Read Herring Riddle

by C.K. Fyfe

For Laura, house-sitting at an old Victorian mansion seems the perfect job. However, little does she know that the house holds an abundance of secrets, including a mysterious book that's much more than it seems. When the owners' cat goes missing, Laura accepts help from an unlikely source to find the feline. But in doing so, has she crossed the line between fantasy and reality?

*A cozy mystery short story.*

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2021

About the author

C.K. Fyfe has always enjoyed a good mystery. Fyfe’s childhood love of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys led to a grown-up love of writing cozy mysteries with quirky, funny, and kindhearted characters. Fyfe lives in “The Wolverine State.” Much like wolverines, Fyfe’s villains have vicious dispositions, but the clever sleuths know how to tame their foes’ tempers.

Reviews

[Dez the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cozy little mystery!

It was a little slow to start, wasn’t sure where it was going to go or if i would like it, but the BAM….mystery kicks up a notch and the sleuthing begins. About midway through I finally became truly engaged in reading this and really liked how the story ended…or was left open ended? I would absolutely read more from this author.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool concept, what an entertaining story!

Any story that has a playful, naughty cat catches my attention. Fun! This story had an interesting premise, an original plot, while still keeping that cozy feel. I love finding stories that are different, it was so exciting! A bit spooky, but in a not-too-scary way. A bit more background on Laura and the job would have been nice, but it is a short story after all, and not a full-length book. Ooh I loved it, and I hope this will become a series, because I can see the potential for full-length stories with these characters and this setting!

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Herring Riddle by C.K. Fyfeis a  cozy mystery short story.  Spooky but in a fun way, this was an interesting little read that kept my interest piqued throughout.  The characters were interesting,  the playful cat was fun, and the mystery was entertaining.  I look forward to more stories by this author... and this story would be amazing if extended into a cute mystery series. 

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fun mystery to read and easily could be read on one sitting. The cat is so fun to read about along with Laura and Eugene. I like the riddles throughout which fits the title well and the characters really make the story work. Its a great read.

[PhyllisRBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading long full length novels, I love to grab a good short story or novella and Fyfe is one of my favorites! Fyfe has a gift not all authors have; she does a marvelous job writing a full length story with all of the elements within a small word count. I just hated for it to end.

This cozy takes you on a fun trek through the Victorian mansion that Laura is house sitting. She needs answers and just has to find that cat! The plot is original, the characters are likable and the cat is a mess. I hope to read more from these characters in the future!

I received this book from the publisher/author free of charge with no expectation of a positive review. But in this case, I also bought a copy of this book.

[Annie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered tonight that I have had this book in my Kindle since 2021!! O my heavens - how time has flown.

So, since I was so embarrassed to have had it this long without reading it - that's what I did tonight. It's only 40 pages long - blessedly - but a quite delightful 40 pages.

I'm really beginning to like this genre - stories that involve magical books.

Our protagonist - Laura - is pet sitting an an old mansion. The pet is a delightful mischievious cat nicknamed Bear.

The magical book is found in the Library - or course - and helps Laura and Eugene - the estate caretaker - in finding the missing Bear - who is not really missing - he is just in His comfort place.

I highly recommend this book.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Read Herring Riddle" by C.K. Fyfe is a short and fast read. Why is the cat suddenly missing along with other items? There are plenty of clues to answer this question, but the clues are in a most unusual place!

This is a book that I would recommend to any reader who likes short stories without graphic details of violence and likes a clean read. If you are a cat lover, and know how they like to get in to anything they aren't supposed to, and likes to read about the mysteries that they can get into, then I say stop reading this review and read"Read Herring Riddle" by C.K. Fyfe for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and these opinions are my own

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this book for review, but this in no way shapes my thoughts expressed below.

I was quite excited to dive into this as there's something comforting about digging into a cozy mystery, and C.K. Fyfe hit all the right notes in this short but fun adventure. Anything with a cat instantly gets bonus points for me, and I highly enjoyed following along with our main character as she works to solve the mystery. If you're looking for a fun cozy look no further, I can't wait to read more from C.K.!

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel that I have read by CK FyFe and I believe that this may be her first attempt at publication and all I can say is that I am very impressed. The novel flowed smoothly, characters were sound and well developed. The story line was progressed effortlessly. This is a stand alone novel, secretly I would love for her to make a series as she has a very good start A marvelous effort! Anyone that enjoys fantasy and magic should pick up this little gem! I received this novel form StoryOrigin. I gave this honest, voluntary review.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Herring Riddle by C. K. Fyfe is a charming, gothic-style cozy mystery. The spooky quality of this novella really shines through when Laura, a house sitter, begins to read a book found in the house. Bear, the feline, is a lovable little trickster who gets up to mischief. The handyman is a true gentleman ready for anything. I loved the unusual plot, the fast pace, the suspense and the characters. I wish this was a series---I want more of Laura and Bear's adventures!

[Javon50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great short story! Laura will be housesitting a Victorian home and when she arrives, she is met by the caretaker, Euguene and the cat he calls Bear. The home is spooky but quite lovely inside. When she picks up a book to read before retiring for the night, she discovers that the book may be “talking” to her. This charming book is a quick, entertaining read. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura goes house sitting a mansion while the owner is away. The house is supposedly haunted and Laura, Eugene and Bear, the cat, investigate whether the house is really haunted. Bear goes missing and Laura and Eugene search the house for him. Join they as they lead you though the house to find Bear. This was a quick, humorous read.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute and true to its word, it's a short read but really fun and clean. There's a touch of paranormal, but I think middle school kids who are into things like that or Harry Potter would even enjoy this. I'm eager to read more like this!

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say that this novel is the first I’ve read that left me smiling and searching for other books by this, new to me, author.

An excellent read. Good mystery. Charming characters.

[Bonnie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear

I enjoyed reading this short cozy mystery. It had just the right amount of mystery and then there was bear the cat. Enjoy!!

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really creative twist for a short and sweet mystery. Perfect for reading at breaks and lunch times at work, or a train, or bus ride to and from work! A mystery that can go onto other tales

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

This is a very short cozy mystery that can easily be read in one sitting. If you like short stories this book is for you.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy the clues that Madisen leaves!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.

[K. Nicole ImNotThatKaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, quick read


I wanted to read a fun, quick cozy mystery. I really enjoyed the story. And I would recommend it to others.