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A Razzy Cat Cozy Mystery #3
The Crime at the Lake
Hannah and Razzy Cat thought they were taking a relaxing week at the lake away from it all, but when Hannah discovers a dead body, there’s no time to kick-back. The local cops don’t appreciate outsiders poking around, and time is running out to solve the case.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2021
442 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Courtney McFarlin
236 books64 followersCourtney McFarlin currently lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her fiance and their two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 1, 2022
I think this was my favorite Razzy Cat so far! It was what started to be a fun getaway with Ben and the cats that turned to yup, you guessed it...murder. Ben couldn't help his inner cop, and of course Hannah the newshound couldn't keep from sleuthing either. I loved how the cats got to help, and toward the last part of the book, there was the absolute cutest thing that happened possibly resulting in a new furry family addition. (No, Razzy can't have kittens lol).
I was thinking all along someone else was the killer and was in for a surprise at the reveal. The whole showdown was exciting especially when the cats pitched in. Something else awesome happened toward the very end, but you'll have to read and see! I just gotta binge on and read more!
I was thinking all along someone else was the killer and was in for a surprise at the reveal. The whole showdown was exciting especially when the cats pitched in. Something else awesome happened toward the very end, but you'll have to read and see! I just gotta binge on and read more!
January 18, 2025
Rating: 3.8 / 5
In this new addition to our cozy series, we have Hannah and Ben out together with Gus and Frazzy, technically supposed to be vacationing.
Y'know, if only they didn't find a dead body right on their first hike. Whoops!
Ahem, but fortunately, nothing will get a murder solved faster than a determined reporter and a detective teaming up, not to mention with the help of their sleuth cats.
This story was definitely true to the formula of this series--because yes, even just three books in, I already have the hang of it--and has some lovely new additions as well. (Aka, Rudy [the little cutie!] and also Hannah's crystal, which gives poor Ben finally some powers of his own!)
If I had to take off a star for anything, and rank this slightly lower than book 2 in the series, I'd say it's because while everything was cute and atmospheric, the mystery itself wasn't the best and, again, it's literally impossible for the reader to have guessed it, which isn't the point of mysteries. The whole point is to cast doubt on a whole cast of characters and then it turns out to unexpectedly and/or for unexpected reasons to be one of them, but it seems to be a thing with this writer in both books 2 and now 3 to bring in a relatively-unknown character in to be the murderer, which doesn't make for great sleuthing. Maybe it is just a personal preference of mine or maybe it does come in with the territory...eh, I don't know.
What do others think?
In this new addition to our cozy series, we have Hannah and Ben out together with Gus and Frazzy, technically supposed to be vacationing.
Y'know, if only they didn't find a dead body right on their first hike. Whoops!
Ahem, but fortunately, nothing will get a murder solved faster than a determined reporter and a detective teaming up, not to mention with the help of their sleuth cats.
This story was definitely true to the formula of this series--because yes, even just three books in, I already have the hang of it--and has some lovely new additions as well. (Aka, Rudy [the little cutie!] and also Hannah's crystal, which gives poor Ben finally some powers of his own!)
If I had to take off a star for anything, and rank this slightly lower than book 2 in the series, I'd say it's because while everything was cute and atmospheric, the mystery itself wasn't the best and, again, it's literally impossible for the reader to have guessed it, which isn't the point of mysteries. The whole point is to cast doubt on a whole cast of characters and then it turns out to unexpectedly and/or for unexpected reasons to be one of them, but it seems to be a thing with this writer in both books 2 and now 3 to bring in a relatively-unknown character in to be the murderer, which doesn't make for great sleuthing. Maybe it is just a personal preference of mine or maybe it does come in with the territory...eh, I don't know.
What do others think?
February 25, 2025
I loved the "mystical" side of this book, and the cats stole the show! I love all of the cats. More cats and less mystery would be fine with me. Usually, I don't like it when the main characters leave their usual setting, but having them attempt to have a relaxing vacation at a lake worked for this one. You know that Hannah is going to be like Jessica Fletcher and find a dead body wherever she goes. I missed her boss and her psychic advisor but appreciated their inclusion via phone call. It was a relief to have Ashley's appearances limited to phone calls. I do not like her and do not appreciate her raunchy comments. The absence of Vinnie was also a relief! When is Hannah going to realize that she should be the one to report him to HR?
I lose patience with the whole incompetent/corrupt small town deputy trope. It's so trite! I know the reader is not supposed to like Deputy Bristol. I wanted to push him in the lake and then run him over with a jet ski. I enjoyed it when the locals gave him a hard time about his treatment of Ben and Hannah. (Loved the librarian and the server at the diner.) I got frustrated at Ben for not contacting the state police as soon as he realized that Bristol was either incompetent, corrupt, or both.
I can forgive typos. It made me laugh out loud when Ben's name was incorrectly typed as "Bed." That one belongs in the Typo Hall of Fame. I find it harder to excuse incorrect grammar, so I deducted a star for the grammar mistakes. (See Kindle locations 1799 and 1815. In both cases "laid" should be "lay.") Lie and lay can be tricky, but there are online resources to help an author choose the correct usage. My favorite resource is:
https://www.britannica.com/story/lay-...
I know I'm picking nits, and I fear that no matter how many times I've proofread my review, I probably ended up making an even worse mistake somewhere in my critique. It's so easy to proofread what somebody else writes and so hard to proofread my own typed missives. I really do love this series. Consider this a free, unwelcome, unsolicited grammar lesson from a retired English teacher. You can take the retired English teacher out of the classroom, but you'll have to pry the little blue Warriner's English Grammar and Composition book out of her cold, dead hands.
I lose patience with the whole incompetent/corrupt small town deputy trope. It's so trite! I know the reader is not supposed to like Deputy Bristol. I wanted to push him in the lake and then run him over with a jet ski. I enjoyed it when the locals gave him a hard time about his treatment of Ben and Hannah. (Loved the librarian and the server at the diner.) I got frustrated at Ben for not contacting the state police as soon as he realized that Bristol was either incompetent, corrupt, or both.
I can forgive typos. It made me laugh out loud when Ben's name was incorrectly typed as "Bed." That one belongs in the Typo Hall of Fame. I find it harder to excuse incorrect grammar, so I deducted a star for the grammar mistakes. (See Kindle locations 1799 and 1815. In both cases "laid" should be "lay.") Lie and lay can be tricky, but there are online resources to help an author choose the correct usage. My favorite resource is:
https://www.britannica.com/story/lay-...
I know I'm picking nits, and I fear that no matter how many times I've proofread my review, I probably ended up making an even worse mistake somewhere in my critique. It's so easy to proofread what somebody else writes and so hard to proofread my own typed missives. I really do love this series. Consider this a free, unwelcome, unsolicited grammar lesson from a retired English teacher. You can take the retired English teacher out of the classroom, but you'll have to pry the little blue Warriner's English Grammar and Composition book out of her cold, dead hands.
August 19, 2022
The Crime at the Lake(A Razzy Cat Cozy Mystery # 3) — Courtney McFarlin (18 chapters) Aug. 16-17, 2022
Hannah, Ben and the kitts take a vacation, but it turns quickly into an adventure with a dead body and cops that are sloppy. Hannah won’t rest until the case is solved. Good thing that Ben is on the trip with Gus and Razzy.
Will Ben and Hannah get closer and move to the next level in their relationship? Anastasia says there is a new bundle on the way….!
This story had a bit more filler than I liked, but it was still fast to read and fun too.
I did see one typo in the story at the beginning of a chapter: “…Bed and I jumped into the Blazer…” (or some such insanity.) Otherwise, a well edited story.
Three stars.
Hannah, Ben and the kitts take a vacation, but it turns quickly into an adventure with a dead body and cops that are sloppy. Hannah won’t rest until the case is solved. Good thing that Ben is on the trip with Gus and Razzy.
Will Ben and Hannah get closer and move to the next level in their relationship? Anastasia says there is a new bundle on the way….!
This story had a bit more filler than I liked, but it was still fast to read and fun too.
I did see one typo in the story at the beginning of a chapter: “…Bed and I jumped into the Blazer…” (or some such insanity.) Otherwise, a well edited story.
Three stars.
November 26, 2023
Vacation time
Hannah, Ben, Razzy, and Gus head to the mountains for some vacation time. As the two humans take a walk after the long drive, Hannah notices a boot under a bush. She investigates and finds a dead body!
The local cops are a joke and the reporter and her detective boyfriend set out to solve the murder.
Who killed Mike? Why did the locals rule his death a suicide? What do a couple of big time drug dealers have to do with it? Why had Michael been acting so strange after his mother died? Why was a cute little kitten abandoned?
So many questions, are they all part of the murder?
Hannah, Ben, Razzy, and Gus head to the mountains for some vacation time. As the two humans take a walk after the long drive, Hannah notices a boot under a bush. She investigates and finds a dead body!
The local cops are a joke and the reporter and her detective boyfriend set out to solve the murder.
Who killed Mike? Why did the locals rule his death a suicide? What do a couple of big time drug dealers have to do with it? Why had Michael been acting so strange after his mother died? Why was a cute little kitten abandoned?
So many questions, are they all part of the murder?
February 6, 2026
The third book in this series and really I love how easy this series reads without it being bland or boring. The story grabs you and you burn through the pages to see where it will lead you.
I loved to see the relationships between Hannah, Razzy, Nick and Gus deepen and the pace at which they are taking their relationship.
Razzy and Gus have really stolen my heart. They are fearless and cuddly and snarky and just so darn cute! The new addition to the family has already won my heart over as well!
The mystery takes an exciting and frightening turn near the end, but all is well that ends well.
I will surely continue with this series, I can't wait!
I loved to see the relationships between Hannah, Razzy, Nick and Gus deepen and the pace at which they are taking their relationship.
Razzy and Gus have really stolen my heart. They are fearless and cuddly and snarky and just so darn cute! The new addition to the family has already won my heart over as well!
The mystery takes an exciting and frightening turn near the end, but all is well that ends well.
I will surely continue with this series, I can't wait!
January 27, 2022
Hannah, Ben, Razzy and Gus go on their 1st holiday together, and of course find a body on their 1st hike into the forest! They're follows an investigation which they get involved in because of the incompetence of the 2 small town deputies called.
Razzy and Gus get involved in the investigation too, using their senses to track down the killer. They are smart cats, and they sense that a fellow feline is in danger, are they about to add to their family? Will Hannah and Ben live to continue their relationship?
Easy to read, humourous cozy mystery, well worth a read. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
Razzy and Gus get involved in the investigation too, using their senses to track down the killer. They are smart cats, and they sense that a fellow feline is in danger, are they about to add to their family? Will Hannah and Ben live to continue their relationship?
Easy to read, humourous cozy mystery, well worth a read. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
April 28, 2024
A cute, short book, now with 3 talking cats! Better yet, by the end of the story, even Ben can understand the cats!
A holiday to a resort cabin in the woods isn't exactly relaxing for Hannah, Ben, and the cats when they stumble across a body in the woods. The local cops are calling it a suicide and don't seem interested at all in doing a proper investigation.
While Hannah are out on an interview of a suspect, Razzy has a dream that there is a problem at another cabin and they need to get there right away. They discover a tiny Ragdoll kitten who Razzy, in spite of a bit of initial jealousy, takes under her wing and agrees that baby Rudy can live with them.
A holiday to a resort cabin in the woods isn't exactly relaxing for Hannah, Ben, and the cats when they stumble across a body in the woods. The local cops are calling it a suicide and don't seem interested at all in doing a proper investigation.
While Hannah are out on an interview of a suspect, Razzy has a dream that there is a problem at another cabin and they need to get there right away. They discover a tiny Ragdoll kitten who Razzy, in spite of a bit of initial jealousy, takes under her wing and agrees that baby Rudy can live with them.
August 13, 2021
Surprising cute characters
I started with book one because there was a cat in the story. I loved that the cats were as important in solving the mystery as Hannah was. I"m now on book #4 and looking forward to another adventure. This is an uplifting series to read and charmingly engaging. I would recommend this as a good book to read with your Middle school children
I started with book one because there was a cat in the story. I loved that the cats were as important in solving the mystery as Hannah was. I"m now on book #4 and looking forward to another adventure. This is an uplifting series to read and charmingly engaging. I would recommend this as a good book to read with your Middle school children
May 5, 2021
Amazing antics!
I just like alliteration. Razzy and Hannah are back. These are great cozies. The mysteries are fun. I love our fearless felines. The characters are interesting but not overly complex. A nice reading. It will be hard to wait for the next book.
I just like alliteration. Razzy and Hannah are back. These are great cozies. The mysteries are fun. I love our fearless felines. The characters are interesting but not overly complex. A nice reading. It will be hard to wait for the next book.
December 7, 2021
good mystery
I think this would have been a good book without the talking cats. It was written with a good plot. The talking cats were a little annoying . I realize you have to have a hook, but really not needed here
I think this would have been a good book without the talking cats. It was written with a good plot. The talking cats were a little annoying . I realize you have to have a hook, but really not needed here
February 20, 2022
I love this series
The characters are fun, the plots twist just enough to keep us engaged, and the writing is excellent. I'm looking forward to the next adventure with Hannah, Ben, and their lovely kitties.
The characters are fun, the plots twist just enough to keep us engaged, and the writing is excellent. I'm looking forward to the next adventure with Hannah, Ben, and their lovely kitties.
April 29, 2024
Fun series that has short/quick read plots. Totally a "cozy" foundation. A tiny bit of "supernatural" woven in with help from a mystic/witch that Hannah visits. The mysteries are pretty good and not glaringly obvious.
February 7, 2022
I absolutely love this series!
April 9, 2022
The Crime at the Lake
This is another great Razzy cat book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Courtney McFarlin has an enjoyable writing style.
This is another great Razzy cat book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Courtney McFarlin has an enjoyable writing style.
January 27, 2023
Great book
I love this series by Courtney McFarlin. You can never have enough cats. I can't wait to read the next book.
I love this series by Courtney McFarlin. You can never have enough cats. I can't wait to read the next book.
October 21, 2023
A wonderful vacation!
LoL! I couldn't stop laughing at Razzy. Courtney McFarlin captured the true essence of The Cat. I loved every minute I spent reading The Crime at the Lake
LoL! I couldn't stop laughing at Razzy. Courtney McFarlin captured the true essence of The Cat. I loved every minute I spent reading The Crime at the Lake
February 18, 2024
The twists in this plot might keep you puzzling the solution, even as the clues keep slowly trickling in, but the dialog, and quirky characters, particularly the cats, will keep you chuckling.
August 3, 2024
Better and better!
I love these stories! The writing is so well done and the story just moves along at a perfect pace. Can't wait to see what comes next.
I love these stories! The writing is so well done and the story just moves along at a perfect pace. Can't wait to see what comes next.
October 25, 2024
Mystery and danger
A vacation turns into an investigation when they stumble on a dead body on a walk in the forest. Red herrings abound.
A vacation turns into an investigation when they stumble on a dead body on a walk in the forest. Red herrings abound.
November 3, 2024
4.5 I really enjoyed
November 27, 2024
Great Storyline
I'm loving these characters as I read more books in the series. There is plenty of action, a little suspense, and quite a few surprises.
I'm loving these characters as I read more books in the series. There is plenty of action, a little suspense, and quite a few surprises.
May 28, 2025
I always enjoy these. They're fast, fun reads.
October 27, 2025
Ridiculously adorable.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews