The Time for Murder is Meow - A Review & Giveaway

Review

THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW by T. C. LoTempio

The First Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery

Inheriting her aunt's home and popular pet store was just the opportunity Crishell McMillan was looking for. With her popular TV series cancelled and no desire to join the reboot, she's ready to retire to a quiet life in Fox Hollow. Shell receives a warm welcome from several of the town's business owners and discovers she has a roommate as well, a charming Persian named Purrday, much to the dismay of her own cat, Kahlua. Not everyone in town is friendly though, especially Amelia Witherspoon, who has a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, and not just in appearance. Within forty eight hours of arriving, Shell managers to anger a good portion of the museum board, finds herself getting bad press from the town's newspaper editor, and becomes a person of interest in the murder of Amelia, the museum board member who had a feud with Shell's aunt. In order to start fresh and re-open Purr N Bark without any hint of scandal, and perhaps pursue a relationship with a gorgeous detective, Shell gathers her friends to figure out who actually killed the wicked witch.

The Purr and Bark Pet Shop Mystery series is off to a great start. I felt an immediate bond with most of the characters and loved spending time getting to know them. Shell McMillan is down to earth and completely real, despite being a successful Hollywood actress. She's friendly, honest, and determined, yet can get angry and act rashly. Her desire to resolve matters oftentimes gets her in more trouble! I especially love the unexpected arrival of her former co-star. She and Gary continue to make a great team. I look forward to the upcoming romance between Shell and Josh. Of course, Purrday, Kahlua, and Rocco are wonderful additions, smart cats and a lovable goofball of a dog are perfect assets to a cozy mystery.

This book would have received my highest rating, except for two things. The author gave a significant clue leading me to know the identity of the murderer early on. However, I considered it may have been a red herring and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. The flaw for me was when the killer suddenly becomes crazy. The rational murderer with a solid motive who at the end of the mystery is now described as being crazy is a major pet peeve of mine. Still, I absolutely loved everything else in the book!

THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW is a fantastic start to a new series. Entertaining, smart, and funny, the Purr N Bark series has wormed its way into my heart and I can't wait to spend more time with its residents!

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The Time for Murder is Meow (A Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery) by T. C. LoTempio

About the Book

 

The Time for Murder is Meow (A Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Midnight Ink (August 8, 2019) 

Paperback: 312 pages 

Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop

Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.

While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?

About the Author

 

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime and the Cat Rescue series from Crooked Lane. Her latest, the Pet Shop Mysteries, makes its debut August 8 with The Time for Murder is Meow.

You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net.

Where to find them: ROCCO’s blog: www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com  

Website: www.tclotempio.net  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N IndieBound

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