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Mira Michaels Mystery #2
Keys and Catastrophes
Mira Michaels can hear her cat talk. And after moving to her new home, she might see ghosts as well. This was the last thing she needed. If there was anything she wanted more, it was to get away from her sister’s psychic shenanigans. But when Mira finds her realtor dead in the kitchen, she must use all her wits not to call her sister for help. Mira’s decision to team up with the local diner owner to find the killer proves that her new town has more secrets than her cat has lives. When the clues take a surprising turn, Mira may ruin her chances at friendship. Or she might end up six feet under.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
71 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Julia Koty
20 books378 followersJulia spent her early childhood in a small town in
Pennsylvania very similar to Pleasant Pond. Her house, also
an old Victorian which her dad renovated, was indeed
haunted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 30, 2022
I love the choice by Mira Michaels of moving to Pleasant Pond, Pennsylvania. I love to read! Books allow me to travel from my home regardless of the season or weather to places I may never have the opportunity to visit. They also allow my imagination to enjoy new locales created by an author's imagination. It is simply a joy to travel whether by plane, train, bus, car, or via armchair but sometimes you simply want to be at home. As I was raised in a small town in Pennsylvania reading this cozy series welcomes me home.
Mira and her cat Arnold are relocating to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts and they've finally arrived in Pleasant Pond. It should have been the best day of Mira's new life. The plan was to meet her realtor Becca at the old Victorian house, receive the keys, complete a final welcome walk-through, and unpack the car. But new beginnings do not always start off smoothly. Mira found her realtor in the kitchen even though she didn't answer Mira's calls of hello. Becca didn't answer Mira because she's not alive.
Thankfully Mira had stopped at the local diner, Soup and Scoop for lunch before going to meet Becca and Mira not only enjoyed her food but also conversation with the waitress Aerie. As the diner is within walking distance of Mira's new home Aerie's hurriedly come to vouch for Mira's innocence to local police chief Orsa.
Aerie's friendship to Mira is welcome and appreciated. The last thing on Mira's agenda is calling her sister Darla as she doesn't want to hear Darla's advice that could easily turn into "Come home" or "I told you so."
I love the friendship between Mira and Aerie. It's sincere, and the two (2) bond quickly in a give and take relationship that echoes the best of female friendships. They also make excellent amateur sleuths. For a small town, there are an increasing number of suspects as the women continue to investigate, which intrigues my own sleuthing to guess the reveal. As conversations between Mira and Arnold continue (yes, like Doctor Doolittle), I'm paws-tively smitten with Arnold. Arnold has attitude and flair all in one and definitely makes me wish I could have conversations with our little feline.
I will visit Pleasant Pond again soon!
Mira and her cat Arnold are relocating to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts and they've finally arrived in Pleasant Pond. It should have been the best day of Mira's new life. The plan was to meet her realtor Becca at the old Victorian house, receive the keys, complete a final welcome walk-through, and unpack the car. But new beginnings do not always start off smoothly. Mira found her realtor in the kitchen even though she didn't answer Mira's calls of hello. Becca didn't answer Mira because she's not alive.
Thankfully Mira had stopped at the local diner, Soup and Scoop for lunch before going to meet Becca and Mira not only enjoyed her food but also conversation with the waitress Aerie. As the diner is within walking distance of Mira's new home Aerie's hurriedly come to vouch for Mira's innocence to local police chief Orsa.
Aerie's friendship to Mira is welcome and appreciated. The last thing on Mira's agenda is calling her sister Darla as she doesn't want to hear Darla's advice that could easily turn into "Come home" or "I told you so."
I love the friendship between Mira and Aerie. It's sincere, and the two (2) bond quickly in a give and take relationship that echoes the best of female friendships. They also make excellent amateur sleuths. For a small town, there are an increasing number of suspects as the women continue to investigate, which intrigues my own sleuthing to guess the reveal. As conversations between Mira and Arnold continue (yes, like Doctor Doolittle), I'm paws-tively smitten with Arnold. Arnold has attitude and flair all in one and definitely makes me wish I could have conversations with our little feline.
I will visit Pleasant Pond again soon!
March 11, 2024
Another brilliant quick read. A well written adventure story that keeps you reading to the end. Loved it
March 7, 2022
Keys and Catastrophes
A well written and intense start for a young woman in a new home in a small town with dark secrets. A murder her first day in town and what makes it worse it's in this young woman's home that was to be her fresh start. With an array of vibrant and colorful characters Julia Koty leads you through a story of murder, mystery, mayhem and intrigue while bringing new friendships into the mix .Will the answers come to light by the end of this mystery or will it lieve more intrigue to unfold. Acquire " Keys and Catastrophes " today for a truly entertaining and enjoyable experience. 😀 Kat
A well written and intense start for a young woman in a new home in a small town with dark secrets. A murder her first day in town and what makes it worse it's in this young woman's home that was to be her fresh start. With an array of vibrant and colorful characters Julia Koty leads you through a story of murder, mystery, mayhem and intrigue while bringing new friendships into the mix .Will the answers come to light by the end of this mystery or will it lieve more intrigue to unfold. Acquire " Keys and Catastrophes " today for a truly entertaining and enjoyable experience. 😀 Kat
March 15, 2021
Mira Michaels is moving to a small town in Pennsylvania. She's escaping memories of an ex-boyfriend who ran off with her money, and a psychic sister who micromanages her life. She's made a big decision in her life: she's bought an old Victoria home and plans to renovate it then flip it. There's also one other thing about Mira: she can talk to her cat. Not as in a normal conversation, but hear Arnold in her head when he wants to tell her something. So there's that...
But when Mira arrives, she finds the body of her realtor in her new kitchen. Dead. As in very dead. When she calls the police, they inform her that she can't stay in the home, so, since she's made a new friend in the owner of the local diner (who luckily lives practically next door) she winds up staying at the home of Aerie, a yoga instructor/diner operator and her brother Jay, who owns a construction company.
Then after Mira is given the alright to go back, there's an explosion, and she barely gets out of the house alive. But not without help. At least not without help that she's willing to talk about to anyone. Not unless she wants them to think she's crazy...
When other unusual occurrences happen, Mira and Aerie decide to find out what's going on before there's another dead body. If only Mira can stay alive long enough to find the killer...
This is the first book in a new series, and it's fun to read. There is plenty of action going on, from the moment Mira steps inside her new home, until the end of the book when the murderer is apprehended (as we know they will be). In between, Mira is making friends and finding out about the townspeople and a bit of their lives, which I imagine will be explored more in future books.
I think Aerie is a very interesting character; she runs a small-town diner and is always trying to feed her customers gluten-free or vegan food (which they, of course, aren't interested in eating). It's a different twist on things, and I like the way it works in this book.
We get to meet Mira Michaels, who, along with her cat, Arnold, are on the trail of a killer while he's trying to tell her what to do (don't all cats? At least mine do). Mira doesn't pay much attention to him until there's a telling conversation when she begins to think things through. At that point, it brings her closer to the killer. Mira is determined not to call her psychic sister Darla, since Darla has interfered in her life and she wants to make it on her own. Unfortunately, that means surviving, if she can.
In the end, it all comes together nicely, with the murderer being an unusually surprising one, and I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next in the series.
I was given an advance copy from the author but this in no way influenced my review.
But when Mira arrives, she finds the body of her realtor in her new kitchen. Dead. As in very dead. When she calls the police, they inform her that she can't stay in the home, so, since she's made a new friend in the owner of the local diner (who luckily lives practically next door) she winds up staying at the home of Aerie, a yoga instructor/diner operator and her brother Jay, who owns a construction company.
Then after Mira is given the alright to go back, there's an explosion, and she barely gets out of the house alive. But not without help. At least not without help that she's willing to talk about to anyone. Not unless she wants them to think she's crazy...
When other unusual occurrences happen, Mira and Aerie decide to find out what's going on before there's another dead body. If only Mira can stay alive long enough to find the killer...
This is the first book in a new series, and it's fun to read. There is plenty of action going on, from the moment Mira steps inside her new home, until the end of the book when the murderer is apprehended (as we know they will be). In between, Mira is making friends and finding out about the townspeople and a bit of their lives, which I imagine will be explored more in future books.
I think Aerie is a very interesting character; she runs a small-town diner and is always trying to feed her customers gluten-free or vegan food (which they, of course, aren't interested in eating). It's a different twist on things, and I like the way it works in this book.
We get to meet Mira Michaels, who, along with her cat, Arnold, are on the trail of a killer while he's trying to tell her what to do (don't all cats? At least mine do). Mira doesn't pay much attention to him until there's a telling conversation when she begins to think things through. At that point, it brings her closer to the killer. Mira is determined not to call her psychic sister Darla, since Darla has interfered in her life and she wants to make it on her own. Unfortunately, that means surviving, if she can.
In the end, it all comes together nicely, with the murderer being an unusually surprising one, and I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next in the series.
I was given an advance copy from the author but this in no way influenced my review.
March 23, 2021
In an enjoyable new series, the second book starts out with a young woman buying a house to fix and flip. Above all else, she doesn't want to put down roots. But before she even gets the keys to her house, Mira has made a friend who is owner of the nearby restaurant. After that, things rapidly go down hill.
Mira is a level headed likeable character who tries very hard not to see or hear a ghost living in her
recently purchased home. She also can communicate with her cat, Arnold, an ability she wisely keeps hidden.
Add a mix of fun characters with murder, arson, and breaking and entering to get an enjoyable cozy mystery.
I would recommend it to all ages and gender of readers who like a small town setting. And if you love to make
or eat soup, you especially won't want to miss this book! Great fun and well written!
Mira is a level headed likeable character who tries very hard not to see or hear a ghost living in her
recently purchased home. She also can communicate with her cat, Arnold, an ability she wisely keeps hidden.
Add a mix of fun characters with murder, arson, and breaking and entering to get an enjoyable cozy mystery.
I would recommend it to all ages and gender of readers who like a small town setting. And if you love to make
or eat soup, you especially won't want to miss this book! Great fun and well written!
February 25, 2026
The story was more involved, but so loaded with one-dimensional characters that it was disappointing. We're made to dislike just about everyone in the book other than Mira and Aerie, with a few of them making no sense at all. For example, a cop (a detective, actually, who shouldn't have been involving himself in a traffic matter to begin with) giving Mira a hard time over a tail light because he saw her pulled over by the side of the road trying to pep-talk herself out of a panic attack - even after being told what was going on and having already told her about the light! Yes, I know some are jerks, just like the rest of us, but this was clearly an effort to make him a palatable suspect later, and not someone Mira would willingly reach out to from the beginning.
It would have been a far more interesting and memorable tale if the author had taken the time to make some of these characters multi-dimensional - especially the one responsible for everything that happens. Instead, most people in town treated her like a pariah not worth even basic kindness. The chief of police acted like a jerk, the detective acted like a jerk, the bank manager acted like a jerk, and so many more. A few made sense, like the real estate agent, who was the school bully and secretly dating the older brother of the girl who went to the office with Mira, but most of it was just lazy, one-dimensional characters. Even the nicer characters, like Aerie, are shocking shallow. Aerie is too sweet to be believable without additional depth. Her one and only sore spot seems to be Chelsea, the girl who bullied her relentlessly in school and is now dating her older brother. Chelsea is exactly the sterotype you would expect. It's as if the author wanted us to suspect everyone and didn't trust us to accept someone likable as a serious suspect.
The story itself was limited, and really only serves to get someone to buy the next book to find out what it all means. A lot of working up to a climax that doesn't actually climax. I'll read the next one because it was part of the set I borrowed, but I'm very glad I didn't spend my own money on this.
It would have been a far more interesting and memorable tale if the author had taken the time to make some of these characters multi-dimensional - especially the one responsible for everything that happens. Instead, most people in town treated her like a pariah not worth even basic kindness. The chief of police acted like a jerk, the detective acted like a jerk, the bank manager acted like a jerk, and so many more. A few made sense, like the real estate agent, who was the school bully and secretly dating the older brother of the girl who went to the office with Mira, but most of it was just lazy, one-dimensional characters. Even the nicer characters, like Aerie, are shocking shallow. Aerie is too sweet to be believable without additional depth. Her one and only sore spot seems to be Chelsea, the girl who bullied her relentlessly in school and is now dating her older brother. Chelsea is exactly the sterotype you would expect. It's as if the author wanted us to suspect everyone and didn't trust us to accept someone likable as a serious suspect.
The story itself was limited, and really only serves to get someone to buy the next book to find out what it all means. A lot of working up to a climax that doesn't actually climax. I'll read the next one because it was part of the set I borrowed, but I'm very glad I didn't spend my own money on this.
May 12, 2024
In the second book of the series, Mira heads toward the house she bought in Pleasant Pond, Pennsylvania. She hopes to flip the house quickly and move on.
But before she gets the keys from the real estate agent, she stops into the local diner, Soup & Scoop, for some dinner. There she meets the owner, Aerie, who happens to have a hunky brother, named Jay.
The two women become fast friends, which is good because Mira will need all the friends she can get!
When Mira finally gets to her house, she discovers the real estate agent’s dead body! Is Mira a target? Now, Mira must solve the murder. Thank goodness, she has help from Aerie, and her talking cat Arnold. What about her house? Is there a resident ghost on the premises?
This was a quick read, and I finished the book in one night. The plot thickens!
But before she gets the keys from the real estate agent, she stops into the local diner, Soup & Scoop, for some dinner. There she meets the owner, Aerie, who happens to have a hunky brother, named Jay.
The two women become fast friends, which is good because Mira will need all the friends she can get!
When Mira finally gets to her house, she discovers the real estate agent’s dead body! Is Mira a target? Now, Mira must solve the murder. Thank goodness, she has help from Aerie, and her talking cat Arnold. What about her house? Is there a resident ghost on the premises?
This was a quick read, and I finished the book in one night. The plot thickens!
March 15, 2021
Driving with her cat to her new home in Pleasant Ponds is Mira Michael’s. Mira can hear her cat’s comments in her head. Arnold was once human it seems. Anyway, Mira finds that both her front door & back door are open & expects that the realtor was inside. She was, but, she was dead! The local police chief is definitely not friendly. Having stopped for lunch at a local cafe Mira has an alibi & quickly becomes friends with Aeria (owner of said cafe) who insists she & Arnold are welcome at her home. When Mira spends the first night in her house she is saved by Arnold & someone pushing her out of the front door as a fire explodes In her kitchen. Someone does not want her in her home. I just had to finish this book in one go.
July 4, 2023
The Mira Michaels mystery series began with Cats and Catnipping. It introduced us to Mira Michaels and her cat, Arnold, as they moved from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania to start a new life. In the second book, Keys and Catastrophes, they have arrived in Pleasant Pond but all is not well. Mira's realtor, Becca, is dead in the kitchen of her new house! Fortunately for Mira, she meets Aerie McIntyre, the owner/waitress of Soup and Scoop. Bad things continue to happen, and Mira feels lucky to have Aerie as a friend. This book has a good flow and I enjoyed it even more than the first one. Future books should continue to share Mira and Arnold's adventures as they settle into life in Pennsylvania.
May 1, 2021
A woman starting her life over, a talking cat and a ghost....what a fun mystery!
Mira is settling into her house and getting ready to renovate..problem is she's a target for a killer!
I enjoyed the book - the mystery kept me guessing, it was fast-paced with red herrings! I thought I knew "whodunit" but I was wrong. I loved Mira and her determination to start her life over. I'm looking forward to learning more about the ghost and the house in the next book and of course, Arnold was a hoot!
Mira is settling into her house and getting ready to renovate..problem is she's a target for a killer!
I enjoyed the book - the mystery kept me guessing, it was fast-paced with red herrings! I thought I knew "whodunit" but I was wrong. I loved Mira and her determination to start her life over. I'm looking forward to learning more about the ghost and the house in the next book and of course, Arnold was a hoot!
July 20, 2021
When Mira arrives at her new house to get the keys and move in, she finds the realtor dead on the kitchen floor. Other incidents make it clear that someone does not want her living in the house and it is not the resident ghost. Can Mira and her new friend, Aerie find the killer so Mira can finally move in .
This is the second book in a series that promises to be quite entertaining. The characters are likable and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and this is my freely given and honest review.
This is the second book in a series that promises to be quite entertaining. The characters are likable and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and this is my freely given and honest review.
September 28, 2021
Murder and mayhem seem to be the call of the day, when Mira finds the door of her new (old) home unlocked and the realtor dead on the floor. It is just one catastrophe after another and Mira just seems bound for trouble when the killer seems to want her dead next! Keys and Catastrophies is a fast-paced and funny cozy mystery, packed with quirky characters, pets, and murder. Buy the novel and start this hilarious caper today! I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel.
February 13, 2022
So many mysteries rolled up together
Mira moves to a new town hoping to be able to flip an older house for a profit. However, event after event happen to complicate and delay being able to start the renovation. And the local police chief is of no help, in fact he is a major obstacle.
This story is well written and was enjoyable to read. I personally would have liked the animals to have a bigger part in the story, and would have enjoyed the paranormal factor to have been played up more.
Mira moves to a new town hoping to be able to flip an older house for a profit. However, event after event happen to complicate and delay being able to start the renovation. And the local police chief is of no help, in fact he is a major obstacle.
This story is well written and was enjoyable to read. I personally would have liked the animals to have a bigger part in the story, and would have enjoyed the paranormal factor to have been played up more.
August 15, 2021
Mira's House is Haunted
Arnold is Mira's cat. On their trip from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania she discovered he could project his thoughts into her mind and she understood him. When they arrived at the house she bought, he knew there was a ghost named Clara. Lots of action. Her Victorian house was broken into repeatedly and set on fire. But the worst was finding her realtor murdered in her kitchen. This is a really good book.
Arnold is Mira's cat. On their trip from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania she discovered he could project his thoughts into her mind and she understood him. When they arrived at the house she bought, he knew there was a ghost named Clara. Lots of action. Her Victorian house was broken into repeatedly and set on fire. But the worst was finding her realtor murdered in her kitchen. This is a really good book.
July 3, 2022
Treasure in the house?
Mira packs up what little she owns, gets in her ancient car and heads for a little town outside Philadelphia to start the flip process on a great old house she had bought. After finding a body and having her kitchen blown up, she gets into detective mode to find the killer and whoever is trying to destroy her plans. Then things really go wrong. Can she find the killer and put her future back on track?
Mira packs up what little she owns, gets in her ancient car and heads for a little town outside Philadelphia to start the flip process on a great old house she had bought. After finding a body and having her kitchen blown up, she gets into detective mode to find the killer and whoever is trying to destroy her plans. Then things really go wrong. Can she find the killer and put her future back on track?
June 12, 2021
Disappointing
The first book in this series was awesome! This one seemed so different. The main character refuses to do anything that a logical, normal human would do. The cat is an afterthought. I am surprised the writer did not kill her off because in real life she would have died from more than one incident. Will not be trying any more.
The first book in this series was awesome! This one seemed so different. The main character refuses to do anything that a logical, normal human would do. The cat is an afterthought. I am surprised the writer did not kill her off because in real life she would have died from more than one incident. Will not be trying any more.
November 23, 2021
Ghost
Wasn’t sure if I would like the book when I started reading but after reading the first chapter I was hooked. Enjoyed it so much wasn’t able to put it down until I finished read the whole book. A Wonderful exciting story with great friendships growing throughout the book. Recommend it to everyone that enjoys reading mysteries.
Wasn’t sure if I would like the book when I started reading but after reading the first chapter I was hooked. Enjoyed it so much wasn’t able to put it down until I finished read the whole book. A Wonderful exciting story with great friendships growing throughout the book. Recommend it to everyone that enjoys reading mysteries.
March 6, 2022
Another cute entry in the Mira Michaels mystery series. She arrives at her new house which is haunted but that is the least of her problems. She helps to solve the mystery of the murder and then the disappearance of someone else. She then finds out some surprising info from the cat rescue from the first book. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
April 6, 2022
This is the second in the series. Mira finally makes to her new home, only to find a body in the kitchen. The next day someone set fire to the kitchen and then the cook at the local diner goes missing. Then someone tosses her home .Things just keep coming and Mira isn't sure what to do. Can Mira figure this out before anything else happens or is it going to be too late ?
August 29, 2023
SPOILERS: A cute and funny cozy albeit a very easy whodunnit. It did bother me that Mira decided to cast blame on Jay, even after some very circumstantial "evidence" or that Aerie could think that of her brother. Also to make the Detective look that stupid when he knew evidence was going missing, it was extremely obvious it was an inside job. Thus far I plan to continue with the series.
July 21, 2025
Enjoyable characters
Mira finally gets to move into her knew home, but finds her realtor dead in the kitchen. Then someone starts a fire and the calamities continue. Jay and Aeri step in to help, but Mira thinks the local police are worthless. Oh, and is there a ghost in the house?
Mira finally gets to move into her knew home, but finds her realtor dead in the kitchen. Then someone starts a fire and the calamities continue. Jay and Aeri step in to help, but Mira thinks the local police are worthless. Oh, and is there a ghost in the house?
March 20, 2021
Such a fun read and a mystery that had me guessing! Mira, Aerie, Arnold and the other characters are so likable and they have you rooting for them throughout the book. Looking forward to the next one!
March 3, 2022
love this cat!
And its human of course... This story is much better than the first one, more original, more credible. The characters are growing on me! Very nice touch of humour as well. Well done!
And its human of course... This story is much better than the first one, more original, more credible. The characters are growing on me! Very nice touch of humour as well. Well done!
March 26, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed it!!
Was a fun book to read.
I was anxious to find out who the bad person was coz I hadn't figured it out.
Can't wait to get started on the next one!
Great series!!
Was a fun book to read.
I was anxious to find out who the bad person was coz I hadn't figured it out.
Can't wait to get started on the next one!
Great series!!
February 24, 2023
Keys and Catastrophes
This book just keeps moving along and is very interesting. It’s also very entertaining but you need to pay some attention to follow along. I enjoyed reading it.
This book just keeps moving along and is very interesting. It’s also very entertaining but you need to pay some attention to follow along. I enjoyed reading it.
January 3, 2024
This quick cozy murder mystery fit the 52 Book Challenge "starts with the letter K". Even though it is number two in the series, I read it as a standalone. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
May 22, 2024
Delightful
Having moved away to an old home in a small town things start off on the wrong foot. Mira arrives at her new home to find her agent dead on the kitchen floor. Not a great start to life in a new town. A lot happens before we find what happened.
Having moved away to an old home in a small town things start off on the wrong foot. Mira arrives at her new home to find her agent dead on the kitchen floor. Not a great start to life in a new town. A lot happens before we find what happened.
December 14, 2024
3 stars for entertainment but WHEW 🫠 the writing is...not great. Don't take these mysteries too seriously, they're borderline comically bad... but they're quick and fun so kinda the mood i need right now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2025
great book in a great series
I really enjoyed both this and the first book in the series. Easy to read and interesting with enough twists to keep you guessing. Highly recommend; I’m looking forward to the next one!
I really enjoyed both this and the first book in the series. Easy to read and interesting with enough twists to keep you guessing. Highly recommend; I’m looking forward to the next one!
March 15, 2021
Great plot. Kept me guessing through it all. Highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews