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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
The Time for Murder is Meow is the debut of A Purr N’ Bark Pet Shop Mystery series. When Crishell “Shell” McMillan finds herself a person of interest in the murder of Amelia Witherspoon (think Wicked Witch of the West with white hair), Shell sets out to clear her name with help from her new friends. She believes her experience in playing a spy on Spy Anyone will come in handy. Shell talks to a variety of people around town gathering information and clues. This gives us a chance to meet the secondary characters and learn about Fox Hollow. Shell’s co-star, Gary Presser arrives in town and helps in solving the crime. Gary was my favorite character and he outshone Shell. He has a great personality and provides engaging humor. Purrday, Aunt Tillie’s cat, is a delight and I like how he communicates with Shell (cats have a way of telling us what they want). I like how Shell talks to Purrday and her cat, Kahlua. Kahlua acted in typical cat fashion when first introduced to Purrday—by hissing. I am glad that the author took the time to introduce the characters and the town (set the stage so to speak). Amelia Witherspoon was a disagreeable woman which leads to multiple suspects and misdirection. The clues were a little too on-the-nose which allows readers to pin down the guilty party early in the story. I enjoyed the movie references and how Shell would compare an individual to a movie character or actor. I liked the descriptions of Aunt Tillie’s collection and the Victorian home she left Shell. Detective Josh Bloodgood provides a potential romantic partner for Shell. The Time for Murder is Meow is a lighthearted cozy mystery with movie memorabilia, a wicked victim, bewitching brew, a gregarious co-star, playful Purrday, and one anxious actress.
zaineylaney's review
4.0
I love murder mysteries, especially how fast and easy they are to read. I have read mysteries based on cats before, but this one seems so adorable and well thought out. I tend to guess the endings most of the time but this time I really didn't guess "who dun it!"
Really can't wait to continue reading these characters and this series. Hope there is more!
For this book in particular, there was a wide range of characters to keep you entertained but the ending did not leave you confused with plot holes. That is super important for a mystery for sure. The way the cat "assists" with the solving is both intentional but also lets you wonder if it is coincidence. Definitely recommend if you like easy murder mysteries!
I received this title in order to review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Really can't wait to continue reading these characters and this series. Hope there is more!
For this book in particular, there was a wide range of characters to keep you entertained but the ending did not leave you confused with plot holes. That is super important for a mystery for sure. The way the cat "assists" with the solving is both intentional but also lets you wonder if it is coincidence. Definitely recommend if you like easy murder mysteries!
I received this title in order to review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
thephdivabooks's review
4.0
I’m three for three on cat-themed cozies in the past month and I couldn’t be happier!
Two felines and their owner Shell help discover the identity of a killer amidst local politics, small-town gossip, and a cast of wacky townsfolk. Adorable, fun, and a great read to escape the trouble of life!
At merely 38 years-old, TV actress Shell McMillan retires from Hollywood after her show is cancelled. Mourning the death of her aunt, Shell moves to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to take over the management of her aunt’s pet shop, Purr N’ Bark. Shell loves animals, and after inheriting her aunt’s cat, she has two cats of her own—Kalhua and Purrday.
As Shell gets to work setting up for the grand re-opening of Purr N’ Bark, she also begins investigating why the board of the local museum refuse to display items from her aunt’s Cary Grant movie poster collection. Given the prestige of this collection, Shell is certain that something else is underlying the decision.
When one of the board members Amelia Witherspoon is murdered, Shell’s suspicions seem to be confirmed. There is something going on with the board of the museum and she needs to get to the bottom of it. That is easier said than done though when Shell becomes the number one suspect in the murder after reports of her argument with the victim surface.
Amidst the WASP-y townsfolk and local drama, the town of Fox Hall is actually quite charming and fun to read about. Shell is a fantastic leading character. From the outset, she might seem as though she could be tough to connect with given her fame, beauty, and fortune. But I found Shell to be intelligent, confident without being arrogant, and generous!
The characters in this novel are all so well-developed and fun to read about, from the new people she meets in Fox Hall to her former co-star Gary. There’s even a potential love interest in the local detective that promises to carry over into future installments! Each character truly adds to the story and they were surprisingly well-developed for a first book.
I loved that the book was kept light and humorous despite the murder (though given the title I should have expected the humor!). The two cats were fun additions to the story and will definitely appear in the future books. Altogether a fun read and an intriguing mystery that had me excited each time I got to dive back in!
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Midnight Ink for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Two felines and their owner Shell help discover the identity of a killer amidst local politics, small-town gossip, and a cast of wacky townsfolk. Adorable, fun, and a great read to escape the trouble of life!
At merely 38 years-old, TV actress Shell McMillan retires from Hollywood after her show is cancelled. Mourning the death of her aunt, Shell moves to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to take over the management of her aunt’s pet shop, Purr N’ Bark. Shell loves animals, and after inheriting her aunt’s cat, she has two cats of her own—Kalhua and Purrday.
As Shell gets to work setting up for the grand re-opening of Purr N’ Bark, she also begins investigating why the board of the local museum refuse to display items from her aunt’s Cary Grant movie poster collection. Given the prestige of this collection, Shell is certain that something else is underlying the decision.
When one of the board members Amelia Witherspoon is murdered, Shell’s suspicions seem to be confirmed. There is something going on with the board of the museum and she needs to get to the bottom of it. That is easier said than done though when Shell becomes the number one suspect in the murder after reports of her argument with the victim surface.
Amidst the WASP-y townsfolk and local drama, the town of Fox Hall is actually quite charming and fun to read about. Shell is a fantastic leading character. From the outset, she might seem as though she could be tough to connect with given her fame, beauty, and fortune. But I found Shell to be intelligent, confident without being arrogant, and generous!
The characters in this novel are all so well-developed and fun to read about, from the new people she meets in Fox Hall to her former co-star Gary. There’s even a potential love interest in the local detective that promises to carry over into future installments! Each character truly adds to the story and they were surprisingly well-developed for a first book.
I loved that the book was kept light and humorous despite the murder (though given the title I should have expected the humor!). The two cats were fun additions to the story and will definitely appear in the future books. Altogether a fun read and an intriguing mystery that had me excited each time I got to dive back in!
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Midnight Ink for my copy. Opinions are my own.
holly_keimig's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! I happened to see it on a display at my library and picked it up on a whim and I am very glad I did. I hope there are more in the series. Shell is a former actress that finds herself running away from the craziness of Hollywood and the quiet comfort of her recently-deceased aunt's small-town pet shop-the Purr N' Bark. She and her cat, Kahlua, are just settling in when everything goes wrong and she becomes the main suspect in a murder and finds herself with a second feline friend-Purrday. Well-written characters, a plot that will keep you guessing until the final few pages, and a fun setting you won't want to leave are just three reasons to pick this one up. I will likely staff recommend this one!
kimlb's review
3.0
I had a difficult time getting into this book in the beginning. The addition of the Gary character helped tremendously and I'm glad that moving forward it seems he'll be a regular fixture in the series.
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pawspagesandpurrs's review
4.0
***ARC provided by Netgalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review***
I do have to say that the cover with the two cats and the title are definitely what got me requesting this book but before i did it, I read the synopsis and i was sold on it. I'm so glad i was approved for it, too. I enjoyed this fast read a whole lot. The writing, the pacing, the characters and the plot are all very well done.
Cozy Mysteries like this is what I'm looking for lately to come out of my almost exclusive fantasy home library and The time For Murder is Meow definitely didn't disappoint in that and it makes me want to read more from this author and I am looking forward to more in this series and more. My favorite character has to be, of course, Purrday who could well be a detective himself. So funny, too.
Also, the writing, the town's descriptions, the characters' development and the pacing of the story has got me not want to put it down but as I read in my downtime, I didn't have much choice and it took me longer to finish reading. A little town/community like this makes me wish i could live in a place like that for sure. What with welcoming and friendly residents and the all around good feeling and everyone knowing everybody.
I do have to say that the cover with the two cats and the title are definitely what got me requesting this book but before i did it, I read the synopsis and i was sold on it. I'm so glad i was approved for it, too. I enjoyed this fast read a whole lot. The writing, the pacing, the characters and the plot are all very well done.
Cozy Mysteries like this is what I'm looking for lately to come out of my almost exclusive fantasy home library and The time For Murder is Meow definitely didn't disappoint in that and it makes me want to read more from this author and I am looking forward to more in this series and more. My favorite character has to be, of course, Purrday who could well be a detective himself. So funny, too.
Also, the writing, the town's descriptions, the characters' development and the pacing of the story has got me not want to put it down but as I read in my downtime, I didn't have much choice and it took me longer to finish reading. A little town/community like this makes me wish i could live in a place like that for sure. What with welcoming and friendly residents and the all around good feeling and everyone knowing everybody.
katreader's review
4.0
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW by T. C. LoTempio
The First Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery
Inheriting her aunt's home and popular pet store was just the opportunity Crishell McMillan was looking for. With her popular TV series cancelled and no desire to join the reboot, she's ready to retire to a quiet life in Fox Hollow. Shell receives a warm welcome from several of the town's business owners and discovers she has a roommate as well, a charming Persian named Purrday, much to the dismay of her own cat, Kahlua. Not everyone in town is friendly though, especially Amelia Witherspoon, who has a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, and not just in appearance. Within forty eight hours of arriving, Shell managers to anger a good portion of the museum board, finds herself getting bad press from the town's newspaper editor, and becomes a person of interest in the murder of Amelia, the museum board member who had a feud with Shell's aunt. In order to start fresh and re-open Purr N Bark without any hint of scandal, and perhaps pursue a relationship with a gorgeous detective, Shell gathers her friends to figure out who actually killed the wicked witch.
The Purr and Bark Pet Shop Mystery series is off to a great start. I felt an immediate bond with most of the characters and loved spending time getting to know them. Shell McMillan is down to earth and completely real, despite being a successful Hollywood actress. She's friendly, honest, and determined, yet can get angry and act rashly. Her desire to resolve matters oftentimes gets her in more trouble! I especially love the unexpected arrival of her former co-star. She and Gary continue to make a great team. I look forward to the upcoming romance between Shell and Josh. Of course, Purrday, Kahlua, and Rocco are wonderful additions, smart cats and a lovable goofball of a dog are perfect assets to a cozy mystery.
This book would have received my highest rating, except for two things. The author gave a significant clue leading me to know the identity of the murderer early on. However, I considered it may have been a red herring and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. The flaw for me was when the killer suddenly becomes crazy. The rational murderer with a solid motive who at the end of the mystery is now described as being crazy is a major pet peeve of mine. Still, I absolutely loved everything else in the book!
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW is a fantastic start to a new series. Entertaining, smart, and funny, the Purr N Bark series has wormed its way into my heart and I can't wait to spend more time with its residents!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery
Inheriting her aunt's home and popular pet store was just the opportunity Crishell McMillan was looking for. With her popular TV series cancelled and no desire to join the reboot, she's ready to retire to a quiet life in Fox Hollow. Shell receives a warm welcome from several of the town's business owners and discovers she has a roommate as well, a charming Persian named Purrday, much to the dismay of her own cat, Kahlua. Not everyone in town is friendly though, especially Amelia Witherspoon, who has a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, and not just in appearance. Within forty eight hours of arriving, Shell managers to anger a good portion of the museum board, finds herself getting bad press from the town's newspaper editor, and becomes a person of interest in the murder of Amelia, the museum board member who had a feud with Shell's aunt. In order to start fresh and re-open Purr N Bark without any hint of scandal, and perhaps pursue a relationship with a gorgeous detective, Shell gathers her friends to figure out who actually killed the wicked witch.
The Purr and Bark Pet Shop Mystery series is off to a great start. I felt an immediate bond with most of the characters and loved spending time getting to know them. Shell McMillan is down to earth and completely real, despite being a successful Hollywood actress. She's friendly, honest, and determined, yet can get angry and act rashly. Her desire to resolve matters oftentimes gets her in more trouble! I especially love the unexpected arrival of her former co-star. She and Gary continue to make a great team. I look forward to the upcoming romance between Shell and Josh. Of course, Purrday, Kahlua, and Rocco are wonderful additions, smart cats and a lovable goofball of a dog are perfect assets to a cozy mystery.
This book would have received my highest rating, except for two things. The author gave a significant clue leading me to know the identity of the murderer early on. However, I considered it may have been a red herring and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. The flaw for me was when the killer suddenly becomes crazy. The rational murderer with a solid motive who at the end of the mystery is now described as being crazy is a major pet peeve of mine. Still, I absolutely loved everything else in the book!
THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW is a fantastic start to a new series. Entertaining, smart, and funny, the Purr N Bark series has wormed its way into my heart and I can't wait to spend more time with its residents!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
thisandthatwithkaren's review
4.0
The Time for Murder is Meow -" A Purr N' Bark Pet Shop Mystery" by T. C. LoTempio, is a good start to a new mystery series .
Being a cat lover I am always drawn to mysteries involving one or two felines, and I wasn't disappointed.
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?
Protagonist Shell is hardworking, very likeable plus all the characters are well developed and, Kahlua and Purrday, (the cats) were adorable.. I enjoyed the setting of Fox Hollow, Connecticut.
The mystery was well plotted and there were just enough twists and turns ad red herrings to keep me interested. I Figured out whodunit before Shell and for once I was correct.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring cats. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
Being a cat lover I am always drawn to mysteries involving one or two felines, and I wasn't disappointed.
Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?
Protagonist Shell is hardworking, very likeable plus all the characters are well developed and, Kahlua and Purrday, (the cats) were adorable.. I enjoyed the setting of Fox Hollow, Connecticut.
The mystery was well plotted and there were just enough twists and turns ad red herrings to keep me interested. I Figured out whodunit before Shell and for once I was correct.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring cats. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.