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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Purr M for Murder by T.C. LoTempio is the first book in A Cat Rescue Mystery series. Sydney McCall has returned home to Deer Park, North Carolina after catching her fiancé in flagrante with his secretary. Since Preston Renshaw III was the boss’s son, Sydney quit her job as Director of Marketing at Reid and Renshaw. Her sister, Kat needed her assistance with the Friendly Paws Animal Shelter. Donations have been down and their last two fundraisers did not elicit many funds. Kat is hoping Sydney can apply her marketing prowess to the shelter. Sydney’s first idea is to hold a cat café at Dayna’s Sweets and Treats. It will help raise funds and, hopefully, some cats will find forever homes. Trowbridge Littleton, owner of The Brush and Canvas, is against their event and confronts Kat. It ends with Kat threatening Mr. Littleton (not a wise move on her part). Sydney decides to talk to Mr. Littleton the next morning and arrives at his gallery around 6 a.m. Sydney finds the door open, but no one answers her call (you can see where this is heading). Sydney is startled when Kat turns up next to her (she had been watching for Sydney across the street). They find their way to office and find it has been ransacked. Kat admires a beautiful antique cabinet and is insistent upon looking inside. They open the doors and Trowbridge Littleton falls out. When the police arrive, Sydney is started to discover that Will Worthington (high school crush, of course) is one of the detectives. It is soon apparent that Kat is the primary suspect. It seems that Kat has been holding back on a few details. Sydney puts on her detective cap and sets out to find the real perpetrator with the help of her new cat, Toby (master escape artist). But the killer must take action when Sydney gets a little too close for comfort.
Purr M for Murder is easy to read and nicely written. I found that the book had a good pace which made it easy to read. I appreciated the pet rescue element in the book. It will help make readers aware of the problems facing animals in our society (there are too few no-kill shelters). I liked the main characters of Kat, Sydney and Toby. Toby was a great addition to this tale. Without Toby, Purr M for Murder would not have been as entertaining (he elevated the story). I give Purr M for Murder 4 out of 5 stars. I do wish, though, that the mystery had been a little more complex. It was evident which character would get murdered (the nastiest). Solving the crime was easily discernable. There is one big clue that gave it away early in the story (at least to me). I am hoping that in the next book the author will not put the murder or crime so early in the novel (it makes for the book feel long). I liked the subtle attraction between Will Worthington and Sydney. It is low-key and plays out nicely in the background until the end. I do wonder, though, why authors feel the need to provide a romantic counterpart for their main character in the first book. I like a little romance in my cozies, but I like it when it plays out slowly over the course of the series. I thought the ending was uplifting and cute. With a few tweaks, I believe this will be a pleasurable cozy mystery series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in A Cat Rescue Mystery series.
Purr M for Murder is easy to read and nicely written. I found that the book had a good pace which made it easy to read. I appreciated the pet rescue element in the book. It will help make readers aware of the problems facing animals in our society (there are too few no-kill shelters). I liked the main characters of Kat, Sydney and Toby. Toby was a great addition to this tale. Without Toby, Purr M for Murder would not have been as entertaining (he elevated the story). I give Purr M for Murder 4 out of 5 stars. I do wish, though, that the mystery had been a little more complex. It was evident which character would get murdered (the nastiest). Solving the crime was easily discernable. There is one big clue that gave it away early in the story (at least to me). I am hoping that in the next book the author will not put the murder or crime so early in the novel (it makes for the book feel long). I liked the subtle attraction between Will Worthington and Sydney. It is low-key and plays out nicely in the background until the end. I do wonder, though, why authors feel the need to provide a romantic counterpart for their main character in the first book. I like a little romance in my cozies, but I like it when it plays out slowly over the course of the series. I thought the ending was uplifting and cute. With a few tweaks, I believe this will be a pleasurable cozy mystery series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in A Cat Rescue Mystery series.
holly_keimig's review against another edition
4.0
A fun cozy mystery and great spring read. Sydney McCall left behind big city life to become a promotional director for her sister Kat's animal shelter in Deer Park, North Carolina. The shelter is in financial trouble and the landlord seems intent on shutting the shelter down for no real reason Sydney and Kat can find. When they stumble upon the landlord's dead body, they are the prime suspects and have to work hard (with a bit of feline help from a rescue cat named Toby) to clear their names and save the shelter. If you like cozy mysteries with a lot of crazy characters, mysteries where cats help to solve the crime in ways only they can, and small town politics, you'll enjoy this story. I didn't connect quite as much to the main character in this story as I did with Shell in The Time for Murder is Meow, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
PURR M FOR MURDER by T.C. LoTempio
The First Cat Rescue Mystery
After finding her fiance in bed with her secretary, Sydney McCall quits her job and moves back to North Carolina to help her sister, Kat, run the local animal shelter. Syd is planning a major event with the cats at a local bakery and everyone agrees it's a wonderful idea. Everyone, that is except the town Scrooge. Trowbridge Littleton is a rich, arrogant bully who happens to own most of Deer Park. When he threatens to not only shut down the event, but the shelter itself, Kat sees red. Syd decides to pay Littleton an early morning visit in order to reason with him, but finds her sister there as well and together they find his dead body.
With dreams of Nancy Drew and a one time desire to be a homicide detective, Syd aims to use her natural investigative instincts solve the crime herself. Aided by a wandering cat who finally chose his human, Syd begins to sort through the suspects, digging up far more dirt and many more motives than she ever imagined! Will she be able to clear her sister or will her former high school sweetheart arrest Kat for murder?
PURR M FOR MURDER is a delightful start to a new series. Personable characters, charming cats (including an extra special one) a nefarious victim, and a slew of viable suspects make this first book in the cat Rescue Mystery series a winner.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Cat Rescue Mystery
After finding her fiance in bed with her secretary, Sydney McCall quits her job and moves back to North Carolina to help her sister, Kat, run the local animal shelter. Syd is planning a major event with the cats at a local bakery and everyone agrees it's a wonderful idea. Everyone, that is except the town Scrooge. Trowbridge Littleton is a rich, arrogant bully who happens to own most of Deer Park. When he threatens to not only shut down the event, but the shelter itself, Kat sees red. Syd decides to pay Littleton an early morning visit in order to reason with him, but finds her sister there as well and together they find his dead body.
With dreams of Nancy Drew and a one time desire to be a homicide detective, Syd aims to use her natural investigative instincts solve the crime herself. Aided by a wandering cat who finally chose his human, Syd begins to sort through the suspects, digging up far more dirt and many more motives than she ever imagined! Will she be able to clear her sister or will her former high school sweetheart arrest Kat for murder?
PURR M FOR MURDER is a delightful start to a new series. Personable characters, charming cats (including an extra special one) a nefarious victim, and a slew of viable suspects make this first book in the cat Rescue Mystery series a winner.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
Book #23 Read in 2017
Purr M for Murder by T.C. LoTempio
This is a cozy mystery that cat fans will especially love. Syd moves back to her hometown and begins helping her sister, who runs the local animal shelter. Syd and Kat are planning a cat café event which will allow them to showcase cats available for adoption. A local man who is an opponent of the shelter turns up murdered and the two sisters head to the top of the suspect list. Syd, who always wanted to be Nancy Drew, begins her own investigation. Will she find the murderer or put herself in harm's way? Toby, her new cat, is a great character and cat lovers will enjoy him.
Purr M for Murder by T.C. LoTempio
This is a cozy mystery that cat fans will especially love. Syd moves back to her hometown and begins helping her sister, who runs the local animal shelter. Syd and Kat are planning a cat café event which will allow them to showcase cats available for adoption. A local man who is an opponent of the shelter turns up murdered and the two sisters head to the top of the suspect list. Syd, who always wanted to be Nancy Drew, begins her own investigation. Will she find the murderer or put herself in harm's way? Toby, her new cat, is a great character and cat lovers will enjoy him.
raeanne's review against another edition
4.0
RI'm back to review Purr M for Muder by T.C. Lotempio, the first book in her new Cat Rescue mysteries. The first book I've read by Lotempio was Nick & Nora's third book, Crime and Catnip. That was alright, though stretched my suspension of disbelief and didn't really grab me. The same cannot be said of Purr M for Murder.
I loved it! It's cute, fun, hilarious, great cast, the cats are adorable, helpful, and more down to Earth, and I didn't figure out the mystery until Sydney did.
↣Sydney actually does investigating on her own instead of being lead around by a cat with freakish abilities.
↣Love that they work in a shelter and talk about taking care of the animals.
↣I love Will the crush's return
↣Great that the detectives are bumbling around, capable of doing stuff, and do figure out plenty by themselves.
↣I love Sydney and Kat's sibling relationship.
↣I love Sydney and her roommate's friendship and hanging out. Roommates are that weird even as an adult, ya know!
↣Very enjoyable, easy, quick, with funny moments
If you love cozy mysteries, especially in small towns with cute kitties, Purr M for Murder would be perfect. Except it's continuation of the status quo. While there's no triggering content, people that aren't' straight and white won't find themselves among the cast and crew.
My only problem is the same as always with the cozy mystery genre: lack of diversity. What's a quick good time for me, is a reminder to many people they wouldn't be welcome. Instead of confronting problems and expanding the genre, it's the same ol' same old.
It's why I don't read many cozy mysteries anymore. Besides, the Blanche series I'm having a devil of a time finding more diverse cozies. If you have any recommendations, let me know!
I loved it! It's cute, fun, hilarious, great cast, the cats are adorable, helpful, and more down to Earth, and I didn't figure out the mystery until Sydney did.
↣Sydney actually does investigating on her own instead of being lead around by a cat with freakish abilities.
↣Love that they work in a shelter and talk about taking care of the animals.
↣I love Will the crush's return
↣Great that the detectives are bumbling around, capable of doing stuff, and do figure out plenty by themselves.
↣I love Sydney and Kat's sibling relationship.
↣I love Sydney and her roommate's friendship and hanging out. Roommates are that weird even as an adult, ya know!
↣Very enjoyable, easy, quick, with funny moments
If you love cozy mysteries, especially in small towns with cute kitties, Purr M for Murder would be perfect. Except it's continuation of the status quo. While there's no triggering content, people that aren't' straight and white won't find themselves among the cast and crew.
My only problem is the same as always with the cozy mystery genre: lack of diversity. What's a quick good time for me, is a reminder to many people they wouldn't be welcome. Instead of confronting problems and expanding the genre, it's the same ol' same old.
It's why I don't read many cozy mysteries anymore. Besides, the Blanche series I'm having a devil of a time finding more diverse cozies. If you have any recommendations, let me know!
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed the story and her writing style. The story had a nice even pace that just kept me reading to see what would happen next. She has written likable protagonists in sisters Sydney and Kate McCall. There is a secondary cast of shop owners that round out the characters nicely. I thought Toby made he perfect feline sleuthing companion for Sydney. I liked the mystery and there were enough suspects to keep me guessing which also helped to keep me turning pages.
This was such an enjoyable read that I immediately requested the 2nd book in the series from my library.
This was such an enjoyable read that I immediately requested the 2nd book in the series from my library.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
Book #23 Read in 2017
Purr M for Murder by T.C. LoTempio
This is a cozy mystery that cat fans will especially love. Syd moves back to her hometown and begins helping her sister, who runs the local animal shelter. Syd and Kat are planning a cat café event which will allow them to showcase cats available for adoption. A local man who is an opponent of the shelter turns up murdered and the two sisters head to the top of the suspect list. Syd, who always wanted to be Nancy Drew, begins her own investigation. Will she find the murderer or put herself in harm's way? Toby, her new cat, is a great character and cat lovers will enjoy him.
Purr M for Murder by T.C. LoTempio
This is a cozy mystery that cat fans will especially love. Syd moves back to her hometown and begins helping her sister, who runs the local animal shelter. Syd and Kat are planning a cat café event which will allow them to showcase cats available for adoption. A local man who is an opponent of the shelter turns up murdered and the two sisters head to the top of the suspect list. Syd, who always wanted to be Nancy Drew, begins her own investigation. Will she find the murderer or put herself in harm's way? Toby, her new cat, is a great character and cat lovers will enjoy him.
wildflowerz76's review
3.0
I picked up this one and it's sequel on the cheap during a Book Outlet sale. I'm always looking for a good cozy mystery series. This one was fine. I enjoyed reading it and it went quickly. I was annoyed at how the MC kept putting herself into dangerous situations, but that frequently happens in those type of books. In the end, I didn't love this one, but I liked it fine and will now read the next in the series since I picked it up at the same time.
lunifur's review against another edition
5.0
**I voluntarily reviewed this ARC**
A purr-fect start to a new series. Some parts were a bit predictable if you read a lot of cozies, but that didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The mystery was great, with every character a plausible suspect. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
A purr-fect start to a new series. Some parts were a bit predictable if you read a lot of cozies, but that didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The mystery was great, with every character a plausible suspect. I can't wait for the next book to come out.