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Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery #4
Meow is for Murder
Another purr-fect Pet Sitting mystery.
The last thing pet-sitter Kendra Ballantyne wants is to start a catfight with her boyfriend's ex-wife, Amanda. So she agrees to help when Amanda's stalker turns up dead in her home-but only if Amanda will take her claws out of her ex for good.
The last thing pet-sitter Kendra Ballantyne wants is to start a catfight with her boyfriend's ex-wife, Amanda. So she agrees to help when Amanda's stalker turns up dead in her home-but only if Amanda will take her claws out of her ex for good.
261 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 6, 2007
5 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Linda O. Johnston
132 books464 followersLinda O. Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, Linda has had more short stories and novellas published, plus, by the end of 2018, she will have had fifty novels published, including mysteries and romance.
Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.
Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.
Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.
Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.
Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.
Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 16, 2018
I decided to re-read this book as it has been a few years since I read this series. I like very much and still. I do remember I had a problem finding the books to read. I read them out of order so I enjoyed learning about pet legal problems and why to moderate them which I support. Problems experienced by seniors is another interest of mind. About the series the covers are all very attractive and invite you into the series. This is true of MEOW FOR MURDER, there are two cute Bengal cats on the cover. I know the breed and facts about the Bengal Cat were true at the time of writing. Our Bengal hunting was his main purpose in life. You did not interrupt him when he was hunting. He knew who belong where he lives and let's us about a stranger like Cherise and Carnie nor was he afraid any dogs. Kendra had lawyer's suspended in a earlier book. To support herself She became a Pet Sitter. Kendra has her lawyer's licence back in this book. She continued both jobs in this book. The balance of the book Cover her romantic affair with Jeff. His ex-wife, Amanda is being stalk by Leon, a serial stalker. Kendra has silly contract with Amanda and becomes involved. Will Kendra clear Amanda of the charged of murder? I recommend this book and series.
July 17, 2012
I have enjoyed all of Linda O. Johnston's books that I've read so far and this was no exception. I really enjoy how she takes pleasure in her pets, defends them and takes care of them well and sticks her nose into other people's business when they're not taking care of their own pet. A person that cares makes a lovely story! Plus in reading her books I find out about other pets besides just dogs and cats! I always look for more books by her!
February 1, 2015
A fun cozy mystery for pet lovers. Kendra Ballantyne is a murder magnet, lawyer and pet sitter. She reluctantly takes on a sitting job for new boyfriend Jeff's ex-wife. Amanda the ex has a stalker and he ends up Dead. Kendra, with the help of her client's Bengal cat's, sets out to solve the case, rid Jeff of Amanda and take care of business too
I enjoyed the book and characters. The book is well written and filled with twists and turns.
I enjoyed the book and characters. The book is well written and filled with twists and turns.
November 13, 2009
This book was terrible. Johnston seems to be completely out of touch with reality. The writing was forced, the characters were annoying and poorly developed, and the plot was weak at best. I love animals and I don't mind light and fluffy fiction, but still, this makes The Cat Who... series look like Pulitzer material.
July 13, 2014
Meh. I zoomed through the first 4 in this series, but I don't think I can stomach another. I love cheesy mysteries, but these are getting sooo formulaic and boring. The main character has become boring. Wayyyyy too much exposition, and way too little character development. Everyone in this is a caricature. I'm done with this author.
December 22, 2011
Hmmm...I read this a few years ago and really liked the Kendra series, but in re-reading this story, I found I didn't really like Kendra as a person all that much. Too much drama, I think.
January 13, 2023
Finished that cozy mystery, Meow is for Murder, and couldn't have guessed ahead of time the person who "dunnit" or how those two Bengal cats were used to find the murderer. Clever little plot, although the deal that petsitter and lawyer Kendra makes with a suspect is unusual and somewhat unrealistic, I thought.
The suspect, Amanda, is charged with the murder of man who has been stalking her. Amanda is the ex-wife of Kendra's current love, Jeff, and a bit of a stalker herself, always showing up at Jeff's door with various and sundry requests for help and assistance. She promises to stay out of Jeff's life for good if Kendra, an amateur sleuth on top of everything else, will find the real killer and get her off the murder hook.
Here's the weird part. Amanda signs a "legal" and "binding" document saying she will be out of Jeff's life forever if Kendra proves her innocent.
In the end, Kendra finds that Jeff may not have been worth all the trouble after all and accepts a date with, here it comes....., a vet that she meets on one of her other lawyerly cases. Now, like so many of the mystery heroines these days, such as Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's books, this main characer has two love interests to add sauce to the mystery.
Catch Kendra in the next book in the series to see how the new guy works out. That's how the mystery series sometimes works - a thread of romantic intrigue leads you on to the next book. Curiousity doesn't always kill the cat, but it sure makes some writers Fat Cats.
The suspect, Amanda, is charged with the murder of man who has been stalking her. Amanda is the ex-wife of Kendra's current love, Jeff, and a bit of a stalker herself, always showing up at Jeff's door with various and sundry requests for help and assistance. She promises to stay out of Jeff's life for good if Kendra, an amateur sleuth on top of everything else, will find the real killer and get her off the murder hook.
Here's the weird part. Amanda signs a "legal" and "binding" document saying she will be out of Jeff's life forever if Kendra proves her innocent.
In the end, Kendra finds that Jeff may not have been worth all the trouble after all and accepts a date with, here it comes....., a vet that she meets on one of her other lawyerly cases. Now, like so many of the mystery heroines these days, such as Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's books, this main characer has two love interests to add sauce to the mystery.
Catch Kendra in the next book in the series to see how the new guy works out. That's how the mystery series sometimes works - a thread of romantic intrigue leads you on to the next book. Curiousity doesn't always kill the cat, but it sure makes some writers Fat Cats.
May 14, 2024
When Kendra's on-again, off-again boyfriend's ex-wife Amanda is accused of murdering her stalker Leon in her home she asks Kendra for her help in vindicating her. In exchange, she will give up pursuing her ex-husband. So, in amongst her regular legal duties for the firm and her pet-sitting responsibilities, Kendra dives in to finding an alternative suspect for Leon's murder. She's also suckered into taking care of Amanda's two Bengal cats who end up playing an integral part in solving who-done-it. Plus, when she sees a neglected pup next door to one of her charges she steps in to see about getting the owner to better care for him and becomes an unwitting matchmaker. Finally, she's involved in an animal dispute resolution between a vet and a woman accusing him of unnecessarily spaying her female dog. Talk about busy!!
This was not my favorite pet-sitter mystery. The accused was such a witch and too annoying for words--I personally would have left her hang. Plus, the wishy-washy(ness) of our protagonist needs to be done as it is ridiculous; either you trust him or you don't but make up your mind!
This was not my favorite pet-sitter mystery. The accused was such a witch and too annoying for words--I personally would have left her hang. Plus, the wishy-washy(ness) of our protagonist needs to be done as it is ridiculous; either you trust him or you don't but make up your mind!
May 10, 2017
CAN WE PLEASE BE DONE WITH AMANDA NOW? Thank you. Also, I'm sick of Kendra's ambivalence about Jeff. Just say yes or no. I know the author needs to keep him around for his investigation skills, so.....
March 6, 2023
A lawyer and part time no licensed PI works at solving a murder. If she can get her boyfriends ex wife off the list of potential list of suspects and the real murdered in jail she will leave her ex husband alone.
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May 20, 2018Pretty typical formula mystery, but the adorable pets and their antics kept me reading. Johnston writes as a true animal lover.
September 5, 2020
It's the ex's lawyer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2021
lively and fun.
January 30, 2023
It was a good story, mostly, but I'm continually irritated by Kendra's and Jeff's lack of integrity and their wishy-washy behavior. It's too much like real life to read about people whining about their problems then making them worse. You don't like that Jeff's ex-wife is in his life. He stated he's gotten rid of her. She's still in his life. Instead of complaining and "giving him another chance" - just leave! I'm not even going to ask if Kendra believes Jeff will change, I'm more thinking about the fact that you (probably) want to date a man. Not a little boy who can't handle saying no to an abusive woman who manipulates and gets her way all the time.
Then Kendra herself helps the ex-wife????? Fine - but then you're not allowed to complain about anything at all, ever again, about her or Jeff!
So, yeah, that's what I'm focused on because it's annoying.
There were some problems with the mystery itself but not super bad. It's still a fun series and I will read the next one.
Then Kendra herself helps the ex-wife????? Fine - but then you're not allowed to complain about anything at all, ever again, about her or Jeff!
So, yeah, that's what I'm focused on because it's annoying.
There were some problems with the mystery itself but not super bad. It's still a fun series and I will read the next one.
November 17, 2012
The mystery part was the best in the series so far, with the proviso that I haven't yet read the book that precedes Meow is for Murder. In that regard, things are definitely looking up.
As a somewhat close reader and pet-lover, I do have a couple of questions, however. First, why are the oh-so-annoying Amanda's cats (she's the annoying one, not her cats) the first cats to be afforded names in this series? Second, on p. 181 why does Kendra reshower after returning from dinner which was preceded by a shower (with detailed description of her putting her lanky wet hair in a towel), careful selection of her pink sweater and magenta pants to meet folks for Valentine's dinner? And finally (at least for now), why does Kendra always leave her dog in the car? As for this last item, I realize that the stories are set in California, but having grown up in a state where it is illegal to leave an animal unattended in a car at any time of year and under any circumstances, I am continually caught short by this extremely common occurrence in the Pet-sitter Series--esp. given the fact that in the current outing, a note threatening Lexie is left under the windshield wipers on the car in which she sits cowering as Kendra runs into the grocery store for chocolate.
As a somewhat close reader and pet-lover, I do have a couple of questions, however. First, why are the oh-so-annoying Amanda's cats (she's the annoying one, not her cats) the first cats to be afforded names in this series? Second, on p. 181 why does Kendra reshower after returning from dinner which was preceded by a shower (with detailed description of her putting her lanky wet hair in a towel), careful selection of her pink sweater and magenta pants to meet folks for Valentine's dinner? And finally (at least for now), why does Kendra always leave her dog in the car? As for this last item, I realize that the stories are set in California, but having grown up in a state where it is illegal to leave an animal unattended in a car at any time of year and under any circumstances, I am continually caught short by this extremely common occurrence in the Pet-sitter Series--esp. given the fact that in the current outing, a note threatening Lexie is left under the windshield wipers on the car in which she sits cowering as Kendra runs into the grocery store for chocolate.
July 11, 2015
This book was definitely better than the first, but the main character is annoying and her "boyfriend" is a moron.
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 had 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.
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 had 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.
September 28, 2016
Eh, this one was readable enough, but I feel like the writing has gotten worse. There's a point in the first half of the book where Kendra makes a deal, even writing up a contract, after the ex-wife comes to her for help. What the ex-wife ACTUALLY asks for is for Kendra to consult with the ex-wife's lawyer to agree on a good attorney to represent her in case she's charged with the murder. What Kendra actually writes up into a contract is that she'll help the ex clear her name. It really came off as Kendra just really wanting to be in on another investigation. Kendra uses a lot of unnecessarily big words, even when we're just getting her thoughts. They aren't SUPER uncommon words and it's not like I needed a dictionary or anything, but it just doesn't come off as believable at all.
Eh, I enjoyed reading this well enough, but it definitely had it's issues.
Eh, I enjoyed reading this well enough, but it definitely had it's issues.
November 4, 2007
I accidently read this before I read the 3rd book but it was good and while I felt like something was missing (because it is in the book I skipped over) I didn't feel like I missed out on much.
Kendra is practicing law again but trying to do more dispute resolution and trying to avoid the courts if possible. It seems to be working! This time, her boyfriend's ex-wife finds her stalker's dead body in her house while Kendra is housesitting and assumes Kendra did it and then connives her way into getting Kendra to figure out who killed Leon.
Kendra is practicing law again but trying to do more dispute resolution and trying to avoid the courts if possible. It seems to be working! This time, her boyfriend's ex-wife finds her stalker's dead body in her house while Kendra is housesitting and assumes Kendra did it and then connives her way into getting Kendra to figure out who killed Leon.
August 28, 2008
The Petsitter Mysteries are fun and cute, and I do like them, but I've gotta say...she should probably leave the pseudo-sex out of them. I don't know how everyone else feels, but her phone sex skills are not so great. "I'll be sleeping in the nude tonight, thinking about you?" Um....no. But, aside from those cringe-worthy interludes, the rest of the books are usually well worth a read.
November 11, 2007
read 06.25.07
January 2, 2008
A light read and since I like murder mysteries and pets it is right up my alley. I'll definitely look up her other books.
December 13, 2011
Enjoyed this book quite a bit and didnt realize who the murder was until reveiled :) Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
June 12, 2012
An easy and enjoyable read but my problem was that I had the killer pegged in the first 50 pages. Perhaps I've read too many of this kind of book...
January 26, 2013
Enjoyable for a walking book - didn't spend half the book already knowing "who done it" - but not quite up to Agatha Christie standard :-)
June 15, 2013
Back to the kennel...I mean library with this one.
January 1, 2014
This is a cute cozy mystery! As usual I had no idea who did it and truly enjoyed the wrap up at the end! ;-) A fun, quick read.
September 4, 2013
This is a cute cozy mystery! As usual I had no idea who did it and truly enjoyed the wrap up at the end! ;-) A fun, quick read.
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September 8, 2017It was ok, nothing I would recommend. How can she be an attorney and spend the time she does with her pet sitting business? Nothing logical about her life style.
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January 10, 2019Donated 2015
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews