What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Chance Cat Mystery #7
Claw Enforcement
Sarah Grayson and her feline ally, Elvis, are hot on the tail of a crafty killer in the newest installment of the New York Times bestselling Second Chance Cat mysteries.
Sarah Grayson owns a delightful secondhand shop in the small town of North Harbor, Maine, where she and her rescue cat, Elvis, are always finding themselves up to their whiskers in trouble. With the help of a quirky group of senior citizens—who call themselves Charlotte’s Angels and work out of the store—they solve crimes both new and vintage.
Local squabbles about property development have the town in quite a state of drama—and it seems like someone may even be upset enough to kill. When a local man involved in the real estate quagmire falls over dead at a reception to celebrate the harbor front’s redevelopment, Sarah gets roped in to investigate by her own IT expert, Mr. P., who has long known the victim’s stepfather. Between Sarah, Elvis and Charlotte’s Angels, the killer is sure to have claws for concern.
Sarah Grayson owns a delightful secondhand shop in the small town of North Harbor, Maine, where she and her rescue cat, Elvis, are always finding themselves up to their whiskers in trouble. With the help of a quirky group of senior citizens—who call themselves Charlotte’s Angels and work out of the store—they solve crimes both new and vintage.
Local squabbles about property development have the town in quite a state of drama—and it seems like someone may even be upset enough to kill. When a local man involved in the real estate quagmire falls over dead at a reception to celebrate the harbor front’s redevelopment, Sarah gets roped in to investigate by her own IT expert, Mr. P., who has long known the victim’s stepfather. Between Sarah, Elvis and Charlotte’s Angels, the killer is sure to have claws for concern.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2020
195 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Sofie Ryan
13 books567 followersPseudonym for Darlene Ryan. Also writes under Sofie Kelly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 17, 2019
Sarah, who owns a second hand shop in Maine with her cat Elvis. administers CPR to a newcomer in town, whose death is later ruled a homicide. A group of older ladies, known as Charlotte's Angels, are determined to solve the murder. It's a bit of a stretch to think that everyone in town would willingly submit to questioning by a group of busybodies, but if you enjoy cat cozies, give this book a try. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC.
January 30, 2020
CLAW ENFORCEMENT is the seventh book in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series but it’s the first book from this author that I’m reading. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this series so I wanted to try it for myself. To be honest, I avoided this series because I had it in my mind that this was another series that I tried and didn’t like. I won’t mention which other cat-themed series that was here, but when I realized that I was mistaken, I jumped at the chance at reading this and I’m glad that I did.
Sofie Ryan’s writing style is simple and clean, making it very easy to follow. You don’t need to read the series in order, but it helps if you want to get to know the characters of the story. Of course my favorite part of this book was Elvis. I think if you’re a fan of cats, you really can’t go wrong with this series. It’s got great pacing and charming characters. I also think it’s a great series for readers who may be new to the genre and want to give Cozy Mysteries a try. With that being said, I am definitely looking forward to trying more of the books in this series.
July 2, 2020
There's a controversy over the development of a small piece of land in a small Maine town. One of the principles of the controversy is poisoned. The owner of an antique store and her cat try to solve the mystery, and solve her love life as well.
Pretty good. The cat doesn't get annoying.
Pretty good. The cat doesn't get annoying.
February 25, 2020
Claw Enforcement by Sofie Ryan was another winner in this series in my opinion. I adore Rose, Liz, Charlotte and Mr. P. and always look forward to spending time with them. This was an engaging mystery with these lovable characters but the resolution to the case was very sad. The ending with Sarah and Mac was sweet.
I received a copy of this book from my local library.
I received a copy of this book from my local library.
November 13, 2019
The 7th edition of the Second Chance Mysteries series is a relaxing read. The characters are excellent and will grab your attention at once. Elvis, a feline adds much to the story.
Sarah Grayson attends a fundraiser and sees a man collapsed and she and Nick do CPR on him but we're unable to save him. His death is released a homicide. Sarah feels responsible for him and decided to look for the killer. She is join by Charlotte Angels, a group of senior citizens that have a detective agency. Nick and Mac join them.The victim was involved with a Construction Boss over parcel of land. How does the dispute effect the death? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
DISCLOSURE: Thanks to Berkley for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Sarah Grayson attends a fundraiser and sees a man collapsed and she and Nick do CPR on him but we're unable to save him. His death is released a homicide. Sarah feels responsible for him and decided to look for the killer. She is join by Charlotte Angels, a group of senior citizens that have a detective agency. Nick and Mac join them.The victim was involved with a Construction Boss over parcel of land. How does the dispute effect the death? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
DISCLOSURE: Thanks to Berkley for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 1, 2020
It was really good to have Sarah, her friends, and her cat, Elvis, back for another adventure. As always, Sarah becomes caught up in a murder investigation. The storyline kept me interested, and kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the story. I could have used a little more Elvis, but other than that, I thought it was a great one!
September 15, 2021
One of my favourite cat cozy series.
February 12, 2020
I love this series! I can't believe we are already at #7 in this fabulous series! From Elvis, the feline lie detector, to Sarah, owner of the Second Chance repurpose store and her delightful "aunts" who surrounded her when she was growing up, I always look forward to the next mystery in the series. And this one is no exception.
Sarah's aunts, who are close friends of her Gram, and Rose's friend Mr. P., are part of Charlotte's Angels, a PI firm for these sweet seniors to help solve mysteries for friends and family. They are sharp and intuitive, and often get clues before the police do. Their office is in the Second Chance building, and each of the seniors helps in the shop in one way or another.
There is much rebuilding going on in North Harbor, Maine, including the new riverfront project. Many of the original structures were demo'd and are being replaced with new, modern buildings that include as much of the original building material as possible. Joe Roswell is a well-known developer in the area. He is building a hotel at the riverfront, and had planned to build a secluded resort for the well-healed people from big cities to come and unwind. That is, until Christopher Healy bought the land out from under him to use as a nature preserve. Joe is now suing Christopher for taking it way when he already had a handshake agreement with the 90+ year-old owner.
At a reception for the waterfront project, Sarah and friends were looking at many old class photos and other pictures found in the old properties when Christopher Healy bumbled into the party. When he bumped into her, it was clear he had been drinking. He went to Joe and had loud words with him, and Joe suggested that he leave. Instead, he went to the bar, had words with the barkeeper, and received a cup of coffee. Within minutes, he showed a few seconds of physical distress, collapsed, and died.
Mr. P. had recently reconnected with Healy's stepfather, Elliot Casey, who had been friends for many decades. It broke the gentle Mr. P.'s heart to know how much Elliot and his wife Nora were hurting for the loss of Nora's son. Charlotte's Angels have a new case!
The Angels are brilliant, organized, and "seasoned". Like fine wine, they get better as they age, and are truly a delight to watch. Sarah helps where she can, often in giving rides to Rose and Mr. P. or going on questioning sessions with Liz. I love all the seniors, especially Rose and Liz! Elvis is a precious kitty who loves Jeopardy! and being wherever Sarah is. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. I figured out whodunit, but it did not spoil a second of the plot for me as at times I almost started following one of the red herrings. This is a fascinating novel with a wonderful bunch of friends. I highly recommend this to fans of the series, cats, older sleuths, the Maine coast, and repurpose shops.
Sarah's aunts, who are close friends of her Gram, and Rose's friend Mr. P., are part of Charlotte's Angels, a PI firm for these sweet seniors to help solve mysteries for friends and family. They are sharp and intuitive, and often get clues before the police do. Their office is in the Second Chance building, and each of the seniors helps in the shop in one way or another.
There is much rebuilding going on in North Harbor, Maine, including the new riverfront project. Many of the original structures were demo'd and are being replaced with new, modern buildings that include as much of the original building material as possible. Joe Roswell is a well-known developer in the area. He is building a hotel at the riverfront, and had planned to build a secluded resort for the well-healed people from big cities to come and unwind. That is, until Christopher Healy bought the land out from under him to use as a nature preserve. Joe is now suing Christopher for taking it way when he already had a handshake agreement with the 90+ year-old owner.
At a reception for the waterfront project, Sarah and friends were looking at many old class photos and other pictures found in the old properties when Christopher Healy bumbled into the party. When he bumped into her, it was clear he had been drinking. He went to Joe and had loud words with him, and Joe suggested that he leave. Instead, he went to the bar, had words with the barkeeper, and received a cup of coffee. Within minutes, he showed a few seconds of physical distress, collapsed, and died.
Mr. P. had recently reconnected with Healy's stepfather, Elliot Casey, who had been friends for many decades. It broke the gentle Mr. P.'s heart to know how much Elliot and his wife Nora were hurting for the loss of Nora's son. Charlotte's Angels have a new case!
The Angels are brilliant, organized, and "seasoned". Like fine wine, they get better as they age, and are truly a delight to watch. Sarah helps where she can, often in giving rides to Rose and Mr. P. or going on questioning sessions with Liz. I love all the seniors, especially Rose and Liz! Elvis is a precious kitty who loves Jeopardy! and being wherever Sarah is. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. I figured out whodunit, but it did not spoil a second of the plot for me as at times I almost started following one of the red herrings. This is a fascinating novel with a wonderful bunch of friends. I highly recommend this to fans of the series, cats, older sleuths, the Maine coast, and repurpose shops.
January 28, 2020
I love this series so much and Claw Enforcement fits right in with a great story and wonderful characters. When people ask what series I would like to spent time in for real, Second Chance Cat is one that comes to mind immediately. Reading it was like catching up with old friends. As much as I enjoy the mysteries, it is time spent with the characters that makes these books tie for my top two cozy mysteries. The characters of all ages are beautifully developed, intelligent and fun. Some people don't expect much of lighter fiction, but author Sofie Ryan offers a perfect example of the fact that light fiction can reflect quality writing.
I cheer the fact that Sarah and Mac are admitting, albeit subtly, that they are attracted to one another! I like that we continue to see progress on the downtown development which also means that a certain couple is still pretending to date; it is no surprise that none of the seniors have fallen for that gambit or that Jess and Owen aren't aware that they are fooling no one. I appreciate that I could not figure out the murderer although I was starting to wonder; it is fun to feel like I have followed the clues without being able to guess from the beginning.
I cheer the fact that Sarah and Mac are admitting, albeit subtly, that they are attracted to one another! I like that we continue to see progress on the downtown development which also means that a certain couple is still pretending to date; it is no surprise that none of the seniors have fallen for that gambit or that Jess and Owen aren't aware that they are fooling no one. I appreciate that I could not figure out the murderer although I was starting to wonder; it is fun to feel like I have followed the clues without being able to guess from the beginning.
July 29, 2023
This was such a cute and cozy mystery and a super quick read. I wish I started at book 1 so I could get to know the characters a little better but the author re-introduces them in this book. I loved the ensemble of characters the most about this book, the mystery itself was pretty basic and I guessed whodunnit before page 200 (and I was right). I also wish the cat was less of just a cat and more of like a super sleuth cat? Like he was barely in the plot. Anyways I liked it, I’ll read more of these.
October 22, 2019
I do enjoy reading about Elvis and Sarah. Sarah and the relationships between the members of Charlotte' s
Angels (who have recruited Mac and Nick to the team) is a fun one. They work well as a team, with their different strengths and so get the job done once again.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Angels (who have recruited Mac and Nick to the team) is a fun one. They work well as a team, with their different strengths and so get the job done once again.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2020
Good entry. I did see the whodunit earlier than I would have liked, but that's OK. This book still worked for me, and I love the characters.
January 29, 2020
another good entry in this series, although I pretty much guessed the murderer early on watching Sarah and the Angels investigate is still enjoyable. Glad to see some sort of progress with Mac!
November 17, 2024
3.25⭐
January 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this one but my goodness I have never read a cozy with such a 'make me cry' killer reveal!
Sarah owns a pretty neat second hand store and those that work with her and good at turning junk into cool things. Things were going well and then a man drops dead while Sarah and her friends are at a celebration about some redevelopment for the area. Sarah and her friend Nick try to help the man but there was no helping, he died, they learn later that it was poison.
Charlotte and her friends who run the Charlotte's angels detective agency, an agency consisting of a bunch of senior citizens. One of them (can't remember who, think it was Rose), knew right away it was poison because of the way the guy was reacting. Sarah, wasn't real sure but she thought something bad happened.
Mr. P the one who does most of their tech wants the angels help in solving the murder because the man was his friends stepson. Even though Sarah tries to stay out of their sleuthing she always ends up helping. This time she didn't mind because she would do about anything for Mr. P.
Even though I am a dog lover this is probably one of my favorite series that involves a cat. Elvis has an uncanny ability to tell when people are lying and has help on many of the cases. I really like Sarah and I am glad the author has finally started pushing her and Mac closer together as they have been dancing around things for far to long. The group of seniors in this series are some of my favorites as well. Well I guess you could say this book just has a whole book full of great characters!
The mystery was really good and there was a few suspects but this one sort of blindsided me and took me by surprise and was kind of sad when you find out whodunit.
I would highly recommend this series to any cozy reader!
Sarah owns a pretty neat second hand store and those that work with her and good at turning junk into cool things. Things were going well and then a man drops dead while Sarah and her friends are at a celebration about some redevelopment for the area. Sarah and her friend Nick try to help the man but there was no helping, he died, they learn later that it was poison.
Charlotte and her friends who run the Charlotte's angels detective agency, an agency consisting of a bunch of senior citizens. One of them (can't remember who, think it was Rose), knew right away it was poison because of the way the guy was reacting. Sarah, wasn't real sure but she thought something bad happened.
Mr. P the one who does most of their tech wants the angels help in solving the murder because the man was his friends stepson. Even though Sarah tries to stay out of their sleuthing she always ends up helping. This time she didn't mind because she would do about anything for Mr. P.
Even though I am a dog lover this is probably one of my favorite series that involves a cat. Elvis has an uncanny ability to tell when people are lying and has help on many of the cases. I really like Sarah and I am glad the author has finally started pushing her and Mac closer together as they have been dancing around things for far to long. The group of seniors in this series are some of my favorites as well. Well I guess you could say this book just has a whole book full of great characters!
The mystery was really good and there was a few suspects but this one sort of blindsided me and took me by surprise and was kind of sad when you find out whodunit.
I would highly recommend this series to any cozy reader!
July 26, 2020
Okay, the four stars is a series rating. This one was more like a 3.6 or so. I'm scoring it a bit lower because I didn't feel the mystery was as well done as it could have been with clues. In fact, I had to sit here awhile to remember whodunit. The series is strong on relationships and this one is no exception; I read them more for the characters than I do the plots, which is also true of the author's Magical Cats series (under the name Sofie Kelly). Another reason for the lower mark here-- the slight shift in emphasis. What made this series a standout for me was the number of older characters who were lively, smart, and finding romance while the young people watch bemusedly while trying to avoid being set up with someone. It was different, it was fresh, and I thought entertaining. Starting last book, that shifted to Sarah and someone; this time that story line is pursued while Sarah's brother Liam is having a faux romance that I will just about bet will turn out to be the real thing. That's fine, but it does take away a bit of the novelty because there are SO. many. other. cat books with 20 and 30 somethings solving mysteries and finding love... including Magical Cats. So it's still a good series, strong writing, well developed characters, humor but it's less bold, more stereotypical. Kelly/Ryan is a good author and I hope she'll go back to the path less trodden.
March 11, 2022
I wasn't sure when I started this series that I liked it, but here I am on book number seven and looking forward to reading the next two that I have. Who knew? I still like her magical cat book series (written as Sofie Kelly) more. In this book Sarah and gang try to solve the mystery of a man who was poisoned by Monkshod. They had several suspects, one who looked very promising, but it finally came down to only one who could have done it. The romance between her and Mac proceeds at a snail's pace, but ended with a kiss at the end of the book.
May 21, 2020
One of the best cozy series, this serial of a second hand shop owner in Maine, her cat, Elvis, and the employees, neighbors and family ring true. An older number of people she knows have a detective agency on the side with each member of the group bringing their talents to solve mysteries that befall the town. Well written with a lot of specific detail, I feel like I know the people, her shop and the town. I wish I could visit it in reality.
February 5, 2020
This series is so cute. The mystery here is no great shakes, but it's wonderful to spend some time with Elvis the cat, Charlotte, Rose, Liz, Mr. P, Sarah, Mac, Nick, Liam, Jen, Avery & Michelle. I had a great time reading it, as usual. Too bad I have to wait a whole year for the next one.
May 16, 2020
Sarah owns a secondhand shop in Maine and helps a group of senior citizens solve crimes. This time there is a land dispute and a man is killed. Sarah is right in the middle of that and listening to her senior citizens try to find her a boyfriend.
October 14, 2023
4 stelle e mezza. Il libro mi è piaciuto, l'unico problema è che ho capito ben prima della rivelazione finale chi fosse il colpevole. Però il cast dei personaggi è buono, gatto compreso. Dovrò saltare il prossimo volume della serie perché l'ebook è indisponibile per l'Italia (misteri delle case editrici), ma cercherò di farmene una ragione.
September 19, 2022
I really liked reading this cozy mystery, and the characters were fun to read about, especially the cat, Elvis. He truly is the King in this series! I look forward to reading more of this series.
June 15, 2020
Sarah owns and runs a repurposing shop, selling refurbished, second hand items. It’s always interesting to read about the clever ways she and her talented staff revamp items for sale. But the real interest of this series lies in the delightful and charming group of somewhat elderly private investigators, Charlotte’s Angels, who run their agency from shared quarters at the shop’s location. It is fascinating to watch the story unfold, as these determined oldsters, relying on their wits and life’s experiences, are able to ferret out clues and solve murders. In this story, a real estate deal goes bad, and lawsuit is looming. When one of the players drops dead, it has to be murder. The Angels go through their paces to eliminate suspects, and yet still manage to do a bit of matchmaking on the side. This is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy, complete with Elvis the cat.
April 11, 2021
This was a very definite 5 star read. I love the main characters, Sarah, Sam, Gram, Liz, Rose, Mr. P. and of course Elvis the cat (after all you have to love a cat who watches Jeopardy). This had a wonderful plot and a lot of twist and turns. It also had two endings, when the killer was caught, and when all the folks who are Sarah and Sam's close friends set them up for a romantic supper in the store but before that happens, well you will have to read the book if you want to find out.
February 3, 2020
I didn't care for the direction the story was heading and I thought the killer's reason for killing was too bizarre and unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
Fun cozy mystery
February 17, 2020
https://openbooksociety.com/article/c...
Claw Enforcement
Second Chance Cat Mystery #7
By Sofie Ryan
ISBN 9781984802330
Author’s website: sofieryan.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Sarah Grayson owns a delightful secondhand shop in the small town of North Harbor, Maine, where she and her rescue cat, Elvis, are always finding themselves up to their whiskers in trouble. With the help of a quirky group of senior citizens—who call themselves Charlotte’s Angels and work out of the store—they solve crimes both new and vintage.
Local squabbles about property development have the town in quite a state of drama—and it seems like someone may even be upset enough to kill. When a local man involved in the real estate quagmire falls over dead at a reception to celebrate the harbor front’s redevelopment, Sarah gets roped in to investigate by her own IT expert, Mr. P., who has long known the victim’s stepfather. Between Sarah, Elvis and Charlotte’s Angels, the killer is sure to have claws for concern.
Review:
This is a marvelous new offering in the Second Chance Cat series! I love visiting North Harbor, Maine and the Second Chance repurpose store, including the Charlotte’s Angels office and the delightful family and friends I find there. The Angels are a brilliant group of seniors who not only help in the store, they have solved several murders. I learn something new about these folks each time, and this mystery takes all their skills to solve. Elvis, the feline lie detector, is an adorable team player. This novel is catnip for the cozy mystery lover!
Construction has begun at the waterfront in North Harbor, and a reception is being held to celebrate the rejuvenation of the area. It is being held by Joe Roswell, developer of the hotel that is being built. Sarah, owner of Second Chance, and Nick, her friend since childhood, are in attendance, as well as the elegant Liz, one of the Angels, one of Sarah’s adopted aunts, and a woman who is in the middle of many of the community goings on.
Christopher Healy came into the venue after having had at least a few drinks before arriving. Healy is being sued for Joe for purchasing land at Gibson’s Point where Joe planned to build a getaway for rich folks. Healy plans to use it for a nature preserve. Christopher saw Joe, grabbed his arm, they had words, and Joe told him to leave. Instead, Healy sat at the bar and the bartender served him coffee. Minutes later, Healy emitted a choking sound, looked as if he were having a brief seizure, grabbed his chest, and collapsed. Sadly, he was already dead when Nick and Sarah attempted CPR.
Rose, one of the Angels and adopted aunts, is also there with her sweetheart, Mr. P (Peterson). Rose believes from what they saw that Christopher had been poisoned. Mr. P and Christopher’s stepfather Elliot have been friends for since they met in Eagle Scouts many years ago. Saddened for his friend’s loss, Mr. P wants the Angels to take the case to help find what happened to the younger man. Yes, the police are on the job, but the seniors’ PI firm takes cases special to them or to their friends.
Sarah, Liz, and Rose are my favorites. Rose and Liz may be seniors, but they will never let anyone treat them as dotty old ladies! They are wise, can put pieces together faster than many, and speak directly to anyone who acts as if they are getting senile. Sarah is a young woman who is happier than she ever was with her previous career. She and second-in-command Mac enjoy working with their hands to give new life to the treasures they find or purchase. This eclectic group is so well-defined, I can almost see and hear them! I do appreciate how Sarah gets along well with the “aunts” and Mr. P; there is no generation gap between them!
There is a perfect balance between the mystery and the lives of Sarah and her friends. The mystery is at the center of everyone’s thoughts. I appreciate seeing the characters’ interactions with family and friends as they are interesting to be around. Elvis is not a clue-sniffing feline; this boy’s appeal is in his cat-sonality and ability to discern lies from truth. The mystery is for sure challenging; there are a couple people who seem to be obvious suspects. I did have a good idea who the bad guy was before revealed, but still had some surprises in store.
If one enjoys well-written cozy mysteries with captivating characters focusing on seniors and those who love their wit and wisdom, LOL humor, historical towns and repurposing treasures, I highly recommend this! Oh, and Elvis! We can’t forget this furry black cat who loves watching Jeopardy and being with his humans!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Claw Enforcement
Second Chance Cat Mystery #7
By Sofie Ryan
ISBN 9781984802330
Author’s website: sofieryan.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Sarah Grayson owns a delightful secondhand shop in the small town of North Harbor, Maine, where she and her rescue cat, Elvis, are always finding themselves up to their whiskers in trouble. With the help of a quirky group of senior citizens—who call themselves Charlotte’s Angels and work out of the store—they solve crimes both new and vintage.
Local squabbles about property development have the town in quite a state of drama—and it seems like someone may even be upset enough to kill. When a local man involved in the real estate quagmire falls over dead at a reception to celebrate the harbor front’s redevelopment, Sarah gets roped in to investigate by her own IT expert, Mr. P., who has long known the victim’s stepfather. Between Sarah, Elvis and Charlotte’s Angels, the killer is sure to have claws for concern.
Review:
This is a marvelous new offering in the Second Chance Cat series! I love visiting North Harbor, Maine and the Second Chance repurpose store, including the Charlotte’s Angels office and the delightful family and friends I find there. The Angels are a brilliant group of seniors who not only help in the store, they have solved several murders. I learn something new about these folks each time, and this mystery takes all their skills to solve. Elvis, the feline lie detector, is an adorable team player. This novel is catnip for the cozy mystery lover!
Construction has begun at the waterfront in North Harbor, and a reception is being held to celebrate the rejuvenation of the area. It is being held by Joe Roswell, developer of the hotel that is being built. Sarah, owner of Second Chance, and Nick, her friend since childhood, are in attendance, as well as the elegant Liz, one of the Angels, one of Sarah’s adopted aunts, and a woman who is in the middle of many of the community goings on.
Christopher Healy came into the venue after having had at least a few drinks before arriving. Healy is being sued for Joe for purchasing land at Gibson’s Point where Joe planned to build a getaway for rich folks. Healy plans to use it for a nature preserve. Christopher saw Joe, grabbed his arm, they had words, and Joe told him to leave. Instead, Healy sat at the bar and the bartender served him coffee. Minutes later, Healy emitted a choking sound, looked as if he were having a brief seizure, grabbed his chest, and collapsed. Sadly, he was already dead when Nick and Sarah attempted CPR.
Rose, one of the Angels and adopted aunts, is also there with her sweetheart, Mr. P (Peterson). Rose believes from what they saw that Christopher had been poisoned. Mr. P and Christopher’s stepfather Elliot have been friends for since they met in Eagle Scouts many years ago. Saddened for his friend’s loss, Mr. P wants the Angels to take the case to help find what happened to the younger man. Yes, the police are on the job, but the seniors’ PI firm takes cases special to them or to their friends.
Sarah, Liz, and Rose are my favorites. Rose and Liz may be seniors, but they will never let anyone treat them as dotty old ladies! They are wise, can put pieces together faster than many, and speak directly to anyone who acts as if they are getting senile. Sarah is a young woman who is happier than she ever was with her previous career. She and second-in-command Mac enjoy working with their hands to give new life to the treasures they find or purchase. This eclectic group is so well-defined, I can almost see and hear them! I do appreciate how Sarah gets along well with the “aunts” and Mr. P; there is no generation gap between them!
There is a perfect balance between the mystery and the lives of Sarah and her friends. The mystery is at the center of everyone’s thoughts. I appreciate seeing the characters’ interactions with family and friends as they are interesting to be around. Elvis is not a clue-sniffing feline; this boy’s appeal is in his cat-sonality and ability to discern lies from truth. The mystery is for sure challenging; there are a couple people who seem to be obvious suspects. I did have a good idea who the bad guy was before revealed, but still had some surprises in store.
If one enjoys well-written cozy mysteries with captivating characters focusing on seniors and those who love their wit and wisdom, LOL humor, historical towns and repurposing treasures, I highly recommend this! Oh, and Elvis! We can’t forget this furry black cat who loves watching Jeopardy and being with his humans!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
December 23, 2020
Sarah Grayson is all about second chances. So much so that it’s the name of her shop, where she restores and sells objects that others no longer want or need. From furniture to encyclopedias, glass bottles to musical instruments, Sarah and her crew take discarded pieces and turn them into gems. She and her rescue cat Elvis run the store, try to keep her grandmother and friends from interfering in her love life, and help Charlotte’s Angels solve mysteries.
So when Sarah and her friends go to a reception for North Harbor, Maine’s waterfront restoration, and a property developer ends up dead, Charlotte’s Angels go to work. A group of crime-fighting senior citizens, the Angels work this time for one of their own, Rose’s boyfriend Mr. P., resident computer expert and old friend of the victim’s stepfather. Mr. P. wants to know why his friend’s son was killed and who would do that to him. So the Angels snap to work, and Rose delegates jobs to everyone nearby.
Sarah was there when the developer, Christopher Healey, collapsed at the reception—in fact, she tried to give him CPR—so she wants to find out who killed him too. Where she generally resists the investigations, Sarah is quick to join in with this one and is more than happy to help out where she can. Meanwhile, she keeps busy playing along with her brother’s fake relationship, catering to Elvis’s Jeopardy! habit, helping with a fundraiser for the town, and flirting with her number two in the store, Mac.
But as the investigation goes on, and the suspect list swindles down, Sarah becomes convinced that the killer is someone close to them, that someone will be heartbroken when the truth comes out and the killer is revealed. But Sarah knows that the truth is more important, so she keeps moving forward on the investigation, despite heartache and danger.
Claw Enforcement is book 7 in Sofie Ryan’s Second Chance Cat Mystery Series, but it’s the first one in the series I have read. I’d read one of the Magical Cats Mysteries (written under the name Sofie Kelly), and I liked it, but I enjoyed this one even more. I thought the characters were charming, and Elvis is an especially good addition. I thought that the crime and investigation in Claw Enforcement was fairly mild, making it an excellent series for readers who are sensitive to more graphic mysteries. Basically, I really loved it and need to carve out some time to read more books in this series. I strongly recommend the Second Chance Cat Mysteries.
Egalleys for Claw Enforcement were provided by Berkley through Edelweiss, with many thanks.
So when Sarah and her friends go to a reception for North Harbor, Maine’s waterfront restoration, and a property developer ends up dead, Charlotte’s Angels go to work. A group of crime-fighting senior citizens, the Angels work this time for one of their own, Rose’s boyfriend Mr. P., resident computer expert and old friend of the victim’s stepfather. Mr. P. wants to know why his friend’s son was killed and who would do that to him. So the Angels snap to work, and Rose delegates jobs to everyone nearby.
Sarah was there when the developer, Christopher Healey, collapsed at the reception—in fact, she tried to give him CPR—so she wants to find out who killed him too. Where she generally resists the investigations, Sarah is quick to join in with this one and is more than happy to help out where she can. Meanwhile, she keeps busy playing along with her brother’s fake relationship, catering to Elvis’s Jeopardy! habit, helping with a fundraiser for the town, and flirting with her number two in the store, Mac.
But as the investigation goes on, and the suspect list swindles down, Sarah becomes convinced that the killer is someone close to them, that someone will be heartbroken when the truth comes out and the killer is revealed. But Sarah knows that the truth is more important, so she keeps moving forward on the investigation, despite heartache and danger.
Claw Enforcement is book 7 in Sofie Ryan’s Second Chance Cat Mystery Series, but it’s the first one in the series I have read. I’d read one of the Magical Cats Mysteries (written under the name Sofie Kelly), and I liked it, but I enjoyed this one even more. I thought the characters were charming, and Elvis is an especially good addition. I thought that the crime and investigation in Claw Enforcement was fairly mild, making it an excellent series for readers who are sensitive to more graphic mysteries. Basically, I really loved it and need to carve out some time to read more books in this series. I strongly recommend the Second Chance Cat Mysteries.
Egalleys for Claw Enforcement were provided by Berkley through Edelweiss, with many thanks.
October 24, 2025
Ahoy there me mateys! Though this log’s focus is on sci-fi and fantasy, this Captain does have broader reading tastes. So occasionally I will share some reads that I enjoyed that are off the charts (a non sci-fi or fantasy). This series was brought to me attention by
Matey Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits
. It consists of 12 books. I bought them all from Audible during their summer sale. At this time, there is no indication that the author will write more in this series. So another series done! Of course, if that changes and other books are written, then I will likely read them too.
Sarah Grayson owns the store Second Chance, a secondhand and thrift shop in the (made-up) coastal town of North Harbor, Maine. Sarah has a group of elderly friends of her grandmother who are like family. These friends run an investigative agency called the Angels.
Where does the cat come in? Elvis was a stray wandering around the waterfront. "The big black cat with a scar across his nose turned up at a local bar when the band was playing the King of Rock and Roll’s music and [then one day] hopped in Sarah’s truck. Since then, he’s been her constant companion and the furry favorite of everyone who comes into the store." And aye, Elvis does play a part in helping solve crimes (in a mostly realistic way).
North Harbor's downtown is being redeveloped and modernized. While at a reception for the new project, Sarah witnesses an argument between the developer and a man named Christopher Healy, who are fighting over the same piece of property. Christopher has had a bit too much to drink. He gets a cup of coffee from the bar and drops down dead. Sarah and her friend try to revive him but to no avail. Healy is the son of Elliot and Nora, friends of Mr. P. Mr. P and the Angels have a new case.
I listen to this series for the characters and their day-to-day lives. The mysteries themselves are fine but the solutions are usually silly. The murderer in this case was certainly silly and had a ridiculous motive. But I love Sarah and Elvis. It is nice to see Sarah and Mac's evolving relationship. I love hearing about all of the things that Second Chance sells. Avery, the teen working in the shop, is one of my favorite characters. Mr. P. with his ridiculous hiked-up pants and Renaissance man approach is another favorite. And I always want to eat Rose's food, especially the cakes and cookies. Arrr!
Sarah Grayson owns the store Second Chance, a secondhand and thrift shop in the (made-up) coastal town of North Harbor, Maine. Sarah has a group of elderly friends of her grandmother who are like family. These friends run an investigative agency called the Angels.
Where does the cat come in? Elvis was a stray wandering around the waterfront. "The big black cat with a scar across his nose turned up at a local bar when the band was playing the King of Rock and Roll’s music and [then one day] hopped in Sarah’s truck. Since then, he’s been her constant companion and the furry favorite of everyone who comes into the store." And aye, Elvis does play a part in helping solve crimes (in a mostly realistic way).
North Harbor's downtown is being redeveloped and modernized. While at a reception for the new project, Sarah witnesses an argument between the developer and a man named Christopher Healy, who are fighting over the same piece of property. Christopher has had a bit too much to drink. He gets a cup of coffee from the bar and drops down dead. Sarah and her friend try to revive him but to no avail. Healy is the son of Elliot and Nora, friends of Mr. P. Mr. P and the Angels have a new case.
I listen to this series for the characters and their day-to-day lives. The mysteries themselves are fine but the solutions are usually silly. The murderer in this case was certainly silly and had a ridiculous motive. But I love Sarah and Elvis. It is nice to see Sarah and Mac's evolving relationship. I love hearing about all of the things that Second Chance sells. Avery, the teen working in the shop, is one of my favorite characters. Mr. P. with his ridiculous hiked-up pants and Renaissance man approach is another favorite. And I always want to eat Rose's food, especially the cakes and cookies. Arrr!
January 28, 2020
The seventh entry in the Second Chance mystery series, Claw Enforcement returns to the familiar cast of North Harbor, Maine denizens: Sarah Grayson, owner of the Second Chance antique store, her cat Elvis, her grandmother, and her grandmother’s friends, Charlotte, Liz, Rose, and Mr. P, all members of the Charlotte’s Angels detective agency.
Sarah and her friends are all at a posh reception celebrating the redevelopment of the city’s harbor front when the party is crashed by Christopher Healy. A drunk Healy confronts Joe Roswell, the developer of the project. Shortly thereafter, Healy collapses in the middle of the reception. Sarah and her long-time friend Nick Elliott, a former paramedic and investigator for the medical examiner’s office, attempt to resuscitate him, but they are unsuccessful.
Convinced not only that Healy was murdered but that he was poisoned, Rose presses the Angels to take the case. When they learn that Healy was the stepson of Elliot Casey, a childhood friend of Mr. P, no one could say no to the request.
Although I love mysteries, I don’t read many cozy mysteries. Perhaps Claw Enforcement will change my ways. The small-town setting with so many overlapping and close relationships provides a comfortable backdrop for the narrative. I liked, too, that the protagonists are intergenerational and non-stereotypical, with teenagers, early adulthood, middle age, and senior citizens represented.
I loved Elvis and his commentary as translated by Sarah, though I wish he’d been more instrumental in investigating and solving the case. For the most part, the author provided introductions to characters so that reading the earlier books in the series wasn’t necessary, but in a couple of cases, that wasn’t the case What I didn’t like about the book is that I knew who the murderer was very early on. Also, I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions such as what was going to happen to the land at the center of a legal dispute.
Overall, the book was a sweet, enjoyable read with winning characters and an engaging setting. I’ll definitely check out the other books in the series to find out more about Elvis’s other adventures!
Thanks to Edelweiss and Berkley/Random House for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah and her friends are all at a posh reception celebrating the redevelopment of the city’s harbor front when the party is crashed by Christopher Healy. A drunk Healy confronts Joe Roswell, the developer of the project. Shortly thereafter, Healy collapses in the middle of the reception. Sarah and her long-time friend Nick Elliott, a former paramedic and investigator for the medical examiner’s office, attempt to resuscitate him, but they are unsuccessful.
Convinced not only that Healy was murdered but that he was poisoned, Rose presses the Angels to take the case. When they learn that Healy was the stepson of Elliot Casey, a childhood friend of Mr. P, no one could say no to the request.
Although I love mysteries, I don’t read many cozy mysteries. Perhaps Claw Enforcement will change my ways. The small-town setting with so many overlapping and close relationships provides a comfortable backdrop for the narrative. I liked, too, that the protagonists are intergenerational and non-stereotypical, with teenagers, early adulthood, middle age, and senior citizens represented.
I loved Elvis and his commentary as translated by Sarah, though I wish he’d been more instrumental in investigating and solving the case. For the most part, the author provided introductions to characters so that reading the earlier books in the series wasn’t necessary, but in a couple of cases, that wasn’t the case What I didn’t like about the book is that I knew who the murderer was very early on. Also, I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions such as what was going to happen to the land at the center of a legal dispute.
Overall, the book was a sweet, enjoyable read with winning characters and an engaging setting. I’ll definitely check out the other books in the series to find out more about Elvis’s other adventures!
Thanks to Edelweiss and Berkley/Random House for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews