This is the first book in the Maggie and Pepper Mysteries series. I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a promising start to a new cozy mystery series, but I have to say I was surprised to find out that the cat, Pepper, talks. I know it also was a surprise to our heroine Maggie, especially because his lips don't move.
I had some difficulty getting into the story initially because Maggie, who has recently returned for a short visit to her hometown of Harmony Beach, a little seaside town. It's a town where everyone knows everyone. Maggie was the introverted nerd in high school, until she tries out for her favorite musical senior year. She falls in love with the leading man, Eddie Roman, who convinces her to elope with him and move to California days before graduation. Maggie and Eddie return five years later, and it's clear that the town is celebrating the return of their beloved Eddie, with no real fanfare for Maggie at all.
Eddie is murdered during their visit, and of course, Maggie is the primary suspect. As she works to clear her name, enduring the evil eye from longtime neighbors and friends, Maggie gets to know her cat Pepper, whom she had not yet met. Maggie falls in love with Pepper, the shoulder sitting cat and gains some insights into the workings of the town and it's people since she's been gone.
I wish that there had been more development of the mystery and Maggie's role in the investigation. I did enjoy the story and look forward to more books to come.