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A Cats in Trouble Mystery #8
The Cat, the Collector and the Killer
In the latest mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret , a cat collector is suspected of murder.
Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She's in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man.
Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game...
Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She's in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man.
Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game...
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 2, 2016
44 people are currently reading
1049 people want to read
About the author
Leann Sweeney
27 books526 followersLeann Sweeney was born and raised in Niagara Falls and educated at St. Joseph's Hospital and Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY. She also has a degree from the University of Houston in behavioral science and worked for many years in psychiatry. Her short fiction won many awards and several mysteries were published in small market mystery magazines. Leann has written 13 cozy mysteries: 5 in The Yellow Rose Mystery Series and 8 in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries. #9 is being written now that Leann is recovering from a three year illness after a fall. Both series are published by Berkley and several titles made the NY Times bestseller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
August 14, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A feline filled fun mystery!
Married life is off to a great start for Jillian Hart and her “acting” police chief Tom Stewart. When Minnie Schultz is found disoriented wandering down a street in Mercy, Tom calls his wife for a little assistance. Minnie was carrying a kitty in a tote bag on her unexplainable walk around town. Jillian heads to get the kitten and calls Shawn, the owner of the local shelter. He knows Minnie very well and they take a trip to her house to check on the rest of her cats. They not only find many more cats, but also dead man. There is no way Minnie could be a killer, but there has to be a reason she was disoriented. Both Shawn and Jillian know the dead man and they know he had plenty of enemies as does Tom. They are going to need more than a clowder of kittens to solve this mystery.
I love, love, love this series! Jillian and Tom are not only a great couple but a great team. With a houseful of cats there is never a dull moment, especially when Jillian brings home a foster cat or two. Tom’s cat, Dashiell is just settling in with Syrah, Chablis, and Merlot when Jillian brings home Minnie’s Otto into the house. Dashiell is not one bit happy about that but Jillian knows how to handle these cats and I just love everything she does with and for them. Playtime, cuddles, special food for Dashiell, plenty of love to go around. She doesn’t spend as much time with them as they would like during this story. Tom has asked Jillian to help with the case. There is so much evidence to be cataloged that he really needs an extra set of hands and eyes. Of course she is no stranger to investigating murders so her observations are very valuable.
I am always captivated by the way the author writes these characters and the way the all work together. Yes, Tom and newly promoted Detective Candace, tell Jillian that things need to be kept confidential, by Jillian and stepdaughter Kara both make good sounding boards. Then they talk things through and MOST of the time tell Tom their thoughts before running off to get themselves in trouble. The key word here is MOST.
The new characters introduced in this book are very engaging, Minnie, a psychiatrist and her brother. Minnie’s children are an interesting bunch, estranged from their mother since their father died. Circumstances bring them all together in a very realistic way. I hope they pop up in future stories.
The mystery this time was also challenging with a lot of moving elements. I had an idea of the who but the how and the why just never fell into place until the very end. Twists and turns galore and I turned out to be only about 10% right in my deductions by the end of the book. That is why I love Leann Sweeney’s stories, she always surprises me.
Again I have a new favorite in the series, The Cat, The Collector and The Killer. I bet that will change next October when The Cat, The Boy and Bones is released. She gives us a sneak peak at the end of this book and I am sorry but I just couldn’t read it. Waiting until next October to read the whole thing would be excruciating.
A feline filled fun mystery!
Married life is off to a great start for Jillian Hart and her “acting” police chief Tom Stewart. When Minnie Schultz is found disoriented wandering down a street in Mercy, Tom calls his wife for a little assistance. Minnie was carrying a kitty in a tote bag on her unexplainable walk around town. Jillian heads to get the kitten and calls Shawn, the owner of the local shelter. He knows Minnie very well and they take a trip to her house to check on the rest of her cats. They not only find many more cats, but also dead man. There is no way Minnie could be a killer, but there has to be a reason she was disoriented. Both Shawn and Jillian know the dead man and they know he had plenty of enemies as does Tom. They are going to need more than a clowder of kittens to solve this mystery.
I love, love, love this series! Jillian and Tom are not only a great couple but a great team. With a houseful of cats there is never a dull moment, especially when Jillian brings home a foster cat or two. Tom’s cat, Dashiell is just settling in with Syrah, Chablis, and Merlot when Jillian brings home Minnie’s Otto into the house. Dashiell is not one bit happy about that but Jillian knows how to handle these cats and I just love everything she does with and for them. Playtime, cuddles, special food for Dashiell, plenty of love to go around. She doesn’t spend as much time with them as they would like during this story. Tom has asked Jillian to help with the case. There is so much evidence to be cataloged that he really needs an extra set of hands and eyes. Of course she is no stranger to investigating murders so her observations are very valuable.
I am always captivated by the way the author writes these characters and the way the all work together. Yes, Tom and newly promoted Detective Candace, tell Jillian that things need to be kept confidential, by Jillian and stepdaughter Kara both make good sounding boards. Then they talk things through and MOST of the time tell Tom their thoughts before running off to get themselves in trouble. The key word here is MOST.
The new characters introduced in this book are very engaging, Minnie, a psychiatrist and her brother. Minnie’s children are an interesting bunch, estranged from their mother since their father died. Circumstances bring them all together in a very realistic way. I hope they pop up in future stories.
The mystery this time was also challenging with a lot of moving elements. I had an idea of the who but the how and the why just never fell into place until the very end. Twists and turns galore and I turned out to be only about 10% right in my deductions by the end of the book. That is why I love Leann Sweeney’s stories, she always surprises me.
Again I have a new favorite in the series, The Cat, The Collector and The Killer. I bet that will change next October when The Cat, The Boy and Bones is released. She gives us a sneak peak at the end of this book and I am sorry but I just couldn’t read it. Waiting until next October to read the whole thing would be excruciating.
August 8, 2016
Jillian Hart loves cats, she even makes quilts for cats that are donated to the county animal shelter. She has four cats of her own but she is about to have a new feline join her brood named Otto and how she acquires Otto is quite the mystery and it involves a murder.
Chester Winston is the county animal control officer who has a restraining order against Shawn Cuddahee, owner of the Mercy, South Carolina Animal Sanctuary. Chester rubs a lot of other people the wrong way also.
After finding a dead Chester in Minnie Schultz's home after coming to rescuing her many cats, who no one seems to believe she's a hoarder because the cats seemed well taken care of despite finding Minnie wandering downtown in her nightclothes. Shawn becomes a number one suspect of the murder of Chester, Jillian is friends with Shawn and wonders if the cats will be homeless if or when Shawn is arrested and knows he could not have committed this murder
Minnie is admitted to the hospital clutching a cute little kitten named Otto, named after her late husband. Jillian's husband, acting police chief, Tom asks her to step in and see if she can talk to Minnie to try to reach her since Jillian is so good with cats and people.
Minnie confesses to the murder but could there be more to the story the meets the cat's eye?
Engaging cozy mystery staring cute and adorable cats. The Cat, The Collector and the Killer is definitely the cat's meow. As a cat owner I loved learning even more about cats. A purrfect mystery for the cat lover.Jillian is one of my favorite characters because of her love of cats. Her passion for taking care of them makes me want to read more and more of this series and I look forward to reading the next one to get my mystery with a lot of cat fix.
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Net Galley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are our own.
Chester Winston is the county animal control officer who has a restraining order against Shawn Cuddahee, owner of the Mercy, South Carolina Animal Sanctuary. Chester rubs a lot of other people the wrong way also.
After finding a dead Chester in Minnie Schultz's home after coming to rescuing her many cats, who no one seems to believe she's a hoarder because the cats seemed well taken care of despite finding Minnie wandering downtown in her nightclothes. Shawn becomes a number one suspect of the murder of Chester, Jillian is friends with Shawn and wonders if the cats will be homeless if or when Shawn is arrested and knows he could not have committed this murder
Minnie is admitted to the hospital clutching a cute little kitten named Otto, named after her late husband. Jillian's husband, acting police chief, Tom asks her to step in and see if she can talk to Minnie to try to reach her since Jillian is so good with cats and people.
Minnie confesses to the murder but could there be more to the story the meets the cat's eye?
Engaging cozy mystery staring cute and adorable cats. The Cat, The Collector and the Killer is definitely the cat's meow. As a cat owner I loved learning even more about cats. A purrfect mystery for the cat lover.Jillian is one of my favorite characters because of her love of cats. Her passion for taking care of them makes me want to read more and more of this series and I look forward to reading the next one to get my mystery with a lot of cat fix.
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Net Galley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are our own.
July 24, 2016
Eight books in and the Cat In Trouble Mysteries just keeps getting better!
Author Leann Sweeney has created a series that is positively purrfect blend of what readers love about cozy mysteries. The character, the town, the mystery, and of course, delightful pets.
THE CAT, THE COLLECTOR AND THE KILLER is a first rate example of why this series is so enduring. This was an intriguing mystery that had me quickly turning the pages. It was packed cover to cover with twists, turns, bumps, and sneaky clues, all of which led to an exciting reveal and a takedown of the villain that had me both laughing and cringing.
With the first eight lives of this series being so brilliant, I eagerly look forward to life number nine! That’s book nine for non kitty type talkers. ;-)
Make sure to check out the sneak peek of book 9, THE CAT, THE BOY AND THE BONES, located at the back of the book!
Author Leann Sweeney has created a series that is positively purrfect blend of what readers love about cozy mysteries. The character, the town, the mystery, and of course, delightful pets.
THE CAT, THE COLLECTOR AND THE KILLER is a first rate example of why this series is so enduring. This was an intriguing mystery that had me quickly turning the pages. It was packed cover to cover with twists, turns, bumps, and sneaky clues, all of which led to an exciting reveal and a takedown of the villain that had me both laughing and cringing.
With the first eight lives of this series being so brilliant, I eagerly look forward to life number nine! That’s book nine for non kitty type talkers. ;-)
Make sure to check out the sneak peek of book 9, THE CAT, THE BOY AND THE BONES, located at the back of the book!
March 24, 2017
Cozy mysteries aren't really my thing, but I've been reading this series since the beginning and I refuse to give up on it. As usual, it was a little too sugary sweet for me, but it was okay. The identity of the criminal did surprise me at the end.
August 11, 2019
The Cat, the Collector and the Killer is the eighth and currently final book in Leann Sweeney's Cats in Trouble series. Newlyweds Jillian Hart and Tom Stewart, "acting" police chief for Mercy PD, have been enjoying a peaceful first few months of their new life together. Right until Minnie Schultz, an elderly woman, is found wandering around downtown Mercy, highly confused, in her nightgown with a kitten in her tote bag. A search of Minnie's house reveals even more cats and... a body. It's time again for Jillian to dig deep into what was going on. Who would want to cause Minnie Schultz, and her cats, harm?
This mystery had me guessing right up until the very end! There's a large cast of suspects and every single one seemed to have a possible motive. I felt so bad for Minnie's situation. Jillian has such a big heart, it was great she was able to help this lady reconnect with her family. And the cats were adorable as always.
This has been such a great cozy mystery series. I'm sad to have reached its end. I saw online the author had more books planned but has since fallen ill with no forthcoming news. I will keep my fingers crossed and hope more books will release eventually.
This mystery had me guessing right up until the very end! There's a large cast of suspects and every single one seemed to have a possible motive. I felt so bad for Minnie's situation. Jillian has such a big heart, it was great she was able to help this lady reconnect with her family. And the cats were adorable as always.
This has been such a great cozy mystery series. I'm sad to have reached its end. I saw online the author had more books planned but has since fallen ill with no forthcoming news. I will keep my fingers crossed and hope more books will release eventually.
August 14, 2016
Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.
I received this book for free from Obsidian in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I liked how the crazy cat lady was done in this. And how she wasn't actually a hoarder, even though she had so many cats. I also liked the police investigation, and the details that went into it.
The cats themselves were adorable, and I liked how they weren't central to finding clues. You can tell the author knows a lot about cats by the realistic way she wrote about them. There are a number of cozy mysteries I like or love with cats in them, but a lot of them make the cats smarter than credible. And they tend to lead the characters right to clues. Not so in this book, the cats behaved like normal house cats who were loved by their humans a great deal. And I loved seeing that. I'm kind of curious about the cat cam that Jillian uses to watch her cats at home while she's out and about. It sounds like something that would be fun to set up for my own cats.
I liked Minnie as a character, she was fun and sweet, even though she was confused for most of the book. I also really liked Jillian. I didn't know who the killer was until about a third or so of the way in. And even then, it was just a suspicion not really a "that person did it!".
The way the various mysterious happenings all tied together, and how they figured out what had happened was well done. I loved how Jillian took down the killer at the end! She didn't go looking for them, they came after her. Which is another huge plus. I really like when the main character doesn't do silly things like go after the killer without any back up.
I really enjoyed this book, and will be looking for the next one in the series. And quite probably the prior books as well since I haven't read any of the others. If you like cats, and smart main characters, as well as reading about police or crime scene investigation, you need to try this book.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
I received this book for free from Obsidian in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I liked how the crazy cat lady was done in this. And how she wasn't actually a hoarder, even though she had so many cats. I also liked the police investigation, and the details that went into it.
The cats themselves were adorable, and I liked how they weren't central to finding clues. You can tell the author knows a lot about cats by the realistic way she wrote about them. There are a number of cozy mysteries I like or love with cats in them, but a lot of them make the cats smarter than credible. And they tend to lead the characters right to clues. Not so in this book, the cats behaved like normal house cats who were loved by their humans a great deal. And I loved seeing that. I'm kind of curious about the cat cam that Jillian uses to watch her cats at home while she's out and about. It sounds like something that would be fun to set up for my own cats.
I liked Minnie as a character, she was fun and sweet, even though she was confused for most of the book. I also really liked Jillian. I didn't know who the killer was until about a third or so of the way in. And even then, it was just a suspicion not really a "that person did it!".
The way the various mysterious happenings all tied together, and how they figured out what had happened was well done. I loved how Jillian took down the killer at the end! She didn't go looking for them, they came after her. Which is another huge plus. I really like when the main character doesn't do silly things like go after the killer without any back up.
I really enjoyed this book, and will be looking for the next one in the series. And quite probably the prior books as well since I haven't read any of the others. If you like cats, and smart main characters, as well as reading about police or crime scene investigation, you need to try this book.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
August 2, 2016
The Cat, The Collector, And The Killer is the eight book in the A Cats In Trouble Mystery series.
This a delightful series featuring Jillian Hart who enjoys making quilts for cats at a shelter run by Shawn Cuddahee and also for sale on the internet. Jillian has recently married Tom Stewart and he has also recently been named police chief of Mercy, SC.
Jillian gets a call from Shawn asking her to meet him at the house of Minnie Shultz, a “collector of cats”, who was found wandering downtown in her nightgown and carrying a tote bag with a young kitten in it. When they arrive at Minnie’s house, they find more cats than Shawn had known about and when they entered the house they found it inundated with cardboard boxes. When they are able to make it to a bedroom, they find the lifeless body of Clarence Winston, the county animal control officer. Minnie is first thought to have dementia, but is soon diagnosed with a brain tumor and is unable to provide any information about the body or what is in all the boxes. Tom Sawyer obtains a search warrant and soon finds that the cartons contain cell phones and electronic devices. Soon the doctor that originally diagnosed involved in an automobile accident that Jillian feels is related to the case of the dead man.
Jillian, with the help of her stepdaughter, Kara, owner of the Mercy Messenger set off to find the answer as to why Winston was killed and who had ordered the items found in all the cartons at Minnie’s house.
I always enjoy visiting with the folks of Mercy, a very enjoyable and friendly group of people.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This a delightful series featuring Jillian Hart who enjoys making quilts for cats at a shelter run by Shawn Cuddahee and also for sale on the internet. Jillian has recently married Tom Stewart and he has also recently been named police chief of Mercy, SC.
Jillian gets a call from Shawn asking her to meet him at the house of Minnie Shultz, a “collector of cats”, who was found wandering downtown in her nightgown and carrying a tote bag with a young kitten in it. When they arrive at Minnie’s house, they find more cats than Shawn had known about and when they entered the house they found it inundated with cardboard boxes. When they are able to make it to a bedroom, they find the lifeless body of Clarence Winston, the county animal control officer. Minnie is first thought to have dementia, but is soon diagnosed with a brain tumor and is unable to provide any information about the body or what is in all the boxes. Tom Sawyer obtains a search warrant and soon finds that the cartons contain cell phones and electronic devices. Soon the doctor that originally diagnosed involved in an automobile accident that Jillian feels is related to the case of the dead man.
Jillian, with the help of her stepdaughter, Kara, owner of the Mercy Messenger set off to find the answer as to why Winston was killed and who had ordered the items found in all the cartons at Minnie’s house.
I always enjoy visiting with the folks of Mercy, a very enjoyable and friendly group of people.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 26, 2017
4 stelle e mezza
Altra bella lettura, sebbene avessi capito ben presto chi fosse il colpevole.
Alla fine del libro è riportato l'inizio del volume successivo: sarebbe dovuto uscire a ottobre, ma la casa editrice ha ridotto drasticamente la pubblicazione di cozy mysteries, quindi non si è visto. Spero che, prima o poi, usicrà...
Altra bella lettura, sebbene avessi capito ben presto chi fosse il colpevole.
Alla fine del libro è riportato l'inizio del volume successivo: sarebbe dovuto uscire a ottobre, ma la casa editrice ha ridotto drasticamente la pubblicazione di cozy mysteries, quindi non si è visto. Spero che, prima o poi, usicrà...
September 15, 2016
The Cat, The Collector and the Killer by Leann Sweeney.
I've stayed with this series from the first due to the involved and ever evolving relationships..nothing stagnant or boring for the reader. Add to that the caring but not hoarding of animals primarily cats.
An elderly woman, Minnie Schultz, has a problem-a new problem for her. Shawn Cuddahee of the Mercy Animal Rescue has known Minnie to take good care of her few cats and bring any strays to the Shawn's Rescue shelter... but now it seems she has become something of a hoarder. It also seems she has become quite disoriented. Shawn is thinking it might be early onset of Alzheimer's when an elderly woman is found wandering the streets in her night clothes.
Jillian and Shawn head out to Minnie's to assess the situation of strays now boarding at her home. That's when Jillian comes across more than just another stray cat. A body is found murdered on Minnie's bedroom floor.
A pleasure to read and highly recommended as a true cozy.
I've stayed with this series from the first due to the involved and ever evolving relationships..nothing stagnant or boring for the reader. Add to that the caring but not hoarding of animals primarily cats.
An elderly woman, Minnie Schultz, has a problem-a new problem for her. Shawn Cuddahee of the Mercy Animal Rescue has known Minnie to take good care of her few cats and bring any strays to the Shawn's Rescue shelter... but now it seems she has become something of a hoarder. It also seems she has become quite disoriented. Shawn is thinking it might be early onset of Alzheimer's when an elderly woman is found wandering the streets in her night clothes.
Jillian and Shawn head out to Minnie's to assess the situation of strays now boarding at her home. That's when Jillian comes across more than just another stray cat. A body is found murdered on Minnie's bedroom floor.
A pleasure to read and highly recommended as a true cozy.
August 28, 2016
Great read!!
I absolutely loved this story. I've enjoyed every book that the author has written, but her Cats in Trouble series is my favorite. Not only because I love cats, but the mysteries and characters are good.
In this latest book, Jillian acquires two new, but temporary roommates. Two cats named Simon, and Otto are being cared for while their owner recovers from severe mental health issues and is suspected of murdering Chester. He happens to a man that very many people like. Lucky for Minnie, the suspect list keeps growing.
I enjoyed reading this book and am anxious to read the next book. Unfortunately, I have to wait until October of 2017. I'm sure it will be worth waiting for!
I absolutely loved this story. I've enjoyed every book that the author has written, but her Cats in Trouble series is my favorite. Not only because I love cats, but the mysteries and characters are good.
In this latest book, Jillian acquires two new, but temporary roommates. Two cats named Simon, and Otto are being cared for while their owner recovers from severe mental health issues and is suspected of murdering Chester. He happens to a man that very many people like. Lucky for Minnie, the suspect list keeps growing.
I enjoyed reading this book and am anxious to read the next book. Unfortunately, I have to wait until October of 2017. I'm sure it will be worth waiting for!
October 24, 2017
Jillian has now been married to Tom, the acting police chief, for six months in The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer. She gets a call from Sean, who runs the local cat shelter, asking for help. The neighbors of a woman who collects cats, named Minnie, has seemed to have disappeared, and her cats, which have always been house cats, are roaming around the neighborhood. But Sean can’t go by himself because this is technically an issue for animal control, and Chester, the rather incompetent animal control officer, has a restraining order against Sean. But when they get to Minnie’s house, they find more than her seven cats, more like two dozen cats, and all are outside, begging to come in. Then, as Sean goes into the house, he is alarmed to find a body, that of Chester. With the arrival of Tom and other police, they notice lots of boxes filled with electronic goods filling up the house, something that doesn’t make sense to anyone. Then Tom gets a call that Minnie has been found walking down the street in her nightgown, clutching a kitten and acting mentally disturbed. The people at the hospital where Minnie has been taken are having trouble with Minnie and ask Jillian for help. Minnie won’t let go of her cat. So Jillian gets involved in the case from Minnie’s side.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
January 30, 2017
THE CAT, THE COLLECTOR AND THE KILLER is another fun addition to Leann Sweeney’s Cats in Trouble series. Despite the fact that the stories are starting to follow a repetitive pattern, Sweeny still tells an entertaining story with some wonderful twists and turns. Her characters don’t stagnate but grow in and among themselves. There is steady movement in their lives that is realistic and leaves you feeling that you too are part of the action.
In this one I pretty much figured out who the killer was when that character appeared, but I still enjoying reading how Jillian figured it out and ultimately brought that person down. Well, Jillian and her cats—who are really the stars of the book!
August 2, 2017
This was a VERY good read; it really kept me guess right up until the end. I have always like Tom and Jillian together and this book just solidified that relationship; I love how they are both calm and collected and how much they adore their cats and treat them as family. And I love how most of their friends are the same way, even if they don't understand it. :-)
I also love the relationship between Kara [Tom's daughter] and Jillian; in this book we get to see a lot more of that as they work together to figure out the clues together. They truly have a great relationship and that really adds to the books as well.
I love this series and I am glad to know that she is still going to be writing them. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves animals and a good mystery.
August 23, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer
A Cats in Trouble Mystery, Book #8
By Leann Sweeney
ISBN 9780451477408
Author Website: leannsweeney.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She’s in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man.
Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game…(Goodreads)
Review:
This is a marvelous addition to the Cat’s in Trouble Mystery series! Each one is better than the last, and if you have missed part of the series, it is easy to jump into this one with both feet and enjoy it.
As a cat lover and a woman who has a knack to listen to others and respond with kindness, Jillian Hart is often invited into interesting situations. Between those and his job, there are times that newlyweds Jillian and her hubby, Police Chief Tom Steward are hard-pressed to find time together. Jillian volunteers frequently at the local cat sanctuary operated by Shawn, and the life of most police chiefs in small towns is not their own when there are crises.
Jillian went with Shawn to the home of a lady who had several cats that were loved, typically well-cared for, and kept inside. The lady, in her 50’s, had recently lost some of her mental abilities. A neighbor called Tom when she was unable to get through to the county animal control officer; The neighbor who had called Shawn said the cats belonging to the lady, Minnie, had been loose in the yard.
When Shawn and Jillian arrived at Minnie’s, the back porch door was open and the house door ajar; cats were wandering in the yard that were not among those that Minnie had had from Shawn’s shelter. Minnie ordered and kept cat food and cat litter used by her pets, but they found a huge quantity of shipping boxes that was more than just normal pet supplies. Boxes were stacked everywhere in the house. Minnie was nowhere to be found. Shawn found the body of a dead man in the house, who was identified only when the police arrived.
When Jillian had contacted Tom about the dead body, she learned that Minnie had been found wandering the street in her nightgown, carrying a tote bag. The hospital, where she was taken for a mental health check, learned she had a kitten in her tote and she wouldn’t relinquish it. Tom sent Jillian to meet Minnie and see if she could get the kitten. Jillian and Minnie bonded quickly with their love of cats, and Minnie allowed Jillian to take the adorable tuxedo kitten, Otto, home where she would care for him for Minnie. As Jillian was leaving, Minnie held out her wrists to the hospital staff in her room to put on the ‘cuffs, thinking she had killed the man in her house.
Heartache, furry snuggles, suspense and joy are woven through each page of The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer. I loved every minute of it, captivated from the very beginning until the final page, wondering how it was over so quickly!
Most of the characters, new and old, are warm, appealing and likable. Seeing the activities through Jillian’s eyes, she is the best known and most engaging. Shawn, Jillian’s step-daughter Kara, best friend/ Detective Candace, and Tom are almost as familiar. Minnie, her doctor, family members, and various potential suspects are also very well portrayed. The author writes lively, realistic dialogue. The cats, of course, are each unique, and take co-star billing in this tale, and I could picture them and their behaviors even as I snuggled up with my own while reading.
The plot was intriguing, with twists and u-turns that kept me challenged. The novel moved along at an even pace, and kept my attention throughout. There is the element of emotions driving some scenes, action in others. It was hard for me to settle on a motive, much less sort through the possible suspects and pick out just one. The bad guy/ gal definitely had me on my toes this time, and I was surprised when finding who he or she really was. All loose ends were tied up at the conclusion, and the resolution was heartwarming and satisfying.
The sub-genre of cozy mysteries this reader enjoys the most is that of pets, primarily cats. There are some cozy cat mysteries that grab my heart; this is one of a handful of series in which I want to return to not only to see how the characters are, but also the cats! The author’s knowledge of and love for cats as well as people shines through and her talent for writing is outstanding. It was interesting to read about care for the cat with diabetes, and I learned something I hadn’t known when caring for two cats with it. I highly recommend The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer to those who enjoy well-written, engaging cozy mysteries that include cats, delightful characters, and a challenging plot.
The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer
A Cats in Trouble Mystery, Book #8
By Leann Sweeney
ISBN 9780451477408
Author Website: leannsweeney.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She’s in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man.
Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game…(Goodreads)
Review:
This is a marvelous addition to the Cat’s in Trouble Mystery series! Each one is better than the last, and if you have missed part of the series, it is easy to jump into this one with both feet and enjoy it.
As a cat lover and a woman who has a knack to listen to others and respond with kindness, Jillian Hart is often invited into interesting situations. Between those and his job, there are times that newlyweds Jillian and her hubby, Police Chief Tom Steward are hard-pressed to find time together. Jillian volunteers frequently at the local cat sanctuary operated by Shawn, and the life of most police chiefs in small towns is not their own when there are crises.
Jillian went with Shawn to the home of a lady who had several cats that were loved, typically well-cared for, and kept inside. The lady, in her 50’s, had recently lost some of her mental abilities. A neighbor called Tom when she was unable to get through to the county animal control officer; The neighbor who had called Shawn said the cats belonging to the lady, Minnie, had been loose in the yard.
When Shawn and Jillian arrived at Minnie’s, the back porch door was open and the house door ajar; cats were wandering in the yard that were not among those that Minnie had had from Shawn’s shelter. Minnie ordered and kept cat food and cat litter used by her pets, but they found a huge quantity of shipping boxes that was more than just normal pet supplies. Boxes were stacked everywhere in the house. Minnie was nowhere to be found. Shawn found the body of a dead man in the house, who was identified only when the police arrived.
When Jillian had contacted Tom about the dead body, she learned that Minnie had been found wandering the street in her nightgown, carrying a tote bag. The hospital, where she was taken for a mental health check, learned she had a kitten in her tote and she wouldn’t relinquish it. Tom sent Jillian to meet Minnie and see if she could get the kitten. Jillian and Minnie bonded quickly with their love of cats, and Minnie allowed Jillian to take the adorable tuxedo kitten, Otto, home where she would care for him for Minnie. As Jillian was leaving, Minnie held out her wrists to the hospital staff in her room to put on the ‘cuffs, thinking she had killed the man in her house.
Heartache, furry snuggles, suspense and joy are woven through each page of The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer. I loved every minute of it, captivated from the very beginning until the final page, wondering how it was over so quickly!
Most of the characters, new and old, are warm, appealing and likable. Seeing the activities through Jillian’s eyes, she is the best known and most engaging. Shawn, Jillian’s step-daughter Kara, best friend/ Detective Candace, and Tom are almost as familiar. Minnie, her doctor, family members, and various potential suspects are also very well portrayed. The author writes lively, realistic dialogue. The cats, of course, are each unique, and take co-star billing in this tale, and I could picture them and their behaviors even as I snuggled up with my own while reading.
The plot was intriguing, with twists and u-turns that kept me challenged. The novel moved along at an even pace, and kept my attention throughout. There is the element of emotions driving some scenes, action in others. It was hard for me to settle on a motive, much less sort through the possible suspects and pick out just one. The bad guy/ gal definitely had me on my toes this time, and I was surprised when finding who he or she really was. All loose ends were tied up at the conclusion, and the resolution was heartwarming and satisfying.
The sub-genre of cozy mysteries this reader enjoys the most is that of pets, primarily cats. There are some cozy cat mysteries that grab my heart; this is one of a handful of series in which I want to return to not only to see how the characters are, but also the cats! The author’s knowledge of and love for cats as well as people shines through and her talent for writing is outstanding. It was interesting to read about care for the cat with diabetes, and I learned something I hadn’t known when caring for two cats with it. I highly recommend The Cat, the Collector, and the Killer to those who enjoy well-written, engaging cozy mysteries that include cats, delightful characters, and a challenging plot.
August 13, 2019
Pleasant but a bit childish. A 70 year old police officer says things like, "Gosh, darn". Police seem rather slow and need an amateur to help them.
May 9, 2018
Still in newlywed mode, Jillian responds to a call requesting help with a confused patient, found wandering through the town in her nightgown, clutching a tote bag that contained a tiny kitten. Jillian is able to convince the woman to give her the kitten, and then when she goes to her home with Shawn, they are shocked to discover how many other cats are there, as well as tons and tons of shipping boxes. But even more startling is their discovery of the dead body! Jillian once again finds herself in the middle of things that may help husband/temporary police chief Tom solve the murder, but also could put her in danger. I enjoyed Jillian's discrete handling of the addled woman, and liked the new characters of Brenda and Peyton that were introduced...hopefully we will see them return in future stories. And of course, Jillian's cat crew are always a delight--makes one wish for their own cat cam to see and talk with our furry friends.
February 9, 2019
This book was a little more complicated and a bit more difficult to figure out how it would be resolved. It keeps you guessing. The author's attention to detail gives the reader the chance to know the main characters better and makes the story more believable. An easy, but enjoyable read.
August 26, 2016
This is a purringly fun cozy. My rating 4.5.
Jillian is enjoying her newly married life with Tom. Tom is acting police chief in a small town. Jillian makes cat quilts and cares for her many cats plus the one that Tom brought to the house.
The local animal sanctuary owner, Shawn, calls early one morning asking for Tom’s help. Shawn had been called to come rescue some cats that had gotten out of a neighbor’s house. The cats belonged to Minnie, a widowed lady who collected cats (not a hoarder, though). Shawn was concerned that he couldn’t reach Minnie on the phone but he was afraid to go to her house alone. His reluctance was due to a restraining order obtained against Shawn by his nemesis, Chester, the county animal control officer.
Jillian offers to go with Shawn and they arrived to discover the cats outside and the house open. When they went in, looking for Minnie, they found a dead body instead. Not only that but the house, although clean and orderly, is jammed with boxes of purchased items. A confused Minnie is later found wandering downtown in her nightgown with a kitten in her bag.
Jillian is called in by the hospital to try to get Minnie to release the kitten. Jillian meets the lady psychologist who is trying to help Minnie who has become the prime suspect in the murder. Squabbling family members appear and the lady doctor is in a bad accident. Jillian is determined to prove Minnie’s innocence and to figure out the mystery of the boxes and her new friend’s accident, which wasn’t so accidental after all. Jillian needs to sort out the clues, while taking care of the cats, and keeping herself out of trouble if she can.
I found Jillian, Tom and the secondary characters to be lovely, natural people. The plot provides a couple of suspects and although the clues lead to a fairly clear conclusion there are some twists that are a good reveal late in the story. Of course I liked the cat elements and Jillian’s cat camera to check on her furry babies when she was out of the house for a long time.
The story reads easily and lives up to the genre of “cozy mystery”. This is apparently an eighth book in the series but read fine as a stand-alone. I liked it enough to want to get earlier books to enjoy when I want a light, quick cozy read. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries… and cats!
I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.
Jillian is enjoying her newly married life with Tom. Tom is acting police chief in a small town. Jillian makes cat quilts and cares for her many cats plus the one that Tom brought to the house.
The local animal sanctuary owner, Shawn, calls early one morning asking for Tom’s help. Shawn had been called to come rescue some cats that had gotten out of a neighbor’s house. The cats belonged to Minnie, a widowed lady who collected cats (not a hoarder, though). Shawn was concerned that he couldn’t reach Minnie on the phone but he was afraid to go to her house alone. His reluctance was due to a restraining order obtained against Shawn by his nemesis, Chester, the county animal control officer.
Jillian offers to go with Shawn and they arrived to discover the cats outside and the house open. When they went in, looking for Minnie, they found a dead body instead. Not only that but the house, although clean and orderly, is jammed with boxes of purchased items. A confused Minnie is later found wandering downtown in her nightgown with a kitten in her bag.
Jillian is called in by the hospital to try to get Minnie to release the kitten. Jillian meets the lady psychologist who is trying to help Minnie who has become the prime suspect in the murder. Squabbling family members appear and the lady doctor is in a bad accident. Jillian is determined to prove Minnie’s innocence and to figure out the mystery of the boxes and her new friend’s accident, which wasn’t so accidental after all. Jillian needs to sort out the clues, while taking care of the cats, and keeping herself out of trouble if she can.
I found Jillian, Tom and the secondary characters to be lovely, natural people. The plot provides a couple of suspects and although the clues lead to a fairly clear conclusion there are some twists that are a good reveal late in the story. Of course I liked the cat elements and Jillian’s cat camera to check on her furry babies when she was out of the house for a long time.
The story reads easily and lives up to the genre of “cozy mystery”. This is apparently an eighth book in the series but read fine as a stand-alone. I liked it enough to want to get earlier books to enjoy when I want a light, quick cozy read. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries… and cats!
I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.
August 17, 2016
It's not because we are 'sisters in arms'(hint: we both managed to mess our shoulders about the same time and refuse to do surgery)! But I am so in love with this series and know that while painful, it is of utmost importance to be thankful for a computer keyboard vs a typewriter board to get the word out.
This latest installment #8 in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries) find us reuniting with newlyweds Jillian and Tom(the acting Police Chief of Mercy, SC) coming to the aid of their friend and shelter manager Sean-who is currently embroiled in a difference of opinion with the local animal control officer. Then a call comes in that finds a woman walking the streets of Mercy in her nightgown carrying a kitten in a tote bag.
The woman is identified and a quick visit to her home reveals what looks like a warehouse packed with boxes and a multitude of cats. Upon further inspection, a deceased body is found in one of the bedrooms. Jillian quickly call her husband to report their findings, and Tom quickly dispatches two of his officers to inspect the premises. Sean and Jillian at the same time prioritize the removal of the cats to his local sanctuary. This is just scratching the surface. The wandering woman is brought to the hospital and found to possibly be in a state of confusion and assigned to a wonderful mental health advocate..from there we are off to the races, with the what , who and why and as a bonus, Jillian gets to take home the kitty, Otto for safe keeping separated from her own crew.
Malicious mayhem continues to escalate with the usual turf wars between jurisdictions, siblings vs siblings and a labyrinth of suspects, familial disputes and connections to be sorted out. This is one of the best installments of the series so far and I look forward to the next coming out in 2017!
This latest installment #8 in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries) find us reuniting with newlyweds Jillian and Tom(the acting Police Chief of Mercy, SC) coming to the aid of their friend and shelter manager Sean-who is currently embroiled in a difference of opinion with the local animal control officer. Then a call comes in that finds a woman walking the streets of Mercy in her nightgown carrying a kitten in a tote bag.
The woman is identified and a quick visit to her home reveals what looks like a warehouse packed with boxes and a multitude of cats. Upon further inspection, a deceased body is found in one of the bedrooms. Jillian quickly call her husband to report their findings, and Tom quickly dispatches two of his officers to inspect the premises. Sean and Jillian at the same time prioritize the removal of the cats to his local sanctuary. This is just scratching the surface. The wandering woman is brought to the hospital and found to possibly be in a state of confusion and assigned to a wonderful mental health advocate..from there we are off to the races, with the what , who and why and as a bonus, Jillian gets to take home the kitty, Otto for safe keeping separated from her own crew.
Malicious mayhem continues to escalate with the usual turf wars between jurisdictions, siblings vs siblings and a labyrinth of suspects, familial disputes and connections to be sorted out. This is one of the best installments of the series so far and I look forward to the next coming out in 2017!
January 26, 2019
I loved this book. These characters feel like friends to me. Jillian is a warm person with a big heart.
Throughout this series she has rescued Cats in Trouble as well as people in trouble. In this book, we see her with the family she created. One of the reasons I love this book is that it may be the last in the series. Even though there is a teaser chapter at the end of the book, the book described was never completed "The Cat, the Boy and the Bones" which is listed as available in October 2017. According to the author's website, she has been ill and unable to write. I sympathize greatly with her and I mourn that I will probably never get to read the book started there.
I went on to read another series by the author: The Yellow Rose Mystery. I liked them, but they do not touch me the way the Cats in Trouble series does.
Throughout this series she has rescued Cats in Trouble as well as people in trouble. In this book, we see her with the family she created. One of the reasons I love this book is that it may be the last in the series. Even though there is a teaser chapter at the end of the book, the book described was never completed "The Cat, the Boy and the Bones" which is listed as available in October 2017. According to the author's website, she has been ill and unable to write. I sympathize greatly with her and I mourn that I will probably never get to read the book started there.
I went on to read another series by the author: The Yellow Rose Mystery. I liked them, but they do not touch me the way the Cats in Trouble series does.
July 28, 2016
I finished reading The Cat, The Collector and the Killer by Leann Sweeney. Book 8 in the Cats in Trouble Mystery series hooked me from page one! I have not read every book in this series and it was really easy to understand who everyone was and their relationships. I felt a kinship already to main character Jillian and her clowder of cats! I love the way Leann writes you can tell she is a true cat person and it shows in the way she describes each cat and kitten. The mystery is compelling and intertwined nicely. I felt engaged in the story and a part of the team! Readers and fans of this series are going to be delighted with Leann Sweeney and The Cat, The Collector, and the Killer!
September 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this mystery with its many twists and turns. The is a lot happening and plenty of characters to line up as suspects. I especially enjoyed how Leann slowly unraveled the mystery as with each chapter the characters revealed a little bit more. The small town of Mercy, South Carolina must be crawling with cats and unsolved murders! Great series.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2021
I am devastated. I've FINISHED THE SERIES, to date. "The Cat, the Boy, and the Bones" should have come out in October of this year, but isn't out yet! I'll be stalking my new release site for this one!
And I've re-read this series now, and still no sign of the new one. I hate that. This has been such a fun series for me. I so understand Jillian and her relationship with her cats. I'm still hopeful that at some point I can take another adventure with her.
And I've re-read this series now, and still no sign of the new one. I hate that. This has been such a fun series for me. I so understand Jillian and her relationship with her cats. I'm still hopeful that at some point I can take another adventure with her.
February 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. This is the second book in this series that I have listened to but it won't be my last, I love the way the author has made the cats such a huge focus of the story, there plight and there owner's certainly tugs at the heartstrings but I liked how it turned out in the end, a sweet and happy ending. There is so many different subjects tackled in this story like hoarding, alzheimer's, family relationships and of course a house full of cats, that it never got boring and it all comes together nicely in a well crafted plot. The mystery was good with what seems like two cases and although I had guessed who was responsible it was still good to be proved right and I liked piecing the clues together of a scattered mind. Even though the mystery was what attracted me to the series I think it is the characters that has me wanting to return. Jillian is a great main character, whose big heart gets her into trouble but we love her anyway. The author also shows a good understanding of cats (as we as human relationships) and I found mystery laughing over a number of simular traits that my cat shows.
Jillian is asked to help out Sean, her friend who runs a cat shelter. He has been phoned by a neighbour of an elderly woman who's inside cats seem to be roaming free and nobody has seen her. He asks for Jillian's help because the cat warden has a restraining order against him and he might also show up. They arrive to find not just the seven cats that they know about but several more than an elderly woman can cope with. The house is also full of boxes and they need to clear a path to find her, instead they find the cat catcher dead. Did the little old lady kill him? And if she did where is she? She is quickly found wandering around the streets in her night clothes clutching a kitten that she won't let go. Jillian known as the cat lady is asked to talk to her and she soon learns that everything is not right with the elderly patient and there is no way she could kill anyone. When the doctor in charge of her care is run off the road, Jillian and her step daughter Kara can't help but try to help both families. Can they get to the bottom of the car accident and the murder?
I liked the narrator. She was a pleasure to listen to and I liked the unique voices she used for the characters.
Jillian is asked to help out Sean, her friend who runs a cat shelter. He has been phoned by a neighbour of an elderly woman who's inside cats seem to be roaming free and nobody has seen her. He asks for Jillian's help because the cat warden has a restraining order against him and he might also show up. They arrive to find not just the seven cats that they know about but several more than an elderly woman can cope with. The house is also full of boxes and they need to clear a path to find her, instead they find the cat catcher dead. Did the little old lady kill him? And if she did where is she? She is quickly found wandering around the streets in her night clothes clutching a kitten that she won't let go. Jillian known as the cat lady is asked to talk to her and she soon learns that everything is not right with the elderly patient and there is no way she could kill anyone. When the doctor in charge of her care is run off the road, Jillian and her step daughter Kara can't help but try to help both families. Can they get to the bottom of the car accident and the murder?
I liked the narrator. She was a pleasure to listen to and I liked the unique voices she used for the characters.
February 24, 2018
Jillian's life is going smoothly. She's enjoying her status as a newlywed, her cats, and her quilting business. When the town's eccentric cat lady is found wandering the streets in her nightgown, with a kitten in a tote bag, a search of her home leads to the discovery of a dead body. Minnie Schultz seems far too frail to have killed a man, and soon the police are searching for more clues. Their investigation is hampered by the dozens of boxes stacked in the house, as well as far more cats that she was known to have owned. Jillian gets involved when she agrees to help remove the cats from the premises, and she's also the one tabbed to go to the hospital and retrieve the kitten Minnie had with her.
While Jillian's husband, Tom, investigates from a police angle, Jillian helps out by keeping her eyes and ears open. After Minnie's doctor, a psychiatrist, is run off the road and badly injured, it becomes apparent that there's far more going on here than a simple case of hoarding.
Very good story. I enjoyed Jillian's interactions with other characters, including familiar ones and new ones. It took me until late in the book, but I figured out who the culprit was. Woo! Other things bothered me, though:
The character of Lydia Monk is becoming ever more absurd, and I don't know why Jillian doesn't take out a restraining order against her. Or, punch her in the face.
I was a bit baffled that Jillian kept her first husband's name, instead of taking Tom's last name. She could at least have hyphenated the two together.
Did Tom sleep at all during this story?
And lastly, the climax of the story occurred at Jillian's house, where, once again, someone broke in and she was in mortal danger. How the hell many times can one person's house get broken into?! Maybe she needs to add a big dog to her menagerie for protection.
Giving it four stars. It could have made five but for one bad apple of a character, and the "lather, rinse, repeat" ending.
While Jillian's husband, Tom, investigates from a police angle, Jillian helps out by keeping her eyes and ears open. After Minnie's doctor, a psychiatrist, is run off the road and badly injured, it becomes apparent that there's far more going on here than a simple case of hoarding.
Very good story. I enjoyed Jillian's interactions with other characters, including familiar ones and new ones. It took me until late in the book, but I figured out who the culprit was. Woo! Other things bothered me, though:
The character of Lydia Monk is becoming ever more absurd, and I don't know why Jillian doesn't take out a restraining order against her. Or, punch her in the face.
I was a bit baffled that Jillian kept her first husband's name, instead of taking Tom's last name. She could at least have hyphenated the two together.
Did Tom sleep at all during this story?
And lastly, the climax of the story occurred at Jillian's house, where, once again, someone broke in and she was in mortal danger. How the hell many times can one person's house get broken into?! Maybe she needs to add a big dog to her menagerie for protection.
Giving it four stars. It could have made five but for one bad apple of a character, and the "lather, rinse, repeat" ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2018
From the cover: Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She's in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man. Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game.
Nice little cozy mystery that also includes adorable cats. The cats do not take a lead in helping to solve the murder, but are present throughout the story. I like how the author includes information about cats and their, at times, quirky antics. Jillian is a great character. She is now married to the acting police chief, but still cares for cats and makes blankets/quilts for them. She also is a very compassionate person always willing to help others. She, as in many cozy mysteries, assist the police in solving the murder.
This was a very good cozy mystery filled with twists and turns throughout the book. The different subplots (if I can call them that) slowly were merged together to weave a very good story. Everything came together at the end. The killer was not too obvious at the beginning. I figured out who the killer was about half way through the book. Even with that it still is an excellent read.
Nice little cozy mystery that also includes adorable cats. The cats do not take a lead in helping to solve the murder, but are present throughout the story. I like how the author includes information about cats and their, at times, quirky antics. Jillian is a great character. She is now married to the acting police chief, but still cares for cats and makes blankets/quilts for them. She also is a very compassionate person always willing to help others. She, as in many cozy mysteries, assist the police in solving the murder.
This was a very good cozy mystery filled with twists and turns throughout the book. The different subplots (if I can call them that) slowly were merged together to weave a very good story. Everything came together at the end. The killer was not too obvious at the beginning. I figured out who the killer was about half way through the book. Even with that it still is an excellent read.
May 20, 2018
This last installment in the “cats in trouble“ has been a great end to a wonderful series. I was extremely engaged in the plot and have enjoyed getting to know all the characters over the past few years. In this final book, they would confuse woman is found wandering with a kitten in her purse well back in her own home there was a dead man and more than the usual number of cats. Of course Candace was her usual evidence obsessed self which is what helped crack the case in the end of course. Tom was also a wonderful character and “dream husband“ all of the other supporting characters were also enjoyable it was great to watch their stories wrap up. I like to Jillian just as much as I always have and I think I’m going to miss her. Regardless I’m looking forward to finding other books by the same author and reading them as well.
October 26, 2018
I really enjoy this series and this one was just as good of a read. The only quibble I had with this was the standard cozy mystery ending. You know the one, where the killer shows up in the third to last chapter to kill the detective. I think they do it to add a bit of excitement but you know that they are not going to kill her. Especially as they included a preview of the next book and I'm sure the detective is not going to be a ghost in it. Over all I really like all the main characters and how their personalities and their relationships grow and change over the series. It makes them seem more realistic and less cozy cardboard cutout so many other series characters are. I will be reading the next one.
January 27, 2020
Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She's in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man. Evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, but Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game.
This is a fun series that appears to have ended. The book had a preview for the next novel, but it evidently was never published.
This is a fun series that appears to have ended. The book had a preview for the next novel, but it evidently was never published.
April 7, 2018
I read this book out of sequence so there were a few gaps in the characters development. However, this book was a quick moving story.
Elderly lady found wandering in the street in her pyjamas carrying a kitten, while a dead man lays in her home. The home is piled high with shipping boxes.
The elderly ladies estranged family shows up, her dr is run off the road.
MC adds two more cats to her crowder while the elderly lady recovers...mystery solved and cats reunited with elderly lady while she recuperates at home.
Elderly lady found wandering in the street in her pyjamas carrying a kitten, while a dead man lays in her home. The home is piled high with shipping boxes.
The elderly ladies estranged family shows up, her dr is run off the road.
MC adds two more cats to her crowder while the elderly lady recovers...mystery solved and cats reunited with elderly lady while she recuperates at home.
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