Whiskers and Warrants

Norwegian Forest Café #3

by Jinty James

Lauren and Zoe sign up for advanced latte art class. What they didn’t bargain on was … murder!

Cat café owner, Lauren Crenshaw, and her cousin, Zoe, attend their first advanced latte art class, excited to learn intricate designs. But when their world-famous instructor is murdered, they decide to investigate!

Annie, Lauren’s gorgeous Norwegian Forest Cat, helps in the sleuthing department as well.

Zoe is also busy crocheting a coffee cozy to sell online, and Lauren continues to knit her never-ending scarf.

While Lauren’s romance with Mitch, the police detective, blossoms, Zoe despairs of meeting ‘the right guy’.

But when Annie finds a clue in the café, everything is put on hold while the trio investigate the murder.

Who is the killer? One of the other students? The barista’s business partner? Or a mysterious vagrant that one of the students claim they saw?

This is a humorous, clean, cat cozy mystery with female amateur sleuths – and a gorgeous Norwegian Forest Cat!

Previous books in this series:

Purrs and Peril - A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery - Book 1

Meow Means Murder - A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery - Book 2

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cats, Cozy, Fiction, Ebooks, Animals

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2019

About the author

Jinty James grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven mysteries, as well as all the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books. Later on, she graduated to mysteries written by Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Peters, and many other authors. It was her dream to one day write her own cozy mystery, and now she has, with plans for many more.

Reviews

[Carol]

Welcome to the Cat Café where Annie, the
silver-gray Norwegian Forest Cat awaits to
seat the customers.
The Crenshaw cousins, Lauren and Zoe
came to Gold Leaf Valley to run the café.
Lauren inherited the café and her
grandmother’s house.
An advanced latte class for two students
but five showed up, a teenage girl, her mother,
a wannabe barista plus Lauren and Zoe, one
coarse insulting instructor, learning to create
swan and peacock lattes, an extra week
added to course, delicious decorative cake,
a dead body stabbed, warrants, the cat
discovers a clue, a change in the grumpy
customer, an online scam, knitting, crocheting,
string art and a unexpected date make this a
fun read!!
Colorful, well defined, interesting characters
involved in creative activities with danger plus
suspense. A fast paced well plotted read with
a touch of humor and romance.
This is book # 3 in the A Norwegian Forest Cat
Café Mystery series. It can be read as a stand
alone as the author mixes the past and present
smoothly with her skilled writing.
A Highly Recommended Read!!
I volunteered to read the ARC of Whiskers and
Warrants. Thanks to the author for the
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my
own.

[Krystyna]

Coffee, cake and murder

And we have another winner. A delightful light cozy with intrigue and murder plus a solution that I never saw coming. A pleasure to return to our favourite characters and nice to see Annie on such fine form. Maybe next time Mrs Finch cold be involved or all the seniors that are regulars.
A class in latte art sounds just the thing except that instead of the small number of participants promised it actually was much bigger. Could they l hey have the same attention promised? A mixed group of a pushy retired middle aged man who had visions not only of winning competitions but also running a coffee blog and a mother with her teenaged daughter in an attempt to have "together time". A shame the man running the event takes a dislike to Zoe but things get better as their skills improve. A celebration at the end of the course ends in coffee, cake and murder. Both girls endeavour to keep out of it but events keep pulling them in and the more they find out the more sucked into the investigation they get. Even though Mike had asked her not to get involved during their date (the two have finally gone on a date!). Plus a regular sourpuss is now not only being pleasant but glued to her tablet. Can both mysteries be solved? Will Zoe ever find her own sweetheart and a craft that really speaks to her?
I received a free copy for a honest review.

[Christa]

I'm finding this to be a very charming series, and absolutely love the Norwegian Forest Cat, Annie. This installment finds Lauren and Zoe taking an advanced latte art class where they learn to make intricate designs. When their instructor is murdered, Lauren and Zoe decide to investigate, with Annie's help.

It was great to have Lauren, Zoe, and Annie back once again, along with all of their friends. This book kept me completely entertained.

[Mary]

Delightful tale. Annie is such a gorgeous cat. Wouldn’t it be lovely to go to a cat cafe and have the cat escort you to a table. A good mystery too.

[Olivermagnus]

Whiskers and Warrants is the third book in this cute and cozy series. As the story opens, Lauren and Zoe have enrolled in an advanced class for latte art, excited to learn more about making the intricate designs. Due to the master barista's reputation, too many people show up for the class. Lauren and Zoe are asked to return for the later class and that's when they find the instructor dead. Lauren and Zoe attempt to try to solve the mystery though it may even have put them in danger. Mitch warns them away, but they keep getting pulled back. This is, after all, a cozy mystery.

There's a lot of whimsical charm to this series. I enjoy reading about the small town setting and its inhabitants. It has a decent plot with enough twists to keep you guessing, and some very enjoyable characters, both familiar and new. Annie continues to be a great helper and her habit of seating patrons never gets old to me.

[Christine Goodnough]

I'd call this a light, cheery read. Not gripping and suspenseful, rather something to read for a pleasant escape. Most of the characters and few cafe customers mentioned are quite amiable. Lauren is prudent; Zoe is her usual impulsive, zany self; Annie is clever. To me this series seems more like chick-lit than deep dark mystery, with a lot of back-and-forth friendly chatter between the two main characters and their customers. The cafe customer cast is small; introducing another character or two wouldn't hurt.

I found the story line interesting, learned a few things about espresso, and the ending came as a surprise. Note to mystery buffs: this is one of those stories where facts are revealed at the end that readers don't know, so you can't put together clues to solve the mystery. Still, the reveal work and it all hangs together.

[Jessica Sloane]

This series still follows a fairly even-paced pattern with a very quick confrontation at the end, but it seems like it might be improving on that front. The mystery was a little deeper this time, and I like the character development. I do like the books, and I'll likely read the rest, but even if they are not suspenseful, which they aren't, I do wish it wouldn't speed up so quickly at the end and then be over so quickly. It's almost like the author spends so much time developing the story, and it is a good story, but doesn't know how to make it climax, so just speeds through the reveal and then ends the book. I do hope the future books will improve on that, but even still, with Annie and the main characters at the cafe, it's still a good series.

[Taylor's♡Shelf]

Not to be that person, but does owning one shop cat even qualify your restaurant as a Cat Café?
 
I wasn’t going to continue this series, but I did. The simplicity of the storylines make them ideal for listening to while working from home. The heroines are also starting to develop more characteristics that set them apart, so they’ve become enjoyable to follow.
 
I noticed that this book is almost twice the length of the first two installments and, to be honest, I don’t think the plot warranted the extra length. The murder didn’t take place until almost halfway through the novel, and nothing much really happened before that. Given how simple the plots of these novels are, I honestly think they work better as quick 2.5 hour reads.  
 
As for this series, I’m currently 3 for 3 in guessing the culprit, but I definitely wasn’t expecting the motive in this one. If I’m not mistaken, I don’t think there was any foreshadowing for the motive. Which isn’t ideal, but of course it did give me a start. That’s always fun, even if it might not me a sign of a well-structured mystery.

I'm interested in reading the next one when I have the chance.

[Aubrey]

Another mystery, and another slow start. I'm starting to get the hang of the patterns of these books, and while I still can't say I'm all that emotionally invested in Lauren or Zoe, I am very much so attached to their Norwegian Forest Cat, Annie.

While I find it takes too long to get to the murder, and some of the dialogue mildly daunting, what I do love is that these books are such easy reads. And sometimes, my brain just needs to fall into something that requires little to no mental energy. So far, this series is absolutely perfect for that.

What I lack in connection with the characters (Zoe drives me insane. All surface, no substance), I make up for in easy reading, and intriguing murder mysteries. It's the mysteries themselves (and Annie, obviously), that will keep me coming to this series. And I'm more than okay with that.

[moxieBK]

Whiskers and Warrants (Norwegian Forest Cat Café #3) — Jinty James (16 chapters + Epilogue) May 4, 2024

This third book is longer than the first two. It feels like it’s filled with a bit of unneeded fluff to start the story, but it all makes sense later on. Lauren and Zoe attend an advanced latte art class in Sacramento, and after the event, the instructor is found with a knife sticking out of his back.

As they ask more questions, it becomes evident that the case could go In many different ways. And then, a clue is discovered in their very own story. Suddenly, the list is narrowed to those who attended the class that came into the café.

Also, while Zoe is still frustrated being man-less while Lauren is getting closer to Mitch, she does end up listing a crocheted coffee cozy online but ends in the red after selling it.

Four stars.

[Rachel A Ritter]

I really have tried to love this series. I like that it’s an easy, cozy mystery. Where I’m struggling is that there is no character development. The plots are literally always unfolding in the exact same way. Lauren and Mitch finally start dating. They get serious. Nothing further. No drama. No conflict. Zoe bullies Lauren around into sleuthing. Lauren never has a backbone to stand up for herself if she truly doesn’t like getting into dangerous situations. Zoe runs her mouth. It takes two seconds for Zoe to convince Lauren to do something stupid and you know that whenever Annie is with them is when they will figure out who the killer is because Annie always saves the day. I love the characters and the town I just can’t keep reading the same thing over and over and over and over.

[Tari]

I’ve been missing visiting with these cousins so much and was eager to get back to this series. It’s never disappointing and it’s always a fun few hours spent in Gold Leaf Valley with Lauren, Zoe and cute little Annie kitty. Annie’s definitely one of my fave cozy mystery cats and helps me get a virtual non-allergic visit with a sweetheart of a kitty. Zoe just cracks me up when she changes hobbies, you’ll never believe what she took up this time!

I hadn’t guessed the perp either and was just as surprised as the girls were when they got told they weren’t leaving somewhere alive. I could imagine Zoe challenging, “Ya sure about that?” lol. I loved their quick solution and Annie got in on helping. I’ll be starting the next book soon!

[Barbara Kelley]

I Simply Adore Annie!

by Barbara Kelley

This is Book #3 of the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe series by Jinty James. I absolutely love the way the author brings her characters, both good and bad, to life, especially Annie, the Norwegian Forest cat. This episode is about Lauren and Zoe taking a latte art class, Lauren finally having a first date with Mitch, and the usually obstinate Ms. Tobin participating in online dating. This book is also about a world famous coffee barista and the secrets surrounding that baristas death. I did not guess who the killer was, or why the killer did what they did, until they nearly killed Lauren and Zoe. This was a very good episode and I look forward to reading Book #4. I gave this book 5 stars.

[Andrealitchfield]

This has a good premise, but it could use some work. I wouldn't know Annie the Norwegian Forest Cat if I met her in the vet's waiting room. The relationship between the two cousins seems a bit strained. They are both adults, and yet they are pretty much treated as a unit by the author. Lauren does begin a romantic relationship with the police officer, but Zoe's contribution to the plot is to peek through the curtains to see if they are kissing. ( Most adults respect others' privacy in these situations.)
Unless writing style has changed drastically, sentence fragments should be incorporated into the paragraph..

[Linda]

Lauren and Zoe decide to take an advanced latte art class and meet 3 interesting classmates as well as the famous instructor and his assistant. Unfortunately at the end of the second and final class, they find the instructor has been knifed to death. Detective Mitch Denman isn't involved in the murder investigation but he worries about the two cousins getting into trouble. Once again the characters who visit the Norwegian Forest Cafe as well as Annie the cat greeter and seater, make this series fun to read.

[Alice Hazelbaker]

Love these stories with Annie, the Norwegian Forest cat!

Another fun story with Lauren and Zoe their Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe !
I love Annie and her conversation of “brrts” while she seats the customers of the cafe. Zoe and Lauren sign up for an advanced art latte class in nearby Sacramento, but while there the instructor is murdered. Of course they have to help investigate!

[Noreen L. Guregian]

Such a treat😺

I love this series of books. The girls are great characters, but Annie is the best. I love the whole certified Car Care idea. My Norwegian Forest Cat was very entertaining to watch also. Looking forward to the next book. I love all of the books I have read by Jinty. I highly recommend her books.

[Ranie]

I love reading this book...it was amazingly fun, quick, and quite capaviting... Once again, cousins, Lauren and Zoe, found a dead body, while in a cooking class, and it seems that everyone around them are unpredicable suspects.

The ending of this book was so wickly twisted and shocking and unpredictable.

I am excitedly, happily, and highly motivated to recommend this story to everyone 😀

[Cherie]

Cat café owner, Lauren Crenshaw, and her cousin, Zoe, attend their first advanced latte art class. Unfortunately, their instructor ends up being murdered and they proceed to investigate.

I enjoyed the story and hearing about the latte art they were creating. The mystery was interesting, and I also enjoyed the romance. I am really enjoying this series of books.

[Angela Griffin]

Light escapism

Lauren and Zoe find themselves in a murder mystery. They suspect nearly everyone. The killer reveals him- or herself during an attempt to eliminate the erstwhile (clueless) sleuths. Justice triumphs. These are cute reads, but I'm beginning to form the unfortunate opinion that this series may be too formulaic for my tastes.

[Larry]

I enjoyed this book. The characters are lovely, especially the cat. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out who killed the award winning barista and why. The answers caused me quite a few surprises and I had no idea who the killer was. I do recommend this book.

[Cathie Murphy]

Cute book. I really enjoy this series. Annie, the cat, is great. The two main characters are funny. The storyline and plot are simple, but done well. It's not a tough read but enjoyable none the less. Highly recommend.

[Jane Canaday]

Teenagers or adults?

Lauren and especially Zoe seem terribly immature for the owner(s) of a business and for their ages. Zoe often seems about 13 years old and Lauren like a mother, helpless in handling her teenager, instead of two adult friends.

[Merilee Bishop]

Surprise ending

This book was interesting and the main characters are very likable. The end made sense but it was kind of a shock because it seemed to happen so fast. It did make sense. This was enjoyable.

[Dorothy]

whiskers

I enjoyed the story, loved the cat. I’ve never actually met a cat that was that intuitive. Although I have had a couple of rather sensitive ones. Maybe the killer was a lot more chatty than real life.

[Mary Patterson]

6

[Myra Bumgardner]

Light easy fun read. Especially if you love cats and lattes!!!

[Deann Doolittle]

Good read. Liked the first two better

[Lea]

Cute and short. I just enjoy the two sister and the cat acting like solving murders is just something they do after work. It’s fun and easy listening. I enjoyed the coffee art theme!

[jeannette swanson]

Such a fun read! I thought the setting and plot was great. I’ve already started the next one.