What are cursed artifacts, a talking cat, and a dead body doing in the sweet little town of Citrus Grove? That’s what spirited shopkeeper Rebecca Cuthbert wants to find out, and she had better do it fast because she’s the prime suspect in the murder of the town’s shadiest antiquities dealer.
It’s a troubling start to her reunion with her long-lost grandfather and a far cry from the Southern California vacation she was expecting. So far, nothing in Citrus Grove is quite what it seems. Not her grandfather, who suspiciously disappears at the strangest times, not his curious antique shop, which has more secrets than customers, and certainly not the oddball neighbors, with their hidden motives and questionable connections.
As Rebecca races against time with her new feline friend to uncover the truth behind a mysterious murder, she finds herself tangled in a web of danger and deceit as captivating as Queen Cleopatra herself. With help from unexpected allies and an often-exasperating, yet undeniably handsome detective, Rebecca must outwit the cunning killer before she becomes the next victim.
Dig into this delightful series of cozy mysteries filled with quirky humor, friendships, ancient mysteries, and magic.
DeAnna Drake writes charming, magic-touched cozy mysteries filled with small-town secrets, heart, humor, and feline companions who always know more than they let on. Her interconnected series—Purr-fect Relic and Laguna Bay Midlife Witch—blend twisty mysteries with enchanted relics, family bonds, and talking cats with centuries of history. If you love cozy escapes with found family, a touch of danger, and a whole lot of magic, you’ll feel right at home in the Magical Cats Universe.
What a cute read and a fun story this was! Great plot, characters and settings. Nice pacing of the plot. I can't wait to read more of the series and get to know more about the other characters.
<-- The Fine Print --> *This book was won in a contest. All opinions stated here are my own and I didn't receive any compensation for my stated opinions. Thank you to the author, the publisher and Goodreads for this contest.*
Rebecca Cuthbert welcomed her paternal grandfather's invitation to visit him in Citrus Grove, California, as he could not attend her parents' funeral in Montana. She looked forward to meeting Stirling as her father and grandfather had been estranged, so they had never met, nor had she been aware of his business, Cuthbert Exotic Antiques. Unknowingly, an errand after the store closed for the day that Rebecca thought would assist Stirling has Rebecca making surprising discoveries. One brings Rebecca into the focus of a detective, and one discovery is a little feline who introduces herself as Aneksi. What a unique introduction to a grandfather's life!
I loved how the title, series name, and the name of Stirling's business served as intriguing hints of the mystery. The development of each character, particularly the father and son estrangement, the grandfather’s enigmatic actions, and Rebecca's quest to prove her innocence in a new town keeps the reader guessing. Aneksi has such an interesting name and background, but I wasn't sure if she might disappear as quickly as she appeared.
Make sure not to skip the Exclusive Perk at the end of the mystery.
Thank you to DeAnna Drake, Tule Publishing Group, and Booksprout for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
Reviewer's Note: In About the Author, at the end of the novel, it is mentioned that DeAnna Drake writes under different names, covering a range of genres, including young-adult fantasy fiction, contemporary romances, and historical novels set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. I suspect the reason for the wording may be that only the cozy mysteries are under contract and published by Tule Publishing Group. I have yet to be successful in learning all the different names. Fantasy fiction titles are published using the name D.D. Croix.
Wow, this was a great story. The mysterious goings on kept me glued to the pages, guessing and wondering what's next. I enjoyed seeing the bond grow between Rebecca and her grandfather. I also enjoyed their secrets with Aneksi. I would have never guessed the lengths or depths this evil perpetrator would go to. I had no idea who the perpetrator was and enjoyed the story. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
A cozy mystery with supernatural elements, a talking cat for instance. I read this for a book group connected with a cat rescue that I work with. Cozy mysteries with a bit of romance are not in my wheelhouse, but I gave it 4 stars because it is well written and an engaging story. The first in a series.
This was a quick, fun read. I really enjoyed reading this book. The mystery surrounding the antique store is fun to explore. I am going to enjoy learning more and more from this town and antique store. I am leaving this review voluntarily after being sent a free book.
I've had a love of Egyptology, cats, magic, and mysteries ever since I was young; and this book brings all those wonderful things together. Talking cats? Yes, please. Ancient Egypt relics and stories wrapped in mystery surrounding them? You betcha. I was scrolling through my email when this arc caught my eye. I was entranced by the cover with the adorable kitten and the ancient symbols. I like to find new authors to take a chance on and I am sure glad that I did.
Not only is this story charming, but also chockful of wonderful Egyptian mythology and treasures for your eyes to behold. It's a very unique story that had me clutching at my heart strings. It has passion, depth, mystery, and some snark to boot.
Rebecca is a great character. She has loads of foibles but is also very passionate, heartbroken, and at the moment is temporarily displaced: emotionally as well as physically. Luckily for her, by the end of the story, I really believe she figures out where she is meant to be.
Aneksi was a true surprise. I have always loved the story of Queen Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. You cannot get a better love story/triangle, nor can you get a better tragedy than that one. I love how all of that is also a bit tied up in the story. Just a dab, but I recognized what the author was talking about immediately.
She ended up being a favorite character of mine in this book. And that ending? I honestly did not guess who the killer was. I was too busy following the trail of clues and trying to sort out the red herrings. What a pleasant surprise to be truly foiled.
I loved this book. It's clean, wholesome, funny, endearing, and a whole lot of fun.
Thanks to Book Sirens for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Paws, Claws and Curses by DeAnna Drake, book one in her new A Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series, kept me glued to the pages, intrigued with the mysterious goings on; unable to put down the story until I reached the last page.
Rebecca Cuthbert traveled to Citrus Grove, to meet her grandfather, Stirling; she had not known about him as her father and grandfather had been estranged, and was unaware of his business, Cuthbert Exotic Antiques. After the passing of her parents and the end of a long relationship, because her boyfriend was cheating on her with her best friend, Rebecca needed some distance from home and a fresh start. She enjoys the old things, in grandfather's shop and wanting to repay his kindness to her, temporarily becomes his manager. Unknowingly, an errand after the store closed for the day, which Rebecca thought was helping Stirling reclaim a stolen object, has Rebecca making surprising discoveries. Instead of a stolen cat statute she finds a dead man in his home/office. Rebecca's quest to prove her innocence in this new town brings her into the focus of a handsome, yet exasperating detective, and the discovery of a tiny feline who introduces herself as Aneksi; an interesting name with a historic background. Before long she finds herself mixed up in a murder and finds a couple new friends. The twists and turns kept me guessing wrongly, most of the time. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series and to see if anything develops between Rebecca and Nick, the detective.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Paws, Claws & Curses by DeAnna Drake is a delightful debut in a promising new series. This cozy mystery hooked me with its perfect blend of intrigue, humor, and just a dash of the supernatural. Unlike many first books, it dives into an engaging storyline without getting lost in excessive world-building.
One of the book's highlights is undoubtedly Aneksi, the magical talking cat who adds charm and mystery to the narrative. The dynamic between Rebecca and her grandfather, Stirling, offers a heartwarming touch, and I'm eagerly anticipating how their relationship will unfold further in future installments. And let's not forget the subtle sparks between Rebecca and Detective Devon, hinting at potential romance to come.
Citrus Grove comes alive with vivid detail, and its quirky inhabitants kept me guessing at every turn. With cursed artifacts, a perplexing murder, and a plethora of secrets waiting to be unraveled, this book kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
Overall, Paws, Claws & Curses is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see what mysteries Rebecca and her feline companion will tackle next. Four stars and a high recommendation!".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What an exciting start to this new series! The writing style was very inviting, and the mystery was intriguing. I had my suspicions as to who the guilty party was but immediately dismissed them, so I was shocked when the final reveal came. I love being surprised like that.
Rebecca was relatable and easy to like. I enjoyed seeing the growing relationship between her and her newly-found grandfather. He’s a very interesting character who I’m excited to get to know better. And I can’t forget to mention Aneksi. I’m not usually a cat person, but this one is hard to resist. What a fascinating creature! I’m eager to learn more about her in future books!
I really liked the charming Mayberry-esque small town of Citrus Grove. It sounds like such a friendly and inviting place.
I enjoyed this story so much and am very eager for book two! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. It’s so much fun!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I, thoroughly, enjoyed my time with Rebecca Cuthbert and her, newly discovered, grandfather. Time away from home, for Rebecca, was an escape from personal tragedy and a chance to get to know her grandfather. As a self-confessed mystery buff, Rebecca soon had the chance to emulate her literary heroine, in an attempt to clear her name following a murder, where she had been the one to discover the victim. From this point, Deanna Drake manipulates the plot and characters skilfully, until we can not decide who is trustworthy and who is not. Add into this mixture an immortal, talking cat; Egyptian curses; the promise of future romance; a new beginning and new friends, and this is a story which can’t fail to please. I’m, already, impatient for the next in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rebecca is at the small town her grandfather lives in. She can stay as long as she likes and to avoid boredom is helping out at his antique shop. Her grandfather goes home to nap leaving Rebecca in charge of the shop. She gets a mysterious call saying he has the missing Egyptian Cleopatras cat statue. A valuable family heirloom that was stolen. Rebecca, trying to be helpfi=ul goes to retrieve the statue. what is that saying about good deeds? Well, Rebecca finds the mysterious caller and he is dead. His office has been smashed apart, including the cat statue. Being new to town and finding a dead body puts her as top suspect. will she clear her name? Will she find out why this talking cat is following her? Who is the cat? Ms Drake's book pulled me in, a true exciting page turner.
I just finished this one last night, it’s the first in a new series A Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery and oh my goodness!!! It’s so intriguing right from the first page. Rebecca Cuthbert has come to the small town of Citrus Grove to connect with her long lost grandfather but before long she finds herself mixed up in a murder which she is accused of committing by the handsome, yet exasperating young detective. The twists and turns were fascinating and I could not stop reading this one until the end! It comes out this month and I guarantee you’ll love it! Thanks to the author and @tulepublishing for sharing this story early!
Paws, Claws, and Curses by Deanna Drake introduces Rebecca Cuthbert who recently moved to tiny Citrus Grove, California to meet her previously-unknown grandfather and help find valuable property stolen from his (mostly“faux relics”) antique shop. Almost immediately her hunt leads to her discovery of a body. From there, her life quickly twists from new-girl-in-town to murder suspect, “owner” of a stray kitten who may be talking to her, suspect in a second murder, and very amateur sleuth. I was captivated by the totally fresh paranormal element as it slowly and believably developed within the story. I highly recommend this book to readers who love mystery and surprises
This is the first book I have read by this author, and WOW! Am I impressed! This mystery had believable characters, excellent place descriptions, and kept me turning page after page to find out what happened next. Our MC, Rebecca, has discovered that she has a grandfather that she never knew about. His name is Stirling and he owns an antique store. Someone has stolen a valuable and important relic from his store and Rebecca must find a way to get it back.... Along the way, she encounters a lot of people, not all of them alive. I can't say much more about the story, as I don't want to give anything away. But trust me. Read it. You'll love it!! I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.
I enjoyed this fun, cozy mystery set in Citrus Grove.
Rebecca comes to town to meet her grandpa. He is an eccentric man that owns a antique shop. She somehow ends up with a talking cat and accused of murder.
This was a fun who done it read. And if you’re looking for something fun and quick. I can definitely recommend this book.
I love cozy mysteries and am always looking for a new series to read. Paws, Claws & Curses has all the makings of a perfect cozy-a beautiful small-town setting wonderfully described (Citrus Grove), an adorable pet (Aneksi) , a main character who gets involved in solving a crime, Rebecca, (mostly since she's trying to prove her innocence-wrong place, wrong time scenario) and a potential romance between the local police officer and the amateur sleuth.. This particular mystery surrounds a stolen "faux relic", Cleopatra's Cat, from the antique shop run by Rebecca's newly-discovered Grandfather Stirling. We are left with the lure of a new mystery and I am looking forward to Rebecca's next adventure. I highly recommend this quick-paced, fun story! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was feeling in the mood for something really light and fun, so I picked this up even though it seemed a bit whimsical for me with a talking cat. I figured that with such high ratings it must be really well done even if it was over the top. TOO far over for me. 25% was enough, even if the cat WAS cute!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is a fun and quick read. Exploring the antique shop is fun and interesting. Rebecca was a suspect in the murder, but it's surprising who the killer is. I would recommend this book.
Paws, Claws, and Curses is a twisty, intriguing, cozy mystery with cursed artifacts and a talking cat!. I really enjoyed this new series and new to me author. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Rebecca and her grandfather Stirling. Citrus Grove, the grandfather’s antique store, the talking cat, the cursed artifact, and more are well developed and make a fascinating background fo rthis mystery. I did not figure out who was the murderer, but it all makes sense a the end. I am eagerly awaiting book two.
I read this in one sitting and didn’t want to put it down. I would love to get my hands on the next one. It was a very enjoyable read. Rebecca comes to Citrus Grove after the death of her parents. To get to know her grandfather Stirling who owns Cuthbert Exotic Antiques. While Stirling is at home resting Rebecca get a phone call… that will lead her on an adventure and make her a prime suspect. While introducing her Aneksi a fluffy friend who is more then meets the eye
I was sent this EARC by Booksiren and I truly thank them.
I enjoyed the story. It had me at Ancient Egypt and paranormal beings. I read it straight through. It's a bit differebt. The heroine is an insecure young woman who has just met her grandfather after the death of her parents. She becomes mixed up in a mystery surrounding the death of a customer of her grandfather's antique shop. The harder she tries to clear her name, the worse her plight becomes.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoy it from start to finish. It was a very good start to this new series. From the beginning I was drawn into the story turning page after page. The story was full of mystery, and it was a very entertaining read. I look forward to reading more by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
DeAnna Drake is a new-to-me -author with her Paws, Claws, and Curses (A Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery Book 1). Rebecca Cuthbert comes to visit her newly discovered grandfather in Citrus Grove, Ca. More a quaint town than sun and surf, she begins to help him, working in his antiquities shop. There are secrets galore and soon a murder that she unwittingly becomes a suspect.
A fun story with a bit of Egyptian magic thrown in for good measure. In fact that is the most fascinating aspect of this story. Almost a bit of romance but that is yet to be developed. A good start to a clean, cozy mystery that is pure escapism reading.
I really enjoyed the story. It’s very well written, the characters are all flushed out, and I was kept guessing until the end. Love Aneksi too. The relationship between Rebecca and her grandfather was also heartwarming. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next! Highly recommend the story.
This is a bit of a peculiar story but a fun read nonetheless. I loved the blend of mystery, history and supernatural. Being a fan of all things Ancient Egyptian I was also drawn in by the artifact/ archeology aspects. Above all I liked the quirky characters and the small town charm. A wonderful beginning to a new series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.r