Murder by Moonlight

by K.L. Montgomery

When murder strikes at their amusement park, Cat and the Felines of Fairytale Forest must solve a roller coaster of a case!

At Fairytale Forest, a theme park in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the custodial staff and a clowder of feral cats keep things neat and tidy. Until something very messy happens—one of the custodial managers is found strangled to death.

Catherine Lyon is a night-shift custodian who finds herself topping the list of suspects. Sure, no one liked the victim—but someone really hated her enough to murder her in cold blood on the park's main street? Cat certainly didn’t do it—and she wants to prove it by finding the real killer.

She’s shocked when Zoe, a member of the cat colony charged with eliminating vermin in the park, leads her to the dead body and the first clue. Can Cat, Zoe and the rest of the felines clean up the mess and solve the murder of the manipulative, mean-spirited manager?

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest cozy mystery series. Visit a southern amusement park full of fantasy creatures and feline exterminators and meet Cat, a tenacious fifty-something custodian, and her spirited coworker Gloria. These ladies just can’t resist a good mystery. Follow the clues and solve the case alongside Cat, Gloria and the whole furry gang!

Book 1: Murder by Moonlight
Book 2: Death in the Dark
Book 3: Slaughter at Sundown

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Paranormal

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2024

About the author

K.L. Montgomery writes #bodypositive sweet romance and romcom. A librarian in a former life, she now works as an editor and runs the 5000-member Indie Author Support group on Facebook in addition to publishing under two names.

Though she remains a Hoosier at heart, K.L. shares her coastal Delaware home with some furry creatures and her husband, who is on the furry side as well. She has an undying love for her three sons, Broadway musicals, the beach, Seinfeld, the color teal, IU basketball, paisleys, and dark chocolate.

Visit K.L.'s website at www.klmontgomery.com and sign up for her newsletter. You can follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreenCastles, Twitter (@KLMontgomery8) or Instagram (k.l.montgomery)

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairytale forest mystery

There is a murder committed in Fairytale Forest an amusement park. Cat a janitor at the park and one of the cats Zoe join forces to help investigate the murder. There are several suspects throughout the community. The cats are able to follow people and dig out clues. It's an interesting way to tell a mystery. I loved the ending very much but didn't know who the murderer was.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest series and is a delightful cozy mystery book. the book is told from the point of view of Catherine (Cat) Lyon, a nightshift custodian at the family-run Fairytale Forest amusement park, and Zoe, the leader of one of the groups of feral cats that help to keep the vermin down in the park.
Cat and her co-worker Gloria are shocked to find the dead body of their unpopular supervisor after having been lead there by Zoe, who can talk telepathically to Cat. Several people had motives, including Cat, so she must try to clear her name & figure out who did the murder, with the help of Zoe and the clowder of cats.
It is quite a different take on a cozy mystery, one that is fast-paced and funny, and I found it hard to put down. I will be definitely be getting the next book to see what further adventures they have at Fairytale Forest!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest cozy mystery series. Fairytale Forest adventure park is a fun place, but a murder might just change all that.
This cozy mystery has talking cats well she can talk to one human. But the news to tell sure isn’t good. It’s a murder right in their beloved adventure park. Leaving nothing to chance they decide to act. They gather pieces together to bring down a killer to prove their friends and not the furry four-legged kind’s innocence. Journey along as they try to figure out who had the motivation and opportunity to commit the deadly deed.
This cute tale takes you on an adventure of the kind you have not read before.
I enjoy reading K.L.’s tales they are fun, a little quirky, a little dangerous but they always make me laugh.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe, the leader of a clowder of feral cats at Fairy Tale Forest, enlists the help of custodian, Catherine Lyon when a dead body is found. When the police suspect Cat of the crime, she’ll do whatever it takes to solve it, even teaming up with the cats, to clear her name and keep the park open. With the help of her best friend and co-worker, Gloria, she searches for clues and rules out suspects all while keeping the park clean. Meanwhile, Zoe has her paws full with a prissy newcomer and a rival feline gang.

This enchanting new series from K.L. Montgomery features middle-aged sleuth, Cat and the cats of a family owned amusement park in South Carolina. Alternating chapters from Cat’s and Zoe’s perspectives gives this story a fun twist. The cats have their own personalities and their struggles are as valid as the humans. Cat & Zoe are able to communicate with each other, but besides that there’s no other paranormal elements. The mystery is well developed with great pacing and viable suspects. While self contained, the ending introduces a shadowy villain behind the scenes. Very eager for more of this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marder Mystery, amusement park, and cats! What a combo, but this book was great! This is book one in the series and boy was it enough to hook you in and be left wanting more! I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I loved how different it was! The felines and the cleaning staff keep the Fairytale Forest theme park clean and rodent free. When a night shift worker named Cat (Catherine) follows Zoe (one of the cats) to the park's main street, they find a manager strangled to death. Of course her 50 year old self and her friend Gloria are at the top of the suspect list. Just having a complaint against them didn't help. With the help of her new feline friends, Cat must solve this murder! She has to clear her name. Yeah she didn't like the lady, but she didn't hate her so much that she'd kill her!! Working with cats to solve a murder. These ladies can't resist a good mystery, but will they walk right into the murderers clutches as they investigate. Who will die next?! This book will have you not wanting to put it down! I kind of thought about who the killer would be and it was in my top few, but it was still so good. Sometimes I can guess the killer and other times I am left guessing! I loved it! Can't wait to read more to the series!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest Series by K.L. Montgomery, and it was not what I expected! The book is set in a Fairytale Forest Themepark in South Carolina and Catherine (Cat) is the night shift custodian who is about to have her world rocked with a murder mystery. Cat goes to work expecting a normal night shift and is shocked to find that one of the managers has been strangled to death. Granted, no one really cared for this person, it isn't cool that a murder has taken place! Cat thinks that it is up to her to try to solve the mystery that has happened in the Themepark. Zoe, a member of the feline group that is in the Themepark finds that her and the rest of the felines are no longer just exterminators of the unwanted pests, but now are part of helping Cat find the person responsible for the tragedy that is at hand. With the help of Zoe, and her happy go lucky co-worker Gloria, can Cat solve this mystery or will her efforts be for nothing. The only way to find out it to pick up a copy and read for yourself! Thank you, K.L. Montgomery, for building a world that has mystery, ThemeParks and most of all cats! I look forward to reading the books that are to come in the series!

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest series and this story was so much fun to read. I really enjoy KL Montgomery's storytelling in her newest cozy mystery...giving me mystery, murder, adventure, secrets and felines. Loving the unique blend of a murder mystery needing to be solved by a person with the help of cat. Just when I thought I had it figured out....I was thrown for a loop with a definite "aha" moment. This is a great story and if you love cozy mystery reads do yourself a favor...I recommend this book highly.

Catherine Lyon works at Fairytale Forest theme park as a custodian during the night shift going about her daily routine...when she and her co-worker best friend stumble upon a body during work hours. Who would want to murder a manager at beloved Fairytale Forest and what could possibly be the motive. Catherine, Gloria and their newest feline friends put on their sleuth hats and try and put the pieces of the puzzle together to find out who the killer is.....but who could it possibly be..

Definitely read and find out!! I am excited to see what is in store next for Catherine and her feline gang!

[Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine (Cat) has been working as a night custodian at the Fairytale Forest amusement park for years. Her and her work bestie, Gloria make the best of it by amusing each other. Neither of them take the managers seriously so when one is found strangled to death, the duo are the top two suspects.

The amusement park employs cats to hunt for rodents. It is known to leave the cats alone so they do not become dependent on the humans. Catherine never bothered with the cats before but then Zoe, the leader of the cats, leads Catherine to the body. Turns out Catherine can understand and talk to the cat. Thus becomes a sleuthing partnership. Catherine must find out who the killer is to clear her name.

I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Cat was a carefree and fun adult who was middle aged which is rare for main characters in books. That is an automatic brownie point. I wasn’t a huge fan of the felines point of view. It was too stiff in my opinion. But then again, I could totally see one of my cats talking like that so who knows? The author could be spot on with how cats talk.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery with a feline twist, which kept me happily turning the pages. ‘Fairytale Forest’ is an amusement park where Catherine (Cat) is a night-shift custodian. Along with a clowder of feral cats the custodial staff keep the park neat and tidy. When one of the less liked and mean-spirited custodial managers is found dead, Cat finds she is the prime suspect. Cat decides to investigate so she can find the real killer and clear her name. She is helped by her co-worker Gloria and the cat colony led by Zoe. The cats who catch the vermin in the park lead Cat to the dead body, where she discovers her first clue. It is up to Cat, Gloria, Zoe and the other ‘Fairytale Forest’ felines to solve the murder. This is an entertaining cozy mystery with an intriguing storyline and a mix of quirky characters and cats! I enjoyed solving the case alongside Cat and her furry felines, and I felt immersed in the story due to the descriptive narrative. I’m looking forward to book two in this fun new series.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, different cozy mystery. Cute in that there are “sentient” cats involved. Different in that the lead cat, Zoe, communicates telepathically with the sleuth—the night custodian—and helps her solve the murder. Oh, and the sleuth, Catherine Lyon, goes by the nickname “Cat”. Plus, she’s an older woman who has been working at the theme park for 20+ years on the night shift. Cat and her nighttime partner are doing their usual cleaning when Zoe comes to her and gets them to follow her to the body. Normally, the park cats don’t have anything to do with the humans, but when Zoe does, Cat pays attention. As Cat’s one of the main suspects, it’s up to her, her evening partner, and the cats to prove that she had nothing to do with the murder.

The story is told from the POV of both Cat and Zoe. It’s fun reading Zoe’s POV – about how they keep down the vermin population and their rivalry with another clowder of cats in another section of the park. An enjoyable story with a different slant on things.

Recommended.

[Charlene (pageandplace) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairytale Forest amusement park is full of bipeds during the day and is run by the custodial staff and feral cats that keep things clean. We often forget about what happens after hours until there’s a mess… well a murder.
One of the night shift custodians, Cat, jumps to suspect number one but with the help of the clowder of cats she may just be able to solve the murder.

Cat teams up with Zoe, a member of the cat colony, after learning she can communicate with her. Can both of them solve this murder and continue to keep the park clean of trash and mice?

Cute, cosy mystery with an entire colony of cats to get your pick of the litter from! Murder by Moonlight is the first in the Felines of Fairytale Forest series.

Thanks to the author, KL Montgomery, and Booksprout for the opportunity to read this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder by Moonlight" is a delightful and engaging cozy mystery that introduces us to the charming Felines of Fairytale Forest series. Author K. L. Montgomery has woven a captivating tale that combines the whimsy of a fantasy theme park with the excitement of a murder mystery.

The world-building in "Murder by Moonlight" is exceptional. The Fairytale Forest theme park is a unique and fascinating setting, filled with fantasy creatures and quirky characters. The author's vivid descriptions transport the reader to the sun-kissed South Carolina Lowcountry, immersing them in the sights, sounds, and smells of the park.

The characters in the story are equally well-developed. Cat is a relatable and likable protagonist, with a sharp mind and a determination to solve the case. The supporting cast, including Zoe the cat colony leader and Gloria, adds depth and humor to the story. The dialogue is natural and engaging, making it easy to become invested in their interactions.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book by an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up by them. I enjoy their writing style that brings their characters to life on every page. Their attention to details make their story realistic and hard to put down. This book is no different. It is a well written story that is a cozy mystery that takes place at an amusement park. What will happen when one custodian is found dead and another is at the top of the suspect list? Will Cat and her furry friends find the killer and clear her name? I enjoyed how I was pulled into the story from the start by the characters. They are connectable, fun and just added to the entertainment of the story. They have great growth throughout which made the story easy to read. This is a fast paced, hard to put down mystery and one you don’t want to miss. I enjoy this author and their books. I highly recommend this book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Murder By Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest series by K.L Montgomery. This is, again, something new and a little different to what Ms. Montgomery has done in the past …. and I was all for this great little cute cozy mystery adventure.
As expected from Ms. Montgomery, this is a well-woven, fun, and intriguing (whodunnit) mystery that is set against the backdrop of ‘Fairytale Forest’, an amusement park that becomes the scene of a murder. Park custodian Catherine (Cat) becomes top suspect, and the fate of the park then hangs in the balance. So, Cat, along with her friend Gloria, and a colony of feral cats who are led by Zoe- get together to solve the mystery, redeem Cat’s reputation, and save the park.
This was such a fun cozy mystery that kept me engrossed the whole way through. It’s a fantastic start to a wonderful new series- and I can’t wait for book #2.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, K.L Montgomery!

[Darla Yocom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the book synopsis and wondered if there was a play on words at play. I could not have been more surprised when I began reading this book and found the story was told from multiple sides from characters Catherine ‘Cat’, a human and Zoe, the leader of the feral cat tribe, or at least her half of the Fairytale Forest amusement park. When Zoe decides to talk to Catherine in order to get her to follow her to a body near the front of the park, I was not expecting that.

Cat and her bestie, Gloria are a rare pair and both try to make the best out of working the night shift. They are funny and witty but I think Zoe may be a good match for a bit of witty sarcasm.

As I read through this mystery, I found myself glued to my seat. I really enjoyed all of the twists and turns as they try to solve the unknown.

Also I love the simplicity of the book cover. Great idea.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Felines Of Fairytale Forest series. I loved this cosy mystery. It was such a good read that I couldn't put it down. The authors story was so unique and full of twists that I had keep reading to find out who did it.
I also loved how the author tells the story from the perspective of Cat(human) and Zoe(cat). How they work together using their unique skills to get to the bottom of this mystery was very unique.

Cat works as a janitor at night for Fairytale Forest Amusement park. What started as a normal night took a turn for the worse when the parks resident cats started to act weird and leads Cat and her friend Gloria to a body.
Who is responsible for this murder? What will it mean for the park and the cats who live there?
With Cat fast becoming the main suspect she knows she needs to find the real killer to clear her name so with the aid of Zoe and her fellow felines they work together to find and bring the murderer to justice. Can they succeed?

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
Murder by Moonlight (Felines of Fairytale Forest) by K.L. Montgomery


Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest Series. This is a Cozy Mystery that is perfect for curling up on the couch on a rainy day. I was hooked from the beginning and I had a hard time putting it down. I literally read in one afternoon only because with this author I can’t ever stop reading I have to know what is going to happen next. This author is one of my favorites and I’ve read several by her. This one is definitely going on my books to reread at a later time. This story takes place at an Amusement Park where one person is found dead. Can they find the Killer ? Can she solve this Mystery and clear her name? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Author.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight (Felines of Fairytale Forest) by K.L. Montgomery. This is such a fun fairytale/cozy mystery. Its about Catherine (Cat) who is the night shift custodian at Fairytale Forest Theme Park. She even has a colony of cats that help her run things and one cat she can even communicate with. The cats help keep down the mice and yucky things that crawl around at night at a theme park. When one evening on shift Cat finds a manager strangled to death she is shocked. The fact that no one really liked this person is beside the point, Cat is determined to find out what happened. Her goal is to find the killer so that the theme park can feel safe again for everyone. Consulting with her cat friend aka Zoe,they work together to take down this killer before another murder occurs. Such a fun mystery with a twist. Read this fun Cozy Fairytale to find out what happens.

[Pam]

Not interested. POV alternates between humans and felines. Confusing and odd.


Amazon synopsis:
At Fairytale Forest, a theme park in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the custodial staff and a clowder of feral cats keep things neat and tidy. Until something very messy happens—one of the custodial managers is found strangled to death.

Catherine Lyon is a night-shift custodian who finds herself topping the list of suspects. Sure, no one liked the victim—but someone really hated her enough to murder her in cold blood on the park's main street? Cat certainly didn’t do it—and she wants to prove it by finding the real killer.

She’s shocked when Zoe, a member of the cat colony charged with eliminating vermin in the park, leads her to the dead body and the first clue. Can Cat, Zoe and the rest of the felines clean up the mess and solve the murder of the manipulative, mean-spirited manager?

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let the fur fly! - Human custodian Catherine and feral cat leader Zoe team up to discover who offed one of the most disliked members of Fairytale Forest's staff. The park can't be allowed to close. All the workers need their jobs, human and feline. But there is a sinister presence in the shadows, scheming to take down the park. This is only step one in his or her dastardly plot. Who could possibly want to destroy an amusement park? They're happy places, right?

Human murder and kitty politics. An unusual combination to be sure, but a great one. Not quite the fantasy tale I expected (I humanized the kitties in my imagination), but I loved it nevertheless. I can't wait for the next one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest series. Set in an amusement park, the author takes the reader into the world of the custodial staff and a clowder of cats who keep everything running smoothly. I was excited to see a new, cozy mystery from this author. She always brings an exciting group of people; with this series, she brings a group of cats. When one of the custodial managers shows up dead, the rest of the staff have to figure out what happened. I enjoyed the story and characters. The story was interesting, bringing a bit of a fantastic element to what might have been a typical cozy mystery. I look forward to reading more books in this series and learning more about the amusement park and its inhabitants.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder By Moonlight" by K.L. Montgomery is a charming and suspenseful cozy mystery set in the whimsical Fairytale Forest theme park. When a disliked custodial manager is found strangled, night-shift custodian Catherine Lyon becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear her name, Cat embarks on a quest to find the real killer, with unexpected help from Zoe, a clever member of the park's feral cat colony. Montgomery skillfully blends humor and intrigue, creating a delightful cast of characters, both human and feline, that drive the engaging plot. "Murder By Moonlight" is an entertaining whodunit that keeps readers guessing while celebrating the quirky charm of its unique setting. I highly recommend this as a fun, adorable, entertaining book!

[Victoria McQuigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight is the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest Series by K.L. Montgomery. This book really isn’t like anything else I have ever read. We are following our protagonist Catherine (Cat) who is a night time custodian at a Fairytale theme park in South Caroline. Everything is business as usual until one of the Managers turns up murder. Though no one really liked the manager all that much the murder is still not great. Cat finds herself on the list of suspects and has to attempt to find the real killer and clear her name. She gets help from Zoe and Gloria to try to solve the mystery before its to late. This book is absolutely fun and intriguing. You will not want to put it down. 4 out of 5 stars!

[Elise Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I was in a fever dream when I read this on my 10-hour direct flight back to Australia. I thought, there’s no way I read a book where one of the main characters was a cat. I was wrong. It happened. It was interesting, for sure. I’m not sure if the writing and the book's concept were my vibe, though. This has nothing to do with the fact that I am a dog person. It’s a simple, cosy murder mystery that happens to have cats talking to bipeds. Well, one biped talking to one cat. It took me a while to revisit and finish it, because I just wanted to see it through to the end. Although the idea is one I’ve not seen before, it just wasn’t for me. It might be for someone else out there who is looking for something cosy to read, though.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

At an old fashioned family run park, there are two shifts of employees. Not all are two legged. The night shift has a secret weapon to keep the park free from vermin. Cats! One night, there was a scream. You guessed it, a murder. The police have invisible help by the paws of the cats. They collect clues and do what they can to give those to Catherine, aka Cat. The thing is, in a moment of desperation, Zoe, the leader of a pack, actually can be heard by Catherine. So, now Catherine is not only a suspect in the murder, but, to turn evidence in? Is it a master plan, or can she prove she is innocent. A cute story that is a pleasant page turner.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author as well as the first book in the Felines of Fairytale Forest series. I was pleasantly surprised at the quirkiness of the story and found myself smiling several times throughout. It is unique and very original which was quite refreshing. Even though this is a bit over 250 pages, I blew right through it as the story flows so nicely. The character development is wonderful, and the world-building is vivid. I highly recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a cozy mystery to curl up with on your weekend. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in this fun feline series!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute spin on a theme park that allows kitties to run loose at night much like the rumors about Disney doing the same. Except in this story the cats think and act for themselves. They have different territories within the park and hierarchy in each area like the mafia.

The cats in this story try and succeed in communicating with a human (or as they call them, bipeds) to solve a murder before the theme park has to close for good. The characters are well written, and enjoyable to read about. I really like the cat detectives aspect. It would be a great starter murder mystery story for young adults.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as I have come to expect from this author, this is a surprising, unique and well written story that caught my attention right from the word go! It has a fun feel about it, despite the overall nature of the story, and yet still managed to be intriguing to read. I loved the way the author developed the overall story and I found it to be a really interesting book to read.
This author is one of those that I no longer bother to read a description for. Her books are always great to read and I pick them up without hesitation. I would highly recommend all of her work and this book is just another one to add to the collection!

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder by Moonlight is a cozy murder mystery with an amateur sleuth and a bit of magic. Catherine Lyon works at Fairytale Forest (a theme park in South Carolina) as a night shift custodian. One night she is lead by Zoe (one of the feral cats) to a dead body at the front of the park. With the help of Zoe (and the other felines) Cat is determined to find the murderer and clear her name. I love that the viewpoint switches between Cat and Zoe. I always find it intriguing to be in the head of an animal and it was expertly achieved. The clues keep you guessing with all the twists and turns. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

[Mariahmmm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: For 55 year old Catherine "Cat" Lyon, working as the night cleaner at the Fairytale Forest amusement park is the perfect job. That is, until she finds one of her co-workers murdered, and the park is shut down until the culprit is caught. Curious about the case, Cat turns private investigator alongside Zoe - one of the park's feral cats that Cat can magically talk to. Armed with a nosey nature and her feline friends, Cat's determined to catch the killer.

Review: A fun mystery although a dry case. I loved hearing Zoe's perspective and learning about the different cat "gangs" at the park.