Setting: New Orleans, LA
Characters
Lacy Crocker, owner of the Furry Godmother, fashion designer for pets
Jack Oliver, New Orlean Police Detective, cranky most of the time, but I'm still in love with him
Additional characters - Lacy's parents; Jack's partner, Henri; Imogene, Lacy's former nanny; as well as various furry friends, a murder victim, and plenty of suspects in said murder
Plot: Lacy is getting ready to meet one of her heroes - designer Annie Lane. She is frantically preparing samples of her pet clothing and accessories to show Annie and rushes off to a meeting at the designer's New Orleans home. When she arrives, she finds the door unlocked, no one around, and Annie's two cats - Cotton and Cashmere - leaving bloody paw prints throughout the first floor. Lacy discovers Annie's body and is quickly involved in pestering, I mean, helping detective Jack Oliver figure out who killed the fashion icon. From the start, Lacy thinks the kittens have to be the key - her home is broken into and there's a creepy . . . someone in an oversized papier mache cat head following her around town. When she starts getting phone calls with a shiver-inducing song playing in her ear, things start to get really uncomfortable. Lacy insists on helping Jack, putting herself in danger along the way.
Pacing: Quick
Predictability: Low
Wild Card: Julie Chase has rapidly become one of my favorite authors - one of those writers who make you want to read anything and everything she writes. I love the whimsy in Cat Got Your Cash, the humor and lightheartedness that manages to be around throughout even the scariest and creepiest scenes. In my opinion, that's because of her heroine, Lacy. She's quirky and self-effacing and completely charming. Julie crafts scenes that crackle with chemistry - whether that be between Jack and Lacy or Lacy and Chase (#TeamJack) - and spark with suspense. I'm gushing here, I know, but I love everything about this book, this series, and this author. More, please!
Hit, Miss, Or Draw?: A definite hit!