Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared

The Mr. Mustachio Murders #3

by Dawn MacKinnon

Algernon is eager to assist Sam in his cases, and Sam is willing to let him—as long as there’s no murder involved. But the embezzlement case he’s been hired to investigate for a local restaurant turns sinister when a diner gets poisoned right in front of his eyes.

Sam sets out to discover whether the death was the accidental result of a plan to sabotage the restaurant or if the high-maintenance woman who got served poisonous mushrooms was the target of a plot to kill her. She does seem like the type you’d want dead.

Meanwhile, Chez Celine learns Mr. Mustachio is going to be a father. Or so the high-maintenance woman claims when her prize-winning cat turns up pregnant. Algernon denies responsibility, but how to prove it? When Mr. Mustachio's habit of poking his nose in where it doesn’t belong lands him in cat jail, Sam has to ask the one man he least wants to turn to for help in saving his partner.

Genres: Cats

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2022

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

This series has been such a joy to read! I love Algernon and Mr. Mustachio (I would love to get a little more of his POV because his perspective makes me laugh) and Sam. I'm so glad that Sam finally finished his first book too, lol. The secondary characters are wonderful as well, I love how Mr. Mustachio has brought Sam out of his shell and given him such a wonderful family.

This is the first of the three books that I hadn't figured out all of the mysteries, but there was a lot going on, so much murder and mayhem and fraud! Plus, we got to see more about Algernon and Sam together, which was really wonderful. I do love how everything works out just as it should in these books, sometimes it's nice to have such tidy endings.

I hope the author can continue with this series, although this was a satisfying ending, and it could stop here, there are so many more stories to be told. Plus, I really would love to see Sam and Algernon grow more in their relationship.

I'd definitely suggest this series to anyone who wants warm fuzzies with their murder.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a satisfying way to end this charming series

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared has the feel of a finale story without all the characters and smaller threads getting their due.

McKinnon’s third book contains several mysteries, a couple of murders, and a case of mistaken paternity, in this case, Mr Mustachio, who has been accused of having “relations” with another prize winning Persian cat who’s now expecting kittens! And everyone, including Algernon wants his name cleared!

It’s hard to say if this is indeed the finale book because I can’t find anything else from the author (this was written in 2022). So I’m just not sure. But it has that tone.

It starts ,as they all have, with Mr Mustachio’s POV , him out on the town and having an encounter trying to prevent a amorous cattery attack that’s part of the story and his character’s thread.

Then it’s right off back to Chez Celine, the richly entertaining daily life of its human characters where more investigations are about to drop into Sam’s lap. At this point, Sam has finally finished his book, his and Algernon’s relationship is going well, and Chez Celine is adjusting nicely to new artists.

So things should start to fall apart, naturally!

There’s potential for Algernon real identity to be discovered by others outside of those already in the know. There’s multiple murders that center around a restaurant, and many other complex investigations for Sam, Algernon, Mr Mustachio, and Chief Baldwin to get involved in. Even Sven does his own wild part here.

I can’t help but think that the author crammed more than one book into this one. It’s full of so many different stories themes and plots that it’s hard for McKinnon to bring them all to completion, let alone explore them to the fullest extent possible.

Sam finishes a book he’s had problems writing. We never explore Algernon’s character fully, his background nebulous and his type of being purposefully vague on certain aspects. Sven never gets his due and that’s a shame.

But we do have several completely good mysteries, dramatic moments, adorable kitties, and HEA’s for more than one couple.

I can’t find any more information on this author or more books. But I’m ever hopeful. I just adore this series, found them charming. And am absolutely recommending them to all lovers of cozy mystery romance with a delightful twist.

Cover: Cate Ashwood

The Mr. Mustachio Murders (3 books)

- [x] Mr. Mustachio Is Falsely Accused #1
- [x] Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary #2
- [x] Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared #3-finale

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was little about Sam’s life anyone would believe. A gay ex-cop orphan living in a mansion owned by his ... boyfriend and their adopted litter of kittens? Nah. Couldn’t happen. Sam kissed his ... boyfriend as their children swarmed over him and thanked his lucky stars that sometimes fairy tales really did come true. [closing paragraph]

Third, and apparently final, novel in the 'Mr Mustachio' series. Engaged to investigate a mysterious lack of profit at Peabody's premier restaurant, Gourmand's, PI Sam Jones and his boyfriend Algernon have ring-side seats to the attempted murder of an annoying socialite, Meghan Wallach. Meghan has also accused Mr Mustachio of fathering her prize-winning cat's forthcoming kittens: but Mr Mustachio is gay*... Sam and Algernon find themselves dealing with suspicious deaths, further outbreaks of 'food poisoning', and Mr Mustachio (who does not have a collar, a microchip or a current rabies vaccination) getting locked up by Animal Control -- and there's more than one tough decision to be made about feline welfare.

Fun, and twistier than the previous novel, but part of the entertainment was the build-up to the Big Reveal in Mr Mustachio Sings Like a Canary: the events of this novel couldn't have happened without that reveal, though. I think I read all three novels within 24 hours; they were the perfect antidote for low mood and gloomy weather. Mr Mustachio's chapters are splendid, the found-family theme is strong, and there's a subtle dry humour that suited the characters very well.

*"He doesn’t know what gay means, but he knows how it feels. Girl cats are only friends." [loc. 322]

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍝🍄Good murder mystery with feline whimsy😼

Cats, cats and more cats get in the mix in this third story in the Mr. Mustachio cozy mystery series. Show cats, street cats and wealthy heir Mr. Mustachio. But the cats, fortunately, are not the ones in the most immediate danger (At least been until Animal Control gets involved later in the book).

Death hits in a public dosing of poison and Sam and Algernon have a front row seat! Sam, once again, gets distracted from polishing up his writing, this time when he is hired by a local businessman to uncover who's sabotaging the popular restaurant he's invested in. Lots of shady action, both in the operation of the business and in the death of a frequent customer on a busy Valentine's Night.

This is true fun and cozy entertainment with the added touch of magic Mr. Mustachio's unusual condition brings to daily life for P.I. Sam and the other residents of Chez Celine. The romance is light and sweet.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third story in the series is even better than the last since the relationship between Algernon and Sam develops further and their foray into detective work turns from a simple restaurant investigation into both murder and betrayal. To add to the mystery is a pregnant champion show cat whose owners are accusing Mr. Mustachio of the deed. They are surely barking up the wrong tree there since Mr. Mustachio has eyes only for Sam. This was a wonderful read and I surely hope we will have more stories of a millionaire cat and the found family of Chez Celine. The Mr. Mustachio series is a must read and I look forward to more books…please!

[William Kibler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Charmer In The Series

In this third installment of the Mr. Mustachio murder mysteries, more dropped bodies and mayhem ensue as ex-police detective, (and now mystery writer and private eye) Sam, search out clues and uncover murderers. This story was well-conceived and plotted. The cast of old characters from previous books were included (the tenants of Chez Celine and Chief Baldwin) as well as a new passel of miscreants whose personalities were varied and well-developed. Some hanging issues pertaining to Algernon/Mr. Mustachio were put to rest and a HEA was enjoyed by all!

[T Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, quite possibly, one of the best series I’ve read in much too long. The uniqueness, first is spectacular. The characters are all created and brought to life in the very best way. All the adventures Mr. Mustachio encounters are fantastic. His and Sam’s relationship from day one is warmth and sweetness. I enjoyed living this story and I’m actually sad that it’s over. To this very talented author, Very Well Done. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Eugenio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the series this one was the least appealing. The plot was all over the place and not really credible. The characters poorly sketched out (why would they all immediately open up to Sam and share very private matters with him? What was the point of the pregnant cat?). Another thing I didn’t like, and this isn’t specific to this book but I was hoping it would get better instead of worse, is how little screen time algernon gets. He’s at most a side character.

[Lydia Devlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book!
A cleverly woven murder mystery that had me hooked right from the beginning and kept me guessing all the way through!
I love all of the characters and I would happily read more books in this delightful series.
I received an arc copy of this story and this is my honest review.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. It is warm, fun, and sweet. These books really put the 'cozy' in cozy mystery. I love all the characters, especially the loquacious Mr. Mustachio. Such a fun and creative series. I'm going to miss these guys if this is truly the last book in the set.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series!

I loved Mr. Mustachio Gets Collard by Dawn MacKinnon. It's the third book in The Mr. Mustachio Murders series. I loved Sam and Algernon's story. Sam and Algernon solved some more cases, and I had fun trying to figure out who the bad guys were. I read this book using the Kindle Unlimited program.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet and cozy book series. It reminds me of the Charlaine Harris’ Aurora Teagarden mysteries. Very much a slow burn so don’t expect anything but kisses. It definitely focuses on a reluctant detective mystery a la Murder She Wrote. Luckily the villains are inept, the town is generally supportive, and Sam is more interested in solving cases instead of writing or editing his own novel. ;)

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!

Loved this series and would love to read more of it. Especially a Sven focused standalone. I still have so many questions about Algernon. He can't be the only one who can shift. It's all brought to a cute close, but it doesn't feel like the conclusion.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this story the best. I was disappointed since I get the impression that this book was the end. It doesn't list it as a trilogy but it came away with a finished ending. I hope there will be more in this series but am not expecting more.

[Alyscia Northrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

This was the perfect ending though I dont want it to be the end I want more of these guys. Its to cute and perfect and just GAH. The mystery was perfect the relationship between Sam and Algeron was just adorable.
Reading this was like a cozy warm blanket that i couldnt get enough of.