Paint Can Kill: Book #9 in the Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series

Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery #9

by Joanna Campbell Slan

It's raining outside, and it's raining inside. Hey, that's Florida. But as sassy entrepreneur Cara Mia Delgatto watches a van full of Highwayman paintings walk out the front door of The Treasure Chest--because the collection's owner is taking them back--she's crying on the inside all the way to the bank. There will be no quick fix for this. Instead Cara focuses on an outstanding bill. When she visits the wealthy woman who has stiffed her, Cara stumbles over another stiff, a dead body. With multiple crisises in her business life, Cara grieves the loss of her live-in love and her rescue Chihuahua. The man and the dog have left a huge hole in her heart. Will Cara survive all these losses?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2023

About the author

National bestselling and award-winning author Joanna Campbell Slan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in a small town in Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, a newspaper ad salesperson, a television talk show host, a college teacher, a public relations professional, and a motivational speaker. In that capacity, she was named by Sharing Ideas Magazine as “one of the top 25 speakers in the world.”

Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.

Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.

RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.

Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.

Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.

As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.

Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.

Website: www.JoannaSlan.com

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...

Twitter: @JoannaSlan

Reviews

[Tam Sesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the series thus far.

The author has stepped up her game with this edition to the Cara Mia series. The book is full of friendship, love, losses, mystery, and history. The book was rich in story, and the author kept it moving word after word. I would recommend reading the series from the beginning, but even if you started with this one, the author does a great job with the backstory. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves good writing along with a dose of awesome women friendships and mystery.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Linda Kleback · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Real Characters

What I love most about this author's books are her characters. They are intensely real. You come to care deeply for them. This book is also a great portrayal of Florida. A+++

[Linda Vermillion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irritating book

Needless to say I wasn't a big fan of this book. Having both her boyfriend and dog die within a couple months was just too much. And trying to tie his death to Covid because he didn't wear a mask!?!? It was proven over and over again that the masks were useless and most of the deaths from Covid were people with underlying conditions. When a man dies in a motorcycle accident and his death certificate lists Covid as his cause of death, something is wrong. A very healthy military special ops guy is not going to die of basically the flu because he didn't wear a mask.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it’s been a few books since I’ve read a story in the Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery series, it only took me a little bit to re-acclimate myself to the characters and what I’ve missed. In fact, if you find the idea of this book intriguing and want to jump right in without reading the previous books first, you could absolutely do so.

Cara has suffered some deep personal losses since last I met her, and my heart went out to her as she continues to grieve. There are a couple of bright spots that come into her life in Paint Can Kill though, and I feel like – while there’s no ‘right’ timeline for the stages of grief – she is on her way to the place where the memories become a little bit sweeter and a little bit less painful. I loved both Herk and Bailey, could easily picture both, and hope they continue to play a key role in the series going forward. I’m particularly curious as to whether or not things might eventually develop beyond a friendship with Herk a few books down the line, and Bailey is everything adorable I love in a fictional dog.

There are several layers to the mystery in Paint Can Kill, including forged paintings, thefts, stalking, and of course murder. I wasn’t sure how – or if – each of these layers were connected until all is revealed a piece at a time, but I sure enjoyed trying to puzzle it all out along with Cara and her staff/friends. In addition to the other new faces in Cara’s life, there’s also a new police chief in town and I thought the author did a great job of portraying this adjustment period realistically, allowing for some tense moments as they suss each other out.

Bottom Line: Paint Can Kill by Joanna Campbell Slan is an engaging and layered story with likable characters and complex mysteries. The struggles that Cara, MJ, and Skye are respectively shouldering in this novel evoked my sympathies and made me even more invested in how everything would turn out for each of them. I really like this trio of friends/coworkers – as well as Honoria (whose hat pin weapon delighted me) – and I love how they all support each other without question. Twists, turns, and red herrings await readers in this charming cozy mystery, and you may find yourself craving a peaceful cottage on the coast after reading it!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed traveling to Florida in Paint Can Kill: Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series by Joanna Campbell Slan, especially since I did it from the cool of my house! While this is book nine in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone which works well for readers just discovering Cara. As a new reader to this series myself, I enjoyed the backstory and felt it added so much to understanding and loving Cara as a character.

While this mystery has many of the essential cozy elements (small town, wonderful side characters and pets), it feels unique to me as it doesn’t shy away from feelings of grief and loss. This isn’t by any means a ‘sad book,’ but it certainly feels true to life and unafraid to touch on all emotions–especially love and grief. I also appreciated the author’s honest portrayal of what it was like during the pandemic, especially in the beginning. This isn’t always a fun topic to revisit, but it was handled gracefully and wasn’t the entire focus of the story.

The mystery is solid and the pacing excellent. I love Cara’s friends – especially how different they were from each other. The addition of pets adds so much heart to the story. A truly enjoyable read.

[Joy Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery involving forged paintings and a dead woman

Cara owns an art store and visits the wealthy woman that'll stiffed her. Cara finds the woman dead st her house and the local police grow suspicious of Cara. Will she solve the mystery of the forged paintings and exonerate herself?

There were a lot of characters coming and going in this book and I had a hard time following who everyone was at time. Good book but didn't keep my attention as much ad I had hoped.

[Beth Taggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confused

I like this series. But it took a long time for the story to explain what happened to Dan. I had to keep rereading things. I know Cara was in a bad place at the beginning, but it was so confusing. Then the fight scene at the end didn't make sense. I would give it 3.5 stars if it was possible.

[Susan Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, Covid,and friendship.

The Treasure Chest story continues through Covid with lots of sadness. The honest feelings truly reflect what many of us felt. Cara Mia has a customer refuse to pay a bill and when she goes to collect the money she walks into a murder. With twists and turns the story unfolds.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my

This was a hard book to read. I won’t give anything away, but it is a tear jerker. Ms Campbell Slan I hope you write fast because I need another Cara Mia book to pick me back up.

[rosemary l keeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the great Story

I loved the setting as the story unfolded. Each book with meaning behind it. As with life we make mistakes and with your stories you come to forgive yourself. Thank you.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want Cara Mia as a friend!

I both laughed and cried while reading Paint Can Kill. The author’s obvious ability to project empathy for human suffering and towards animals is heartwarming.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paint Can Kill was another good read by Joanna Campbell Slan. I am enjoying the series a lot. Cara Mia, her family and friends provide hours of enjoyment. This story also had a lot of historical information that was very interesting. I highly recommend this book and the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer paint plot

Excellent book. I love that new oaths are opening while endings happen. I enjoyed the plot twists! O, Cara, what a gal and what a crew.

[Ida]

I like all of her books especially the characters Kiki and Cara

[Tracy Whited · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one went off the rails. Very disappointing after enjoying the previous books. Killed a main character for no other reason than the authors personal politics.

[norma baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great series

The setting is coastal Florida. The characters are a well defined group of women who make a business a success with poise, creativity and hard work. Oh, and the owner of the business has the habit of encountering a dead body in each book in the series. Such fun. Enjoy.

[Karen Bays · Rating 5 out of 5]

paint can kill

I loved all of these books this one not so much it left me sad my heart broke for Cara.

[beth rothfuss]

Sad sad ending

Why put Cara through all the pain and misery. Couldn't she have one happy book. Killing Dan from covid, get real.

[Deena Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good resding

I couldn't put it down. And I couldn't wait to get back to it. I was surprised with the ending.