Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Furbidden Fatality (Catskills Pet Rescue, Bk 1) on + 644 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Dollycas's Thoughts
So exciting! Kari Stuart has won millions in the lottery but she has no idea what she wants with her life let alone the money. Then she finds a stray little black kitten that changes her life. An animal shelter on its last legs needs a benefactor and Kari has the funds to get the place updated and open again. It also gives her life some direction as she buys and takes over the shelter and the farmhouse on the property.
Then she learns one of the shelter dogs is part of a pending lawsuit and the dog warden seems to really have something against the shelter. When Kari hears the dogs making a ruckus in the middle of the night she runs from her new farmhouse to the shelter and finds the local dog catcher dead. She and all her volunteers because suspects in his death, especially Kari and the shelter's former manager. Plagued by vandalism and other suspicious activity Kari worries she has invested in a project she will never get off the ground. She also sees there is a real possibility that even with all her cash she could end up behind bars for a crime she didn't commit.
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I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this new cozy mystery series. Kari Stuart is a lucky woman and uses her fortune in a surprising way. I mean if you won 5 million dollars would your first thought of your first major purchase. especially when you know really nothing about animals or running a business? But Kari makes it work because there is already a super group of volunteers working at the shelter. The volunteers are a diverse group dedicating to saving the sanctuary and mostly are on board helping Kari make that happen. One volunteer is a little prickly and vocal at times but Kari just rolls with the verbal punches. The author has given us a nice introduction to these characters. I was engaged and invested in their lives quickly.
Ms. Blake also delivers a well-plotted mystery with a wide variety of suspects and surprises. A tangled-up web of deception kept this reader on her toes. I loved the fast pace and the liberal use of humor throughout. The subplots are really strong and brought real depth to the entire story.
What I loved most of all was the animals. Buster, the dog accused of getting out of a fence and biting someone leading to the pending lawsuit just stole my heart. The stray little black kitten, Queenie, brings something special to the story and warmed my heart too. It was the animals on the cover that caught my eye and made me what to read this book. Kudos to the artist.
I found Furbidden Fatality to be a delightful debut for this pet-filled series. Light-hearted and entertaining, it was just a fun book to read. I am excited to see where the author takes these characters. Doggone Deadly is set to be released on November 2. I will be impatiently waiting. ð
So exciting! Kari Stuart has won millions in the lottery but she has no idea what she wants with her life let alone the money. Then she finds a stray little black kitten that changes her life. An animal shelter on its last legs needs a benefactor and Kari has the funds to get the place updated and open again. It also gives her life some direction as she buys and takes over the shelter and the farmhouse on the property.
Then she learns one of the shelter dogs is part of a pending lawsuit and the dog warden seems to really have something against the shelter. When Kari hears the dogs making a ruckus in the middle of the night she runs from her new farmhouse to the shelter and finds the local dog catcher dead. She and all her volunteers because suspects in his death, especially Kari and the shelter's former manager. Plagued by vandalism and other suspicious activity Kari worries she has invested in a project she will never get off the ground. She also sees there is a real possibility that even with all her cash she could end up behind bars for a crime she didn't commit.
_____
I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this new cozy mystery series. Kari Stuart is a lucky woman and uses her fortune in a surprising way. I mean if you won 5 million dollars would your first thought of your first major purchase. especially when you know really nothing about animals or running a business? But Kari makes it work because there is already a super group of volunteers working at the shelter. The volunteers are a diverse group dedicating to saving the sanctuary and mostly are on board helping Kari make that happen. One volunteer is a little prickly and vocal at times but Kari just rolls with the verbal punches. The author has given us a nice introduction to these characters. I was engaged and invested in their lives quickly.
Ms. Blake also delivers a well-plotted mystery with a wide variety of suspects and surprises. A tangled-up web of deception kept this reader on her toes. I loved the fast pace and the liberal use of humor throughout. The subplots are really strong and brought real depth to the entire story.
What I loved most of all was the animals. Buster, the dog accused of getting out of a fence and biting someone leading to the pending lawsuit just stole my heart. The stray little black kitten, Queenie, brings something special to the story and warmed my heart too. It was the animals on the cover that caught my eye and made me what to read this book. Kudos to the artist.
I found Furbidden Fatality to be a delightful debut for this pet-filled series. Light-hearted and entertaining, it was just a fun book to read. I am excited to see where the author takes these characters. Doggone Deadly is set to be released on November 2. I will be impatiently waiting. ð
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Helpful Score: 2
Furbidden Fatality is the debut of the A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series set in the Catskills of upstate New York and featuring Kari Stuart. Kari is twenty-nine, recently divorced, waitressing at the local diner and living in a ramshackle apartment with two cats and a dog. But, Kari has also won five million dollars in the lottery and is cautiously considering what to do with her financial windfall.
After capturing a stray black kitten that was wandering the streets outside of her apartment, Kari takes her to the local shelter and is shocked to discover that the shelters are full and there is no place for the tiny creature. Kari's plans for the future suddenly become crystal clear - she's going to purchase Serenity Sanctuary, a pet rescue on the brink of closure.
The current facility and farmhouse that comes with the property both need a lot of work but, Kari has the funds. Unfortunately the daunting repairs are not the only challenges she'll be facing. County dog warden, Bill Myers is determined to get the rescue shut down. His latest claim is that one of the dogs had escaped the kennel and viciously attacked a neighbor and now that dog is facing the possibility of being put to death. Some of the neighbors are not too happy with the dogs barking and a few members of the staff aren't very welcoming.
When Kari stumbles upon the body of the warden she, along with the previous owner Daisy become the prime suspects in his murder. Determined to clear her name and save the sanctuary, Kari sets out alongside the tiny kitten, Queenie to track down a killer. As her investigation unfolds, random acts of vandalism at the property increase and Kari begins to suspect that she's bitten off more than she can chew.
A page turning plot filled with likable and unlikable characters, lovable animals, laugh out loud moments and a hint of romance make for a fantastic series debut. In addition to a great murder mystery the author does a terrific job of shining the spotlight on the plight of neglected and abandoned animals. I'm looking forward to many more adventures with Kari and her friends, both human and furry.
After capturing a stray black kitten that was wandering the streets outside of her apartment, Kari takes her to the local shelter and is shocked to discover that the shelters are full and there is no place for the tiny creature. Kari's plans for the future suddenly become crystal clear - she's going to purchase Serenity Sanctuary, a pet rescue on the brink of closure.
The current facility and farmhouse that comes with the property both need a lot of work but, Kari has the funds. Unfortunately the daunting repairs are not the only challenges she'll be facing. County dog warden, Bill Myers is determined to get the rescue shut down. His latest claim is that one of the dogs had escaped the kennel and viciously attacked a neighbor and now that dog is facing the possibility of being put to death. Some of the neighbors are not too happy with the dogs barking and a few members of the staff aren't very welcoming.
When Kari stumbles upon the body of the warden she, along with the previous owner Daisy become the prime suspects in his murder. Determined to clear her name and save the sanctuary, Kari sets out alongside the tiny kitten, Queenie to track down a killer. As her investigation unfolds, random acts of vandalism at the property increase and Kari begins to suspect that she's bitten off more than she can chew.
A page turning plot filled with likable and unlikable characters, lovable animals, laugh out loud moments and a hint of romance make for a fantastic series debut. In addition to a great murder mystery the author does a terrific job of shining the spotlight on the plight of neglected and abandoned animals. I'm looking forward to many more adventures with Kari and her friends, both human and furry.
Helpful Score: 2
Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake is the debut of A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. I enjoyed reading Furbidden Fatality. It is filled with spunky, smart women who have a soft spot for animals. There are also two men who care about fur babies and were friendly with Kari. The animals in the book were adorable especially Queenie. She is one smart kitten (handy with shoelaces). I thought Furbidden Fatality was well-written with steady pacing. There is humor scattered throughout that provided giggles, chuckles, and laugh-out-loud moments. Kari Stuart is twenty-nine years old with a useless college degree. She has been working as a waitress and living in a rundown apartment. Kari recently won five million dollars, but she is not sure what to do with the money. When Kari catches a black kitten that has been left outside her apartment, she takes it to the local shelter. She learns it is full along with all the other shelters in town. That is when Kari learns that Serenity Sanctuary had to close because of lack of funds and problems with the animal warden. Kari has found a purpose for her life and for her money. When the animal warden ends up dead outside the pet sanctuary, Kari along with two female volunteers and her best friend set out to find the killer. There are several good suspects along with misdirection. The mystery was filled with action that kept the book moving at a brisk pace. I like that the author describes the pet sanctuary, Kari's new home, the town, and the people. She manages to strike a balance between not enough information and too much. There is mild foul language in the book. I am looking forwarding to reading the next A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery. Furbidden Fatality is a doggone entertaining tale with a crafty feline, an aggressive animal warden, valued volunteers, a bothersome brother, and an abundance of animals in need of anodyne accommodation.
