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Bookshop Kitties Mysteries #1
Dial M for Meow
When children’s book author, Christy Bailey, receives a call from her aunt Betty to help out at her bookshop, she drops everything to go. Christy packs up her two cats—Milton and Pearl, the stars of her children's mystery books—and leaves busy Philadelphia for tiny Green Meadow, Indiana. The timing of the call is perfect, as Christy’s letch of an ex-boyfriend has just cleaned out her savings, leaving Christy with a pile of unpaid bills and a desire to start over. And what better place to do that than a charming small town in Middle America?
But when Christy reaches her aunt's bookshop, instead of small town hospitality she finds a dead body! Even worse, her aunt is passed out in the corner, hands covered in blood. The dead woman is an old frenemy of her Aunt Betty, and while Christy knows her aunt is innocent, the local detective isn't so sure. With Milton and Pearl prowling for clues, Christy is determined to find the real killer and clear her aunt's name... before her story ends in tragedy!
But when Christy reaches her aunt's bookshop, instead of small town hospitality she finds a dead body! Even worse, her aunt is passed out in the corner, hands covered in blood. The dead woman is an old frenemy of her Aunt Betty, and while Christy knows her aunt is innocent, the local detective isn't so sure. With Milton and Pearl prowling for clues, Christy is determined to find the real killer and clear her aunt's name... before her story ends in tragedy!
153 pages, ebook
Published January 10, 2023
25 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Ruth J. Hartman
56 books203 followersRuth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning mysterious tales that make you smile. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling mystery writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her insistence that all of her books have at least one cat in them.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling mystery writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her insistence that all of her books have at least one cat in them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 15, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Children’s author Christy Bailey has always loved books and her visits to see her Aunt Betty and her wonderful bookstore, Words to Read By. So when her aunt calls and says she needs help at the store just as she finds out her ex-boyfriend helped himself to her bank account leaving her unable to pay her bills she doesn’t think twice. She throws everything she can in her vehicle including her two favorite felines, the stars of her children’s mystery series, Milton and Pearl, and heads out of Philadelphia for Green Meadow, Indiana.
She arrives to find the bookshop closed and her aunt nowhere in sight. An old friend shows up though and they are both concerned. Using her key to get in Christy is shocked to find a dead woman in her aunt’s recliner and her aunt unconscious nearby with blood on her hands. There is no way her aunt could hurt anyone but of course, she is the number one suspect. To make matters worse Betty has no memory of what happened. Anxious to find the real killer, Christy with a little assistance from her inquisitive kitties starts her own investigation. She came to Green Meadow to help her aunt but she never thought it would be to help keep her out of prison.
I have to start this review by saying how much I love Milton and Pearl. I love that they are the stars of a series of children’s mysteries and that they love the attention of their adoring public. That they can help solve mysteries like their fictional counterparts is just icing on the cake. It is very apparent that the author loves cats and that she has some around her to inspire her. They really shine in this story.
Christy is a fabulous cat mom and appears to be a successful author. Her boyfriend must have been quite a snake to get away with stealing from her. I hope when she gets settled she sics the law on him. Her Aunt Betty is a real treasure and I love the way they work together. My mom’s name was Betty and she also owned her own business in a small town so it was someone like my mom that I pictured when reading about Betty. I am looking forward to seeing more development with both of these ladies to see if I am envisioning them properly.
Christy reconnects with her old friend Janie. Janie is a grabber and a hugger and they seem to pick up right where they left off as kids. There is also a young doctor in town. Easy on the eyes, does his job well, and perfect to be the new man in Christy’s life. I was not too impressed with the other residents we met in Green Meadow. I grew up in a small midwestern town and I know there are always a few quirky individuals and grumpy old men but this town seems to be overflowing with people with poor dispositions. I hope we meet some cheerier residents as the series continues to offset the curmudgeons.
The author did a fine job of plotting out the mystery. I was really surprised by the motive for the murder but not totally surprised who the killer turned out to be. There was a limited number of suspects and clues were nicely dropped along the way. I appreciated the exciting showdown where those lovable cats played a role in how everything turned out. There was one thing in the book not resolved though. It was intriguing so I look forward to it hopefully playing out in the next book.
Dial M for Meow was a fun read and while Christy’s cats aren’t necessarily as magical as Sofie Kelly‘s Hercules and Owen, I think her readers would enjoy meeting Milton and Pearl. I can’t wait to visit Words to Read By, and the Bookshop Kitties again soon.
Children’s author Christy Bailey has always loved books and her visits to see her Aunt Betty and her wonderful bookstore, Words to Read By. So when her aunt calls and says she needs help at the store just as she finds out her ex-boyfriend helped himself to her bank account leaving her unable to pay her bills she doesn’t think twice. She throws everything she can in her vehicle including her two favorite felines, the stars of her children’s mystery series, Milton and Pearl, and heads out of Philadelphia for Green Meadow, Indiana.
She arrives to find the bookshop closed and her aunt nowhere in sight. An old friend shows up though and they are both concerned. Using her key to get in Christy is shocked to find a dead woman in her aunt’s recliner and her aunt unconscious nearby with blood on her hands. There is no way her aunt could hurt anyone but of course, she is the number one suspect. To make matters worse Betty has no memory of what happened. Anxious to find the real killer, Christy with a little assistance from her inquisitive kitties starts her own investigation. She came to Green Meadow to help her aunt but she never thought it would be to help keep her out of prison.
I have to start this review by saying how much I love Milton and Pearl. I love that they are the stars of a series of children’s mysteries and that they love the attention of their adoring public. That they can help solve mysteries like their fictional counterparts is just icing on the cake. It is very apparent that the author loves cats and that she has some around her to inspire her. They really shine in this story.
Christy is a fabulous cat mom and appears to be a successful author. Her boyfriend must have been quite a snake to get away with stealing from her. I hope when she gets settled she sics the law on him. Her Aunt Betty is a real treasure and I love the way they work together. My mom’s name was Betty and she also owned her own business in a small town so it was someone like my mom that I pictured when reading about Betty. I am looking forward to seeing more development with both of these ladies to see if I am envisioning them properly.
Christy reconnects with her old friend Janie. Janie is a grabber and a hugger and they seem to pick up right where they left off as kids. There is also a young doctor in town. Easy on the eyes, does his job well, and perfect to be the new man in Christy’s life. I was not too impressed with the other residents we met in Green Meadow. I grew up in a small midwestern town and I know there are always a few quirky individuals and grumpy old men but this town seems to be overflowing with people with poor dispositions. I hope we meet some cheerier residents as the series continues to offset the curmudgeons.
The author did a fine job of plotting out the mystery. I was really surprised by the motive for the murder but not totally surprised who the killer turned out to be. There was a limited number of suspects and clues were nicely dropped along the way. I appreciated the exciting showdown where those lovable cats played a role in how everything turned out. There was one thing in the book not resolved though. It was intriguing so I look forward to it hopefully playing out in the next book.
Dial M for Meow was a fun read and while Christy’s cats aren’t necessarily as magical as Sofie Kelly‘s Hercules and Owen, I think her readers would enjoy meeting Milton and Pearl. I can’t wait to visit Words to Read By, and the Bookshop Kitties again soon.
December 5, 2022
There is no doubt that this is a must-read for cat lovers, but it is also an entertaining read for fans of cozy mysteries. After arriving in Green Meadow, Christy is excited to assist Aunt Betty with her book store. Instead she finds her aunt unconscious in her home with a dead body. In a town with plenty of people who hated the victim there is a long suspect list but Christy is certain that her aunt should not be one of them.
This story is complete with comforting relationships, a plot that keeps you guessing and cute cat antics. Thanks to Gemma Halliday Publishing for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This story is complete with comforting relationships, a plot that keeps you guessing and cute cat antics. Thanks to Gemma Halliday Publishing for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 11, 2022
Aspiring author Christy Bailey relocates from the East Coast to the Midwest to assist at her Aunt Betty's bookstore. Upon arrival, Christy discovers a dead body and her unconscious aunt. Christy helps to clear her aunt's name for the murder along with the help of her two cats Milton and Pearl who are featured in her upcoming children's book.
Cat enthusiasts will enjoy the antics of Milton and Pearl who help solve the mystery by discovering and sharing clues.
I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
Cat enthusiasts will enjoy the antics of Milton and Pearl who help solve the mystery by discovering and sharing clues.
I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
February 6, 2023
Dial M for Meow Earns 5/5 Strawberry Tarts…Compelling & Clever!
After a rotten boyfriend ruined her financial situation, Christy Bailey moved to Green Meadow, Indiana, at the invitation of her Aunt Betty. She agreed to help run her aunt’s bookshop, Words to Read By, and set up a children’s section, something she should be good at since she is the author of a children’s book series starring her own rescue kitties, Milton and Pearl, as “furry sleuths.” When she first arrives, she’s met with a curious situation, a dead body, and her aunt bloodied and unconscious. Her childhood friend Janie Lambert is worried that the bookshop is closed and that Aunt Betty had been acting odd as of late. When she opens the door to find out what’s going on, she finds a gray-haired woman, sitting in a chair, dead, and nearby, her aunt dazed and covered in blood. Aunt Betty, what happened here? A threat. An argument. Then nothing. Just waking up to a murder.
Ruth Hartman has penned an engaging mystery with what on the surface looks to be a messy romantic triangle, maybe a poly-angle, one of many sides. However, Christy’s love for her aunt, part of the romantic geometry, and penchant for mysteries leads her to delve deeper into the situation uncovering competitive relatives, a reputed lady’s man, hostile workplace, and rumors of a hidden treasure. The victim was not well liked; she wielded quite the poisoned pen at the local paper. She’s also linked to a secret connected to John Dillinger that adds greed to the motives. The drama is delightfully complicated with this twist and that turn and a few perilous predicaments for family, friends, and felines tempting me to fast forward to the end, but I resisted and totally enjoyed the journey!
Hartman’s writing style is descriptive with entertaining banter and multi-generational characters to entertain readers of all ages. The town, of course, is key to the direction of the story with its small businesses, close knit community, and gossip that causes some insights as well as interference. Christy is somewhat an outsider since she’s not a longtime resident which works for and against her, yet her aunt is well-liked so she in turn is accepted. Of course with cozies, the relationship between amateur and professional detective is a tricky dynamic, sometimes antagonistic and sometimes collaborative, but for Christy it seems a little of both. Cats can be an enigma in reality, and Hartman uses that to give Milton and Pearl their own spotlight even if it’s Christy who perceives them to be more like their literary persona. Romance is an element I enjoy and expect in my cozies, and Hartman does give Christy a few options to help move on from her ex. It’s great fun with murder, mischief, mayhem, and strawberry tarts!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
After a rotten boyfriend ruined her financial situation, Christy Bailey moved to Green Meadow, Indiana, at the invitation of her Aunt Betty. She agreed to help run her aunt’s bookshop, Words to Read By, and set up a children’s section, something she should be good at since she is the author of a children’s book series starring her own rescue kitties, Milton and Pearl, as “furry sleuths.” When she first arrives, she’s met with a curious situation, a dead body, and her aunt bloodied and unconscious. Her childhood friend Janie Lambert is worried that the bookshop is closed and that Aunt Betty had been acting odd as of late. When she opens the door to find out what’s going on, she finds a gray-haired woman, sitting in a chair, dead, and nearby, her aunt dazed and covered in blood. Aunt Betty, what happened here? A threat. An argument. Then nothing. Just waking up to a murder.
Ruth Hartman has penned an engaging mystery with what on the surface looks to be a messy romantic triangle, maybe a poly-angle, one of many sides. However, Christy’s love for her aunt, part of the romantic geometry, and penchant for mysteries leads her to delve deeper into the situation uncovering competitive relatives, a reputed lady’s man, hostile workplace, and rumors of a hidden treasure. The victim was not well liked; she wielded quite the poisoned pen at the local paper. She’s also linked to a secret connected to John Dillinger that adds greed to the motives. The drama is delightfully complicated with this twist and that turn and a few perilous predicaments for family, friends, and felines tempting me to fast forward to the end, but I resisted and totally enjoyed the journey!
Hartman’s writing style is descriptive with entertaining banter and multi-generational characters to entertain readers of all ages. The town, of course, is key to the direction of the story with its small businesses, close knit community, and gossip that causes some insights as well as interference. Christy is somewhat an outsider since she’s not a longtime resident which works for and against her, yet her aunt is well-liked so she in turn is accepted. Of course with cozies, the relationship between amateur and professional detective is a tricky dynamic, sometimes antagonistic and sometimes collaborative, but for Christy it seems a little of both. Cats can be an enigma in reality, and Hartman uses that to give Milton and Pearl their own spotlight even if it’s Christy who perceives them to be more like their literary persona. Romance is an element I enjoy and expect in my cozies, and Hartman does give Christy a few options to help move on from her ex. It’s great fun with murder, mischief, mayhem, and strawberry tarts!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
January 16, 2023
Nothing says ‘welcome home’ like finding a dead body in your aunt’s apartment! Such is the case for Christy Bailey, though at least her aunt isn’t the deceased. She can’t relax for too long, however, as Aunt Betty ends up being the prime suspect. While Christy originally returned to Green Meadow to help her aunt with her bookstore, she of course must now also work to clear Aunt Betty’s name. And, just like with most cozy mysteries, there seems to be no shortage of people who wanted the victim dead.
In Dial M for Meow, Ruth J. Hartman introduces us to the winsome Christy, her beloved aunt Betty, a town full of intriguing supporting characters (including a swoony young ER doctor!), and Christy’s charming cats, Milton & Pearl. Even though I nearly always prefer dogs (in fiction and real life), I really enjoyed watching Christy’s cats steal the show on these pages. They already star in her children’s book series, but they apparently have been taking detective classes from their fictional counterparts because their instincts were spot-on and left me smiling. This aspect of Christy’s life adds some unique layers to the bookstore setting, and I thought it gave the story a lot of charm, too.
The mystery is well-plotted, and I admit to being surprised at the big reveal. I fell for a couple of skillfully placed red herrings and had my own theories that, in the end, proved to be completely wrong. Actually, some of those red herrings may very well end up being a subplot or two in the next books of the series, so maybe I was just too early in my suspicions haha.
Bottom Line: Dial M for Meow is a fun start to a new bookstore-themed cozy mystery with a dash of feline cleverness to keep readers purring … ahem … with contentment. The characters we’re supposed to love are engaging, and the characters we’re supposed to love to hate definitely live up to their purpose. The author’s friendly & witty writing voice keeps readers invested in the story, and Milton & Pearl keep readers invested in the series, too. A light read that’s perfect for your next cozy mystery selection!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
In Dial M for Meow, Ruth J. Hartman introduces us to the winsome Christy, her beloved aunt Betty, a town full of intriguing supporting characters (including a swoony young ER doctor!), and Christy’s charming cats, Milton & Pearl. Even though I nearly always prefer dogs (in fiction and real life), I really enjoyed watching Christy’s cats steal the show on these pages. They already star in her children’s book series, but they apparently have been taking detective classes from their fictional counterparts because their instincts were spot-on and left me smiling. This aspect of Christy’s life adds some unique layers to the bookstore setting, and I thought it gave the story a lot of charm, too.
The mystery is well-plotted, and I admit to being surprised at the big reveal. I fell for a couple of skillfully placed red herrings and had my own theories that, in the end, proved to be completely wrong. Actually, some of those red herrings may very well end up being a subplot or two in the next books of the series, so maybe I was just too early in my suspicions haha.
Bottom Line: Dial M for Meow is a fun start to a new bookstore-themed cozy mystery with a dash of feline cleverness to keep readers purring … ahem … with contentment. The characters we’re supposed to love are engaging, and the characters we’re supposed to love to hate definitely live up to their purpose. The author’s friendly & witty writing voice keeps readers invested in the story, and Milton & Pearl keep readers invested in the series, too. A light read that’s perfect for your next cozy mystery selection!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
December 27, 2022
This is the first in a new series. I enjoyed the book even though I did not like some of the characters.
The reasoning for the murder was beyond my understanding. All I could think of was really???????????? How can people be so focused on that reason.
I liked the ability of Christy and her new friends to ferret out the culprit.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
I was given an advanced copy by Gemma Halliday Publishing and am not required to leave a positive review.
The reasoning for the murder was beyond my understanding. All I could think of was really???????????? How can people be so focused on that reason.
I liked the ability of Christy and her new friends to ferret out the culprit.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
I was given an advanced copy by Gemma Halliday Publishing and am not required to leave a positive review.
January 14, 2023
Christy Bailey is the author of a children’s mystery series featuring two cats. They just happen to share the same names as Christy’s own cats, Milton and Pearl. Lately she has been having a rough time. Her ex-boyfriend took all her money leaving her alone with a stack of bills. She’s thrilled to get a call from her Aunt Betty, who asks for help in running her bookshop. Christy packs up her two cats and heads to the small town of Green Meadow, Indiana.
Upon Christy’s arrival, she is shocked to find a dead body in her aunt’s apartment. Her aunt is unconscious near the body and covered in blood. Her aunt is fine, but the local police are convinced Aunt Betty is a killer, but Christy knows better. Along with her cats, Christy is determined to clear her aunt’s name.
This is an excellent start to a new series. It features not one, but two cats. I was won over from the start. Those two are just so darn cute.
As for the storyline, I was hooked from page one. The story starts off with excitement and never let up. I was engrossed in this story and the characters. I loved Christy and her Aunt Betty right from the start, but for me, the cats, Milton and Pearl won my heart. The author made them a big part of the storyline. They don’t have magical powers and they don’t talk to humans, but they are smart and assist in the investigation.
There are many red herrings throughout this book. The ending surprised me as it wasn’t anyone I suspected. However, it all fit together nicely. The big reveal scene was explosive. There are no cliffhangers. It’s all wrapped up in this book. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I'm hoping for more feline fun.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Upon Christy’s arrival, she is shocked to find a dead body in her aunt’s apartment. Her aunt is unconscious near the body and covered in blood. Her aunt is fine, but the local police are convinced Aunt Betty is a killer, but Christy knows better. Along with her cats, Christy is determined to clear her aunt’s name.
This is an excellent start to a new series. It features not one, but two cats. I was won over from the start. Those two are just so darn cute.
As for the storyline, I was hooked from page one. The story starts off with excitement and never let up. I was engrossed in this story and the characters. I loved Christy and her Aunt Betty right from the start, but for me, the cats, Milton and Pearl won my heart. The author made them a big part of the storyline. They don’t have magical powers and they don’t talk to humans, but they are smart and assist in the investigation.
There are many red herrings throughout this book. The ending surprised me as it wasn’t anyone I suspected. However, it all fit together nicely. The big reveal scene was explosive. There are no cliffhangers. It’s all wrapped up in this book. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I'm hoping for more feline fun.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 10, 2023
It has been a road trip for Christy Bailey and her 2 cats, Milton, a tuxedo cat, and Pearl, a solid white beauty, as they've traveled across the miles from Philadelphia to Green Meadow, Indiana. Christy accepted an invitation from her aunt, Betty Hollingsworth, to work together at Words to Read By and live together in the apartment above the bookshop. Christy is looking forward to the change and is excited that her aunt offered the opportunity to set up a children's book section featuring her children's mystery book series. Betty anticipates that all her customers will enjoy bookshop cats, especially the children, to meet the star fur-ends of Christy's books. However, Christy's arrival is anything but as expected.
Cozies featuring books, bookshops, and cats are favorites, so I was happy to discover a new series. After reading Book 1, I'll automatically click the pre-order button as each new book becomes available. The creative changes in the cozy excite me as it excludes tropes that are becoming weary to this reader. Additionally, the shops have creative names, including Dreamy Sweets, Perked Up (coffee shop), Petals and Stems, restaurants Beneath the Sea, and A Taste of Rome. The furry faces have been given unique personalities that are authentic to felines and human reactions. Meeting the town business owners and residents provides multiple suspects during the investigation and set the stage for future intrigue.
If only this cozy bookshop existed, I'd be a frequent customer. At least I can visit between the pages. I hope you will too.
Cozies featuring books, bookshops, and cats are favorites, so I was happy to discover a new series. After reading Book 1, I'll automatically click the pre-order button as each new book becomes available. The creative changes in the cozy excite me as it excludes tropes that are becoming weary to this reader. Additionally, the shops have creative names, including Dreamy Sweets, Perked Up (coffee shop), Petals and Stems, restaurants Beneath the Sea, and A Taste of Rome. The furry faces have been given unique personalities that are authentic to felines and human reactions. Meeting the town business owners and residents provides multiple suspects during the investigation and set the stage for future intrigue.
If only this cozy bookshop existed, I'd be a frequent customer. At least I can visit between the pages. I hope you will too.
March 1, 2024
Loved this book.
November 16, 2022
Cute premise for a story of life imitating fiction as the living cats seemed to be able to do what the book cats could do in solving mysteries. However many of the other characters blazed in and out of the story with little or no explanation why they were so nasty-grumpy-rude, or how they fit in with Aunt Betty. I felt there was too much rudeness and negativity. I understand red herrings. I understand gruff characters. I can even understand one nasty person. But this book had at least five unpleasant characters who's attitude did not forward the plot. Interesting premise and actual crime. But I would have a hard time convincing myself to read further in the series. I prefer a little more happiness in the mix of the cozies I read.
January 13, 2023
Get ready for a new cozy mystery series that’s quirky and full of feline fun!
Dial M for Meow is the debut novel in Ruth J. Hartman’s new cozy mystery series, the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries. With a loving cat-mom main character, a caring but needy sidekick-friend, two suspiciously smart felines, a puzzling homicide, and a more-than-the-usual drama-filled small town, get ready for a cozy mystery that’s fun and unique.
Christy Bailey, children’s author and devoted cat mom to the inspirations for the feline sleuths in her books, Pearl and Milton, seems like such a genuine young woman. She was completely taken in by her ex-boyfriend, and I felt so bad for her. I truly wanted her to succeed and save the day for her aunt from the very start. I felt like I was still getting to know Aunt Betty in this book, but so far, she’s a strong and caring woman who loves her niece. Janie Lambert has apparently had a rough past, and I feel there is much more to learn about her in the future. She constantly clings to Christy, and there’s got to be more to this behavior than we know.The murder victim proves to have a number of individuals with a grudge against her, providing fodder for Christy’s snooping. A couple of warnings from the killer only urge her on with her questions, especially when reporting them to the local police only seems to draw increased scrutiny of Aunt Betty. I wondered how the police could possibly believe Aunt Betty might have knocked herself unconscious after committing the murder.
The story is well done, and the action certainly held my attention but one difference that made this cozy debut stand out from others was that the quaint little town of Green Meadows is populated by the nastiest bunch of people ever! The town sounds lovely with its collection of fun, cleverly-named shops, but each one seems to be owned, operated, or managed by a weirdo or an ill-tempered jerk who certainly doesn’t want any business. After Christy’s first experience at Petals and Stems, I couldn’t believe she even bought something there. The murder victim’s visitation or “calling,” though universally disliked, drew quite the crowd, but even her closest relatives couldn’t be bothered to receive visitors on her behalf. The attendees were most definitely there for the spectacle. Thankfully, some bright sparks, such as Dr. Yummy, provide a vestige of normality and, in his case, a possible love interest later down the line. I will definitely be waiting anxiously for the next book in this series, if not for the mystery or the hint of romance, for more of this collection of awful townspeople.I highly recommend DIAL M FOR MEOW to cozy mystery readers who enjoy bright, young female sleuths, cats who act like cats, and incredibly quirky small towns.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
January 11, 2023
Christy Bailey is glad to answer her Aunt Betty’s call for assistance at her bookshop. Her now ex-boyfriend has left her broke and given her no reason to stay, so she packs up her cat, Milton and Pearl, and leaves the big city behind for small-town Indiana. To her shock, when she arrives at the bookstore, she finds a woman dead inside – and her aunt unconscious on the floor with blood on her hands. Literally. And when she comes to, Aunt Betty has no memory of what happened. Local law enforcement doesn’t seem too keen on looking far for other suspects, since Aunt Betty and the deceased had a bit of history. But Christy and her cats are on the case.
What an adorable start to a new series! I love the way life imitates art in the story. Christy writes children’s books about the crime-solving kitties, Milton and Pearl. In her real life, Christy’s actual cats seem to communicate with each other and with her to help track down clues and unravel the mystery. They aren’t just pets. They have purr-sonality! Milton and Pearl are the stars of the story in my opinion.
Hartman gives us other likable characters as well. Aunt Betty is a treat! I’m not sure how old she’s supposed to be, whether she’s middle-aged like me or closer to the elderly end of the spectrum. But she is full of sass and wants to be involved in sorting out what happened. Christy’s childhood friend, Janie, is also a lot of fun. Prone to being a little more huggy/touchy than I would be, but she’s very sweet and a good friend to Christy.
I also liked the spark of potential romance between Christy and hunky ER doctor Micah. He seems like a genuinely good guy, with a personality that likely makes him a really good doctor. I hope to see their relationship develop in future stories.
The one thing that didn’t hit quite right for me was the sheer number of curmudgeonly and outright unpleasant characters in the story. Small towns have characters, sure. I grew up in a small town. I live in one now. You’ve always got those people that everybody knows, and just accepts how they are. But to have so many unlikable characters in one small town? Maybe they didn’t have to all be QUITE so disagreeable. Although that did make it a challenge to figure out which one of them was the killer, so perhaps there’s some logic to that after all!
Clever cats, likable characters, a bookshop, and a well-written mystery all add up to a five-star read for me!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Gemma Halliday Publishing. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
What an adorable start to a new series! I love the way life imitates art in the story. Christy writes children’s books about the crime-solving kitties, Milton and Pearl. In her real life, Christy’s actual cats seem to communicate with each other and with her to help track down clues and unravel the mystery. They aren’t just pets. They have purr-sonality! Milton and Pearl are the stars of the story in my opinion.
Hartman gives us other likable characters as well. Aunt Betty is a treat! I’m not sure how old she’s supposed to be, whether she’s middle-aged like me or closer to the elderly end of the spectrum. But she is full of sass and wants to be involved in sorting out what happened. Christy’s childhood friend, Janie, is also a lot of fun. Prone to being a little more huggy/touchy than I would be, but she’s very sweet and a good friend to Christy.
I also liked the spark of potential romance between Christy and hunky ER doctor Micah. He seems like a genuinely good guy, with a personality that likely makes him a really good doctor. I hope to see their relationship develop in future stories.
The one thing that didn’t hit quite right for me was the sheer number of curmudgeonly and outright unpleasant characters in the story. Small towns have characters, sure. I grew up in a small town. I live in one now. You’ve always got those people that everybody knows, and just accepts how they are. But to have so many unlikable characters in one small town? Maybe they didn’t have to all be QUITE so disagreeable. Although that did make it a challenge to figure out which one of them was the killer, so perhaps there’s some logic to that after all!
Clever cats, likable characters, a bookshop, and a well-written mystery all add up to a five-star read for me!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Gemma Halliday Publishing. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
February 8, 2023
Dial M for Meow is the first book in the Bookshop Kitties Mystery series by Ruth J. Hartman and she sets the stage beautifully ..... although she makes your heart stop a few times.....luckily there is a dreamy doctor nearby during those times.
In Dial M for Meow Christy Bailey along with her two famous cats, Milton and Pearl, have been invited by Christy's Aunt Betty to move to Green Meadow, Indiana and help her run Words To Read By, her bookstore. Christy jumps at the chance seeing as she was experiencing a low in her life thanks to her cheating, stealing, lying ex-boyfriend.
Unfortunately when Christy and the cats show up, the bookstore is empty. When they go upstairs to the apartment where Aunt Betty lives and Christy will be moving into, they find Aunt Betty unconscious on the floor, a woman dead with a letter opening as the weapon and blood on Aunt Betty's hands. Aunt Betty doesn't remember anything and has a good sized lump on the back of her head to explain why.
It is soon learned that the deceased woman is Nan Bittle and she insisted that she meet with Aunt Betty to discuss Wallace, Aunt Betty's boyfriend. Unfortunately due to the bump on her head, Aunt Betty doesn't remember anything else. So even though Christy is new to the area and only use to visit Green Meadow when she was a child, she decides to look into Nan's murder. Luckily she doesn't have to do it alone when her old friend, Janie, is there to help...even if Christy doesn't want the help.
Since Christy writes mystery books with Milton and Pearl as the main characters, how hard can it be to solve a real case ? Well seeing as the books she writes are for young children, it may not be as easy as she thinks.....and when she and Aunt Betty are alone back in the den of their apartment where the murder happened, it looks like there may be more murders in that room.... and the murderer isn't even close to who they suspected.
Reader will love Dial M for Murder and wish Green Meadows and the people and animals were real so that you could visit. This is a town that you immediately envision in your mind and once you see it in your head, you will not want to leave. And once the murder is solved, the town is perfect again.
In Dial M for Meow Christy Bailey along with her two famous cats, Milton and Pearl, have been invited by Christy's Aunt Betty to move to Green Meadow, Indiana and help her run Words To Read By, her bookstore. Christy jumps at the chance seeing as she was experiencing a low in her life thanks to her cheating, stealing, lying ex-boyfriend.
Unfortunately when Christy and the cats show up, the bookstore is empty. When they go upstairs to the apartment where Aunt Betty lives and Christy will be moving into, they find Aunt Betty unconscious on the floor, a woman dead with a letter opening as the weapon and blood on Aunt Betty's hands. Aunt Betty doesn't remember anything and has a good sized lump on the back of her head to explain why.
It is soon learned that the deceased woman is Nan Bittle and she insisted that she meet with Aunt Betty to discuss Wallace, Aunt Betty's boyfriend. Unfortunately due to the bump on her head, Aunt Betty doesn't remember anything else. So even though Christy is new to the area and only use to visit Green Meadow when she was a child, she decides to look into Nan's murder. Luckily she doesn't have to do it alone when her old friend, Janie, is there to help...even if Christy doesn't want the help.
Since Christy writes mystery books with Milton and Pearl as the main characters, how hard can it be to solve a real case ? Well seeing as the books she writes are for young children, it may not be as easy as she thinks.....and when she and Aunt Betty are alone back in the den of their apartment where the murder happened, it looks like there may be more murders in that room.... and the murderer isn't even close to who they suspected.
Reader will love Dial M for Murder and wish Green Meadows and the people and animals were real so that you could visit. This is a town that you immediately envision in your mind and once you see it in your head, you will not want to leave. And once the murder is solved, the town is perfect again.
January 2, 2023
Christy Bailey arrives in Green Meadow, Indiana with her two cats, Milton and Pearl. Christy creates children’s mysteries starring her two wily furbabies. Christy’s ex-boyfriend decimated her savings and racked up debt on her credit cards which is why she is looking for a fresh start. Christy’s Aunt Betty invited her to live with her and help in Words to Read By. Christy along with her two furry companions go to enter the bookstore only to find it closed. She hurries up the stairs to the apartment above the bookshop to find a woman dead in Aunt Betty’s reading chair. Aunt Betty is unconscious on the floor with blood on her hands. When Aunt Betty rouses, she cannot recall what happened. It seems someone knocked her unconscious with one of her bookends which left Aunt Betty with a goose egg. Christy knows her Aunt Betty would not harm a soul. The only way to clear her aunt is to do n her sleuthing cap and pinpoint the killer. Dial M for Meow by Ruth J. Hartman is the debut of Bookshop Kitties Mysteries. I found the story easy to read. I like that Christy is an author of children’s mysteries. I am baffled as to how Christy could let her ex-boyfriend bamboozle her. Did Christy fail to download the apps for her bank account and credit card accounts (or sign up for alerts)? Aunt Betty is a sweetie. The characters need development. The author spent more time developing the cats than the people. Milton and Pearl are adorable. The cats seem to have taken on the attributes of Christy’s fictional sleuthing felines. The mystery is straightforward. There are a couple of suspects and a red herring. There are clues to help readers solve the crime. I like how Milton and Pearl helped Christy solve the crime. I can tell the author has cats. She has captured their behavior and attitudes. The reason for the murder is a touch farfetched. There are several grumpy, rude characters. I could understand having one maybe two. It was too much negativity. A couple of the grumpy Guses were not needed. They added nothing to the story or helped move the plot forward. There is repetition of certain details. I do not know why authors think they need to repeat details over and over (I got it the first time). I enjoyed the humor in the story. The cat’s antics were amusing. Dial M for Meow takes readers to the Midwest where there is a mysterious murder, clever kitties, a beloved bookstore, a childhood companion, a kindhearted relative, and a sleuthing
April 22, 2023
I really just don't know where to start on this review. I hate leaving a 1 star reviews because I don't want to hurt the author's feelings in case she reads the review, so I'll start by saying I really love the cats. And even though I found the characters to be too over the top unbelievable, I thought the writing itself was well done. My biggest problem is with the human characters. None of them are likable, and I need to like the characters in order to like the book. Sure, there needs to be an antagonist or two, but there also need to be some good, decent folks that you would want to have for a friend. I didn't find anybody I'd want to spend any time with. The main characters let people rough ride all over them, and every new character seemed to be more awful than the last. So many threats of making up lies to destroy reputations. So much antagonism and downright meanness. What a toxic town! Christy and Betty were stupid in their attempts to investigate. They wanted to search a suspect's room to try to find the murder weapon? If they had found it, the police would have assumed they planted it there! Or maybe not, because the police were downright incompetent. They left a bloody book behind at the crime scene for the store owners to dispose of. That book was evidence. They should have collected it and had it tested to see whose blood it was. Probably the victims, but could have also been from the murderer. Her clingy friend was so not endearing, she was annoying. The rest of the characters were either despicable or downright crazy. Then Christy has Betty fake an injury to get out of the hotel and the manager just goes back to work without getting details instead of filling out an incident report and waiting with them for the ambulance (which was never coming because they were faking it) to arrive. I'd fire his sorry behind for that alone! We keep being told it was a small town, but she walked 7 blocks downtown? My town has a population of 11,000 but the downtown area consists of 3 blocks. And then we throw in a hidden treasure just to confuse the already muddled plot? Unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
DIAL M FOR MEOW is the first book in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries by Ruth J. Hartman. This darling cozy mystery is a great start to what I hope to be a long-running series. Who can resist the adorable felines, Milton and Pearl, who star in their owner’s children’s mystery books? And while they may not be the protagonists of Dial M for Meow, they manage to steal every page they appear on and help their person solve a puzzling murder mystery. The action starts right away with protagonist Christy Bailey, a children’s author, just moving into the town to live with her aunt and help run her aunt’s bookshop. Just minutes after arriving she finds her unconscious aunt and a dead body. Naturally her aunt is the key suspect and Christy must clear her aunt’s name with the help of her feisty felines.
Ms. Hartman brings the setting to life and has created a well-plotted mystery to solve with clues planted along the way for a sharp armchair detective to follow. I guessed who the culprit was but not exactly the why. Still, I found it intriguing as the story unfolded. There are charming scenes to be sure but my only niggle is that there were far too many curmudgeonly people who frequented the pages and not all of them were really necessary to the storyline. I did enjoy that Christy reconnects with her childhood best friend and recement their friendship. I’m hopeful that with the next book the characters find their standing and those cantankerous folk have a change of heart.
The narrator, Allyson Voller, brought the story to life and added to the appeal of the story. She expertly switched between the characters’ voices, both female and male, so I never felt lost. The emotional inflections she included gave depth to the book. I was gifted with an audiobook copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Hartman brings the setting to life and has created a well-plotted mystery to solve with clues planted along the way for a sharp armchair detective to follow. I guessed who the culprit was but not exactly the why. Still, I found it intriguing as the story unfolded. There are charming scenes to be sure but my only niggle is that there were far too many curmudgeonly people who frequented the pages and not all of them were really necessary to the storyline. I did enjoy that Christy reconnects with her childhood best friend and recement their friendship. I’m hopeful that with the next book the characters find their standing and those cantankerous folk have a change of heart.
The narrator, Allyson Voller, brought the story to life and added to the appeal of the story. She expertly switched between the characters’ voices, both female and male, so I never felt lost. The emotional inflections she included gave depth to the book. I was gifted with an audiobook copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 12, 2023
Meet Milton, a stark black and white tuxedo cat who is always ready for a night out on the town. And Pearl, a pure white fluffy ball of fur with a tail that will give a Vegas showgirl a run for her money. Meet Christy, Milton and Pearl's human. Christy is a successful Children's Book author and her success is of course due to the fact that all her books are based around Milton and Pearl's fictitious mystery solving skills.
After a breakup that left Christy and her bank account down in the dumbs, Christy packs up and together with the two cats they move to Green Meadow, Indiana. Aunt Betty runs the local book shop and she's getting a bit old to run everything by herself and her lovely niece, Christy is her ideal candidate for a shop manager. The two celebrity cats can also do no harm for business.
When the three new residents to Green Meadow stumble upon a dead body before they could even unpack, this feline reader couldn't wait to read further to see if the two fictitious sleuths will be able to solve a murder in real life as well.
This is a cozy mystery, so of course the murderer gets caught in the end and yes, my two new favorite feline characters plays a huge part in saving the day. We loved meeting Milton and Pearl and think their sleuthing skills are superb. Christy might still need to be a bit more subtle in future, but I'm sure she will learn from her cats.
Review was first published @ Elza Reads
After a breakup that left Christy and her bank account down in the dumbs, Christy packs up and together with the two cats they move to Green Meadow, Indiana. Aunt Betty runs the local book shop and she's getting a bit old to run everything by herself and her lovely niece, Christy is her ideal candidate for a shop manager. The two celebrity cats can also do no harm for business.
When the three new residents to Green Meadow stumble upon a dead body before they could even unpack, this feline reader couldn't wait to read further to see if the two fictitious sleuths will be able to solve a murder in real life as well.
This is a cozy mystery, so of course the murderer gets caught in the end and yes, my two new favorite feline characters plays a huge part in saving the day. We loved meeting Milton and Pearl and think their sleuthing skills are superb. Christy might still need to be a bit more subtle in future, but I'm sure she will learn from her cats.
Review was first published @ Elza Reads
January 12, 2023
Children's book author Christy Bailey moves to a small town in Indiana to live with her aunt, who owns a bookstore. She is accompanied by her cats Milton and Pearl, who are the stars of her book series. When Christy arrives at the bookstore, she finds her aunt disoriented and upset, and a woman her aunt disliked dead. Christy is determined to solve the mystery and clear her aunt's name.
I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries. I liked the idea of a bookstore setting, and love books that prominently feature pets.
I have to start by saying Milton and Pearl are stars not just of Christy's children's books, but also this mystery! They are an adorable bonded pair of sibling cats and they helped with the detecting, as well as providing lots of cuteness.
This is a charming mystery and a great start to a new series. I look forward to reading more books in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series. Christy is a likable protagonist - a writer and book lover with a calm nature and a knack for detecting. She is helped by her childhood friend Janie and a certain handsome ER doctor named Micah. (I hope this relationship develops more with future books!)
There are several plausible suspects, and I enjoyed solving the mystery right along with Christy. I was somewhat surprised by the murderer, but that is what makes mysteries fun.
I recommend Dial M for Meow for fans of cozy mysteries, for anyone who enjoys bookstores or small town settings, and especially for cat lovers.
I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries. I liked the idea of a bookstore setting, and love books that prominently feature pets.
I have to start by saying Milton and Pearl are stars not just of Christy's children's books, but also this mystery! They are an adorable bonded pair of sibling cats and they helped with the detecting, as well as providing lots of cuteness.
This is a charming mystery and a great start to a new series. I look forward to reading more books in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series. Christy is a likable protagonist - a writer and book lover with a calm nature and a knack for detecting. She is helped by her childhood friend Janie and a certain handsome ER doctor named Micah. (I hope this relationship develops more with future books!)
There are several plausible suspects, and I enjoyed solving the mystery right along with Christy. I was somewhat surprised by the murderer, but that is what makes mysteries fun.
I recommend Dial M for Meow for fans of cozy mysteries, for anyone who enjoys bookstores or small town settings, and especially for cat lovers.
January 13, 2023
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This is a fabulous start to a new cozy mystery series. We meet Christy, a children's book author, who relocates to a small town in Indiana when her Aunt requests her help to run her bookshop. Happy to help she packs up her stuff and her two adorable cats with no second thoughts. Eager to get started she arrives only to find her Aunt unconscious in the shop with a dead body also there. The dead woman is not a popular character in their town. She has a list of enemies a mile long making for a long suspect list but Christy knows her Aunt should not be one of them. Determined to clear her name she starts poking around finding out all sorts of hidden secrets making for quite the fun investigation. Add in the cute kitties as well as a wide cast of characters and you will not be able to put this down. A great choice for fans of the genre. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
This is a fabulous start to a new cozy mystery series. We meet Christy, a children's book author, who relocates to a small town in Indiana when her Aunt requests her help to run her bookshop. Happy to help she packs up her stuff and her two adorable cats with no second thoughts. Eager to get started she arrives only to find her Aunt unconscious in the shop with a dead body also there. The dead woman is not a popular character in their town. She has a list of enemies a mile long making for a long suspect list but Christy knows her Aunt should not be one of them. Determined to clear her name she starts poking around finding out all sorts of hidden secrets making for quite the fun investigation. Add in the cute kitties as well as a wide cast of characters and you will not be able to put this down. A great choice for fans of the genre. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
June 6, 2024
Books, Kitties, Family and a cozy mystery
Dial M for Meow, A Bookshop Kitties Mysteries is a fun new cozy mystery series by Ruth J. Hartman. The characters are wonderful and the cozy mystery had some twists that kept it interesting! Christy moves back to help her Aunt Betty run her bookshop. Christy has two cats Milton and Pearl who are also the stars of her children's book series. They are a fun addition to the story! Christy arrives on the first day to find her Aunt passed out with blood on her hands and a dead body nearby. What a way to start her new life. Christy's friends Janie and Micah help figure out what happened along with Aunt Betty. The suspects are locals including Aunt Betty's boyfriend Wallace (although she doesn't know Christy considers him a suspect). The story has a good pace and was very enjoyable. The characters are what makes this book so enjoyable and the kitties are the stars. #DialMForMeow #BookshooKittiesMysteries #GemmaHallidayPublishing
Dial M for Meow, A Bookshop Kitties Mysteries is a fun new cozy mystery series by Ruth J. Hartman. The characters are wonderful and the cozy mystery had some twists that kept it interesting! Christy moves back to help her Aunt Betty run her bookshop. Christy has two cats Milton and Pearl who are also the stars of her children's book series. They are a fun addition to the story! Christy arrives on the first day to find her Aunt passed out with blood on her hands and a dead body nearby. What a way to start her new life. Christy's friends Janie and Micah help figure out what happened along with Aunt Betty. The suspects are locals including Aunt Betty's boyfriend Wallace (although she doesn't know Christy considers him a suspect). The story has a good pace and was very enjoyable. The characters are what makes this book so enjoyable and the kitties are the stars. #DialMForMeow #BookshooKittiesMysteries #GemmaHallidayPublishing
January 12, 2023
If you like starting cozy mystery series right at the beginning, I’ve got good news! Dial M for Meow by Ruth J. Hartman is a wonderful beginning to the new Bookshop Kitties Mystery series. Children’s author Christy has left her old life in Philadelphia to help her aunt run her charming bookshop in a small Indiana town. She finds herself thrust into a murder mystery as soon as she arrives, and her aunt is a person of interest in the crime…especially since the victim is found in her aunt’s home above the shop!
I enjoyed Dial M for Meow very much! The characters are very well-written and include a diverse cast of personalities. Christy reunites with her larger than life childhood friend, meets her aunt’s new beau, meets a handsome local doctor, and gets sucked into lots of drama all the while wrangling her two adorable kitties who also happen to star in her children’s mystery series.
I became immersed in Dial M for Meow very quickly. It’s easily a book you can read in a day since you won’t want to put it down! I love books with a very small town feel, quirky characters, cats, and books! This has it all. There are lots of red herrings which make this mystery more mysterious! I can easily see the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries becoming a new favorite series for me, and I’m excited to see what Christy, her aunt, and the kitties get involved in next!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I enjoyed Dial M for Meow very much! The characters are very well-written and include a diverse cast of personalities. Christy reunites with her larger than life childhood friend, meets her aunt’s new beau, meets a handsome local doctor, and gets sucked into lots of drama all the while wrangling her two adorable kitties who also happen to star in her children’s mystery series.
I became immersed in Dial M for Meow very quickly. It’s easily a book you can read in a day since you won’t want to put it down! I love books with a very small town feel, quirky characters, cats, and books! This has it all. There are lots of red herrings which make this mystery more mysterious! I can easily see the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries becoming a new favorite series for me, and I’m excited to see what Christy, her aunt, and the kitties get involved in next!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
January 16, 2023
What a fun new series!
And what an amazing couple of cats!
I enjoyed every turn of the page!
Christy is a great main character that you can't help but like.
In typical Cozy style Christy plans to start over in a new town with the help of her aunt.
But before they can begin poor aunt Betty becomes a suspect and the sleuthing must begin!
As it turns out author Ruth Hartman gives us a newish plot with an interesting angle.
In true cozy style in the end the mystery gets unraveled and Aunt Betty gets her Happy Ever After. And Christy is ready for her New Chapter!
I enjoyed everything about this book. From the setting and locale to the plot and characters and especially Milton and Pearl who steal the show a bit.
I am looking forward to book 2.
I received complimentary copy.
And what an amazing couple of cats!
I enjoyed every turn of the page!
Christy is a great main character that you can't help but like.
In typical Cozy style Christy plans to start over in a new town with the help of her aunt.
But before they can begin poor aunt Betty becomes a suspect and the sleuthing must begin!
As it turns out author Ruth Hartman gives us a newish plot with an interesting angle.
In true cozy style in the end the mystery gets unraveled and Aunt Betty gets her Happy Ever After. And Christy is ready for her New Chapter!
I enjoyed everything about this book. From the setting and locale to the plot and characters and especially Milton and Pearl who steal the show a bit.
I am looking forward to book 2.
I received complimentary copy.
January 22, 2023
Dial M for Meow is book #1 in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series by Ruth J. Hartman.
Christy Bailey and her two cats—Milton and Pearl, the stars of her children's mystery books, move to help her Aunt Betty at her bookstore. Her fresh start gets off to a rough start when she finds a body.
I love Milton and Pearl. The author is very familiar with cats and their behaviors. It is an interesting mystery and I was kept guessing until the end. I like the main characters, but there seems to be a high number of rude, unpleasant characters in the town. Most new series start out slow but this one jumped into the action right away.
I look forward to reading the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Christy Bailey and her two cats—Milton and Pearl, the stars of her children's mystery books, move to help her Aunt Betty at her bookstore. Her fresh start gets off to a rough start when she finds a body.
I love Milton and Pearl. The author is very familiar with cats and their behaviors. It is an interesting mystery and I was kept guessing until the end. I like the main characters, but there seems to be a high number of rude, unpleasant characters in the town. Most new series start out slow but this one jumped into the action right away.
I look forward to reading the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 12, 2024
Enjoyed the cozy aspects of a bookstore setting with a children's author heroine and Milton and Pearl, felines extraordinaire, were the highlight of the story! All that cat-ittude and intuitive sleuthing was lots of fun. The mystery was off to a great start, but it unravelled a bit for me as Christy starts investigating. Some TSTL moments and a whole bunch of messing with evidence and not notifying the police when she should have irked me a bit too much. And her new (well reacquainted with old) friend was way over the top and I just wanted to smack her. lol And there were a lot of grumpy, mean characters in this small town which helped with my suspect list but undid some of the cozy factor because of the sheer number of them.
January 9, 2023
Enjoyed the book, loved meeting the new characters, and I can say that the final reveal was a real surprise! The writing was smooth and the story had me guessing who the bad guy was along with the main characters! There was a sub story line that ran throughout the book: hidden treasure! But no one ever questioned it when it was mentioned, so short of not understanding how someone wasn't interested in hidden treasure, this was such a fun read! As a fellow book lover, the fact that this took place in a book store was all the more fun - made me want to live in a space where I could leave my bookstore and go see my best friend at the pastry shop a few doors down!
January 13, 2023
Christie is a successful children’s book author. Her two cats are the stars of the books. When she receives a call from her aunt Betty requesting help in her bookstore, Christie finds this is a great place for a new start. When she arrives at the bookstore, her aunt is nowhere to be found. But there is a dead body in the room. Upon further searching, she finds Betty unconscious in another area of the room with a huge bump on her head. Naturally, Betty is the first suspect in the murder. There is an interesting cast of characters, and Christie and the cats have a very interesting investigation to clear Betty’s name.
January 10, 2023
Dial M for Meow is a promising start of a new series. The clever cats, Milton and Pearl, will delight animal lovers. I love that Christy's cats area as clever as the cats in the books she writes. The need to clear her aunt's name causes Christy to investigate the murder that occurred in Aunty Betty's apartment. The town has many nasty people living there. Very few people liked the deceased so there are many suspects. With well placed clues, and possibly a red herring, this well written book kept my attention throughout. I am looking forward to book two.
April 28, 2023
Delightful and Entertaining.
An inquisitive cat mom plus two intuitive cats try to solve the murder of a local reporter. Milton and Pearl are the real-life cat stars of a popular children's book series. Christy, their human, has a run of bad luck and returns to the town she visited as a child to help her Aunt at the bookstore and to escape her unhappy situation at her home. There are many suspects from which to choose. Follow the clues in this delightful and entertaining story.
An inquisitive cat mom plus two intuitive cats try to solve the murder of a local reporter. Milton and Pearl are the real-life cat stars of a popular children's book series. Christy, their human, has a run of bad luck and returns to the town she visited as a child to help her Aunt at the bookstore and to escape her unhappy situation at her home. There are many suspects from which to choose. Follow the clues in this delightful and entertaining story.
February 4, 2024
Great start to a new series!
Loved this mystery! Never guessed the murderer was---- well, you'll have to read it to find out.😃 I totally enjoyed the storyline and, of course, all the characters. Especially Milton and Pearl, the cat. What a fantastic pair of kitties!!! Can't wait for the next book!!!!
Loved this mystery! Never guessed the murderer was---- well, you'll have to read it to find out.😃 I totally enjoyed the storyline and, of course, all the characters. Especially Milton and Pearl, the cat. What a fantastic pair of kitties!!! Can't wait for the next book!!!!
January 10, 2023
Dial M for Meow is a promising start of a new series. The clever cats, Milton and Pearl, will delight animal lovers. I love that Christy's cats area as clever as the cats in the books she writes. The need to clear her aunt's name causes Christy to investigate the murder that occurred in Aunty Betty's apartment. The town has many nasty people living there. Very few people liked the deceased so there are many suspects. With well placed clues, and possibly a red herring, this well written book kept my attention throughout. I am looking forward to book two.
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