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A Whiskers and Words Mystery #2
Tabby or Not Tabby
For a town that’s as cute as a button, there sure is a lot of murder.
Louisa Henry’s dream bookshop is up and running. On a trip to deliver a book to one of her customers, Lou stumbles upon the man’s dead body. The police are sure it’s a suicide, but Lou has questions. Clues at the scene and details about the man’s life just don’t seem to add up. The fact that the dead man was the town bully is only one of many things that gives Lou pause. Are the police jumping to the conclusion of suicide so they don’t have to arrest the person who did everyone a favor?
Lou’s also busy helping her best friend, Willow, with preparations for the high school’s annual Spring Fling. But during her time at the drafty old building, Lou finds secrets hidden away no one was meant to see, and she learns her new town might be hiding more than she first thought.
Louisa Henry’s dream bookshop is up and running. On a trip to deliver a book to one of her customers, Lou stumbles upon the man’s dead body. The police are sure it’s a suicide, but Lou has questions. Clues at the scene and details about the man’s life just don’t seem to add up. The fact that the dead man was the town bully is only one of many things that gives Lou pause. Are the police jumping to the conclusion of suicide so they don’t have to arrest the person who did everyone a favor?
Lou’s also busy helping her best friend, Willow, with preparations for the high school’s annual Spring Fling. But during her time at the drafty old building, Lou finds secrets hidden away no one was meant to see, and she learns her new town might be hiding more than she first thought.
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First published January 1, 2022
355 people are currently reading
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About the author
Eryn Scott
75 books472 followersEryn Scott is the author of heartwarming cozy mysteries. Her novels feature close friendships and strong families because those are the most important things in her life -- a little humor doesn't hurt either.
She calls the Pacific Northwest home and doesn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Eryn loves to hike, horseback ride, knit, ski, and read. She believes musicals are the greatest thing since lattes, even though she's not particularly good at singing or dancing -- hey, a girl can dream, right?
Her first cozy mystery series, Pepper Brooks, is based on some of the greats in classic literature. Each book features a different author from Shakespeare to Austen. Eryn's newest series is set in a little town called Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Mysteries follow local jam-maker Hadley James as she solves mysteries in her town's year-round farmers market. From deceased knitters to sabotaged florists, these crafty citizens keep Hadley and her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, on their toes. Pebble Cove Teahouse Mysteries are great for readers who love a hint of paranormal with their mysteries. These books feature a tiny town tucked between craggy coastline and rocky shores with quirky characters of both the living and non-living variety. Look for new releases from all three of these series in 2022 as well as Eryn Scott's new cozy series.
You can visit her website, erynscott.com, for more information about her books and new releases.
She calls the Pacific Northwest home and doesn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Eryn loves to hike, horseback ride, knit, ski, and read. She believes musicals are the greatest thing since lattes, even though she's not particularly good at singing or dancing -- hey, a girl can dream, right?
Her first cozy mystery series, Pepper Brooks, is based on some of the greats in classic literature. Each book features a different author from Shakespeare to Austen. Eryn's newest series is set in a little town called Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Mysteries follow local jam-maker Hadley James as she solves mysteries in her town's year-round farmers market. From deceased knitters to sabotaged florists, these crafty citizens keep Hadley and her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, on their toes. Pebble Cove Teahouse Mysteries are great for readers who love a hint of paranormal with their mysteries. These books feature a tiny town tucked between craggy coastline and rocky shores with quirky characters of both the living and non-living variety. Look for new releases from all three of these series in 2022 as well as Eryn Scott's new cozy series.
You can visit her website, erynscott.com, for more information about her books and new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
July 31, 2022
Cute Boys picture up to the Most likely to be murdered
Good cozy read
The 2nd book in the series, set in a bookshop in small town Button where cats available for adoption in the bookshop.
When delivers a book to a customer, Lou finds a dead body of a town bully. Lou has been busy indeed. Settling in nicely to the town of Button. She has her bookstore, Whiskers and Words up and running and it’s been several months since the incidents of the first book Littered With Trouble.
Lou is also helping her friend organise the local school Spring Fling and she uncovers some interesting facts about the dead man.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
Good cozy read
The 2nd book in the series, set in a bookshop in small town Button where cats available for adoption in the bookshop.
When delivers a book to a customer, Lou finds a dead body of a town bully. Lou has been busy indeed. Settling in nicely to the town of Button. She has her bookstore, Whiskers and Words up and running and it’s been several months since the incidents of the first book Littered With Trouble.
Lou is also helping her friend organise the local school Spring Fling and she uncovers some interesting facts about the dead man.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
February 1, 2022
Tabby or Not Tabby is the second book in the Whiskers and Words Mystery series by Eryn Scott.
Lou’s shop and cat rescue are up and running. She is delivering a book to a customer and finds a body. Police initially think it looks like a suicide, but Lou doesn’t agree and decides to investigate.
I’d rate this a 3.5, rounding up to a 4. I like Lou’s business and her friendship with Willow. She stepped in to help her friend with the festival which is what friends do. What I didn’t really like was that it seemed like most of the clues that Lou had came from luck or chance by being in the right place at the right time to overhear conversations or being asked to do something and happening upon the clue rather than coming on them through investigation. Some interesting things were said towards the end of the book and I’ll be reading the next one to see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lou’s shop and cat rescue are up and running. She is delivering a book to a customer and finds a body. Police initially think it looks like a suicide, but Lou doesn’t agree and decides to investigate.
I’d rate this a 3.5, rounding up to a 4. I like Lou’s business and her friendship with Willow. She stepped in to help her friend with the festival which is what friends do. What I didn’t really like was that it seemed like most of the clues that Lou had came from luck or chance by being in the right place at the right time to overhear conversations or being asked to do something and happening upon the clue rather than coming on them through investigation. Some interesting things were said towards the end of the book and I’ll be reading the next one to see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2022
Who killed Credence Crawley and why??? A hidden room and buttons??? It’s a good thing that Detective Lou is on the job!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
February 2, 2022
This is a great read, I really enjoyed it! Button is such a charming place to visit! Such great writing, with a page turning mystery, I couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait for the next book!
March 11, 2023
Loved It!
Lou and Willow are back again in the next book, Tabby or Not Tabby.
A local curmudgeon is found, dead, apparently by suicide, but Lou wonders about that, finding the sudden death questionable.
Before long, Lou begins asking questions and finds out enough information to possibly be right about her thought, did someone murder this guy?
Lou and Willow are back again in the next book, Tabby or Not Tabby.
A local curmudgeon is found, dead, apparently by suicide, but Lou wonders about that, finding the sudden death questionable.
Before long, Lou begins asking questions and finds out enough information to possibly be right about her thought, did someone murder this guy?
February 2, 2022
Louise aka Lou has settled in with the town of Button and her bookstore, Whiskers and Words. The whiskers part comes into play since she has taken in cats and customers are able to adopt them after a little screening to make sure the kitties will have a good home. Lou's friend Willow has been a huge help with getting her involved in the small town. Lou is a little concerned when she gets an order for a very negative sounding book from a man named Creedence who lives on his own and has a bad reputation and no friends. He was a big bully in high school.
When Creedence doesn't come to pick up his book, Lou decides she will take it to his house. She is shocked when she finds his lifeless body. Since there is a suicide note, law enforcement considers the case closed. Lou is not so sure. The only thing Creedence loved, his cat, was shut up in another room. Would he abandon his beloved pet to die? Even though Lou is warned to stay out of any further investigation, there are too many townspeople who have reason to want Creedence to pay for how he ruined their time in high school.
The author continues to show Lou's growth as a character in this second in a series. She really works hard to help her friend Willow with some labor intensive chores and planning for a festival. You know Lou has to have an extra big heart with the tender care she showers on the cats in her store.
The fast pacing and suspense towards the end of the book had me enthralled and racing to the finish. Eryn Scott has added lots of extras to this charming cozy mystery. She has enough details that the reader can follow along without having read the first novel, LITTERED WITH TROUBLE, but if you are OCD as I am about reading series in order, you will want to start at the beginning to get the full flavor of the storyline.
I am looking forward to the third novel and spending more time with Lou, the bookstore and the cats.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Creedence doesn't come to pick up his book, Lou decides she will take it to his house. She is shocked when she finds his lifeless body. Since there is a suicide note, law enforcement considers the case closed. Lou is not so sure. The only thing Creedence loved, his cat, was shut up in another room. Would he abandon his beloved pet to die? Even though Lou is warned to stay out of any further investigation, there are too many townspeople who have reason to want Creedence to pay for how he ruined their time in high school.
The author continues to show Lou's growth as a character in this second in a series. She really works hard to help her friend Willow with some labor intensive chores and planning for a festival. You know Lou has to have an extra big heart with the tender care she showers on the cats in her store.
The fast pacing and suspense towards the end of the book had me enthralled and racing to the finish. Eryn Scott has added lots of extras to this charming cozy mystery. She has enough details that the reader can follow along without having read the first novel, LITTERED WITH TROUBLE, but if you are OCD as I am about reading series in order, you will want to start at the beginning to get the full flavor of the storyline.
I am looking forward to the third novel and spending more time with Lou, the bookstore and the cats.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2025
Another fun installment in the Whiskers and Words series. As with many cozy mystery series, you don't have to read every book (or the books in order) in this series as long as you don't mind potential spoilers for what happened in prior books, or missing out on the progression of character relationships.
This installment seemed to be a less fast-paced book than the first in the series, because the murder mystery was less of an immediate issue for our main character. In a sense, this was more of a traditional cozy mystery, where the protagonist needs to convince the local detective that he is wrong about his assumption of who the killer is. However, this one does still continue the new-to-me theme I was happy to find in book one: Lou (our main character) still wants to rely on help from Easton (the detective) instead of being convinced she doesn't need the help. While this one does have Lou doing more of the investigation on her own than she did in book one, I really appreciate that she is still trying to go through the correct channels and be safe.
I also loved that the cats stayed a big part of the book instead of being just on the cover. So far this series has taken its bookshop setting and cat adoption motif seriously, which is refreshing. It was also nice to get to see more of the residents of Button, and hopefully we'll get to see more of the town (and cats) in future installments.
This installment seemed to be a less fast-paced book than the first in the series, because the murder mystery was less of an immediate issue for our main character. In a sense, this was more of a traditional cozy mystery, where the protagonist needs to convince the local detective that he is wrong about his assumption of who the killer is. However, this one does still continue the new-to-me theme I was happy to find in book one: Lou (our main character) still wants to rely on help from Easton (the detective) instead of being convinced she doesn't need the help. While this one does have Lou doing more of the investigation on her own than she did in book one, I really appreciate that she is still trying to go through the correct channels and be safe.
I also loved that the cats stayed a big part of the book instead of being just on the cover. So far this series has taken its bookshop setting and cat adoption motif seriously, which is refreshing. It was also nice to get to see more of the residents of Button, and hopefully we'll get to see more of the town (and cats) in future installments.
January 31, 2022
An addictive read
Lou is settling in nicely to the town of Button. She has her bookstore, Whiskers and Words up and running and it’s been several months since the incidents of the first book Littered With Trouble.
She goes to deliver a book over to a customer who ordered by phone, whom just happens to be the town bully but upon arrival finds his door open and him dead.
It’s ruled suicide but that doesn’t sit well with Lou who noticed several things pointing to murder.
It’s up to Lou and her best friend Willow to convince Detective Easton that the guy everyone is glad to see dead was in fact killed.
With practically half the town a suspect prepare yourself for twists and turns and lots of red herrings.
It can be read alone. But this is going to be a fantastic series so read in order for all the fun in the subplots.
Lou is settling in nicely to the town of Button. She has her bookstore, Whiskers and Words up and running and it’s been several months since the incidents of the first book Littered With Trouble.
She goes to deliver a book over to a customer who ordered by phone, whom just happens to be the town bully but upon arrival finds his door open and him dead.
It’s ruled suicide but that doesn’t sit well with Lou who noticed several things pointing to murder.
It’s up to Lou and her best friend Willow to convince Detective Easton that the guy everyone is glad to see dead was in fact killed.
With practically half the town a suspect prepare yourself for twists and turns and lots of red herrings.
It can be read alone. But this is going to be a fantastic series so read in order for all the fun in the subplots.
January 18, 2022
Lou is settling into her new life as a bookstore/ cat rescue owner. Ugliness comes back into her life when she tries to deliver a book order only to find the owner dead. The police think it’s suicide but the man was a terrible bully and Lou sees things at the scene that lead her to believe it’s murder. After a visit with Willow at the high school and talking with a couple of her regulars Lou decides she should ask some questions and try to find out if someone got pushed too far by the bully, snapped and pushed back. Easton is skeptical but Lou and Willow finally convince him to take a closer look. While helping out at the high school with the Spring Fling and in the library Lou discovers some unsettling things about the bully and at least one of his victims. The secrets from so long ago hold the key to the mystery in the present.
I enjoyed the second visit to the small town of Button and withLou and her books and cats. A great concept and an almost perfect murder staged as a suicide. I did think the story was a little slow at times, bogged down in an over abundance of details of the Spring Fling prep and some repetitiveness of day to day bookstore goings on. I loved the dogged determination for justice that Lou has, even for a person who is universally disliked. And the chorus of friends and townsfolk make for a charming world to visit. A great mystery and a good second installment in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the second visit to the small town of Button and withLou and her books and cats. A great concept and an almost perfect murder staged as a suicide. I did think the story was a little slow at times, bogged down in an over abundance of details of the Spring Fling prep and some repetitiveness of day to day bookstore goings on. I loved the dogged determination for justice that Lou has, even for a person who is universally disliked. And the chorus of friends and townsfolk make for a charming world to visit. A great mystery and a good second installment in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 29, 2022
Eryn Scott is my favorite cozy mystery writer! Each of her books has a mystery that must be solved, but there's also a focus on friendship, family, love, and growth. Each of her heroines, Lou included, are realistic and relatable characters and I really enjoy all the series - four now! - that Eyrn has written.
I really liked returning to the small town of Button and Lou's bookshop. This mystery kept me guessing a bit as there were many viable suspects as the victim was widely disliked by most everyone in town.
It was also nice to see Lou getting more comfortable being part of Button and spending time with her best friend Willow. It's fun seeing the two of them work together on the case. They are so supportive of each other and I love how strong their friendship is. I hope we get to know Easton and Noah both better as the series progresses, too.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
I really liked returning to the small town of Button and Lou's bookshop. This mystery kept me guessing a bit as there were many viable suspects as the victim was widely disliked by most everyone in town.
It was also nice to see Lou getting more comfortable being part of Button and spending time with her best friend Willow. It's fun seeing the two of them work together on the case. They are so supportive of each other and I love how strong their friendship is. I hope we get to know Easton and Noah both better as the series progresses, too.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
January 31, 2022
This was a small town cozy mystery.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were realistic and relatable. The story was unpredictable, a page turner and heartwarming. The focus on family, friends and community was endearing.
Louisa Henry decides to hand deliver a special order book purchase when she cannot contact the buyer by phone. When she gets to his house, the door is unlocked and the owner, the town bully, is dead. The local police and medical examiner rule it a suicide, but Lou has doubts and decides to investigate. Meanwhile she volunteers to help her best friend Willow who is the coordinator for the high school's annual Spring Fling. It all comes to a head when Lou discovers who the killer is and gets taken hostage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were realistic and relatable. The story was unpredictable, a page turner and heartwarming. The focus on family, friends and community was endearing.
Louisa Henry decides to hand deliver a special order book purchase when she cannot contact the buyer by phone. When she gets to his house, the door is unlocked and the owner, the town bully, is dead. The local police and medical examiner rule it a suicide, but Lou has doubts and decides to investigate. Meanwhile she volunteers to help her best friend Willow who is the coordinator for the high school's annual Spring Fling. It all comes to a head when Lou discovers who the killer is and gets taken hostage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2022
I love Lou and her cat Sapphire. I also love the imagery of all the cats and the patrons of the bookstore. I love how easy it is to get trapped in this book. The small town is appealing still with the interesting town folk. This was really entertaining for me.
I received this as an arc and freely left this review.
I received this as an arc and freely left this review.
January 31, 2022
I am completely in love with the small town of Button and it's residents. Lou and Willow are a heartwarming depiction of long-lasting female friendship. And the book shop that doubles as a cat-adoption center is everything this reader and cat-lover could ask for. Add in a little who-dun-it and it's perfection for this reader.
January 31, 2022
Button is a great little town to visit. Totally enjoyed visiting with Lou and Willow as they solved the murder mystery. This is such a fun series and hope to read more books soon. The story was well crafted, and the characters are like the people you have known your whole life. Try this series today.
February 4, 2022
Tabby or Not Tabby is the second book in the Whiskers and Words Mystery series. This fun cozy mystery has characters who are likable and relatable, cute pets, small-town charm, murder, and mystery for all to enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 26, 2022
2022 bk 244. An interesting sequel to this small northwest community's problems. Bookstore owner Lou, finds herself volunteering with the local high school library and the high school spring festival and figuring out the answer to the problem of "When is a suicide not a suicide?" High school angst figures greatly in this book and is a reminder that we may all still carry those high tension days in our adult selves.
November 6, 2024
4 stelle e mezza
Piacevole e veloce lettura, in particolare il mio cuore piangeva per Jules (una gatta) e sono stata felice per il lieto fine. La protagonista è l'unica che pensa che il bullo del paese sia stato assassinato, ma capisce solo all'ultimo chi sia il colpevole (io, invece, avevo subito sospettato di questa persona).
Piacevole e veloce lettura, in particolare il mio cuore piangeva per Jules (una gatta) e sono stata felice per il lieto fine. La protagonista è l'unica che pensa che il bullo del paese sia stato assassinato, ma capisce solo all'ultimo chi sia il colpevole (io, invece, avevo subito sospettato di questa persona).
January 28, 2022
Another winner from Eryn Scott! I had no idea who had done the deed until the end. It had me guessing and changing my mind all the way through. I love the characters in the book, the town of Button and the bookstore especially. Who can't love books & cats together? I was given an ARC and I'm voluntarily sharing my honest opinion. You need to read this book, it can be a stand alone but you want to read the first one in the series, it's awesome, too.
February 9, 2025
The plot of this one was harder for me to buy into, but I enjoy the characters, and I’m already halfway through book three. It’s comfort reading, I think. Not earth shaking, but it keeps my mind occupied.
April 5, 2025
4.5 stars
What another enjoyable book in this series. It was engaging and intriguing. It kept my attention the entire time. The characters were great. The cats were once again adorable. The mystery was really great.
What another enjoyable book in this series. It was engaging and intriguing. It kept my attention the entire time. The characters were great. The cats were once again adorable. The mystery was really great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
Another intriguing story that will have you binge reading. Lou is busy with her bookstore/cat rescue store. Solving a murder wasn’t part of the deal. Fast and enjoyable.
January 27, 2022
This was a good book to read.Lou along with Willow and Easton solve another murder mysteryand there is no end to suspects. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2022
Great book
This is a great book in the Whiskers and Words series by Eryn Scott. I can't wait for the next book.
This is a great book in the Whiskers and Words series by Eryn Scott. I can't wait for the next book.
June 28, 2023
This was such a fun read! It has it all: books, cats and a mystery! I love Lou and the gang. I can't wait to see what's next for them in the next book!
November 13, 2025
The first book got me hooked but this one....this one was just as perfect.
January 18, 2022
This book is the second in the Whiskers and Words mystery series that takes place in a small, charming town. The main character, Louisa, recently widowed, leaves a successful editor job behind to open a bookstore. Lou and her best friend, with the help of their friend on the police force, are on the trail to solve the mystery of an apparent suicide. Not only does Lou run the bookstore, but she also fosters cats for adoption. There are shenanigans in abundance in both the store and the town.
The story held my interest, and I found the characters very likeable. I most definitely recommend this book. Although part of a series, this book can easily be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story held my interest, and I found the characters very likeable. I most definitely recommend this book. Although part of a series, this book can easily be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2022
Tabby or not Tabby
I enjoyed reading this second book I this series. It's a great mystery with an unexpected ending. I'm looking forward to reading more books.
I enjoyed reading this second book I this series. It's a great mystery with an unexpected ending. I'm looking forward to reading more books.
May 12, 2023
I just had to read another and it was worth it.
July 18, 2022
I absolutely loved this book, I couldn't put it down! This is the 2nd book in the series, set in a bookshop in small town Button which have cats available for adoption in the bookshop.
Lou delivers a book to a customer, who she finds dead. Everyone is convinced it's suicide, mainly because he was the town bully every since he went to school there. Lou isn't so sure, so she along with her best friend Willow, dig further.
Lou is also helping her friend organise the local school Spring Fling and she uncovers some interesting facts about the dead man.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
Lou delivers a book to a customer, who she finds dead. Everyone is convinced it's suicide, mainly because he was the town bully every since he went to school there. Lou isn't so sure, so she along with her best friend Willow, dig further.
Lou is also helping her friend organise the local school Spring Fling and she uncovers some interesting facts about the dead man.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
July 3, 2022
The town bully dies and Lou suspects it’s more than suicide- she starts finding clues that leads to a surprising person. Great plot, story and characters! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews