Weekend Book Reviews

Death by a Whisker by T. C. LoTiempo is the second book in the Cat Rescue Mystery series.  I had read the first book, but it is not necessary to enjoy this one.  Sydney and her sister Kat run the animal shelter.  They take part in a combined event with a shopping channel star, Ulla, to raise funds for the shelter and showcase some cats for adoption.  When Ulla dies suspiciously, shelter volunteer Maggie is the top suspect, and Sydney sets out to solve the mystery.  I enjoy the characters and setting for this series.  In this particular book, they mystery was not as strong.  I knew the who and how quickly, but the why was not revealed until later in the book.  I adore this series but am hoping for a more solid mystery next time.

Tina Kashian's Hummus and Homicide is the first book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series.  Lucy has quit her job with a Philadelphia law firm and returns home for a month to gather herself. On her first day home she is already back to being a waitress at her family's restaurant, Kebab Kitchen.  The new health inspector, Heather, writes up a list of "violations" perhaps to get back at Lucy but returns to eat at the restaurant's fully stocked hummus bar.  When Heather dies soon after her hummus meal, Lucy and Kebab Kitchen are the main suspects.  This was a wonderful start to a new series.  The mystery was well thought out even while the author took time to introduce the characters and setting.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Pawprints & Predicaments by Bethany Blake is the third book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery.  Daphne is the owner of Lucky Paws Petsitting and the soon to be owner of Flour Power (pet bakery) in the pet loving town of Sylvan Creek.  The Tail Waggin' Winterfest is in full swing and that includes a polar bear plunge.  Daphne ends up taking part in the plunge which quickly dissolves into chaos when one of the participants is dies.  This book easily stands on its own.  I love this series for the animal characters just as much as the human ones.  The mystery features several twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end. 

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!