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Second Chance Cat Mystery #6
No Escape Claws
Sarah Grayson and her feline ally, Elvis, get a chance to see if their sleuthing skills are up to scratch in the sixth installment of the New York Times bestselling Second Chance Cat Mysteries.
It's fall in North Harbor, Maine, where Sarah owns a charming secondhand shop and sells lovingly refurbished items of all kinds. The shop is always bustling—and not just because a quirky team of senior-citizen detectives works out of it and manages to get in even more trouble than Sarah's rough-and-tumble rescue cat, Elvis.
A cold case heats up when young Mallory Pearson appears at the shop. Mallory's father is in prison for negligence after her stepmother's mysterious death, but Mallory believes he is innocent and asks the in-house detectives to take on the case. With Sarah and Elvis lending a paw, the detectives decide to try to give Mallory's father a second chance of his own.
It's fall in North Harbor, Maine, where Sarah owns a charming secondhand shop and sells lovingly refurbished items of all kinds. The shop is always bustling—and not just because a quirky team of senior-citizen detectives works out of it and manages to get in even more trouble than Sarah's rough-and-tumble rescue cat, Elvis.
A cold case heats up when young Mallory Pearson appears at the shop. Mallory's father is in prison for negligence after her stepmother's mysterious death, but Mallory believes he is innocent and asks the in-house detectives to take on the case. With Sarah and Elvis lending a paw, the detectives decide to try to give Mallory's father a second chance of his own.
397 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2019
243 people are currently reading
738 people want to read
About the author
Sofie Ryan
13 books567 followersPseudonym for Darlene Ryan. Also writes under Sofie Kelly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
February 19, 2019
3.75 Stars → NO ESCAPE CLAWS is book six in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series (I've also read the first). Main character Sarah Grayson runs a lovely secondhand shop in North Harbor, Maine, along with a quirky group of her grandmother's friends (known as the Angels). I could spend hours in her store.
The Angels are part-time detectives as well, and with Sarah's help they solve local mysteries. Their latest case comes at the request of young Mallory Pearson, who wants them to prove her father is innocent of negligence in the death of her stepmother. Prison is a nightmare for him, but for some reason he doesn't want help getting out. The mystery surrounding the suspicious death was a puzzler, and Sarah & the gang were smart about their investigation. I enjoyed tagging along!
My one quibble with the book was the large number of characters. Too many to keep straight at times, which made reading frustrating. Not only were there many speaking characters, but there were lots of "off screen" folks they talked about. Maybe it's because I've missed many of the previous books?
Overall I enjoyed this cozy, and it made me want to catch up with the rest of the series!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪 | Instagram | Pinterest | ✿
The Angels are part-time detectives as well, and with Sarah's help they solve local mysteries. Their latest case comes at the request of young Mallory Pearson, who wants them to prove her father is innocent of negligence in the death of her stepmother. Prison is a nightmare for him, but for some reason he doesn't want help getting out. The mystery surrounding the suspicious death was a puzzler, and Sarah & the gang were smart about their investigation. I enjoyed tagging along!
My one quibble with the book was the large number of characters. Too many to keep straight at times, which made reading frustrating. Not only were there many speaking characters, but there were lots of "off screen" folks they talked about. Maybe it's because I've missed many of the previous books?
Overall I enjoyed this cozy, and it made me want to catch up with the rest of the series!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓪 | Instagram | Pinterest | ✿
February 9, 2019
Sarah Grayson runs a quaint secondhand shop with the help of a few of her grandmother’s closest friends. The seniors, also, have their own detective agency they operate out of Sarah’s shop. Often Sarah, along with her furry friend Elvis, lend them a helping hand and/or paw.
Teenager Mallory Pearson begs the group to help get her father out of jail. He's been accused and found guilty of negligence in a house fire which caused his wife's death. The detectives have their work cut out for them. It's especially hard since Mallory's father took a plea deal and doesn't want the investigation to continue. They aren’t totally sure her father is innocent, but they suspect there is more to this story than meets the eye.
This is the sixth book in this fun series. I always love revisiting Elvis (and his humans, too). Elvis has a few cute scenes in this book, but it’s not enough for me. Of course I could never have too many kitty scenes in any book.
I’ve been reading this series since the beginning and it’s always good for some laughs and intriguing mysteries. This is no exception. The characters and their relationships continue to grow with each new book. The storyline moves at a nice pace and it’s filled with so many twists and turns it makes your head spin. I thought I figured it all out, but I was slightly off track.
I’m always left wanting more when I finish one of these. I’m already counting down to when the next one comes out. I’m going to need another Elvis fix soon!
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.
Teenager Mallory Pearson begs the group to help get her father out of jail. He's been accused and found guilty of negligence in a house fire which caused his wife's death. The detectives have their work cut out for them. It's especially hard since Mallory's father took a plea deal and doesn't want the investigation to continue. They aren’t totally sure her father is innocent, but they suspect there is more to this story than meets the eye.
This is the sixth book in this fun series. I always love revisiting Elvis (and his humans, too). Elvis has a few cute scenes in this book, but it’s not enough for me. Of course I could never have too many kitty scenes in any book.
I’ve been reading this series since the beginning and it’s always good for some laughs and intriguing mysteries. This is no exception. The characters and their relationships continue to grow with each new book. The storyline moves at a nice pace and it’s filled with so many twists and turns it makes your head spin. I thought I figured it all out, but I was slightly off track.
I’m always left wanting more when I finish one of these. I’m already counting down to when the next one comes out. I’m going to need another Elvis fix soon!
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.
July 5, 2019
Sarah is busy with her resell shop, remodeling an office for the senior citizen to use for their Pi projects. Mallory shows up wanting them to find the person who really killed her mother, she knows her father didn’t do even though he is in prison for it. While working on the case they find someone has stolen town money and sent someone else to jail for it.
February 22, 2019
No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan was another delightful addition to this series. I have enjoyed every one of these books and this was no exception. Charlotte, Rose, Liz, Avery and Sarah and Mr. P are all wonderful characters that I would love to spend time with and visit the Second Chance store. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.
March 18, 2022
Sarah's paramour is out of town, taking care of other business when a teenager tries to hire the Angels. It seems her father is in jail for killing her mother, and she thinks he is innocent. However, there is an unimpeachable witness to the crime.
They start investigating, and running the second hand shop, and find the usual small town secrets. Not bad, but perhaps Mac is a bigger part of the series than I thought.
They start investigating, and running the second hand shop, and find the usual small town secrets. Not bad, but perhaps Mac is a bigger part of the series than I thought.
September 12, 2024
I was expecting a fall cozy based on the cover, but I don't think there was any mention of the season. There's a lot of characters, and I had a hard time keeping up with who everyone was. The mystery was ok. I didn't guess it.
March 31, 2020
"No Escape Claws" is the sixth book in Sofie Ryan's Second Chance Cat Mystery series. Sarah Grayson owns Second Chance, a mix between an antique and thrift store in North Harbor, Maine. She also owns a very special and astute black cat named Elvis. Additionally, she allows a group of her grandmother's friends to run their amateur detective agency (Charlotte's Angels) out of her shop. This book finds Sarah and the Angels taking on a cold case and trying to clear an innocent man to free him from prison.
I am a big fan of this series! The books are quick, entertaining reads featuring satisfying mysteries and quirky, comical characters - plus Elvis the cat!
Charlotte's Angels are the Golden Girls mixed with Jessica Fletcher. What's not to love?!? Though Sarah always claims she is not involved in their cases, she ends up being an active participant in their crazy schemes. Elvis is a very special cat who reminds me of Koko in Lilian Jackson Braun's "The Cat Who" series. He helps Sarah and the Angels solve crimes and acts as a feline lie detector when the ladies are questioning suspects.
There are some ongoing storylines in the series so I recommend that you start from the beginning, but it won't be too confusing if you choose to skip around or start with this mystery.
Cozy mystery fans who enjoy a New England setting, geriatric investigators and animals should also enjoy this series. I would recommend it to fans of Krista Davis' "Paws and Claws" series and Ali Brandon's "Black Cat Bookshop" series.
I was given a free copy of this book; my honest opinions are my own.
I am a big fan of this series! The books are quick, entertaining reads featuring satisfying mysteries and quirky, comical characters - plus Elvis the cat!
Charlotte's Angels are the Golden Girls mixed with Jessica Fletcher. What's not to love?!? Though Sarah always claims she is not involved in their cases, she ends up being an active participant in their crazy schemes. Elvis is a very special cat who reminds me of Koko in Lilian Jackson Braun's "The Cat Who" series. He helps Sarah and the Angels solve crimes and acts as a feline lie detector when the ladies are questioning suspects.
There are some ongoing storylines in the series so I recommend that you start from the beginning, but it won't be too confusing if you choose to skip around or start with this mystery.
Cozy mystery fans who enjoy a New England setting, geriatric investigators and animals should also enjoy this series. I would recommend it to fans of Krista Davis' "Paws and Claws" series and Ali Brandon's "Black Cat Bookshop" series.
I was given a free copy of this book; my honest opinions are my own.
February 10, 2021
This was an amazing book, loved the plot, and all the twist the story took. I love the regular characters and the characters who are those involved in the plot. I love the Second Chance Store and my favorite character is the cat Elvis.
April 4, 2019
I really enjoyed reading No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan. Even though it's the 6th book in the series, it's only the 2nd one I've read. I feel like I've missed a bit when it comes to the character development of the main characters, especially Sarah, Nick, and Mac. But it wasn't enough to make me feel lost or to detract from the enjoyment of reading this book. I like how the main mystery in this one was one from the past. And I was completely stumped until the big reveal, which is a big plus for me. While I may not be a big fan of how the situation between Sarah and Nick has turned out at this point, it's definitely a change of pace from the usual plotline of the girl moving back to town and picking up a romance from when she was younger. I plan to go back and read the other 4 books in the series that I missed, and I definitely plan on reading the next one in this series.
Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book. All opinions are mine and mine alone.
Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book. All opinions are mine and mine alone.
April 4, 2019
No Escape Claws is the 6th book in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series by Sofie Ryan. Sarah Grayson owns the secondhand Second Chance shop. Most of her employees, and herself have a side detective business going and are asked to investigate a local father’s possibly wrongful imprisonment.
I had not read any of the previous books in the series, and that was probably a disadvantage to me reading this. There are a lot of leading characters in this book, and it was hard to follow the connections between each one. I also didn’t feel like there was much depth to the main character Sarah, and I didn’t find her very likable to the reader.
While I figured out pretty early on “whodunnit”, I think the story line itself was pretty good and I can see where avid readers of this series would like this book. There was a side mystery that Sarah and another character, Liz, are trying to solve and I feel like you’re missing a lot of back story as this mystery had been going on in previous books but is finally solved here.
Overall it was a good book, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy the series. If you haven’t read the series, I would start from the beginning!
I had not read any of the previous books in the series, and that was probably a disadvantage to me reading this. There are a lot of leading characters in this book, and it was hard to follow the connections between each one. I also didn’t feel like there was much depth to the main character Sarah, and I didn’t find her very likable to the reader.
While I figured out pretty early on “whodunnit”, I think the story line itself was pretty good and I can see where avid readers of this series would like this book. There was a side mystery that Sarah and another character, Liz, are trying to solve and I feel like you’re missing a lot of back story as this mystery had been going on in previous books but is finally solved here.
Overall it was a good book, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy the series. If you haven’t read the series, I would start from the beginning!
May 18, 2021
Altra bella storia, con forse una svolta finale per quanto riguarda la protagonista. Qui ci sono praticamente due misteri: alla fine avevo capito chi fossero i due colpevoli, ma ciò non ha inficiato il piacere della lettura.
April 28, 2021
It's been a while since I read any of this series, but I still enjoyed it
April 3, 2019
I always enjoy my time spent with secondhand shop owner Sarah and her motley crew of employees and friends that make up their own Private Investigating team, Charlotte’s Angels. NO ESCAPE CLAWS, the sixth installment in the Second Chance Cat Mystery Series, is delightful and did not disappoint.
This time around, a young woman who was once Charlotte’s student, Mallory, appeals to the Angels to clear her father’s name. Sarah first disagrees with taking the case since Mike took a plea deal for the charge of negligence associated with his wife’s untimely death. She eventually relents even though she is not sure that Mike is innocent. Also featured in this outing is a secondary mystery tenuously connected to Mike that nicely rounds out the tale.
I wish I could visit Sarah’s shop in Maine; I think I could spend hours looking at all of the treasures. The shop setting and small town location provide the perfect cozy backdrop for the mystery. The mystery is skillfully plotted and deftly executed with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing throughout the book. There are many characters associated with Gina, the victim, to investigate. My only minor complaint about any aspect of the story is that there are too many characters, causing unnecessary padding and, potentially, a bit of confusion. Even though I suspected whodunit about halfway through the tale, I was not completely convinced until the end. I did not have the secondary mystery figured out at all until the last possible moment. NO ESCAPE CLAWS gives readers a nice puzzle to figure out.
The recurring characters in this series are an appealing mix of young and older. I not only view the Angels as Sarah’s friends but also as second mothers and grandmothers to Sarah. How wonderful it would be for everyone to have such love, support, and wisdom! They are shrewd and intelligent, making them competent amateur sleuths. Sarah’s brother and other friends balance the older characters’ actions and perspectives and are all quite enjoyable. I would be remiss to not mention Elvis, the cat. He is a bit of a feline lie detector, a useful skill to have in a four legged assistant investigator. One cannot help but love Elvis and his love of the TV game show Jeopardy.
I recommend NO ESCAPE CLAWS to any cozy mystery fan.
I received a copy of this title from the author and/or publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
This time around, a young woman who was once Charlotte’s student, Mallory, appeals to the Angels to clear her father’s name. Sarah first disagrees with taking the case since Mike took a plea deal for the charge of negligence associated with his wife’s untimely death. She eventually relents even though she is not sure that Mike is innocent. Also featured in this outing is a secondary mystery tenuously connected to Mike that nicely rounds out the tale.
I wish I could visit Sarah’s shop in Maine; I think I could spend hours looking at all of the treasures. The shop setting and small town location provide the perfect cozy backdrop for the mystery. The mystery is skillfully plotted and deftly executed with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing throughout the book. There are many characters associated with Gina, the victim, to investigate. My only minor complaint about any aspect of the story is that there are too many characters, causing unnecessary padding and, potentially, a bit of confusion. Even though I suspected whodunit about halfway through the tale, I was not completely convinced until the end. I did not have the secondary mystery figured out at all until the last possible moment. NO ESCAPE CLAWS gives readers a nice puzzle to figure out.
The recurring characters in this series are an appealing mix of young and older. I not only view the Angels as Sarah’s friends but also as second mothers and grandmothers to Sarah. How wonderful it would be for everyone to have such love, support, and wisdom! They are shrewd and intelligent, making them competent amateur sleuths. Sarah’s brother and other friends balance the older characters’ actions and perspectives and are all quite enjoyable. I would be remiss to not mention Elvis, the cat. He is a bit of a feline lie detector, a useful skill to have in a four legged assistant investigator. One cannot help but love Elvis and his love of the TV game show Jeopardy.
I recommend NO ESCAPE CLAWS to any cozy mystery fan.
I received a copy of this title from the author and/or publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
April 4, 2019
Sarah Grayson, owner of the Second Chance store, once again finds herself drawn into one of Charlotte's Angels mystery cases. Charlotte's Angels is the recently established detective agency that include her grandmother's senior friends, Charlotte, Liz and Rose, as well as Rose's friend, Mr. P. This time, they are hired by Mallory Pearson, asking to prove her father's innocence, currently serving time in jail for criminal negligence in the death of his wife. But complicating this case even further is the fact that her father, Mike Pearson, sends a message to drop the case. While Rose and Liz originally argued over the advisability of this case, they soon are "all hands on deck" as they sort through the events and suspects leading up to the death, and the more they uncover, the more they are convinced that the death by fire may not have been caused by the victim as was originally ruled, but possibly had a more sinister cause. Running parallel to this investigation, Sarah and Liz are also looking into facts surrounding another criminal case involving police detective Michelle's father, now deceased. Michelle has privately asked Liz to look into the original embezzlement conviction with the intent of clearing her father's name. Between the two cases, one of which is kept secret even from the other Angels, Sarah is kept busy. But her faithful cat companion, Elvis, is there to keep her headed in the right direction and also keep her spirits up. This is a fun cozy mystery series, with enjoyable characters who also show that old isn't always senile, incompetent, or throw-away. And family and friendship is stressed throughout, as they interact with each other both in happiness and sadness. I look forward to the next book in this series. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
February 28, 2019
Sarah is busy running her secondhand shop, especially since Mac is out of town, dealing with some personal matters involving his recently deceased ex-wife. Everyone is wondering when he is coming back, but Sarah is beginning to wonder if he will return. Meanwhile, the detecting Charlotte’s Angels have been retained by a daughter trying to prove that her dad is innocent of her stepmother’s death. And if the Angels are involved, so is Sarah. Astute readers will guess who the real murderer is before the end, but the cozy tale is still an engrossing one, more for the engaging characters and their interaction than for the real mystery. The senior Angels are delightful, surprising even Sarah with their antics and knowledge. And Elvis the cat with his ability to discern when people are lying must be given credit for helping Sarah. This charming cozy is surefire entertainment.
March 22, 2019
"No Escape Claws" is the 6th book in "A Second Chance Cat Mystery" series by Sofie Ryan.
This is great cozy mystery that kept me interested and engaged throughout the entire novel.
I liked the fact that there were two mysteries entwined throughout and that I was truly unable to guess the culprit of one of the crimes until the end.
I think that this mystery series is much better then many other series within this genre as the characters are believable, likeable, and above all else have complexities within their own relationships and within themselves that keep this series engaging and interesting. So often one gets characters that are flat, uninteresting, and unbelievable.
The amount of characters that are present is just right. The playful banter in between the not just the main character, Sarah, and the other secondary characters in her life: Rose, Charlotte, Albert, Nick, Liam, Mac, Sam, Liz, Gram/John, amongst many others made me chuckle out loud more then once. I also enjoyed the location North Harbor (a small harbor/tourist town on the coast of Maine) as well as the main character's profession (a super cool second hand/antique shop) which should both respectively add more subject matter for further installments in the future.
I was able to devour this engaging read in 2 days due to not being able to put it down. I recommend this series wholeheartedly to anyone that enjoys a fun, engaging, and truly interesting murder/mystery. I cannot wait until Ms. Ryan brings us the next installment in this exciting series.
This is great cozy mystery that kept me interested and engaged throughout the entire novel.
I liked the fact that there were two mysteries entwined throughout and that I was truly unable to guess the culprit of one of the crimes until the end.
I think that this mystery series is much better then many other series within this genre as the characters are believable, likeable, and above all else have complexities within their own relationships and within themselves that keep this series engaging and interesting. So often one gets characters that are flat, uninteresting, and unbelievable.
The amount of characters that are present is just right. The playful banter in between the not just the main character, Sarah, and the other secondary characters in her life: Rose, Charlotte, Albert, Nick, Liam, Mac, Sam, Liz, Gram/John, amongst many others made me chuckle out loud more then once. I also enjoyed the location North Harbor (a small harbor/tourist town on the coast of Maine) as well as the main character's profession (a super cool second hand/antique shop) which should both respectively add more subject matter for further installments in the future.
I was able to devour this engaging read in 2 days due to not being able to put it down. I recommend this series wholeheartedly to anyone that enjoys a fun, engaging, and truly interesting murder/mystery. I cannot wait until Ms. Ryan brings us the next installment in this exciting series.
January 30, 2019
Love this series and this book. can't wait to see what happens with Mac!
April 5, 2019
I love this series by Sofie Ryan, and book number six was no exception!
Sarah owns a secondhand shop, which she runs with the help of Elvis, a former street cat who can tell when people are lying. Her friends, Charlotte, Rose, Liz, and Alfred use a spare room in her shop for their work as private investigators. One of Charlotte’s former students, Mallory, asks them for help. Her father was sent to prison for murdering her stepmother, but she doesn’t believe he was guilty, and she wants help exonerating him. Sarah, perpetually worrying over the safety of her older friends, gets pulled into the investigation, despite her determination to stay out of it.
I really enjoyed a number of things about the book. First, you have the variety of characters, from the private investigators and Sarah’s Gram, who are retired seniors, to Avery, who is school age and helps out in the shop, to Sarah and her brother, Liam and other friends, who are somewhere in the middle. I think this really highlights how friendship can exist across the generations. Second, you can really feel the affection between the characters. They truly care about each other and look out for each other, and their example is teaching Avery to do the same. And of course, I love the mystery, which is extremely well done. I had a small suspicion towards the end, but didn’t even have a good guess early on.
The only thing I missed was the character of Mac, but it looks like he’ll be back in the next one!
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Sarah owns a secondhand shop, which she runs with the help of Elvis, a former street cat who can tell when people are lying. Her friends, Charlotte, Rose, Liz, and Alfred use a spare room in her shop for their work as private investigators. One of Charlotte’s former students, Mallory, asks them for help. Her father was sent to prison for murdering her stepmother, but she doesn’t believe he was guilty, and she wants help exonerating him. Sarah, perpetually worrying over the safety of her older friends, gets pulled into the investigation, despite her determination to stay out of it.
I really enjoyed a number of things about the book. First, you have the variety of characters, from the private investigators and Sarah’s Gram, who are retired seniors, to Avery, who is school age and helps out in the shop, to Sarah and her brother, Liam and other friends, who are somewhere in the middle. I think this really highlights how friendship can exist across the generations. Second, you can really feel the affection between the characters. They truly care about each other and look out for each other, and their example is teaching Avery to do the same. And of course, I love the mystery, which is extremely well done. I had a small suspicion towards the end, but didn’t even have a good guess early on.
The only thing I missed was the character of Mac, but it looks like he’ll be back in the next one!
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
August 23, 2019
The mystery/story was ok but what I didn't like, which other reviewers have already mentioned was the amount of padding and filler that caused this relatively simple story/mystery to just drag and drag. S--L--O--W. I kept counting how many pages were left until the end. It would've been much better if the author shaved a good 100 pages from this book. Instead, it reminded me of TV crime dramas that stretch a simple story that could be told in 20 minutes to one hour to fit the network requirements. Is there a similar such requirement in cozies? That they must be at least 280 pages minimum no matter what?
I think what made the story drag is that the characters are a bit caricature-ish. About as real as mannequins. So, the interactions tend to be uninteresting and boring causing the story to drag.
A shame because I did like the last 10 pages. Just didn't want to slog through to finally get to the end.
I think what made the story drag is that the characters are a bit caricature-ish. About as real as mannequins. So, the interactions tend to be uninteresting and boring causing the story to drag.
A shame because I did like the last 10 pages. Just didn't want to slog through to finally get to the end.
February 24, 2019
"No Escape Claws" by Sofie Ryan was quite readable with its mystery-to-be-solved, characters-to-get-to-know, and a cat named Elvis. The novel was subtitle a "Second Chance Cat Mystery." Although all the elements promised were indeed between the covers, the proportions were all wrong. There was way too much time meeting quite a large cast of characters. Surprising little time was spent on solving the murder. For a good two-thirds of the novel, I wasn't even aware there was a murder. A secondary plot involving embezzlement just confused me. While Elvis the cat was always there, like all cats he didn't really do much at all ... just spent time being present on the page.
March 31, 2019
“No Escape Claws” is the sixth in the “Second Chance Cat” mystery series. They feature Sarah Grayson, a young woman who operates a second hand shop in the small town of North Harbor, Maine. She is aided by a number of senior citizens who have also formed a detective agency known as Charlotte’s Angels. In this “tail”, Mallory Pearson, a high school student, asks Charlotte’s Angels to prove that her father has been wrongfully imprisoned for killing her stepmother, Gina. Sarah, despite her attempts to remain uninvolved, is drawn into the case.
There was a lot I really liked about this book. Sarah is a likable character for many reasons- she has a great sense of humor and is very grounded. Perhaps the best thing about the world that author Ryan has created is the supporting cast that surrounds Sarah. They include her half brother Liam, Nick, the son of Charlotte, one of the seniors, and the seniors themselves - Charlotte, Liz, Rose, and Alfred Peterson, aka “Mr.P”. All of the women are friends of Sarah’s grandmother, Isabel, and they also work in Sarah’s shop. I found it very refreshing that these women (and Mr. P) were very believable and a real solid presence in Sarah’s life, as opposed to the “goofy” senior that is presented in many cozies. I enjoy the “goofy” type of character, too, but it was nice to see a different type of character here.
Then there is Sarah’s cat, Elvis, a small black rescue cat. Elvis is very involved in Sarah’s life. While he is not a talking cat, he does make encouraging “purrs” and “Mrrps” that sometimes lead Sarah to interesting conclusions in the mysteries she is investigating. Author Sofie Ryan writes the “Magical Cats Mysteries” under the name Sofie Kelly, and she clearly understands several methods of cat communication. The cats in both series are given enough purrsonality that they are charming characters, and yet remain believable throughout.
The mystery itself is interwoven with another mystery of sorts involving the foundation to preserve North Harbor’s past that Liz is involved with. Both mysteries are solved at the end, but the solution to the death of Mallory Pearson’s stepmother is surprising and a little heartbreaking.
This was the first Second Chance Cat mystery I have read, and because of that I had a little trouble at first following the different characters and their relationships to each other and to Sarah. They were all delightful, and I really loved the supportive, small town setting the author invoked. And luckily, I happen to have the other five books in the series on my shelf, so they will be read soon! Bottom line, if you are a fan of this series, you will love this installment. If, like me, you haven’t read them, this series will make you want to get caught up.
Full disclosure: I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There was a lot I really liked about this book. Sarah is a likable character for many reasons- she has a great sense of humor and is very grounded. Perhaps the best thing about the world that author Ryan has created is the supporting cast that surrounds Sarah. They include her half brother Liam, Nick, the son of Charlotte, one of the seniors, and the seniors themselves - Charlotte, Liz, Rose, and Alfred Peterson, aka “Mr.P”. All of the women are friends of Sarah’s grandmother, Isabel, and they also work in Sarah’s shop. I found it very refreshing that these women (and Mr. P) were very believable and a real solid presence in Sarah’s life, as opposed to the “goofy” senior that is presented in many cozies. I enjoy the “goofy” type of character, too, but it was nice to see a different type of character here.
Then there is Sarah’s cat, Elvis, a small black rescue cat. Elvis is very involved in Sarah’s life. While he is not a talking cat, he does make encouraging “purrs” and “Mrrps” that sometimes lead Sarah to interesting conclusions in the mysteries she is investigating. Author Sofie Ryan writes the “Magical Cats Mysteries” under the name Sofie Kelly, and she clearly understands several methods of cat communication. The cats in both series are given enough purrsonality that they are charming characters, and yet remain believable throughout.
The mystery itself is interwoven with another mystery of sorts involving the foundation to preserve North Harbor’s past that Liz is involved with. Both mysteries are solved at the end, but the solution to the death of Mallory Pearson’s stepmother is surprising and a little heartbreaking.
This was the first Second Chance Cat mystery I have read, and because of that I had a little trouble at first following the different characters and their relationships to each other and to Sarah. They were all delightful, and I really loved the supportive, small town setting the author invoked. And luckily, I happen to have the other five books in the series on my shelf, so they will be read soon! Bottom line, if you are a fan of this series, you will love this installment. If, like me, you haven’t read them, this series will make you want to get caught up.
Full disclosure: I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 30, 2019
Just like the Second Chances antique thrift store with its assortment of New England antiques and household and vintage items for sale this cozy is crowded with a collection of characters. Sarah Grayson, the 30ish owner, has hired friends of family to work in her shop and rents shop space to the Angels detective agency and they all eventually get caught up in helping a young teenage girl who asks the Angels to prove her father is not guilty in the death of his wife Gina, a troubled alcoholic who died during a fire. There is a lot of doubt that the convicted Mike Pearson could be proven to be actually innocent because of the eye-witness testimony of a neighbor, a respected and trusted former judge, and the fact that Mike did not contest the charges.
Sarah gets roped into the investigation though she thinks Mike Pearson is probably guilty but gradually begins to believe that someone else is responsible. But who? Was it one of the parents of the hit and run teenager who was badly injured by Gina? Could it be the vengeful wife of the handsome co-worker who had an affair with Gina or was it the now divorced former co-worker who is struggling to put his life back together?
Alongside this investigation, Liz whose family's foundation has been embezzled, is trying to prove the innocence of the man accused of the thefts and Sarah gets involved in that investigation also. The embezzlement is more of a sub-plot to the primary investigation into Gina Pearson's death.
The setting is the scenic coastal town of North Harbor in mid-coast Maine and I wish the author had incorporated that more into the story since its such a beautiful area and would add some atmosphere but as compensation there is Elvis, the charming and knowing cat who is the shop's mascot and Sarah's side-kick.
This is a likable cast of characters who capture the slightly old-fashioned New England common sense that Mainer's embody. The plots were believable as were the motivations of the characters, both the investigators and the investigated. An enjoyable read especially if you like vintage second hand shops and characters that span all generations with a focus on the golden oldies. I am posting this fair and honest review in exchange for a review copy of the book.
Sarah gets roped into the investigation though she thinks Mike Pearson is probably guilty but gradually begins to believe that someone else is responsible. But who? Was it one of the parents of the hit and run teenager who was badly injured by Gina? Could it be the vengeful wife of the handsome co-worker who had an affair with Gina or was it the now divorced former co-worker who is struggling to put his life back together?
Alongside this investigation, Liz whose family's foundation has been embezzled, is trying to prove the innocence of the man accused of the thefts and Sarah gets involved in that investigation also. The embezzlement is more of a sub-plot to the primary investigation into Gina Pearson's death.
The setting is the scenic coastal town of North Harbor in mid-coast Maine and I wish the author had incorporated that more into the story since its such a beautiful area and would add some atmosphere but as compensation there is Elvis, the charming and knowing cat who is the shop's mascot and Sarah's side-kick.
This is a likable cast of characters who capture the slightly old-fashioned New England common sense that Mainer's embody. The plots were believable as were the motivations of the characters, both the investigators and the investigated. An enjoyable read especially if you like vintage second hand shops and characters that span all generations with a focus on the golden oldies. I am posting this fair and honest review in exchange for a review copy of the book.
February 15, 2019
I really enjoy this series, with each novel better than the previous! Elvis is the black, furry, vocal feline who is better than a lie detector machine when it comes to people around him. The characters are a wonder-fun group starting with Sarah, owner of the Second Chance vintage and repurpose shop. Charlotte's Angels, friends of her grandmother and her part-time employees, have a PI agency headed up by Mr. P, Rose's boyfriend. These seniors are savvy, wise, and Mr. P has computer skills that are the envy of younger folks.
Sarah buys items for her shop from many sources, including cleaning out peoples' homes, buying storage lockers, even finding furniture that can be refinished on the side of the road. This time she has purchased the contents of two storage lockers and makes several finds that make the purchase worthwhile.
This time, the mystery is complex, one being the father of one of Charlotte's former students being jailed for the death of his alcoholic wife. Mallory is positive that her father is innocent, since her stepmother had a bed waiting for her again at the local rehab the next morning. Mom had been known to accidentally set fires when drinking, and a reputable witness saw Dad leaving the property wearing his one-of-a-kind cap when the house was on fire.
In addition, Liz, one of the Angels, and her brother Wilson are involved with the charity foundation started in her family a couple generations back. More than a decade earlier, the father of one of the current police officers was found guilty of stealing from the foundation. He has since died, but his daughter lives under the cloud of a crime she believes he didn't commit. Liz is committed to find out if he was set up, whatever it takes, and Sarah is her helper.
These mysteries are not easy to solve! They kept this armchair sleuth busy trying to figure out the whodunits, and did partially figure one out, but was stymied until the very last minute by the other. The characters are a blast, as is Elvis (mrp!), with realistic conversations and humor. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series!
Sarah buys items for her shop from many sources, including cleaning out peoples' homes, buying storage lockers, even finding furniture that can be refinished on the side of the road. This time she has purchased the contents of two storage lockers and makes several finds that make the purchase worthwhile.
This time, the mystery is complex, one being the father of one of Charlotte's former students being jailed for the death of his alcoholic wife. Mallory is positive that her father is innocent, since her stepmother had a bed waiting for her again at the local rehab the next morning. Mom had been known to accidentally set fires when drinking, and a reputable witness saw Dad leaving the property wearing his one-of-a-kind cap when the house was on fire.
In addition, Liz, one of the Angels, and her brother Wilson are involved with the charity foundation started in her family a couple generations back. More than a decade earlier, the father of one of the current police officers was found guilty of stealing from the foundation. He has since died, but his daughter lives under the cloud of a crime she believes he didn't commit. Liz is committed to find out if he was set up, whatever it takes, and Sarah is her helper.
These mysteries are not easy to solve! They kept this armchair sleuth busy trying to figure out the whodunits, and did partially figure one out, but was stymied until the very last minute by the other. The characters are a blast, as is Elvis (mrp!), with realistic conversations and humor. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series!
March 29, 2019
I liked this book less than others in the series.
A young girl asks Sarah Grayson and Charlotte's Angels to free her father from prison. He was seen leaving the scene wearing his usual baseball cap after his alcoholic wife died in a house fire. The witness was a highly respected judge, but Sarah thinks the girl's father was set up. While father is in jail the children are being looked after by their late step mother's best friend, who tells Sarah to drop her investigation because she is only hurting the children. Even the accused wants her to leave things alone. He admitted he was guilty.
There are a lot of characters mentioned in this book, "cameos" from past books. This could get a bit confusing. In a previous book we learned the story of Sarah's childhood friend, Michelle, who is now a police officer. Their friendship fell apart when Michelle's father was sent to prison for embezzling money from wealthy Liz's family foundation. She always claimed her father was innocent. I can't remember if he committed suicide, but he is apparently dead now. In "No Escape Claws", Liz is still trying to figure out who really stole the money. Her pretentious brother, Wilson, is happy to leave things alone. I am not sure if bringing up this story line would be more confusing to new readers, or to someone like me who is trying to remember what happened in the past.
Mac does not make a personal appearance in this story. He is off settling things for the estate of his late wife. Sarah misses him and worries that he won't be coming back. Although they speak fairly regularly on the phone, Sarah is unsure of where things stand between them.
A young girl asks Sarah Grayson and Charlotte's Angels to free her father from prison. He was seen leaving the scene wearing his usual baseball cap after his alcoholic wife died in a house fire. The witness was a highly respected judge, but Sarah thinks the girl's father was set up. While father is in jail the children are being looked after by their late step mother's best friend, who tells Sarah to drop her investigation because she is only hurting the children. Even the accused wants her to leave things alone. He admitted he was guilty.
There are a lot of characters mentioned in this book, "cameos" from past books. This could get a bit confusing. In a previous book we learned the story of Sarah's childhood friend, Michelle, who is now a police officer. Their friendship fell apart when Michelle's father was sent to prison for embezzling money from wealthy Liz's family foundation. She always claimed her father was innocent. I can't remember if he committed suicide, but he is apparently dead now. In "No Escape Claws", Liz is still trying to figure out who really stole the money. Her pretentious brother, Wilson, is happy to leave things alone. I am not sure if bringing up this story line would be more confusing to new readers, or to someone like me who is trying to remember what happened in the past.
Mac does not make a personal appearance in this story. He is off settling things for the estate of his late wife. Sarah misses him and worries that he won't be coming back. Although they speak fairly regularly on the phone, Sarah is unsure of where things stand between them.
April 3, 2019
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So happy to get a chance to read a new cozy mystery, No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan. This is the sixth book in The Second Chance Cat mystery series and my first read of this author. Being a cat lover myself I was intrigued by the title and the cover art.
The book is set in North Harbor, Maine and has a great group of characters. Sarah is the owner of the Second Chance secondhand shop. The book also features Charlotte's Angels who are a group of mystery solving seniors who are friends of Sarah's grandmother. And of course there is Elvis, the black cat that is just adorable.
The mystery involves Mallory Pearson's father who is in prison for the death of his wife. Mallory believes her father is innocent and asks Sarah to help.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written cozy. I loved the author's writing style, the pacing was good and the dialog between characters was smooth and realistic. I would love to go back and read all the books in this series. Highly recommend this to cozy mystery lovers. Thanks to The Review Crew and the author for providing me a copy of this book. I give this one 4 stars.
April 6, 2019
No Escape Claws is the sixth book in A Second Chance Cat series and it continues on following the lives of Sarah Grayson and her team of senior citizen friends/detectives.
I really enjoyed the writing and the story was very easy to follow. While there were times I didn’t understand some conversations amongst the characters, I know that that is because it came from previous books and that is no fault the authors; I started this series in the sixth book after all.
I really enjoyed the mystery- it kept me on my toes and the reveal of the killer was something I didn’t realize until a few pages before the reveal. That is definitely not a bad thing; I don’t like figuring it out too early because I then find myself not interested in continuing.
There is also a sub-plot mystery that I didn’t understand but again, that is because I started with the sixth book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I plan on going back and starting this series from the beginning.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the writing and the story was very easy to follow. While there were times I didn’t understand some conversations amongst the characters, I know that that is because it came from previous books and that is no fault the authors; I started this series in the sixth book after all.
I really enjoyed the mystery- it kept me on my toes and the reveal of the killer was something I didn’t realize until a few pages before the reveal. That is definitely not a bad thing; I don’t like figuring it out too early because I then find myself not interested in continuing.
There is also a sub-plot mystery that I didn’t understand but again, that is because I started with the sixth book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I plan on going back and starting this series from the beginning.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 27, 2019
I always love these books, and this one was no different. I did, however, figure out the mystery about halfway through. The ending was still well-done, if a bit light on the reasoning. Don't want to give too much away!
And then there's Elvis, who is just adorable. I do wish he'd figured in a bit more, but that's OK. Another important character was featured more, and I can say I am definitely looking forward to the next installment.
And then there's Elvis, who is just adorable. I do wish he'd figured in a bit more, but that's OK. Another important character was featured more, and I can say I am definitely looking forward to the next installment.
April 1, 2019
No Escape Claws is the sixth book in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series by Sofie Ryan.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I really enjoyed it.
The characters are relatable and likable. They are intelligent and don’t put themselves into dangerous situations.
Reading is my escape from stress and the affection the characters had for each other and the humor is just what I need. And of course, there is Elvis.
I’ve purchased the 1st book so I can catch up on the whole series.
I received this book as a gift and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I really enjoyed it.
The characters are relatable and likable. They are intelligent and don’t put themselves into dangerous situations.
Reading is my escape from stress and the affection the characters had for each other and the humor is just what I need. And of course, there is Elvis.
I’ve purchased the 1st book so I can catch up on the whole series.
I received this book as a gift and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
October 22, 2025
I bought this book as a Blind Date with a Book - Cat Lovers' edition. I wasn't expecting much, and it met my expectations. The mystery wasn't that compelling, the characters and even the romance were all very underdeveloped, and it was hard to keep up with how all the characters related. I didn't really care for the old lady humor either. It didn't feel cozy or appeal to my inner cat lady. Still, it wasn't so bad that I DNFed it.
March 23, 2019
Sarah Grayson is an amateur sleuth who owns a second hand shop in North Harbor, Maine. She teams up with her aunts, their boyfriends, and her gram (who all happen to be senior citizen detectives who call themselves Charlotte's Angels) to solve a mysterious death that has the wrong man behind bars. No matter that it's a cold case, these detectives know everyone in town and have interrogation skills that rival the local police force. There is always a yummy treat (blueberry muffins, lemon tarts, even the pizza sounds delicious) to nibble on as they discuss strategies.
My one complaint was there were too many characters for me to keep track of: not only the three (or is it four?) older women, their boyfriends/husbands, Sarah's two love interests, her half-brother, the family of the wronged man, and a few others who are possible murder suspects, police deputies, etc. Every time I picked up the book there were names I had to skip back a few pages to re-identify.
Although there seemed to be more talk than action which slowed the story down a few times, the mystery had me guessing with enough clues to keep me interested.
Thanks to the author and The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a comp copy in exchange for my honest review.
My one complaint was there were too many characters for me to keep track of: not only the three (or is it four?) older women, their boyfriends/husbands, Sarah's two love interests, her half-brother, the family of the wronged man, and a few others who are possible murder suspects, police deputies, etc. Every time I picked up the book there were names I had to skip back a few pages to re-identify.
Although there seemed to be more talk than action which slowed the story down a few times, the mystery had me guessing with enough clues to keep me interested.
Thanks to the author and The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a comp copy in exchange for my honest review.
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