From author Ruth J. Hartman comes the next purrrrfectly fun Bookshop Kitties Mystery...Children's book author Christy Bailey is thrilled that her aunt Betty is finally marrying the man of her dreams! The small wedding is a family event, right down to Christy’s cats and subjects of her books, Milton and Pearl, who are dressed in wedding attire and pulled down the aisle in a wagon. After the reception, Christy and her boyfriend-hopeful, Micah, agree to help her friend and wedding caterer, Janie, clean up at her pastry shop. But when they arrive at the shop, they're not greeted by Janie but Janie’s ex-husband—who’s dead on the floor, cold as a frozen muffin!Suddenly the murder is all anyone is talking about in the small town of Green Meadow, Indiana, and it's clear the local police detectives have Janie squarely in their sights. But Christy believes in her friend’s innocence and with Milton and Pearl pawing for answers, Christy will stop at nothing to give Janie a happy ending."Meow-velous! Ruth Hartman has penned an engaging mystery. Compelling & Clever!"~ Kings River Life Magazine"Readers will wish Green Meadow and the people and animals were real so that you could visit!"~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning mysterious tales that make you smile. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling mystery writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her insistence that all of her books have at least one cat in them.
Murder She Meowed is the 2nd book in the BookShop Kitties series by Ruth J. Hartman, but it can easily be read as a standalone book. It is a cozy mystery featuring Christy, a children's book author who helps to run a bookshop with her Aunt Betty and two very spoilt cats, Milton & Pearl. The trouble starts after the wedding reception of Aunt Betty & Wallace, whilst helping to clear up after the reception, Christy and her want-to-be boyfriend Micah discover a dead body on the floor of Christy's friend Janie's pastry shop, Dreamy Sweets. It turns out that the body belongs to Janie's ex-husband, Tad, a distant relative to Wallace, and by all accounts, not a very nice bloke. Janie is the main suspect obviously, but she is not the only one with a reason to see Tad dead and that leads to several mysteries to be solved. Christy cannot help to try to solve the mystery and clear her friend's name. The first chapter or two gives a lot of extra information to help orient you in the story, but then it flows from there into a fast-paced and enjoyable cozy mystery. I am definitely going to go back and read the first book to find out more about why Christy moved back to the small town of Green Meadow, and to find out the back story of Betty and Wallace.
Ruth brings us another fun tale in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series, Murder She Meowed. It is full of furry sidekicks and super sleuths in this sweet cozy mystery. Mayhem and madness ensue when Christy turns up to help a friend only to encounter a dead body. Now all she has to do is prove the innocence of an unlikely suspect. A small town, family, a wedding, a wagon full of dressed up cats in their finest wedding attire and a murder are all wrapped up in this fun-loving tale. This small town is full of colourful and quirky characters that you will love and make you laugh at their shenanigans and banter. Murder She Meowed will make you feel good. It is entertaining tale and is a great tale to get lost in for some all-important me time. If you love a good cozy mystery with an eclectic bunch, then this book is for you.
This is a fun little read that starts off at a wedding with the attendants being cats. What a cute idea! Janie is horrified to see someone in the crowd at the wedding that she was hoping she'd never see again. Apparently a few others felt the same way! Soon we learn that the "mystery man" is found murdered on the floor of Janie's shop.
Not one to shy away from a good mystery, Christy and her cats Milton and Pearl report for duty. They know Janie is innocent as they were all together during the time of the incident. Micah also pitches in to help in between his shifts as an ER doc. Together, they will find a way to solve this mystery, but what other mysteries will pop up in the process?
These cats are SPOILT!!! They are the stars of this book series and have a big role to play. They are also the characters in Christy's book series that she writes and sells in her bookstore. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. This was my first time reading her work!
I love Milton and Pearl, they are just such fun characters and they really make me laugh. This is a good cozy mystery that really kept me guessing, there were plenty of suspects but I wasn't able to solve this one!
Head on back to Green Meadows for a ton of fun and excitement in the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Mystery series by Ruh J. Hartman. Murder She Meowed follows Dial M For Murder which set the stage beautifully for readers making them devoted fans instantly.
Murder She Meowed opens with Christy's Aunt Betty wedding to her boyfriend Wallace and after the reception, the newlyweds going away for their honeymoon. Christy and Micah, who Christy is crushing on, help their friend Janie clean up after the reception and help her return things back to her shop, Dreamy Sweets. Unfortunately when they get to Dreamy Sweets, they find a dead body .... and things get worse when it is discovered to be an unwanted guest at the wedding and Janie's ex-husband Tad.
Everyone in Green Meadows knows that Janie wouldn't hurt a fly let alone kill a human, even if it was her ex-husband. And Christy will do whatever she can to prove that. While Christy is looking into Tad's murder, she finds the suspect list continually growing as she learns more about Tad and his life.
Not only does Christy have her hands full with working at the bookstore, Words to Read By, while Aunt Betty is on her honeymoon and looking into Tad's murder but she ends up finding some torn up papers in the backyard that warrants the police to start digging up the yard ... stories about an ex-con having buried a pile of money years ago just might have been right ?
There is so much to love about the Bookshop Kitties Mystery series that a few paragraphs cannot even touch the surface. I can guarantee that you will fall in love with Green Meadows, the shops, the people and the history. I know that if I could I would be taking vacation there, and I hate traveling but I would to go there, so that I can hang out at Dreamy Sweets and Words to Read By and venture around town !!
A must-read mystery series, with amazing characters and kitties too! This book was a great mystery read, I loved that the kitties were such a big part of the storyline in solving the mystery. The characters were so down to earth, and personable, they are just like people you'd find in a small town living anywhere in the world. The budding romances in the side stories are just darling, it gives the story a feel-good touch to the story. The fact that we start with a wedding and a murder was so exciting, this story got started right off, and throughout you get hints and clues that help you work to solve the who-done-it right along with our main characters. This was like a great mystery read with a set of kitties who help solve the mystery and play a huge role in finding out who the killer is. The details that the author put into writing this book made it what it was, it helped build up the storyline. Especially with all the different side scenarios in the different character's lives, it made solving the mystery even more exciting right to the end. This book was the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Mystery series but was the first book that I read. It worked amazingly as a standalone novel, but I am looking forward to going back and reading the first book in the series. I am looking forward to hearing when the next book will be coming out because there are a lot of side romances that are just starting to develop, that are waiting to be continued. @Brandy Rymer 02/2024
Murder She Meowed is the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries Series and a perfect read for those who love cozy mysteries and adorable kitties!
Christy is thrilled to be celebrating her Aunt Betty’s wedding to Wallace. It’s a sweet, small wedding complete with Christy’s cats taking part in it. Everything is perfect until Janie’s ex-husband shows up and takes many by surprise…and not in a good way. After the reception, Christy and Micah, Christy’s crush, agree to help Janie clean up at her pastry shop. What awaits them there is more than they bargained for, it’s Janie’s ex who is very much DEAD! Now, it’s up to Christy and her friends to solve the murder and keep Janie out of jail.
This was such a charming read complete with a charming town and quirky, loveable characters, including Christy’s adorable cats, Milton and Pearl. Those two cuties are as much a part of the stories as their human counterparts. I enjoyed how each of the characters is connected. It’s a town I would love to live in!
The mystery kept me so engaged throughout the book. Some twists and turns kept me guessing, especially when another body turns up! I also liked the light romance. There is definitely chemistry between Micah and Christy, but I really like the fact that Hartman isn’t rushing it, and even Janie may have a love interest.
If you love cozy mysteries with great characters, a hint of romance, a charming town, and the cutest kitties ever, I suggest giving this series a try!
This is the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Series. These are a short cosy mystery read and even though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. One thing is love is that the authors imagination and character development really brings the stories to life. You can't help but be drawn into the story and the mystery has so many twists and turns that you are constantly kept guessing.
In this book we are back with Christy and her friends. When a distant relative turns up at her Aunty Betty's wedding she is left wondering who he is. When it turns out that he is her best friend Janie's ex husband things start to get strange and when said ex husband is found dead on Janie's shop floor the question then is who is responsible. Janie is the prime suspect but even though she was at the wedding could she still have commited the crime? And if not her then who? As Christy starts to learn more about who this man was she starts to realise that the amount of people who would have wanted him dead keep increasing. Christy knows he wasn't a nice man but even she is shocked as revelations come out about what he did and to who. But the question remains who is responsible for his death? Can she clear her friends name?
I have read another Kitty series by this author so I was excited when I saw the ‘Bookshop Kitties Mysteries’ series. I love the way the author writes the interactions with the cats. It is so wholesome.
Christy’s aunt was getting married. At the wedding, there was an unexpected guest. Since Christy is relatively new to town, she didn’t recognize the man that everyone was upset about appearing. All she knew was that his name was Tad. Later that night Christy and her best friend, Janie, and Christy’s love interest, Micah all go to Janie’s shop to help her bring her stuff back from the venue. Low and behold they find Tad dead on the floor of Janie’s shop.
Everyone is a suspect and it is the talk of the town. Tad had a lot of enemies. No one in town had something nice to say about him. This is also the second time Christy has been the person to find a dead body in this small town causing her to be the talk of the town herself. Christy is on the case with her kitties Milton and Pearl. Her best friend is the main suspect since Tad was her ex-husband. Christy wants to prove her friend’s innocence.
I love curling up to a good cozy mystery and I am no stranger to this author's books. Murder She Meowed is Book 2 in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, and while I did not read the first book (yet), this story could be easily be read as a stand-alone...but I will definitely by circling back to read from the beginning. This story was fun to read with mystery, secrets a few twists and turns and of course kitties!! I love how this author integrates her story along with the kitties that make it fun.
Christy and a few friends help with her Aunt Betty's wedding event to make sure everything is perfect. What could honestly go wrong on a joy-filled day then a wedding....but to only discover at Christy's best friends pastry shop that Janie is not only greeted by her own ex husband.....only to lead to his death. With the detective having his eyes on Janie as a suspect....what did happen to her ex. As the pieces start to come together...the question is...who would even want Tad dead....hopefully Christy and her friend Micah...along with kitties Pearl and Milton...be able to solve the mystery...
This was a fun read and looking forward to more in this series!
The Bookshop Kitties Mystery series returns with Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman, and it's another delightful whodunnit. Christy Bailey is back, this time helping her friend Janie after her aunt's wedding. But instead of wedding cake, they find a dead body – Janie's ex-husband, no less! With Janie in the hot seat, Christy, her adorable cats Milton and Pearl, and maybe-boyfriend Micah are determined to find the real killer.
Things get even wilder when mysterious torn-up papers in the backyard lead to rumors of buried treasure. Author Ruth J. Hartman weaves a captivating mystery full of quirky characters, small-town charm, and just a dash of danger. If you like cozy mysteries with a sprinkle of humor, a touch of romance, and some fabulous feline friends, you'll adore Murder She Meowed.
Why you'll love it:
• Green Meadows is the cozy small town you'll want to visit (just maybe watch out for the murder rate!) • Christy is a relatable and determined protagonist. • This mystery has plenty of twists and surprises to keep you guessing.
I can't wait for the next Bookshop Kitties adventure!
"Murder She Meowed" by Ruth Hartman is a cozy mystery that is perfect for cat lovers and fans of light-hearted whodunits. The story is filled with charming characters, including the lovable cats Milton and Pearl, who add humor and personality to the narrative.
The plot is well-paced and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very end. The small town setting adds to the cozy feel of the story, and the author's descriptive writing brings Green Meadow to life.
Christy Bailey is a relatable and determined protagonist, and her determination to prove her friend's innocence is both admirable and entertaining. The romantic subplot with Micah adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story, and readers will be rooting for Christy to solve the mystery and find happiness in her personal life.
Overall, "Murder She Meowed" is a delightful read that combines mystery, romance, and feline antics in a fun and entertaining package. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this charming book, and I look forward to reading more from Ruth Hartman in the future.
Murder She Meowed is the second book in the Book Shop Kitties Mystery series by Ruth J. Hartman. I know I am always in for a treat when one of Ms. Hartman’s books lands on my Kindle- and this definitely didn’t disappoint. As expected, this is a well-woven, fun cozy mystery- a bit of a whodunnit with murder, crime & investigation, quirky characters, feline cast members, humour, banter, drama, adventure, intrigue, drama, angst, small town charm, clever touches, family, friendship, and surprising developments. Christy Bailey is thrust into the middle of a murder mystery while helping her friend clean up her pastry shop after her aunt’s wedding. But finding a body wasn’t part of the plan. Especially since the body is her friend’s ex-husband- putting Janey at the top of the suspect list- and so things take an intriguing turn. We follow along as Christy and co set about finding some answers to prove her friend’s innocence. What happens makes for an entertaining read. Looking forward to more from Ms. Hartman. Happy Reading…
An enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery which kept me happily turning the pages. Christy Bailey is a children’s book author who’s two cats Milton and Pearl star in her books. The cats are also an important part of her Aunt Betty’s small family wedding, as they are being pulled down the aisle in a wagon dressed in wedding outfits. Following the reception Christy and Micah arrive at the wedding caterer’s shop to help her clean up, but instead of Janie they find her ex-husband on the floor, dead. Unfortunately the local police believe that Janie is the most likely suspect for the murder, but Christy, along with Milton and Pearl start their own investigation to prove her innocence. Once again the author brings the setting of Green Meadow, Indiana vividly to life, making me feel immersed in the story. The intriguing storyline, quirky characters and the cats made this a real page turner, whilst the murder mystery aspect of the plot kept me hooked throughout. Christy is a likeable and relatable main character and I love Milton and Pearl!
Murder She Meowed is a cosy mystery featuring cats, a bookshop and a bakery. What’s not to love! It’s the second in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series and reads fine as a standalone, as long as you don’t mind spoilers for the previous book.
I love the cast of community characters. There are many casual connections, but as the story unfolds we learn more about people’s pasts and how they were connected with the murder victim. All kinds of people come into Christy’s bookshop, and she’s good at getting them to talk about themselves as well as the books they have come to buy! I particularly liked Lora, who needed to buy two copies of Christy’s latest book to avoid a fight between her daughters.
The cats are a fun addition to the story. In their cat stroller, they come almost everywhere Christy does and their reactions lead her to clues. They can also help people feel calm and open up!
This book gets four stars from me. If you’re looking for something to read while you are performing important duties as a comfortable seat for your cat, look no further!
Murder She Meowed is Book 2 of the Bookshop Kitties Mystery Series by Ruth J. Hartman. I, unfortunately, did not realize that it was book 2 or else I would have read the previous one first! Lol!
Anyway, in this book we join author Christy Bailey along with her Aunt Betty and soon to be husband Wallace at their wedding in Green Meadows! An unpleasant surprise visitor, Janie's ex-husband, makes an appearance and leaves many people reeling at the shocking party crasher. Aunt Betty and Wallace leave for their honeymoon right as a great mystery is occurring! Janie's ex-husband is found dead on the floor!
Christy is set to the task of proving that her best friend, Janie, is not a murderer. Thankfully, she's got awesome help from Milton and Pearl (her bookshop kitties!). This was an adorable mystery, and I loved the aspect of her feline companions! I'll be going back to read the first book because I feel like I'd get a better understanding of the characters and what's happened previously.
Murder She Meowed: Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2 by Ruth J. Hartman is a lighthearted and engaging cozy mystery that blends small town charm with amateur sleuthing and feline flair. The story follows children’s book author Christy Bailey, whose festive family wedding plans take a dark turn when a murder disrupts the celebration and pulls her into an unexpected investigation.
Hartman crafts a warm and approachable setting in Green Meadow, Indiana, where community ties run deep and suspicion spreads quickly after the crime. Christy makes for a relatable and determined protagonist, especially as she works to defend a friend caught in the center of a police investigation.
The presence of Christy’s cats, Milton and Pearl, adds a whimsical touch that enhances the cozy tone without overshadowing the central mystery. As clues unfold and tensions rise, the story maintains a steady, accessible pace.
This installment will appeal to readers who enjoy animal themed cozies, small town mysteries, and character-driven sleuthing with a humorous edge.
Christy Bailey and her two inspirational cats, Milton and Pearl, are attending her attending her haunts wedding. Her cats have some notoriety as she writes children's books about them. At the wedding she is hoping that she gets to spend some time with Micah as well. Spending time with him is a thrill and when they both agree to help Janie clean up after the wedding, what no one expects is to find Janie's ex-husband dead. The police believe the case is easy to solve since Janie is the main suspect but Christy doesn't believe it. With Milton and Pearl in tow, Christy is determined to solve the case, will she be able to do it in time though?
Very fun cozy mystery. I liked the cat celebrities, thought it was a delightful twist to the story. Great characters and I thought the pacing of the book was just what it needed. Enjoyable and the characters are delightful.
A fun cozy murder mystery with great characters and added bonus cat characters who are the shop owners pets. This is the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series. Christy and family are celebrating Aunt Betty’s small intimate wedding, when some of the guests spot a man who shouldn’t be there. The next day the same man, who happens to be Christy’s best friend Janie’s ex-husband, is found dead in Janie’s pastry shop. Christy will help Janie prove she is innocent. The characters in the story are well written and relatable. I think any good friend would help someone prove their innocence just like Christy is doing. The cats are adorable and also join in to help! I hope you love the book as much as I did!
If you are looking for a book with mystery, a murder, charming characters, and a whole lot of kitty cuteness, then this cozy mystery is for you.
Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman follows author Christy Bailey and her cats, Milton and Pearl, as they try to prove their friend Janie is not a murderer.
I found the book to be a quick, fun read full of quirky characters and adorable cats. I loved the way the mystery unfolded and how I did not want to stop reading. It definitely made me want to cuddle my feline buddy a little closer.
So grab a cup of your favorite beverage, a cozy blanket, and your furry friend and try to solve the who-dunnit along kitty mystery solvers Milton and Pearl with the help of their human Christy.
This was such a lovely cozy mystery to cuddle up with over the weekend! I hadn’t read the first in the series, but I didn’t feel confused when I read this book which is the second in the series. I did enjoy this one so much that I will be picking up the first now! What else could top a great wedding and reception other than an intense crime investigation? When the list of suspects turns up someone that our main character least suspects, the plot gets even more intense! This author did an amazing job of keeping me on my toes throughout the entire story, and I loved every moment of it! I don’t want to accidentally give away any spoilers, but I will say that this is a must-read if you are looking for a cozy mystery to enjoy while bundled up with your tea!
This was a great cozy mystery! I have just recently started to read more of this genre and was not disappointed with this one. I didn’t realize until after I started this book that this was the second one in the series but honestly felt like I was able to keep up. I plan on going back and reading the first book because I love the characters and atmosphere of the story. The author’s easy writing style made for an enjoyable read. I really really like Christy’s character and how she manages to get people to talk to her when they come into her bookstore. Also love the name of her store! This classic who done it read was right up my alley and I definitely look forward to reading more from this author.
I was hooked by the title as my inner crazy cat lady couldn't resist. I might also add I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with the author's world she has created. This being the first book by this author that I have read and it certainly won't be my last. I occasionally love a good mystery and this series just ticks all my boxes. The author is able to spin a tale that keeps the reader glued to their seats and eager for what is going to happen. I felt that the characters were really well written and the whole concept was absolutely addicting. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. I am a very eager kitty to read it!
5 Stars Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman
Murder She Meowed is the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries and is a wonderfully written Cozy Mystery. I absolutely loved reading this book and it was the perfect book to curl up with on the couch with on . This was such a fun lil cozy mystery it’s packed with drama, adventure, humor ,family, friendships ,banter and so much more . What will happen when Christy shows up to help a friend out and finds a dead body? Can she prove it wasn’t her friend? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. Im looking forward to reading more from this Author.
I read this as a standalone but will definitely be going back and reading the 1st one!
I love a good mystery book but often times have it pretty figured out by the halfway point. Halfway through and I was still suspecting everyone and hadn’t really checked many off my list. All of the characters are well written and hold their own mystery and interest. Personally, I love Milton & Pearl being so involved in anything that Christy does, from their jobs at the bookstore to being pushed around town in a stroller to going on walks in their harnesses, they are truly living their best kitten lives.
This book, and series, really is the epitome of a cozy mystery. It is fun, lighthearted and mysterious all at the same time. The variety of different characters in this book is brilliant. They span ages and personalities and all work together so well to make a really interesting book. I loved watching how this story developed. The author did a great job of doing throwing out multiple suspects to keep you guessing. I was engaged with the story the whole time and couldn’t wait to see how things would turn out. This was a great book and a brilliant addition to the series.
This is the first book I have read by this wonderful author and I am very happy to say it won't be the last! I had such a great time curling up to read this Cozy mystery that when I finished It, I was left with a HUGE smile on my face. It has been a while since I have read a mystery and this one did not disappoint at all. Its such an entertaining read filled with a fun mix of characters, in a wonderful small town that will keep you hooked from start to finish!! Trust me lovelies and just get reading!
"Murder She Meowed" by Ruth Hartman is a delightful cozy mystery that kept me hooked from the first page. The author's writing style is engaging and the plot is well-paced, with a perfect blend of suspense and humor. I enjoyed the intricate details and the well-developed characters, each with their quirks and motives. The book also successfully captures the essence of small-town life, adding charm to the story. Overall, "Murder She Meowed" is a highly entertaining and engaging mystery that will leave you guessing until the end. I would highly recommend it to any cozy mystery lover.
Murder She Meowed by Ruth J Hartman is the second book in her Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series. It's possible to read as a standalone book but would definitely make more sense read in order. It follows Christy and her two kitties - Milton and Pearl - as they uncover the mystery behind the death of a recently rearrived to town - Tad. The story starts off quick as the wedding of Christy's Aunt and keeps a lively pace throughout. It contains a small town with quirky characters as the web of lies surrounding Tad unravels.
This is the second book in the series and you can read it as a standalone. I would describe this as a cute and cozy mystery. It's nice…it's sweet…it's not going to give you nightmares. I really liked Hartman's writing style. She's too the point and her characters are well-rounded. There's a little bit of everything in here: mystery, intrigue, romance, deception, feel-goods...Murder She Meowed really has it all. If you are looking for something on the lighter side of murder with a side of romance then this is the story for you.