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A NOLA Tail Mystery #1
The Great Catsby
Watch what you wish for… Some inheritances are literally death.
My life has been turned upside down by my inheritance, but my only complaint is the cat that came along with the new house.
I swear he’s judging me as I settle in and try to make new friends in my new small-town Louisiana neighborhood.
And just when I start to settle into my new job and get back to reading my classic novels, I’m pulled chapters deep into a mystery.
The Beauty Queen in the town has been offed. Someone has killed the darling.
Wouldn’t you know it? An innocent man has been framed.
I shouldn’t get involved, but somehow, my cat seems to have a way with finding clues in some of my favorite stories. Not that any of that makes sense.
Why would it?
The cat is the sleuth, I’m the amateur, and we have alligators in the backyard.
Throw in a dead body, a book club that’s filled with suspicious characters, and you have my new life.
And I thought being a librarian in Louisiana was going to be dull.
My life has been turned upside down by my inheritance, but my only complaint is the cat that came along with the new house.
I swear he’s judging me as I settle in and try to make new friends in my new small-town Louisiana neighborhood.
And just when I start to settle into my new job and get back to reading my classic novels, I’m pulled chapters deep into a mystery.
The Beauty Queen in the town has been offed. Someone has killed the darling.
Wouldn’t you know it? An innocent man has been framed.
I shouldn’t get involved, but somehow, my cat seems to have a way with finding clues in some of my favorite stories. Not that any of that makes sense.
Why would it?
The cat is the sleuth, I’m the amateur, and we have alligators in the backyard.
Throw in a dead body, a book club that’s filled with suspicious characters, and you have my new life.
And I thought being a librarian in Louisiana was going to be dull.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2020
1111 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
B.K. Baxter
5 books23 followersBK is a pen name for a couple of good friends who love reading a good mystery and are as cheeky as they come. Murder She Wrote was one of their favorite childhood shows and there wasn't a day that went by that they were getting into trouble looking for a mystery in the neighborhood to solve. With a ton of ideas and imagination, you're in for a funny wild ride.
They live in Texas and enjoy BBQ and sweet tea more than anyone should become aware of!
Come connect and join the fun!
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/BKBaxterAuthor/
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They live in Texas and enjoy BBQ and sweet tea more than anyone should become aware of!
Come connect and join the fun!
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/BKBaxterAuthor/
Insiders Group-https://dl.bookfunnel.com/u4v6uxwvgr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
October 28, 2021
I did not finish this book. The book had two narrators, Jade, and her cat, Chonks.
The book is dull and inconsistent.
The inconsistencies start on page one in the section labeled ‘Description’ which appears to be narrated by Jade. “My life has been turned upside down by my inheritance, but my only complaint is the cat that came along with the new home,’
The section labeled ‘Description” is immediately followed by the Prologue. The Prologue is narrated by the cat who describes living in Baltimore with Jade BEFORE she inherited the house and moved to Louisiana “Jade and I were getting settled into our new home in the exotic-sounding suburb of New Orleans in Beulah, Louisiana…….I was used to Baltimore’s climate,’. The rest of the Prologue has other references to their life in Balimore.
C’mon…, do some editing and at least decide when the cat and Jade got together.
The book is dull and inconsistent.
The inconsistencies start on page one in the section labeled ‘Description’ which appears to be narrated by Jade. “My life has been turned upside down by my inheritance, but my only complaint is the cat that came along with the new home,’
The section labeled ‘Description” is immediately followed by the Prologue. The Prologue is narrated by the cat who describes living in Baltimore with Jade BEFORE she inherited the house and moved to Louisiana “Jade and I were getting settled into our new home in the exotic-sounding suburb of New Orleans in Beulah, Louisiana…….I was used to Baltimore’s climate,’. The rest of the Prologue has other references to their life in Balimore.
C’mon…, do some editing and at least decide when the cat and Jade got together.
October 26, 2021
I love cozy mysteries and cats. This was a tale where the main character did such stupid things, I wanted to scream. I was tempted to not finish but it had so many 5 star reviews, I kept reading. There are so many quality cozy mysteries, do not waste your time on this one.
November 1, 2023
I was honestly bored through a lot of the book and could have put it down without finishing at any time. Most of my issue with the book was that I didn't like the MC, Jade. She was so pushy and rude questioning everyone in town. I don't believe anyone would have answered her questions or even given her the time of day. Also, the sheriff who should have been doing the questioning was basically absent from the story.
Finally, for a book having 'cat' in the title and blurb drawing attention to the cat, the cat was in it very little. Not to mention that the blurb has it all wrong. The cat belonged to the main character and moved to the house with the MC. He never belonged to the deceased uncle and did not come with the house.
Maybe 2.5 stars, but as I said, I was bored with most of the story and frustrated by the MC. This one took a long time to get through because I kept putting it down.
Finally, for a book having 'cat' in the title and blurb drawing attention to the cat, the cat was in it very little. Not to mention that the blurb has it all wrong. The cat belonged to the main character and moved to the house with the MC. He never belonged to the deceased uncle and did not come with the house.
Maybe 2.5 stars, but as I said, I was bored with most of the story and frustrated by the MC. This one took a long time to get through because I kept putting it down.
June 18, 2020
An entertaining mystery. There are plenty of suspects, quirky characters and an adorable cat. What's not to like?
February 11, 2024
This was okay. I didn't love it but I finished it and it had a few good aspects.
The cat, Chonks was hilarious and the fact that the book had chapters "written by" the cat sprinkled through it was definitely fun. I liked getting the cat's eye perspective on what was going on.
Unfortunately, I liked main character Jade not so much. She really was a bit clueless, and the way she barged into people's businesses and homes asking rude questions and accusing them of all manner of things was just not believable for me, especially as the book was set in the South where manners are a religion second only to football. So the fact that it took as long as it did for Jade to experience some blow-back for her ham-handed sleuthing was the only thing that actually surprised me here.
This story was fine, but I don't think I'd read future books in this series. There are other books that better depict the Southern lifestyle and how people interact than I feel this one did.
The cat, Chonks was hilarious and the fact that the book had chapters "written by" the cat sprinkled through it was definitely fun. I liked getting the cat's eye perspective on what was going on.
Unfortunately, I liked main character Jade not so much. She really was a bit clueless, and the way she barged into people's businesses and homes asking rude questions and accusing them of all manner of things was just not believable for me, especially as the book was set in the South where manners are a religion second only to football. So the fact that it took as long as it did for Jade to experience some blow-back for her ham-handed sleuthing was the only thing that actually surprised me here.
This story was fine, but I don't think I'd read future books in this series. There are other books that better depict the Southern lifestyle and how people interact than I feel this one did.
March 17, 2022
Cozy Mistery feminino com a premissa habitual deste género. Uma mulher muda-se para uma cidade nova, é bibliotecária, tem um gato, gosta de bolos.
Está um bocadinho acima da média deste género., nem que seja porque o melhor detective é o gato.
Está um bocadinho acima da média deste género., nem que seja porque o melhor detective é o gato.
April 9, 2021
Oh I soooo wanted to like this book. A mystery with a cat named Sir Chonksworth the Bold and a library? I mean, it seemed like a shoo in. But I ended up not being able to read it because it drove me nuts that the author took a well known large city and kept saying it was a small one stoplight town. Now look, I know this is fiction but that is stretching the bounds of reality too much. This isn’t a fantasy realm book If you want to make up a town, that’s great. But make up a name. Don’t pick a well known city, especially one I’ve been to. When it’s a made up town, I can picture what it’s like from the authors description. But not when you do it this way. Seriously I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what I was missing to make this make sense. In the end, it just made it unreadable.
January 28, 2023
Turns out I hate the word “chuckled.” I also seem to have developed an aversion the the word “heinous” after finishing this book.
In all seriousness, I think I just need to quit reading anything in this genre because I haven’t been able to get on board with a single cozy murder mystery type book I’ve read. I can just never get over the apparent incompetence of local law enforcement to the point where some new-to-town person whose job is not even slightly related to the justice system at all has to take it upon themselves to solve a murder.
In all seriousness, I think I just need to quit reading anything in this genre because I haven’t been able to get on board with a single cozy murder mystery type book I’ve read. I can just never get over the apparent incompetence of local law enforcement to the point where some new-to-town person whose job is not even slightly related to the justice system at all has to take it upon themselves to solve a murder.
March 15, 2022
"At least with a good book, you could reread and be transported into a world of wonder." -page. 53
Before starting the review, I want to celebrate this small achievement because this is the 200th book I've read so far! What agreat achievement, hahaha. Proud of myself.
I buddy read this book with one of the booktube member friends, kak Ariesy. The title is pretty catchy and the cover also has a cat, so we agreed to read this title. And we read this on Google Play Books, not far from the app, hahaha.
Briefly, this book is about Jade, a new assistant librarian in a town called Beulah. Jade then took the initiative to form a small book club that would start the club with classics. But not long after the club started, one member was found dead and made an innocent person a suspect. So from there, the adventure begins.
I've read other titles for cozy mystery genre and somehow found the premise in common, and I also realized that the main character here is always underestimated to participate in finding out the truth. But I also know why the main character is always underestimated, because at the beginning of the case, the main character is always "knowing" and feels involved in something that might be "not their business".
But the positive side of the main character always has a good optimism. And reveal characters that we would never think of as perpetrator, as in this book as well.
As for the twist, I really didn't think that the culprit was that person and how everything seems to be "connected" in here.
However, in the middle of the book I was a little bored because it only exposed the suspicions of this main character to almost all the other characters as suspects, which I found a bit annoying. And yes, the main character's desire to be involved in this case, in my opinion, is also a bit forced, isn't it. Especially for the new people in the city.
However it's just a fiction story, so I think I don't have to be too emotional, haha. For the cat character, I quite like it, because he's really tight hahaha.
If you ask whether it's good or not, it's actually relative, you have to read it yourself to know whether this book is good or not. But I also like the author's choice of words that are easy to follow.
So I think I want to give 3,8 stars for this book.
Before starting the review, I want to celebrate this small achievement because this is the 200th book I've read so far! What agreat achievement, hahaha. Proud of myself.
I buddy read this book with one of the booktube member friends, kak Ariesy. The title is pretty catchy and the cover also has a cat, so we agreed to read this title. And we read this on Google Play Books, not far from the app, hahaha.
Briefly, this book is about Jade, a new assistant librarian in a town called Beulah. Jade then took the initiative to form a small book club that would start the club with classics. But not long after the club started, one member was found dead and made an innocent person a suspect. So from there, the adventure begins.
I've read other titles for cozy mystery genre and somehow found the premise in common, and I also realized that the main character here is always underestimated to participate in finding out the truth. But I also know why the main character is always underestimated, because at the beginning of the case, the main character is always "knowing" and feels involved in something that might be "not their business".
But the positive side of the main character always has a good optimism. And reveal characters that we would never think of as perpetrator, as in this book as well.
As for the twist, I really didn't think that the culprit was that person and how everything seems to be "connected" in here.
However, in the middle of the book I was a little bored because it only exposed the suspicions of this main character to almost all the other characters as suspects, which I found a bit annoying. And yes, the main character's desire to be involved in this case, in my opinion, is also a bit forced, isn't it. Especially for the new people in the city.
However it's just a fiction story, so I think I don't have to be too emotional, haha. For the cat character, I quite like it, because he's really tight hahaha.
If you ask whether it's good or not, it's actually relative, you have to read it yourself to know whether this book is good or not. But I also like the author's choice of words that are easy to follow.
So I think I want to give 3,8 stars for this book.
October 14, 2023
I like cozy mysteries with cats in it. It's my moment to relax with a cup of tea or coffee, something to nibble and my plaid and let the day pass by. But, sadly, this was a miss for me.
I was doubting on 3 stars, but I've expected so much more of it. I think also that the problem is that the book is written by multiple authors. Maybe they all had other views on the story or something.
I thought that Chonks would have a bigger role/more chapters, but he got only 3 chapters. Well, he did by solving the murder and catching the killer, but that was more on a side note and explained in the epilogue. Maybe he could've given chapters where The idea to tie the story to the books used in the book club is interesting, but nothing more than that.
I was doubting on 3 stars, but I've expected so much more of it. I think also that the problem is that the book is written by multiple authors. Maybe they all had other views on the story or something.
I thought that Chonks would have a bigger role/more chapters, but he got only 3 chapters. Well, he did by solving the murder and catching the killer, but that was more on a side note and explained in the epilogue. Maybe he could've given chapters where The idea to tie the story to the books used in the book club is interesting, but nothing more than that.
August 28, 2022
Eager to create some ties to her new neighbourhood, Jade Hastings starts a book club that is ill-fated right from its inaugural meeting. As a librarian, Jade's hoping for a good book talk; her fellow attendees would prefer to air dirty laundry. When two members leave together and one winds up dead, the rumours start flying. But Jade knows in her heart that the accused is innocent, it's up to her cat and herself to solve the crime.
I'm never sure with punny titles if I'll like a book. All too often, so much creativity has gone into the title that no artistry remains for the rest of the pages. Happily, this was not the case here. I had fun following our heroine around and particularly enjoyed the antics of her cat, Chonks - Sir Chonksworth the Bold, thank-you-very-much. For the most part, the author kept the cast small enough that it wasn't difficult to recall who everyone was. To further liven up the narration, bit players were introduced, adding more colour to the small-town feel.
Jade and Chonks take turns telling the story. Chonks sets the stage and then bows out for the most part until his summary at the end. He drops in part of the way through the story to proclaim that he's solved the murder - a challenge, perhaps similar to that of Ellery Queen's narrator (though Chonks does have information that the reader does not). For people who don't like animals narrating as though they are human, Chonks' storytelling duties are minor compared to the rest of the novel.
The plot ran smoothly, though I questioned Jade's commitment to solving the crime and her methods of detection. Additionally, the denouement came on fast and furious at the end. As a first-in-series, the hiccups from this story will hopefully resolve themselves in future books.
I enjoyed The Great Catsby and looked forward to reading more in the series.
I'm never sure with punny titles if I'll like a book. All too often, so much creativity has gone into the title that no artistry remains for the rest of the pages. Happily, this was not the case here. I had fun following our heroine around and particularly enjoyed the antics of her cat, Chonks - Sir Chonksworth the Bold, thank-you-very-much. For the most part, the author kept the cast small enough that it wasn't difficult to recall who everyone was. To further liven up the narration, bit players were introduced, adding more colour to the small-town feel.
Jade and Chonks take turns telling the story. Chonks sets the stage and then bows out for the most part until his summary at the end. He drops in part of the way through the story to proclaim that he's solved the murder - a challenge, perhaps similar to that of Ellery Queen's narrator (though Chonks does have information that the reader does not). For people who don't like animals narrating as though they are human, Chonks' storytelling duties are minor compared to the rest of the novel.
The plot ran smoothly, though I questioned Jade's commitment to solving the crime and her methods of detection. Additionally, the denouement came on fast and furious at the end. As a first-in-series, the hiccups from this story will hopefully resolve themselves in future books.
I enjoyed The Great Catsby and looked forward to reading more in the series.
February 9, 2022
I have been reading fewer cozy mysteries lately and this book is part of the reason. It is a mediocre story with a few somewhat interesting characters. The fact that Jade is the new assistant librarian in town has almost nothing to do with solving the mystery. Neither does her cat, Chonks, who does a little narration at beginning and end. The final solution seems a little far-fetched as to the why, if not to the how. I was a little let down, having read the book because I love libraries and cats. I will pass on the rest of the series.
January 18, 2022
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
October 23, 2025
Don’t bother. Simple plot, unbelievable and unlikable characters, won’t be reading the others in the upcoming series.
April 27, 2023
Review Coming
July 8, 2025
A fun cozy mystery. All the more fun because of Chonks the cat!
November 2, 2021
A light read.
“It’s not a bad idea. It’s not a great idea, either, but let’s give it a shot.” quoted from the book, and sums the whole book.
At first glance, I thought this book would be in the cat's point of view all throughout. So when I read the prologue, I thought maybe half of the book will be of the cat's, and not of the human (since it was the human's POV in the description). Since if that would be the case it would be totally fun, even if you'll deem this book as boring. And I was a bit disappointed when turns out it was mostly (ofc) the MC throughout, but I still hoped for the cat's POV, but ofc majority was of the human's.
This book is not as mysterious, or thrilling. This is not something that would make your toes curl out of anticipation. Throughout I considered ditching this, but there's a cat, so I finished it.
Yes, it's somewhat funny. Jade and Char, I think this will work out more if these two characters are teenagers and not professionals. It just seems more suitable, considering their characteristics and how the circumstances worked for them, it's more logical.
There is no problem with the other characters, I love them. I just hope the main ones, are more constructed than what, who, and how they are in the book. If the reason behind is for the humor, it's lacking. Make the book in the cat's POV - now, that's fascinating haha.
You could also guess the "killer" right away.
An okay book 🙂
“It’s not a bad idea. It’s not a great idea, either, but let’s give it a shot.” quoted from the book, and sums the whole book.
At first glance, I thought this book would be in the cat's point of view all throughout. So when I read the prologue, I thought maybe half of the book will be of the cat's, and not of the human (since it was the human's POV in the description). Since if that would be the case it would be totally fun, even if you'll deem this book as boring. And I was a bit disappointed when turns out it was mostly (ofc) the MC throughout, but I still hoped for the cat's POV, but ofc majority was of the human's.
This book is not as mysterious, or thrilling. This is not something that would make your toes curl out of anticipation. Throughout I considered ditching this, but there's a cat, so I finished it.
Yes, it's somewhat funny. Jade and Char, I think this will work out more if these two characters are teenagers and not professionals. It just seems more suitable, considering their characteristics and how the circumstances worked for them, it's more logical.
There is no problem with the other characters, I love them. I just hope the main ones, are more constructed than what, who, and how they are in the book. If the reason behind is for the humor, it's lacking. Make the book in the cat's POV - now, that's fascinating haha.
You could also guess the "killer" right away.
An okay book 🙂
November 23, 2021
My cats leave better works in the litter box.
April 4, 2022
This book is as cute as it is entertaining. The cat absolutely stole my heart and the mystery kept me guessing through the very end. Would absolutely recommend!
December 2, 2021
3.75 stars
I did enjoy the majority of this book. I love cat in the story Sir Chonksworth (the bold - his description) and his room-mate (or minion) Jade. It wasn't quite what I was expecting from the writeup on Amazon and Fantastic Fiction where it says "My life has been turned upside down by my inheritance, but my only complaint is the cat that came along with the new house. I swear he’s judging me as I settle in and try to make new friends in my new small-town Louisiana neighborhood." This certainly implies that Jade inherited the cat along with the property and has difficulty settling with the him, but in fact Jade has obviously had Chonks for sometime as she brought him with her from Baltimore.
Personally I would love to be in Jade's position, owner of an antebellum plantation house with an absoloutely fantastic library, and trust fund from her uncle which seems to mean she doesn't have to work, although she does have a part-time job in the local library. Jade decides to start a book club, which includes the local doctor (who doesn't have many patients as the locals still prefer the old doctor even though he's in his 80s and his eyesight is failiing), the local beauty from the wrong side of the tracks who is married to the local 'big' man in town and major employer, his ex-wife, and a young man who rarely speaks but is extremely knowledgeable on literature, among others. After the first book club meeting the beauty queen drives the silent man home and is later found dead in a local garage and the silent man is arrested for murder. So the story is Jade deciding that the young man can't be guilty and trying to discover the real killer, not an easy thing to do for a newcomer to the area.
Apart from the cringe worthy part when the sherif arrests Stanley in the library Jade hinders the arrest and demands to know what evidence they have against him. As if the law enforces whould give information relating to a crime to anyone who just asks for it! As I said, aside from that I did enjoy this and really liked the character of Dr Charlotte Rains who is also the local coroner, whose life seems to revolve around food and is in the process of becoming a close friend to Jade. There is also the love interest in the form of the handyman Ethan Millbank, although whether Chonks or Jade is more enamoured is debatable. I also like Chonks who knows who the killer is from the first, it's just a shame Jade doesn't understand cat!
I will certainly look out for the next book in the series.
I did enjoy the majority of this book. I love cat in the story Sir Chonksworth (the bold - his description) and his room-mate (or minion) Jade. It wasn't quite what I was expecting from the writeup on Amazon and Fantastic Fiction where it says "My life has been turned upside down by my inheritance, but my only complaint is the cat that came along with the new house. I swear he’s judging me as I settle in and try to make new friends in my new small-town Louisiana neighborhood." This certainly implies that Jade inherited the cat along with the property and has difficulty settling with the him, but in fact Jade has obviously had Chonks for sometime as she brought him with her from Baltimore.
Personally I would love to be in Jade's position, owner of an antebellum plantation house with an absoloutely fantastic library, and trust fund from her uncle which seems to mean she doesn't have to work, although she does have a part-time job in the local library. Jade decides to start a book club, which includes the local doctor (who doesn't have many patients as the locals still prefer the old doctor even though he's in his 80s and his eyesight is failiing), the local beauty from the wrong side of the tracks who is married to the local 'big' man in town and major employer, his ex-wife, and a young man who rarely speaks but is extremely knowledgeable on literature, among others. After the first book club meeting the beauty queen drives the silent man home and is later found dead in a local garage and the silent man is arrested for murder. So the story is Jade deciding that the young man can't be guilty and trying to discover the real killer, not an easy thing to do for a newcomer to the area.
Apart from the cringe worthy part when the sherif arrests Stanley in the library Jade hinders the arrest and demands to know what evidence they have against him. As if the law enforces whould give information relating to a crime to anyone who just asks for it! As I said, aside from that I did enjoy this and really liked the character of Dr Charlotte Rains who is also the local coroner, whose life seems to revolve around food and is in the process of becoming a close friend to Jade. There is also the love interest in the form of the handyman Ethan Millbank, although whether Chonks or Jade is more enamoured is debatable. I also like Chonks who knows who the killer is from the first, it's just a shame Jade doesn't understand cat!
I will certainly look out for the next book in the series.
April 3, 2022
You know that trope of the quiet, bookish girl who does nothing but read? This story exists to cater directly to everyone who relates to her, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From the estranged uncle who dies leaving a giant estate to the main character for the sole reason of her being the only one to appreciate the giant library, to the cat names Sir Chonksworth the Bold, to her working in a library, this book has a very narrow audience in mind which is helpful to know in advance if you’re thinking about reading this.
I found a few writing decisions baffling. The cat, who plays a very prominent role, has a few chapters from his point of view. Unfortunately, they’re limited to the exposition dump (which was admittedly quite enjoyable for an exposition), the epilogue, and a random chapter in the middle that serves no purpose but to tell the reader that the cat has solved the mystery but can’t tell his owner. Except the reader can directly understand the cat. It was really infuriating to know that a character figured out something, and then never told me anything about it. That chapter didn’t really have any other purpose either. A shame really, because the introduction was easily the best chapter and I kept waiting for the cat’s POV to show up again and was really disappointed.
There’s also a lot of characters that don’t really do much. Pretty much everyone seen exclusively at the diner, the chef, the waitress, and the nun, served literally no purpose. Seriously, the only scene with the nun is her yelling about tarnishing the name of the town out of no where, and then isn’t heard from again???? (Author should’ve killed some darlings here)
A minor gripe I had was the main character going on kind of a brief yet weird “men are trash” kind of rant, only to have her immediately swoon over a man who’s real only purpose in the story was to act as a perfect love interest.
Overall, the mystery was okay. The main character gets most of her information by speculation and then accusing people point blank. The ending was a trip. Unfortunately, not good. It goes from “who the heck is the murderer???” to “OH THATS THEM AND THEYRE IN MURDER MODE” really quickly. While the explanation for why the do it is pretty cool, but really seems like a weak motive once you step back and think about it for more than 20 minutes.
Honestly, the book would’ve been better as exclusively from the cat’s POV
I found a few writing decisions baffling. The cat, who plays a very prominent role, has a few chapters from his point of view. Unfortunately, they’re limited to the exposition dump (which was admittedly quite enjoyable for an exposition), the epilogue, and a random chapter in the middle that serves no purpose but to tell the reader that the cat has solved the mystery but can’t tell his owner. Except the reader can directly understand the cat. It was really infuriating to know that a character figured out something, and then never told me anything about it. That chapter didn’t really have any other purpose either. A shame really, because the introduction was easily the best chapter and I kept waiting for the cat’s POV to show up again and was really disappointed.
There’s also a lot of characters that don’t really do much. Pretty much everyone seen exclusively at the diner, the chef, the waitress, and the nun, served literally no purpose. Seriously, the only scene with the nun is her yelling about tarnishing the name of the town out of no where, and then isn’t heard from again???? (Author should’ve killed some darlings here)
A minor gripe I had was the main character going on kind of a brief yet weird “men are trash” kind of rant, only to have her immediately swoon over a man who’s real only purpose in the story was to act as a perfect love interest.
Overall, the mystery was okay. The main character gets most of her information by speculation and then accusing people point blank. The ending was a trip. Unfortunately, not good. It goes from “who the heck is the murderer???” to “OH THATS THEM AND THEYRE IN MURDER MODE” really quickly. While the explanation for why the do it is pretty cool, but really seems like a weak motive once you step back and think about it for more than 20 minutes.
Honestly, the book would’ve been better as exclusively from the cat’s POV
January 16, 2024
"The Great Catsby" whisked me away into a delightful world of feline mischief and charm. As someone who appreciates a good cat-themed escapade, this book proved to be a whisker-licking good read that left me with a smile.
The author skillfully weaved a narrative that follows the misadventures of our furry protagonist, Catsby. The cat's antics and escapades, inspired by the classic tale, added a playful and endearing touch to the story. The clever adaptation of the original plot to a feline setting showcased the author's creativity and love for both literature and our feline friends.
One of the strengths of the book is its ability to capture the essence of cats – their quirky behaviors, their mysterious allure, and their unique personalities. The author's keen observations of feline traits translated into characters that felt both authentic and amusing. I found myself chuckling at the cat's antics, each one mirroring the playful and sometimes headstrong nature of our real-life furry companions.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with each chapter unveiling a new escapade or introducing quirky cat characters. The author's storytelling keeps a light and engaging tone, making it an easy and enjoyable read. The incorporation of cat-centric humor and references adds a layer of charm that cat lovers will particularly appreciate.
The language used is simple and accessible, making it a book suitable for readers of all ages. The author's writing style is whimsical and infused with a love for cats, creating a narrative that feels like a cozy visit with a playful feline friend. The illustrations interspersed throughout the book enhance the visual appeal, capturing the essence of the cat characters and their comical situations.
In conclusion, "The Great Catsby" is a delightful read for cat enthusiasts and anyone looking for a lighthearted, cat-centric twist on a classic tale. Whether you're a literary fan or simply enjoy the charm of feline capers, this book offers a paw-sitively delightful escape into a world where cats take center stage. The author's playful adaptation and genuine love for cats make "The Great Catsby" a charming and enjoyable read for all cat aficionados.
The author skillfully weaved a narrative that follows the misadventures of our furry protagonist, Catsby. The cat's antics and escapades, inspired by the classic tale, added a playful and endearing touch to the story. The clever adaptation of the original plot to a feline setting showcased the author's creativity and love for both literature and our feline friends.
One of the strengths of the book is its ability to capture the essence of cats – their quirky behaviors, their mysterious allure, and their unique personalities. The author's keen observations of feline traits translated into characters that felt both authentic and amusing. I found myself chuckling at the cat's antics, each one mirroring the playful and sometimes headstrong nature of our real-life furry companions.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with each chapter unveiling a new escapade or introducing quirky cat characters. The author's storytelling keeps a light and engaging tone, making it an easy and enjoyable read. The incorporation of cat-centric humor and references adds a layer of charm that cat lovers will particularly appreciate.
The language used is simple and accessible, making it a book suitable for readers of all ages. The author's writing style is whimsical and infused with a love for cats, creating a narrative that feels like a cozy visit with a playful feline friend. The illustrations interspersed throughout the book enhance the visual appeal, capturing the essence of the cat characters and their comical situations.
In conclusion, "The Great Catsby" is a delightful read for cat enthusiasts and anyone looking for a lighthearted, cat-centric twist on a classic tale. Whether you're a literary fan or simply enjoy the charm of feline capers, this book offers a paw-sitively delightful escape into a world where cats take center stage. The author's playful adaptation and genuine love for cats make "The Great Catsby" a charming and enjoyable read for all cat aficionados.
November 10, 2021
The Great Catsby by B.K. Baxter is the first book in the Nola Tail Mystery series.
Jade, a librarian from Baltimore, has inherited her late uncle’s house in Buelah, a small town in Louisiana. Jade and her cat, Chonks, move to Buelah to take possession of the house and Jade slowly makes the acquaintance of some of Beulah’s townspeople.
On a trip to the local Top Top Store for double-sided tape, Jade meets Stanley or Dax who works there. He discovers a spider in the crate of fruit that he is bringing to the produce section of the store and he gently cradles it in his hands and carries the creature outside.
This act profoundly affects Jade’s opinion of him and when Dax is arrested for the murder of the town’s beauty queen, Jade starts to play the role of detective to free him as she is convinced that he is innocent.
Jade indicates that somehow, her cat seems to have a way with leaving clues in some of her favorite stories. I can recall only one isolated incident where Chonks hid a clue in one of Jade’s books. She adds that her cat is the sleuth and that she is the the amateur but that’s impossible to discern because the spotlight is almost always on Jade and her new friend Char.
Unfortunately Chonks, who is my favourite character, plays a minor role in the story and his sleuthing abilities are only brought to light in the final chapters of the book. Chonks narrates the first and last chapters of the story and apart from that he is rarely mentioned.
I found it hard to like Jade as she had just moved into town and all of a sudden she takes on the role of a detective in her attempts to prove that Dax is innocent. She comes across as a real busy body. It’s unfortunate that Chonks played a minor role in this story and hopefully he will have a more important role to play in the subsequent books in the series.
Overall the book was an easy read and it would definitely appeal to cat lovers. I may read the second one in the series just to see what Chonks is up to.
Jade, a librarian from Baltimore, has inherited her late uncle’s house in Buelah, a small town in Louisiana. Jade and her cat, Chonks, move to Buelah to take possession of the house and Jade slowly makes the acquaintance of some of Beulah’s townspeople.
On a trip to the local Top Top Store for double-sided tape, Jade meets Stanley or Dax who works there. He discovers a spider in the crate of fruit that he is bringing to the produce section of the store and he gently cradles it in his hands and carries the creature outside.
This act profoundly affects Jade’s opinion of him and when Dax is arrested for the murder of the town’s beauty queen, Jade starts to play the role of detective to free him as she is convinced that he is innocent.
Jade indicates that somehow, her cat seems to have a way with leaving clues in some of her favorite stories. I can recall only one isolated incident where Chonks hid a clue in one of Jade’s books. She adds that her cat is the sleuth and that she is the the amateur but that’s impossible to discern because the spotlight is almost always on Jade and her new friend Char.
Unfortunately Chonks, who is my favourite character, plays a minor role in the story and his sleuthing abilities are only brought to light in the final chapters of the book. Chonks narrates the first and last chapters of the story and apart from that he is rarely mentioned.
I found it hard to like Jade as she had just moved into town and all of a sudden she takes on the role of a detective in her attempts to prove that Dax is innocent. She comes across as a real busy body. It’s unfortunate that Chonks played a minor role in this story and hopefully he will have a more important role to play in the subsequent books in the series.
Overall the book was an easy read and it would definitely appeal to cat lovers. I may read the second one in the series just to see what Chonks is up to.
January 15, 2024
The author owes me a free personal pan pizza for reading this book.
It should be classified as fantasy rather than a cozy mystery. Why? Because everything every character does requires massive suspension of belief.
The ENTIRE PLOT depends on your ability to believe that Vince, the richest man in town, has never had the locks changed on his mansion. I wish I could say that was the only major plot hole.
Why Tabby is married to Vince in the first place? Don’t tell me that he divorced his first wife to marry the queen of the trailer park who claims to be pregnant… to avoid sullying a reputation that he clearly dgaf about, simply because this is the Bible Belt? And without proof?? No, Bible Belt notwithstanding, he’d either force her into terminating the pregnancy or pay her off and run her out of town.
Jade was convinced of Stanley’s innocence and intelligence after exactly THREE interactions with him, and in one he didn’t even speak. Come on. Girl, if you’re so convinced about his innocence, sell one of those first editions under glass and hire the boy a good lawyer out of NOLA or Baton Rouge.
And the cat. The prologue is narrated by the cat, then a random chapter in the middle, where he states he knows who did it. Chonks, you could have saved the reader a lot of eyerolls if you’d just said it. But then, ya would miss the melodramatic cat hero moment. “What’s that Lassie? Timmy fell down the well?”
No, I couldn’t predict who did it, because not a single character acted consistently. How can you predict chaos?
It should be classified as fantasy rather than a cozy mystery. Why? Because everything every character does requires massive suspension of belief.
The ENTIRE PLOT depends on your ability to believe that Vince, the richest man in town, has never had the locks changed on his mansion. I wish I could say that was the only major plot hole.
Why Tabby is married to Vince in the first place? Don’t tell me that he divorced his first wife to marry the queen of the trailer park who claims to be pregnant… to avoid sullying a reputation that he clearly dgaf about, simply because this is the Bible Belt? And without proof?? No, Bible Belt notwithstanding, he’d either force her into terminating the pregnancy or pay her off and run her out of town.
Jade was convinced of Stanley’s innocence and intelligence after exactly THREE interactions with him, and in one he didn’t even speak. Come on. Girl, if you’re so convinced about his innocence, sell one of those first editions under glass and hire the boy a good lawyer out of NOLA or Baton Rouge.
And the cat. The prologue is narrated by the cat, then a random chapter in the middle, where he states he knows who did it. Chonks, you could have saved the reader a lot of eyerolls if you’d just said it. But then, ya would miss the melodramatic cat hero moment. “What’s that Lassie? Timmy fell down the well?”
No, I couldn’t predict who did it, because not a single character acted consistently. How can you predict chaos?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
I have to confess that it was the title that first caught my attention and led me to download this book. The Great Catsby was so close to The Great Gadsby that if it hadn’t been for the cover, I might have misread the title to be The Great Gadsby, a true classic and one of my favorites, my mind could have easily replaced the “C” and “T” with a “G” and “D.” Anyway, I couldn’t help but wonder if the author was going to tie the two books together in someway. Baxter didn’t waste any time in doing just that. With the first meeting of Jade’s Beauler Book Club, we discover that the book that they are reading is The Great Gadsby.
Before the second meeting of the club takes place, one of its members, “Tabby,” is murdered. Soon after the second meeting, another member of the club, “Taz,” is arrested for the murder by the sheriff, who is the brother of still another member of the group, Dr. Charlene “Char” Raines. Jade is certain of Taz’s innocence and sets out to investigate the murder to prove his innocence. Jade recruits Char’s help. They soon discover that they have many suspects, no evidence to tie any of them to the murder. The only one that knows who the murderer is, is Sir Chonksworth the Bold, Jade’s cat, and he has noway of communicating what he knows to Jade.
Will Jade bring the killer to justice and free Taz before she becomes a victim of the killer? I’m not saying. Go read this awesome tale for yourself to find out who dun it.
Before the second meeting of the club takes place, one of its members, “Tabby,” is murdered. Soon after the second meeting, another member of the club, “Taz,” is arrested for the murder by the sheriff, who is the brother of still another member of the group, Dr. Charlene “Char” Raines. Jade is certain of Taz’s innocence and sets out to investigate the murder to prove his innocence. Jade recruits Char’s help. They soon discover that they have many suspects, no evidence to tie any of them to the murder. The only one that knows who the murderer is, is Sir Chonksworth the Bold, Jade’s cat, and he has noway of communicating what he knows to Jade.
Will Jade bring the killer to justice and free Taz before she becomes a victim of the killer? I’m not saying. Go read this awesome tale for yourself to find out who dun it.
May 27, 2024
Amazon freebie! Look at that cover! How could I resist?????
Here we have Jade who inherits her uncle's home down in Louisiana. Not precisely where she wants to be, but she can't resist. Just when things are finally settling down for Jade, she is pulled into the murder of the town's beauty and notorious flirt and an innocent man has been framed. She shouldn't get involved, but her cat keeps finding clues and things aren't matching up.
This had the ingredients for something I would fall for. A fun small-town, book clubs, books, libraries, a cat, and some quirky side characters. Plus...murder mystery? Yes, please!! However, something was missing for me.
Jade was okay. She was extremely judgmental of her new surroundings and people. She bothered me especially when she went to the restaurant at the beginning with a new friend and the JUDGEMENT was rude. Little hole in the wall restaurants can be fantastic. Just give it a chance lady!
And where was the sheriff? Why isn't he doing his job? He like talked to one person and was all "eh."
Now, I did love the cat's small POVs. He was adorable. Can the whole thing be in his POV? LOLLL!
All-in-all, the ingredients were all there, but the blend didn't turn out right for me. I might contemplate book 2 if I can get it free from Amazon or from my library. Maybe...we'll see. 2 stars from me. Kitty gets a whole star to himself ;)
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lackluster
Here we have Jade who inherits her uncle's home down in Louisiana. Not precisely where she wants to be, but she can't resist. Just when things are finally settling down for Jade, she is pulled into the murder of the town's beauty and notorious flirt and an innocent man has been framed. She shouldn't get involved, but her cat keeps finding clues and things aren't matching up.
This had the ingredients for something I would fall for. A fun small-town, book clubs, books, libraries, a cat, and some quirky side characters. Plus...murder mystery? Yes, please!! However, something was missing for me.
Jade was okay. She was extremely judgmental of her new surroundings and people. She bothered me especially when she went to the restaurant at the beginning with a new friend and the JUDGEMENT was rude. Little hole in the wall restaurants can be fantastic. Just give it a chance lady!
And where was the sheriff? Why isn't he doing his job? He like talked to one person and was all "eh."
Now, I did love the cat's small POVs. He was adorable. Can the whole thing be in his POV? LOLLL!
All-in-all, the ingredients were all there, but the blend didn't turn out right for me. I might contemplate book 2 if I can get it free from Amazon or from my library. Maybe...we'll see. 2 stars from me. Kitty gets a whole star to himself ;)
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lackluster
June 1, 2020
A cat and his Yankee librarian accidentally uncovering secrets in the deep south; how could I resist a premise like that? Since it’s the first in the series, there’s some space dedicated to “getting to know you” stuff about the quirky town of Beulah and the equally quirky residents. It’s a twisty, tangled web of deceptions that Sir Chonksworth the Bold and Jade stumble into, and they’re quickly off on a wild chase to save an innocent man from being railroaded into a conviction for a crime he didn’t commit. Thanks to Chonks, I was able to successfully identify the villain, but I didn’t have the first clue as to what the real motive was. This story kept me engaged and kept me guessing the whole way through. I particularly loved that the humidity is treated as an extra character. As someone who does battle with it on a regular basis, I got extreme enjoyment out of the malevolent characterization. Now, I just might have a new favorite feline to add to my list of illustrious literary sleuths, joining such notables as Midnight Louie, Sneaky Pie Brown, and Trouble.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
June 1, 2020
The Great Catsby ( A NOLA Tail Mystery Book # 1) by B.K. Baxter
Jade Hastings and her cat, Sir Chonksworth the Bold moved to the sleepy small town of Beula, Louisiana where her uncle Mike left her an inheritance of his plantation. Jade secured a job as the towns’ assistant Librarian. She set up a Book Club to meet at the Library. The cast of small town characters showed up at this Book Club including: Doctor, real estate agent, current and ex wives of Vince Means, town gossip lady, the box boy and the owner of the grocery store. The following morning rumors of a murder spread throughout the town and the deceased was a member of the book club. Sheriff Rains had already arrested the main suspect. Jade sets out to clear the member of the book club with the aid of her cat and Dr. Charlotte Rains. Chonks has helped Jades with the investigation plus a possible love connection with the local handyman. There is so much going on in this who done it book. I recommend this highly entertaining murder mystery book.
Diane W,
Jade Hastings and her cat, Sir Chonksworth the Bold moved to the sleepy small town of Beula, Louisiana where her uncle Mike left her an inheritance of his plantation. Jade secured a job as the towns’ assistant Librarian. She set up a Book Club to meet at the Library. The cast of small town characters showed up at this Book Club including: Doctor, real estate agent, current and ex wives of Vince Means, town gossip lady, the box boy and the owner of the grocery store. The following morning rumors of a murder spread throughout the town and the deceased was a member of the book club. Sheriff Rains had already arrested the main suspect. Jade sets out to clear the member of the book club with the aid of her cat and Dr. Charlotte Rains. Chonks has helped Jades with the investigation plus a possible love connection with the local handyman. There is so much going on in this who done it book. I recommend this highly entertaining murder mystery book.
Diane W,
February 27, 2025
2.5 tal vez.
Para ser un libro donde en el título me hablan del gato, en la portada sale el gato y en la introducción sale narrando el gato, CASI NO SALE EL GATO!!!
Literalmente quería leer este libro por ser una perspectiva gatuna, o algo similar al menos. Pero nada, Chonks sale como tres veces narrando él y el resto se trata de un asunto en el que se envuelve su dueña. La verdad no estuvo tan mal, pero a la vez si. Tuvo misterio y conspiración, etc. Pero en verdad yo no entiendo porqué la chica decide meterse tanto en lo que no le importa. De verdad fue llevar el chismoseo a otro nivel. Un nivel de ser casi arrestada por metiche, con eso lo digo todo.
No me fue muy lógico ese asunto, aunque vienen a contar todo el chismecito que ella se obliga a descubrir como si su vida dependiera de ello.
Pero eso no me molesta tanto como el aspecto de que en verdad me quedara todo el libro esperando por capítulos narrados por Chonks.
Quería leer los otros libros de su colección, pero creo que mejor no.
Para ser un libro donde en el título me hablan del gato, en la portada sale el gato y en la introducción sale narrando el gato, CASI NO SALE EL GATO!!!
Literalmente quería leer este libro por ser una perspectiva gatuna, o algo similar al menos. Pero nada, Chonks sale como tres veces narrando él y el resto se trata de un asunto en el que se envuelve su dueña. La verdad no estuvo tan mal, pero a la vez si. Tuvo misterio y conspiración, etc. Pero en verdad yo no entiendo porqué la chica decide meterse tanto en lo que no le importa. De verdad fue llevar el chismoseo a otro nivel. Un nivel de ser casi arrestada por metiche, con eso lo digo todo.
No me fue muy lógico ese asunto, aunque vienen a contar todo el chismecito que ella se obliga a descubrir como si su vida dependiera de ello.
Pero eso no me molesta tanto como el aspecto de que en verdad me quedara todo el libro esperando por capítulos narrados por Chonks.
Quería leer los otros libros de su colección, pero creo que mejor no.
November 11, 2021
What a cute book! You meet Jade, the new librarian of the small Louisiana town, and she does her best to connect with the town by starting a book club. Things go awry when one of the book club members gets murdered. It gets even more complicated when one of the book club members gets arrested! She is sure that he didn't have anything to do with the murder and she sets out to prove it.
There were so many things I enjoyed about this book. I loved the southern setting and the main characters Jade and Char. The cat Chonk was adorable and depicted wonderfully in the book. And in fact, halfway in you realize that Chonk DOES know who the killer is and he's leaving little clues along the way. Afterwards, you get to figure out who the killer might have been.
There were a couple of unfortunate digs about Christianity in the book. Aside from that, I did enjoy myself and can't wait to read the next one.
There were so many things I enjoyed about this book. I loved the southern setting and the main characters Jade and Char. The cat Chonk was adorable and depicted wonderfully in the book. And in fact, halfway in you realize that Chonk DOES know who the killer is and he's leaving little clues along the way. Afterwards, you get to figure out who the killer might have been.
There were a couple of unfortunate digs about Christianity in the book. Aside from that, I did enjoy myself and can't wait to read the next one.
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