Pawsitively Dead

A Wonder Cats Mystery #2

by Harper Lin

When Cath visits her parents’ graves, she finds the dead body of the local hairstylist. What’s even stranger is that she also stumbles upon an older corpse, nearly a skeleton, of a woman who died in 1958. It has been exhumed from her grave, but who would do that? While the police are stumped, Cath, Bea, and Aunt Astrid suspect sorcery… necromancy…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Young Adult, Magic, Cats

276 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2015

About the author

Harper Lin is the 3x USA Today Bestselling Author of several popular cozy mystery series—8 and counting!

When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family. 


Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR

www.harperlin.com

Reviews

[Pamela Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read. Kept my attention. Sometimes in life light reading is just what one needs.

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come soon.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pawsitively Dead by Harper Lin is a paranormal mystery novel and the second book in A Wonder Cats Mystery series. Cath Greenstone is taking time off from fixing the Brew-Ha-Ha to visit her parent’s grave. It is the anniversary of their death. While walking there she notices a St. Bernard. Cath (who is a witch and can talk to animals) tries to talk to him, but he gets scared and runs away. While at the cemetery, Cath stumbles across the body of Samantha Perry. Samantha had opened a hair salon in town and owns a St. Bernard named Burger. Cath immediately calls Detective Blake Samberg and his partner, Jake Williams. When they look closer at Samantha’s body, they discover a pile of bones. Upon further investigation, they find an open grave. It looks like someone is trying to bring back the dead.

Cath contacts Aunt Astrid and her cousin Bea for assistance. Then they notice that an Unfamiliar (something dark that feeds off a person and makes them a little crazy) has taken possession of a town citizen (I do not want to tell you and spoil it for you). Cath, Bea, and Astrid are going to have to work quickly to stop the person from resurrecting more of his or her family. Cath is also going to have to deal with her feelings about Unfamiliars. Her mother saved Cath from an Unfamiliar when she was a child at the cost of her own life.

I enjoyed reading Pawsitively Dead. It is a cute and quirky paranormal mystery. The magic part is a little confusing (after reading two books I still do not get it), but it is a unique take on magic. In order to understand what is happening in Pawsitively Dead, you do need to read A Hiss-Tory of Magic (or you will be lost). I give Pawsitively Dead 4 out of 5 stars (which means I like it). The writing is in first person in a nice conversational style which makes for easy reading. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

[Erunyauve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rita Mae Brown's Sneaky Pie series is my favourite cat series - I loved the combination of human and cat viewpoints. The Wonder Cats series is similar, told in the first person by a witch who can speak with cats. I wasn't crazy about the metaphysical mumbo-jumbo in the first book, but the cats were enough to get me to read Pawsitively Dead.

Pawsitively Dead doesn't try as hard to explain the otherworldly forces (I'm fine with suspending belief for fictional purposes, but don't give me too many details), and as a result, the real human dilemma involved is much more heartrending. I'm also enjoying (as I move on to the third book) the subtle romance between Cath and Blake. I don't like the romance genre at all - I've actually given up on reading mysteries that feature a female detective because inevitably she is gorgeous (but doesn't know it) and is continually panting after every male she meets. Harper Lin's approach is much more interesting - the two aren't exactly at odds, but Cath is not exactly having vapours over Blake, either. I also like the way Astrid, the aunt, is portrayed - we need more books with smart, awesome seniors.

And the cats - Treacle, Marshmallow and Peanut Butter - are adorable. Treacle is Cath's former alley cat, a world-wise cat who does the investigating; Marshmallow is her aunt's ancient Maine Coon (I've been fortunate to live with three cuddly Maine Coons), and Peanut Butter is the baby of the group and too cute for words. And Cath's feelings for her cat, and all cats, will strike a chord with all cat-lovers.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Wonder Cats Mystery Book Series. Cath, Bea, and Aunt Astrid are busy trying to fix up the fire that took the life of one of their employees at their restaurant The Brew-Ha-Ha. Even though they could have used magic to make the work go a bit faster they keep the fact that they are witches from the rest of the town--so when Min, an old friend of Cath's from school days shows up in town unexpectedly he helps them. Then---bodies are found along with exhumed bodies of long dead residents of the town.

Will the 3 witches be able to solve this mystery and rid the town of the demonic presence that has taken residence without allowing the fact that they are witches to become known. Will Treacle (Cath's cat and her familiar) be able to save the day even though Cath can not at the moment communicate with him? Read the book and find out. It is not absolutely necessary to read this series in order but it might help!
Pawsitively Dead

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series about a family and their cats, each having unique magical abilities. This book finds Cath Greenstone is taking a break from renovations at the family cafe. Cath is visiting her parent's graves on the anniversary when she discovers the dead body of a local hairstylist. If that wasn't enough, she also stumblis upon an older corpse of someone who died in 1957. Long buried secrets are forced to surface in order for Cath and her family to stop the unfamiliar sorcerer from causing more harm.
This is a fast paced novel that will quickly grab your attention and keep you reading the pages until you finish. I'm enjoying the perspective of what is going on, or happening through the cat's points of view; it adds an interesting element to the story. I would recommend reading the first book in the series before starting this one, it will help you to know what is going on a little better. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!

I received an advanced reader's copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Wonder Cats Mystery series about a family of witches, and one in particular. Her name is Cath Greenstone. While each witch has specific abilities, Cath's ability is she can communicate with cats and even dogs. Using her specific abilities, she helps solves murders in the city of Wonder Falls.This book deals with monsters and reanimating the dead. Ms Lin's creative process is put to the test, and the results are so real that you have to remind yourself it is a book and not actually happening. At times terrifying and other times heart wrenching, this book kept me on the edge of my chair and reading late into the night.
I recommend Pawsitively Dead to anyone who likes the paranormal. It is well written and quite different from most of the witch books I have read.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While you can read this book without reading the first in the series, it definitely helps to understand the relationships in the book if you read them in order. I still like reading about Cath and her family, and I liked that you got even more backstory here which makes it easier to get invested into the characters/series. This one wasn't my favorite of the series, but it is a solid entry and it is quick and easy, so definitely worth a shot.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Greenstone witches and their cats are back! I could not put this book down after I started it. Wonderfully written cozy mystery with great characters. Loved the way the plot twisted about with additional mysteries inside the main mystery of the book and they were so interconnected. Looking forward to more books in this series.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in a series and my favorite book thus far! The suspense is high in this book and the story is highly entertaining! I am looking forward to more books in this series!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the usual cat and witch book

Aunt Astrid, Be a and Cath still have strange things going on in their town. Seems to do with related families and some type of unfamiliar/daemon.

Read and enjoy.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy. sweet mystery (with Zombies, sort of) where the MC gets to mentally communicate with CATS, what's not to like?

[Cathy Inboden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good series.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read!

[M M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first one in the series. I will read the third one next.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much mystery but some scary stuff and fun characters. My favorite is Aunt Astrid.

[Coralee Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2's cover in the Wonder Cat Mystery series, is green with the profile of a cat. Within the cat there is a grave yard scene. The title, Pawsitively Dead plus the grave yard hints that Death, and maybe zombies are hiding within. Nope. no zombies per se. Book 2 tells of demonic possession.

Our characters both main and secondary have moved on from Book 1. Jake and Bea are trying to 'process' human/witch revelation. Jake is not handling this well. Bea is distraught. Cath is working with an old school friend, Min Park. Min has returned to Wonder Falls after earning a fortune. He hopes to help his town, and perhaps this time gain respect from his parents. Maybe Thomas Wolfe was right: You can't go home again. Cath would disagree, Family are the ones who will shelter you, no matter what may happen. What about Blake? Still skeptical, still self contained, still enigmatic, still driving Cath a bit mad. The cats? Marshmallow is teaching magic to Treacle and Peanut Butter. Treacle is still too much of a street cat to understand. Peanut Butter is waaay to anxious. Marshmallow is resigned.

Cath tells us that :Death was a part of life, and life went on. Anniversaries of deaths, should be remembered. So it is fitting that she visit her parents graves on the anniversary of their death.
More than a reflective visit this time. This time she finds a freshly uncovered corpse, and a pile of bones. A terrified St. Bernard runs from her. An 'unfamiliar' Greenstone speak for a demon, is loose. Who will be targeted? Is anyone safe from evil? How can demonic possession be considered funny?

As in Book 1, the fun comes from Cath's inner dialogue. What she thinks and what she says, and what she does, often are at odds with each other. For example, when seeing a dead body she says"Are you okay?" and thinks " Please be drunk, Please be sleeping, whoever you ---."
This reader can closely identify with Cath.

Lin moves the action well; providing a logical progression of story line arising from the premise, The narrative has some very 'creepy;' sections, that are countered by the warmth and strength of the witches and their cats. No sophomore slump here. Book 2 invites the reader to move on to book 3.

Recommended for ages YA through adult.

[Robert Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pawsitively Dead," by Harper Lin, is the second in the "Wonder Cats Mystery Series."

Before I review, my copy is a softcover copy of 282 pages, which includes blank end pages.

Cath, Bea and Aunt Astrid are the Greenstone Witches, a line of Witches that have lived in Wonder Falls for around three centuries. They each have a cat, their feline familiar.

In this Cozy Mystery, they discover that some of the town's long-dead inhabitants are being resurrected, by an evil entity called the Unfamiliar, as opposed to Familiar. Dealing with an Unfamiliar is something these Greenstone Witches have never personally experienced before. Well, except for Cath; this provides a little more backstory about her, which began in the first in this series, "A Hiss-tory of Magic."

Along the way, old secrets are revealed about some of the towns' long-time residents. Also, Cath learns more about her Magickal Powers, and in this journey, comes to appreciate them even more.

I have often stated, both online and off, that Witchy-themed Cozy Mysteries are some of my personal favorites. In addition, as a long-time cat lover (with three cats, thank you) any Cozy Mystery that features Witches AND cats, well, just take my money! Haha!

As for Ms. Lin, her writing style is light, fun, easily readable and she is successful at creating characters that not only move the reader to care about them, but at times, touches the reader's heart.

I look forward to "Cat-astrophic Spells," the third book in the "Wonder Cats Cozy Mystery Series."

[Ginger Vampyre]

Witches and demons and zombies, oh my! Things sure are crazy in Wonderfalls. I felt like I was missing something during this book. Like the author had something in her head but it didn't quite make it into the story, but it could have been me. Still a lovely little cozy about a family of witches saving the world from otherworldly beings!

[christine newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Familiar or Unfamiliar

Great characters
Spooky goings on at the cemetery
Treacle an unsung hero
Great storyline
Need plenty of quiet to read this book as I found it I didn't I would lose track of the story

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think I like the books in this series better when I read them compared to when I listen to them as audiobook.

This was a fun book, Cath is a bit impulsive and does silly things, but she is growing on me for sure. Min is such a cute nice person, and Bea and Astrid are lots of fun.
Jake made me SO MAD, but he did redeem himself.

The mystery was a bit sad, and also a bit complicated. To be precise, there wasn’t a big mystery but more of a situation to try and solve, but it was enjoyable.

[Nancy Nash Keefer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. Awful. Sappy. Stupid. And the author mentioned on the first page that her aunt was “spry and clear-eyed” at 67 (“How ancient,” says this 65 year-old who cannot retire at full benefits until 72).

Apparently this was a YA Fantasy book not marked that way on the cover.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first. Learning about Unfamiliars in this one. Still not as good as the 8th one I read :) But on to book 3.

[Nibrock · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and fun mystery.

[Susan Abenilla-brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Follow up

This is a fun follow-up to the first in the series but also can stand alone. Interesting story and fun characters.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit!

This is such a fun series. An easy Saturday afternoon read..Just the thing for a relaxing afternoon with a cup of tea!

[hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is always going to be dangerous