If you like art and cats, this book is for you!

What can go wrong when an elderly matriarch leaves the family fortune to her cat? Just about everything, including ‘catnapping’ and murder!

 

CATNIP is a mystery set in the picturesque town of Dunbarton, Ontario, and tells the story of what befalls the dysfunctional Dunbar family, and the chaos that ensues, when the matriarch of the clan leaves the family fortune to her cat.

 

That formidable feline proves to be more than a match for the humans in his life, until one fateful night when, caught unawares, he is stuffed in a sack and carried away.

 

A nosy neighbor with a nasty, suspicious mind points the finger of suspicion at the Dunbars and Christopher Mallory, the young attorney who is the trustee of the estate, and under the terms of the will, they face losing everything.

 

When a murder occurs, Christopher finds himself confronting a ruthless killer who would do anything to conceal his or her identity, including to kill again.-Via Goodreads

 

I’ve read the third book in this series, so I picked up Catnip to see how the series started, and I wasn’t disappointed. I liked that there was two separate mysteries combined in one plot, the catnapping of Marmalade and a murder. The first part of the book was concerned with setting the scene, introducing the characters, and laying the foundation of the plot, and then the lead-up to the catnapping had me on pins and needles, sure the dastardly event would happen on the next page. I thought it was a pretty effective way to really grab hold of a reader! Although the ending was a tiny bit implausible, it was exciting and satisfying and tied everything up nicely.

 

Note: No animals are harmed in this story

 

I have to say; at the beginning of the book the Dunbars were a petulant and shallow bunch, but the author did a great job redeeming them. I liked that they gained a lot of dimension by the end of the story, evolving into realistic and likable group that you want to visit again and again. Marmalade is the true star of the show, of course. He’s definitely star material!

 

Overall, this is a delightful and well written cozy mystery debut, and I definitely recommend it for fans looking to get wrapped up in a new world.

While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown. 

As Nora and her curious cat Nick pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him...

 

@GoddessFish, #Cozy, #Mystery

I haven't read the first two books in the Nick & Nora Mysteries series but it was so interesting and I was told it should've been fine as a standalone. Of course, reading in order is always better but a lot of series pull it off to where you can jump in and feel like you're not missing anything.

That wasn't entirely successful for Crime & Catnip though. I recommend reading this if you're read the series or starting at the beginning with Meow If It's Murder. You can skip like I did, but it'll only wind up Good instead of Great.

There's plenty to love though and I really wish I'd had time and the ability to read the first two novels for receiving this one for review.

I liked Nora, her shop, her friends, and her crime reporting past. I didn’t get her reluctance to talk to the two law enforcement officers working the case. There’s mention of a time where she jumped the gun, but I didn’t feel it.

The same can be said for the current beau and the former one night stand.

The parts I was most excited for was Nick the Cat and the mystery. They were equal parts fascinating and confusing.

Considering how much the past wound up involved in everything including the mystery, I really screwed myself on this one. So, spoonful of salt for this one folks but my reading experience was 3 stars.

Solid elements and storytelling but the background is extremely necessary for them to come off as realistic, reasonable people instead of a canny valley Twilight Zone episode.

Players from the previous books pop back up like Wak-a-Moles. There’s information on how they’re connected but that’s not the same thing as actually reading their history for yourself. And this isn’t some simple small town shenanigans of warring neighbors.

I think Nick the Cat wouldn’t have come off as creepily paranormally gifted – I was seriously thinking Nick the Human was transformed into the cat—if I’d read everyone being shocked and getting used to Nick in the first book.

I think seeing how Nora and FBI Dude got together and how they were burned by their last relationships would’ve made them more understandable. As it is, meh. Scaredy cats with no chemistry.

Also, if I’m to believe Nora and the Cop have a chance, her friends need to make better arguments. I’m in the “he’s a typical guy and she’s a commitment-phobe so she’s creating problems” rather than sparks are flying and none are hitting the page.



I cannot say this enough: it boils down to the fact I skipped ahead. I think this series would be great for those who want focus on the mystery and sleuthing with a familiar rather than interpersonal drama and romance. It’s toned down compared to most cozies, swapping the hijinks for more complicated relationships and intrigue.

But start at the beginning to give it a fair shot.

I hate DNF-ing at almost 85%, but enough is enough.

I am sure there is a sweet story somewhere in this book, but it's buried under too many words and too many errors and typos. Grammar, punctuation... nothing is safe.
I failed to connect with the characters, partially because of the distraction that the lack of editing created. Prolonged family gatherings that involved discussing same old same old over and over again didn't help with developing warm and fuzzy feelings either. All I could think of "oh, no, not another Mary Calms moment!" And then I actually longed for Jory :/

Alexi's family, Lily and Taka as well, is a bunch of characters with a you-know-what stuck up their you-know-where. They are rigid, they suffocate their children with expectations and demands, they are controlling, bordering abuse. How did poor Alexi manage to survive without panic attacks until his last tour in Japan is a mystery to me. The boy has no room to breath. Just one little example. Alexi's mother calls him from Japan and greets him with "Alexander, this is you mother." That's knowing her son is not well and the trip to NY is not a short one. How about "Hi, dear, how was your trip?" No? Then this is the only natural reaction, IMHO



Anyway, warm, charming woman. I would like to cuddle up with her sometime. NOT. But maybe her no less stuck up mother has something to do with this drone of a parent.


I have more in the comments, if you are interested.

Oh... did I mention "a balmy July evening in Manhattan"? Just... CRAP! Ugh!