Death at the Docks: Jim and Ginger Cozy Mysteries Book 4

Jim & Ginger #4

by Arthur Pearce

A retired librarian turned private investigator. A witty orange cat. A death at the docks in a charming seaside town full of secrets.

When a young environmentalist is found dead at Oceanview Cove's harbor, the police are quick to write it off as a tragic accident. But Jim Butterfield and his feline partner Ginger aren't convinced – the evidence just doesn't add up. As they dig deeper, they discover the victim had made enemies among the local fishing community, and a mysterious woman was seen near the crime scene that fateful night.

With Sheriff Miller determined to close the case quickly, Jim and Ginger must work fast and follow their instincts to find the truth. But in this close-knit coastal community, old loyalties run deep, and not everyone wants the real story uncovered.

Can our detective duo reveal what really happened at the docks that winter night before it's filed away as just another accident?

The perfect cozy mystery for readers who A retired librarian stumbling into sleuthing (sometimes literally)A sarcastic cat who thinks he's Sherlock Holmes (but acts like a teen)Mystery with a generous helping of humorHeart-warming moments and small town charmQuirky characters that will feel like old friends

Genres: Cozy Mystery

261 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2024

Reviews

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally read thrillers, but I just came off a binge of 7 lengthy thrillers in a row, PLUS I have a plethora of dental work to face this week, so I was in desperate need of stories that were quick reads, super cozy, fun & silly little mysteries that didn’t take lots of thought to process them and would not keep me up at night. So here I am bingeing the Jim & Ginger cozy mystery series. The fact that they feature a retired librarian (I am a retired librarian) and a talking cat (I love cats) is just an extra added bonus. I know that some have noted that there is a lot of repetition, and I would probably agree with that, but I rarely have found cozy mysteries that I would consider great literature, so I’m willing to overlook that. Yes, they might be a tad predictable, but I think there is something to be said for the storytelling at any rate. I also have been listening to these on audio, and the narrator is a hoot. His voice for Ginger sounds worthy of a classic cartoon character. And if you think they are moving too slowly, on audio you can always increase the speed of playback. I have been listening to them on 2x the speed which is an easier way to binge these. I can’t have cats anymore because of allergies, but Ginger is definitely realistic in the way that IF cats could talk, they would talk exactly like him. Mine would have anyway. So books that are lots of fun and enjoyable to read while I am recuperating from my dental work, definitely worth my time —and I’m on to the next book!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Ginger cat and his many observations. I don’t doubt the ginger tomcat we used to have would’ve probably said a lotta the same things if he could’ve talked, lol. I wasn’t that into his one-sided convo with Mr. Whiskers—it’s way funnier when he comments on stuff Jim or others do.
And he had lots to comment on seeing how Jim was trying to get used to his new smartphone and accidentally doing things while fumbling along seemed to be the normal thing. Although at one point I’m sure Jim was super glad he had that phone instead of his previous one.

It was great how Jim and a family that’d been almost wronged set a trap for the perp. Sometimes catching a perp is sheer dumb luck, but catching is really all that matters!

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third and last

Too much repetition, as usual. Just to be wordy, I guess. Like, how many times do you have to mention that there's snow on the ground? It's wintertime and it's snowing a lot. I did a word search and found that the word snow occurs 116 times, but seems like 500+. And there's too much "atmosphere". I get setting a mood, but it's ridiculous when overdone to the extent that it is in this book. Ginger's personality seems different in this book. He's way more talkative, intellectual and philosophical. It's just annoying. He should be more catlike. His "speech" was simpler in the previous books, and he was more likeable. I've decided not to read the rest of the series.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this series about Jim Butterfield, a retired librarian and his talking cat Ginger. In this one, a local activist is found dead caught in a net attached to a fishing boat at the docks.

[Avalon Sellars · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth installment about Jim and his cat Ginger who form an unlikely investigating team. A young man who has been protesting about the environment is found dead in the harbour which the police dismiss as an accident but Jim isn't convinced....

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at the Docks

When Liam, an environmental activist, is found dead tangled in fishing nets the assumption is that it is a tragic accident. However certain facts come to light that suggest that maybe it isn’t as simple as first appears. Will Jim and Ginger solve the case?

[Gillie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve become bored with Ginger’s sarcasm and his “Nothing like …” comments.