Happy day when I found this book inside of a Little Free Library. I never heard of the book, or the author, however as the title was “The Black Cat Murders” and I have a black cat (hi Lincoln!) who is most likely plotting my murder as I type this, I picked up the book. Good enough reason for me.
I then discovered the protagonist was a male. I rarely read male leads, not by design. It’s just the genres I choose are *usually* female. Especially cozy mysteries. The ones I choose the females are single, slightly older, and have a kitty cat.
Well, Lennox is that in a sense, except he’s a dude, so…
I was truly pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book! Total lough out loud moments too!
I love Lennox’s interaction with Dicks, the servant. So funny!!!
I adore the camaraderie of Lennox, Fogg and Mr. Tubbs. (Lennox’s dog and cat respectively). Lennox may *need* a woman in his life at some point but I believe he (and I) are quite happy with this cute little trio! In fact, Lennox referred to the three of them as his little family! Aww! Adorable!
So, the author…she truly has a gift! For real! I adore her style of writing. Just so easy to read, so descriptive, never ever boring. There were several passages I had to re-read as I loved them so much. Example: “Mist was rising over the meadows as I wandered the grassy pathways down to the brook. There was nothing to be heard other than birdsong in the hedgerows and the low of cattle in the distance.” Gorgeous, right? Naturally Lennox was accompanied in this leisurely stroll with the misters Fogg and Tubbs. There was a house filled with humans, but he chose his little family to share his evening with.
I cracked up at several of Lennox’s terms of endearment. He uses these pretty much every page. They all begin with old. Such as: “old stick”, “old chap” and “old thing”. It does not matter if you are young or old or male or female. You care getting one of these affectionate utterances.
Did I mention this was a cozy mystery? It was. Lennox solved the murder, as is the case with every cozy mystery I suppose. Even though I love that genre that is not the main reason I loved this book so much. It was a phenomenal study of characters. There as such a cornucopia of personalities in this book. I wanted to know everybody, even the baddies (of which there were several).
I don’t normally cry at the end of cozy mysteries but I have to admit this one got me. I ugly cried. No shame. Well played Karen Baugh Menuhin, well played.
P.S. I should mention this is a series. At the time of writing this review there are 9 books. I only read this, which is #2. I was not in the least bit lost. After reading this however I need to get books number .5 and 1 and all the books after. It was that good!