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Urban Tails Pet Shop #1
The Time for Murder Is Meow
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting--until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick--her aunt's Persian Purrday--find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?
"[A] buoyant start to a new series ... Fans of feline mysteries will relish The Time for Murder is Meow's pet shop framework in this story of finding one's second act."--Foreword Reviews
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting--until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick--her aunt's Persian Purrday--find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?
"[A] buoyant start to a new series ... Fans of feline mysteries will relish The Time for Murder is Meow's pet shop framework in this story of finding one's second act."--Foreword Reviews
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2019
19 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
T.C. LoTempio
25 books759 followersBorn in New York City, T. C. LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery series.
She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade.
While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.
Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!
Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!
Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).
She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.
She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York
She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade.
While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.
Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!
Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!
Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).
She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.
She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
August 8, 2019
I’m three for three on cat-themed cozies in the past month and I couldn’t be happier!
Two felines and their owner Shell help discover the identity of a killer amidst local politics, small-town gossip, and a cast of wacky townsfolk. Adorable, fun, and a great read to escape the trouble of life!
At merely 38 years-old, TV actress Shell McMillan retires from Hollywood after her show is cancelled. Mourning the death of her aunt, Shell moves to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to take over the management of her aunt’s pet shop, Purr N’ Bark. Shell loves animals, and after inheriting her aunt’s cat, she has two cats of her own—Kalhua and Purrday.
As Shell gets to work setting up for the grand re-opening of Purr N’ Bark, she also begins investigating why the board of the local museum refuse to display items from her aunt’s Cary Grant movie poster collection. Given the prestige of this collection, Shell is certain that something else is underlying the decision.
When one of the board members Amelia Witherspoon is murdered, Shell’s suspicions seem to be confirmed. There is something going on with the board of the museum and she needs to get to the bottom of it. That is easier said than done though when Shell becomes the number one suspect in the murder after reports of her argument with the victim surface.
Amidst the WASP-y townsfolk and local drama, the town of Fox Hall is actually quite charming and fun to read about. Shell is a fantastic leading character. From the outset, she might seem as though she could be tough to connect with given her fame, beauty, and fortune. But I found Shell to be intelligent, confident without being arrogant, and generous!
The characters in this novel are all so well-developed and fun to read about, from the new people she meets in Fox Hall to her former co-star Gary. There’s even a potential love interest in the local detective that promises to carry over into future installments! Each character truly adds to the story and they were surprisingly well-developed for a first book.
I loved that the book was kept light and humorous despite the murder (though given the title I should have expected the humor!). The two cats were fun additions to the story and will definitely appear in the future books. Altogether a fun read and an intriguing mystery that had me excited each time I got to dive back in!
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Midnight Ink for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Two felines and their owner Shell help discover the identity of a killer amidst local politics, small-town gossip, and a cast of wacky townsfolk. Adorable, fun, and a great read to escape the trouble of life!
At merely 38 years-old, TV actress Shell McMillan retires from Hollywood after her show is cancelled. Mourning the death of her aunt, Shell moves to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to take over the management of her aunt’s pet shop, Purr N’ Bark. Shell loves animals, and after inheriting her aunt’s cat, she has two cats of her own—Kalhua and Purrday.
As Shell gets to work setting up for the grand re-opening of Purr N’ Bark, she also begins investigating why the board of the local museum refuse to display items from her aunt’s Cary Grant movie poster collection. Given the prestige of this collection, Shell is certain that something else is underlying the decision.
When one of the board members Amelia Witherspoon is murdered, Shell’s suspicions seem to be confirmed. There is something going on with the board of the museum and she needs to get to the bottom of it. That is easier said than done though when Shell becomes the number one suspect in the murder after reports of her argument with the victim surface.
Amidst the WASP-y townsfolk and local drama, the town of Fox Hall is actually quite charming and fun to read about. Shell is a fantastic leading character. From the outset, she might seem as though she could be tough to connect with given her fame, beauty, and fortune. But I found Shell to be intelligent, confident without being arrogant, and generous!
The characters in this novel are all so well-developed and fun to read about, from the new people she meets in Fox Hall to her former co-star Gary. There’s even a potential love interest in the local detective that promises to carry over into future installments! Each character truly adds to the story and they were surprisingly well-developed for a first book.
I loved that the book was kept light and humorous despite the murder (though given the title I should have expected the humor!). The two cats were fun additions to the story and will definitely appear in the future books. Altogether a fun read and an intriguing mystery that had me excited each time I got to dive back in!
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Midnight Ink for my copy. Opinions are my own.
April 19, 2024
A nice easy read. The main character is a bit hyperbolic though. She is very obsessed with getting her aunt’s movie posters displayed in the museum. I get wanting to know why people may have voted against her poster display, but I found the concept unlikely. She has so much going on in her life, but yet she has the time and care to chase down every person who voted against her display request? The book is still interesting and a decent read in between more serious books, so to that end, it doesn’t disappoint.
September 2, 2019
Chishell McMillan moves from LA to Connecticut after her elderly aunt dies and leaves her a house and pet store. Chishell (or Shell for short) leaves behind an acting career and a failed love affair. Her fiance cheated on her with a scipt girl, creating all sorts of celebrity gossip. That's when she knew she needed to exit stage left and change her life. Connecticut, a small town, and running a pet store sounded perfect. She arrives in town just in time to have an altercation with the town's cantankerous, controlling old biddy. As if that isn't bad enough, she then discovers a dead body and is a suspect in a murder case. An old friend from her old life comes in to help her investigate before she's behind bars for a murder she didn't commit.
I loved the two Cat Rescue series books I read by T.C. LoTempio so jumped right on this new series. But I never really connected with Shell. I liked her friend and acting partner Gary better. Not sure why exactly. I just didn't "click'' with Shell. At one point she threatens to "press charges'' about a situation that isn't really that big of a deal and not really something that really warrants a formal complaint. It felt like a bit of a contrived plot point to create animosity between two characters so that the plot could continue.....didn't really gel with me. I was like "File charges with who? And for what?" Just didn't work for me.
All in all, I liked the story. It just wasn't a "wow'' for me. The mystery followed the usual cozy formula...girl inherits property, moves to a new town, sees sexy cop, finds dead body, girl is suspect and investigates, etc etc etc. I've read many, many similar cozies. I did like the premise of a known actor being the main character. The cats were a plus -- love them both! And I like the quirky side characters. So, I liked it....didn't love it. I will definitely be reading the next book to see if with a little character development I might feel more on board with Shell.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Midnight Ink via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I loved the two Cat Rescue series books I read by T.C. LoTempio so jumped right on this new series. But I never really connected with Shell. I liked her friend and acting partner Gary better. Not sure why exactly. I just didn't "click'' with Shell. At one point she threatens to "press charges'' about a situation that isn't really that big of a deal and not really something that really warrants a formal complaint. It felt like a bit of a contrived plot point to create animosity between two characters so that the plot could continue.....didn't really gel with me. I was like "File charges with who? And for what?" Just didn't work for me.
All in all, I liked the story. It just wasn't a "wow'' for me. The mystery followed the usual cozy formula...girl inherits property, moves to a new town, sees sexy cop, finds dead body, girl is suspect and investigates, etc etc etc. I've read many, many similar cozies. I did like the premise of a known actor being the main character. The cats were a plus -- love them both! And I like the quirky side characters. So, I liked it....didn't love it. I will definitely be reading the next book to see if with a little character development I might feel more on board with Shell.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Midnight Ink via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
August 22, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this light cozy Mystery. I was entertained from beginning to end by the great protagonist, Shell McMillan, a former actress. I enjoyed the set-up of her inheriting her Aunt Tillie’s pet store and deciding to move to Fox Hollow, Connecticut for a slower, calmer pace of life. Shell has a beautiful Seal Point Siamese cat, Kahlua, and also inherits her aunts Snow White Persian, Purrday. Almost immediately, there is a division of opinion amidst the local museum board when Shell wishes to loan them Aunt Tillie’s extensive Cary Grant memorabilia collection. Shell wonders why board member, Amelia, is so spiteful?
The author offers reader’s a plethora of suspects to mull over. Shell gets the chance to get to know handsome Detective Josh Bloodgood, the investigator of the murder. Shell’s former co-star and friend, Gary, shows up for a stay and makes for a great partner to help Shell ponder motive for the homicide and get her name removed from the suspect pool.
The plot is clever and interesting, and I believe the author has debuted a great first story in a new cozy series, A Purr N’ Bark Mystery. Cat lovers are sure to enjoy the two cats! I look forward to reading book two when Shell re-opens the pet store.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink. Thank you.
The author offers reader’s a plethora of suspects to mull over. Shell gets the chance to get to know handsome Detective Josh Bloodgood, the investigator of the murder. Shell’s former co-star and friend, Gary, shows up for a stay and makes for a great partner to help Shell ponder motive for the homicide and get her name removed from the suspect pool.
The plot is clever and interesting, and I believe the author has debuted a great first story in a new cozy series, A Purr N’ Bark Mystery. Cat lovers are sure to enjoy the two cats! I look forward to reading book two when Shell re-opens the pet store.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Midnight Ink. Thank you.
August 5, 2019
The Time for Murder is Meow is the debut of A Purr N’ Bark Pet Shop Mystery series. When Crishell “Shell” McMillan finds herself a person of interest in the murder of Amelia Witherspoon (think Wicked Witch of the West with white hair), Shell sets out to clear her name with help from her new friends. She believes her experience in playing a spy on Spy Anyone will come in handy. Shell talks to a variety of people around town gathering information and clues. This gives us a chance to meet the secondary characters and learn about Fox Hollow. Shell’s co-star, Gary Presser arrives in town and helps in solving the crime. Gary was my favorite character and he outshone Shell. He has a great personality and provides engaging humor. Purrday, Aunt Tillie’s cat, is a delight and I like how he communicates with Shell (cats have a way of telling us what they want). I like how Shell talks to Purrday and her cat, Kahlua. Kahlua acted in typical cat fashion when first introduced to Purrday—by hissing. I am glad that the author took the time to introduce the characters and the town (set the stage so to speak). Amelia Witherspoon was a disagreeable woman which leads to multiple suspects and misdirection. The clues were a little too on-the-nose which allows readers to pin down the guilty party early in the story. I enjoyed the movie references and how Shell would compare an individual to a movie character or actor. I liked the descriptions of Aunt Tillie’s collection and the Victorian home she left Shell. Detective Josh Bloodgood provides a potential romantic partner for Shell. The Time for Murder is Meow is a lighthearted cozy mystery with movie memorabilia, a wicked victim, bewitching brew, a gregarious co-star, playful Purrday, and one anxious actress.
August 7, 2019
Well, I really enjoyed this new first for a brand new series. It releases in a couple of days, and I was happy to be able to read the ARC of it. The characters drew me right in, and I love that Shell didn't waste any time letting the detective know that she was interested in him. I'm pretty sure the feelings were mutual from the beginning though. There was a fairly early clue that told me exactly who the killer was, but it was a lot of fun to read as Shel and her three new friends from town along with her former co-star Gary all sleuthed together. If Gary hangs around town now that the case is solved, I can see a lot of fun possibilities for Shell sleuthing with him...or I think it would be cute if he got together with Olivia. But only the next book can tell us all that, and I'm definitely anxious to read it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
August 10, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Cat lovers rejoice! T. C. LoTempio is penning a new series!
The Time for Murder is Meow introduces readers to Crishell “Shell” McMillan who has retired from acting to move to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to reopen the pet shop her aunt left her when she passed away. Not everyone is happy or understands how she could leave Hollywood behind but she knows this is where she is meant to be.
Aunt Tillie was a true old movie buff with a vast collection of memorabilia. With a Cary Grant festival coming up Shell is asked by the local museum to loan them her aunt’s Cary Grant movie posters, some them signed by the actor! But one member of the board rallies her cronies to vote against the display. Shell learns that member had been in a feud with her aunt for years.
When the woman calls Shell to set up a meeting she is surprised but agrees to meet if it gets her aunt’s posters displayed. When she arrives at the museum she finds her aunt’s nemesis dead and finds herself at the top of the suspect list almost as soon as the police arrive.
Putting the reopening of Purr N’ Bark, on the back burner, she delves into an investigation of her own to cat-ch the killer like a dog with a bone.
___
Ms. LoTempio brings together a great group of characters that band together to help find the culprit that took down Amelia Witherspoon. The woman didn’t have a lot of friends but Shell didn’t know her at all. That brings in the group that welcomed Shell to town, Olivia, Rita, and Ron. When her former co-star Gary Presser calls to check in with her, he knows something is up and it isn’t long before he pulls into town. Together the group is determined to solve the case. Detective Josh Bloodgood admits that while Shell had motive and opportunity he really doesn’t think she did it, but isn’t happy she and her friends are snooping. All these characters are believable and fleshed out nicely for the first book in a new series.
The human characters shine but so do the pets. Shell’s cat Kahlua soon meets Tillie’s cat Purrday. Will they get along?? Together due to their instincts and actions they play a key role in solving the mystery. I love when animals in cozy mysteries are involved and more than just pets.
The author has constructed a nice whodunit too with plenty of suspects and surprises. I did solve the murder a bit before the reveal but totally enjoyed the story right up to the last page.
As a fan of classic movies, I loved those references and would love to see Aunt Tillie’s collection in person. I hope we delve into other parts of it as the series continues.
Lighthearted, fun, and entertaining. This series is off to an excellent start! I hope Gary sticks around Fox Hollow! He turned out to be my favorite non-feline character 🙂
Cat lovers rejoice! T. C. LoTempio is penning a new series!
The Time for Murder is Meow introduces readers to Crishell “Shell” McMillan who has retired from acting to move to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to reopen the pet shop her aunt left her when she passed away. Not everyone is happy or understands how she could leave Hollywood behind but she knows this is where she is meant to be.
Aunt Tillie was a true old movie buff with a vast collection of memorabilia. With a Cary Grant festival coming up Shell is asked by the local museum to loan them her aunt’s Cary Grant movie posters, some them signed by the actor! But one member of the board rallies her cronies to vote against the display. Shell learns that member had been in a feud with her aunt for years.
When the woman calls Shell to set up a meeting she is surprised but agrees to meet if it gets her aunt’s posters displayed. When she arrives at the museum she finds her aunt’s nemesis dead and finds herself at the top of the suspect list almost as soon as the police arrive.
Putting the reopening of Purr N’ Bark, on the back burner, she delves into an investigation of her own to cat-ch the killer like a dog with a bone.
___
Ms. LoTempio brings together a great group of characters that band together to help find the culprit that took down Amelia Witherspoon. The woman didn’t have a lot of friends but Shell didn’t know her at all. That brings in the group that welcomed Shell to town, Olivia, Rita, and Ron. When her former co-star Gary Presser calls to check in with her, he knows something is up and it isn’t long before he pulls into town. Together the group is determined to solve the case. Detective Josh Bloodgood admits that while Shell had motive and opportunity he really doesn’t think she did it, but isn’t happy she and her friends are snooping. All these characters are believable and fleshed out nicely for the first book in a new series.
The human characters shine but so do the pets. Shell’s cat Kahlua soon meets Tillie’s cat Purrday. Will they get along?? Together due to their instincts and actions they play a key role in solving the mystery. I love when animals in cozy mysteries are involved and more than just pets.
The author has constructed a nice whodunit too with plenty of suspects and surprises. I did solve the murder a bit before the reveal but totally enjoyed the story right up to the last page.
As a fan of classic movies, I loved those references and would love to see Aunt Tillie’s collection in person. I hope we delve into other parts of it as the series continues.
Lighthearted, fun, and entertaining. This series is off to an excellent start! I hope Gary sticks around Fox Hollow! He turned out to be my favorite non-feline character 🙂
September 19, 2019
This is a classic cozy mystery and a good start to the new "Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery" series by author, T.C. LoTempio. The two felines appearing on the book's front cover were what first caught my attention and they are a playful pair, for sure. The main protagonist, Crishell ("Shell") McMillan, is an L.A. actress known to most by her stage name, Shell Marlowe, and t.v. spy, Hermione DuVal. Shell's Aunt Tillie recently passed away two days after the t.v. program got canceled. As Aunt Tillie had no children, it was not a total surprise that her aunt's home and pet store business were left to Shell. So Shell snuffed out her foot-candles, retired from Hollywood and settled into small-town, Fox Hollow. In addition to the real-estate, Shell surprisingly inherited her aunt's one-eyed Persian, Purrday, which was carefully introduced to Shell's coffee colored seal point, Kahlua. Feline detente was soon established and the relaunch of the Purr & Bark pet shop commenced.
Soon after, Shell has a public run-in with a leading member of the local museum board of directors. Shell is later summoned by this woman to the museum on a Sunday morning. Upon approaching the museum offices, Shell discovers the woman dead on the library floor and suddenly becomes a person of interest and front page fodder for the local paper. Shell figures the best way to get back on track for the shop's grand re-opening is to solve the murder and clear her name, and so the sleuthing begins.
This is certainly a light and humorous read with civilian characters having an inordinate amount of unrealistic participation in the detective work. It is a cozy mystery, after all. Personally, I prefer a bit more real world police procedural added to my cozies where the local constabulary reluctantly rely on the assistance of the book's protagonist. The sleuths in this book are instructed to stay out of it and of course they do not nor are they arrested for interfering in the investigation.
The character development is good and their interplay classic. The small New England village is well laid out with all the charm and tourist attractions one would hope for that setting. You catch a whiff of the steaming lattés served in the town's café and taste the richness of a true Reuben sandwich at a local pub restaurant where the town's residents all seem to hang out.
All in all, this was a charming light read for in between the heavier novels. Will I seek out further installments in this series?...maybe.
Soon after, Shell has a public run-in with a leading member of the local museum board of directors. Shell is later summoned by this woman to the museum on a Sunday morning. Upon approaching the museum offices, Shell discovers the woman dead on the library floor and suddenly becomes a person of interest and front page fodder for the local paper. Shell figures the best way to get back on track for the shop's grand re-opening is to solve the murder and clear her name, and so the sleuthing begins.
This is certainly a light and humorous read with civilian characters having an inordinate amount of unrealistic participation in the detective work. It is a cozy mystery, after all. Personally, I prefer a bit more real world police procedural added to my cozies where the local constabulary reluctantly rely on the assistance of the book's protagonist. The sleuths in this book are instructed to stay out of it and of course they do not nor are they arrested for interfering in the investigation.
The character development is good and their interplay classic. The small New England village is well laid out with all the charm and tourist attractions one would hope for that setting. You catch a whiff of the steaming lattés served in the town's café and taste the richness of a true Reuben sandwich at a local pub restaurant where the town's residents all seem to hang out.
All in all, this was a charming light read for in between the heavier novels. Will I seek out further installments in this series?...maybe.
June 10, 2019
This is the first in a new series for this author and to be honest it wasn't my favorite book. I liked the characters well enough. Shell is starting over after leaving Hollywood to re-open her aunt's pet store after her passing. She is likable and I think the author will develop and grow her character. The secondary characters were also entertaining and I enjoyed them as well. I think her former co-star Gary was my favorite and I hope he stays around. For me, where the book fell apart was the mystery. It seemed like the victim was not well liked but the reasons were not that strong or it wasn't flushed out enough to make any of the suspects seem to have viable motives for murder. I like this author so I will be checking out the next book in the series to see where it goes.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
April 10, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I just really needed a good cozy mystery to read in the bath, and this was the first one to catch my eye (incidentally, I should probably think about getting a waterproof kindle for the bath xD) It was a fun animal based mystery, and by an author I've read before and instantly trust. Yet again I wasn't disappointed, because we get an awesome small town feel, an almost arrogant but still likeable sleuth, and of course a pair of cats that know more than the poor humans. My unlikely superhero is Gary; can we get more platonic friendships in cozy like Shell and Gary? Like he knows how she likes her tea, knows when she's dressed up/putting in effort, but he isn't even slightly in the romance field. I LOVED HIM.
There were a few inconsistant things that I'll mention to Netgalley in the comments, but overall this felt polished and read through really well. I could read this author all day and enjoy it each time. A must for cozy fans! Five stars.
I just really needed a good cozy mystery to read in the bath, and this was the first one to catch my eye (incidentally, I should probably think about getting a waterproof kindle for the bath xD) It was a fun animal based mystery, and by an author I've read before and instantly trust. Yet again I wasn't disappointed, because we get an awesome small town feel, an almost arrogant but still likeable sleuth, and of course a pair of cats that know more than the poor humans. My unlikely superhero is Gary; can we get more platonic friendships in cozy like Shell and Gary? Like he knows how she likes her tea, knows when she's dressed up/putting in effort, but he isn't even slightly in the romance field. I LOVED HIM.
There were a few inconsistant things that I'll mention to Netgalley in the comments, but overall this felt polished and read through really well. I could read this author all day and enjoy it each time. A must for cozy fans! Five stars.
February 9, 2021
Another cozy- Same garbage. Shell is a famous actress who gets cheated on, is left a big inheritance, meets some hunky freak, and solves a murder. What attracted me to this novel was the fact that there were two cats on the cover. But that's as far as it goes.
According to kittencoaltion.org, about 1.4 MILLION cats are euthanized each year, and this author's talking about making sure we know that she has a purebred (aka inbred) pedigree cat?!? First off, going to a breeder for an animal is absolutely ridiculous. There are so many animals in the shelters that need homes, and the author seems to think that we care what kind of cat she's gotten. (An entire chapter dedicated to this) It was hard enough to get past that point alone, but when I reached the point where the hunky dude, who didn't own the dog, came into the picture, I was done. Nobody cares about a hoarders collection of garbage anyway. Ew.
I refuse to read any books by an author who thinks it's okay to promote animal mills.
According to kittencoaltion.org, about 1.4 MILLION cats are euthanized each year, and this author's talking about making sure we know that she has a purebred (aka inbred) pedigree cat?!? First off, going to a breeder for an animal is absolutely ridiculous. There are so many animals in the shelters that need homes, and the author seems to think that we care what kind of cat she's gotten. (An entire chapter dedicated to this) It was hard enough to get past that point alone, but when I reached the point where the hunky dude, who didn't own the dog, came into the picture, I was done. Nobody cares about a hoarders collection of garbage anyway. Ew.
I refuse to read any books by an author who thinks it's okay to promote animal mills.
May 28, 2019
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW by T. C. LoTiempo is the first in the Purr ‘N Bark Pet Shop mysery series that features Crishell “Shell” McMillan, former internet series star who has inherited her aunt’s pet shop and decided to leave Hollywood behind her for the lower stress life of owning a store in a small town. While she is expecting lower stress, the exact opposite is what she gets when a local woman, with whom she has had a loud and public disagreement is murdered. While Shell is named a person of interest, the local detective in charge of the case doesn’t really suspect her. There is the hint of attraction between the two that holds promise for future books.
Having worked on a detective show, Shell decides to put some of the tactics she learned there to use and find the murderer herself. She sets out to interview people and gather information, ruffling more than a few feathers along the way. At the same time, her former co-star Gary, unable to persuade her to return to Hollywood, decides to travel to the small town of Fox Hollow and help Shell in the hope she will come to her senses since her presence is a requirement for the producers to continue the series. Gary proves himself to be a genuine friend to Shell who is equally invested in solving the crime.
To add to the book’s appeal, LoTiempo has included two cats, Kaluha, Shell’s siamese and Purrday, her aunt’s persian. Together the cats nudge objects and draw Shell’s attention to items that will help her solve the mystery. They present an interesting addition as LoTiempo has imbued them with some personality traits that are consistent with each breed. If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy the additional by-play of the cats throughout the book as they engage in behavior that you will recognize, particularly if you have ever lived with a cat.
This is an interesting beginning to a new series. It introduces the reader to some wonderfully quirky characters with the hope they will continue in future books. In addition, there is the promise of a future romance to engage people who like their mysteries with a little love interest on the side. While the book seems to follow a formula in terms of cozy writing, the puzzle is interesting enough to keep the reader engaged if only to find out if they are correct in their solution.
My thanks to NetGalley and Midnight Ink publishing for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. In summary, I would define it as a light cozy with some interesting characters and two delightful felines. While it wasn’t difficult to solve, that may be fine for readers wanting to relax and rest with a book.
Having worked on a detective show, Shell decides to put some of the tactics she learned there to use and find the murderer herself. She sets out to interview people and gather information, ruffling more than a few feathers along the way. At the same time, her former co-star Gary, unable to persuade her to return to Hollywood, decides to travel to the small town of Fox Hollow and help Shell in the hope she will come to her senses since her presence is a requirement for the producers to continue the series. Gary proves himself to be a genuine friend to Shell who is equally invested in solving the crime.
To add to the book’s appeal, LoTiempo has included two cats, Kaluha, Shell’s siamese and Purrday, her aunt’s persian. Together the cats nudge objects and draw Shell’s attention to items that will help her solve the mystery. They present an interesting addition as LoTiempo has imbued them with some personality traits that are consistent with each breed. If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy the additional by-play of the cats throughout the book as they engage in behavior that you will recognize, particularly if you have ever lived with a cat.
This is an interesting beginning to a new series. It introduces the reader to some wonderfully quirky characters with the hope they will continue in future books. In addition, there is the promise of a future romance to engage people who like their mysteries with a little love interest on the side. While the book seems to follow a formula in terms of cozy writing, the puzzle is interesting enough to keep the reader engaged if only to find out if they are correct in their solution.
My thanks to NetGalley and Midnight Ink publishing for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. In summary, I would define it as a light cozy with some interesting characters and two delightful felines. While it wasn’t difficult to solve, that may be fine for readers wanting to relax and rest with a book.
July 28, 2019
Series: A Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery - Book 1
Author: T. C. LoTempio
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Pet Shop
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Page Count: 312
Publishing Date: August 8, 2019
A new cozy series from Midnight Ink “A Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery” written by T. C. LoTempio, The Time for Murder is Meow will have readers clamoring for more. It is a dynamic fluid read that will keep readers guessing and happy.
Shell has had enough of Hollywood, it’s time for something different. Although she mourns the death of her aunt, her inheritance is a boon. She loves animals and running a pet shop is right up her alley. Shell is enthusiastic and can’t wait to get started. Unfortunately, a woman she was seen and heard arguing with is killed and she becomes the number one suspect. Shell is at an age when a person begins to think of the future more often. She is beautiful but not arrogant, intelligent but not full of herself. Readers will enjoy learning and growing with her as she begins a new life and sets out to catch a killer.
She makes new friends and brings along an old one on her adventure into a new life. She also gets a few people very angry and upset. Readers will like Shell, Gary, and the gang immediately. They will cheer them as they dig into the murder of a person no one liked, and everyone had a reason to want dead.
The cast of characters are fun, they each add something to the story and keep readers entertained. The two cats take center stage several times endearing themselves to the audience for what will hopefully be years to come. Characters, with fur and without, evolve over several books in any new cozy series but most of the cast of The Time for Murder is Meow is already well-developed and have fascinating personalities. The writing is good, easy to follow and the plot stays true. Some of the less exciting details slow it down slightly. There are a few inconsistencies which should be fixed by press time. Overall, I am happy to recommend this new cozy mystery series.
Author: T. C. LoTempio
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Pet Shop
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Page Count: 312
Publishing Date: August 8, 2019
A new cozy series from Midnight Ink “A Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery” written by T. C. LoTempio, The Time for Murder is Meow will have readers clamoring for more. It is a dynamic fluid read that will keep readers guessing and happy.
Shell has had enough of Hollywood, it’s time for something different. Although she mourns the death of her aunt, her inheritance is a boon. She loves animals and running a pet shop is right up her alley. Shell is enthusiastic and can’t wait to get started. Unfortunately, a woman she was seen and heard arguing with is killed and she becomes the number one suspect. Shell is at an age when a person begins to think of the future more often. She is beautiful but not arrogant, intelligent but not full of herself. Readers will enjoy learning and growing with her as she begins a new life and sets out to catch a killer.
She makes new friends and brings along an old one on her adventure into a new life. She also gets a few people very angry and upset. Readers will like Shell, Gary, and the gang immediately. They will cheer them as they dig into the murder of a person no one liked, and everyone had a reason to want dead.
The cast of characters are fun, they each add something to the story and keep readers entertained. The two cats take center stage several times endearing themselves to the audience for what will hopefully be years to come. Characters, with fur and without, evolve over several books in any new cozy series but most of the cast of The Time for Murder is Meow is already well-developed and have fascinating personalities. The writing is good, easy to follow and the plot stays true. Some of the less exciting details slow it down slightly. There are a few inconsistencies which should be fixed by press time. Overall, I am happy to recommend this new cozy mystery series.
August 9, 2019
Synopsis:
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I liked getting to meet Shell, she seems like a hardworking likable person. And I enjoyed the secondary characters, I thought they added a lot to the story. I felt the cats, Kahlua and Purrday, stole the show. I could have read about them all day.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the beginning.
The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I had a pretty good idea who the killer was, and this time I was right (that does not happen very often).
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book when it is released.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I liked getting to meet Shell, she seems like a hardworking likable person. And I enjoyed the secondary characters, I thought they added a lot to the story. I felt the cats, Kahlua and Purrday, stole the show. I could have read about them all day.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the beginning.
The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I had a pretty good idea who the killer was, and this time I was right (that does not happen very often).
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book when it is released.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
June 3, 2019
I have read the author's previous series and was looking forward to this one. Shell Marlowe moves from LA to Connecticut after inheriting her aunt's house and store. There are two cat companions for her. I had numerous problems with the book and a hard time finishing it. First off, the first quarter of the book was spent building up the confrontation between Shell and the victim over an supposed feud and the imagined slight of turning down her offer of displaying her aunt's movie poster collection. Shell makes a mountain out of a pebble over this even chasing down other board members around town. Shell keeps threatening the board members with a complaint.
Who is she going to complain to? I understand setting her up to be a suspect but this was over the top, exaggerated and extreme. It made the main character very unlikeable. There is a problem with time issues- at one point she says she got in town yesterday, then it was today and two other times it was a week ago. Then she got laid off from her long running TV series and within 3 weeks someone is already trying to get her to star in a reboot? really? When she goes to the museum she is outside and yet she PULLS on the handle which swings IN. think about it, not possible. Someone needs to edit this book badly; pay special attention to punctuation and capitalization.
Who is she going to complain to? I understand setting her up to be a suspect but this was over the top, exaggerated and extreme. It made the main character very unlikeable. There is a problem with time issues- at one point she says she got in town yesterday, then it was today and two other times it was a week ago. Then she got laid off from her long running TV series and within 3 weeks someone is already trying to get her to star in a reboot? really? When she goes to the museum she is outside and yet she PULLS on the handle which swings IN. think about it, not possible. Someone needs to edit this book badly; pay special attention to punctuation and capitalization.
August 10, 2019
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, this is a cozy mystery where the readers will not find gratuitous violence, bedroom scenes, or an abundance of profanity. There are a few times that "Oh My G--" and the like are exclaimed, but overall, this book should not offend the vast majority of readers.
From the beginning, I was enthralled. Two cats with delightful personalities. A retired actress who inherited her aunt's pet business and movie memorabilia collection. A small town with plenty of secrets. A handsome detective and a protective former co-star. Not one murder, but two! This book had all the elements of an enchanting cozy mystery including an amateur, unlikely sleuth who happened upon the real murderer! And to be honest, while I had my suspicions, I wasn't entirely sure until our auspicious heroine figured it out.
I sincerely hope that this series continues for years to come! This book is well-written with fun characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep the readers guessing. And the classic movie references captured my heart throughout the book. I highly recommend this mystery series!
First of all, this is a cozy mystery where the readers will not find gratuitous violence, bedroom scenes, or an abundance of profanity. There are a few times that "Oh My G--" and the like are exclaimed, but overall, this book should not offend the vast majority of readers.
From the beginning, I was enthralled. Two cats with delightful personalities. A retired actress who inherited her aunt's pet business and movie memorabilia collection. A small town with plenty of secrets. A handsome detective and a protective former co-star. Not one murder, but two! This book had all the elements of an enchanting cozy mystery including an amateur, unlikely sleuth who happened upon the real murderer! And to be honest, while I had my suspicions, I wasn't entirely sure until our auspicious heroine figured it out.
I sincerely hope that this series continues for years to come! This book is well-written with fun characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep the readers guessing. And the classic movie references captured my heart throughout the book. I highly recommend this mystery series!
June 30, 2021
This was such a marvellous read! The Time for Murder Is Meow by T. C. LoTempio is the début instalment in her Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery series featuring struggling actress Chrishell "Shell" McMillan. It certainly grabbed my attention and I was thrown in from the get-go and couldn’t flip the pages fast enough on my kindle.
With great characterisation, the pacing was good throughout. Shell's beloved Aunt Tillie recently died bequeathing her a Victorian mansion in Fox Hollow, Connecticut and her pet shop - Urban Tails. When a local woman who had a long-standing dispute with Aunt Tillie and Shell had a disagreement with is found dead, Shell is forced to try to clear her name with the help of her cats and newfound and other friends.
This was a well crafted cozy mystery that had me reading well into the night. The beauty of this book and the clincher for me was the novel's hilarity and the sparling personalities of a few of the characters. It kept things interesting and added lots of fun. Imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable, The Time for Murder Is Meow is well worth a read!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
With great characterisation, the pacing was good throughout. Shell's beloved Aunt Tillie recently died bequeathing her a Victorian mansion in Fox Hollow, Connecticut and her pet shop - Urban Tails. When a local woman who had a long-standing dispute with Aunt Tillie and Shell had a disagreement with is found dead, Shell is forced to try to clear her name with the help of her cats and newfound and other friends.
This was a well crafted cozy mystery that had me reading well into the night. The beauty of this book and the clincher for me was the novel's hilarity and the sparling personalities of a few of the characters. It kept things interesting and added lots of fun. Imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable, The Time for Murder Is Meow is well worth a read!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
April 6, 2020
What a perfect timing of reading this book!! I wanted something light and fluffy and this book gave me all of that! In these dark times we need all the cute, cozies we can get! This one was by far one of my favorite cozy mysteries I have read!
We have Shell that was an actress and is going rogue trying to live a semi normal life. She is taking over her deceased Aunts pet store Purr and Bark. Also you can’t forget the shinning stars Purrday and Kahlua ! I felt like Purrday made the book and reminded me of my own furball! The mystery was fun but predictable. However, I wasn’t looking for a knock my pants off twist. I wanted the fluff! Cozies and cats, what more could you want! Try this out if you want some humor and lightness to your day! I can’t wait to read more of this series once it comes out!
We have Shell that was an actress and is going rogue trying to live a semi normal life. She is taking over her deceased Aunts pet store Purr and Bark. Also you can’t forget the shinning stars Purrday and Kahlua ! I felt like Purrday made the book and reminded me of my own furball! The mystery was fun but predictable. However, I wasn’t looking for a knock my pants off twist. I wanted the fluff! Cozies and cats, what more could you want! Try this out if you want some humor and lightness to your day! I can’t wait to read more of this series once it comes out!
July 3, 2021
This is an entertaining start to a new series. The characters are interesting and fun both human and animal. The mystery is full of red herrings to keep the reader engaged. I am excited to see how the series develops over time. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
May 26, 2019
A strong start to a new series! The characters are well developed for first installment and get you in their clutches from the first page. A fun mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
June 1, 2021
Television star Shell is retiring for a quieter life in small town Fox Hollow. The trouble is shortly after arriving she finds a dead body and is now a person of interest in the case. To clear her name Shell starts asking questions but as she narrows the suspect list she worries that soon she'll be the only one left on the list.
An enjoyable mystery with a wide range of characters. Gary, Shell's former costar, really livens up the story and cats Purrday and Kahlua add a nice dose of humor. Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
An enjoyable mystery with a wide range of characters. Gary, Shell's former costar, really livens up the story and cats Purrday and Kahlua add a nice dose of humor. Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 17, 2021
Given the perfect opportunity to leave behind Hollywood life after inheriting her late aunt’s estate, Shell MacMillen tries to make a go at a new life in Fox Hollow. When a local woman she recently argued with turns up dead, she is forced to try to clear her name. Who knew that her acting would become real life skills.
What follows is a fun romp with a cat for a sidekick, new friends, and a former co-star Shell delves into the lives of the locals and finds there is no shortage of people who had issues with the deceased.
This new cozy ticks all the right boxes for popular cozy tropes and is the great start to a new series. I am looking forward to seeing how some of the relationships hinted at in this story play out in the overall arc. Extra points for the great name of Shell’s new business.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What follows is a fun romp with a cat for a sidekick, new friends, and a former co-star Shell delves into the lives of the locals and finds there is no shortage of people who had issues with the deceased.
This new cozy ticks all the right boxes for popular cozy tropes and is the great start to a new series. I am looking forward to seeing how some of the relationships hinted at in this story play out in the overall arc. Extra points for the great name of Shell’s new business.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 10, 2021
What a fun town and group of characters! I was expecting not to like Gary much, and while it did take a while to warm up to him, I think he and Shell really have some good sleuthing vibes going on--naturally, since they acted together on a show. But I was happy she didn't hide her feelings about Josh, and I'm pretty sure the feelings were mutual from the beginning.
There was a fairly early clue that set me on the trail of who the killer was, but it was a lot of fun to read as Shel and her three new friends from town along with her former co-star Gary all sleuthed together. If Gary hangs around town now that the case is solved, I can see a lot of fun possibilities for Shell sleuthing with him...and I think it would be cute if he got together with Olivia. But only the next book can tell us all that, and I'm definitely anxious to read it!
There was a fairly early clue that set me on the trail of who the killer was, but it was a lot of fun to read as Shel and her three new friends from town along with her former co-star Gary all sleuthed together. If Gary hangs around town now that the case is solved, I can see a lot of fun possibilities for Shell sleuthing with him...and I think it would be cute if he got together with Olivia. But only the next book can tell us all that, and I'm definitely anxious to read it!
August 11, 2019
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW by T. C. LoTempio
The First Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery
Inheriting her aunt's home and popular pet store was just the opportunity Crishell McMillan was looking for. With her popular TV series cancelled and no desire to join the reboot, she's ready to retire to a quiet life in Fox Hollow. Shell receives a warm welcome from several of the town's business owners and discovers she has a roommate as well, a charming Persian named Purrday, much to the dismay of her own cat, Kahlua. Not everyone in town is friendly though, especially Amelia Witherspoon, who has a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, and not just in appearance. Within forty eight hours of arriving, Shell managers to anger a good portion of the museum board, finds herself getting bad press from the town's newspaper editor, and becomes a person of interest in the murder of Amelia, the museum board member who had a feud with Shell's aunt. In order to start fresh and re-open Purr N Bark without any hint of scandal, and perhaps pursue a relationship with a gorgeous detective, Shell gathers her friends to figure out who actually killed the wicked witch.
The Purr and Bark Pet Shop Mystery series is off to a great start. I felt an immediate bond with most of the characters and loved spending time getting to know them. Shell McMillan is down to earth and completely real, despite being a successful Hollywood actress. She's friendly, honest, and determined, yet can get angry and act rashly. Her desire to resolve matters oftentimes gets her in more trouble! I especially love the unexpected arrival of her former co-star. She and Gary continue to make a great team. I look forward to the upcoming romance between Shell and Josh. Of course, Purrday, Kahlua, and Rocco are wonderful additions, smart cats and a lovable goofball of a dog are perfect assets to a cozy mystery.
This book would have received my highest rating, except for two things. The author gave a significant clue leading me to know the identity of the murderer early on. However, I considered it may have been a red herring and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. The flaw for me was when the killer suddenly becomes crazy. The rational murderer with a solid motive who at the end of the mystery is now described as being crazy is a major pet peeve of mine. Still, I absolutely loved everything else in the book!
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW is a fantastic start to a new series. Entertaining, smart, and funny, the Purr N Bark series has wormed its way into my heart and I can't wait to spend more time with its residents!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery
Inheriting her aunt's home and popular pet store was just the opportunity Crishell McMillan was looking for. With her popular TV series cancelled and no desire to join the reboot, she's ready to retire to a quiet life in Fox Hollow. Shell receives a warm welcome from several of the town's business owners and discovers she has a roommate as well, a charming Persian named Purrday, much to the dismay of her own cat, Kahlua. Not everyone in town is friendly though, especially Amelia Witherspoon, who has a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, and not just in appearance. Within forty eight hours of arriving, Shell managers to anger a good portion of the museum board, finds herself getting bad press from the town's newspaper editor, and becomes a person of interest in the murder of Amelia, the museum board member who had a feud with Shell's aunt. In order to start fresh and re-open Purr N Bark without any hint of scandal, and perhaps pursue a relationship with a gorgeous detective, Shell gathers her friends to figure out who actually killed the wicked witch.
The Purr and Bark Pet Shop Mystery series is off to a great start. I felt an immediate bond with most of the characters and loved spending time getting to know them. Shell McMillan is down to earth and completely real, despite being a successful Hollywood actress. She's friendly, honest, and determined, yet can get angry and act rashly. Her desire to resolve matters oftentimes gets her in more trouble! I especially love the unexpected arrival of her former co-star. She and Gary continue to make a great team. I look forward to the upcoming romance between Shell and Josh. Of course, Purrday, Kahlua, and Rocco are wonderful additions, smart cats and a lovable goofball of a dog are perfect assets to a cozy mystery.
This book would have received my highest rating, except for two things. The author gave a significant clue leading me to know the identity of the murderer early on. However, I considered it may have been a red herring and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. The flaw for me was when the killer suddenly becomes crazy. The rational murderer with a solid motive who at the end of the mystery is now described as being crazy is a major pet peeve of mine. Still, I absolutely loved everything else in the book!
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW is a fantastic start to a new series. Entertaining, smart, and funny, the Purr N Bark series has wormed its way into my heart and I can't wait to spend more time with its residents!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
August 11, 2019
After her TV series is canceled, Crishell “Shell” McMillan gives up her life in in Los Angeles and heads to the small town of Fox Hollow, Connecticut. Her late aunt left her a pet shop and Shell is more than ready for the career switch. Not only does she inherit the shop, but she inherits her aunt’s Persian cat named Purrday. Her own cat, Kahlua, does not seem too happy to meet their new family member.
As Shell prepares for the grand re-opening of the Purr N’ Bark, she offers her aunt’s Cary Grant collection to the local museum to exhibit. She’s disappointed to learn the museum board voted against her offer. Shell is determined to find out their reasoning. All signs point to one particular board member who had a problem with her aunt. Shell is convinced the board member convinced other members to vote against her. Then, Shell finds the board member dead. It’s obviously homicide and the number one suspect is Shell herself.
With her freedom on the line, Shell figures she’s the best one to investigate this murder. After all, she used to play a spy on TV. With some help from her new friends, as well as her old ones, Shell vows to find a killer. She gets quite a bit of help from Purrday and Kahlua.
Two cats trying to get along and helping to solve a murder mystery? You know I’m going to love this one. I, also, love that it’s the first book in the series so I got in on the ground floor.
The author did a great job of introducing the cast without the stiffness that sometimes accompanies a new series and characters. Shell immediately came to life and her former co-star fit right in as well. They made a great team with a great rapport. There’s no romance involved between them, just a very close friendship. There is a possible romance for Shell, but we’ll find out more about that in subsequent books.
My favorite characters, of course, are Purrday and Kahlua…the kitties! There were so many cute scenes between them. They also helped to solve the mystery along with Shell. I found Shell having conversations with them to be so realistic, since I do that too. LOL
The mystery itself was filled with suspects and twists galore. I had my suspicions about who did it, but changed my mind numerous times throughout the book. It’s a fast-paced story and I can’t wait to read more. This is an excellent start to a brand new series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
As Shell prepares for the grand re-opening of the Purr N’ Bark, she offers her aunt’s Cary Grant collection to the local museum to exhibit. She’s disappointed to learn the museum board voted against her offer. Shell is determined to find out their reasoning. All signs point to one particular board member who had a problem with her aunt. Shell is convinced the board member convinced other members to vote against her. Then, Shell finds the board member dead. It’s obviously homicide and the number one suspect is Shell herself.
With her freedom on the line, Shell figures she’s the best one to investigate this murder. After all, she used to play a spy on TV. With some help from her new friends, as well as her old ones, Shell vows to find a killer. She gets quite a bit of help from Purrday and Kahlua.
Two cats trying to get along and helping to solve a murder mystery? You know I’m going to love this one. I, also, love that it’s the first book in the series so I got in on the ground floor.
The author did a great job of introducing the cast without the stiffness that sometimes accompanies a new series and characters. Shell immediately came to life and her former co-star fit right in as well. They made a great team with a great rapport. There’s no romance involved between them, just a very close friendship. There is a possible romance for Shell, but we’ll find out more about that in subsequent books.
My favorite characters, of course, are Purrday and Kahlua…the kitties! There were so many cute scenes between them. They also helped to solve the mystery along with Shell. I found Shell having conversations with them to be so realistic, since I do that too. LOL
The mystery itself was filled with suspects and twists galore. I had my suspicions about who did it, but changed my mind numerous times throughout the book. It’s a fast-paced story and I can’t wait to read more. This is an excellent start to a brand new series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 3, 2019
Not far into this book, I thought that the premise was pretty silly. When a popular television spy story is cancelled the female lead heads to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to start a new and simpler life. Her beloved aunt has died and left her her pet store and house, and Crishell "Shell" McMillan decides to leave Hollywood for a more simple way of life, re-opening her late aunt's pet store.
Here is where the story gets silly: Aunt Tilly had an extensive collection of Cary Grant posters, some of them signed, which Shell decides to donate to the local museum. The museum directors take a vote and decide not to accept her offer. Shell approaches them individually in a rather belligerent manner and when the old lady who controlled the vote is murdered, Shell discovers the body and becomes top suspect.
This scenario seems pretty silly to me. Shell was making the museum a generous offer. Everyone acts as if they would be doing her a favour by accepting the interesting and quite valuable collection. Why would Shell make such a fuss over them turning her down? She could sell the posters or donate them to another museum. It seems like a ridiculous motive for murder.
Also, for a supposedly intelligent person, Shell has a big mouth. She discusses the case and the evidence in a very public place with her new local friends (after Josh, the detective, for whom she has the hots, asks her not to). And of course once she believes she knows what happened she goes to an isolated place to confront a person she believe is the killer.
Once I got past the nonsense and decided to treat the story as if it were comparable to a story about zombies or alens, not realistic but still good fun, I rather enjoyed the story.
Shell receives assistance from Gary, her former co-star, and Purrday, her aunt's one-eyed Persian and Kahlua, her Siamese cat.
Here is where the story gets silly: Aunt Tilly had an extensive collection of Cary Grant posters, some of them signed, which Shell decides to donate to the local museum. The museum directors take a vote and decide not to accept her offer. Shell approaches them individually in a rather belligerent manner and when the old lady who controlled the vote is murdered, Shell discovers the body and becomes top suspect.
This scenario seems pretty silly to me. Shell was making the museum a generous offer. Everyone acts as if they would be doing her a favour by accepting the interesting and quite valuable collection. Why would Shell make such a fuss over them turning her down? She could sell the posters or donate them to another museum. It seems like a ridiculous motive for murder.
Also, for a supposedly intelligent person, Shell has a big mouth. She discusses the case and the evidence in a very public place with her new local friends (after Josh, the detective, for whom she has the hots, asks her not to). And of course once she believes she knows what happened she goes to an isolated place to confront a person she believe is the killer.
Once I got past the nonsense and decided to treat the story as if it were comparable to a story about zombies or alens, not realistic but still good fun, I rather enjoyed the story.
Shell receives assistance from Gary, her former co-star, and Purrday, her aunt's one-eyed Persian and Kahlua, her Siamese cat.
June 10, 2022
I had read and enjoyed both of her previous series and I knew what to expect. She writes not only good mysteries but the relationship between her human character and the cats is pitch perfect. Here we are introduced to Shell (Crishell) McMillan, a newly retired tv actress in search of a quieter life away from Hollywood. Her aunt Tillie owned a pet store and bequeathed it to her when she died. Now Shell is looking forward to a slower pace in a small town and will share her new digs with her Siamese cat, Kahlua and a white Persian, Purrday, inherited from her aunt. All is well until she is asked to loan the local museum the Cary Grant memorabilia that her aunt had amassed. Fine until one of the board members wants to prevent that from happening and Shell gets into a rather tense argument with the woman. It seems there was lots of bad blood between Aunt Tillie and Amelia. When Amelia is killed, the gossip mill starts churning out rumors and pointing fingers at Shell, naming her the prime suspect. Lucky the police don't put too much stock in local rumor and gossip and the detective in charge may even start the flames of a relationship with Shell.
Besides the two cats and the detective, Shell's former co-star, Gary, has arrived in town, intent on getting her to return to Hollywood and tv. Without Shell there is no series. He and Shell are close platonic friends and we should all be so lucky to have such a friend. All of the characters are well fleshed out and set up for future books. The mystery itself was good and overall this was just the kind of cozy I enjoy. I hope there will be more books in the Purr N' Bark Pet Shop series.
My thanks to the publisher Midnight Ink and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Besides the two cats and the detective, Shell's former co-star, Gary, has arrived in town, intent on getting her to return to Hollywood and tv. Without Shell there is no series. He and Shell are close platonic friends and we should all be so lucky to have such a friend. All of the characters are well fleshed out and set up for future books. The mystery itself was good and overall this was just the kind of cozy I enjoy. I hope there will be more books in the Purr N' Bark Pet Shop series.
My thanks to the publisher Midnight Ink and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 11, 2019
The Time for Murder is Meow -" A Purr N' Bark Pet Shop Mystery" by T. C. LoTempio, is a good start to a new mystery series .
Being a cat lover I am always drawn to mysteries involving one or two felines, and I wasn't disappointed.
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?
Protagonist Shell is hardworking, very likeable plus all the characters are well developed and, Kahlua and Purrday, (the cats) were adorable.. I enjoyed the setting of Fox Hollow, Connecticut.
The mystery was well plotted and there were just enough twists and turns ad red herrings to keep me interested. I Figured out whodunit before Shell and for once I was correct.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring cats. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
Being a cat lover I am always drawn to mysteries involving one or two felines, and I wasn't disappointed.
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?
Protagonist Shell is hardworking, very likeable plus all the characters are well developed and, Kahlua and Purrday, (the cats) were adorable.. I enjoyed the setting of Fox Hollow, Connecticut.
The mystery was well plotted and there were just enough twists and turns ad red herrings to keep me interested. I Figured out whodunit before Shell and for once I was correct.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring cats. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
August 9, 2019
The Time for Murder is Meow is the first in the new Purr n' Bark Pet Shop Mystery series by T. C. LoTempio. This series focuses on an actress who inherits her aunt's Purr n' Bark Pet Shop and gives up her acting to start life over in the small town. Soon after arriving in her new hometown, Shell becomes embroiled in a controversy. She quickly forms some friends and some enemies among the townspeople. After coming across a dead body and becoming a person of interest in the case, Shell works to clear her own name and find the actual murderer.
The Time for Murder is Meow is a great start to the series. You have cats, murders, and ex-actresses which combine to make a fun book to read. Of course the cats do help to solve the murder as well. I was not previously familiar with LoTempio as an author ,but I plan to read her other books and will be watching for the next titles in the Purr n' Bark series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Time for Murder is Meow via NetGalley from Midnight Ink. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The Time for Murder is Meow is a great start to the series. You have cats, murders, and ex-actresses which combine to make a fun book to read. Of course the cats do help to solve the murder as well. I was not previously familiar with LoTempio as an author ,but I plan to read her other books and will be watching for the next titles in the Purr n' Bark series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Time for Murder is Meow via NetGalley from Midnight Ink. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
June 19, 2019
This novel is surprisingly positive for being in the murder mystery genre. I was kept guessing the entire way through and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole storyline. Although the crime/murder/suspicions were spoken about throughout the story, it didn't feel particularly sinister to me.
I really liked that element because although the investigation was at the forefront of the story, it wasn't totally drenched in fear. This meant that the other aspects of the story could also shine through and meant that the crime/thriller element felt really natural, as opposed to being at all forced.
Before reading this book I already loved cats, and I partially picked the title because of the punny cat related title. But after reading, I can honestly say that I am even fonder of the friendly furry felines.
I would recommend this book and rate it at 5 stars because it's honestly such a fun read, you really experience everything with our leading lady and you really get to know all of the characters, meaning that you too can try to investigate along with the novel.
I really liked that element because although the investigation was at the forefront of the story, it wasn't totally drenched in fear. This meant that the other aspects of the story could also shine through and meant that the crime/thriller element felt really natural, as opposed to being at all forced.
Before reading this book I already loved cats, and I partially picked the title because of the punny cat related title. But after reading, I can honestly say that I am even fonder of the friendly furry felines.
I would recommend this book and rate it at 5 stars because it's honestly such a fun read, you really experience everything with our leading lady and you really get to know all of the characters, meaning that you too can try to investigate along with the novel.
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