unless they are being deliberately condescending. The author apparently has some very strange ideas about New Yorkers and should, perhaps, stick to writing about what she knows. If this is the best the author can do to give regular characters a little personality that's really depressing. I shudder to think that’s the way people in Texas, where the author grew up, actually talk to each other.

Once you get past that, or perhaps share the author’s mistaken belief that this is how New Yorkers speak to their friends, the story itself was actually pretty good. I take exception to the idea that Darla would have been disqualified the way that scene was written. As a former sports official I take exception to the idea that a competitor would ever have been treated that way - particularly as it was crystal clear she had no idea what was happening behind her. A judge worthy of that title would have ignored the ruckus and evaluated her performance on its own merits. She should have been complimented for keeping her focus despite the fact the audience was laughing.

Don’t even get me started on the cat whisperer. Seriously?! Way too far!

The next book apparently takes place in Florida where the author currently lives, so I’ll probably track that one down, but if the plausibility continues to nosedive I’m going to have to give up on this series. As much as the stories are fun and entertaining, this stuff is becoming a constant irritant. I should be getting lost in the story as I become invested in the characters' experiences, not hurting myself rolling my eyes every other page. The author is way too talented to let stupid stuff like this continue to ruin otherwise excellent books.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a recent brush with danger, bookstore owner Darla Pettistone is worried about both herself and her cat Hamlet. In order to protect herself if needed in the future, she is taking karate lessons; to help Hamlet she's hired a cat whisperer (or feline behavioral empath as Brody Raywinkle prefers to be called). It is going to take a while before hamlet shows any sign of improvement but Darla soon has other things to worry about when she and coworker Robert find the body of their sensei. Tom Tomlinson's death isn't as it appears and soon Darla (and Hamlet) are in the middle of a murder investigation. Will Darla’s snooping put them in danger?

“Words with Fiends” is the third book in Ali Brandon's Black Cat Bookshop a cozy mystery series. Although I have not read the first two books in the series I quickly fell in love with the characters and setting and fully intend to buy the first two books. While I enjoyed all the human characters (Darla, James, Robert, and Jake), as someone who is owned by two cats Hamlet was easily my favorite character. While Hamlet reminded me a bit of Koko from the Cat Who series, this book is not nearly as fluffy as that series with deeper written characters and situations. The bookstore setting is a good one and the events at the dojo are nicely done. The mystery itself is well plotted with plenty of suspects and readers no doubt will be surprised at a few things that happen in the book. Finally, there is a wonderfully funny event towards the end of the book that made wish it really happened and really was a YouTube video. That’s one video I could watch over and over again :-)

“Words with Fiends” is a nicely done cozy mystery and I look forward to reading more books in the series.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I know this is the third in the series. I asked for the first book from mum for my Birthday last year, but she accidentally ordered this one instead. I hesitated on reading it, but in the end my desire for cat based murder mysteries won me over and I decided to try it anyway. I can always order the first few and the next and read them as well!

I liked the relationship between Darla and Hamlet, as well as the bookstore setting. I mean, that combines my two favorite things, cats and books. There is also mentions of food, so there you go, the big three! Haha, but seriously, there was fun from beginning to end. The writing style sometimes gets a little bogged down in detail, but it didn't bother me too much. The characters and the quick plot overwhelmed that.

Definitely need to order the other books in this series soon, keep an eye out for those reviews soon! Five stars!

[Bonnie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cat lover I'm glad that Ali Brandon has created a wonderful cozy mystery series A BLACK CAT Bookshop Mystery Series. I just finished book #3 ( Words with Fiends ) as a great mystery to read. Ali's characters comes to life on each page as the story unfolds and you are set in the book as well. My favorite part was when Robert helped Little Roma and wanting to protect her. And I can't leave out Hamlet and the way he acted around home and the bookstore and how he got himself back to being his old self again by helping Darla bring down the bad guy. Darla and Hamlet really make a good team together both at work and SNOOPING AROUND LOOKING FOR CLUES. P.S. I also love dogs too.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. Darla and Robert have joined a karate class, and just as they are about to get their yellow belt, they find their sensei dead at the dojo. With some help from Hamlet, they discover who the real killer is.

[KyBunnies · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in this series was the best. I did not like this one as much as the second book but it was close. I have fell in love with Reese and Hamlet. Would love to meet Professor James and talk book and Robert has a place in my heart.

I highly recommend this series.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wish I could get a copy of that video. Book was a lot of fun.

[The Hobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third entry in the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery is much better than the first two entires - tighter plot and more likable characters. Still the murder does not occur until page 64 and takes another 228 pages to solve the crime and wrap up all the loose ends. However, the results are more satisfying than the previous two titles.
In the last book, both Darla, owner of Pettistone's Fine Books, and Hamlet, the bookshop's black cat mascot, are traumatized. Darla calls cat whisperer, or a feline behavioral empath as Brody calls himself, to get Hamlet out of his funk. Darla and her teen employee Robert sign up for martial arts courses to be better prepared to defend themselves. However, on the Sunday Darla and Robert are scheduled to test for their yellow belts, they find Master Tomlinson, their sensei, dead. Several suspects were introduced before the murder - the sensei's twin stepsons, a headstrong teenage pupil and his over-reaching mother, and an adult student with anger management issues. Then there is the sensei's wife; Darla wonders is the woman just in shock or is she really so mean and controlling? Who would have murdered such a kind man as Master Tomlinson? And what about the sensei's little Italian greyhound - what will happen to Roma? Detective Reese told Dahla not to interfere with the investigation. However, when Hamlet knocks books off the shelves to give clues to Darla, how can she stay away?

[Nicole Wrightson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that I love that these books can stand pretty much alone for the most part. I didn't get to read the second book yet. My library system doesn't have it right now so I can't get my hands on it. But from what I can gather it is enough to know that something bad happened to them in the last book.

This book you start off knowing that Darla is taking classes at a Dojo. Hamlet isn't himself. Darla is worried about him. Then things build up from there. This was a page turner. But I was focusing on other reading books while reading this one. So this wasn't my main book at the time. But most of my books right now are not going to be my main books.

Hamlet brings some laughs to the book as you are reading. You also learn more about James in this book. Robert whom I am guessing we first meet in book two, is a big player in this book. He is a big part of the book but his role is one that makes my motherly heart hurt for him through out the book. But I had my awe moments. I love the story like and the pacing of the book. I also love how the people you kind of suspect through most of the book are not what they seem but are something else. I love the ending of the book and I can't wait to read the next one I can get my hands on.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A variety of change is occurring for bookstore owner Darla and employee Robert, both of whom are taking karate lessons, as result of close encounters in violence in recent times. Darla is also seriously concerned about her cat Hamlet, who is the bookstore mascot.
Due to the recent danger to Hamlet, Robert and Darla, she finally consents to hire a feline behavioral empath (cat whisperer) to figure out what is wrong with Hamlet, while she and Robert take karate lessons for self defense. When Robert and her go to pick up their yellow belts from master Tom, they find him dying from an overdose of Botox!
While they search for who and why Tom was killed, they prepare for their first exhibition of skills. Typical false leads for us the reader, including an old photo, thief at the dojo studio, and Hamlet leaving really strange clues in the books he knocks over.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful murder mystery, courtesy of cat detective Hamlet and bookstore owner Darla Pettistone. This time, they venture into the world of karate dojos and feline behavioral empaths, never mind walking on a leash and videos going viral.
Ali Brandon certainly has a knack of drawing readers into her stories, that go from hilarious to scary, all the while involving informational details on aspects of life as well as interpersonal connections - be that human or animal. All characters are three-dimensional - recurring as well as newly introduced - and the actions and locations make you feel as if you were there.
This is book three in the series and I cannot wait to get my hands on number four.

[Shirley Hartman-Rozee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good cozy mystery in which Hamlet the cat shines. He not only solves the murder, but also leads police to a gravely injured woman and Darla, who is trying to keep the woman alive. Also, Darla and Hamlet are set to go viral on the internet because, as Darla went through her martial arts routine, Hamlet crept down to the stage and imitated her graceful movements and was videotaped by numerous delighted spectators—all unbeknownst to Darla. Of course, she was disqualified from the tournament because of the cat, but that didn’t stop a great many attendees from uploading the videos they took of the sweet pair, which should provide great publicity for the bookshop. All things end in a good way, and I really like the Darla, Hamlet sleuthing duo.

[Cara Noyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cat empath? The cat whisperer was an uncanny minor character in this novel. I have not read book 1 in the series, but maybe I'll go back and do so. Darla is only moderately interesting as a leading lady, but who can resist Hamlet,the karate-cat firm her bookstore.?
While the plot wasn't intense or overly complex, I was disappointed Daria followed Mark blindly into the recesses of he competition area. I'm not surprised she got herself locked into a mess.
Why would you have a phone in your gee?
I enjoyed how Dr. Jan turned out to not be so cold at the end, giving the dog to Robert. The conclusion was positive, so I give the book 3.5 stars overall.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something is amiss with Hamlet, Darla's stalwart feline bookstore mascot & aspiring sleuth. A feline empath visits to mind meld with Hamlet to figure out how Darla can restore the cat's cranky self. Other goings on include P.I. Jake looking for a missing woman & a dead sensei at the local Dojo. Of course Darla & Robert are the ones who find the dead body... Calamities ensue from there. I only wish there really was video of the karate kitty! Can't wait for the next tale of mystery unfold. Enjoyable for those who like cozy mysteries with animal sidekicks!

[Linda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a great series
Hamlet the bookstore mascot is in a funk, Darla highers the cat whisperer.. After solving some crime together well no one believes Hamlet can but anyways the last one affected and put their lives in danger and Darla feels it took its toll on Hamlet. Darla decides to take self defense lessons to get out of her own funk and to protect herself only to find her sensei dead. Darla sets out to find who murdered her treasured new sensei and enlists Hamlet. #BlackCatBookshopMystery

[Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likeable mystery with books and a cat. This is becoming a favorite series of mine. Liked the book club and the literary facets. Nice to see the author address the traumatic events of the previous book and the repercussions for Darla and Hamlet. Kudos to the author for taking a minor character in the previous book and turning him into a major character in this one. Introduces a new character: Roma, the dog. Unfortunately, not a cozy due to tense and scary scenes.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

After their last adventure, Darla is taking self-defense lessons at the local dojo, and Hamlet is not at all his usual self. Darla hires a feline empath to check on Hamlet, and her sensei is murdered. Darla and Reese are on the case, and so is Hamlet. I enjoy the characters in these books, and I love cats and Hamlet is full of personality besides being very smart.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

After loving the first 2 books in the series, I was really disappointed in this one. It seemed so slow. I mean, the dead body wasn't even discovered until page 75ish. Until then, it was all slow fluff, and not very interesting.

There were a few fun parts (like Reese and the ladies at the karate check-in), but overall, this was not a very interesting or exciting book.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this series is so good. At times the main character who's intelligent, can look at a situation and know it'll get her in trouble yet always does it any way. It's enough to drive a sane person nuts, but the fact is that this quirky little family of fun loving people capture the heart. I love her cat Hamlet. He's wonderful. The mystery as usual remains intriguing to the very end.

[Becky Galambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entry into the Black Cat Bookshop series by Ali Brandon. This one both had you convinced that you knew who did it, and then thinking you were wrong, then realizing your instincts are right all along. Love Hamlet and his crime solving, cantankerous cat ways.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having a bit of trouble with the chauvinism and some of the casual stereotyping that at is accepted (and sometimes perpetrated) by Darla. Enjoyed the new canine character, but wasn’t overwhelmed by the storyline.