Blackmail and Kitty Tails

A Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery #5

by DeAnna Drake

A glamorous gala, a cursed dagger, and a killer on the loose—Rebecca Cuthbert and her talking cat, Aneksi, face their most dangerous mystery yet.

When Rebecca Cuthbert volunteered to help with the Citrus Grove Women’s Club gala, she envisioned a night filled with elegant silk drapes, Egyptian-themed decorations, and tasty hors d’oeuvres—certainly not murder. But then the lights flicker out during the party setup, and club president Deborah Ralston is found dead, stabbed with an ancient dagger.

With Aneksi purring by her side and a murder weapon steeped in legend, Rebecca must unravel a twisted web of secrets, blackmail, and bitter rivalries behind this sinister murder. Everyone from suspicious club members to scorned lovers is a suspect, and time is running out as Rebecca’s own antique shop becomes linked to the deadly artifact.

Can Rebecca and her cat corner the killer before tragedy slashes her world again?

A cozy mystery perfect for fans of charming small towns, clever cats, and amateur sleuths!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Paranormal

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2025

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Cuthbert had recently been invited to join the board of the Citrus Grove Women's Club. Little did she know that the very next week, she would be helping to decorate for the annual fundraiser gala. However, balancing her responsibilities of managing her grandfather's store, Cuthbert Exotic Antiques, during the day, studying for a university business course in the evenings, and dating the handsome Detective Nick Devon was becoming increasingly challenging. Meanwhile, her little gray tabby kitten, Aneksi, was unhappy that Rebecca's new commitments to the women's club were taking up more of her time.

This cozy series has so many engaging aspects! The relationship between Rebecca and her grandfather is truly a treasure. Stolen Egyptian artifacts have added motives to the crimes being investigated. Aneksi's unique background and magical powers provide paws-itively helpful assistance to Rebecca's sleuthing, adding an intriguing layer to the story. The investigation is full of unexpected twists and turns, as the interwoven relationships must be unraveled, and time is of the essence. I thought I knew who the perpetrator was before the reveal, but instead, a red herring captured my attention.

Thank you to DeAnna Drake, Tule Publishing Group, and Booksprout for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

Reviewer's Note: Deanna Cameron writes Historical Romance set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and Contemporary Romance. The author uses the pseudonym D.D. Croix authoring YA Fantasy Fiction, and DeAnna Drake for the Purr-fect cozy mystery series and "Mouse in the House: A Magical Mouse Caper Novella."

[Christina Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

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



✓ Ancient Egypt Artifacts
✓ Talking Cat
✓ Antique Store Worker / Police relationship
✓ Mystery
✓ Murder
✓ Crime Solving

So yet another artifact is used in a crime and poor Rebecca has to try and figure out how to solve the crime without the artifact being taken by the police. Rebecca is so tired of keeping the artifacts a secret from Nick, which is understandable, how can you have a relationship when you can't be honest with your significant other.

There were so many suspects in this book and every single one of them had motive but I didn't expect it to be the person it ended up being, but it makes scenes. I really can't wait till the next book because that cliffhanger was a big one.

[Julie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun book in the series. I did seem shorter and I don't think Aneksi was involved in the investigation as much, although she did lend a paw in a big way. The cursed Egyptian artefacts and talking cat still entertain. I think it does help if you have read the previous books because there is a long running mystery surrounding the theft of the artefacts and why the mysterious cousin has returned. There is also a lot of references to past cases and already found artefacts. The main mystery does get explained and wrapped up nicely. Although there wasn't a great deal of suspects and try as Rebecca might she didn't actually solve this one until the killer revealed themselves, I had my suspicions. I like the characters and things should get event more interesting now Rebecca has shared her secret. This series kind of makes me think of the tv show warehouse 13 with the artefacts causing mayhem and I am glad I have joined them along for the ride.

Rebecca decides a good way to get to know new people in town is to volunteer for the Citrus Grove Women’s club. Unfortunately she didn't realised she would get roped into helping with there biggest fund raising event of the year straight away. The event is just days a few and there is still a lot of arrange and set up, with the ladies all in a panic it means late nights and very little Aneksi time. And that's before the president is stabbed in the back. The dagger is one of the cursed items from the fault and with it out of can cause all sorts of problems, including between Rebecca and her detective boyfriend. Unable to explain the missing dagger to him, Rebecca must instead turn her attentions to finding the killer of the club president, who was also her neighbour. Was the break in at her apartment connected to the death? and how did she get her hands of the dagger that was used to kill her? A dagger stolen from Rebecca's family. Rebecca and Aneksi will have to get to knew her better to find out and before the gala is totally cancelled.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 5 in the Purr-fect Relic Cozy series. All your favorite characters are back including Aneski the talking Egyptian cat belonging to Cleopatra. Rebecca is helping out the women's club with their annual fundraiser when their president is killed with an ancient dagger that was stolen from her antique shop. You can probably enjoy this book without reading the previous books but you might need some of the background. A short easy read.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Cuthbert and her talking cat, Aneksi, face their most dangerous mystery yet.
When Rebecca Cuthbert volunteered to help with the Citrus Grove Women’s Club gala, she envisioned a night filled with elegant silk drapes, Egyptian-themed decorations, and tasty hors d’oeuvres—certainly not murder. But then the lights flicker out during the party setup, and club president Deborah Ralston is found dead, stabbed with an ancient dagger! Add to that the discthat Deborah was blackmailing people! This was certainly an exciting book to read! I’ve read all of the prior books in this series and enjoyed every one.

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

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Kitty Tails by DeAnna Drake, book five in her 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 had recently been invited to join the board of the Citrus Grove Women's Club; not realizing that the very next week, she would be helping to decorate for the annual fundraiser gala. She envisioned a night filled with elegant silk drapes, Egyptian-themed decorations, and tasty hors d’oeuvres; certainly not a murder. After the lights flicker out during the party setup, club President Deborah Ralston is found dead, stabbed with an ancient dagger.

Balancing her responsibilities of managing her grandfather's store, Cuthbert Exotic Antiques, during the day, studying for a university business course in the evenings, and dating the handsome Detective Nick Devon was becoming increasingly challenging. Meanwhile, her little gray tabby kitten, Aneksi, was unhappy that Rebecca's new commitments to the women's club and the investigation were taking up more of her time.

The dagger is one of the cursed items from the vault and becomes the cause all sorts of problems, including between Rebecca and her detective boyfriend. Unable to explain the missing dagger to him, Rebecca must instead turn her attentions to finding the killer of the club president, who was also her neighbor. A break-in at Deborah’s apartment, Rebecca learns that she was not all she seemed to be and was blackmailing people. Rebecca and Aneksi will have to get to know her better to find out and before the gala is totally cancelled.

This cozy series has so many engaging aspects! The relationship between Rebecca and her grandfather is truly a treasure. Stolen Egyptian artifacts have added motives to the crimes being investigated. Aneksi's unique background and magical powers provide paws-itively helpful assistance to Rebecca's sleuthing, adding an intriguing layer to the story. The investigation is full of unexpected twists and turns, as the interwoven relationships must be unraveled, and time is of the essence. I thought I knew who the perpetrator was before the reveal, but instead, a red herring captured my attention.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#TulePublishing #BlackmailAndKittyTails

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Kitty Tails is a fantastic paranormal cozy mystery. it was fun and exciting. I love the characters and enjoyed watching them solve the mystery. The mystery was interesting and has many twists and surprises. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[Ingrid Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the series and I've read most of them and loved each one.

Even though you can read these books by themselves, I think it really adds to the immersion if you have read the previous books as well.

I felt Aneksi was a bit less prominent in this one and I noticed I missed her.
I do hope she will be more in the story in the next book!

The mystery was well set up as usual and I went along with every suspect Rebecca dished up.
I loved that she has begun to tell Nick about the background of the mysteries and I hope we will see a continuation of her relationship in the next book!

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series that I have read. I saw the author was looking for readers for an advanced copy before publication date. This review is completely my own.

There are a lot of things in this book that are referenced from previous books. It would be helpful to know the stories from the previous books but not necessary. I was able to figure things out in terms of the main characters and their relationships, etc.. some back stories are given in this book that are helpful.

I thought the mystery was compelling. It was very interesting. Rebecca had to keep some information to herself as she is dating the main detective! Hopefully they can do more sharing in the future.

I really like the premise of this book series with the talking immortal cat Aneksi and the reader does get some backstory about her life. Love the idea of Egyptian artifacts that are cursed! That’s what drew me to the story and willing to be a reader before the book is published. I also thought the writing was easy to get into. Makes a book more enjoyable.

I also have to say I love the book cover! Just a shout out to those illustrators who do these book covers! Very captivating!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Cuthbert lives in a small town with her grandfather Stirling, who owns an antiquities shop that specializes in Egyptian artifacts. She grew up in Montana with her parents, who passed in a car accident, which led her to the grandfather she never knew she had.

Nor did she know that she now had a kitten named Aneksi, who is immortal and has powers of her own. She also discovered that in the basement of their shop lies a vault full of cursed artifacts that Stirling's grandfather brought home from Egypt. Some of the artifacts were stolen, and they have been searching for them whenever they can. I give you this backstory for the following...

When Rebecca accepts an invitation to join the Citrus Grove Women's Club, she didn't think it would be so stressful or take so much of her time. But here she is, anyway. While working with the other ladies on the annual club gala, there is a sudden blackout, and when the lights go on, president Deborah Ralston is lying with a knife in her back. A very distinctive knife, and Rebecca believes that it may be one of the items in the collection that was stolen. But during the chaos, the knife disappears, and now everyone who was attending is a suspect.

There is also the issue of the man who was trying to break into Deborah's apartment, which is near Rebecca's. Accidentally (of course) Rebecca confronts him and discovers he is a private investigator who has been hired by Deborah's soon-to-be ex-husband, in order to find if she has hidden assets. But Rebecca herself finds evidence that Deborah was blackmailing people in town, and this may have led to her death.

Trying to keep her detective boyfriend Nick Devon in the dark may not be an option this time. But will telling him the truth only cause more problems? And is one of her friends a murderer? With Stirling and Aneksi by her side, Rebecca knows she needs to find out more about the dagger. But will it lead to danger for her?

This is the fifth book in the series and I am absolutely addicted to it. I love the characters, who are quite believable, and I love little Aneksi as well. The tale is written beautifully, and it draws you in from the very beginning. Learning more about the artifacts, and encountering them in each story, is a tale all its own. The author is quite talented, and she draws situations well.

Each story brings us closer to Rebecca's new life and that which she left behind, with questions that are sometimes answered. (I don't mind waiting for more answers in later books). Although Stirling's cousin from England, Phineas, seems a bit of a slime, I believe he is meant to be so. We will see in the next book what awaits him.

The mystery is worth waiting for, the ending giving us satisfaction. The murderer was a bit of a surprise; but not too much for me, although it doesn't matter because I enjoyed the book so much. This was a new author for me, and I am glad that I took a chance and read all the previous books.

The ending comes together nicely, giving us a hint of what is to come; and the murder conclusion is all that it should be. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Kitty Tails is book #5 in DeAnna Drake’s A Purr-fest Relic Cozy Mystery series. This is a great addition to this fun and entertaining series. The book is set in Citrus Grove and features Rebecca Cuthbert and her witty talking cat Aneksi. Rebecca works with her grandfather Sterling at his Cuthbert’s Exotic Antiques shop. He also owns the apartment building where they each have apartments. We have learned that his grandfather had brought a shipment of Egyptian artifacts that were cursed. Sterling’s former manager had stolen the items from the vault without his knowledge and they had gotten into the hands of the wrong people. They have no idea what artifacts there are and where they are. As Rebecca and Sterling discover any of them, they returned them to the locked vault beneath the store.

Rebecca has joined the Citrus Grove Women’s Club to try and get involved in her new town. As the new book unfolds, The Club is holding a gala to raise money for their events for the year. The ladies are setting up the decorations and making sure the food is set with the caterer. The lights go out and when they come on, the president of the club is found stabbed. Rebecca realizes that the sword is one of Sterling’s missing artifacts and removes it from the victim while no one is watching. The police are called to investigate. Rebecca is dating the Detective, so it is awkward for her knowing she has taken the murder weapon and corrupted the scene. After everyone present is questioned, Rebecca returns to the shop to put the sword in the vault.

The victim also rented an apartment from Sterling. Later that night, someone broke in the apartment. The suspects for the murder include the 3 other ladies who were setting up the gala, the caterer, one of the ladies’ husbands and Sterling’s suspicious cousin who happened to be present. Rebecca tries to ask questions of the suspects to figure out who was the murderer. While doing so, she discovers lots of hidden secrets, past romantic alliances and blackmail. It is all very exciting and suspenseful. Aneksi manages to protect Rebecca as well as engage in fun conversations with her. There is also a bit of romance between Rebecca and Detective Nick and Sterling and his lady who runs the tea, Vee.

This was a very enjoyable and exciting book. DeAnna has created a great set of characters and a very challenging mystery to solve. I like that she provides us with an introduction to Rebecca and some of the backstory to help the readers understand who is in the book. There is a sweet quality about the book and it is whimsical in nature. I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Kay Cobbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Blackmail and Kitty Tails" is the fifth book in DeAnna Drake’s delightful “Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery” series, and once again, I couldn’t put it down! This book delivers all the charm, intrigue, and tension fans have come to love, with an exciting twist right from the start. Unlike previous stories, Rebecca’s retrieval of the cursed dagger kicks off the story as a starting point for the investigation.

As always, DeAnna Drake masterfully holds the reader’s attention. Rebecca’s moral dilemma, whether to retrieve the dagger from the murder scene, potentially interfering with Nick’s investigation, felt intensely real. Her determination to solve the crime, even at personal risk, made her all the more relatable. The emotional weight of her decisions, especially when making the choice to reveal her family’s secret to Nick, added depth and tension to the story.

Drake’s talent for character development shines yet again. Whether introducing new faces or deepening established ones, each character feels vivid and authentic. The plot is cleverly constructed, with just the right balance of suspense, humour, and heart, making it impossible not to binge-read in one sitting.

And let’s be honest: while Rebecca, Stirling, and Nick are fantastic, the true star is Aneksi, whether in adorable kitten form or majestic tiger mode! That cliffhanger ending, though—how am I supposed to wait for the next book? DeAnna Drake, please tell me the next installment is coming soon!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in the Purr-fect Relic cozy mystery series that is fantastic and a fast paced read with lots of twists and turns that keep you totally turning pages to read this one in one sitting. Rebecca had joined the Citrus Grove Women’s Club to get to know some of the townspeople. But it is time for their annual fundraiser and Rebecca is now a volunteer to help set things up. The theme is Egyptian which is right up Rebecca's alley, since she is managing her grandfather's store, Cuthbert Exotic Antiques. But during set-up, when the lights flickered, club president Deborah Ralston is found dead, stabbed with an ancient dagger. Rebecca and her immortal talking cat, Aneksi know there's a curse on the dagger and they have to put it back in a safe place. But there is a big problem with this, Rebecca's boyfriend, Detective Nick Devon is investigating and doesn't know of the secret Rebecca, her grandfather and Aneksi are keeping about the antique relics, especially the dagger. Can Rebecca share her secret with Nick? Can she investigate the murder and not get in Nick's way? What about blackmail? Why was Rebecca killed? Can Nick trust Rebecca? There is so much going on in this fifth book and now I have to read the next one. This is a great series that grabs you and keeps you so totally engaged and guessing about everything going on that you just can't put it down until the end! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Bethany Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail & Kitty Tails by Deanna Drake Book Review 

Rebecca has had a hard past. She is an inspiration to readers as she carries on. She solves murders! 

A cat that goes above the norm. 

Romances within a Mystery really adds to the story. 

Break ins. What I love about Deanna's writing is how she manages to create so much tension in these scenes. Investigating an intruder can be risky. The question is who will get caught in this situation? 

Straight to the action, we have a murder and everyone is a suspect! The murder weapon has dissapeared! I'm drawn in, I had to keep reading. 

Secrets and Lies. “No, I was a muddled mess of self doubt, self - loathing and self pity.” The guilt that our character feels, lying to protect others and the Irony for the reader knowing this. Will she be able to keep her secret? 

Stuck in a room with people and one of them is the killer, but who? 

“Boy, that woman had more skeletons in her closet than a Halloween store on clearance day” I love this quote as it shows there is more to this character than meets the eye and more reason for motive. 

Blackmail, Thievery and Tax Fraud. This story runs deep. 

This book had me puzzled as to who the killer is. You will not expect the ending scenes of this book. The Tension and anticipation keeps the pages turning and the story is not over … Deanna, how can you leave us on a cliffhanger? 

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book and series!

This is another winner in the Purr-fect Relic series.

Rebecca volunteers to help the local women's club, who are planning for their Egyptian themed gala. While setting things up, the lights go out and when the lights come back on, Deborah, the club president, is dead - stabbed with a dagger. Rebecca., with help from Aneksi (her immortal talking cat), sets out to solve the murder.

A well told mystery, with lots of twists and turns, some humor, danger, and the question of how to explain all this to Nick, Rebecca's detective boyfriend (or to do so at all), all combine to make this an exciting book.

A short intro "Meet Rebecca Cuthbert", does a good job to set things up for those who haven't read the previous books in the series, but I'd suggest reading them in order if you can, to get the best understanding of the characters and previous situations.

I didn't figure out the culprit til they were revealed.

The book ends with a teaser for the next one, and I look forward to it!!.

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

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca is helping decorate for the Citrus Grove Women’s Club fundraiser gala when the lights go out. When the lights are restored, the president, Rebecca’s neighbor Deborah, is found stabbed to death. Recognizing the murder weapon as one of the cursed artifacts stolen from her grandfather, Rebecca quickly hides it before the police arrive. Despite the guilt of keeping her secrets from her boyfriend, Detective Nick Devon, weighing on her, Rebecca knows the dagger is too dangerous to release to the police. Convinced her grandfather’s cousin Phineas is involved, Rebecca tries to set up a trap to catch him. Unfortunately, the real killer confronts her instead. Can Aneski reach her in time to protect her? And can Rebecca risk telling Nick the truth?

Book 5 of DeAnna Drake’s paranormal cozy series is another thrilling adventure for Rebecca and her magical cat, Aneski. Lots of viable suspects as well as the mystery of how Deborah got the deadly artifact will keep you guessing. Some heartfelt moments between Rebecca and Aneski as they affirm their bond with each other. As much as I enjoyed Kheppy’s visit in the previous book, I hated that she tried to lure Aneski away. We also get a bit more of their backstory in Egypt which helped flesh out Aneski’s vulnerability. Phineas may have been cleared in this crime, but Rebecca uncovers clues that she’s right to distrust him. I loved that Sterling and Vee reconnected and hope to see that relationship flourish in future books. And I’m also thrilled that Rebecca is no longer keeping secrets from Nick. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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

[Wendy Wilkins Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first review of an ARC. Thank you, Deanna, for the opportunity to learn about your books. Even though this was the 5th title in the series, it was the first for me. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And, best of all, the guilty party was a surprise.

I'm a devout cat lover, which is what drew me to this series. My only issue, which is minor really, is the formulaic concept of women not taking advice during an investigation and plunging in without letting anyone know where they are or might be. Beyond that, this was simply a joy to read (or listen to since I have an app that does the reading for me). I love antiques, so that also was a draw.

Rebecca's ability to keep Aneksi and her grandfather's cursed antiquities a secret serve her well. Most of the time she thinks fast to avoid any revelation that could cause problems. But, like any human, she's not perfect. You never know what's coming before reading each chapter. That's the best part.

You're not likely to be disappointed by this one if you like intrigue, small towns, gossip and not a little supernatural. Get this one today!

[Ruth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As is the case with the previous Purr-fect Relic mysteries, I loved this one! The newest story in this series, 'Blackmail and Kitty Tails' is a fun book!
Rebecca discovers that another cursed relic has been used as part of a crime and must make certain that it is taken out of public circulation to prevent anyone else getting hurt ... Or worse. Rebecca is part of a group of women tasked with getting a gala together to raise money for the town's various programs. But as they are getting set up, the group's president is murdered.
There's a lot that happens that would prevent Nick from being able to successfully close the case and Rebecca realizes that the time has come to let him in on everything. But will he believe her? Will he be angry? Will he ever be able to trust her again? You can find out for yourself by reading this book! I highly recommend it as I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Deanna Drake has hit the mark yet again! Can't wait for the next story in this series!
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After recently joining the Citrus Grove Women’s Club, Rebecca is swept up into another mystery when the newly appointed president of the club is murdered while getting things ready for the upcoming Egyptian-themed gala.

I thought the mystery was really good. It definitely kept me guessing. There were plenty of suspects with plenty of motive. I thought I had it figured out several times but ended up being surprised in the end. I love when that happens.

I think my favorite thing about this series is seeing the bond between Rebecca and Grandpa Stirling. It’s so sweet! I also love Aneksi. She’s awesome!

I loved visiting Citrus Grove again. It’s such a cozy and charming town full of so many great characters!

I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say that ending has me so eager for the next book! I can’t wait! If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series! It’s so good!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

[Pam]

I'm done with this series. The main female character is trying to solve murders as she interferes with law enforcement and risking herself and others in the process. And the search for these "relics" is bizarre and boring.

Amazon synopsis:
When Rebecca Cuthbert volunteered to help with the Citrus Grove Women’s Club gala, she envisioned a night filled with elegant silk drapes, Egyptian-themed decorations, and tasty hors d’oeuvres—certainly not murder. But then the lights flicker out during the party setup, and club president Deborah Ralston is found dead, stabbed with an ancient dagger.

With Aneksi purring by her side and a murder weapon steeped in legend, Rebecca must unravel a twisted web of secrets, blackmail, and bitter rivalries behind this sinister murder. Everyone from suspicious club members to scorned lovers is a suspect, and time is running out as Rebecca’s own antique shop becomes linked to the deadly artifact.

Can Rebecca and her cat corner the killer before tragedy slashes her world again?

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrill on every page, the adventures of Cleopatra’s former cat, Aneski and Rebecca are always enthralling as we get the clues but can we get the murderer? A purrfect mystery series with an ancient twist.
A Gala should be a fun break for Rebecca Cuthbert. But Deborah Ralston, club President, is not the easiest person to get along with when it comes to Citrus Grove Women’s Club fundraisers. Rebecca volunteered to help for the gala. However, at the gala Rebecca finds Deborah’s body with yet another cursed object, Sobek’s dagger. Stolen from her grandfather’s antique store, it’s firmly attached to Deborah’s body. With her talking cat, Aneski and her Detective boyfriend on a case that’s filled with blackmail, jealousy and more. Can they get the dagger safely back to the antiques store hidden vault? Rebecca is also struggling with telling her beau/detective the truth about magic, especially her own

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perilous party planning

Who knew party planning could be so hazardous to your health? Rebecca gets roped into planning a gala when she’s asked to join a local group. Thinking she’s going to be meeting locals and making some new friends she finds out it’s more like all work and no pay lol. Until the planning turns deadly. With curses on the loose you know what that means. Rebecca is drawn into another case this one in tinged by a bit of guilt. Read to find out why. With the help of Stirling, and of course Aneksi there’s nothing she can’t solve!
Love these books. And can I just say did we not all see how shady Sterling’s cousin is? Well except for him maybe. Very excited for the developments with Nick yay!! Loved meeting more locals and getting to know them better even if the circumstances were less than ideal. Loved the shock at the end but omg I so need the next book now to know what happens!! Can’t wait!

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great tale featuring my favorite talking kitten/ tiger Aneski. Her timing is absolutely impeccable in this story knowing exactly when her mistress needs her and appearing to help. The mystery was a good one but the underlying mystery will prove to be even better. The author does an amazing job of truly laying the groundwork for that mystery at the end of this story. Jumping back to the story, Rebecca does a good job of sleuthing and learning more about her victim. That leads to a slew of suspects and yet, I did not suspect the eventual killer when revealed. The best part of the book that did not involve the mischievous kitten was the big reveal with Nick. Can't wait for the next book to find out the true truth about one far to close.

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

[HeatherAnne Norbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blackmail and Kitty Tails is another charming entry in DeAnna Drake’s delightful cozy mystery series. The Egyptian-themed gala made for a fun and dramatic setting, and the murder mystery brought plenty of intrigue (and a few red herrings). Aneksi continues to be my favorite—wise, witty, and the true star of every scene she’s in. Rebecca’s habit of jumping to the wrong conclusions is becoming a bit of a running joke in the series, but this time, one of her hunches has brought surprising new truths. I also loved seeing her relationship with Nick start to deepen—there’s a lot to look forward to in future installments! If you enjoy small-town mysteries with quirky characters and a magical feline sidekick, this series is well worth picking up.

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

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 in this series is another quick-paced who-dun-it involving another relic-this time a dagger. When Rebecca agrees to fill a vacancy on Citrus Grove's Women's Club she wasn't expecting to spend all her free time helping to set up for the group's annual gala. Nor was she expecting a member to be murdered by a cursed artifact. Rebecca "hides" the artifact to prevent further danger as she sorts through the suspects. Who knew women's clubs were so vicious and how long can she hide the murder weapon from Nick (would he understand once he finds out)? Although not necessary I highly recommend reading the previous books to best understand Rebecca, her side kick Aneski and her developing relationship with Nick and her Grandfather Sterling. Once again the story concludes with an air of mystery surrounding Phineas -this time creating a sense of unease with Rebecca. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly secrets!

A talking magical cat, a hot detective, two cursed artifact guardians, and a missing murder weapon – sounds like the start of a joke, but it’s a good cozy mystery. The Citrus Grove Women’s Club gala is a major fundraiser for the club. Rebecca Cuthbert and the other volunteers are busy setting up the theme when the lights go out. When the lights come on, the club president is dead, a dagger sticking out of her back. Rebecca and her talking cat, Aneksi, follow a trail of dangerous secrets to find the killer and save the town from a deadly artifact.

This mystery has a good variety of characters to keep it interesting. I especially like Aneksi. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Kitty Tails (A Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery Book 5) by DeAnna Drake has Rebecca putting her new relationship with Nick who is the police detective investigating a murder caused by one of the cursed Egyptian artifacts. The danger is real so she does what she can to keep it from happening again. This charming cozy mystery is a reminder that protecting others is not always an easy thing to do. Thank goodness she has Aneksi by her side. They made a delightful duo.

One of my favorite mysteries with interesting cases to solve, characters that I care about and some I am wary of their agendas and just the right amount of magical realism. Never silly or pretentious. One great series that I recommend.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? A talking ancient kitten, a cursed dagger and a murder, right before a gala!

So now, can Rebecca and Aneksi solve the murder? No shock, Rebecca feels super guilty because she stole the dagger right out of the victim’s back to keep the cursed object out of anyone else’s hands and now her boyfriend, the detective, is having problems solving the crime without the murder weapon. These stories are always good fun to read. I just love the relationships Rebecca has with not only Aneksi, but also her grandfather and all of her other friends in Citrus Grove. The characters are all so very engaging, even the irritating ones. The plots are all very tight and the writing is superb!

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

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Kitty Tails is book #5 in the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series by DeAnna Drake.

Rebecca sure has changed since she first arrived in Citrus Grove! I never would have imagined she would volunteer for the Citrus Grove Women’s Club. She has her hands full with her grandfather’s shop, finding cursed objects, a talking cat, school, and detective boyfriend. Now she is decorating for the club’s gala. I love how Aneksi makes Rebecca feel guilty. It’s very relatable. It was fun watching the characters investigate this mystery. There were plenty twists that kept me guessing until the end.

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

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Rebecca Cuthbert volunteers to help the Citrus Grove Women's Club with their gala, she gets more than she bargained for when there is a murder! Who would want the club president dead? And who would use an ancient dagger?
With less time to devote to Aneksi, Rebecca tries to find the murderer all while trying to balance her time with school and the store. I wonder how soon Rebecca will tell Nick about the cursed objects.
This is another fun cozy. It's a quick read with great characters but I'm really going to need more Aneksi in the next book! I really do enjoy this series and can't wait for the next book.

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