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Kat and Mouse Mysteries #1
Murder Undeniable
The Deacon of an English Midlands village turns to sleuthing when a killer leaves a victim behind her husband's pharmacy in this cozy mystery.
As a Deacon at St. Lawrence parish Katerina Rowe enjoys a quiet life in the village of Eyam. But everything changes when she discovers the body of a man and a badly beaten woman in the alleyway behind her husband's pharmacy. Kat is immediately drawn to Beth, the young woman she saved. But in order to keep her safe, Kat finds herself embroiled in a baffling mystery.
When Beth's house is set on fire, Kat offers the young woman sanctuary in her home. Soon the pair begin investigating the murder, with some help from Beth's feisty grandmother, Doris. Neither the police, nor Kat's husband, want Kat and Beth looking into their affairs. But as they keep digging, the pair of sleuths discover what kind of nightmares reside in their sleepy village . . .
As a Deacon at St. Lawrence parish Katerina Rowe enjoys a quiet life in the village of Eyam. But everything changes when she discovers the body of a man and a badly beaten woman in the alleyway behind her husband's pharmacy. Kat is immediately drawn to Beth, the young woman she saved. But in order to keep her safe, Kat finds herself embroiled in a baffling mystery.
When Beth's house is set on fire, Kat offers the young woman sanctuary in her home. Soon the pair begin investigating the murder, with some help from Beth's feisty grandmother, Doris. Neither the police, nor Kat's husband, want Kat and Beth looking into their affairs. But as they keep digging, the pair of sleuths discover what kind of nightmares reside in their sleepy village . . .
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2018
811 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Anita Waller
48 books470 followersI live in Sheffield, UK. I am retired and have recently fulfilled my lifelong ambition of becoming a published author with Bloodhound Books.
I am married (almost 50 years to Dave) with three children and seven grandchildren.
I am a patchwork and quilting tutor as well as a writer.
My first book was Beautiful and my second, a sequel to Beautiful, is called Angel.
I am married (almost 50 years to Dave) with three children and seven grandchildren.
I am a patchwork and quilting tutor as well as a writer.
My first book was Beautiful and my second, a sequel to Beautiful, is called Angel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 153 reviews
March 5, 2019
Murder Undeniable: A Gripping Murder Mystery almost lives up to its subtitle: It held my attention throughout, it featured a remarkably high body count for a ‘cozy’, but it is not really a mystery. From the outset we know that Katerina Rowe’s husband Leon is a principal villain. (He is also black, though race plays no role in the story.) Artistically the book should be a failure. Plot is both simple-minded and implausible, and the characters – especially the threesome who constitute the amateur sleuths, Katerina (Kat), Beth (Mouse) and Doris (Nan) – most unlikely. But I loved the story. Part was setting and Kat’s occupation: she is a deacon in the CofE at St Lawrence parish church in Eyam (a real church in a charming village famous for its plague cottages). She has been married to Leon for four years. He owns a ‘string of pharmacies’ but is also actively involved in the unlicenced pharmaceutical trade. Beth was a uni student working as an escort and verging on also working in the sexual sector (which may be why this is a ‘contemporary cozy mystery’> though she reforms immediately after nearly becoming a murder victim). Aunt Nan is our standard feisty Miss Marple knock-off. I loved all of them. Of course as a fellow Anglican I like Kat, especially because being a deacon also makes her a hospital chaplain, which is how she and Mouse meet. (I wondered just how St. Lawrence’s celebrated Holy Communion without a priest, though.) The is also a police officer, DI Tessa Marston, who is much more intelligent and likeable than many in more pretentiously literary mystery stories. In summary, Murder Undeniable is a thoroughly enjoyable fast read with characters you would want as friends. It reminded me of the old days when detective stories had green and white covers and you bought them at railway stations to read on the train. As a ‘contemporary’, this one would make a pleasant flight companion.
December 12, 2018
This is the first book in a series to feature Kat and Beth (mainly known as Mouse). I love the concept behind Kat and Mouse. Such a great idea and I literally can not wait for more after reading this one.
It's good to see more women in roles such as Deacon's. Being one that is usually dominated by men, I enjoyed seeing a female in this role. Kat definitely has a way of putting people at ease and you can see how much she cares. I loved the relationship between her and Leon and everything is pretty much perfect in her life.
Beth, or Mouse as we soon get to know her as, is far from a Deacon. I won't go into her line of work but it's far from anything holy! Having come close to death's door, there is no wonder why her and Kat hit it off as soon as they get to know each other. Doris, Mouse's, grandmother was just the icing on the cake for me. Such a brilliant character and brings a bit of humour into the story. Bet everyone will be wishing they had a grandmother like this one after reading this book.
Murder Undeniable is a fabulous start to a new series. I know I say this a few times about certain crime series' but this really is crying out to be made into a television series. It would be prime viewing that's for sure. The author's writing feels effortless and the story flows so well making it impossible to put down. Hooked from beginning to end, I truly loved this book. Got very high hopes for this series and have no doubts that it is going to be a huge hit with crime fans.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advances readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
It's good to see more women in roles such as Deacon's. Being one that is usually dominated by men, I enjoyed seeing a female in this role. Kat definitely has a way of putting people at ease and you can see how much she cares. I loved the relationship between her and Leon and everything is pretty much perfect in her life.
Beth, or Mouse as we soon get to know her as, is far from a Deacon. I won't go into her line of work but it's far from anything holy! Having come close to death's door, there is no wonder why her and Kat hit it off as soon as they get to know each other. Doris, Mouse's, grandmother was just the icing on the cake for me. Such a brilliant character and brings a bit of humour into the story. Bet everyone will be wishing they had a grandmother like this one after reading this book.
Murder Undeniable is a fabulous start to a new series. I know I say this a few times about certain crime series' but this really is crying out to be made into a television series. It would be prime viewing that's for sure. The author's writing feels effortless and the story flows so well making it impossible to put down. Hooked from beginning to end, I truly loved this book. Got very high hopes for this series and have no doubts that it is going to be a huge hit with crime fans.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advances readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
February 19, 2019
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
MURDER UNDENIABLE (Kat and Mouse Mysteries #1) by Anita Waller is the first book in a contemporary cozy mystery trilogy. This author has written three main characters that are as intelligent and realistic as they are entertaining. The start was a little slow, but it was setting up a crime in the past witnessed by a group of friends which ties into the current murders. The suspense and mystery builds after this scene though at a rapid pace.
Katerina Rowe is a Deacon at her church in the village of Eyam. She is happily married and very satisfied with her life. They have just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.
As Kat and Leon are exciting into the alley behind his pharmacy, they discover a man shot to death and a woman barely hanging on to life after being shot in the shoulder and kicked in the head. The woman, Beth, called Mouse, by her family was the dead man’s escort for the night. Kat does not understand why, but she is drawn to Mouse and wants to protect her.
At the hospital Kat meets Beth’s nan, Doris and the three woman form a bond. When Beth’s flat is burned down, Kat takes her and her nan in as the peril escalates and more people are murdered. These three will use their skills to dig into the murders and hopefully find the killer before he succeeds in killing Beth.
I love Kat, Beth and Doris. They are unique characters that each have their own talents to bring to the group. I am very glad I will get to revisit them. The setting of the “plague village” of Eyam was interesting to learn about and is perfect for a cozy setting. I was glad that Ms. Waller made the police investigators as intelligent as the cozy sleuths. They were not stupid or inept caricatures. The ending was only a partial surprise, but it was very satisfying.
I am looking forward to reading the remainder of this Kat and Mouse trilogy.
MURDER UNDENIABLE (Kat and Mouse Mysteries #1) by Anita Waller is the first book in a contemporary cozy mystery trilogy. This author has written three main characters that are as intelligent and realistic as they are entertaining. The start was a little slow, but it was setting up a crime in the past witnessed by a group of friends which ties into the current murders. The suspense and mystery builds after this scene though at a rapid pace.
Katerina Rowe is a Deacon at her church in the village of Eyam. She is happily married and very satisfied with her life. They have just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.
As Kat and Leon are exciting into the alley behind his pharmacy, they discover a man shot to death and a woman barely hanging on to life after being shot in the shoulder and kicked in the head. The woman, Beth, called Mouse, by her family was the dead man’s escort for the night. Kat does not understand why, but she is drawn to Mouse and wants to protect her.
At the hospital Kat meets Beth’s nan, Doris and the three woman form a bond. When Beth’s flat is burned down, Kat takes her and her nan in as the peril escalates and more people are murdered. These three will use their skills to dig into the murders and hopefully find the killer before he succeeds in killing Beth.
I love Kat, Beth and Doris. They are unique characters that each have their own talents to bring to the group. I am very glad I will get to revisit them. The setting of the “plague village” of Eyam was interesting to learn about and is perfect for a cozy setting. I was glad that Ms. Waller made the police investigators as intelligent as the cozy sleuths. They were not stupid or inept caricatures. The ending was only a partial surprise, but it was very satisfying.
I am looking forward to reading the remainder of this Kat and Mouse trilogy.
September 7, 2024
This was an odd combination of cozy mystery but with a high body count.
There are three female protagonists and one villain.
FP #1- A female deacon unknowingly married to a an out and out villain, he's a handsome, charming villain and hides his bad deeds well. Heroine number 1 may be a deacon but she rarely goes to church and jumps into starting a detective agency under the eyes of her Uber-villain husband.
FP#2 - Ex escort, sometime prostitute, she's more than happy to leave the escort business behind after being collateral damage in a hit. She's the tech portion of the biz.
FP#3 - #2's grandmother and thrilled that her granddaughter has left the business. She has a black belt in karate.
I honestly don't know what to say about this book except I really enjoyed. The naïveté of the three creating a detective agency reminded me of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney saving the day by "Hey kids, let's put on a show!"
The narrator, Claire Storey, was awesome.
There are three female protagonists and one villain.
FP #1- A female deacon unknowingly married to a an out and out villain, he's a handsome, charming villain and hides his bad deeds well. Heroine number 1 may be a deacon but she rarely goes to church and jumps into starting a detective agency under the eyes of her Uber-villain husband.
FP#2 - Ex escort, sometime prostitute, she's more than happy to leave the escort business behind after being collateral damage in a hit. She's the tech portion of the biz.
FP#3 - #2's grandmother and thrilled that her granddaughter has left the business. She has a black belt in karate.
I honestly don't know what to say about this book except I really enjoyed. The naïveté of the three creating a detective agency reminded me of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney saving the day by "Hey kids, let's put on a show!"
The narrator, Claire Storey, was awesome.
March 3, 2019
Kat believes her husband Leon is a reputable businessman. It's not until she meets Mouse (Beth) and Nan (Doris) that she begins to find out her husband isn't what he seems.
I really enjoyed this story. Although it does contain numerous murders, it seemed lighter in tone than Waller's previous work. I liked the three main female characters, but especially Doris. She made me laugh more than once.
The plot is quite complex with current murder and attempted murder cases linking back to unsolved cold cases from years ago. There are a lot of characters too, but the story never feels confusing.
I'm looking forward to continuing with the next book in the trilogy and seeing what Kat and Mouse investigate next.
I really enjoyed this story. Although it does contain numerous murders, it seemed lighter in tone than Waller's previous work. I liked the three main female characters, but especially Doris. She made me laugh more than once.
The plot is quite complex with current murder and attempted murder cases linking back to unsolved cold cases from years ago. There are a lot of characters too, but the story never feels confusing.
I'm looking forward to continuing with the next book in the trilogy and seeing what Kat and Mouse investigate next.
December 23, 2018
Was saving this book for after Christmas... but I couldn't resist! Waller has taken me out of my preferred genre and I loved it! Pace, setting, characters and plot are all dead on. Well done.
March 15, 2023
This starts off well with a flashback to a murder 15 years prior witnessed by a group of teenagers. We then shift to present day where a seemingly unrelated (and pretty graphic) murder takes place. One MC, Beth (Mouse) is an escort and part time prostitute who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our other main MC (Kat) is a church deacon who stumbles across the scene and vows to help Beth. (I cannot honestly bear to call them Kat and Mouse… eye roll!)
Escort and Deacon?? This should be fun! Um, no. Absolutely nothing comes of that. The women become inseparable friends after knowing each other for a few days. To the point that Kat has Beth move in with her and her husband Leon. The MCs immediately begin trying to find out who tried to kill Beth and deciding to become PIs. Seriously, everything in their friendship has so fast. It’s the platonic version of Insta-Love.
Why is Beth an escort? Who knows! She doesn’t need to as evidently she is also a world class hacker and holds a black belt in karate! Let’s not forget Beth’s Nan Doris - who is also a hacker and evidently knows all about setting up small businesses. Right.
For a cozy mystery the body count is pretty high and pretty graphic! There are amazing leaps of logic, very little in the way of character development, and a villain who goes from loving his wife to trying to kill her with zero warning. Lots of tea is taken, walks in the back garden occur, and of course all this takes place is a village with a quirky history. Twaddle!
My biggest gripe is that the only character of color (a black man) is a drug dealing murderer. It’s like having one Middle Eastern man and making him a terrorist! No, sorry that just doesn’t fly.
Escort and Deacon?? This should be fun! Um, no. Absolutely nothing comes of that. The women become inseparable friends after knowing each other for a few days. To the point that Kat has Beth move in with her and her husband Leon. The MCs immediately begin trying to find out who tried to kill Beth and deciding to become PIs. Seriously, everything in their friendship has so fast. It’s the platonic version of Insta-Love.
Why is Beth an escort? Who knows! She doesn’t need to as evidently she is also a world class hacker and holds a black belt in karate! Let’s not forget Beth’s Nan Doris - who is also a hacker and evidently knows all about setting up small businesses. Right.
For a cozy mystery the body count is pretty high and pretty graphic! There are amazing leaps of logic, very little in the way of character development, and a villain who goes from loving his wife to trying to kill her with zero warning. Lots of tea is taken, walks in the back garden occur, and of course all this takes place is a village with a quirky history. Twaddle!
My biggest gripe is that the only character of color (a black man) is a drug dealing murderer. It’s like having one Middle Eastern man and making him a terrorist! No, sorry that just doesn’t fly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2018
I have read and loved all of Anita Waller’s books and hoped that this would be just as good as the others. I am pleased to say that this book did not disappoint and it is bound to be a bestseller.
It all begins in 2002 when a group of teenagers overhear a killing when they are hanging around by the river. Fast forward to 2017 and local Deacon, Kat and her husband, Leon, discover the body of a young man and a badly beaten young woman in the alley behind Leon’s pharmaceutical shop. Kat feels compelled to help the young woman, Beth or Mouse as she is affectionately known by her family. After Mouse is released from hospital she stays with Kat and Leon to recover but then it appears that whoever tried to kill her is looking to finish the job. In order to protect her family, Doris, Mouse’s Nan also moves into Leon and Kat’s home.
Together Kat, Mouse and Doris undertake their own investigation to try and find out who attacked Mouse. The nearer they come to working out the truth the more murders they uncover. Will they get to the truth before it’s too late ?
This is a great ‘Kat and Mouse’ style book with some fantastic characters that you will find yourselves routing for !! This is a great first novel in a trilogy based on the exploits of Kat and Mouse, I am already looking froward to the second instalment.
Thank you to the publishers and Anita for a digital copy of this book.
It all begins in 2002 when a group of teenagers overhear a killing when they are hanging around by the river. Fast forward to 2017 and local Deacon, Kat and her husband, Leon, discover the body of a young man and a badly beaten young woman in the alley behind Leon’s pharmaceutical shop. Kat feels compelled to help the young woman, Beth or Mouse as she is affectionately known by her family. After Mouse is released from hospital she stays with Kat and Leon to recover but then it appears that whoever tried to kill her is looking to finish the job. In order to protect her family, Doris, Mouse’s Nan also moves into Leon and Kat’s home.
Together Kat, Mouse and Doris undertake their own investigation to try and find out who attacked Mouse. The nearer they come to working out the truth the more murders they uncover. Will they get to the truth before it’s too late ?
This is a great ‘Kat and Mouse’ style book with some fantastic characters that you will find yourselves routing for !! This is a great first novel in a trilogy based on the exploits of Kat and Mouse, I am already looking froward to the second instalment.
Thank you to the publishers and Anita for a digital copy of this book.
December 13, 2018
What do you get when you add wonderful characters, gripping suspense, and a mystery that will knock your socks off? MURDER UNDENIABLE by Anita Waller, that's what!
Nothing much happens in the historic little village of Eyam and nobody knows that better than Kat, the Deacon. But all that is about to change when Kat discovers a man's body and a badly beaten woman. Feeling some sort of connection with the young woman, Kat stays by her side as she recovers and is determined to uncover just who did this to her. Alongside with Doris, they will embark on a detective mystery all on their own but it isn't long before they realise that nobody wants them poking around and will do whatever it takes to keep them silent ...
The setting, drama, and mystery in this book are all excellent but it is the characters that really steal the show. Kat, Beth, and Doris are a force to be reckoned with and I loved every moment with them as they picked apart the crime to find the truth.
MURDER UNDENIABLE by Anita Waller is the kind of book that you will pick up with the intention of reading a few chapters but then suddenly find yourself completely absorbed and an hour will pass in an instant. This is a detective story with a difference and I look forward to more from this talented author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Nothing much happens in the historic little village of Eyam and nobody knows that better than Kat, the Deacon. But all that is about to change when Kat discovers a man's body and a badly beaten woman. Feeling some sort of connection with the young woman, Kat stays by her side as she recovers and is determined to uncover just who did this to her. Alongside with Doris, they will embark on a detective mystery all on their own but it isn't long before they realise that nobody wants them poking around and will do whatever it takes to keep them silent ...
The setting, drama, and mystery in this book are all excellent but it is the characters that really steal the show. Kat, Beth, and Doris are a force to be reckoned with and I loved every moment with them as they picked apart the crime to find the truth.
MURDER UNDENIABLE by Anita Waller is the kind of book that you will pick up with the intention of reading a few chapters but then suddenly find yourself completely absorbed and an hour will pass in an instant. This is a detective story with a difference and I look forward to more from this talented author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
May 21, 2019
This is a wonderful cosy crime book with murder and subtle humour throughout. The author has captured the feel of the village pefectly and the characters really shine out with their idiosyncratic ways and pragmatic views on life. The character of Nan is a work of genius! Well done to Anita Waller for writing such a clever and well thought out book.
December 13, 2018
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This is a brilliant start to a new series from one of my favourite authors!
I loved the pace in this book, it was spot on for me and kept me fully engaged from the start right to the end and I love that cover!
The characters were great and I loved Kat and Mouse and thought that they worked really well together and it was lovely to put them together as they have quite different personalities but they match really well.
I thought that the setting for the book was great too and the author did a great job of bringing it to life in the story.
Five stars from me, I loved meeting Kat and Mouse and can’t wait for the next in the series and to see what the author releases next!!
This is a brilliant start to a new series from one of my favourite authors!
I loved the pace in this book, it was spot on for me and kept me fully engaged from the start right to the end and I love that cover!
The characters were great and I loved Kat and Mouse and thought that they worked really well together and it was lovely to put them together as they have quite different personalities but they match really well.
I thought that the setting for the book was great too and the author did a great job of bringing it to life in the story.
Five stars from me, I loved meeting Kat and Mouse and can’t wait for the next in the series and to see what the author releases next!!
November 29, 2018
I've come to expect Waller to deliver thrills, violent murders and the like. This is not one of those books. I'd categorize it as a cozy mystery. What I did get from Waller, that I have come to expect, is character development; she excels at this. Kat, Mouse and Doris are some of the most enjoyable characters I have read. Their relationships, camaraderie, dialogue and banter are delightful. I could visualize them in my mind as I read. The reader pretty much knows from the start who the bad guys are; the joy is in the journey of the protagonists to discover the knowledge. This recipe would probably have been lackluster in another author's hands, but Waller's writing is effortless and she kept me engaged from beginning to end.
February 27, 2021
Kat Rowe is a Deacon at the church in the village of Eyam and she is married to Leon a local pharmacist. They find a dead body of a man and a beaten woman in the alleyway behind the pharmacy. Kat takes the woman in after her house is set on fire and soon the pair start investigating the murder. The police, Leon, and the criminals are not happy about this and the women soon find themselves out of their depth. Book 1
July 13, 2023
I listened to this book so my rating could be a result of that but I felt the book was very boring and predictable. I was surprised it was rated so high. Maybe people didn’t want to read a mystery and liked the women’s fictional aspect of the book?
December 31, 2023
A less cozy than usual cozy mystery. I plan to listen to the trilogy. And, now it appears that there are 5 books in the series on Everand / Scribd
December 13, 2022
A rather improbable story line but easy listening. An extremely high death toll but key characters escape serious harm. Apparently this is the first story in a trilogy, I shall enjoy listening to the other books in the series.
November 8, 2022
Cosy crime with quite a few murders, nice easy read
February 3, 2020
Really enjoyable read. Lighthearted, yet still with plenty of intrigue.
Characters are well thought through and believable, so they drawn you into the plot.
Wishing them ill or good accordingly! The moment I finished I ordered the next in the series!
Characters are well thought through and believable, so they drawn you into the plot.
Wishing them ill or good accordingly! The moment I finished I ordered the next in the series!
December 10, 2018
Wow, Anita never ceases to amaze me, yet again she has written a great book.
There are twists and turns throughout, you will not want to put it down, not even when you have finished reading.
The question was asked, can Kat and Beth solve the mystery and walk away unscathed? I’m afraid you will have to read for yourself.
I am looking forward to reading book 2 in the series.
There are twists and turns throughout, you will not want to put it down, not even when you have finished reading.
The question was asked, can Kat and Beth solve the mystery and walk away unscathed? I’m afraid you will have to read for yourself.
I am looking forward to reading book 2 in the series.
December 10, 2018
Murder Undeniable ticks all the boxes.
Great storyline, fast paced and gripping ✔️
Interesting, well rounded characters ✔️
Suspenseful finale ✔️
Great setting ✔️
No loose ends ✔️
The promise of more in the Kat and Mouse series ✔️
Recommended ✔️
Five stars ✔️
Great storyline, fast paced and gripping ✔️
Interesting, well rounded characters ✔️
Suspenseful finale ✔️
Great setting ✔️
No loose ends ✔️
The promise of more in the Kat and Mouse series ✔️
Recommended ✔️
Five stars ✔️
November 23, 2023
This book is a gem, and I'm so glad to know that it's only the debut novel of what promises to be a fantastic series.
If you're a stickler for police procedures, this may not be to your taste, but if you enjoy cozy mysteries, unexpected friendships, snarky, strong willed female characters, then this will hit the spot like a good cup of tea.
The narrator did a great performance, and I look forward to listening to the rest of this series in audiobook format, with her again.
If you're a stickler for police procedures, this may not be to your taste, but if you enjoy cozy mysteries, unexpected friendships, snarky, strong willed female characters, then this will hit the spot like a good cup of tea.
The narrator did a great performance, and I look forward to listening to the rest of this series in audiobook format, with her again.
December 9, 2018
When a village deacon called Kat, an escort girl called Mouse and a seventy-year-old called Doris team up as amateur sleuths, they are a force to be reckoned with. Throw into the pot a historic village called Eyam in Derbyshire and you have a book called Murder Undeniable that follows the true tradition of crime fiction that has made the genre the most popular form of fiction. It has terror, suspense, mystery and above all else sheer entertainment.
Seven fifteen to sixteen year olds are on one of their regular meet ups behind the riverside wall, for illicit alcohol and to smoke some weed, they become witnesses to a murder, and are left with a deadly secret that they remain too scared to share.
Forward fifteen years later and they are in no doubt that they were right to keep schtum when one of the group is shot dead in an alleyway and Beth Walters (affectionately known as Mouse) was left for dead, but taken to hospital. The Reverend Kat Rowe and her husband Leon discover the body and the wounded Mouse and Kat keeps a vigil at her bedside until she is sufficiently recovered to be taken to the Reverend’s home. Doris is Beth/Mouse’s mother and she is a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t mess with Doris that’s for sure.
Wonderful characters, and idyllic setting and a gripping plot. The best part is this is part one of a trilogy. I can’t wait for part two.
Seven fifteen to sixteen year olds are on one of their regular meet ups behind the riverside wall, for illicit alcohol and to smoke some weed, they become witnesses to a murder, and are left with a deadly secret that they remain too scared to share.
Forward fifteen years later and they are in no doubt that they were right to keep schtum when one of the group is shot dead in an alleyway and Beth Walters (affectionately known as Mouse) was left for dead, but taken to hospital. The Reverend Kat Rowe and her husband Leon discover the body and the wounded Mouse and Kat keeps a vigil at her bedside until she is sufficiently recovered to be taken to the Reverend’s home. Doris is Beth/Mouse’s mother and she is a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t mess with Doris that’s for sure.
Wonderful characters, and idyllic setting and a gripping plot. The best part is this is part one of a trilogy. I can’t wait for part two.
August 5, 2022
OK. Here's a new drinking game: Take a shot every time the author mentions anything along the lines of "Big, beautiful, hunk of a man with delicious ebony skin..." Any or all of those descriptors will count. The problem is, if you play, you will be drop-down drunk in no time! The author seems obsessed with telling us that the main character's husband is some sort of black Adonis to a nauseating degree. It's poor writing. The story itself was original and interesting although the body count for a quaint English village certainly rivals or outdoes a Midsomer Murders episode! The characters, at first, were believable but became less so as the book went on. The main character, Kat is, in Brit-speak, a damp squib. The other main character, Beth, aka "Mouse" is introduced to us as an escort who also prostitutes herself for "special" clients or lots of money. However, later, she develops computer hacking skills and business acumen along with her equally unbelievable hacker grandma. So why was she escorting rather than using her computer skills to earn money to pay for her university degree? Ninja Grandma (who seems to be able to do anything and everything) doles out money like she has plenty. So....all that being said, I doubt I'll be spending any time on future "Kat and Mouse"adventures. Isn't that just the most precious (eye roll) name? Sorry. I feel the author could and should have done better.
December 31, 2018
Not bad
I enjoyed the book to a degree, the back story of drugs, murders was brilliant. However I could not really get my head around Kat, Beth, and Doris playing amiture detectives. One being a deacon. One being a student/ escort/ last but not least, a retired elderly lady Beth's nan Doris. More or less solving the crime before the police. It just was not credible or even believable at all. Hence the 3 stars. Every time they found a bit more new evedience I must admit I just sighed. Saying to myself as if the police hadn't worked that out. They have there computer experts and would have made the same links probably quicker in my opinion. It's such a shame really I have read a lot of Anita Waller novels and have all been good, this being first of a trilogy I will be perfectly honest I will defiantly be reading the other two. Just really really not believable at all. Please go back to your normal style of writing. I do think you might lose readers with his trilogy Anita !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I enjoyed the book to a degree, the back story of drugs, murders was brilliant. However I could not really get my head around Kat, Beth, and Doris playing amiture detectives. One being a deacon. One being a student/ escort/ last but not least, a retired elderly lady Beth's nan Doris. More or less solving the crime before the police. It just was not credible or even believable at all. Hence the 3 stars. Every time they found a bit more new evedience I must admit I just sighed. Saying to myself as if the police hadn't worked that out. They have there computer experts and would have made the same links probably quicker in my opinion. It's such a shame really I have read a lot of Anita Waller novels and have all been good, this being first of a trilogy I will be perfectly honest I will defiantly be reading the other two. Just really really not believable at all. Please go back to your normal style of writing. I do think you might lose readers with his trilogy Anita !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 10, 2019
Whole new meaning to a game of Kat and Mouse and held my interest until the end thus the 5 stars. It does not have to be classic literature to always rate five stars for me. (I give very few five star ratings.) It just needs a good plot, really interesting and well developed characters, and that wee bit of a twist to make me want to keep reading and, if not always leave me guessing as to whodunnit, let me wonder about the how and why of it and how it affects those still around at the end. This is the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to relax this weekend and begin book number two.
August 29, 2019
I enjoyed the book and will be reading the other parts of the trilogy.
However, sometimes the reader was challenged in his adherence to the suspension of disbelief. For example, Cat, Mouse and nan build up an intimacy and trust in such a short time span that I felt slightly cheated. Life does not work that way and even in a cozy, a touch of reality never hurt anyone.
Spoiler alert! What I found totally unbelievable was Cat allowing Leon to make a run for it. The author obviously needed this element for the next book, but it was so transparent that I thought it clumsy and a shame.
However, sometimes the reader was challenged in his adherence to the suspension of disbelief. For example, Cat, Mouse and nan build up an intimacy and trust in such a short time span that I felt slightly cheated. Life does not work that way and even in a cozy, a touch of reality never hurt anyone.
Spoiler alert! What I found totally unbelievable was Cat allowing Leon to make a run for it. The author obviously needed this element for the next book, but it was so transparent that I thought it clumsy and a shame.
September 11, 2019
Started well but became increasingly unbelievable and therefore I ended up skipping pages to get it finished .
The characters blatant disregard of the danger they put others in while having their adventures was disconcerting and callous .
I won't be getting the next two books in the series .
Read in one evening get and night .
The characters blatant disregard of the danger they put others in while having their adventures was disconcerting and callous .
I won't be getting the next two books in the series .
Read in one evening get and night .
December 28, 2018
I have a bit of an embarrassing confession to make. Although I have a couple of Anita’s books in my ever increasing ‘to be read’ pile I haven’t read one before now. After reading ‘Murder Undeniable’ I am left asking myself ‘why the hell have I not read one of her books before now?’ I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Murder Undeniable’ but more about that in a bit.
I loved the range of characters in this book. I found Katerina Rowe interesting to say the least. She is the deacon of the local church and she is happily married to a man called Leon Rowe. She thinks that he is a pharmacist, which he is but he has a whole other dark side and life that Katerina knows nothing about. He wants to keep it that way. I couldn’t believe that Katerina didn’t know about his secret life and I thought that she must be walking round with blinkers on. That said, Katerina is a lovely, warm hearted, kind, generous and compassionate human being. She is first on the scene and finds Beth, who has been attacked and left for dead and her male companion, who has been murdered. Katerina feels drawn to her and looks after her when her (Beth) house is burnt to the ground. Beth moves in with Katerina and together they begin to look into the mystery of who killed the man and why? I really felt for Beth. She is a student, who turns to escort work to fund her university studies. I also loved the character of Doris, who is Katerina’s feisty grandmother. Is their curiosity going to get them into trouble and bring danger to their lives? Will the three ladies solve the mystery? Will Leon’s other life remain hidden? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
‘Murder Undeniable’ has to be one of my favourite reads of 2018. The story starts with a bang and in such a way that is going to remain fresh in my mind for a long time to come. The story certainly hits the ground running. ‘Murder Undeniable’ had me in its grip from the first sentence onwards and didn’t release me until I closed the back cover as it were. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat but not in this case because I was able to focus solely on the book and shut out all other distractions. I just found it impossible to put the book down because I had to keep reading to see how the mystery panned out and if the three ladies solved the case. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me.
I love that the book is set in Derbyshire. I don’t and never have lived there but I have family, who live in Derbyshire so it was nice to read about an area that would be familiar to them and to me. The author clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in her writing. She writes so convincingly and realistically that her characters seem to jump off the page as it were. I love the author’s writing style too because it is easy to get into, easy to read and easy to follow.
Reading ‘Murder Undeniable’ was much like being on a bit of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride. More than once I almost had to read through my fingers because I genuinely feared for the safety of the three ladies. ‘Murder Undeniable’ is being described as a cozy mystery but it is so much more than that and there are certain dark and violent moments so be prepared.
Would I recommend ‘Murder Undeniable’? Of course I would. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I am thrilled to find another author, who has several books that I need to read asap. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. As I stated before ‘Murder Undeniable’ has to be one of my top reads of 2018 and Anita Waller is right up there on my list of ‘must read’ authors. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.
I loved the range of characters in this book. I found Katerina Rowe interesting to say the least. She is the deacon of the local church and she is happily married to a man called Leon Rowe. She thinks that he is a pharmacist, which he is but he has a whole other dark side and life that Katerina knows nothing about. He wants to keep it that way. I couldn’t believe that Katerina didn’t know about his secret life and I thought that she must be walking round with blinkers on. That said, Katerina is a lovely, warm hearted, kind, generous and compassionate human being. She is first on the scene and finds Beth, who has been attacked and left for dead and her male companion, who has been murdered. Katerina feels drawn to her and looks after her when her (Beth) house is burnt to the ground. Beth moves in with Katerina and together they begin to look into the mystery of who killed the man and why? I really felt for Beth. She is a student, who turns to escort work to fund her university studies. I also loved the character of Doris, who is Katerina’s feisty grandmother. Is their curiosity going to get them into trouble and bring danger to their lives? Will the three ladies solve the mystery? Will Leon’s other life remain hidden? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
‘Murder Undeniable’ has to be one of my favourite reads of 2018. The story starts with a bang and in such a way that is going to remain fresh in my mind for a long time to come. The story certainly hits the ground running. ‘Murder Undeniable’ had me in its grip from the first sentence onwards and didn’t release me until I closed the back cover as it were. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat but not in this case because I was able to focus solely on the book and shut out all other distractions. I just found it impossible to put the book down because I had to keep reading to see how the mystery panned out and if the three ladies solved the case. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me.
I love that the book is set in Derbyshire. I don’t and never have lived there but I have family, who live in Derbyshire so it was nice to read about an area that would be familiar to them and to me. The author clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in her writing. She writes so convincingly and realistically that her characters seem to jump off the page as it were. I love the author’s writing style too because it is easy to get into, easy to read and easy to follow.
Reading ‘Murder Undeniable’ was much like being on a bit of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride. More than once I almost had to read through my fingers because I genuinely feared for the safety of the three ladies. ‘Murder Undeniable’ is being described as a cozy mystery but it is so much more than that and there are certain dark and violent moments so be prepared.
Would I recommend ‘Murder Undeniable’? Of course I would. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I am thrilled to find another author, who has several books that I need to read asap. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. As I stated before ‘Murder Undeniable’ has to be one of my top reads of 2018 and Anita Waller is right up there on my list of ‘must read’ authors. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board just has to be 5* out of 5*.
December 10, 2018
Can a beautiful prostitute, a naive church deaconess and a wily grandmother join forces to solve a string of murders in the once plague-ridden English village of Eyam?
You bet they can.
Without getting into spoilers, here’s the plot in a nutshell: A group of teenagers sitting around smoking reefer and sipping beer overhear what is a murder about to unfold. Sheltered by a stone wall, the teens can’t see any faces on the other side but they recognize at least one of the angry voices. There’s a painful scream and a single gunshot in the dark, followed by a splash in the river Wye.
Fearful of what might happen to them if discovered, the teens vow to keep the occurrence secret. No arrest is made in the case and more than a decade passes as the youth get on with their lives. All seems well until members of their group begin dying, the first in an automobile crash and others by gunfire.
Although police are keen on solving the cold case and the fresh crimes, the task soon falls to Kat and Mouse, who become an entertaining duo readers will absolutely devour.
Kat is church Rev. Katerina Rowe, and Mouse a college student who works for an escort service to pay her bills. They get involved in the case after Mouse’s date for the night is shot dead in an alleyway and she’s critically wounded. The neophyte sleuths receive some valuable assistance in their investigation from Mouse’s spunky grandma, Doris. Let’s just say these three women have a lot of personality.
Best-selling author Anita Waller has long been adept at developing interesting characters as she proved repeatedly in her earlier novels, but in Murder Undeniable she has taken that skill to a higher art form.
Kat, Mouse and Doris are a force to be reckoned with, and readers will quickly get to know them through snappy dialogue and their respective idiosyncrasies.
The old stage mantra about leaving your audience in a place where they’ll want more surely wasn’t wasted on Waller. Murder Undeniable left me wanting more, and that’s the sign of professional storytelling.
Like many readers, I’m eagerly looking forward to what’s next from Kat and Mouse (and Doris). And word is already out that Waller is planning a trilogy. The next title, slated for release in February from Bloodhound Books: Murder Unexpected.
David Liscio is the author of the serial-killer thriller Deadly Fare and the mafia thriller Blood Sons. He was given an advance reader copy of Murder Undeniable in exchange for an honest review.
You bet they can.
Without getting into spoilers, here’s the plot in a nutshell: A group of teenagers sitting around smoking reefer and sipping beer overhear what is a murder about to unfold. Sheltered by a stone wall, the teens can’t see any faces on the other side but they recognize at least one of the angry voices. There’s a painful scream and a single gunshot in the dark, followed by a splash in the river Wye.
Fearful of what might happen to them if discovered, the teens vow to keep the occurrence secret. No arrest is made in the case and more than a decade passes as the youth get on with their lives. All seems well until members of their group begin dying, the first in an automobile crash and others by gunfire.
Although police are keen on solving the cold case and the fresh crimes, the task soon falls to Kat and Mouse, who become an entertaining duo readers will absolutely devour.
Kat is church Rev. Katerina Rowe, and Mouse a college student who works for an escort service to pay her bills. They get involved in the case after Mouse’s date for the night is shot dead in an alleyway and she’s critically wounded. The neophyte sleuths receive some valuable assistance in their investigation from Mouse’s spunky grandma, Doris. Let’s just say these three women have a lot of personality.
Best-selling author Anita Waller has long been adept at developing interesting characters as she proved repeatedly in her earlier novels, but in Murder Undeniable she has taken that skill to a higher art form.
Kat, Mouse and Doris are a force to be reckoned with, and readers will quickly get to know them through snappy dialogue and their respective idiosyncrasies.
The old stage mantra about leaving your audience in a place where they’ll want more surely wasn’t wasted on Waller. Murder Undeniable left me wanting more, and that’s the sign of professional storytelling.
Like many readers, I’m eagerly looking forward to what’s next from Kat and Mouse (and Doris). And word is already out that Waller is planning a trilogy. The next title, slated for release in February from Bloodhound Books: Murder Unexpected.
David Liscio is the author of the serial-killer thriller Deadly Fare and the mafia thriller Blood Sons. He was given an advance reader copy of Murder Undeniable in exchange for an honest review.
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