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Second Chance Cat Mystery #9
Totally Pawstruck
Secondhand store owner Sarah Grayson and her inquisitive rescue cat, Elvis, will need to close the book on a killer in the newest installment of this charming New York Times bestselling series.
Although Sarah Grayson is often tending to the contained chaos of her delightful secondhand store in North Harbor, Maine, plus dealing with the quirky personality of her rescue cat, Elvis, she still takes an occasional night off. But her evening out comes to an abrupt end when Sarah discovers Stella Hall, a member of the library board, standing over a body in the street.
Although Stella admits that she and the victim had fought about several things including library funding, she is adamant that she is innocent and the real killer is on the loose. Sarah is eager to help, but even with the assistance of Charlotte’s Angels, the senior citizen detectives who rent out part of her shop, there is still a vast amount of circumstantial evidence linking Stella to the crime. The odds may be stacked against them, but Sarah and Elvis, along with the Angels, will work hard to check out the suspects and catch a killer.
Although Sarah Grayson is often tending to the contained chaos of her delightful secondhand store in North Harbor, Maine, plus dealing with the quirky personality of her rescue cat, Elvis, she still takes an occasional night off. But her evening out comes to an abrupt end when Sarah discovers Stella Hall, a member of the library board, standing over a body in the street.
Although Stella admits that she and the victim had fought about several things including library funding, she is adamant that she is innocent and the real killer is on the loose. Sarah is eager to help, but even with the assistance of Charlotte’s Angels, the senior citizen detectives who rent out part of her shop, there is still a vast amount of circumstantial evidence linking Stella to the crime. The odds may be stacked against them, but Sarah and Elvis, along with the Angels, will work hard to check out the suspects and catch a killer.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2022
58 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Sofie Ryan
13 books568 followersPseudonym for Darlene Ryan. Also writes under Sofie Kelly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 3, 2022
Valentine's Day is approaching, and Sarah doesn't have any plans for her boyfriend, Mac.
While stressing about that, she happens upon a friend of hers, standing over the body of a local VIP. Of course, the victim was an obnoxious jerk with an enemies list a mile long.
What captured my imagination about the scene happened off page! The lady (suspect, natch!) sees a crystal ball rolling down the road, picks it up and sees the body. That's the scene Ryan should have opened with.
Anyway, Sarah and the Angels investigate, while Sarah operates her store,and tries to figure out Valentine's Day plans.
The solution is telegraphed, and I knew who it was the second we meet the miscreant. Strangely enough, there is no wacky climax.
Just a smooth ride all the way through.
While stressing about that, she happens upon a friend of hers, standing over the body of a local VIP. Of course, the victim was an obnoxious jerk with an enemies list a mile long.
What captured my imagination about the scene happened off page! The lady (suspect, natch!) sees a crystal ball rolling down the road, picks it up and sees the body. That's the scene Ryan should have opened with.
Anyway, Sarah and the Angels investigate, while Sarah operates her store,and tries to figure out Valentine's Day plans.
The solution is telegraphed, and I knew who it was the second we meet the miscreant. Strangely enough, there is no wacky climax.
Just a smooth ride all the way through.
February 22, 2022
Another enjoyable entry into Ms. Ryan's Second Chance Cat Mystery series. I adore each one of the characters in this series. Sarah, Mac, Charlotte's Angels,and most of all Elvis. A well written mystery with just enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end. Oh, and I love that little hint of romance at end that makes me excited about the next one in the series.
February 19, 2022
I usually love this series because the setting is quaint, the characters are fun, and their antics make me laugh and while I found all those things in this book, it didn’t feel the same. The mystery was good, and I really didn’t know who the murderer was until the reveal, but I found myself tuning this one out and had to reread passages just to reacquaint myself with what happened. I don’t know where the disconnect was with this one for me but it was not my favorite in the series.
March 7, 2022
I love this series as well as the author's Magical Cats Mysteries (under Sofie Kelly). Elvis - the cat - is adorable and I truly enjoy the relationships Sarah has with her grandmother's friends. You can clearly see that they've become Sarah's friends as well, not just the detective group Sarah helps out.
I sort of thought I had this one figured out before I reached the reveal, and I was correct. However, the reason - WOW. That was something I did not see coming. Nicely done.
My only real beef is the editing. Wrong words, missing quotes, all sorts of weirdness that leads me to believe that something like spellcheck was relied on more than a set of human eyes. Here are some examples:
"...I started to put my phone in my pocket when it suddenly rang. It glanced at the screen." Um, WHAT? The cellphone is now sentient, looking at itself?
"I had a vivid memory of Mom and Gram bringing me into the bank to opening my very first savings account." I suspect this should be "into the bank to OPEN my very first" - I could be wrong. If it's supposed to be 2 separate incidents, there's got to be a better way to word it.
"I poked around in a large cardboard box that was filled with books and maps. I found three of the later that I liked." Um, think this should be "latter" as in the "latter choice" of 2 options.
Again, not huge errors, nothing like pages missing or duplicate chunks of text (something I saw in a book recently at the library) but still...errors like this start to really catch my eye. Which brings down my enjoyment level a bit. Good editing IS good writing - the 2 go hand-in-hand, in my humble opinion.
I sort of thought I had this one figured out before I reached the reveal, and I was correct. However, the reason - WOW. That was something I did not see coming. Nicely done.
My only real beef is the editing. Wrong words, missing quotes, all sorts of weirdness that leads me to believe that something like spellcheck was relied on more than a set of human eyes. Here are some examples:
"...I started to put my phone in my pocket when it suddenly rang. It glanced at the screen." Um, WHAT? The cellphone is now sentient, looking at itself?
"I had a vivid memory of Mom and Gram bringing me into the bank to opening my very first savings account." I suspect this should be "into the bank to OPEN my very first" - I could be wrong. If it's supposed to be 2 separate incidents, there's got to be a better way to word it.
"I poked around in a large cardboard box that was filled with books and maps. I found three of the later that I liked." Um, think this should be "latter" as in the "latter choice" of 2 options.
Again, not huge errors, nothing like pages missing or duplicate chunks of text (something I saw in a book recently at the library) but still...errors like this start to really catch my eye. Which brings down my enjoyment level a bit. Good editing IS good writing - the 2 go hand-in-hand, in my humble opinion.
March 8, 2022
I really enjoy this series!! :)
February 8, 2022
I'm always interested in reading a good mystery that involves cats, Maine, and second hand shops. Totally Pawstruck fits that bill, and I was captivated from page one.
Elvis is a sweet cat and I love how the author created his personality. Sarah is a good character, and the mystery was well done.
Sarah happens to see her friend Stella standing over a body, Stella appears to be in shock and the victim is barely hanging on.
The victim is not well liked, but Sarah knows that Stella had nothing to do with the bizarre event so she doesn't hesitate when its time to investigate.
I highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a well written story with plenty of red herrings and some very likeable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#TotallyPawstruck #NetGalley
Elvis is a sweet cat and I love how the author created his personality. Sarah is a good character, and the mystery was well done.
Sarah happens to see her friend Stella standing over a body, Stella appears to be in shock and the victim is barely hanging on.
The victim is not well liked, but Sarah knows that Stella had nothing to do with the bizarre event so she doesn't hesitate when its time to investigate.
I highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a well written story with plenty of red herrings and some very likeable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#TotallyPawstruck #NetGalley
May 16, 2025
You would think it would be a good book because Sofia Ryan reminded us that Elvis was a black cat and NOT the king of rock and roll. Before I for sure thought that the ghost of Elvis was gonna help solve this murder mystery, and if that was the case this would have been 5 stars. But due to that missing plot point I was booooooooored. Ts put me in a slump. 🤬
February 12, 2022
Solid entry in the series. I like the way Kelly/Ryan writes, very natural and funny dialog, and she tries to make all her characters somehow redeemable. Even if the victim is someone who "just needs killing'" she brings some humanity to him or her.
February 22, 2022
I absolutely loved this cozy mystery! Each novel in this series is better than the last. The author is extraordinarily creative! The mysteries are excellent, and the people could step off the pages into real life. I feel as if I know the regular characters, so well are they designed, and Elvis’s cat-sonality reminds me of cats who’ve owned me.
The first Valentine’s Day that Mac and Sarah will spend as a couple is almost here, and neither has decided how best to celebrate. Sarah owns Second Chance, a shop I would love to visit in North Harbor, Maine. They sell repurposed items, including furnishings, musical instruments, books, and dinnerware, and many others. I wish I knew how they do what they do with various items they get and sell.
Sarah originally hired Mac as her right-hand man. He is great at what he does, which includes much of the furniture refurbishing with Sarah, pickup and delivery of larger pieces of furniture, and some of the buying. They became good friends, then began dating.
The office of Charlotte’s Angels is at Second Chance. When she was younger, Sarah spent summers in North Harbor with Gram. Liz, Rose, and Charlotte are women Gram grew up with and have been friends with. They have always been like aunts to Sarah. Mr. Peterson is part of the group. He and Rose have become a couple. Mr. P contributes greatly with his computer skills and holds a PI license and Rose will soon have hers. The group of seniors opened Charlotte’s Angels, with Sarah and Liz helping as needed.
Sarah and her best friend Jess were out for dinner and when leaving, saw Stella, a friend of Gram and her friends. She was standing over the body of a man lying partway into the street. She was holding onto a glass ball, and they saw blood on the ball, her hands, and coat. The man was Vincent, who wasn’t very well liked by anyone. He had a lot of blood under his head and was still barely alive. Stella was in shock, and it was several minutes before she could speak. Stella couldn’t remember anything, including where she found the glass ball or how blood got on her hands.
Stella asked the Angels to take her case, as the police have too much interest in her. One of the problems they face is how many enemies Vince had. Even his son had been pushed away for so long that he changed his name and moved away! Gram and the Angels all know Stella couldn’t have done the deed and I was intrigued watching them try to prove it. Elvis, the feline lie detector, recognizes that Stella is telling the truth. Too bad that the police do not understand “cat talk”.
This excellent mystery can be read as a standalone, as there is enough backstory to satisfy the new and the returning reader. I love how the Angels brainstorm, assign tasks, and follow through without being consumed by the case. I had a good idea whodunit despite possible motives of other people. There certainly were surprises at the end, yet I was sad to see I was right about whodunit. Overall, this mystery is satisfying, and I highly recommend it and the rest of the series to those who love cats, Maine, or the day-to-day workings of a repurpose/ antique/ thrift store.
The first Valentine’s Day that Mac and Sarah will spend as a couple is almost here, and neither has decided how best to celebrate. Sarah owns Second Chance, a shop I would love to visit in North Harbor, Maine. They sell repurposed items, including furnishings, musical instruments, books, and dinnerware, and many others. I wish I knew how they do what they do with various items they get and sell.
Sarah originally hired Mac as her right-hand man. He is great at what he does, which includes much of the furniture refurbishing with Sarah, pickup and delivery of larger pieces of furniture, and some of the buying. They became good friends, then began dating.
The office of Charlotte’s Angels is at Second Chance. When she was younger, Sarah spent summers in North Harbor with Gram. Liz, Rose, and Charlotte are women Gram grew up with and have been friends with. They have always been like aunts to Sarah. Mr. Peterson is part of the group. He and Rose have become a couple. Mr. P contributes greatly with his computer skills and holds a PI license and Rose will soon have hers. The group of seniors opened Charlotte’s Angels, with Sarah and Liz helping as needed.
Sarah and her best friend Jess were out for dinner and when leaving, saw Stella, a friend of Gram and her friends. She was standing over the body of a man lying partway into the street. She was holding onto a glass ball, and they saw blood on the ball, her hands, and coat. The man was Vincent, who wasn’t very well liked by anyone. He had a lot of blood under his head and was still barely alive. Stella was in shock, and it was several minutes before she could speak. Stella couldn’t remember anything, including where she found the glass ball or how blood got on her hands.
Stella asked the Angels to take her case, as the police have too much interest in her. One of the problems they face is how many enemies Vince had. Even his son had been pushed away for so long that he changed his name and moved away! Gram and the Angels all know Stella couldn’t have done the deed and I was intrigued watching them try to prove it. Elvis, the feline lie detector, recognizes that Stella is telling the truth. Too bad that the police do not understand “cat talk”.
This excellent mystery can be read as a standalone, as there is enough backstory to satisfy the new and the returning reader. I love how the Angels brainstorm, assign tasks, and follow through without being consumed by the case. I had a good idea whodunit despite possible motives of other people. There certainly were surprises at the end, yet I was sad to see I was right about whodunit. Overall, this mystery is satisfying, and I highly recommend it and the rest of the series to those who love cats, Maine, or the day-to-day workings of a repurpose/ antique/ thrift store.
February 22, 2022
A great series. Characters cover a wide spectrum of ages. There’s a cat. The main character actually works at her job. Sleuthing is done through a private detective business. All good things that are sometimes lacking in the cozy mystery genre. The author does an excellent job of both refreshing existing fan's memories as well as explaining relationships and background for new readers.
Kudos to the author for giving characters of “a certain age” distinguishing qualities. Each one is clearly different from the others making it easy for readers to keep them straight. For some reason this seems to be difficult for many authors.
After learning they are good at investigating, the older group opened a business and one, soon to be two, has earned their private detective license. In this book, a friend comes to them in a preemptive move after she is discovered standing over a murder victim with the weapon in her hands. The victim was not popular so readers are given several choices as to who the perpetrator may have been.
If I had to come up with a quibble about the series it would be Sarah’s habit of crossing her fingers or miming zipping her lips. Is this something mature adults really do?
Finally, there is a mention of Steven Tyler being within driving distance of North Harbor for the upcoming filming of a movie. As many times as we’ve heard the story of Rose’s brush with fame at an Aerosmith concert, if this is not a plot point in the next book I will be very disappointed.
Kudos to the author for giving characters of “a certain age” distinguishing qualities. Each one is clearly different from the others making it easy for readers to keep them straight. For some reason this seems to be difficult for many authors.
After learning they are good at investigating, the older group opened a business and one, soon to be two, has earned their private detective license. In this book, a friend comes to them in a preemptive move after she is discovered standing over a murder victim with the weapon in her hands. The victim was not popular so readers are given several choices as to who the perpetrator may have been.
If I had to come up with a quibble about the series it would be Sarah’s habit of crossing her fingers or miming zipping her lips. Is this something mature adults really do?
Finally, there is a mention of Steven Tyler being within driving distance of North Harbor for the upcoming filming of a movie. As many times as we’ve heard the story of Rose’s brush with fame at an Aerosmith concert, if this is not a plot point in the next book I will be very disappointed.
March 6, 2022
Super, sappy Sarah exonerates Stella, suspect in murder of some, cranky old guy. Old people sleuths with amazing ability to suss out info of every sort are detectives. There was no talk of remuneration. Meanwhile, Sarah is running a secondhand shop, but has loads of time to accompany elders who bother people about their whereabouts the murder night. The title has no bearing on the plot. This is one of an ongoing series. There are many characters, all connected somehow. It's not easy to discern how. There's no reason why a library would have a display of crystal balls out in the open. Fragile items would be secured in appropriate display cases. Sarah, et al, never have that scary scene, wherein the killer locks them in a basement, etc. It's smooth sailing with the killer revealed, hurriedly, in the last few pages. Many pages are about used furniture acquisition and repair. Sarah pays cash for odd lots. She walks out of her store at a moment's notice. Then, she leaves her business in the hands of her boyfriend/carpenter and teen employee. It doesn't sound like a well-run or viable business, able to support her lifestyle. Instead, it sounds chaotic. She walks out at day's end with no time spent on accounting.
July 25, 2023
Sarah owns a secondhand store in Maine, and has a cat named Elvis. Some elderly neighbors, one of whom has a PI license, are investigating the murder of a nasty old man who was universally disliked, and Sarah is helping. Their friend Stella is a prime suspect because she found him, and she hires them to solve the case. There are so many people who disliked this unpleasant character; therefore there are a lot of suspects. Could the men who lost their jobs because of him, or the parents of a young women who died in his car, or someone who disagreed with him on the library board be responsible? Three and a half stars.
April 9, 2022
Well, I finished this book and I am sad because I have come to the end of my stash. Now, I have to wait for the author to get around to writing another book before I can have the company of this group of people again. In this book, Sarah and Jessie are walking to their car after dinner, they round a corner and find a man lying in the street with an older lady standing over him with a glass ball in her bloody hands. Everyone knows that Stella could never have done such a thing, so once more Charlotte's Angels jump in to solve the crime.
May 19, 2022
It's winter in Maine and Sarah and her cat Elvis are looking forward to to relaxing. When she finds her friend, Stella standing over a body on the street everyone thinks it's an open and shut case. But Sarah and Charlotte's Angels are on the case, determined to set their friend free. This is book 9 in the Second Chance Cozy series. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 8, 2022
I like this series so much. I have it three stars as it was not one of her better mysteries. The characters, the setting - all marvelous as always but the puzzle was ver one dimensional and flat.
February 23, 2022
Another fun mystery with Sarah and her band of Angels. I really love the parts with Elvis because that cat can steal the show. The relationship that is growing between Mac and Sofia is so fun to see blossom.
February 25, 2022
My first Sofie Ryan book and it won't be my last. Fun, fast, and cozy read with compelling characters and good whodunnit. Also a cat named Elvis!
ARC Provided by NetGalley
ARC Provided by NetGalley
June 14, 2022
Quick read. Like visiting old friends. Did sort the mystery down to two by about half way through. Valentine presents were unique and spot on for everyone.
September 8, 2022
Love this series!
July 6, 2025
3.25 stars
February 5, 2022
I really liked this one. I love that we got a "cross series" reference to a certain hockey player from the Magical Cats series:)
October 24, 2021
A fairly low-key entry in the series. An enjoyable cozy mystery, with characters I enjoy spending time with. Somewhat less Elvis the cat than sometimes. Sarah has a charming group of family and friends, and a good excuse to get involved in investigating crimes.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2022
I am officially in my happy place now. Love, love, love this series and I was thrilled to get back to Sarah and crew to help them along on the Angels' latest case.
This is the kind of series that stands the test of time -- the characters, every last one of them, are so memorable that I slip back to North Harbor, Maine and it feels like I've never been gone. And Elvis, feline extraordinaire, makes me almost more of a cat person than a dog person (gasp!) I love the balance between the mystery and the coziness of small town life. Ryan brings it all vibrantly to life in such an engaging way that I have actually checked to see if North Harbor exists (it doesn't.) But if it did, I move there in a nanosecond!
I tried to make this preordered audible book last but it was over way too soon and now I'm impatiently waiting for the next Second Chance Cat Mystery series to be released. I might just have to start re-listening to the series from book one again, just to tide me over.
Interesting note: the narrator is different in this ninth book. Rachel L. Jacobs did a great job but I found myself missing Marguerite Gavin's familiar voice. Not sure if this is a permanent switch but I find it interesting how quickly I come to associate a specific narrator with the characters in a story.
This is the kind of series that stands the test of time -- the characters, every last one of them, are so memorable that I slip back to North Harbor, Maine and it feels like I've never been gone. And Elvis, feline extraordinaire, makes me almost more of a cat person than a dog person (gasp!) I love the balance between the mystery and the coziness of small town life. Ryan brings it all vibrantly to life in such an engaging way that I have actually checked to see if North Harbor exists (it doesn't.) But if it did, I move there in a nanosecond!
I tried to make this preordered audible book last but it was over way too soon and now I'm impatiently waiting for the next Second Chance Cat Mystery series to be released. I might just have to start re-listening to the series from book one again, just to tide me over.
Interesting note: the narrator is different in this ninth book. Rachel L. Jacobs did a great job but I found myself missing Marguerite Gavin's familiar voice. Not sure if this is a permanent switch but I find it interesting how quickly I come to associate a specific narrator with the characters in a story.
February 7, 2022
What an excellent read in a long running series. I love Sarah, Elvis and company. In this volume the comradatary of the Angels, Sarah, Avery and Mac are in the forefront as they help a friend of Sarah's grandmother who is literally found holding the murder weapon over the not quite dead body. With a lot of questions, detours and just plain wrong turns, it is the little things that add up to the truth. Great read! Highly recommend!
May 29, 2022
Bummed about the change in audiobook narrators.
September 10, 2024
4.75⭐️
March 9, 2022
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Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Totally Pawstruck is another excellent novel in its series; I thoroughly enjoyed it! There is a winning combination of a personality-plus cat, a cast of characters who make up the very best kind of family, a charming repurpose and thrift store, and a murdered man with more enemies than friends. If I had the choice of where to get lost for a few months, this just might be a place I’d seriously consider. Elvis was a stray cat when an old friend gave him to Sarah. He is now an indispensable part of her life, as well as a feline lie-detector who must watch Jeopardy! every day.
Sarah moved to North Harbor, where she loved staying with Gram many summers when growing up. One of her oldest, best friends, Nick, is still here, as is Jess, her best friend since college. Gram and her new husband now live in an apartment in the renovated Victorian Sarah purchased and lives in. Gram’s closest friends Liz, Charlotte, and Rose are like beloved aunts to Sarah. Owner of Second Chance, the repurpose/ thrift shop, Sarah employs Rose and Charlotte. She also employs her right-hand person, Mac, who later became her boyfriend, and Avery, Liz’s granddaughter and a wonderfully creative teen.
Charlotte, Rose, and Mr. Peterson run Charlotte’s Angels from Second Chance, begun after Charlotte was accused of a crime she did not commit. Mr. P has the private investigator license for the Angels, and Rose has been studying to get hers.
Sarah and Jess had been out to dinner and were walking to Sarah’s SUV. They saw a man lying partway into the street, with Stella, a friend of Gram and the Angels, standing over him holding a bloody glass sphere. Stella was in shock and did not respond to their questions. The man is Vincent Swift. His pulse is very weak and his breathing shallow. They called for an ambulance, and Jess tried to get Stella to respond while Sarah held Vincent’s hand, encouraging him to hold on. There was a puddle of blood under his head, and from the way he was lying, it was clear he had been attacked rather than slipping on the ice and falling.
During the night, Swift died. Stella’s peace of mind died, also, since she is the only suspect the police are looking at. Shortly before he was attacked, Vincent and Stella had a public disagreement at the library where both were in a board meeting. Vincent was a cantankerous man who made enemies of most people in town due to how he treated others. He and his son, while not exactly estranged, rarely speak.
The characters are three-dimensional, heartwarming people I would love to have as my extended family! The lovable group of seniors of Charlotte’s Angels, plus Liz and Gram, are a delightful family. I especially like Sarah, Elvis, and Mac. They all help each other out and those in trouble. They are witty, loving, and hard-working. We get to know them best through their actions and realistic dialog.
It is sad that the dead man had more enemies than friends. It also makes for a definite challenge when trying to find the real killer. We are also presented with several possible motives and a red herring. Stella hired her friends at Charlotte’s Angels to find who really killed Vincent so she could stay out of jail. Sarah isn’t technically one of the Angels, but she does provide legwork and input to the brainstorming sessions. I continue to be amazed at the kinds of things that Mr. P finds online, and how, even though Liz’s connections in town provide valuable input.
I was surprised to find that my pet suspect was the real bad guy yet felt very sad for the person. There were bigger surprises that I didn’t see coming, however, which really added to the novel. All loose ends were tied up, and I am already missing Elvis, Sarah, and the Angels! I highly recommend this cozy mystery, which can be read as a standalone, and the rest of the series.
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Totally Pawstruck is another excellent novel in its series; I thoroughly enjoyed it! There is a winning combination of a personality-plus cat, a cast of characters who make up the very best kind of family, a charming repurpose and thrift store, and a murdered man with more enemies than friends. If I had the choice of where to get lost for a few months, this just might be a place I’d seriously consider. Elvis was a stray cat when an old friend gave him to Sarah. He is now an indispensable part of her life, as well as a feline lie-detector who must watch Jeopardy! every day.
Sarah moved to North Harbor, where she loved staying with Gram many summers when growing up. One of her oldest, best friends, Nick, is still here, as is Jess, her best friend since college. Gram and her new husband now live in an apartment in the renovated Victorian Sarah purchased and lives in. Gram’s closest friends Liz, Charlotte, and Rose are like beloved aunts to Sarah. Owner of Second Chance, the repurpose/ thrift shop, Sarah employs Rose and Charlotte. She also employs her right-hand person, Mac, who later became her boyfriend, and Avery, Liz’s granddaughter and a wonderfully creative teen.
Charlotte, Rose, and Mr. Peterson run Charlotte’s Angels from Second Chance, begun after Charlotte was accused of a crime she did not commit. Mr. P has the private investigator license for the Angels, and Rose has been studying to get hers.
Sarah and Jess had been out to dinner and were walking to Sarah’s SUV. They saw a man lying partway into the street, with Stella, a friend of Gram and the Angels, standing over him holding a bloody glass sphere. Stella was in shock and did not respond to their questions. The man is Vincent Swift. His pulse is very weak and his breathing shallow. They called for an ambulance, and Jess tried to get Stella to respond while Sarah held Vincent’s hand, encouraging him to hold on. There was a puddle of blood under his head, and from the way he was lying, it was clear he had been attacked rather than slipping on the ice and falling.
During the night, Swift died. Stella’s peace of mind died, also, since she is the only suspect the police are looking at. Shortly before he was attacked, Vincent and Stella had a public disagreement at the library where both were in a board meeting. Vincent was a cantankerous man who made enemies of most people in town due to how he treated others. He and his son, while not exactly estranged, rarely speak.
The characters are three-dimensional, heartwarming people I would love to have as my extended family! The lovable group of seniors of Charlotte’s Angels, plus Liz and Gram, are a delightful family. I especially like Sarah, Elvis, and Mac. They all help each other out and those in trouble. They are witty, loving, and hard-working. We get to know them best through their actions and realistic dialog.
It is sad that the dead man had more enemies than friends. It also makes for a definite challenge when trying to find the real killer. We are also presented with several possible motives and a red herring. Stella hired her friends at Charlotte’s Angels to find who really killed Vincent so she could stay out of jail. Sarah isn’t technically one of the Angels, but she does provide legwork and input to the brainstorming sessions. I continue to be amazed at the kinds of things that Mr. P finds online, and how, even though Liz’s connections in town provide valuable input.
I was surprised to find that my pet suspect was the real bad guy yet felt very sad for the person. There were bigger surprises that I didn’t see coming, however, which really added to the novel. All loose ends were tied up, and I am already missing Elvis, Sarah, and the Angels! I highly recommend this cozy mystery, which can be read as a standalone, and the rest of the series.
October 24, 2025
Ahoy there me mateys! Though this log’s focus is on sci-fi and fantasy, this Captain does have broader reading tastes. So occasionally I will share some reads that I enjoyed that are off the charts (a non sci-fi or fantasy). This series was brought to me attention by
Matey Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits
. It consists of 12 books. I bought them all from Audible during their summer sale. At this time, there is no indication that the author will write more in this series. So another series done! Of course, if that changes and other books are written, then I will likely read them too.
Sarah Grayson owns the store Second Chance, a secondhand and thrift shop in the (made-up) coastal town of North Harbor, Maine. Sarah has a group of elderly friends of her grandmother who are like family. These friends run an investigative agency called the Angels.
Where does the cat come in? Elvis was a stray wandering around the waterfront. "The big black cat with a scar across his nose turned up at a local bar when the band was playing the King of Rock and Roll’s music and [then one day] hopped in Sarah’s truck. Since then, he’s been her constant companion and the furry favorite of everyone who comes into the store." And aye, Elvis does play a part in helping solve crimes (in a mostly realistic way).
The major problem with this book is that there was a different narrator. The new narrator is Rachel L. Jacobs. She wasn't bad at all. It's just that the tone switched and some of the lightness of the characters changed. It just felt less cozy and a tiny bit more snarky. I got used to it. It's not the narrator's fault though I do hate when narrators switch part-way through.
In this book, Sarah and her friend Jess are taking a night off. Then they find Stella Hall, a member of the library board, standing over a body in the street. Stella is holding a bloody crystal ball in her hands and is in shock. What really happened?
Basically no one likes the guy who died. The mystery is tied to past events. I did not completely guess the killer but was a bit surprised at why it happened. A lot of previous characters show up in this installment and their are tons of suspects. The rationale for how Sarah figured everything out was a bit light. I could have used a lot more Elvis. This was an fine installment but not one of my favorites. Arrr!
Sarah Grayson owns the store Second Chance, a secondhand and thrift shop in the (made-up) coastal town of North Harbor, Maine. Sarah has a group of elderly friends of her grandmother who are like family. These friends run an investigative agency called the Angels.
Where does the cat come in? Elvis was a stray wandering around the waterfront. "The big black cat with a scar across his nose turned up at a local bar when the band was playing the King of Rock and Roll’s music and [then one day] hopped in Sarah’s truck. Since then, he’s been her constant companion and the furry favorite of everyone who comes into the store." And aye, Elvis does play a part in helping solve crimes (in a mostly realistic way).
The major problem with this book is that there was a different narrator. The new narrator is Rachel L. Jacobs. She wasn't bad at all. It's just that the tone switched and some of the lightness of the characters changed. It just felt less cozy and a tiny bit more snarky. I got used to it. It's not the narrator's fault though I do hate when narrators switch part-way through.
In this book, Sarah and her friend Jess are taking a night off. Then they find Stella Hall, a member of the library board, standing over a body in the street. Stella is holding a bloody crystal ball in her hands and is in shock. What really happened?
Basically no one likes the guy who died. The mystery is tied to past events. I did not completely guess the killer but was a bit surprised at why it happened. A lot of previous characters show up in this installment and their are tons of suspects. The rationale for how Sarah figured everything out was a bit light. I could have used a lot more Elvis. This was an fine installment but not one of my favorites. Arrr!
February 22, 2022
Totally Pawstruck by Sofie Ryan is the 9th book in her fun, cute Second Chance Cat Mystery series. Sarah Grayson, our heroine, runs a resale/repurpose store called Second Chance, and she has a smart adorable black cat named Elvis; who also helps Sarah solve mysteries. Also, Sarah rents an office space in her store, to a detective agency called Charlotte’s Angels, which are a wonderful group of senior citizens (Rose, Liz, Charlotte and the one man, Mr. P).
Enjoying a night out, Sarah and her friend Jess, leave a restaurant and while walking home, they see a friend standing over a body. When they run to check on their friend Stella, who is in shock, Sarah bends down to check on the man; who turns out to be a member of the library board, who most people hate, including Stella. The police question Stella, since the man died, and Sarah with her help from Charlotte’s Angels are determined to prove their friend’s innocence.
What follows is an exciting, fun, mystery whodunit, with wonderful recurring characters, which kept my attention from start to finish. Though Elvis was a bit quieter in this book, the rest of the wonderful group were lots of fun to watch them separate the clues to find the killer. There were a number of twists and surprises that kept changing the game, and Sarah will begin to narrow down the suspects; especially since the victim was evil.
I do not want to give spoilers, so not to ruin it for you. I continually loved the friendly banter and relationship with Sarah, Elvis, and The Angels, as they were all smart and savvy, with no fear among them. The romance between Sarah and Mac picks up more, as I really like them together; as well as the secondary characters not part of the Angels (Nick, Jess, Michelle, etc)
Totally Pawstruck was a delightful, fun, mysterious and charming story, with a fantastic group of recurring characters, as well as our wonderful Elvis, all of whom have a wonderful bond together. If you enjoy a lighthearted mystery, a smart cute cat, and wonderful heroine, then I suggest you read this series, so very well written by Sofie Ryan.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Enjoying a night out, Sarah and her friend Jess, leave a restaurant and while walking home, they see a friend standing over a body. When they run to check on their friend Stella, who is in shock, Sarah bends down to check on the man; who turns out to be a member of the library board, who most people hate, including Stella. The police question Stella, since the man died, and Sarah with her help from Charlotte’s Angels are determined to prove their friend’s innocence.
What follows is an exciting, fun, mystery whodunit, with wonderful recurring characters, which kept my attention from start to finish. Though Elvis was a bit quieter in this book, the rest of the wonderful group were lots of fun to watch them separate the clues to find the killer. There were a number of twists and surprises that kept changing the game, and Sarah will begin to narrow down the suspects; especially since the victim was evil.
I do not want to give spoilers, so not to ruin it for you. I continually loved the friendly banter and relationship with Sarah, Elvis, and The Angels, as they were all smart and savvy, with no fear among them. The romance between Sarah and Mac picks up more, as I really like them together; as well as the secondary characters not part of the Angels (Nick, Jess, Michelle, etc)
Totally Pawstruck was a delightful, fun, mysterious and charming story, with a fantastic group of recurring characters, as well as our wonderful Elvis, all of whom have a wonderful bond together. If you enjoy a lighthearted mystery, a smart cute cat, and wonderful heroine, then I suggest you read this series, so very well written by Sofie Ryan.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
July 28, 2024
I was happy to get back to this series. I haven't read a Ryan or Kelly mystery for a couple of years, but after looking at some of the authors I used to read, I looked forward to reuniting. Though I figured out who the murderer was fairly early on, once all of the potential suspects with possible motive, were revealed, it was still an enjoyable read. I love the seniors that Sarah has in her life, the angels. Sometimes though, I get a little annoyed with her, because she is both too emotional, and at the same time stubborn, in defense of people she has deemed incapable of committing a crime just because she knows them. We never know others as well as we think we do. She gets upset on the regular with Nick for doing his job the way he was trained, which is as an investigator. One thing I appreciate in this series, is that she rarely puts herself in physical danger while conducting her own investigation with the angels. There are several other cozy mysteries that I sometimes read, where the heroine seems to have no regard for her safety, approaches suspects alone, gets knocked unconscious, or otherwise nearly killed. This may make the story a little more interesting, but usually it just makes me think they are stupid. So I like that these stories don't contain foolishness in the name of heroism.
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