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Whales and Tails #1
Romeow and Juliet
Romeow and Juliet is the first in a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.
In the first installment to the series, Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.
Meanwhile, Romeo, a stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see?
In the first installment to the series, Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.
Meanwhile, Romeo, a stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see?
204 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
912 people are currently reading
1412 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Daley
335 books1,765 followersKathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.
Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.
Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am a late arrival to the Kathi Daley party. I see all her books on Facebook and have helped her promote a few of them but she writes and published so fast that for someone like me that likes to read series books in order it would take me awhile to catch up. When I saw she was debuting a new series I knew it was my chance to get in on the festivities.
Caitlin Hart is a character I can identify with immediately. She loves animals just like I do and she takes it to a whole new level by helping her aunt run the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. She is working to open a coffee and bookstore with her best friend, Tara, that will also feature cats for adoption. She also has a dog of her own that goes almost everywhere with her.
In addition to Cait, her aunt and Tara the island has a wonderful group of very interesting residents, including 2 very special felines, Romeow and Juliet who seem just destined to be together.
While Cait and Tara are checking out the place that will become home to Coffee Cat Books they make a shocking discovery that may set back their plans for quite some time.
Kathi Daley has given us everything needed for a great cozy mystery. A small island setting, wonderful human and animal characters, small town politics and issues facing big town outsiders and a very “cativating” whodunit too!
I think I read this story in record time and then quickly downloaded book #2, The Mad Catter which I will be reading and reviewing soon. Grimm’s Furry Tail (Whales and Tails Mystery Book 3) is being released March 15 and I will be ready for it. This is one Kathi Daley Series I am going to stay on top of. I am also going to work her other books into my reading schedule as soon as I can!
February 24, 2022
This was OK, the main character was nice, smart, athletic. Her best friend and business partner has a weight problem. As for the other tropes that this short book checks off, cat rescue, dog owner, works at a bookshop/cafe checks off two boxes, foodie, and old boyfriend returns to town.
The mystery itself was decent enough. I might try one more book in the series to see if it stays so generic or hopefully starts a path just its own.
The mystery itself was decent enough. I might try one more book in the series to see if it stays so generic or hopefully starts a path just its own.
February 1, 2015
A wonderful beginning to a new cozy series! The setting--a beautiful San Juan island--is like paradise. Caitlin Hart and her best friend, Tara, need a loan to purchase an old cannery and turn it into a coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge/reading room. However, outside developers want to build condos there and destroy the islands quiet and natural state. Cait's Aunt Maggie is running for an island council seat, and not feeling well. A next door neighbor is upset because a large gray tomcat, Romeo, that's taken in by Caitlin, is playing Casanova to her purebred Persian, Juliet! The murder mystery is really good, and the cast of characters interesting. I'm anxious to see what happens in the second book!!
January 19, 2015
A purrfect start to a new series.
Author Kathi Daley once again proves she has what it takes to write a wonderful story. This first book in her new Whales & Tails Mystery series has set the stage for what is sure to be a long running series.
In ROMEOW & JULIET, Daley mixed just the right amount of fun and intrigue to keep me turning the pages. Her characters are delightful, as are many of the situations they find themselves in. I laughed out loud at some of the things her lead character, Caitlin got into.
My heart was won over by the idea of the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. Any story with a love for animals has my attention. And then having Caitlin and her best friend, Tara wanting to open a coffee bar/bookstore…Ms. Daley had me completely hooked.
Also included are recipes, some from the author and others collected from readers. There is even one for cats!
Author Kathi Daley once again proves she has what it takes to write a wonderful story. This first book in her new Whales & Tails Mystery series has set the stage for what is sure to be a long running series.
In ROMEOW & JULIET, Daley mixed just the right amount of fun and intrigue to keep me turning the pages. Her characters are delightful, as are many of the situations they find themselves in. I laughed out loud at some of the things her lead character, Caitlin got into.
My heart was won over by the idea of the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. Any story with a love for animals has my attention. And then having Caitlin and her best friend, Tara wanting to open a coffee bar/bookstore…Ms. Daley had me completely hooked.
Also included are recipes, some from the author and others collected from readers. There is even one for cats!
April 6, 2015
What a delightful, fast paced, and fun reading experience.
For a short book it is LOADED with action. My first impression on beginning the book was that I could tell writing comes very easy and natural to the author. The story was put together very well and was a book hard to put down.
I really enjoyed the characters and grew to like them all, even the ones who were on the suspect list. The author did a great job in having the reader feel compassion and feelings for the characters.
Our main character, Cait, living in an island town, has a dog, loves cats, has an adoption rescue center for abandoned kitties needing a forever-home and in addition, wants to start a Cat Cafe Shop, that will allow customers who come in to get a cup of Joe and take a look at the kitties up for adoption at the same time. Though the cats are to be separated from the cafe shop by glass for hygiene issues. Cait is a very likable character. She visits and takes care of her elderly neighbors as well as her Aunt Maggie.
There is no love interest at first but as the book progresses a high school sweetheart comes to town, in addition to that, a man who works at the local bank who is as filling in for his brother catches her eye later on. She has some good choices. Both men are very likable. I look forward to seeing where her choices take her with these guys.
I loved the town, the people, the love possibilities, the cats and this book has made me a big fan of the author, Kathi Daley.
The only thing I felt disappointed in, was that the ending felt a bit rushed. Things happened a little too quickly, when I would like to have known more, heard more about other things but the end came way too fast. I hope future books can be a bit longer. The authors writing skills deserve that. She painted everything so beautifully.
Now its on to book 2, The Mad Catter. I know I am going to love the rest of the books in this series and just hope the author will continue on with incorporating the cats. I am not a dog person per say, so its refreshing to have a book so involved with my feline fur buddies.
I give this book 5 stars, even with a rushed ending.
This book was given to me free for my honest review.
For a short book it is LOADED with action. My first impression on beginning the book was that I could tell writing comes very easy and natural to the author. The story was put together very well and was a book hard to put down.
I really enjoyed the characters and grew to like them all, even the ones who were on the suspect list. The author did a great job in having the reader feel compassion and feelings for the characters.
Our main character, Cait, living in an island town, has a dog, loves cats, has an adoption rescue center for abandoned kitties needing a forever-home and in addition, wants to start a Cat Cafe Shop, that will allow customers who come in to get a cup of Joe and take a look at the kitties up for adoption at the same time. Though the cats are to be separated from the cafe shop by glass for hygiene issues. Cait is a very likable character. She visits and takes care of her elderly neighbors as well as her Aunt Maggie.
There is no love interest at first but as the book progresses a high school sweetheart comes to town, in addition to that, a man who works at the local bank who is as filling in for his brother catches her eye later on. She has some good choices. Both men are very likable. I look forward to seeing where her choices take her with these guys.
I loved the town, the people, the love possibilities, the cats and this book has made me a big fan of the author, Kathi Daley.
The only thing I felt disappointed in, was that the ending felt a bit rushed. Things happened a little too quickly, when I would like to have known more, heard more about other things but the end came way too fast. I hope future books can be a bit longer. The authors writing skills deserve that. She painted everything so beautifully.
Now its on to book 2, The Mad Catter. I know I am going to love the rest of the books in this series and just hope the author will continue on with incorporating the cats. I am not a dog person per say, so its refreshing to have a book so involved with my feline fur buddies.
I give this book 5 stars, even with a rushed ending.
This book was given to me free for my honest review.
January 16, 2015
Caitlin Hart loves animals, She and her aunt Maggie live on Madrona Island off the coast of Washington State. She owns a lovable dog named Max and helps her aunt run a Cat Sanctuary on her property where they foster feral and lost cats until they are able to go to forever homes. Cait and her best friend, Tara go to the bank to try to acquire a loan to open "Coffee Cat Books "A coffee/book shop and Cait also has ideas on putting the cat sanctuary cats on display for adoption.
While going to check out what was once the islands "Cannery" and the new home of "Coffee Cat Book" Cait and Tara stumble upon the body of a member of the island council. With a proposal of new homes on the island needing to be voted on the whole island is on pins and needles with people for and against the project. It is revealed that the council member is murdered.
On top of all this a cat named Romeo has followed Cait home, she welcomes the cat into the cat sanctuary but worries about her neighbor, Francine. Francine owns a show cat, Juliet (how ironic is that name?) and does not want any of the cat sanctuary cats wandering onto her property. But being the sneaky cat he is Romeo finds his way to Juliet and mayhem between neighbours ensues. Aunt Maggie has not been well for some time and ventures off to Seattle to the doctor, with that and wanting to help solve the murder Cait has alot more that cat food on her plate.
Kathi Daley's characters are real, down to earth and you always want to be their friend. Cait like Zoe in her Zoe Donovan Mysteries was no exception. There's a real sense of Community on Madrona Island, Kathi's writing makes you want to visit where she intends to take you with her writing style she fully captures the picturesque scenes as the play out in my mind while I was reading. Being a cat lover I knew this book and this series was for me but you don't need to be a animal fan to enjoy it. Cait's impulsive and often nervousness around a certain man who works at the bank was comical and he interactions with her neighbor Francine in dealing with the cats put a smile on my face. Great start to a brand new series.
May 4, 2015
Caitlin Hart helps her aunt run the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary on Madrona Island. Cait and her friend Tara are planning to open their own business called Coffee Cat Books where part of their café will be set up to adopt cats. First, they need to find the perfect location and then they need to get a loan.
As they shop for a location, Cait and her canine best friend Max stumble upon a dead body. Although the location is perfect for their business, all thoughts of opening up a café there get pushed aside as Cait and her friends search for a murderer. To add to their urgency, Cait’s aunt is suffering from an illness, which means Cait needs to help her out more. To say Cait has her hands full is putting it mildly.
Then, a stray cat named Romeow follows her home. Cait and Max are more than welcoming to their new feline friend, but Romeow is quite taken with an influential neighbor’s beautiful cat Juliet. The problem? Juliet is an expensive show cat and the neighbor doesn’t want a stray anywhere near her. It’s up to Cait to find a way to keep the cats apart.
Of course the fun doesn’t stop there for our amateur sleuth. An old flame returns to town to throw a monkey wrench into the works. Not to mention that Cait finds herself attracted to a new town resident, who she happens to think is a killer. Yes, Cait has many things to deal with these days.
Cait is a fun heroine, although she’s also one of those heroines who sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong. The main mystery is solved in this book, but there are a couple of loose ends that will carry over into the next book.
The idea of a coffee/books/cat adoption café intrigues me. I’ve heard of them in real life but haven’t seen one for myself. I can’t wait to see how it works out in the books. I was a bit surprised that Cait has a dog for a best friend. I love all animals, including dogs, but with her business being about cats and even her aunt’s business being about cats, I would think she’d have a couple of her own. No matter, I loved seeing Romeow drive her crazy. I would have liked more cat interaction though, but I love cats and would probably be happiest if the book was 100% about cats. LOL That's just a personal issue :)
The secondary characters all have great potential and I look forward to learning more about them. The mystery itself could have gone in several different directions. I wasn’t really expecting it to turn out the way it did – which is a good thing. Always keep readers guessing to the end :)
Overall, this is a light-hearted, quick read. A solid introduction to this new series and, for me, a great introduction to Kathi Daley's books. I've been wanting to read them for awhile. She has a couple of other cozy mystery series out, too, that are on my TBR.
As they shop for a location, Cait and her canine best friend Max stumble upon a dead body. Although the location is perfect for their business, all thoughts of opening up a café there get pushed aside as Cait and her friends search for a murderer. To add to their urgency, Cait’s aunt is suffering from an illness, which means Cait needs to help her out more. To say Cait has her hands full is putting it mildly.
Then, a stray cat named Romeow follows her home. Cait and Max are more than welcoming to their new feline friend, but Romeow is quite taken with an influential neighbor’s beautiful cat Juliet. The problem? Juliet is an expensive show cat and the neighbor doesn’t want a stray anywhere near her. It’s up to Cait to find a way to keep the cats apart.
Of course the fun doesn’t stop there for our amateur sleuth. An old flame returns to town to throw a monkey wrench into the works. Not to mention that Cait finds herself attracted to a new town resident, who she happens to think is a killer. Yes, Cait has many things to deal with these days.
Cait is a fun heroine, although she’s also one of those heroines who sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong. The main mystery is solved in this book, but there are a couple of loose ends that will carry over into the next book.
The idea of a coffee/books/cat adoption café intrigues me. I’ve heard of them in real life but haven’t seen one for myself. I can’t wait to see how it works out in the books. I was a bit surprised that Cait has a dog for a best friend. I love all animals, including dogs, but with her business being about cats and even her aunt’s business being about cats, I would think she’d have a couple of her own. No matter, I loved seeing Romeow drive her crazy. I would have liked more cat interaction though, but I love cats and would probably be happiest if the book was 100% about cats. LOL That's just a personal issue :)
The secondary characters all have great potential and I look forward to learning more about them. The mystery itself could have gone in several different directions. I wasn’t really expecting it to turn out the way it did – which is a good thing. Always keep readers guessing to the end :)
Overall, this is a light-hearted, quick read. A solid introduction to this new series and, for me, a great introduction to Kathi Daley's books. I've been wanting to read them for awhile. She has a couple of other cozy mystery series out, too, that are on my TBR.
January 5, 2015
Romeow and Juliet is the first book in a new series written by Kathi Daley.
Her new series, Whales and Tails Mystery, is another winner in my opinion.
Caitlin Hart lives on Madrona Island, off the coast of Washington State. She lives on land owned by her aunt Maggie and helps her aunt run a cat sanctuary. She has plans to open a store with her friend, Tara, named Coffee Cat Books where the community can get together to relax, read and hopefully find the perfect cat to add to their family. While Cait and Tara are checking out the property where they want the store to be, they find a dead body. It happens to be the body of a member of council. There is a big project proposal that needs to be voted on, and now that one member of council has passed away, the outcome of the vote on the proposal may not go the way many residents want it to. Could that be the reason for the murder, to get the project approved?
Not only does Cait need to try to figure out the mystery of the death, she also has to deal with a new cat that has appeared in her life. Romeow is a stray cat that has followed her home. She does not mind him living with her, but she knows that her neighbor will be very upset if the stray makes it into her yard and visits her prize winning cat, Juliet. But as all cat owners know, cats have a way of doing what they want when they want and of course Romeow wants to be with Juliet. That is sure to create problems for Cait.
As in all of Kathi Daley’s books, the characters are well developed and very realistic. Cait is impulsive and a lot of times does things without really thinking of the consequences. This leads to some very humorous situations that she finds herself in. There are places in the book where I laughed out loud and just shook my head. I already feel like I know these characters and enjoy spending time with them, even though this is the first book in the series. The setting is well described and it is very easy to picture the places while reading. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy with likable characters and a small town feel. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Her new series, Whales and Tails Mystery, is another winner in my opinion.
Caitlin Hart lives on Madrona Island, off the coast of Washington State. She lives on land owned by her aunt Maggie and helps her aunt run a cat sanctuary. She has plans to open a store with her friend, Tara, named Coffee Cat Books where the community can get together to relax, read and hopefully find the perfect cat to add to their family. While Cait and Tara are checking out the property where they want the store to be, they find a dead body. It happens to be the body of a member of council. There is a big project proposal that needs to be voted on, and now that one member of council has passed away, the outcome of the vote on the proposal may not go the way many residents want it to. Could that be the reason for the murder, to get the project approved?
Not only does Cait need to try to figure out the mystery of the death, she also has to deal with a new cat that has appeared in her life. Romeow is a stray cat that has followed her home. She does not mind him living with her, but she knows that her neighbor will be very upset if the stray makes it into her yard and visits her prize winning cat, Juliet. But as all cat owners know, cats have a way of doing what they want when they want and of course Romeow wants to be with Juliet. That is sure to create problems for Cait.
As in all of Kathi Daley’s books, the characters are well developed and very realistic. Cait is impulsive and a lot of times does things without really thinking of the consequences. This leads to some very humorous situations that she finds herself in. There are places in the book where I laughed out loud and just shook my head. I already feel like I know these characters and enjoy spending time with them, even though this is the first book in the series. The setting is well described and it is very easy to picture the places while reading. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy with likable characters and a small town feel. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
January 30, 2015
First book in a new series by the author of the Zoe Donovan Mystery Series. Caitlin Hart lives on Madona Island and helps run the local cat sanctuary. She and her best friend, Tara, are looking to renovate the closed cannery factory for a new business that would incorporate a coffee bar, bookstore and meeting place, as well as a place to feature select numbers of adoptable cats from the sanctuary. But when the real estate agent fails to show for a walk through, they enter the unlocked door to the cannery and are horrified to find his murdered body inside. While this investigation moves forward, Cait learns that her aunt's off and on illnesses may actually be more nefarious. Are these incidents related and could they possibly be connected to the proposed condo development on the island, due to a vote by the town council. Cait is determined to investigate on her own, even if it means a threat to her own life. I enjoyed this new series and its delightfully quirky characters. I look forward to the next book in this series to find out more about their lives and ongoing relationships.
August 25, 2019
https://openbooksociety.com/article/r...
Title: Romeow and Juliet
Series: Whales and Tails
By: Kathi Daley
ISBN: 1503015483 (ISBN13: 9781503015487)
Author’s Website: http://www.kathidaley.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Romeow and Juliet is the first in a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt’s oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn’t working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.
In the first installment to the series Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.
Meanwhile, Romeo, as stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see? (Goodreads)
Review:
Romeow and Juliet is the first book in a new series written by Kathi Daley and surprisingly only the second book by Ms. Daley that I have read. Well, that will soon be remedied – I now have the first six books in this series. I really liked this story. It had all the makings of a good cozy mystery (mystery, interesting characters, a bit of romance) and most important – cute animals (okay, that is mostly for my interest – not really a prerequisite).
The story is set in the beautiful San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State (part of the United States), though the actual town and island are fictional. Cait (Caitlin Hart) works with her aunt at the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. Well, actually – would you consider it work…I know I wouldn’t ☺.
Cait and her friend, Tara, are reviewing a property (the old cannery) to be the site for their new business -> Coffee Cat Books – a coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge. While wandering around the cannery, Cait’s dog, Max, sniffs out a dead body – that of Keith Weaver, the real estate agent. Given that Cait wanted to purchase the property, she has used some interesting philosophy with respect to wanting to solve the murder:
“Tara turned to look at me. “And why on earth would you think it was up to us to figure out who killed Keith Weaver?”
I turned the key and prayed my old clunker of a car would start.
“We found his body,” I pointed out. “That’s like a sign from the universe that we’re supposed to be involved.
Tara rolled down her window. “I have to say your logic is … well, illogical.”
“No, it’s not. I argued. “It’s like that thing where if you save someone’s life you’re responsible for them. Likewise, if you find a dead body you’re responsible for finding out how the person died.”
“You’re insane. You know that, right?”
So, with this theory, Cait starts to enlist her brother and other islanders into the process of solving Keith’s murder. I must say, Cait’s thought process is unusual to say the least. And where she leaps to is quite entertaining. It seemed that at every turn Cait was wanting to pin this dastardly deed to Camden Bradford (the new district manager at the bank and individual that Cait totally embarrassed herself to – that story is definitely chuckle worth so I shall let you read about it yourself).
As the story progresses, Cait ends up with a couple more mysteries to solve along the way. At times they seemed very much entwined and then the clues negate that theory… until more clues (and Cait’s logic) sway the reader into believing they are tangled up together again.
I must say that there are some interesting sparks between Cait and Camden going on and I can’t wait to see where they might lead in future books in the series. Or are there sparks between Cait and her ex Cody? At least Cait has a couple of romantic possibilities.
I like to keep guessing as to whodunit in my cozy mysteries, at least until the end. I am happy to report that while I had some ideas, nothing really stuck out and gave it away until the very end. The cover art is very cute. I could totally see Romeo beckoning to his Juliet ☺ Okay, off now to carry on with the next book in the Whales and Tails series – The Mad Catter.
Title: Romeow and Juliet
Series: Whales and Tails
By: Kathi Daley
ISBN: 1503015483 (ISBN13: 9781503015487)
Author’s Website: http://www.kathidaley.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Romeow and Juliet is the first in a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt’s oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn’t working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.
In the first installment to the series Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.
Meanwhile, Romeo, as stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see? (Goodreads)
Review:
Romeow and Juliet is the first book in a new series written by Kathi Daley and surprisingly only the second book by Ms. Daley that I have read. Well, that will soon be remedied – I now have the first six books in this series. I really liked this story. It had all the makings of a good cozy mystery (mystery, interesting characters, a bit of romance) and most important – cute animals (okay, that is mostly for my interest – not really a prerequisite).
The story is set in the beautiful San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State (part of the United States), though the actual town and island are fictional. Cait (Caitlin Hart) works with her aunt at the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. Well, actually – would you consider it work…I know I wouldn’t ☺.
Cait and her friend, Tara, are reviewing a property (the old cannery) to be the site for their new business -> Coffee Cat Books – a coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge. While wandering around the cannery, Cait’s dog, Max, sniffs out a dead body – that of Keith Weaver, the real estate agent. Given that Cait wanted to purchase the property, she has used some interesting philosophy with respect to wanting to solve the murder:
“Tara turned to look at me. “And why on earth would you think it was up to us to figure out who killed Keith Weaver?”
I turned the key and prayed my old clunker of a car would start.
“We found his body,” I pointed out. “That’s like a sign from the universe that we’re supposed to be involved.
Tara rolled down her window. “I have to say your logic is … well, illogical.”
“No, it’s not. I argued. “It’s like that thing where if you save someone’s life you’re responsible for them. Likewise, if you find a dead body you’re responsible for finding out how the person died.”
“You’re insane. You know that, right?”
So, with this theory, Cait starts to enlist her brother and other islanders into the process of solving Keith’s murder. I must say, Cait’s thought process is unusual to say the least. And where she leaps to is quite entertaining. It seemed that at every turn Cait was wanting to pin this dastardly deed to Camden Bradford (the new district manager at the bank and individual that Cait totally embarrassed herself to – that story is definitely chuckle worth so I shall let you read about it yourself).
As the story progresses, Cait ends up with a couple more mysteries to solve along the way. At times they seemed very much entwined and then the clues negate that theory… until more clues (and Cait’s logic) sway the reader into believing they are tangled up together again.
I must say that there are some interesting sparks between Cait and Camden going on and I can’t wait to see where they might lead in future books in the series. Or are there sparks between Cait and her ex Cody? At least Cait has a couple of romantic possibilities.
I like to keep guessing as to whodunit in my cozy mysteries, at least until the end. I am happy to report that while I had some ideas, nothing really stuck out and gave it away until the very end. The cover art is very cute. I could totally see Romeo beckoning to his Juliet ☺ Okay, off now to carry on with the next book in the Whales and Tails series – The Mad Catter.
June 24, 2021
I love the setting of a bookshop, coffee bar, and cat cafe all in one. When can I move in? This was a quick read coming in at under 200 pages. I found the ending to be quite abrupt and felt like a lot of questions were left unanswered. This could be a strategy to keep readers interested in reading the second book, but I like for my cozy mysteries to also be able to stand alone. There was a fairly triggering moment of fat phobia that dropped my rating a full star. Otherwise, I liked the characters, and the setting. I did figure out the murderer which brings my average of solving the mysteries up to 38%.
January 11, 2015
A winner for sure
I just finished Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley and I loved it. The characters are down to earth and someone you would want for a friend. Cait helps Maggie with a cat sanctuary which happens to border very close to the property line between Maggie and Francine's property. Maggie and Francine used to be best friends but some unknown tiff has now left them not speaking to each other.
After a visit to the local witches, one of the told Cait's to watch for Romeo. Cait's thought that was odd but while heading home, she noticed a cat following her. He seemed to be good with people and likes Max the dog, so Cait's bring him in her house. Now, Francine has a beautiful white cat named Juluet, whom Francine is hoping to breed with another pure bred. However, Romeo has a different idea and starts courting Juliet. Francine is not happy over that but who can stop true love.
Cait and her best friend Tara are working on opening up a cafe known as Coffee Cat Cafe where the cats from the sanctuary will be highlighted to see about getting them adopted. When they go to visit the property, Cait's dog, Max starts sniffing around and finds a dead body. Let the investigation begin........
Along with the first murder, Maggie seems to be getting sick. She'll get well for a couple of days and then go even more down hill. Can't finally talks Maggie into going to Seattle where Cait's sister Siobhan lives. The news is not good. Maggie is being poisoned with arsenic.
And the adventure continues in this small town where everyone knows your business and you know theirs. A fun read with cats and gorgeous men.
I just finished Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley and I loved it. The characters are down to earth and someone you would want for a friend. Cait helps Maggie with a cat sanctuary which happens to border very close to the property line between Maggie and Francine's property. Maggie and Francine used to be best friends but some unknown tiff has now left them not speaking to each other.
After a visit to the local witches, one of the told Cait's to watch for Romeo. Cait's thought that was odd but while heading home, she noticed a cat following her. He seemed to be good with people and likes Max the dog, so Cait's bring him in her house. Now, Francine has a beautiful white cat named Juluet, whom Francine is hoping to breed with another pure bred. However, Romeo has a different idea and starts courting Juliet. Francine is not happy over that but who can stop true love.
Cait and her best friend Tara are working on opening up a cafe known as Coffee Cat Cafe where the cats from the sanctuary will be highlighted to see about getting them adopted. When they go to visit the property, Cait's dog, Max starts sniffing around and finds a dead body. Let the investigation begin........
Along with the first murder, Maggie seems to be getting sick. She'll get well for a couple of days and then go even more down hill. Can't finally talks Maggie into going to Seattle where Cait's sister Siobhan lives. The news is not good. Maggie is being poisoned with arsenic.
And the adventure continues in this small town where everyone knows your business and you know theirs. A fun read with cats and gorgeous men.
January 1, 2015
Kindle Copy for Review
Kathi Daley new cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. Keeping her love for heroines who love animals, she sets the stage against the backdrop against whales with cats and dogs intertwined.
Our heroine this time is Caitlin Hart a fourth generation island who struggles to keep a float in a small island who relies on tourism. She lives in a small cabin on her aunt’s oceanfront estate while she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary and when she is not there she can be found help running operate a coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge with her best friend Tara, named Coffee Cat Books.
Looking to expand Coffee Cat Books , Cait and Tara meets with a real estate to see an old fish cannery that is no longer in use. Not finding the realtor, they notice the door is slightly open and decide to enter thinking the realtor might be inside. As they look around and make measurements while they are present.
When Cait searches for her dog Max who came with them, she finds Max has discovered a dead man. Cait finds herself digging into the death which might also leads her to a new relationship or an old one rekindle from high school who has sudden return for the summer after years away.
She stumbles across a cat name Romeow along the way who follows her home. But Romeow wants his Juliet and she lives next door who is a prize winning Persian. Can she keep them away before the neighbor finds out and threaten Romeow’s life?
Kathi Daley new cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. Keeping her love for heroines who love animals, she sets the stage against the backdrop against whales with cats and dogs intertwined.
Our heroine this time is Caitlin Hart a fourth generation island who struggles to keep a float in a small island who relies on tourism. She lives in a small cabin on her aunt’s oceanfront estate while she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary and when she is not there she can be found help running operate a coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge with her best friend Tara, named Coffee Cat Books.
Looking to expand Coffee Cat Books , Cait and Tara meets with a real estate to see an old fish cannery that is no longer in use. Not finding the realtor, they notice the door is slightly open and decide to enter thinking the realtor might be inside. As they look around and make measurements while they are present.
When Cait searches for her dog Max who came with them, she finds Max has discovered a dead man. Cait finds herself digging into the death which might also leads her to a new relationship or an old one rekindle from high school who has sudden return for the summer after years away.
She stumbles across a cat name Romeow along the way who follows her home. But Romeow wants his Juliet and she lives next door who is a prize winning Persian. Can she keep them away before the neighbor finds out and threaten Romeow’s life?
January 12, 2015
I always have some fear when an author whom I really enjoy starts a new series. On the one hand, I'm excited to read something new from a favorite writer. On the other, what if the new is more of a rehashing of a previous book or series? With Kathi Daley, author of not only one other series, but two, I was even more curious, eager, and anxious. I shouldn't have worried. Romeow and Juliet is the first in her new Whales and Tails cozy mystery series and it is a breath of fresh air.
Set on an island off Washington state, Caitlin Hart helps her aunt Maggie operate a cat sanctuary. But life is anything but routine. Cait has a lot on her plate at the moment: Maggie hasn't been feeling well; she and her friend Tara are in the process of purchasing property into order to open up a shop; and there's a tense political climate on the island due to a proposed condo development. Not to mention the two embarrassing encounters Cait has had with the loan officer and the fact that her first love is back on Madrona Island. While looking at the old island cannery with Tara, Caitlin discovers a dead body-and may have stumbled on a much larger mystery in the process.
Cait and her family, friends, and fellow islanders are personable and intriguing. I really enjoy the way Kathi introduces her readers to all of the various characters little by little; it makes me feel like I'm at a gathering of new friends. The story is smart and, while it is similar in some ways to the Zoe Donovan mystery series, it's also fresh and varied enough to successfully lead off a whole new series.
Set on an island off Washington state, Caitlin Hart helps her aunt Maggie operate a cat sanctuary. But life is anything but routine. Cait has a lot on her plate at the moment: Maggie hasn't been feeling well; she and her friend Tara are in the process of purchasing property into order to open up a shop; and there's a tense political climate on the island due to a proposed condo development. Not to mention the two embarrassing encounters Cait has had with the loan officer and the fact that her first love is back on Madrona Island. While looking at the old island cannery with Tara, Caitlin discovers a dead body-and may have stumbled on a much larger mystery in the process.
Cait and her family, friends, and fellow islanders are personable and intriguing. I really enjoy the way Kathi introduces her readers to all of the various characters little by little; it makes me feel like I'm at a gathering of new friends. The story is smart and, while it is similar in some ways to the Zoe Donovan mystery series, it's also fresh and varied enough to successfully lead off a whole new series.
January 27, 2015
Romeow and Juliet ( Whales and Tails cozy mystery book 1)
by: Kathi Daley
I caught myself laughing at Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley. Daley knows how to write a delightful cozy mystery. Her characters are so real, they make you laugh. Daley captures you at the beginning and holds onto you till the end. I did not guess who the killer was till the end. Romeow and Juliet is the first book in the series Whales and Tails cozy mystery, and I can't wait to read the next book. Caitlin is a very likable character, you will love her. Caitlin lives in her aunt's cabin on Madrome Island. She helps her aunt run Harthover Cat Sanctuary. Caitlin and her friend want to open up a coffee shop/cat adoption shop, but there is a land developer who comes to town and he wants to build condos. Caitlin and her dog Max, finds a dead body. Someone has been killed. Who would want to kill this person? We have a dead body and Caitlin's aunt is really sick. What is making her sick? There is a lot going on and some things just don't add up. There is also a new bank manager in town , what does his roll play in this cozy mystery? There is several very good recipes in the back of the book you do not want to miss.
by: Kathi Daley
I caught myself laughing at Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley. Daley knows how to write a delightful cozy mystery. Her characters are so real, they make you laugh. Daley captures you at the beginning and holds onto you till the end. I did not guess who the killer was till the end. Romeow and Juliet is the first book in the series Whales and Tails cozy mystery, and I can't wait to read the next book. Caitlin is a very likable character, you will love her. Caitlin lives in her aunt's cabin on Madrome Island. She helps her aunt run Harthover Cat Sanctuary. Caitlin and her friend want to open up a coffee shop/cat adoption shop, but there is a land developer who comes to town and he wants to build condos. Caitlin and her dog Max, finds a dead body. Someone has been killed. Who would want to kill this person? We have a dead body and Caitlin's aunt is really sick. What is making her sick? There is a lot going on and some things just don't add up. There is also a new bank manager in town , what does his roll play in this cozy mystery? There is several very good recipes in the back of the book you do not want to miss.
May 17, 2015
A good cozy mystery set on island off the coast of Washington state. The activities of the residents is stressed with island politics the main focus. I was disappointed that the cats were not major characters. Caitlin and her BFF, Tara plan to built a bookstore and coffee shop near the harbor and while exploring it find a dead body. Caitlin curiosity leads her to investigate the the death.. I am not found of her animal rescue ways.
February 18, 2017
Awesome book. Cat cozy mysteries and cozy mysteries with recipes are both my favorite. Then you put them together and then I'm in heaven. I loved this book
April 13, 2017
Good book. I liked the MC and her best friend. I love the idea of their venture, Coffee Cat Books-a coffee house and bookstore with an area for people to read with adoptable cats. :) The mystery was interesting and I was totally clueless as to the killer right up until the reveal. A light, easy read and I'd like to read more in this series. :)
December 19, 2016
How on God's green earth does this book have a 4 star overall rating? How.... I am being generous by giving it a 2 star rating... but it's because I reserve 1 star ratings for books I absolutely loathe... and this book I don't hate... it's just really, really, really, really, really, really boring.
Okay, before I start, I will point out I knew this book wasn't going to be good before I even started reading it. It's a mystery titled Remeow and Juliet with a horribly photoshopped cover. I knew it was going to be bad, but I was hoping it'd be entertainingly bad. But nope... it was just plain, straight up bad.
I couldn't even tell you what the plot of the story is. It's supposed to be about a murder and our boring as all hell female lead Cait... who is neither a detective or has any detective skills whatsoever... is trying to solve it. But after the murder being discovered and pretty much just mentioned then, we don't actually even get back to it until page 139.... I think it was two chapters before the book ended. I can't look it up to be sure because I returned it to the library as quickly as I could after finishing it. Basically what this book is about is Caitlin Hart and the boring day to day life she lives.... which basically consists of her not working and visiting recluses and bringing them food. Oh, and being a "foodie" with her best friend... even though they don't eat with they cook so how they are foodies I am not sure. But whatever. There is nothing special about Caitlin Hart other than she doesn't work and somehow has an endless amount of money to buy groceries nearly daily for herself and one of the recluses she visits.
Save yourself some time in reading this book... I'll give you the breakdown of Caitlin's schedule:
*Wake up
*Take a run with Max (her dog)
*Go back and shower
*Visit recluses... unless it's a work out day with Tara, then do that first before visiting recluses
*Go grocery shopping either before or after visiting recluses
*Stop in store Bait and Stitch and sometimes help out? Exactly what she does to "help out" is never once explained.
*Take care of cats in sanctuary (where do her and her aunt get all the money to care for these cats? Once again, never explained)
*Wonder where Romeo (random cat who decides to chill with her for a bit) is
*Get visited by someone
*Sometimes decide she wants to get more info about Keith Weaver's death... but really, no big
Oh, and speaking of which. I just love how she found his body, but was seemingly not bothered at all discovering the murdered body of someone. You know... typical every day things, why should that bother her?
Not only is this book a bunch of boring filler of Cait's life, it is VERY dialogue heavy. Now, I don't have any issues with dialogue heavy writing.... what I have an issue with is the stuff outside of dialogue. Kathi Daley's writing is literally the most boring and basic writing I have ever read. She hardly describes anything, and when she does, it is very basic. She basically tells this entire story through characters talking. Well... what very little story there is to tell. There is no creative writing within these pages at all. All bland and basic.
And once we get back on track to the plot line that makes it a mystery? Oh god... laughable at best. OH MY GOD. How ridiculous. Well, maybe not. I mean, I know when I wake up in the morning and it's light out, I have to wear sunglasses around the house until at least 3 in the afternoon before my eyes can handle the light *please note the extreme sarcasm there*
Ugh.
So after tons of filler and finally getting back to the story, Ms. Daley decides to wrap it up in two short chapters very quickly and stupidly, not to mention insanely anticlimactic. How anyone even cared to continue reading this series after this is beyond me (just as baffling as the high star ratings for this garbage). Also thought provoking is how anyone could have possibly cared about this main character who was about as exciting as watching grass grow. There is nothing special about this woman... she is so basic and leads a boring, monotonous life.
I'm so happy this trainwreck is over. I will not be reading the rest. A world full of well written books is out there, and I can't wait to get back to that world.
Okay, before I start, I will point out I knew this book wasn't going to be good before I even started reading it. It's a mystery titled Remeow and Juliet with a horribly photoshopped cover. I knew it was going to be bad, but I was hoping it'd be entertainingly bad. But nope... it was just plain, straight up bad.
I couldn't even tell you what the plot of the story is. It's supposed to be about a murder and our boring as all hell female lead Cait... who is neither a detective or has any detective skills whatsoever... is trying to solve it. But after the murder being discovered and pretty much just mentioned then, we don't actually even get back to it until page 139.... I think it was two chapters before the book ended. I can't look it up to be sure because I returned it to the library as quickly as I could after finishing it. Basically what this book is about is Caitlin Hart and the boring day to day life she lives.... which basically consists of her not working and visiting recluses and bringing them food. Oh, and being a "foodie" with her best friend... even though they don't eat with they cook so how they are foodies I am not sure. But whatever. There is nothing special about Caitlin Hart other than she doesn't work and somehow has an endless amount of money to buy groceries nearly daily for herself and one of the recluses she visits.
Save yourself some time in reading this book... I'll give you the breakdown of Caitlin's schedule:
*Wake up
*Take a run with Max (her dog)
*Go back and shower
*Visit recluses... unless it's a work out day with Tara, then do that first before visiting recluses
*Go grocery shopping either before or after visiting recluses
*Stop in store Bait and Stitch and sometimes help out? Exactly what she does to "help out" is never once explained.
*Take care of cats in sanctuary (where do her and her aunt get all the money to care for these cats? Once again, never explained)
*Wonder where Romeo (random cat who decides to chill with her for a bit) is
*Get visited by someone
*Sometimes decide she wants to get more info about Keith Weaver's death... but really, no big
Oh, and speaking of which. I just love how she found his body, but was seemingly not bothered at all discovering the murdered body of someone. You know... typical every day things, why should that bother her?
Not only is this book a bunch of boring filler of Cait's life, it is VERY dialogue heavy. Now, I don't have any issues with dialogue heavy writing.... what I have an issue with is the stuff outside of dialogue. Kathi Daley's writing is literally the most boring and basic writing I have ever read. She hardly describes anything, and when she does, it is very basic. She basically tells this entire story through characters talking. Well... what very little story there is to tell. There is no creative writing within these pages at all. All bland and basic.
And once we get back on track to the plot line that makes it a mystery? Oh god... laughable at best. OH MY GOD. How ridiculous. Well, maybe not. I mean, I know when I wake up in the morning and it's light out, I have to wear sunglasses around the house until at least 3 in the afternoon before my eyes can handle the light *please note the extreme sarcasm there*
Ugh.
So after tons of filler and finally getting back to the story, Ms. Daley decides to wrap it up in two short chapters very quickly and stupidly, not to mention insanely anticlimactic. How anyone even cared to continue reading this series after this is beyond me (just as baffling as the high star ratings for this garbage). Also thought provoking is how anyone could have possibly cared about this main character who was about as exciting as watching grass grow. There is nothing special about this woman... she is so basic and leads a boring, monotonous life.
I'm so happy this trainwreck is over. I will not be reading the rest. A world full of well written books is out there, and I can't wait to get back to that world.
April 25, 2017
I'm sorry to say I had a hard time with this one. There were just enough improbable items in the story that brought me down. These ranged from wondering how the heck a seemingly responsible cat-person acts irresponsibly with her own new-found cat to wondering how the MC can not only support herself but also help others when she has no apparent occupation. Then there were the repetitions, the tstl moments, the presumptions and assumptions, and the fact that one of the mysteries wasn't resolved in this book, among others. I usually find that one has suspend belief with a lot of cozies but this one was just a bit much, I regret to say.
November 11, 2019
Best parts: The beautiful cover art by Jessica Fischer and the title of the tale. The tale itself however leaves much to be desired.
I didn't find the lead character, Caitlin Hart plausible. After a morning run, Caitlin is encouraged to come inside to a friend's home for tea and a boysenberry muffin. Then after a shower at home she makes herself eggs and toast. The runners that I know don't eat two (2) breakfasts. Overall, I thought the writing was choppy and some thoughts that were introduced had no follow through. For example, Caitlin is initially worried when she finds that Mrs. Trexler is not at home and a neighbor shares that the retired 3rd grade teacher left her home at approximately 5:30 a.m. Caitlin never returns to check on Mrs. Trexler.
The ending was so abrupt it seemed the book was published without the last chapter. Apparently, not learning who poisoned Aunt Maggie's tea with arsenic is to be my incentive for reading the next title in the series. Well that is not enough stimulus for me.
There are many recipes at the end of the novel that will delight cozy mystery cooks including one for the felines - Kitty Pretzel submitted by reader/fan Robin Coxon.
If the start of this series is any indication, I would suggest skipping this cozy series as there are so many other extraordinary cozy mysteries which feature cats and kittens. I will not continue reading this series.
I didn't find the lead character, Caitlin Hart plausible. After a morning run, Caitlin is encouraged to come inside to a friend's home for tea and a boysenberry muffin. Then after a shower at home she makes herself eggs and toast. The runners that I know don't eat two (2) breakfasts. Overall, I thought the writing was choppy and some thoughts that were introduced had no follow through. For example, Caitlin is initially worried when she finds that Mrs. Trexler is not at home and a neighbor shares that the retired 3rd grade teacher left her home at approximately 5:30 a.m. Caitlin never returns to check on Mrs. Trexler.
The ending was so abrupt it seemed the book was published without the last chapter. Apparently, not learning who poisoned Aunt Maggie's tea with arsenic is to be my incentive for reading the next title in the series. Well that is not enough stimulus for me.
There are many recipes at the end of the novel that will delight cozy mystery cooks including one for the felines - Kitty Pretzel submitted by reader/fan Robin Coxon.
If the start of this series is any indication, I would suggest skipping this cozy series as there are so many other extraordinary cozy mysteries which feature cats and kittens. I will not continue reading this series.
January 14, 2015
First of all, I'm a huge fan of Kathi Daley's books. Kathi has introduced us to another cast of characters in a different location. This time her story takes place in a small town near an island. This is a new series like the Zoe Donovan series with romance, animals and a murder. I thoroughly enjoyed Romeow and Juliet. Kathi describes Madrona Island and all the residents of the Island so vividly; it's like you are one of the neighbors living on the Island. Cait is the main character and is helping out her Aunt Maggie and her cat sanctuary when her Aunt Maggie gets sick. There's a murder that ensues and Cait is on the case. There were many times that I was shaking my head over some of the situations that Cait gets herself into and laugh out loud moments. There were so many suspects I couldn't figure out who the real murderer was and why. I look forward to the next book "The Mad Catter" which comes out February 1st. It continues the story and I cannot wait to see how the mystery unfolds. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries that are a clean read for all ages, you won't go wrong buying this book! Kudos to Kathi once again! :)
February 3, 2015
To find out with the help of her brotherA cozy mystery with cats
Caitlin Hart and her aunt run a no kill cat sanctuary on an island off the coast of Washington State. The cats (and dogs) are cute and lovable. The city council has to vote on a land development project and one of the members is murdered and another, originally submitting a resignation for the end of of his term suddenly decides to have his resignation effective before the big vote. Cait's aunt Maggie who had submitted the paperwork to run for the soon to be vacated council gets mysteriously ill, seems to bounce back and gets sick again. Everyone knows that Maggie is against the project. Just who is behind all these coincidental goings on? Cait is determined to find out, with the help of her brother and her friends. She solves these mysteries but although she learns what made her aunt sick, we never learn who is responsible and that person's motive. This was the mystery I most wanted to find out...but had to read the second book in this series for the answers. Hence only a three-star rating.
Caitlin Hart and her aunt run a no kill cat sanctuary on an island off the coast of Washington State. The cats (and dogs) are cute and lovable. The city council has to vote on a land development project and one of the members is murdered and another, originally submitting a resignation for the end of of his term suddenly decides to have his resignation effective before the big vote. Cait's aunt Maggie who had submitted the paperwork to run for the soon to be vacated council gets mysteriously ill, seems to bounce back and gets sick again. Everyone knows that Maggie is against the project. Just who is behind all these coincidental goings on? Cait is determined to find out, with the help of her brother and her friends. She solves these mysteries but although she learns what made her aunt sick, we never learn who is responsible and that person's motive. This was the mystery I most wanted to find out...but had to read the second book in this series for the answers. Hence only a three-star rating.
January 8, 2015
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 3, 2015
I loved it! This is the first in the new series by Kathi, and she doesn't disappoint. In this book, we meet Caitlin Hart and her friends. They live on Madrona Island, off the coast of Washington State. Cait and her best friend Tara are looking to buy an old building to turn into Coffee Cat Books, a store/possible cat adoption location, and when they are looking things over, Cait and her dog discover a body. Caits curiosity gets the better of her, and she decides to look into finding out what happened. I truly love Kathis books, her characters are so real, and each book just pulls you in. This is a great beginning to a new series, and I cant wait to read the rest.
January 19, 2015
A fun, light, cozy mystery book. This first in a new series introduces readers to the inhabitants of a fictional island, Madrona Island, one of the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington. The main protagonist Cait is a descendent of one of the founding families of the island and the old way of life of the island is endangered by tourism & new developments. When one of the town councillors is murdered & Cait's aunt Maggie, who with Cait's help runs a cat sanctuary, takes ill, the balance on the island is threatened. I loved the fictional setting & the recipes at the end of the book - some of them look like they will become favourites.
January 7, 2015
This debut in the Whales and Tails series is a must read for the cozy mystery fan. The author has a richly descriptive writing style that takes the words right off the page and plants a visual in your mind as you read. The main character Cait is very likeable - she has several embarrassing moments in the book which are laugh-out-loud hilarious! The island setting, the ocean, the secondary cast of characters and animals enhance the story without overpowering it. The mystery has plenty of suspects to keep you guessing and the ending is satisfyingly suspenseful.
January 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. As with all Ms. Daley's books the characters are likeable and people that you would love to hang out with. The town setting sounds beautiful and a place that I would love to visit. I like the development of Cait and her friend getting ready to open their own store, it is something we have to look forward to. The mystery was good with a murder and Cait's aunt being sick, it kept you guessing what was going to happen next. I eagerly await the next in the series.
January 11, 2015
This is a great new series by Kathi Daley. The characters are funny and interesting and I can't wait for the next cozy mystery in the series!! You will not be disappointed in this novel.
BTW - There is just enough "cat" topics. I was afraid it would be all about cats and I am not a cat person. I didn't have anything to worry about. This book is for cat lovers and just us cat "likers". :)
BTW - There is just enough "cat" topics. I was afraid it would be all about cats and I am not a cat person. I didn't have anything to worry about. This book is for cat lovers and just us cat "likers". :)
January 18, 2015
A delightful new series
Kathi Daley has done it again! Her new Whales and Tails series is the right mixture of cozy mystery and delightful humor. The island setting has that small town charm where everyone knows everybody. For those of you who love animals, the cats and dogs with their own storylines are perfectly blended in with the mystery. And the recipes that accompany the tale are wonderful!
Kathi Daley has done it again! Her new Whales and Tails series is the right mixture of cozy mystery and delightful humor. The island setting has that small town charm where everyone knows everybody. For those of you who love animals, the cats and dogs with their own storylines are perfectly blended in with the mystery. And the recipes that accompany the tale are wonderful!
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