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Maggie Dahl Mystery #1
Black Cat White Paws
In Black Cat White Paws, recently widowed Maggie Dahl finds herself faced with challenges on all life alone in a new town, running a business she and her husband had dreamed of and started together, and now pursuing a killer. Her sister Gerri moves from Philadelphia to Lambertville, New Jersey, to support her sister and start a new life of her own. Together the women search for a murderer, helped in critical ways by their neighbor’s cat. A black cat with white paws. A cat whose independence sets it all in motion and sees it through to the end. Black Cat White Paws finds Maggie moving from New York City to Lambertville, an idyllic river town with artists, restaurants, incredible landscapes, and enough local characters to populate a murder mystery. Join Maggie, Gerri, Checks the cat, and a cast of colorful small town natives just as eager—and as shocked—to find a killer in their midst.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2018
59 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Mark McNease
53 books118 followersI've been writing as M.A. McNease as well - not a pen name, it's my initials. Books under M.A. McNease include 'I, Warlock,' 'A House in the Woods (1 and 2)', and 'Hell to Pay' (a two-book volume of both House in the Woods books).
I'm the author of the Kyle Callahan Mysteries, two of which have been best sellers on Kindle. In 2022 I released the second Maggie Dahl Mystery, 'Open Secrets,' with Maggie pursuing another killer in sleepy Lambertville, NJ.
My Detective Linda mystery, 'Last Room at the Cliff's Edge', was released in September, 2016, and called a winner by Publishers Weekly. I released the first Marshall James thriller, 'Murder at the Paisley Parrot', in 2017, followed by 'Beautiful Corpse,' 'Final Audition,' and most recently 'Night Flight to Murder Town' in 2025.
'Black Cat White Paws: A Maggie Dahl Mystery' was released in 2018, followed by 'Open Secrets.'
I have 10 audiobooks currently available (Audible, Amazon, various retailers). My short story 'Stop the Car' was selected as a Kindle Single and is now an audiobook narrated by the amazing Braden Wright. It was selected twice to be included in the Amazon Prime reading library.
For old time's sake I also have two Emmys for Outstanding Children's Program for 'Into the Outdoors', a television show I co-created and wrote for two years that is now in its 17th year.
I live in the New Jersey woods with my husband, Frank, and our two cats, Wilma and James.
You can find me at my website, MarkMcNease.com.
I'm the author of the Kyle Callahan Mysteries, two of which have been best sellers on Kindle. In 2022 I released the second Maggie Dahl Mystery, 'Open Secrets,' with Maggie pursuing another killer in sleepy Lambertville, NJ.
My Detective Linda mystery, 'Last Room at the Cliff's Edge', was released in September, 2016, and called a winner by Publishers Weekly. I released the first Marshall James thriller, 'Murder at the Paisley Parrot', in 2017, followed by 'Beautiful Corpse,' 'Final Audition,' and most recently 'Night Flight to Murder Town' in 2025.
'Black Cat White Paws: A Maggie Dahl Mystery' was released in 2018, followed by 'Open Secrets.'
I have 10 audiobooks currently available (Audible, Amazon, various retailers). My short story 'Stop the Car' was selected as a Kindle Single and is now an audiobook narrated by the amazing Braden Wright. It was selected twice to be included in the Amazon Prime reading library.
For old time's sake I also have two Emmys for Outstanding Children's Program for 'Into the Outdoors', a television show I co-created and wrote for two years that is now in its 17th year.
I live in the New Jersey woods with my husband, Frank, and our two cats, Wilma and James.
You can find me at my website, MarkMcNease.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2019
Maggie Gets A Familiar
Before their dream of opening a jam store could come true her husband woke up dead. But efforts had been solidly under way and Maggie thought pushing through was the best tribute she could pay to her years of love and marriage. She's on her way to work when she finds her next door neighbor, borderline "Crazy Cat Lady," wandering around Maggie's living room in search of one of her cats. Twelve hours later Maggie finds the cat but discovers his owner dead. Murdered. In traditional cozy style she sets about tracking clues, becoming involved in the tragedies of yesteryear, annoying the police, and putting herself in harm's way. Topping it all off with catnip? narration by Holly Palance, who voices Maggie exactly as I would expect her to sound.
Before their dream of opening a jam store could come true her husband woke up dead. But efforts had been solidly under way and Maggie thought pushing through was the best tribute she could pay to her years of love and marriage. She's on her way to work when she finds her next door neighbor, borderline "Crazy Cat Lady," wandering around Maggie's living room in search of one of her cats. Twelve hours later Maggie finds the cat but discovers his owner dead. Murdered. In traditional cozy style she sets about tracking clues, becoming involved in the tragedies of yesteryear, annoying the police, and putting herself in harm's way. Topping it all off with catnip? narration by Holly Palance, who voices Maggie exactly as I would expect her to sound.
June 27, 2018
I was given a copy of this book by the author.
I enjoyed Black Cat White Paws by Mark McNease, The story kept me reading and I did not pick the ending or the culprit. It is well written and well edited. The cat does not have an supernatural powers nor does it solve the crime or apprehend the villain, which pleased me no end. That's all up to Maggie. Her sister, Gerri, does play a small part but she is a character I am yet to warm too.
I am very curious about the police sergeant. There's something that he is hiding, I feel.
I will definitely be reading the next book when it is written.
I enjoyed Black Cat White Paws by Mark McNease, The story kept me reading and I did not pick the ending or the culprit. It is well written and well edited. The cat does not have an supernatural powers nor does it solve the crime or apprehend the villain, which pleased me no end. That's all up to Maggie. Her sister, Gerri, does play a small part but she is a character I am yet to warm too.
I am very curious about the police sergeant. There's something that he is hiding, I feel.
I will definitely be reading the next book when it is written.
October 23, 2018
Why is it during a murder mystery book so many main character's do incredibly stupid things? Why is it they can never seem to just let the police do their job? I guess it wouldn't be much of a murder mystery book without this but still...
The circumstances in this book contain so much pain with each layer of the story a new tragedy a new hurt is revealed. It was impossible not to want a resolution to the story, to not want the characters closure around their circumstances.
I found myself both exasperated by the characters being truly stupid in investigating the crimes themselves and caught up in the investigation and the clues that are being revealed. The story is skillfully told it shows evidence of lots of planning to make everything come out correctly at the end.
The book is creative, well written, and has a engaging cast of characters including a rather lovely cat who has a surprisingly large role in the story.
The narration is well done I enjoyed the character voices they are clear easy to recognize and gender appropriate. The delivery is smooth well-paced and matches the style of the writing.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
The circumstances in this book contain so much pain with each layer of the story a new tragedy a new hurt is revealed. It was impossible not to want a resolution to the story, to not want the characters closure around their circumstances.
I found myself both exasperated by the characters being truly stupid in investigating the crimes themselves and caught up in the investigation and the clues that are being revealed. The story is skillfully told it shows evidence of lots of planning to make everything come out correctly at the end.
The book is creative, well written, and has a engaging cast of characters including a rather lovely cat who has a surprisingly large role in the story.
The narration is well done I enjoyed the character voices they are clear easy to recognize and gender appropriate. The delivery is smooth well-paced and matches the style of the writing.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
June 27, 2018
Time, secrets and crimes
Loved it. A really down to earth read that really has the feeling that this could have really happened. Moving to a new town, starting a new business was a dream for the couple. Until the husband died. Now it is a dream that she is carrying on. The morning started like every other until she found a neighbour inside her house. The local "cat" lady. Things got further out of sync when her sister arrived early (she decided to move in for "company"), and then finding the neighbour dead. Why would someone kill the harmless woman? Was she really as harmless as she made out? What secrets are hiding in the past and did they all start with the disappearance of the 12 year old 10 years ago? A great plot with a sleuth that really has no idea how to look for the truth but has an unquenchable need for it. Terrific down to earth characters make this a great read.
Loved it. A really down to earth read that really has the feeling that this could have really happened. Moving to a new town, starting a new business was a dream for the couple. Until the husband died. Now it is a dream that she is carrying on. The morning started like every other until she found a neighbour inside her house. The local "cat" lady. Things got further out of sync when her sister arrived early (she decided to move in for "company"), and then finding the neighbour dead. Why would someone kill the harmless woman? Was she really as harmless as she made out? What secrets are hiding in the past and did they all start with the disappearance of the 12 year old 10 years ago? A great plot with a sleuth that really has no idea how to look for the truth but has an unquenchable need for it. Terrific down to earth characters make this a great read.
October 12, 2018
This was a little dry and not especially cozy, although all the trimmings were there: a friendly small town, with a newcomer starting her life over, opening a jam shop, and being adopted by a cat. Maggie moved to town with her husband, who died suddenly a few months ago. She hasn't gotten over it. They had a good marriage. The jam shop had been her husband's idea, but she is going ahead with it.
Maggie's sister Gerri arrives for a "visit" that she plans to extend indefinitely. Already I'm wincing, and the murder hasn't even occurred yet. Gerri assumes she can help Maggie cope with her loss, but she immediately starts a social life, which isn't much help to Maggie.
Alice is Maggie's nosy next-door neighbor. She has seven cats, and wanders into Maggie's house without an invitation looking for one of them - the titular black cat with white paws, Checks. Later, Checks shows up at Maggie's house trying to get her attention, leading her to Alice's body.
I will admit that I did not figure out who did it until the very end, when Maggie did. That's a strong point for this book. It was hard for me to visualize Maggie or Gerri; they were two-dimensional for me. The setting was more relatable. I frequently go to a jam shop much like the one Maggie is opening, and I love it and always spend way too much money there.
I will probably read the next book in the series, when it comes. I think the characters may develop a little more as they go on.
Maggie's sister Gerri arrives for a "visit" that she plans to extend indefinitely. Already I'm wincing, and the murder hasn't even occurred yet. Gerri assumes she can help Maggie cope with her loss, but she immediately starts a social life, which isn't much help to Maggie.
Alice is Maggie's nosy next-door neighbor. She has seven cats, and wanders into Maggie's house without an invitation looking for one of them - the titular black cat with white paws, Checks. Later, Checks shows up at Maggie's house trying to get her attention, leading her to Alice's body.
I will admit that I did not figure out who did it until the very end, when Maggie did. That's a strong point for this book. It was hard for me to visualize Maggie or Gerri; they were two-dimensional for me. The setting was more relatable. I frequently go to a jam shop much like the one Maggie is opening, and I love it and always spend way too much money there.
I will probably read the next book in the series, when it comes. I think the characters may develop a little more as they go on.
October 14, 2018
I love mysteries but cats are not really my fav. But this book sounded good and I thought I would give it a try. I am so happy I did. I really enjoyed this mystery and will be reading more in this series and by this author. This is the first in this new series Maggie Dahl Mysteries. Maggie is a really engaging character. Someone who you would like to meet. Holly Palance is the narrator and she is wonderful. I hope she will continue with the rest of the series. I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.
July 12, 2018
My kind of mystery
I enjoyed this book so much. I felt as if I knew Maggie and her sister and I really loved their interactions. I was surprised by the ending and that doesn’t usually happen. Of course I love cats too so this book had everything for me. I’m looking forward to more antics from Checks as he helps Maggie get on with her life.
I enjoyed this book so much. I felt as if I knew Maggie and her sister and I really loved their interactions. I was surprised by the ending and that doesn’t usually happen. Of course I love cats too so this book had everything for me. I’m looking forward to more antics from Checks as he helps Maggie get on with her life.
July 25, 2018
This was a give away from Amazon. If you enjoyed the Laura Childs Tea Shop mysteries you'll like the Maggie Dahl mysteries. Characters are easy to get to know and be comfortable with. Nice way to spend a cozy relaxed reading session.
October 31, 2019
( Format : Audiobook)
"Don't do anything stupid."
Maggie is a relative newcomer to Lanbertsville, New Jersey. She and her husband had moved there to open a jam business only months before but before the old house they had bought was fully renovated, or the business launched, David had died, leaving Maggie to continue alone. Her neighbour, Alice, had a reputation of being mad: a cat loving lady who tended to wander. And the morning of the day that Maggie's sister arrived to stay with her, to her horror Alice wandered into Maggie's living room looking for a missing cat. Later that evening, the cat is retrieved by the sisters and Maggie takes it home, only to find Alice dead on her kitchen floor.
Urged on initially by her sister and the rediscovery of the little black and white cat, Maggie starts to investigate the murder with all of the subtlety and tact of a bull in a china shop. Lots of gossip in a small town. Her choices are cringeworthy, but her relationship with her sister is brilliantly portrayed. And whilst Maggie is silly, flustered and still grieving her David, her more flamboyant sister is fun. They make a good team. Well written to bring out both character and dialogue, their joint household, now including a cat, is nicely portrayed, and has a reality which makes the reader almost part of the family. Holly Pallance narrates, her mellow and personable voice reading at a brisk but beautifully clear pace, with good intonation, understanding and emotion, and a hint of laughter beneath the surface. It is an excellent performance and, although there is no differentiation between the protagonists voices, this doesn't matter in the slightest as the reading is so good. She is a new narrator to add to my list of the best of the best.
I am very fortunate in that the rights holder of Black Cat White Paws, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, at my request via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The murder mystery, of course, was there to solve, plus the link to another crime of ten years before, so good for Armchair sleuths as Maggie noses around. The relationship between the sisters was wonderful, amusing, and somehow very real. And there was a cat, nothing supernatural there, just a cat, but one which plays a significant part. And yes, I admit it, I'm a sucker for cats. So I loved it all and enthusiastically recommended it. I hope that there will be more to come in this Maggie Dahl series.
"Don't do anything stupid."
Maggie is a relative newcomer to Lanbertsville, New Jersey. She and her husband had moved there to open a jam business only months before but before the old house they had bought was fully renovated, or the business launched, David had died, leaving Maggie to continue alone. Her neighbour, Alice, had a reputation of being mad: a cat loving lady who tended to wander. And the morning of the day that Maggie's sister arrived to stay with her, to her horror Alice wandered into Maggie's living room looking for a missing cat. Later that evening, the cat is retrieved by the sisters and Maggie takes it home, only to find Alice dead on her kitchen floor.
Urged on initially by her sister and the rediscovery of the little black and white cat, Maggie starts to investigate the murder with all of the subtlety and tact of a bull in a china shop. Lots of gossip in a small town. Her choices are cringeworthy, but her relationship with her sister is brilliantly portrayed. And whilst Maggie is silly, flustered and still grieving her David, her more flamboyant sister is fun. They make a good team. Well written to bring out both character and dialogue, their joint household, now including a cat, is nicely portrayed, and has a reality which makes the reader almost part of the family. Holly Pallance narrates, her mellow and personable voice reading at a brisk but beautifully clear pace, with good intonation, understanding and emotion, and a hint of laughter beneath the surface. It is an excellent performance and, although there is no differentiation between the protagonists voices, this doesn't matter in the slightest as the reading is so good. She is a new narrator to add to my list of the best of the best.
I am very fortunate in that the rights holder of Black Cat White Paws, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, at my request via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The murder mystery, of course, was there to solve, plus the link to another crime of ten years before, so good for Armchair sleuths as Maggie noses around. The relationship between the sisters was wonderful, amusing, and somehow very real. And there was a cat, nothing supernatural there, just a cat, but one which plays a significant part. And yes, I admit it, I'm a sucker for cats. So I loved it all and enthusiastically recommended it. I hope that there will be more to come in this Maggie Dahl series.
July 20, 2018
Maggie Dahl is a woman who has recently uprooted her entire life and moved from the city to a rural town to start her husband's dream of creating fascinating and unusual Jams, Jellies, and other tasty treats. She has moved into a home that needs a little TLC and left her adult son in the city to begin his independent life. Then, her husband dies.
Maggie wants to make a go of the shop, finish the house, and live that quiet life her husband craved. But on the evening her sister arrives to stay, Maggie finds her neighbor dead in the kitchen of her neighbor's home. Hoyt is the detective assigned to work the murder and he knows that statistics shows that the person who finds the body is often involved. Maggie adds to the suspicion by trying to investigate on her own, which irritates Hoyt.
Checks is a cat. He is black with white paws. He is one of several cats that her neighbor owned. He also gave the animal control the slip when they came for the cats at the dead woman's home.
And he seems to know something about the murder, has decided to adopt Maggie as his human, and has high blood pressure. He is a complication Maggie neither expected or wanted...
Slowly, the characters all begin to get to know each other. Can Checks purr his way into Maggie's heart? Would her sister stay or find husband #4? Can Maggie prove to Hoyt that she would never hurt anyone?
While I liked the book, I found it a little maudlin and not for the right reasons. This mystery was slow to start and dragged for the first 4 to 5 chapters. Maggie's recent widowhood is of greater focus than the murder or her investigation and I wish the author had toned it down with the grief. It is a mystery and that should have raised the Protagonist's curiosity above the minute by minute grief. That being said, once we get to the actual murder, and meet Det. Hoyt, things began to move more quickly and smooth out some.
I want to read the next in the series to see of Maggie continues to root in grief or if she begins to become more invested in mystery solving. Less grief, more mystery and sleuthing would easily raise this another star and perhaps more.
Maggie wants to make a go of the shop, finish the house, and live that quiet life her husband craved. But on the evening her sister arrives to stay, Maggie finds her neighbor dead in the kitchen of her neighbor's home. Hoyt is the detective assigned to work the murder and he knows that statistics shows that the person who finds the body is often involved. Maggie adds to the suspicion by trying to investigate on her own, which irritates Hoyt.
Checks is a cat. He is black with white paws. He is one of several cats that her neighbor owned. He also gave the animal control the slip when they came for the cats at the dead woman's home.
And he seems to know something about the murder, has decided to adopt Maggie as his human, and has high blood pressure. He is a complication Maggie neither expected or wanted...
Slowly, the characters all begin to get to know each other. Can Checks purr his way into Maggie's heart? Would her sister stay or find husband #4? Can Maggie prove to Hoyt that she would never hurt anyone?
While I liked the book, I found it a little maudlin and not for the right reasons. This mystery was slow to start and dragged for the first 4 to 5 chapters. Maggie's recent widowhood is of greater focus than the murder or her investigation and I wish the author had toned it down with the grief. It is a mystery and that should have raised the Protagonist's curiosity above the minute by minute grief. That being said, once we get to the actual murder, and meet Det. Hoyt, things began to move more quickly and smooth out some.
I want to read the next in the series to see of Maggie continues to root in grief or if she begins to become more invested in mystery solving. Less grief, more mystery and sleuthing would easily raise this another star and perhaps more.
October 12, 2019
This is the first book by this author I have read or listened to but I enjoyed both the story and the narrator, so it won't be my last. I did guess the ending but not the actual killer. I also liked the way the cat got the two sisters in trouble but did think as the book was sort of named after him (well a cat was on the cover) he would have played a bigger part or at least got them out of trouble. Either way it was still a good listen for any cozy mystery fan, this on included.
Maggie is coming to turns with her husband's death. While at the same trying to see his dream of owning a jam shop come to fruition and with her sister Gerri moving into help, the last thing she wants is to find her neighbour breaking into her house looking for a lost cat. If only it had stopped there. That same day Maggie stumbles over the body of her cat loving neighbour. The police don't seem to know where to start other than with Maggie. It could just be that her sister watches to many cop shows on tv or it could just be Maggie's curiosity but the pair decide that they have to solve the murder before the police arrest Maggie for the deed. As Maggie digs deeper in to her eccentric neighbours life she discovers that the sleep river side town she has moved to is anything but sleepy. Does curiosity only kill cats or as Gerri fears is Maggie putting her own life on the line?
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job with her easy style.
Maggie is coming to turns with her husband's death. While at the same trying to see his dream of owning a jam shop come to fruition and with her sister Gerri moving into help, the last thing she wants is to find her neighbour breaking into her house looking for a lost cat. If only it had stopped there. That same day Maggie stumbles over the body of her cat loving neighbour. The police don't seem to know where to start other than with Maggie. It could just be that her sister watches to many cop shows on tv or it could just be Maggie's curiosity but the pair decide that they have to solve the murder before the police arrest Maggie for the deed. As Maggie digs deeper in to her eccentric neighbours life she discovers that the sleep river side town she has moved to is anything but sleepy. Does curiosity only kill cats or as Gerri fears is Maggie putting her own life on the line?
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job with her easy style.
November 18, 2019
Maggie is a recently widowed woman who moved to Lanbertsville, New Jersey from the Big Apple with her husband in order to enjoy the "quiet life" and start a new business venture. Unfortunately with her husband's sudden passing she's suddenly staring down the barrel of something a bit different than what they initially envisioned, but is determined to see their dream through to fruition and finish the start-up of their new business.
When Maggie finds her neighbour murdered in her home after going to speak with her aboutChecks (her neighbour's cat), she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery as a person of interest. And of course in typical "novice detective" fashion decides to solve the mystery herself, tracking clues, getting in the way of the local police, and digging up details on a crime more than a decade old that may hold some clues to the present murder...
Overall, it wasn't a bad novel. It was decently written and everything, just... the ending bothered me. A lot. That whole situation that was revealed at the end was just over and done with far too quickly and the entire situation basically swept under the rug and I just felt that it didn't do justice to the victims. It was a situation where the repercussions would be immense and ongoing and just... nothing? No closure? The crime seemed so much more serious than your typical cozy mystery and for it to just be... over and done with so suddenly felt wrong to me :/
When Maggie finds her neighbour murdered in her home after going to speak with her aboutChecks (her neighbour's cat), she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery as a person of interest. And of course in typical "novice detective" fashion decides to solve the mystery herself, tracking clues, getting in the way of the local police, and digging up details on a crime more than a decade old that may hold some clues to the present murder...
Overall, it wasn't a bad novel. It was decently written and everything, just... the ending bothered me. A lot. That whole situation that was revealed at the end was just over and done with far too quickly and the entire situation basically swept under the rug and I just felt that it didn't do justice to the victims. It was a situation where the repercussions would be immense and ongoing and just... nothing? No closure? The crime seemed so much more serious than your typical cozy mystery and for it to just be... over and done with so suddenly felt wrong to me :/
November 14, 2022
An interesting read that held my attention through the end. Maggie and husband Peter relocate to a small town to start up a homemade jam and jelly business. Unexpectedly Peter dies in his sleep leaving Maggie to deal with setting up the new business and renovating the house on her own. Shortly after that, the crazy, nosey neighbor is found dead by Maggie. Maggie then adopts the neighbor's orphaned cat. If that isn't enough stress, Maggie's thrice divorced sister Gerri moves in with Maggie.
Mean while, there is the mystery of the neighbors death, and a decade old disappearance of a local youth that piques Maggie. Will Maggie and her entourage be able to solve these mysteries?
As convoluted and complicated as the plot seems, the story moved right along and held my attention to the end.
Mean while, there is the mystery of the neighbors death, and a decade old disappearance of a local youth that piques Maggie. Will Maggie and her entourage be able to solve these mysteries?
As convoluted and complicated as the plot seems, the story moved right along and held my attention to the end.
July 1, 2018
Clever who-dunnit set in Lambertville, NJ
Introducing Maggie Dahl, this murder mystery revolves around a recent NYC transplant, recent widow and new entrepreneur in the quaint riverside town. The reader is introduced to a cast of characters, including Checks the cat, who are developed well, with room for expansion in this, which feels like a successful series. An easy and charming read, it pulled me back each time I had to put it down to rest my eyes. Finished it with a smile on my face in a day.
The author provided me an advanced copy to read. This review is honest and unsolicited, and I look forward to reading more of Mrs Dahl's amateur sleuthing.
Introducing Maggie Dahl, this murder mystery revolves around a recent NYC transplant, recent widow and new entrepreneur in the quaint riverside town. The reader is introduced to a cast of characters, including Checks the cat, who are developed well, with room for expansion in this, which feels like a successful series. An easy and charming read, it pulled me back each time I had to put it down to rest my eyes. Finished it with a smile on my face in a day.
The author provided me an advanced copy to read. This review is honest and unsolicited, and I look forward to reading more of Mrs Dahl's amateur sleuthing.
July 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this Mystery. The kitty was a fun part in it too. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I've given it a 4.5* rating. This was a pretty interesting mystery with lots of twists and turns and plenty of suspects to go around. Maggie is one brave gal and likes to get answers to her questions. Since she is a widow, she can't seem to wait around for others to get to the bottom of it. Plus the Black kitty with white paws wants to be her friend. Alright, it likes her to feed him but much more.Had this finished for a couple days but had no phone or internet for 5 and 1/2 days. I want to read more of this author's work.
October 14, 2021
free ebook
her and her husband moved from ny to small town to open jam store. she woke to find her husband dead in bed. she went on with the opening of the store
her sister divorced husb #3 and moved in with her without asking
the lady across the street came into her house without knocking looking for her missing black and white cat. she found the lady dead in her kitchen after finding the cat
she kept after it trying to find who killed the lady across the street and it was the man from the hardware store who kidnapped a little girl 10 yrs ago and kept her captive in his basement, the lady with the cat found her so he killed her
her and her husband moved from ny to small town to open jam store. she woke to find her husband dead in bed. she went on with the opening of the store
her sister divorced husb #3 and moved in with her without asking
the lady across the street came into her house without knocking looking for her missing black and white cat. she found the lady dead in her kitchen after finding the cat
she kept after it trying to find who killed the lady across the street and it was the man from the hardware store who kidnapped a little girl 10 yrs ago and kept her captive in his basement, the lady with the cat found her so he killed her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2018
I got this book as a present, as I've always love Mr McNease writing, and this book did not dissappoint.
This is a truly engaging story, with characters and a story-line so down-to-earth tha you can believe is something that could easily happen to you.
The writing is atmospheric, with so many details that you feel immerse in the small town life, and the plot so thick that you won't be able to stop reading until the last twist simply blows your mind.
I'm really intrigued by this new series, and love the characters so I'll be looking forward to the next book.
Recommended.
This is a truly engaging story, with characters and a story-line so down-to-earth tha you can believe is something that could easily happen to you.
The writing is atmospheric, with so many details that you feel immerse in the small town life, and the plot so thick that you won't be able to stop reading until the last twist simply blows your mind.
I'm really intrigued by this new series, and love the characters so I'll be looking forward to the next book.
Recommended.
November 12, 2020
Enjoyed this story very much! I felt like I got to know the characters. Even the cat. The main character, Maggie, did some things I would have been too cowardly to try. The gal had some backbone. Her sister, Jeri, was one of my favorites. I liked how the siblings sometimes got snarky with each other, but were concerned about each other's well-being. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this is one to add to your library. I didn't figure out the twist until the end, and then I thought, why didn't I see that coming.
July 23, 2023
cozy mystery
Maggie Dahl and her husband David moved from NY to Lambertville, NJ to open a jam and jellies factory and store. Her husband dies in his sleep shortly after their move. They bought an old house in need of repair. Maggie lives next door to the town’s cat lady, Alice. Maggie finds Alice dead and she proceeds to “investigate” who the killer might be. Maggie becomes the town “snoop”. She learns that a twelve yr old girl went missing ten years ago and was never found. Are the two cases related? Entertaining!
Maggie Dahl and her husband David moved from NY to Lambertville, NJ to open a jam and jellies factory and store. Her husband dies in his sleep shortly after their move. They bought an old house in need of repair. Maggie lives next door to the town’s cat lady, Alice. Maggie finds Alice dead and she proceeds to “investigate” who the killer might be. Maggie becomes the town “snoop”. She learns that a twelve yr old girl went missing ten years ago and was never found. Are the two cases related? Entertaining!
August 12, 2018
Loved it! Won this ebook on Goodreads. The title attracted me with the added factor of being a mystery. An interesting recent widow as the protagonist. She is in her 40's. I am looking forward to reading more of her adventures.
January 8, 2019
Great story. Many potential killers to keep you thinking. This is the kind of story you don't want to put down until the end. Surprise ending.
I hope the next book is just as captivating and has just as many twists and turns. A must read book.
I hope the next book is just as captivating and has just as many twists and turns. A must read book.
April 1, 2021
A terrific read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I’m going to have to find my way to Lambertville sometime. I’ve enjoyed several of McNease’s now. Love getting to know his characters, the residents of Lambertville.
August 2, 2018
Always love a good mystery with a cat. Looks like this will be a nice new series.
October 21, 2018
A good mystery with interesting characters and a charming cat.
March 24, 2019
I won this book in a giveaway. I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing with the series. Maggie, Checks, and Gerri are likable characters and I want to get to know them better.
May 17, 2022
good story good characters , want to read the next one
November 15, 2024
Fun mystery! This is the 2nd book by this author I’ve read and it’s very different from that 1st book. I love authors who can switch gears like this 😁 And I love Checks the cat 😂
January 5, 2019
A cute mystery read that is easy to complete.
April 30, 2020
I think this was a great book and hope it is a start of a new series. I liked the characters and liked the interaction of the two sisters. I hope new books in this series will expand on other side characters. I did get a little tired of the dreams about her dead husband who was helping her solve the murder and really hope that will only hope in this one.
October 20, 2018
Ten years ago a twelve year old disappeared and no one who lived in the town then or since is unaffected. Nine months ago the Dahls moved into town and began to restore the historic home they bought while getting everything together to open a brand new business venture. Six months ago the husband abruptly died during the night. Now Maggie is still working toward that opening when her thrice divorced sister announces that she is moving in with her. The next thing she knows, she tries to return the cat to the odd cat lady next door but finds her body on the kitchen floor and a bloody hammer next to it. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers, but that is just the beginning of this suspenseful mystery with some very interesting characters.
Holly Palance is perfect as narrator and really adds to reading enjoyment!
Enjoy!
Holly Palance is perfect as narrator and really adds to reading enjoyment!
Enjoy!
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