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Cat Yoga Mystery #1
A Pose Before Dying
Fledgling entrepreneur Ashley Branson is thrilled to open her dream business—a cat yoga studio. But helping clients find balance and felines find homes soon becomes one unhealthy exercise in murder . . .
Ashley Branson has a lot to prove with her new cat yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It's a place for humans to find inner wellness—and adopt adorable cats from the local shelter. It’s also a chance for Ash to run her own life, out from under her overbearing mother and a stifling relationship. So far, so successful. Until she discovers one of her new clients, a much-disliked college professor, dead in her studio, locked in child’s pose . . .
To make matters worse, Ash’s hapless always-in-trouble brother, Hunter, instantly becomes the cops’ prime suspect. Determined to clear his name and save her business, Ash does a deep lunge into the surprising—and strange—connections the victim had with her other clients. But countless suspects, contradictory leads, not to mention people desperate to see her studio shut down, mean Ash will have to stretch to the max to outthink a clever killer who’s ready to strike her red in tooth and claw . . .
Ashley Branson has a lot to prove with her new cat yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It's a place for humans to find inner wellness—and adopt adorable cats from the local shelter. It’s also a chance for Ash to run her own life, out from under her overbearing mother and a stifling relationship. So far, so successful. Until she discovers one of her new clients, a much-disliked college professor, dead in her studio, locked in child’s pose . . .
To make matters worse, Ash’s hapless always-in-trouble brother, Hunter, instantly becomes the cops’ prime suspect. Determined to clear his name and save her business, Ash does a deep lunge into the surprising—and strange—connections the victim had with her other clients. But countless suspects, contradictory leads, not to mention people desperate to see her studio shut down, mean Ash will have to stretch to the max to outthink a clever killer who’s ready to strike her red in tooth and claw . . .
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First published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
May 18, 2024
First in a new series about Ash Branson and her new business which includes both Yoga and cats. She calls it the Purrfect Pose and the idea is that the cats from a local rescue shelter wander around while you do your yoga and maybe you will take one home.
A murder occurs and the unfortunate victim is found in the studio in a yoga pose. The police are as unfriendly and inefficient as they nearly always seem to be in a cosy and Ash attempts to solve her difficulties herself. She also has to deal with a very unsupportive family.
The mystery was interesting but the mother and the brother were annoying, and there were a few odd moments like the prospective romantic interest who arrived and left within a few chapters and really did not contribute to the book at all.
Still a totally readable story and I will be interested to see what Ash does next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A murder occurs and the unfortunate victim is found in the studio in a yoga pose. The police are as unfriendly and inefficient as they nearly always seem to be in a cosy and Ash attempts to solve her difficulties herself. She also has to deal with a very unsupportive family.
The mystery was interesting but the mother and the brother were annoying, and there were a few odd moments like the prospective romantic interest who arrived and left within a few chapters and really did not contribute to the book at all.
Still a totally readable story and I will be interested to see what Ash does next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 12, 2025
Meow! Purr! And, yoga! Who could ask for more? How about murder? Yikes!! Let us start with the kitties.
Ashley Branson opens a yoga studio called A Purrfect Pose that helps people find inner peace, because it also provides cats for adoption. But unfortunately, one of her clients is found dead, and her brother is accused of the murder. What will happen to her business now? And, does this mean she becomes a bit of an investigator, too? In some ways this drags the story down a bit, as does her dysfunctional family.
There are so many characters to keep track of in this story that it becomes difficult at times to know who is who. Yet, the premise of a yoga studio with kitties for adoption seemed sweet. Still, it will be hard to imagine what other trouble could occur in future stories for this series. If it involves her family members, that may not be worth following.
3 stars with .5 upward for the kitties for adoption concept!
Ashley Branson opens a yoga studio called A Purrfect Pose that helps people find inner peace, because it also provides cats for adoption. But unfortunately, one of her clients is found dead, and her brother is accused of the murder. What will happen to her business now? And, does this mean she becomes a bit of an investigator, too? In some ways this drags the story down a bit, as does her dysfunctional family.
There are so many characters to keep track of in this story that it becomes difficult at times to know who is who. Yet, the premise of a yoga studio with kitties for adoption seemed sweet. Still, it will be hard to imagine what other trouble could occur in future stories for this series. If it involves her family members, that may not be worth following.
3 stars with .5 upward for the kitties for adoption concept!
May 6, 2024
A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson is the first book in the new cozy A Cat Yoga Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series this first book of the series does contain it’s own fully solved mystery so it could be read as a standalone if choosing to do so. Of course there will be character development that will carry over into the next book for those that want to continue the series.
Ashley Branson had done her best to get her over bearing mother to believe in her and her own dreams instead of those her mother wants for her. The family business just doesn’t interest Ashley and now she has the chance to make her own dream a reality and success as she opens up her own yoga studio with a twist, you see A Purrfect Pose will also house shelter cats up for adoption and the patrons will be able to enjoy these cuddly companions during their classes.
No sooner than Ashley gets A Purrfect Pose up and running though her alarm system alerts her to her studio and upon arrival Ashley find the body of a local college professor murdered right there in her new business. Once the police are on the scene Ashley realizes that her always in trouble brother, Hunter, is their prime suspect having been one of the last people seen with the professor but Ashley soon finds plenty of suspects as the professor wasn’t very well liked in town.
So being a kitty lover myself how could I possibly resist checking out a new cozy with lotsa cute kitties when I saw A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson? Thankfully with the cuteness pulling me in I did find this to be a really good opener of the new series. There’s of course plenty of humor to go with murder that I love in cozies and the mystery did grab my attention too. Another series that I’ll have to return to in the future!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Ashley Branson had done her best to get her over bearing mother to believe in her and her own dreams instead of those her mother wants for her. The family business just doesn’t interest Ashley and now she has the chance to make her own dream a reality and success as she opens up her own yoga studio with a twist, you see A Purrfect Pose will also house shelter cats up for adoption and the patrons will be able to enjoy these cuddly companions during their classes.
No sooner than Ashley gets A Purrfect Pose up and running though her alarm system alerts her to her studio and upon arrival Ashley find the body of a local college professor murdered right there in her new business. Once the police are on the scene Ashley realizes that her always in trouble brother, Hunter, is their prime suspect having been one of the last people seen with the professor but Ashley soon finds plenty of suspects as the professor wasn’t very well liked in town.
So being a kitty lover myself how could I possibly resist checking out a new cozy with lotsa cute kitties when I saw A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson? Thankfully with the cuteness pulling me in I did find this to be a really good opener of the new series. There’s of course plenty of humor to go with murder that I love in cozies and the mystery did grab my attention too. Another series that I’ll have to return to in the future!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 4, 2024
A fresh concept on a cat yoga studio makes this an interesting cozy murder mystery. Ash Branson is nervous on opening day of her new ‘A Purrfect Pose’ yoga studio where cuddly, adoptable kittens help students with their poses and; hopefully, get adopted. A small, eclectic group shows up for the initial class which is rudely interrupted by the groomer next door who complains the cats are making loud noises and upsetting his dog! The police send him on his way fast; but trouble is just beginning. Ash’s studio alarm is triggered and she finds a student’s corpse posed on the floor and the kittens frightened.
Police Chief Higgins-a grouch-shuts down the studio and barely allows Ash in to feed and care for the kitties. Ash’s brother, Hunter, is in trouble; on the run; and it involves the deceased victim. The story has good bones; although some parts were bewildering—i.e., Walker Hawk—What was that about? And, Leon, the new neighbor—Who is he? The killer is exposed and captured at the end; but there are dangling ends that needed explanations. Hopefully, book two will have those answers.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Police Chief Higgins-a grouch-shuts down the studio and barely allows Ash in to feed and care for the kitties. Ash’s brother, Hunter, is in trouble; on the run; and it involves the deceased victim. The story has good bones; although some parts were bewildering—i.e., Walker Hawk—What was that about? And, Leon, the new neighbor—Who is he? The killer is exposed and captured at the end; but there are dangling ends that needed explanations. Hopefully, book two will have those answers.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ashley Branson is striking out on her own, opening A Purrfect Pose, a cat yoga studio, much to her mother's ire. Ash was supposed to fall in line and work at the family business like her sister but she believes her dream business of helping her yoga clients find a balance in their wellness using cats from the local shelter who are ready to be adopted will be a huge success.
Then she finds one of her new clients, a very unpopular college professor, has been murdered in her studio, left in a child's pose. To make matters worse her brother Hunter is at the top of police's suspect list. He does always seem to find trouble but he is not a murderer. Knowing the police think they have their man and anxious to get her studio reopened, Ash decides to do a little sleuthing of her own. She is astonished by the connections between the dead man and her new clients but other clues are not lining up. Can she catch the killer before he catches her or will she be found in a lifeless corpse pose by the cats in her studio?
_____
I have recently read An Escape Goat by Janna Rollins where the protagonist has a goat yoga business and I am a huge fan of Heather Day Gilbert's Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery series where you can enjoy the company of shelter dogs and adopt them if they wish. As soon as I started reading A Pose Before Dying both popped into my head. In Alex Erickson's new series, we have the adoptable cats partnering with the humans doing yoga, climbing all over, and being cute and cuddly as the people trying to find their inner peace. It is a fun theme for a cozy mystery series.
Mr. Erickson introduces us to some interesting characters. Ashley Branson is young and wants to follow her dream instead of her mother's dream for her. She is a bit scatterbrained but has the training and drive to open her cat yoga studio. Her mother, Cecilia Branson is a strong-willed woman with plans for all her children but only Ashley's older sister Alexi has gone into the family business. Ashley's brother Hunter hasn't had an easy time since his parents split up and tends to do things his own way, which has led to some run-ins with the law for petty crimes. His sisters try to help him when they can, but their mother, not so much. Ashley's relationship with her dad is complicated, but he is the "sane" parent and not pushy at all. Ashley does have some good friends in Sierra and Kiersten and her neighbors, Pavan and Edna. She has a unique friendship with her ex-boyfriend from high school and it doesn't make his new girlfriend happy.
We also meet Mr. Leslie, the dog groomer in the shop next to Ash's cat yoga studio. He wants her out of business and out of the building yesterday. I was not a fan of Police Chief Higgins, but he may not be too bad with a little attitude adjustment. Ashley's eclectic group of clients, a woman who wants to get into shape for her husband, some college students, Walker Hawk who seems to make Ashley flustered when he is around, the victim, Professor Jonas Valentine, and his professor wife, Fay, along with several others fill the class. All the characters develop in the story but because it is a large cast we have only learned basic details. There is plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
Oh, there are cats, a lot of cats. Their cuteness and antics were so much fun. Ash quickly adopts one, and others are adopted too. With the overpopulation of frisky felines, I am sure the shelter will be able to provide Ashley with as many as she needs and the cat yoga studio will help them all find their furever homes.
Ash is a new amateur sleuth so her investigation was a bit all over the place. With several suspects, she had her hands full. She put a lot of effort into finding her brother and chance observations led her astray more than once. She did have her sister Alexi along as a sidekick sometimes which was good because she is married to Officer Olivia Chase's brother. This gave them a way to work around the grouchy Police Chief Higgins. Like Ashley, I had pared down the list of suspects to one, but I had the right one and Ash did not. That set up an unusual showdown. The killer was apprehended at the end but I was left with a few questions which hopefully will be cleared up in the next book.
A Pose Before Dying has given the Cat Yoga Mystery Series series a good start. There are characters I want to get to know better, some I would like to disappear, and a couple I know need to be there but hopefully will become not so disagreeable and spiteful. There are good bones here and I am confident this will be another long-running series for this author. I am rounding my rating up from 3.5 to 4 star-fish.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Ashley Branson is striking out on her own, opening A Purrfect Pose, a cat yoga studio, much to her mother's ire. Ash was supposed to fall in line and work at the family business like her sister but she believes her dream business of helping her yoga clients find a balance in their wellness using cats from the local shelter who are ready to be adopted will be a huge success.
Then she finds one of her new clients, a very unpopular college professor, has been murdered in her studio, left in a child's pose. To make matters worse her brother Hunter is at the top of police's suspect list. He does always seem to find trouble but he is not a murderer. Knowing the police think they have their man and anxious to get her studio reopened, Ash decides to do a little sleuthing of her own. She is astonished by the connections between the dead man and her new clients but other clues are not lining up. Can she catch the killer before he catches her or will she be found in a lifeless corpse pose by the cats in her studio?
_____
I have recently read An Escape Goat by Janna Rollins where the protagonist has a goat yoga business and I am a huge fan of Heather Day Gilbert's Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery series where you can enjoy the company of shelter dogs and adopt them if they wish. As soon as I started reading A Pose Before Dying both popped into my head. In Alex Erickson's new series, we have the adoptable cats partnering with the humans doing yoga, climbing all over, and being cute and cuddly as the people trying to find their inner peace. It is a fun theme for a cozy mystery series.
Mr. Erickson introduces us to some interesting characters. Ashley Branson is young and wants to follow her dream instead of her mother's dream for her. She is a bit scatterbrained but has the training and drive to open her cat yoga studio. Her mother, Cecilia Branson is a strong-willed woman with plans for all her children but only Ashley's older sister Alexi has gone into the family business. Ashley's brother Hunter hasn't had an easy time since his parents split up and tends to do things his own way, which has led to some run-ins with the law for petty crimes. His sisters try to help him when they can, but their mother, not so much. Ashley's relationship with her dad is complicated, but he is the "sane" parent and not pushy at all. Ashley does have some good friends in Sierra and Kiersten and her neighbors, Pavan and Edna. She has a unique friendship with her ex-boyfriend from high school and it doesn't make his new girlfriend happy.
We also meet Mr. Leslie, the dog groomer in the shop next to Ash's cat yoga studio. He wants her out of business and out of the building yesterday. I was not a fan of Police Chief Higgins, but he may not be too bad with a little attitude adjustment. Ashley's eclectic group of clients, a woman who wants to get into shape for her husband, some college students, Walker Hawk who seems to make Ashley flustered when he is around, the victim, Professor Jonas Valentine, and his professor wife, Fay, along with several others fill the class. All the characters develop in the story but because it is a large cast we have only learned basic details. There is plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
Oh, there are cats, a lot of cats. Their cuteness and antics were so much fun. Ash quickly adopts one, and others are adopted too. With the overpopulation of frisky felines, I am sure the shelter will be able to provide Ashley with as many as she needs and the cat yoga studio will help them all find their furever homes.
Ash is a new amateur sleuth so her investigation was a bit all over the place. With several suspects, she had her hands full. She put a lot of effort into finding her brother and chance observations led her astray more than once. She did have her sister Alexi along as a sidekick sometimes which was good because she is married to Officer Olivia Chase's brother. This gave them a way to work around the grouchy Police Chief Higgins. Like Ashley, I had pared down the list of suspects to one, but I had the right one and Ash did not. That set up an unusual showdown. The killer was apprehended at the end but I was left with a few questions which hopefully will be cleared up in the next book.
A Pose Before Dying has given the Cat Yoga Mystery Series series a good start. There are characters I want to get to know better, some I would like to disappear, and a couple I know need to be there but hopefully will become not so disagreeable and spiteful. There are good bones here and I am confident this will be another long-running series for this author. I am rounding my rating up from 3.5 to 4 star-fish.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
May 12, 2024
What a lovely debut to what is going to be a favorite series! I love yoga and cats so I knew this would be a delightful read and I was so right. I instantly loved Ash and her passion for not only yoga and getting cats adopted, but also making her own dreams even to the disappointment of her mom. She has a seriously flawed family and her parents made me pretty annoyed, BUT I loved how she handled them while taking care of her own mental health. And her siblings were supportive even when things were tough. I did have an inkling about the mystery, but I loved the route the story took and the many twists and reveals. I cannot wait for more and wish I could visit the studio myself!
February 7, 2024
#APoseBeforeDying #NetGalley is the first book in a new series featuring a cat yoga studio.
Ashley Branson is eager and excited to open her yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. Clients can find harmony and happiness with the possibility of adopting a cat in need of a home.
Ashley has a great attitude, but unfortunately, her mother is not happy with her decision, which upsets her.
When Ashley finds a client in the studio, unresponsive and possibly dead, she has no idea how this happened.
She soon finds herself wrapped in a murder investigation, trying to save her studio, and proving her brother's innocence.
I really like this book, the characters are fun and the story is well written.
I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Ashley Branson is eager and excited to open her yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. Clients can find harmony and happiness with the possibility of adopting a cat in need of a home.
Ashley has a great attitude, but unfortunately, her mother is not happy with her decision, which upsets her.
When Ashley finds a client in the studio, unresponsive and possibly dead, she has no idea how this happened.
She soon finds herself wrapped in a murder investigation, trying to save her studio, and proving her brother's innocence.
I really like this book, the characters are fun and the story is well written.
I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
February 28, 2024
Erickson's new series starts with Ashley, who has defied her mother's expectations to join the family business and has opened a cat yoga studio. But it turns out she's got many obstacles, including the dog groomer next door, her ex's new girlfriend, an animal rights activist, as well as her mom. But when she finds a dead body in her studio, she finds that if she wants to save her business and prove them all wrong, she'll have to solve this mystery herself.
I was into this one at the beginning. But it felt messy and disjointed the further we got. Some obvious clues were noted early on and then never mentioned again. Some were obvious avenues from the start, but weren't even those ght of by the characters until later. And a few obvious avenues were never even mentioned. I also thought the culprit was fairly obvious. In the end, this one just didn't work for me.
Release Date: 5/21/2024
I was into this one at the beginning. But it felt messy and disjointed the further we got. Some obvious clues were noted early on and then never mentioned again. Some were obvious avenues from the start, but weren't even those ght of by the characters until later. And a few obvious avenues were never even mentioned. I also thought the culprit was fairly obvious. In the end, this one just didn't work for me.
Release Date: 5/21/2024
March 3, 2024
Ashley Branson has made a few big changes lately but none bigger than leaving the family firm and opening a cat yoga studio! With her mother's disapproval ringing in her ears, Ash is determined to prove her mom wrong and make her new business an undeniable success. Apart from that, and the hostility from the neighbouring dog groomers, things are going very nicely at the start, but then to her horror, one of her students is killed!
With the police looking very closely at her studio and her brother, it seems as if her first successful week might be the only one she gets. Determined to help the police in their investigation, whether they want it or not, Ashley finds herself in the killer’s sights and realises that reopening her studio could well be the least of her worries!
Having enjoyed Alex Erickson's other series, I was delighted to be able to start at the beginning with this one, and it was very enjoyable. Ash is a good main protagonist who bumbles her way through life in some ways but is determinedly focused in others! The idea of a cat adoption centre inside a business isn't new, but the author has successfully written about cats before and has transferred his talents seamlessly to this promising new series.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I happily recommend this to everyone who enjoys a good cosy!
With the police looking very closely at her studio and her brother, it seems as if her first successful week might be the only one she gets. Determined to help the police in their investigation, whether they want it or not, Ashley finds herself in the killer’s sights and realises that reopening her studio could well be the least of her worries!
Having enjoyed Alex Erickson's other series, I was delighted to be able to start at the beginning with this one, and it was very enjoyable. Ash is a good main protagonist who bumbles her way through life in some ways but is determinedly focused in others! The idea of a cat adoption centre inside a business isn't new, but the author has successfully written about cats before and has transferred his talents seamlessly to this promising new series.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I happily recommend this to everyone who enjoys a good cosy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2024
A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson is the first book in the Cat Yoga Mystery series. Ashley Branson has just openned her cat yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose, only to come across one of her students murdered and posed in childs pose in the studio. An interesting mystery although I thought the cat aspect a bit gimmicky and impractable. I liked Ashley and her sister seemed supportive, although the remainder of the family seemed a bit strange. The motive for the murder was rather odd and I find it off putting when evidence is withheld from the police and when the police are portrayed as inept and unhelpful. Otherwise a pleasant and engaging cozy mystery.
February 28, 2024
Ash is having the opening of her new business of cat assisted yoga and having many frustrations with her mother and siblings. The business has a number of rescue cats for clients to enjoy and, hopefully, adopt. All well and good until one of her clients is found dead there. Ash is afraid that the police chief will railroad her brother for the crime, so she figuratively puts on a deerstalker and investigates. Good read with many reminders to spay/neuter and adopt rescue pets.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 21 May 2024 #CatYogaMysteriesBk1
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 21 May 2024 #CatYogaMysteriesBk1
June 15, 2024
This was good until it was not [and devolved into only what can be called written chaos - was it a mystery? A romance? A treatise on dysfunctional families one should leave because they are all toxic? WHO the heck knows!!], and the extremely rushed [and ridiculous] reveal sealed the deal for me - this was just not my cup of tea and I will not be reading any more [even the {not-enough-mentions} cats could not save this one for me] of this series. I am very disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Erickson, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Erickson, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2024
Loved the book! Ash is a great character. She eagerly opens up a yoga cat studio, only to have to close because of a murder. I loved the plot and mix of suspects. Each chapter left me wondering who done it? Recommend read.
March 1, 2024
What a fun and enjoyable book!!
A Pose Before Dying had amazing well-crafted characters, and the overall storyline was easy to follow.
I really enjoyed reading this cozy novel, highly recommend it.
A Pose Before Dying had amazing well-crafted characters, and the overall storyline was easy to follow.
I really enjoyed reading this cozy novel, highly recommend it.
Read
June 16, 2024 it was ok .
August 30, 2024
Cute, easy read. Loved the narrator
June 20, 2025
I don’t know why I had a sudden itch to read a fiction book with a yoga theme. But I did.
June 3, 2025
More than the mystery in this one, I enjoyed the vibes and characters. I wasn't very satisfied with the ending in terms of the grand reveal, but the way it ends for the MC makes me yearn for more.
I loved how this novel doesn't focus too much on romance, so the family drama got more screen time. I mean come on, Ash's entire family is so messed up yet likeable, and what's better than characters you can instantly root for? Add this to the fact that the setting is amazing, with the main premise being a yoga studio where you exercise with kittens and I'm happy. There was some great banter, vivid details, and fluid writing which all made this such a fun and quick read.
If I were happier with how the mystery turned out, I'd give this a higher rating, but that's not the case. I can't say it's predictable, but it's not 'hidden in plain sight' so when the culprit is uncovered, you go "OHH!". At least not for me. Everything makes sense, sure, but not in the way that gives you complete satisfaction.
I loved how this novel doesn't focus too much on romance, so the family drama got more screen time. I mean come on, Ash's entire family is so messed up yet likeable, and what's better than characters you can instantly root for? Add this to the fact that the setting is amazing, with the main premise being a yoga studio where you exercise with kittens and I'm happy. There was some great banter, vivid details, and fluid writing which all made this such a fun and quick read.
If I were happier with how the mystery turned out, I'd give this a higher rating, but that's not the case. I can't say it's predictable, but it's not 'hidden in plain sight' so when the culprit is uncovered, you go "OHH!". At least not for me. Everything makes sense, sure, but not in the way that gives you complete satisfaction.
June 1, 2024
https://openbooksociety.com/article/a...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
What a delightful opening to this series! Ash opened her yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose, in her hometown of Cardinal Lake, Ohio. The studio concept is a win-win for both yoga and cat lovers. Ashley coordinates with the nearby animal shelter to borrow several cats. Her yoga classes include cats and kittens that are available for adoption. From their antics, the author clearly has spent extensive happy years around cats! This cozy mystery includes humor, drama, and an eclectic cast of characters.
Each person has been well defined, and I look forward to learning more about them in the future. The personalities are beautifully revealed through their realistic conversations and actions. Ashley, her best friend Sierra, and yoga student Lulu, are my favorites. Ash is more mature than her years, thus appealing to a wide audience. I’m not fond of grumpy Mr. Leslie, the dog groomer next door, and it will take a while for Ash’s mother, Cecelia, to grow on me. She actually wanted her daughter to fail quickly and return to work in the family business!
Within days, Ashley’s classes were almost at capacity. The only people who seemed to dislike her were Mr. Leslie, Zaria, and Ginnie. Mr. Leslie claimed the cats yowled and upset his little dog, so he was determined to close down her shop. Zaria, an animal activist, wanted the cats set free. Ginnie was currently dating Ash’s long-term ex-boyfriend, Drew. Ginnie had been jealous of her all through school and as soon as Ashley broke up with Drew, Ginnie swooped in to grab him.
A young man Ashley met when she was out with friends came to a class and seemed interested in her. By the time she closed for the day, they had a date for the following evening. That evening, Ash received an alert from her security system that a door was ajar.
She hurried to the studio to see someone outside the front entry, wearing a hoody, with a build and stance like her brother, Hunter, who used to get in trouble with the law. When she called to the person, they ran away. The front door was secure, but the door to the alley was not quite shut. Someone had let the kittens out of their enormous playroom, but thankfully, none had escaped the building. In the front room of the studio, however, was one of Ash’s students. Professor Jonas Valentine, in a yoga pose, was dead, a knife handle protruding from his back.
Police Chief Higgins was certain her brother was somehow involved with the murder, and wanted Hunter to go to the station as soon as she found him. Jonas and his wife, Fay, also a professor, had just been to her class that morning. Chief Higgins shut down the studio for the foreseeable future, even after they collected evidence, and insisted on seeing her brother. She knew Hunter couldn’t kill anyone, but it sounded as if she wouldn’t be allowed to reopen until Hunter was found.
Ash and her sister, Alexi, went to Hunter’s hangouts, trying to find him. In her store room, Ash found potentially incriminating evidence against Hunter the police had missed. If she didn’t want to lose her new business, she would have to find the killer herself.
I really liked this cozy mystery! It kept my attention from the grand opening to the end. Most characters were very relatable and engaging, and I had to remember that sometimes the bad guy is the most personable. It was interesting to watch Ash working to solve the murder. She had good instincts but her questioning style needed a bit of work. The bad guy was one of my pet suspects, and no loose ends remained. I highly recommend this very well-written cozy mystery!
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
What a delightful opening to this series! Ash opened her yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose, in her hometown of Cardinal Lake, Ohio. The studio concept is a win-win for both yoga and cat lovers. Ashley coordinates with the nearby animal shelter to borrow several cats. Her yoga classes include cats and kittens that are available for adoption. From their antics, the author clearly has spent extensive happy years around cats! This cozy mystery includes humor, drama, and an eclectic cast of characters.
Each person has been well defined, and I look forward to learning more about them in the future. The personalities are beautifully revealed through their realistic conversations and actions. Ashley, her best friend Sierra, and yoga student Lulu, are my favorites. Ash is more mature than her years, thus appealing to a wide audience. I’m not fond of grumpy Mr. Leslie, the dog groomer next door, and it will take a while for Ash’s mother, Cecelia, to grow on me. She actually wanted her daughter to fail quickly and return to work in the family business!
Within days, Ashley’s classes were almost at capacity. The only people who seemed to dislike her were Mr. Leslie, Zaria, and Ginnie. Mr. Leslie claimed the cats yowled and upset his little dog, so he was determined to close down her shop. Zaria, an animal activist, wanted the cats set free. Ginnie was currently dating Ash’s long-term ex-boyfriend, Drew. Ginnie had been jealous of her all through school and as soon as Ashley broke up with Drew, Ginnie swooped in to grab him.
A young man Ashley met when she was out with friends came to a class and seemed interested in her. By the time she closed for the day, they had a date for the following evening. That evening, Ash received an alert from her security system that a door was ajar.
She hurried to the studio to see someone outside the front entry, wearing a hoody, with a build and stance like her brother, Hunter, who used to get in trouble with the law. When she called to the person, they ran away. The front door was secure, but the door to the alley was not quite shut. Someone had let the kittens out of their enormous playroom, but thankfully, none had escaped the building. In the front room of the studio, however, was one of Ash’s students. Professor Jonas Valentine, in a yoga pose, was dead, a knife handle protruding from his back.
Police Chief Higgins was certain her brother was somehow involved with the murder, and wanted Hunter to go to the station as soon as she found him. Jonas and his wife, Fay, also a professor, had just been to her class that morning. Chief Higgins shut down the studio for the foreseeable future, even after they collected evidence, and insisted on seeing her brother. She knew Hunter couldn’t kill anyone, but it sounded as if she wouldn’t be allowed to reopen until Hunter was found.
Ash and her sister, Alexi, went to Hunter’s hangouts, trying to find him. In her store room, Ash found potentially incriminating evidence against Hunter the police had missed. If she didn’t want to lose her new business, she would have to find the killer herself.
I really liked this cozy mystery! It kept my attention from the grand opening to the end. Most characters were very relatable and engaging, and I had to remember that sometimes the bad guy is the most personable. It was interesting to watch Ash working to solve the murder. She had good instincts but her questioning style needed a bit of work. The bad guy was one of my pet suspects, and no loose ends remained. I highly recommend this very well-written cozy mystery!
March 9, 2024
I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
A Pose Before Dying caught my eye when I spotted it on Netgalley. It sounded good with the interesting concept of a yoga studio filled with cats. I was excited when I got accepted for this one and picked it up when I was in a cozy mystery mood. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series.
A Pose Before Dying is a solid start to this new series. This was a new to me author, although I've read a novella once by him before this. I really enjoyed A Pose Before Dying and definitely want to continue this series as well as pick up some other books by this author as well. A Pose Before Dying is told from the point of view of Ash who just started her own business, a yoga studio with cats that the students can adopt. It was a fun concept and I liked seeing how it all worked. I also liked how there are some scenes about her running her business before she had to close due to the murder.
The mystery was a good one. It kept me invested and engaged as I followed Ash as she tries to solve the mystery. The mystery progresses nicely with some bits of information coming to light along the way. Although I did feel like it kept circling around a few pieces like Ash' brother Hunter who is missing. I liked how she is the one to actually solve the mystery. And I liked how it got resolved and the way it all made sense. I liked how a certain clue I thought might be relevant turned out to be and while I hadn't guessed the murderer, I also wasn't too surprised and was putting things together at the same time as Ash.
I liked reading about Ash. I thought she was a likable main character. It made sense how she got involved in the mystery and I could understand why she acted the way she did. She has quite some friends and family around her as well as students and I liked seeing how she interacted with them. I did struggle a bit with the large amount of side characters at first to remember who everyone was, but that got better as the story progressed. There are some interesting developments relationship wise between Ash and some of the side characters. And I liked how it felt like everyone had something going on and had their own lives.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book, it's a solid start to this new series and I liked the cat yoga concept. I was glad I got to read a bit about Ash and her yoga business before she had to close due to the murder. The mystery was well written and kept me invested. There were a few points I felt like the book kept circling around, but there was enough progression and new information throughout the book. I liked how Ash is the one to solve the mystery and figure it out. I enjoyed reading about Ash and her life, I could understand why she acted the way she did and I liked seeing her interact with the side characters. There are a lot of side characters, which was a bit overwhelming at first, but it got easier to remember who was who as the book progressed. All in all a great start to this series and I plan to continue this series and read more by this author.
A Pose Before Dying caught my eye when I spotted it on Netgalley. It sounded good with the interesting concept of a yoga studio filled with cats. I was excited when I got accepted for this one and picked it up when I was in a cozy mystery mood. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series.
A Pose Before Dying is a solid start to this new series. This was a new to me author, although I've read a novella once by him before this. I really enjoyed A Pose Before Dying and definitely want to continue this series as well as pick up some other books by this author as well. A Pose Before Dying is told from the point of view of Ash who just started her own business, a yoga studio with cats that the students can adopt. It was a fun concept and I liked seeing how it all worked. I also liked how there are some scenes about her running her business before she had to close due to the murder.
The mystery was a good one. It kept me invested and engaged as I followed Ash as she tries to solve the mystery. The mystery progresses nicely with some bits of information coming to light along the way. Although I did feel like it kept circling around a few pieces like Ash' brother Hunter who is missing. I liked how she is the one to actually solve the mystery. And I liked how it got resolved and the way it all made sense. I liked how a certain clue I thought might be relevant turned out to be and while I hadn't guessed the murderer, I also wasn't too surprised and was putting things together at the same time as Ash.
I liked reading about Ash. I thought she was a likable main character. It made sense how she got involved in the mystery and I could understand why she acted the way she did. She has quite some friends and family around her as well as students and I liked seeing how she interacted with them. I did struggle a bit with the large amount of side characters at first to remember who everyone was, but that got better as the story progressed. There are some interesting developments relationship wise between Ash and some of the side characters. And I liked how it felt like everyone had something going on and had their own lives.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book, it's a solid start to this new series and I liked the cat yoga concept. I was glad I got to read a bit about Ash and her yoga business before she had to close due to the murder. The mystery was well written and kept me invested. There were a few points I felt like the book kept circling around, but there was enough progression and new information throughout the book. I liked how Ash is the one to solve the mystery and figure it out. I enjoyed reading about Ash and her life, I could understand why she acted the way she did and I liked seeing her interact with the side characters. There are a lot of side characters, which was a bit overwhelming at first, but it got easier to remember who was who as the book progressed. All in all a great start to this series and I plan to continue this series and read more by this author.
July 9, 2024
A Pose Before Dying
A Cat Yoga Mystery, Book #1
Alex Erickson
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Fledgling entrepreneur Ashley Branson is thrilled to open her dream business—a cat yoga studio. But helping clients find balance and felines find homes soon becomes one unhealthy exercise in murder . . .
Ashley Branson has a lot to prove with her new cat yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It's a place for humans to find inner wellness—and adopt adorable cats from the local shelter. It’s also a chance for Ash to run her own life, out from under her overbearing mother and a stifling relationship. So far, so successful. Until she discovers one of her new clients, a much-disliked college professor, dead in her studio, locked in child’s pose . . .
To make matters worse, Ash’s hapless always-in-trouble brother, Hunter, instantly becomes the cops’ prime suspect. Determined to clear his name and save her business, Ash does a deep lunge into the surprising—and strange—connections the victim had with her other clients. But countless suspects, contradictory leads, not to mention people desperate to see her studio shut down, mean Ash will have to stretch to the max to outthink a clever killer who’s ready to strike her red in tooth and claw . . .
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Ash has started a new business, a cat yoga studio called a Purrfect Pose. Although she has only been open for a short time it looks like her new business is off to a successful start. But then she finds one of her yoga students dead in her yoga studio. She decides she will have to figure out who the killer is in order to save her business.
The author is very talented in his descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The mystery is well plotted and is not easily solved.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is a really good start to the series and I cannot wait to read more.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Cat Yoga Mystery, Book #1
Alex Erickson
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Fledgling entrepreneur Ashley Branson is thrilled to open her dream business—a cat yoga studio. But helping clients find balance and felines find homes soon becomes one unhealthy exercise in murder . . .
Ashley Branson has a lot to prove with her new cat yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It's a place for humans to find inner wellness—and adopt adorable cats from the local shelter. It’s also a chance for Ash to run her own life, out from under her overbearing mother and a stifling relationship. So far, so successful. Until she discovers one of her new clients, a much-disliked college professor, dead in her studio, locked in child’s pose . . .
To make matters worse, Ash’s hapless always-in-trouble brother, Hunter, instantly becomes the cops’ prime suspect. Determined to clear his name and save her business, Ash does a deep lunge into the surprising—and strange—connections the victim had with her other clients. But countless suspects, contradictory leads, not to mention people desperate to see her studio shut down, mean Ash will have to stretch to the max to outthink a clever killer who’s ready to strike her red in tooth and claw . . .
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Ash has started a new business, a cat yoga studio called a Purrfect Pose. Although she has only been open for a short time it looks like her new business is off to a successful start. But then she finds one of her yoga students dead in her yoga studio. She decides she will have to figure out who the killer is in order to save her business.
The author is very talented in his descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The mystery is well plotted and is not easily solved.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is a really good start to the series and I cannot wait to read more.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
May 25, 2024
Ashley Branson is excited to open her new yoga studio. It’s not your typical yoga studio since it also is a place to adopt cats. Each client can do their yoga exercise with a cat by their side and, possibly, even take the cat home. It takes quite a bit of work to get a new business started, but Ashley is determined. Until…tragedy strikes.
She finds one of her clients posed in a yoga position in her studio. He is very much dead. The police immediately close down her studio until the case is solved. The police have their sights set on Ashley’s brother as the guilty party. Although her brother is always in some kind of trouble, he’s not a killer. She intends to prove it. Time is of the essence to save her brother as well as save her business.
A yoga studio with cats? I’m there for it. I’m not a yoga person, but I am a cat person, and I was immediately drawn into this one. I’ve seen books with cats at cafes or libraries but not a yoga studio filled with them. That’s a unique take.
I loved Ashley right away. The rest of the cast still needs to be developed a bit more, but there’s so much potential for a fun group of supporting characters. Ashley’s family, alone, are quite interesting and I want to know more about them.
The story moved along at a fast pace. I was surprised at who the killer turned out to be and I do like a book that surprises me. I was captivated right from the start. I enjoyed going along with Ashley to figure out “whodunit”.
I’m anxiously awaiting book two in the series. I can’t wait to see what mischief Ashley gets into next.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
She finds one of her clients posed in a yoga position in her studio. He is very much dead. The police immediately close down her studio until the case is solved. The police have their sights set on Ashley’s brother as the guilty party. Although her brother is always in some kind of trouble, he’s not a killer. She intends to prove it. Time is of the essence to save her brother as well as save her business.
A yoga studio with cats? I’m there for it. I’m not a yoga person, but I am a cat person, and I was immediately drawn into this one. I’ve seen books with cats at cafes or libraries but not a yoga studio filled with them. That’s a unique take.
I loved Ashley right away. The rest of the cast still needs to be developed a bit more, but there’s so much potential for a fun group of supporting characters. Ashley’s family, alone, are quite interesting and I want to know more about them.
The story moved along at a fast pace. I was surprised at who the killer turned out to be and I do like a book that surprises me. I was captivated right from the start. I enjoyed going along with Ashley to figure out “whodunit”.
I’m anxiously awaiting book two in the series. I can’t wait to see what mischief Ashley gets into next.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 30, 2024
A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson is the debut of A Cat Yoga Mysteries. Ashley “Ash” Branson is opening A Purrfect Pose, a cat yoga studio. There are a couple of people who are hoping Ash will fail including her mother, the local dog groomer, and an animal rights activist. A murdered client left in the middle of A Purrfect Pose may be the end of Ash’s new enterprise.
I thought the concept for A Pose Before Dying was unique. I bet a mischievous cat could find many ways to distract a person during yoga (rubbing, licking, purring, climbing, and can you imagine the damage they could do with their sharp little claws). It is a wonderful way for cats to find forever homes. Ash is a cliched main character (I expected someone who acted like a professional, not so scattered, immature). When in the presence of a handsome man that Ash is attracted to, she babbles (of course). A romantic interest is introduced early in the book. At times, it felt like I was reading a romance instead of a cozy mystery. The whodunit was aggravating. It is a simple mystery that can be solved early in the story. The frustrating part is Ash’s focus on her brother. Since the unpleasant police chief has concentrated his investigation on Ash’s brother (evidently, Hunter cannot stay out of trouble), Ash is determined to prove his innocence. The reveal is a letdown. The story ends with several questions left unanswered. I wish the story had fewer unlikeable characters (police chief, mother, dog groomer, activist, uncle, and the list goes on). The same details were repeated over and over (an example is Fitbit—each time Ash looks at her Fitbit it is mentioned). The cats were the best part of the story. I can tell that the author has been around cats based on her descriptions of their behavior. While I liked a couple of aspects about A Pose Before Dying, I did not find the rest of the story to be engaging.
I thought the concept for A Pose Before Dying was unique. I bet a mischievous cat could find many ways to distract a person during yoga (rubbing, licking, purring, climbing, and can you imagine the damage they could do with their sharp little claws). It is a wonderful way for cats to find forever homes. Ash is a cliched main character (I expected someone who acted like a professional, not so scattered, immature). When in the presence of a handsome man that Ash is attracted to, she babbles (of course). A romantic interest is introduced early in the book. At times, it felt like I was reading a romance instead of a cozy mystery. The whodunit was aggravating. It is a simple mystery that can be solved early in the story. The frustrating part is Ash’s focus on her brother. Since the unpleasant police chief has concentrated his investigation on Ash’s brother (evidently, Hunter cannot stay out of trouble), Ash is determined to prove his innocence. The reveal is a letdown. The story ends with several questions left unanswered. I wish the story had fewer unlikeable characters (police chief, mother, dog groomer, activist, uncle, and the list goes on). The same details were repeated over and over (an example is Fitbit—each time Ash looks at her Fitbit it is mentioned). The cats were the best part of the story. I can tell that the author has been around cats based on her descriptions of their behavior. While I liked a couple of aspects about A Pose Before Dying, I did not find the rest of the story to be engaging.
May 15, 2024
Ash Branson is branching out on her own. She's decided to leave the family business of Branson Designs and has opened her own cat yoga studio. All seems to go well as the cats and humans gather for the cutest yoga you've ever seen. That is until one of her students is found dead inside her studio! With the police eyeing her brother for the crime, Ash must find the killer before they strike again.
Alex Erickson's Bookstore Cafe Mysteries are one of my longest-read series. Books + tea? I'm there! I was excited to see a new series coming out featuring cat yoga, and as a confirmed crazy cat lady I knew I couldn't resist this new series.
The Cat Yoga Mysteries read very different to the Bookstore Cafe Mysteries, which is good as I wouldn't want both of them to be very similar. Ash's family situation is... well... complicated. I'm sure for Ash it involves a lot of headaches, but for the reader... well I'm here for the drama! Her mom is upset that she's decided to leave the family business and branch out on her own. Mad enough to murder a student? I sure hope not!
Ash's brother Hunter has had minor scraps with the law, so when a body is found and the Chief is determined to pin the crime on Hunter, Ash and her sister, Alexi, step in to find a killer. I loved the mystery and the adventure. While I had an inkling early on who the killer was, watching it all unfold was thrilling... especially with many red herrings thrown in!
A Pose Before Dying is the perfect first in a new series. Many readers will come for the mystery, but trust me you're going to want to stay for the cats and Ash's family and friends. Just reading it made me want to adopt another cat! I adored A Pose Before Dying and I can't wait to see what is up next for Ash!
Alex Erickson's Bookstore Cafe Mysteries are one of my longest-read series. Books + tea? I'm there! I was excited to see a new series coming out featuring cat yoga, and as a confirmed crazy cat lady I knew I couldn't resist this new series.
The Cat Yoga Mysteries read very different to the Bookstore Cafe Mysteries, which is good as I wouldn't want both of them to be very similar. Ash's family situation is... well... complicated. I'm sure for Ash it involves a lot of headaches, but for the reader... well I'm here for the drama! Her mom is upset that she's decided to leave the family business and branch out on her own. Mad enough to murder a student? I sure hope not!
Ash's brother Hunter has had minor scraps with the law, so when a body is found and the Chief is determined to pin the crime on Hunter, Ash and her sister, Alexi, step in to find a killer. I loved the mystery and the adventure. While I had an inkling early on who the killer was, watching it all unfold was thrilling... especially with many red herrings thrown in!
A Pose Before Dying is the perfect first in a new series. Many readers will come for the mystery, but trust me you're going to want to stay for the cats and Ash's family and friends. Just reading it made me want to adopt another cat! I adored A Pose Before Dying and I can't wait to see what is up next for Ash!
May 16, 2024
A Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson is the debut book in the new series "A Cat Yoga Mystery series." This is the" purrfect" cozy match for cat lovers. The author has all the perfect cozy elements here that we readers who are cat lovers enjoy. The love of cats, a fascinating well crafted sleuth and a loveable protagnist. This is a great debut for this exciting new series.
Ashely is opening her dream business, a yoga studio with adoptable cats. She is following her own path with her business and breaking away from her overbearing family . The cat yoga first class is ready with adoptable kittens to entice potential owners. She is a cat lover who hopes to help adopt out cats in need of homes. The author knows cats and does such wonderful entertaining descriptions of the cats during her yoga class. I love the idea of cat yoga featured in this debut.
A murder occurs in the studio that threatens to put Ashley out of business. The neighbor who is against her business and caused her trouble is her first suspect.. When her Brother is the prime suspect Ashley does not hesitate to help by invesigating on her own. Soon she is discovering clues abound and red herrings . Ashley races to save her business and her Brother by trying to solve the case .
I loved Ashley as a protagnist who is relatable and loves cats. She is a loyal sister and devoted to helping her Brother. The author has such wonderful humor throughout this charming debut of the cats and people. The supporting characters all add to the fun and the grouchy police detective was a perfect fit. The sleuth kept me guessing throughout and was well crafted. I enjoyed this wonderful debut cozy series and look forward to the next in series and more of Cat Yoga. Well done to the author.
Ashely is opening her dream business, a yoga studio with adoptable cats. She is following her own path with her business and breaking away from her overbearing family . The cat yoga first class is ready with adoptable kittens to entice potential owners. She is a cat lover who hopes to help adopt out cats in need of homes. The author knows cats and does such wonderful entertaining descriptions of the cats during her yoga class. I love the idea of cat yoga featured in this debut.
A murder occurs in the studio that threatens to put Ashley out of business. The neighbor who is against her business and caused her trouble is her first suspect.. When her Brother is the prime suspect Ashley does not hesitate to help by invesigating on her own. Soon she is discovering clues abound and red herrings . Ashley races to save her business and her Brother by trying to solve the case .
I loved Ashley as a protagnist who is relatable and loves cats. She is a loyal sister and devoted to helping her Brother. The author has such wonderful humor throughout this charming debut of the cats and people. The supporting characters all add to the fun and the grouchy police detective was a perfect fit. The sleuth kept me guessing throughout and was well crafted. I enjoyed this wonderful debut cozy series and look forward to the next in series and more of Cat Yoga. Well done to the author.
September 25, 2024
This was a great start to a new cozy mystery series! I really enjoyed the setting, characters, mystery and of course all of the cats. It included the right amount of humor to keep it entertaining. The cover is super cute and eye catching too.
I've been a yogi for several years now so I'm always excited to find books that incorporate it into the storyline. I loved watching Ash begin to teach classes at her new yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It was a great way to meet a variety of characters. She has partnered with the local animal shelter to keep cats at the studio who attend the classes and are then available for adoption. The rest of the settings were really enjoyable. I liked the scenes in and around the local college, the nearby hangouts and at Ash's apartment complex.
There were quite a few characters to keep straight throughout this book, but they each had their own unique quirks and personalities so it didn't seem too overwhelming. I really liked the interactions Ash had with her siblings, even when one of them was being nefarious. My favorite characters were the older neighbors that were nosy and oh so sweet. They made up for the awful actions of Ash's parents. The way they talked to their adult children was rather grating, but I understand why it was included. There is a bit of light romance too.
The mystery was captivating from start to finish. It kept me guessing and quite frankly had me accusing every single character once new red herrings and clues were revealed. I slowly started piecing together the story, but didn't completely solve it until just before the protagonist.
I would love to continue this series and will be on the lookout for a sequel. There are several storylines I'm already invested in and I'm curious to find out more about the new neighbor!
I've been a yogi for several years now so I'm always excited to find books that incorporate it into the storyline. I loved watching Ash begin to teach classes at her new yoga studio, A Purrfect Pose. It was a great way to meet a variety of characters. She has partnered with the local animal shelter to keep cats at the studio who attend the classes and are then available for adoption. The rest of the settings were really enjoyable. I liked the scenes in and around the local college, the nearby hangouts and at Ash's apartment complex.
There were quite a few characters to keep straight throughout this book, but they each had their own unique quirks and personalities so it didn't seem too overwhelming. I really liked the interactions Ash had with her siblings, even when one of them was being nefarious. My favorite characters were the older neighbors that were nosy and oh so sweet. They made up for the awful actions of Ash's parents. The way they talked to their adult children was rather grating, but I understand why it was included. There is a bit of light romance too.
The mystery was captivating from start to finish. It kept me guessing and quite frankly had me accusing every single character once new red herrings and clues were revealed. I slowly started piecing together the story, but didn't completely solve it until just before the protagonist.
I would love to continue this series and will be on the lookout for a sequel. There are several storylines I'm already invested in and I'm curious to find out more about the new neighbor!
May 23, 2024
What a fun new idea for a series! I’d definitely prefer cats in the yoga studio over goats which I’ve read about in other cozies. I enjoyed meeting these new characters and by the end I felt like I was definitely getting acquainted and even had some favorites by then.
Edna and Pavan were apartment neighbors to Ash and made me chuckle at how they were always encouraging Ash’s currently non-existent love life. But Ash loved her yoga studio job a lot along owning a business, so maybe it’s best for her to think about growing her new business. It’d be much easier without a pesky murder she was insanely curious to solve not to mention clear her brother’s name.
There was a character I suspected for most of the book because of some well-placed early clues, but I still enjoyed the rabbit hole experience of considering various suspects/motives. The showdown was pretty cool letting Ash use some of her yoga abilities for defense/protect moves. Actually her loyalty to her siblings was overall awesome anyway, so of course she’d defend one of said siblings. After finding out something at the end of this book, I absolutely can’t wait for the next one. And thinking about what’s gonna happen when someone else finds out what was announced then makes me laugh about the possibilities.
Edna and Pavan were apartment neighbors to Ash and made me chuckle at how they were always encouraging Ash’s currently non-existent love life. But Ash loved her yoga studio job a lot along owning a business, so maybe it’s best for her to think about growing her new business. It’d be much easier without a pesky murder she was insanely curious to solve not to mention clear her brother’s name.
There was a character I suspected for most of the book because of some well-placed early clues, but I still enjoyed the rabbit hole experience of considering various suspects/motives. The showdown was pretty cool letting Ash use some of her yoga abilities for defense/protect moves. Actually her loyalty to her siblings was overall awesome anyway, so of course she’d defend one of said siblings. After finding out something at the end of this book, I absolutely can’t wait for the next one. And thinking about what’s gonna happen when someone else finds out what was announced then makes me laugh about the possibilities.
July 9, 2024
Princess Fuzzypants here: Ashley has just opened her yoga cum kitty business in spite of the machinations of her mother who wants her to join the family business. Speaking of family, Ashley has a classic dysfunctional one including the screw-up brother who seems deeply entrenched in the murder of one of her customers. The fact that the body had been placed in her business posed in a yoga position pulls her deeper and deeper into the search for the killer. And her brother’s actions after the fact just make things worse.
It is a good thing she has lots of kitty love and purrs to keep her sane and focused. Between people breaking into both her business and her apartment- sometimes with keys- and having to shut down her business during the investigation, she is frantic to figure out who did the deed and, if possible, exonerate her brother. When she finally puts it together she is the only one who can come to his rescue.
It is an interesting combination of cats and yoga. The kitties really add charm to the story especially Luna who steals Ashley’s heart. Four purrs and two paws up.
It is a good thing she has lots of kitty love and purrs to keep her sane and focused. Between people breaking into both her business and her apartment- sometimes with keys- and having to shut down her business during the investigation, she is frantic to figure out who did the deed and, if possible, exonerate her brother. When she finally puts it together she is the only one who can come to his rescue.
It is an interesting combination of cats and yoga. The kitties really add charm to the story especially Luna who steals Ashley’s heart. Four purrs and two paws up.
August 9, 2025
A Pose Before Dying is the first book in a new series and i absolutely adored it! cats and yoga? yes please!
as a fan of cozy mysteries, a seasoned yogi, and a cat person, this book already had multiple stars in its favor! i loved main character, Ash, and admired her for venturing out and opening a yoga studio that also incorporates cats to practice with (and are available to be adopted). it’s admirable because her own mother isn’t exactly supportive…thankfully, there are plenty of other more likable and supportive characters that are featured in this book!!
the main plot of this story centers around the murder of one of Ash’s students who is found in the new studio in child’s pose, on a yoga mat. as the police are investigating, Ash is obviously on a mission to find out why and who is responsible. her brother is a person of interest and even she can understand why. of course, she knows it couldn’t be him but he’s acting strange and the evidence isn’t doing him any favors…
i have to say, this was an enjoyable and fun read with great potential to be a longtime series. i am excited to read book 2!! 🐈 🧘🏽♀️ 💞✨
as a fan of cozy mysteries, a seasoned yogi, and a cat person, this book already had multiple stars in its favor! i loved main character, Ash, and admired her for venturing out and opening a yoga studio that also incorporates cats to practice with (and are available to be adopted). it’s admirable because her own mother isn’t exactly supportive…thankfully, there are plenty of other more likable and supportive characters that are featured in this book!!
the main plot of this story centers around the murder of one of Ash’s students who is found in the new studio in child’s pose, on a yoga mat. as the police are investigating, Ash is obviously on a mission to find out why and who is responsible. her brother is a person of interest and even she can understand why. of course, she knows it couldn’t be him but he’s acting strange and the evidence isn’t doing him any favors…
i have to say, this was an enjoyable and fun read with great potential to be a longtime series. i am excited to read book 2!! 🐈 🧘🏽♀️ 💞✨
May 22, 2024
A solid beginning for a new cozy series starring a young woman who started a yoga studio with rescue cats as an incentive. Of course, things didn't go smoothly. Her mother wanted her to come back to work at the family business, her brother who was often in trouble seemed to be at it again and she found one of her new clients murdered in her office in a yoga pose.
The mystery was good. I adored the cats and the there was some humor. I do have to say that her family was a bit more dysfunctional than you usually find in a cozy but that's okay. She did have some good friends. At times she was smart enough to call the police when she thought someone had broken into her house or perhaps confront a murderer. Other times she did not. So a mixed bag about her survival instincts. I was a bit confused about the point of her potential love interest who left at the end of the story.
A good start with a solid premise and some decent characters. and some room for growth.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
The mystery was good. I adored the cats and the there was some humor. I do have to say that her family was a bit more dysfunctional than you usually find in a cozy but that's okay. She did have some good friends. At times she was smart enough to call the police when she thought someone had broken into her house or perhaps confront a murderer. Other times she did not. So a mixed bag about her survival instincts. I was a bit confused about the point of her potential love interest who left at the end of the story.
A good start with a solid premise and some decent characters. and some room for growth.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
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