Review of The Cat Sitter’s Whiskers

Dixie Hemmingway is a pet sitter in Siesta Keys, Florida.  While she is at her first stop of the day to visit a Maine coon cat named Barney Feldman, she is attacked and knocked unconscious.  When she is found by the police there is no evidence that the house was ever broken into.  This is a mystery and Dixie has never met a mystery she did not want to solve.  So she  sets out to do just that but she has many obstacles to overcome along the way.

  The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.  I think the author is very talented in using the written word to give vivid descriptions and details.  At times I felt like I was right there with Dixie trying to figure things out.  I really enjoy when I am pulled into  a story like that.  The mystery was carried on throughout the entire book.  There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and turning pages to see what would happen next.  I did not completely figure out the mystery until it was revealed at the end, and I like when that happens.

I think the characters are well developed and well rounded.  I enjoyed meeting Dixie and I plan on reading more books in the series so I can get to know her better.  I love her occupation and wish I knew a pet sitter in real life, that seems like it would be such a fun job.  She seems like a take charge type of person who does not shy away from a challenge and I enjoyed reading about her.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.  This is the tenth book in the series, and although it is the first one that I have read it will not be the last one.  The author has a new fan.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Review of The Ghost Of Peppernell Manor

Synopsis:

“Do you know what stories Sarah could tell you about the things that happened in these little cabins? They’d curl that pretty red hair of yours.”

Outside of Charleston, South Carolina, beyond hanging curtains of Spanish moss, at the end of a shaded tunnel of overarching oaks, stands the antebellum mansion of Peppernell Manor in all its faded grandeur. At the request of her friend   Evie Peppernell, recently divorced Carleigh Warner and her young daughter Lucy have come to the plantation house to refurbish the interior. But the tall white columns and black shutters hide a dark history of slavery, violence, and greed. The ghost of a former slave is said to haunt the home, and Carleigh is told she disapproves of her restoration efforts. And beneath the polite hospitality of the Peppernell family lie simmering resentments and poisonous secrets that culminate in murder—and place Carleigh and her child in grave danger… (Goodreads)

Review:

With the title The Ghost of Peppernell Manor I was expecting a ghost story.  The fact that it was taking place in an old manor had me thinking it would be an eerie ghost story.  But unfortunately for me, I was mistaken.  We hear people talk about the ghost a few times throughout the story, but we never get to meet her and spend any amount of time with her.  This was rather disappointing to me.

This book was much more a story of a woman trying to make a better life for herself, with a little mystery and romance mixed in.  The author is talented and uses her words to write vivid descriptions and details.  When it came to the house restoration, I felt there was a little too much description and detail.  I found myself skimming pages when this was the topic, it just did not hold my interest all that much. I did enjoy reading the book but there were some aspects that I did not enjoy as much.  But that may just be me, another reader may love everything about the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well told story of one woman’s struggle with self improvement.  If you enjoy women’s contemporary, you will like this book.  If you are interested in home restoration, you will like this book.  If you are looking for a great ghost story, you may be a bit disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.  i would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.