Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

When Sleuthing Spells Trouble

Not yet published
Expected 18 Nov 25
Rate this book
When a woman pleads amnesia in the death of her husband, Nick and Nora can forget about playing it safe as they track down the killer . . .

Six years ago, Mariah Blackthorne was found lying on the floor of her home, unconscious, holding the murder weapon that had killed her husband. Swearing she had no memory of the tragic event but insisting she was innocent, she nonetheless agreed to a plea deal and went to prison for the crime. Now, out on parole and desperate to know the truth, she enlists the help of local sleuth Nora Charles to find out what really happened that day—even if it means discovering she was the guilty party after all.

Intrigued by the case and convinced of the woman’s innocence, Nora agrees to investigate. With her trusty sidekick warning her that they were headed for trouble, she unearths no shortage of suspects from the dead man’s past. But as she follows every incriminating clue linking the victim to his fellow doctors and even a long string of mistresses, vicious threats begin piling up telling Nora to back off. Facing down a killer who will kill again to conceal their guilt, she and Nick may end up solving a case they won’t live to remember . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

Praise for the Nick and Nora

“I love the unique investigative team of Nick and Nora and can never get enough. I am keen to see what Ms. LoTempio has planned for them next. I hope this series continues for a long time.” —Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book

“If you love cozy mystery books with PIs, FBIs, sisters, friends, love interests . . . you get the picture! I think all cozy mystery lovers will be delighted with this entertaining series.” —Christy’s Cozy Corners


“This is the perfect cozy mystery for this time of year.” —Socrates Book Reviews

“The author’s suspenseful and startling reveal had me on the edge of my seat as I turned pages faster and faster and with the final conclusion.” —Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder

About the

T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, as well as the Cat Rescue series and the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mysteries. Check out her and Rocco’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and visit her website, www.tclotempio.net, for more information.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 18, 2025

2 people want to read

About the author

T.C. LoTempio

25 books748 followers
Born in New York City, T. C. LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery series.

She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade.

While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.

Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!

Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!

Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).

She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.

She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
4 (80%)
4 stars
1 (20%)
3 stars
0 (0%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
2,196 reviews28 followers
November 8, 2025
Princess Fuzzypants here: I must confess to an association with the author who has put me in another of her series but long before that happened, I fell in love with Nick. As a big fan of the classic movie series, I loved the unique partnership of Nora and Nick in the books. Nick, always a step ahead of the slow humans, is very expressive and loves to give a resounding “Yowzer” when he agrees with the humans. He also very adeptly uses scrabble tiles to tell Nora where to look. He is fiercely protective of Nora who is getting much better at protecting herself.

Nora and Nick are asked to find out who committed a murder. The widow of the deceased is the one asking when she is released from prison for a crime she cannot recall. It turns out she is also connected to Nora’s friend Hank so there is no way Nora could say no. The town is divided between those who think Mariah killed her husband and those who think she was innocent. All she wants to do is find out the truth, even if that means she discovers her own culpability. But as Nora looks into it, it becomes clear there is someone out there who does not want the truth to be known. And this person is quite willing to go to extreme lengths to prevent that. And that includes another murder and attacks on Mariah that echo the previous crime.

I confess I did suss the villain but there were times when I doubted my choice. It certainly kept me engaged right to the end and Nick, as usual, saved the day. Of course he did.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Profile Image for Tracy Wood.
1,254 reviews26 followers
October 27, 2025
Newly qualified PI Nora Charles and her extraordinary cat Nick are quietly running her Hot Bread sandwich shop when a local resident hits the headlines as she's released from prison six years after being jailed for a crime she can't remember committing. As Nora's reputation precedes her, it's no surprise when Mariah Blackthorne arrives back in Cruz and asks for help to find out what actually happened the night her husband was killed.  Christian Blackthorne, a successful doctor, wasn't a popular man, and before long, Nora has a slew of suspects but no definitive evidence against any of them! As she begins to look closer at those involved, she finds herself being threatened by those with things to hide. Can she finally discover who killed Christian before her burgeoning new career has a chance to take off?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Beyond the Page, but the opinions expressed are my own. You do have to suspend reality for a while when reading this series, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! Nick is Nora's very resourceful, scrabble loving sidekick, and she wouldn't be as successful without him. The stories are entertaining and page turning, however, and I have always enjoyed my visits with Nick and Nora. There are hints as to the direction the next book will take, and I'll definitely be looking out for that alongside the author's other successful series.
Profile Image for Book.
475 reviews
November 6, 2025
Nick and Nora are at it again. This time, they decide to help a recent parolee, Mariah, figure out if she really killed her husband, the reason she went to jail. Doctors have made it clear she can’t remember the event or circumstances. And Mariah is determined to find out if she actually murdered her husband. Naturally, Nora and her feline partner Nick begin investigating at Mariah’s request.

As usual, T. C. LoTempio crafts an intriguing mystery with a mix of familiar and new characters. And don’t forget the tile-teasing Nick who delivers clues in a very unorthodox way. A fun read and strong addition to the Nick & Nora series.


Profile Image for Cozybooklady .
2,163 reviews114 followers
October 29, 2025
#WhenSleuthingSpellsTrouble #NetGalley is the newest book in the much loved Nick & Nora series.
I've come to love this dynamic duo and this book is by far my favorite.
Mariah Blackthorne has been released from prison after serving six years for killing her husband.
Mariah has no recollection of killing him, she's lost her memory and desperately wants to know the truth.
Nora is asked to look into the case, and soon her and Nick, her feline sidekick our hot on the trail.
Nora is warned off from asking questions, but this just stirs her up, she knows she must be getting close to the murderer.
2,258 reviews38 followers
November 10, 2025
Nora and Nick are helping a woman clear her name…after she’s served her sentence can they figure out who truly killed Mariah’s husband, or will the killer strike again, just to continue getting away with murder?

I love this duo! Nicki’s the smartest cat ever and I afire how he communicates with Nora. The author has a fabulous pair of sleuths that. keep you hooked from the first letter to the last period in the story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.