When a woman pleads amnesia in the death of her husband, Nick and Nora can forget about playing it safe as they track down the killer . . .
Six years ago, Mariah Blackthorne was found lying on the floor of her home, unconscious, holding the murder weapon that had killed her husband. Swearing she had no memory of the tragic event but insisting she was innocent, she nonetheless agreed to a plea deal and went to prison for the crime. Now, out on parole and desperate to know the truth, she enlists the help of local sleuth Nora Charles to find out what really happened that day—even if it means discovering she was the guilty party after all.
Intrigued by the case and convinced of the woman’s innocence, Nora agrees to investigate. With her trusty sidekick warning her that they were headed for trouble, she unearths no shortage of suspects from the dead man’s past. But as she follows every incriminating clue linking the victim to his fellow doctors and even a long string of mistresses, vicious threats begin piling up telling Nora to back off. Facing down a killer who will kill again to conceal their guilt, she and Nick may end up solving a case they won’t live to remember . . .
Includes mouthwatering recipes!
Praise for the Nick and Nora
“I love the unique investigative team of Nick and Nora and can never get enough. I am keen to see what Ms. LoTempio has planned for them next. I hope this series continues for a long time.” —Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book
“If you love cozy mystery books with PIs, FBIs, sisters, friends, love interests . . . you get the picture! I think all cozy mystery lovers will be delighted with this entertaining series.” —Christy’s Cozy Corners
“This is the perfect cozy mystery for this time of year.” —Socrates Book Reviews
“The author’s suspenseful and startling reveal had me on the edge of my seat as I turned pages faster and faster and with the final conclusion.” —Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder
About the
T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, as well as the Cat Rescue series and the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mysteries. Check out her and Rocco’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and visit her website, www.tclotempio.net, for more information.
While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.
Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!
Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!
Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).
She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.
She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York
Mariah Blackthorne has spent the last few years in prison for a crime she says she didn’t commit. She was unconscious in her home with the murder weapon in her hand and her dead husband nearby. When she woke up, she had no memory of what happened. She accepted a plea deal and went to prison. Now she is out on parole and determined to regain her memory and know what really occurred in her home that night. Even if she remembers, she killed her husband.
A mutual friend of Mariah and local puzzle-solving sleuth Nora Charles asks her to help Mariah. Nora already knew of the case, and her customers had been discussing the murder and Mariah’s release. Nick, her feline partner in solving crimes, is unsure about taking the case, but soon Scrabble tiles are flying, Nora is researching any viable suspects, and both are out about town following clues. Soon, Nora is getting threats to stop her investigation.
Can Nick and Nora sleuth out the killer? Or will the killer track them down first? Will Mariah regain her memory? Will Nora lose hers?
I love classic movies, including The Thin Man, so when this series was released, I was so excited. I quickly fell for Nora and her sidekick, Nick. Nora has taken over her mother’s sandwich shop following her death, and it becomes mystery central when there is a crime to solve. Nick is one smart cat and usually figures out key clues well before Nora and her friends. He’s a verbal kitty who knows how to get his points across, but be careful for skittering Scrabble tiles when he needs to spell something out. Nick’s former human, a P.I. also named Nick, is still missing in action, and Daniel, her former FBI boyfriend, is off on a dangerous overseas assignment. Her current significant other, Leroy Samms, is at Quantico for training at the start of the story. Nora is searching for a new employee because Mollie needs to study for her college boards, and Nora’s sister Lacey has a lead on a new job in her field. Nora’s BFF, Chantal, helps out when she can. After 8 books, all these characters and more feel like old friends, and I love how they grow and change in each new installment.
Getting to the truth for Mariah Blackthorne isn’t easy. The town is divided on her innocence or guilt, and some are very boisterous in their declarations. Nora isn’t sure who she and Mariah can trust, so most land on her suspect list. Nora hopes to write up the case for her side gig at Noir, but another crime reporter in town is chasing the story, too. To ferret through all the evidence and clues, Nora needs help from her friends. Each interesting find, and some clever help from Nick, moves the case forward until another eerily similar death occurs. Followed by an important discovery and an epic showdown.
When Sleuthing Spells Trouble is soooooo goooooood! An entertaining, clever, and puzzling mystery keeps these wonderful characters and this reader on their toes. A fabulous addition to this fun series! Ms. LoTempio teases the direction of the next Nick and Nora mystery. I can’t wait!!
Be sure to check out Nora’s sandwich recipes! A John Travolta Steak Sandwich sounds awfully good right now, but a Leonardo DiCaprio Chick Club could hit the spot, or a Jimmy Kimmel Sandwich without the peppers, adding the onion may be the way to go.
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.
"When Sleuthing Spells Trouble (Nick and Nora Mystery Book 8)" by T. C. LoTempio initially was Nora helping solve a cold case when the person put in jail for the crime was released and trying to prove their innocence. The wife of a murdered man was convicted despite having very circumstantial evidence and her having no memory of why she was also lying on the floor of the room knocked out.
Perfumes play a big part of this one. If I had been more consistent in my reading of this one, with less breaks, I may have remembered a key clue that gets dropped early on and later referenced when Nora makes an important connection. Unfortunately for me, I caught it later than I would if I hadn't take so long to read the book.
Honestly, I'm still surprised that Nora hasn't jumped to some woo woo type conclusions about her cat. I for sure have. That cat is way more intelligent than a normal car to not have had at least some sort of mind-meld with his previous owner. Maybe she'll finally start putting the pieces together in the next book.
Some more fun with Nick and Nora! I had read the first several books in this series and didn't realize I had a gap until I saw this one available on Netgally. I am so glad I got to return for another visit with these two and their great surrounding cast of family and friends! In this adventure, we visit a cold case as a woman who was accused of killing her husband after being found unconscious near his body while having no memory of the events, is released from prison after almost six years. Nora thinks the case might make an interesting article for Noir, and when her friend Hank calls in a favor in helping the widow, an old friend Nora is intrigued. Mariah had actually heard about Nora and decided to ask for her help, so all these connections definitely put Nick and Nora on the case. With a surprisingly large number of other suspects, some interesting history, and another crime reporter on the case, this is going to be an intense investigation with a lot of moving parts. Come along and see how Nora and the team put all the puzzle pieces together in an interesting mystery! Thanks to #Netgally, #BeyondthePageBooks, and the author for an opportunity to catch up with Nick and Nora! #WhenSleuthingSpellsTrouble #NickandNoraMysteries #TCLoTempio #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
A book I knew I had to read as soon as I saw the cover, we learn at the beginning of the book that a maid named Velma was the one who discovers her employer dead and his wife unconscious at the scene of the murder, with the murder weapon in hand. This is six years before the story begins, and we see a scary look into just what has been going on in this world. The story continues with Nora, our main character that owns a sandwich shop, and works as a personal investigator and crime reporter in her spare time.
Check out my full review here! Posted November 18th 2025.
Six years ago, Mariah Blackthorne went to jail for the murder of her husband. She was found unconscious next to his body with the murder weapon in her hand - but claimed to have no memory of the event. Now granted parole she returns to her home town saying she's determined to find the truth, even if it proves her to be the culprit after all. Enter Nora Charles, cafe owner, occasional true crime writer and part time PI. Despite her protests she gets pulled into the investigation, and could end up in the firing line herself...
This was a lot of fun, I had a fantastic time reading it. I am a newcomer to the Nick and Nora series but honestly, reading this book felt like coming home to an old friend. Previous cases were obviously hinted at but only in passing, so as a newbie I didn't feel out of the loop at all. The main character did do some genuine investigating and had a legitimate reason to be doing so, which was great. I always like it when the lead characters don't continually make bad decisions, and Nora definitely doesn't - everything is well reasoned and reinforced for the reader without it being repetitive or patronising. The mystery itself is well thought out and well executed, the reader is given enough clues to work out the culprit without it being either too obvious or a total surprise.
The absolute scene stealer ALL THE TIME is Nick - what a great character he is. A seemingly psychic and highly literate cat who can spell words with scrabble tiles, provides critical yet accurate character judgments, suggests new directions for the investigation, and of course accompanies Nora on all her expeditions. What an absolute star; I will want more of this cat until my dying day.
Small frustrations, and they really were only small - there were a lot of characters to keep track of, some of whom were more significant than others; and there were a couple of moments I couldn't quite keep them straight in my head. Small details like saying the characters were looking at a phone when they couldn't have been or a list which had supposedly been taken from one location when it wasn't; didn't ruin my enjoyment and really only stand out because of the quality of the rest of the storytelling and the fact that I was totally bought in.
This is absolutely one I would recommend and will definitely be returning to this series - if only to find out more about Nick the cat!
I would like to thank both Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
Book Review:
I enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars. This is the third book in the series that I have read, and I enjoyed being back to the Hot Bread Cafe. You don't have to read the books in order for this series because they have a different mystery to them. With that being said you do miss out on the growing of the characters though.
In this book a supposed murderer is released from prison. In her statement upon release, she states she wants to recover her memory and find out who the true killer of her husband even if it does end up being her.
Nora's friend Hank asks her to help Mariah to find out what really happened that night 6 years ago. He isn't able to help her because he has another case in Chicago. Nora has always been interested in case even though she was out of town when it happened.
Needless to say, there are a lot of people who actually didn't like Maraih's husband. But there were quite a few women who did enjoy him more than they should have.
There are many clues that lead to many different people and Nora is struggling to find the right pieces. Lucky for her she has people who willing to help her and they even go as far as protecting her.
I just love how she is able to comfort those around her even though she isn't a fan of them. I also love how Nick, who is a cat helps and gives his opinions to the case.
Can she figure out the true murderer before it is too late? You will have to read the book.
A very entertaining mystery. I've read a lot of cosy murder books this year, and I like the differences in this one - she's a PI, she's meant to be investigating, she's asked to investigate. I also really like that it starts out as a Cold Case rather than the improbable events that usually occur. Things heat up pretty fast though as she starts digging and exploring just who may have been the real killer all those years ago.
Nora is a great MFC, she's smart, she's brave, she's willing to do the leg work needed to investigate. Sometimes her conclusions seem to be purely vibe based, but we can forgive that when its in so entertaining a story.
There were a couple of really tiny errors, mostly with names, places or items getting swapped around which did throw me out of the story a little. Then again, I only noticed them because I was really concentrating on the story, as I was so invested and wanted to know what happened next.
I picked up on the key clues and felt the revel was a fair one, great killer, great motive, all good.
I love Nick, the psychic all powerful cat? He can spell words with scrabble tiles, he knows things before they happen, he is a better fighter than any human in this book, 10/10, no notes, would bow down to my furry overlord in a heartbeat. Not 100% convinced he is 'just' a cat of course, but he's still a perfect feline.
I will be keeping a very close eye out for the next one in this series, I am so excited to see where they go next and if they follow through on the hints at the end of this book.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Princess Fuzzypants here: I must confess to an association with the author who has put me in another of her series but long before that happened, I fell in love with Nick. As a big fan of the classic movie series, I loved the unique partnership of Nora and Nick in the books. Nick, always a step ahead of the slow humans, is very expressive and loves to give a resounding “Yowzer” when he agrees with the humans. He also very adeptly uses scrabble tiles to tell Nora where to look. He is fiercely protective of Nora who is getting much better at protecting herself.
Nora and Nick are asked to find out who committed a murder. The widow of the deceased is the one asking when she is released from prison for a crime she cannot recall. It turns out she is also connected to Nora’s friend Hank so there is no way Nora could say no. The town is divided between those who think Mariah killed her husband and those who think she was innocent. All she wants to do is find out the truth, even if that means she discovers her own culpability. But as Nora looks into it, it becomes clear there is someone out there who does not want the truth to be known. And this person is quite willing to go to extreme lengths to prevent that. And that includes another murder and attacks on Mariah that echo the previous crime.
I confess I did suss the villain but there were times when I doubted my choice. It certainly kept me engaged right to the end and Nick, as usual, saved the day. Of course he did.
Six years earlier, Mariah Blackthorne was found on the floor of her home, unconscious and holding the weapon that killed her husband. She swears she's innocent but has no memory of the event so she takes a plea deal and goes to prison. Now out on parole and in search of the truth, Mariah enlists the help of Nora Charles. Nora is a local sleuth whose partner is a cat named Nick. Nora believes in Mariah's innocence and is intrigued by the case. She knows she and Nick may face some danger but she's determined and digs up several suspects. She follows the clues and soon they're facing down a killer who's willing to kill again. Will Nick and Nora live to remember solving the case?
The Nick and Nora series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I have to admit that Nick is a big reason why. I've really enjoyed this series and this book was no exception. It was well-written with well-rounded characters and a fast-paced plot. I was drawn into this captivating story and easily kept hooked from beginning to end. This is a must-read book in a can't-miss series. The mystery was intriguing and fun to try to solve with lots of twists and turns and red herrings. The characters were great with lots of friendships, both old and new. I loved this book and sincerely hope there's more to come. I highly recommend both book and series which I believe is best read in order. Although each book does have its own self-contained mystery, you'll get a better feel for the characters and how they develop by reading the books in order.
Newly qualified PI Nora Charles and her extraordinary cat Nick are quietly running her Hot Bread sandwich shop when a local resident hits the headlines as she's released from prison six years after being jailed for a crime she can't remember committing. As Nora's reputation precedes her, it's no surprise when Mariah Blackthorne arrives back in Cruz and asks for help to find out what actually happened the night her husband was killed. Christian Blackthorne, a successful doctor, wasn't a popular man, and before long, Nora has a slew of suspects but no definitive evidence against any of them! As she begins to look closer at those involved, she finds herself being threatened by those with things to hide. Can she finally discover who killed Christian before her burgeoning new career has a chance to take off?
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Beyond the Page, but the opinions expressed are my own. You do have to suspend reality for a while when reading this series, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! Nick is Nora's very resourceful, scrabble loving sidekick, and she wouldn't be as successful without him. The stories are entertaining and page turning, however, and I have always enjoyed my visits with Nick and Nora. There are hints as to the direction the next book will take, and I'll definitely be looking out for that alongside the author's other successful series.
I am a big fan of the original Nick and Nora Charles and I think Ms. LoTempio's take on the duo as sleuth and cat is charming and fun.
The big sensation in Cruz, CA is the release of a woman accused of murdering her husband six years prior from prison. She was never actually convicted by a jury, she took a plea bargain at the urging of her attorney, though she recalls no details of the crime. Nora's editor at online Noir magazine suggests her next article be on the widow but Nora is swamped with her other business, Hot Bread and her catering side of her shop. However, fate aligns when her friend and PI mentor, Hank, asks her to take the case to find out what really happened. On top of that, there is a very persistent, nosy reporter in town also trying to get to the bottom of things. When the circumstances of the crime happened to be repeated, Nora decides she has to determine the innocence of the woman, with her trusty kitty Nick at her side.
Nick is the star of this book, hands down. I adore mysteries with cats in them, especially smart ones. He is quite the character and the reason I keep returning to these books. I will say all of the sandwiches brought up in Nora's restaurant made me hungry.
I look forward to what will hopefully amount to more adventures with these two.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This was such an entertaining mystery, really enjoyed diving into the world of Nora and her clever cat. Nora is still balancing her sandwich shop with her new career as a private investigator, but this case really tests her skills.
Mariah has just been released from prison after serving six years for the murder of her husband a crime she can’t even remember committing. Desperate to clear her name and finally learn the truth, she turns to Nora for help. From there, the investigation takes off, and Nora quickly realizes that Christian had plenty of enemies. The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things become, with threats and secrets lurking around every corner.
I loved the way the mystery unfolded. There were so many suspects and red herrings that I kept changing my mind about who might be guilty.
Nick the cat was a highlight. His quirky personality and unusual way of helping Nora always make me smile. He's a real partner in solving the case.
Nick and Nora are at it again. This time, they decide to help a recent parolee, Mariah, figure out if she really killed her husband, the reason she went to jail. Doctors have made it clear she can’t remember the event or circumstances. And Mariah is determined to find out if she actually murdered her husband. Naturally, Nora and her feline partner Nick begin investigating at Mariah’s request.
As usual, T. C. LoTempio crafts an intriguing mystery with a mix of familiar and new characters. And don’t forget the tile-teasing Nick who delivers clues in a very unorthodox way. A fun read and strong addition to the Nick & Nora series.
Nora is asked to work on a cold case. A woman recently released from prison wants to know who killed her husband, whom she served a sentence for killing. The problem is she was found unconscious at the crime scene holding the murder weapon but she has no memory of the event. An interesting mystery. Is the woman guilty or not? If not, there are plenty of other people who wanted her husband dead. Nick and Nora will have to put their thinking caps on if they are to stop from becoming a memory themselves.
These are fun characters to revisit and I love Nick, the cat, of course.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Sleuthing Spells Trouble by T.C. LoTempio is a charming cozy mystery that will delight fans of lighthearted whodunits and small-town crime fiction. This engaging installment in the Nick and Nora series delivers a well-paced, tightly plotted mystery filled with clever clues, red herrings, escalating danger, and an eerie parallel crime that raises the stakes. LoTempio skillfully balances humor and suspense, making the story entertaining, accessible, and hard to put down. The amateur sleuth is relatable and sharp, driving the investigation forward with wit and determination, while the quirky, evolving cast adds warmth and depth. As the puzzle unfolds, readers are kept guessing without the story becoming overly dark or complex. Perfect for fans of cozy mystery novels and classic sleuthing with a modern twist, this novel is a fun, satisfying, and rewarding addition to any cozy mystery reading list.
#WhenSleuthingSpellsTrouble #NetGalley is the newest book in the much loved Nick & Nora series. I've come to love this dynamic duo and this book is by far my favorite. Mariah Blackthorne has been released from prison after serving six years for killing her husband. Mariah has no recollection of killing him, she's lost her memory and desperately wants to know the truth. Nora is asked to look into the case, and soon her and Nick, her feline sidekick our hot on the trail. Nora is warned off from asking questions, but this just stirs her up, she knows she must be getting close to the murderer.
I missed the romance in this book. Especially based on the conclusion she jumped to in the epilogue. But I did like how she was working with the other P.I. So much in this volume. I like when the detective work is done by more than just the MC. The cozy aspect was missing a little bit for me( the interview process seemed a little extreme for a sandwich shop) and we didn’t get as much of the shop as I feel like we usually do.
The mystery was really interesting. I liked the concept and even though I did figure out who it was, I hadn’t figured out the why completely. It was a solid mystery.
As a fan of the Thin Man series and Nick and Nora Charles this book called my name. Mariah is found guilty of killing her husband. Nira is a true crime writer and PI. Nick is a very smart cat. Nora's friend convinces her to look into the case and prove Mariah innocent. I like that it included recipes in the back of the book. I am interested to try Leonardo DiCaprio's Chicken Club. I found Nick the star of the show and the real one to solve the case. All the main characters are likeable, and I will definitely be reading more of the series.
Nora and Nick are helping a woman clear her name…after she’s served her sentence can they figure out who truly killed Mariah’s husband, or will the killer strike again, just to continue getting away with murder?
I love this duo! Nicki’s the smartest cat ever and I afire how he communicates with Nora. The author has a fabulous pair of sleuths that. keep you hooked from the first letter to the last period in the story.
When a woman is released from prison after being accused of killing her husband, Nora is contacted by a her former P.I. friend to look into the case to prove the woman's innocence. Little does Nora know that her hobby of investigating while running a very successful sandwich shop in Cruz, will occupy a great deal of her time and bring her close to danger. Of course, Nick is right beside her with his cat intuition to help her solve the case. A good entry and a fun cozy!
No wonder this is my favorite series! I absolutely love Nick! Sometimes I wonder if the real human Nick died and his spirit went into his cat, Nick. No one knows for sure. Nick is so super intelligent. What with his scrabble tiles and knowing everything being said, I just help but wonder. Can't wait for another Nick and Nora mystery!!! Please don't wait too long!!!!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and T. C. LoTempio for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC of When Sleuthing Spells Trouble. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I read the book before this one. I really love cozy mysteries. I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. I would check out more books by this author.
I enjoyed this fun cozy mystery with Nora and Nick. I love that Nick is a cat that helps Nora solve mysteries by picking out Scrabble tiles. I love the small town feel and want some of these great sandwiches. I received a copy of the book and gave an honest opinion.
12/15/2025 Some odd plot holes in the copy I read but overall enjoyable, with amazing sandwiches at the end! Full review with recipe photos tk at CriminalElement.com.
A comfy cozy following all the cozy rules. Enjoyed it. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.