Cozy Mysteries discussion

"Around the House" - i.e. maids, cleaning ladies, professional organizers, laundresses, handymen (or women)

"It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Read a book featuring a cat or dog.

Interesting choice of reading themes, Sherrie! So, for "Around the House" I'll pick , which has been sitting on my bookshelf for quite some time now, and for the "It's Raining Cats And Dogs" theme I'll opt for .

"It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Read a book featuring a cat or dog.



Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World Vicki Myron
Vicki Myron and Dewey Spencer, Iowa 2008 277 pgs

"Around the House" - i.e. maids, cleaning ladies, professional organizers, laundresses, handymen (or women)



The Remains of the Dead (A Ghost Dusters Mystery, #1) Wendy Roberts
Sadie Novak, Zack Bowman 2007 279 pgs

Cats: The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun Finished 4/4/11

And Cleaning Service: Homemade Sin by Kathy Hogan Trocheck Finished 4/9/11

Around the house Plaster and Poison

Cats & Dogs Nine Lives Last Forever

I will read for "Around the House" and for "Cats or Dogs".

Shirley wrote: ""It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Read a book featuring a cat or dog.



Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched th..."

I really liked both of these books, especially THE REMAINS OF THE DEAD!

Melodie wrote: "Shirley wrote: ""It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Read a book featuring a cat or dog.



Dewey: The Small-Town Library Ca..."

I am really looking forward to reading them both.

I think I'm going to read Dogs Don't Lie or Begging for Trouble or Beaglemania (decisions, decisions ;) ) for "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" and Spackled and Spooked for "Around The House".

Melodie wrote: "Shirley wrote: ""It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - Read a book featuring a cat or dog.



Dewey: The Small-Town Library Ca..."

I agree.The Ghost Dusters Mysteries Series is one of my favorites as well.I wonder if there's going to be a new book-we haven't heard from Wendy Roberts for quite some time now.

"Around the house" will be Shakespeare's Champion because I read the first one about 5 years ago and never followed up. "Cats and dogs" will be Only the Cat Knows because Marian Babson is one of my four personal "author focus" authors for this year (I'm trying to make headway on authors I have a lot of so I can clear some shelf space, so I picked 4 authors to read 10 books each of).

Jennifer wrote: ""Around the house" will be Shakespeare's Champion because I read the first one about 5 years ago and never followed up. "Cats and dogs" will be ..."

I loved the Lily Bard series and I was sorry it ended.In general, I love Charlaine Harris's writing style,she's a terrific author!

For the 'Cats & Dogs' theme I'll read the first Cat Who... book.. I just snagged a box of her books form my duaghter's room. She's already read them al, she won't miss them! I'm not a cat person, but am pretty up-to-date onthe couple dog series I enjoy. Read the first Chet & Bernie mystery this month and it was GREAT!

For Around the house I am going to read and for the cats and dogs I am going to read

How to Wash a Cat

and

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries

I'll read one of Rita Mae Brown's, haven't read one of her's in a long time.

Murder, She Meowed

For Around the House I'm going to read

And for Cats and Dogs I'll read

Valorie wrote: "For Around the House I'm going to read

And for Cats and Dogs I'll read "

I love the Callahan Garrity series! Hated to see it end!

I just found Murder Past Due at my local UBS for the cat theme. Does the Diva series fit for 'around the house'? If so, I will read The Diva Paints the Town

Nell wrote: "I just found Murder Past Due at my local UBS for the cat theme. Does the Diva series fit for 'around the house'? If so, I will read [book:The Diva..."

I don't know because I haven't read this series yet. Maybe someone else can answer this question.

Melodie wrote: "Valorie wrote: "For Around the House I'm going to read

And for Cats and Dogs I'll read "

I love the Callaha..."

I really enjoyed the first book.

These challenge topics are great!

Around the House-
Raining Cats and Dogs-

Nell I would say the Diva series fits the around the house theme.

For Around the House I'll read

And for Raining Cats & Dogs I'll read

Nell wrote: "I just found Murder Past Due at my local UBS for the cat theme. Does the Diva series fit for 'around the house'? If so, I will read [book:The Diva..."

hmmm, I've got Murder Past Due, maybe that one...damn, too many decisions!

Ok, I'll try for my "Around the House" book (I think that's where I left off on this series) and for the "Raining Cats & Dogs" theme. I just read the first one in that series a week or so ago.

This will be my last time hosting this challenge, my father is very ill and really not taking care of himself. I don't know how much longer we will have with him.

Is there anyone interested in taking over the hosting duty for the Monthly Theme Read?

Sherrie, I am so sorry to hear that! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

I would be more than willing to help out if you could give me a few pointers to start out.

I am saddened to hear your news Sherrie :(

Caitlin wrote: "Sherrie, I am so sorry to hear that! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

I would be more than willing to help out if you could give me a few pointers to start out."

Thanks so much Caitlin, I will pm you.

Sorry, Sherrie. My prayers are with you and your father.

Sherrie - I lost my own father way back when I was in college so I feel your pain. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. And, if Caitlin needs some help, I'll be happy to assist even though I don't normally do challenges. : )

So sorry to hear about your dad, Sherrie. Will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry to hear about your Dad. Sent a little pray up for you and him.

Sherrie wrote: "This will be my last time hosting this challenge, my father is very ill and really not taking care of himself. I don't know how much longer we will have with him.

Is there anyone interested in t..."
So sad about your dad. You will be in my prayers. I am glad someone offered to help out with the challenge since I would not have a clue and am already over busy.

I had asked about the theme read a couple days ago on the book of the month thread. (sorry Sherrie if this may have caused you any more stress than you are already going through.) Maybe i just wasn't seeing the thread at the time, but I am thankful to find it and "duh", I do remember reading it and even listed names on paper of books and authors to check out so I could be involved.I truly am too busy. thank you that the list is here. Want to join in, but must see what the library has still.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad Sherrie. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Here are my picks!!


Around the House: Moving is Murder

It's Raining Cats & Dogs: Elvis and the Dearly Departed

Thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts everyone.

Caroline wrote: "Sherrie - I lost my own father way back when I was in college so I feel your pain. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. And, if Caitlin needs some help, I'll be happy to assist even tho..."

Thanks, Caroline. Any help/suggestions/feedback is always welcome!!!

After this past weekends book splurge, I now have a few things that fit this challenge so I'm in!

Around the House: Death by Inferior Design

Cats & Dogs: A New Leash on Death

Sherry, so sorry to hear about your father. I took care of my dad before he passed away and now taking care of my mom. It is not an easy road but oh, so worth it. Also, please remember to take care of yourself also, it is easy to let your self fall through the cracks, so remember to take care of you and take some time for me time. It really does help. Sending prayers and postive energy to you and yours.

This sounds interesting. I'll try this!

For "Around the House" - Fatal Fixer Upper by Jennie Bentley and for "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" - How to wash a cat by Rebecca M. Hale.

Sherry, I am also sorry to hear about your father. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Nothing like being at home with a cold to power through challenges! :)

April Challenge - Completed:

Around the House - Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen. This book didn't actually have anything to do with her maid service, so I might read Mortar and Murder as well.

Raining cats and dogs - Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons by Blaize Clement

I am in. Books later.

Around the House: Best I could find for the fit at the library.

For the "Raining Cats and Dogs."Chocolate Cat Caper"
Have read the Christi one before ,but do not mind re reading any of hers. the 2nd one is a new author. will see how I like her.
was terrible. I think I gave it two stars. could hardly even endure through it and I usually like any mystery. Droll. The Murder of Roger Ackroydwas tremendous. I had read it before and because of that I did figure it out this time through, but still really good.

Sherry, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I hope you have some very special time with him in the coming weeks. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I know what it's like caring for aging parents, as both of mine are. We'll keep the prayers going up and as others have said, don't forget to take care of yourself.

Karen, I think it's fine to re-read a book you've enjoyed in the past. I often fill challenges with books I've already read, which makes them an easy read, but still enjoyable. For the read the season challenge I've gone back to a couple Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drew books from my childhood for some of them. A book is best when you can enjoy it again!

So, for these challenges, I'm going to try something by Jennie Bentley (whatever is #1 in that series) if I can find it. And for "cats and dogs" I'll read "The Art of Racing in the Rain as that is also one of the books I'm reading for my local book club this year.

Sherrie wrote: "This will be my last time hosting this challenge, my father is very ill and really not taking care of himself. I don't know how much longer we will have with him.

Is there anyone interested in t..."

Sherry-I just want to tell you how sorry I am about your Dad. You're in my thoughts right now.

Grime and Punishment

I haven't read this in so long, and it fits both themes at once! A maid is the murder victim, and it features a dog and two cats (the main character's household pets)

That's a great idea! I have decided that I absolutely CAN NOT buy any more books until I get my pile down a bit ... and it will be quite a while before my "pile" even fits on the shelf I have allotted for it. So, if I can't come up with a book on my shelf that fits the category, I'll skip the challenge. I might make a few exceptions if I can find books at my library ...