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A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery #1
Furbidden Fatality
A lottery winner uses her good fortune to save a local pet sanctuary, but when a body is discovered on the property, she just might be in the doghouse in this first book in a new, charming cozy mystery series from author Deborah Blake.
Kari Stuart's life is going nowhere--until she unexpectedly wins the lottery. The twenty-nine-year-old instant multimillionaire is still mulling plans for her winnings when trying to rescue a bossy black kitten leads her to a semiabandoned animal shelter. They need the cash--Kari needs a purpose.
But the dilapidated rescue is literally going to the dogs with a pending lawsuit, hard to adopt animals, and too much suspicious attention from the town's dog warden. When the warden turns up dead outside the shelter's dog kennels, Kari finds herself up a creek without a pooper-scooper.
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, a cute vet, and a kitten who mysteriously shows up just when she needs it, Kari must prove her innocence all while trying to save a dog on death row. Now she just needs to hope that her string of unexpected luck isn't about to run out.
Kari Stuart's life is going nowhere--until she unexpectedly wins the lottery. The twenty-nine-year-old instant multimillionaire is still mulling plans for her winnings when trying to rescue a bossy black kitten leads her to a semiabandoned animal shelter. They need the cash--Kari needs a purpose.
But the dilapidated rescue is literally going to the dogs with a pending lawsuit, hard to adopt animals, and too much suspicious attention from the town's dog warden. When the warden turns up dead outside the shelter's dog kennels, Kari finds herself up a creek without a pooper-scooper.
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, a cute vet, and a kitten who mysteriously shows up just when she needs it, Kari must prove her innocence all while trying to save a dog on death row. Now she just needs to hope that her string of unexpected luck isn't about to run out.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
61 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Blake
80 books1,788 followersDeborah is the author of over a dozen non-fiction books on modern witchcraft and a tarot and oracle decks from Llewellyn. Her fiction includes the Baba Yaga series, The Broken Rider series, and the Veiled Magic series, and her cozy mysteries The Catskill Pet Rescue series (mostly from Berkley) as well as a few stand-alone novels.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
December 21, 2020
Furbidden Fatality is the debut book in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series written by Deborah Blake. Although the author has written many other books, this is my first read from her, and it will be published in early 2021. Since I like the Catskills and enjoy pets in books, I downloaded a copy through NetGalley when I saw it listed as available.
Kari Stuart won $5M in the lottery. She's divorced, relatively young, and loves pets. Why not purchase the local pet sanctuary and save the adorable animals from being euthanized? Set in upstate NY, this book offers all the traditional cozy elements and appeals to people's love for animals. We're introduced to mostly cats and dogs, but others have made small appearances and I suspect will continue to do so in future books. Kari, on the other hand, finds the dead body of the dog warden on the morning follow her purchase. Did one of the previous owners / workers get too frustrated with him? Was it an angry pet owner who couldn't handle losing their pet because of his ruthless behavior?
I enjoyed reading this series. It is light and simple, but it shares information and provides and education on how to care for pets who need a home. The mystery is good; there are a number of clues, including the policemen who have a darker side than normal. Between the murder and several vandalism incidents, it could go many ways. We're also set up for a potential romance between Kari and a few eligible bachelors, but it's not a big piece of the story. We later meet Kari's brother and the new dog catcher extraordinaire, both of whom bring levity and substance to the story. I like the characters and the small town setting. The writing is good, clear, and easy to understand. There is a diversity aspect which also offers potential in the future.
I'll give the series another book to determine if it becomes part of my already busy reading schedule. When the writing is good and the plots are solid, I never mind squeezing in one more. It usually takes a couple of books for the entire background and supporting cast to settle in, and while I really enjoyed this one, it didn't totally stand out yet as a must-read... but it definitely has the potential to do so. I want to give it that chance and see how it progresses next year.
Kari Stuart won $5M in the lottery. She's divorced, relatively young, and loves pets. Why not purchase the local pet sanctuary and save the adorable animals from being euthanized? Set in upstate NY, this book offers all the traditional cozy elements and appeals to people's love for animals. We're introduced to mostly cats and dogs, but others have made small appearances and I suspect will continue to do so in future books. Kari, on the other hand, finds the dead body of the dog warden on the morning follow her purchase. Did one of the previous owners / workers get too frustrated with him? Was it an angry pet owner who couldn't handle losing their pet because of his ruthless behavior?
I enjoyed reading this series. It is light and simple, but it shares information and provides and education on how to care for pets who need a home. The mystery is good; there are a number of clues, including the policemen who have a darker side than normal. Between the murder and several vandalism incidents, it could go many ways. We're also set up for a potential romance between Kari and a few eligible bachelors, but it's not a big piece of the story. We later meet Kari's brother and the new dog catcher extraordinaire, both of whom bring levity and substance to the story. I like the characters and the small town setting. The writing is good, clear, and easy to understand. There is a diversity aspect which also offers potential in the future.
I'll give the series another book to determine if it becomes part of my already busy reading schedule. When the writing is good and the plots are solid, I never mind squeezing in one more. It usually takes a couple of books for the entire background and supporting cast to settle in, and while I really enjoyed this one, it didn't totally stand out yet as a must-read... but it definitely has the potential to do so. I want to give it that chance and see how it progresses next year.
October 11, 2021
Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake
Book 1 in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. Cozy mystery.
After taking in a stray cat, Kari decides to buy the local pet rescue sanctuary with her lottery winnings. With the sale comes a couple of employees and a threat from the game warden. When Kari finds him dead on the property she ends up as a suspect. So she does a bit of investigating.
An intriguing and fast moving mystery with adorable animals and a handsome vet. Kitten Queenie is still a bit of a mystery that I can’t wait to see develop. A feel-good rescue mission adds to the enjoyment of the well written story.
Book 1 in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. Cozy mystery.
After taking in a stray cat, Kari decides to buy the local pet rescue sanctuary with her lottery winnings. With the sale comes a couple of employees and a threat from the game warden. When Kari finds him dead on the property she ends up as a suspect. So she does a bit of investigating.
An intriguing and fast moving mystery with adorable animals and a handsome vet. Kitten Queenie is still a bit of a mystery that I can’t wait to see develop. A feel-good rescue mission adds to the enjoyment of the well written story.
November 9, 2020
Great debut of an incredible new cozy journey filled with adorable pets and spunky saviors who love them and are constant champions for their well-being. A satisfying roundup of bungling criminals who get what they deserve for messing with pet owners while providing laugh-out-loud chuckles throughout the book!
The mystery is light and fun and moves at a brisk pace. It’s so captivating, it was hard for me to put aside to do anything else. Several arrests brought a smile to my face. Little kitten, Queenie, brings a touch of magic and plenty of cute, entertaining moments as she helps protagonist, Kari Stuart, investigate the crimes. I absolutely loved the story concept and how events made me laugh and feel happy about the pet sanctuary—including workers and pets. Author Deborah Blake has found her writing niche for sure and has me looking forward to many more stories in the Catskills Pet Rescue series.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
The mystery is light and fun and moves at a brisk pace. It’s so captivating, it was hard for me to put aside to do anything else. Several arrests brought a smile to my face. Little kitten, Queenie, brings a touch of magic and plenty of cute, entertaining moments as she helps protagonist, Kari Stuart, investigate the crimes. I absolutely loved the story concept and how events made me laugh and feel happy about the pet sanctuary—including workers and pets. Author Deborah Blake has found her writing niche for sure and has me looking forward to many more stories in the Catskills Pet Rescue series.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
February 24, 2021
Kari Stuart had been working as a waitress in a town in the Catskills until she won the lottery. She’s not quite sure what she is going to do with her winnings until she hears about an animal sanctuary on the edge of town that is for sale. Impulsively she buys it and sets about getting it ready to reopen. Unfortunately, that’s also when she runs across Bill Myers, the local dog warden, who seems to have targeted the sanctuary. After Kari finds Bill dead just outside the sanctuary’s fence in the middle of the night, she becomes the police’s prime suspect. Can she figure out what really happened?
I started to hear some early buzz about this book, so I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did. This may be the first in the series, but I already love the characters. Kari leads a great cast, and there are just as many charming four-legged characters as there are humans. The plot is inventive, with plenty to keep us engaged over the course of the story. Yet everything Kari uncovered helps make for a satisfying resolution when we reached the end. While this is Deborah Blake’s first mystery, she has written quite a few other books, and that shows through in the writing. If you are looking for a promising new mystery series, adopt this book right away.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I started to hear some early buzz about this book, so I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did. This may be the first in the series, but I already love the characters. Kari leads a great cast, and there are just as many charming four-legged characters as there are humans. The plot is inventive, with plenty to keep us engaged over the course of the story. Yet everything Kari uncovered helps make for a satisfying resolution when we reached the end. While this is Deborah Blake’s first mystery, she has written quite a few other books, and that shows through in the writing. If you are looking for a promising new mystery series, adopt this book right away.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 24, 2020
Forbidden Fatality was a charming cozy mystery debut.An exciting and heartwarming plot. Kari is a amazing new amateur sleuth, a lottery winning animal rescue owner. It was full of loveable characters and animals. A new favourite series for me to enjoy..
November 21, 2020
As an animal lover, I can't resist a good pet lover cozy, so when I saw this on Netgalley, I snapped it up quick. The first third of the book didn't wow me, although I liked Kari, the "you found the body, you're the main suspect" and the "leave the investigating to the police..." tropes really get under my skin. But I held on and, as the story unfolded, it turned into a smashing good read. Once the pace picked up and more and more leads were uncovered, it was impossible to put down. And I loved how Kari and her friends uncovered pieces of the puzzle and went to the sheriff with what they found, leading to several people headed off to jail. This little plot-within-a-plot elevated this to not-just-your-average cozy. Add in the heartwarming rejuvenation of the pet sanctuary, finishing this left a smile on my face and that warm, fuzzy feeling when all is put right.
One last note...seriously, NO ONE called out mouthy Bryn when she blames everything on Kari several times? No one, absolutely no one, told her to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled toddler? Not a fan of Bryn. She can go wash dogs somewhere else.
Heartwarming, satisfying and oh so cozy, Furbidden Fatality was a wonderful debut to a new series.
One last note...seriously, NO ONE called out mouthy Bryn when she blames everything on Kari several times? No one, absolutely no one, told her to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled toddler? Not a fan of Bryn. She can go wash dogs somewhere else.
Heartwarming, satisfying and oh so cozy, Furbidden Fatality was a wonderful debut to a new series.
February 28, 2021
Kari Stuart's life does a complete turn around when she wins the lottery. It's hard to decide what to do when so many options open at once -- she decides to help a run-down animal shelter. As Kari starts to find her life's direction, complications arise....including a dead body. With help from her new-found friends, Kari must prove she didn't kill the dead man.
This is the first book by Deborah Blake that I've read. I will definitely be reading more! I like her writing style, the characters are fun, and the story is very entertaining! A great start to a new cozy series! I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the Catskills Pet Rescue series.
The story made me think....if I won the lottery and could do anything I wanted, what would I do? Tough question. I don't think I would find the answer as quickly as Kari did!
Fun book! Loved it! The front cover is just awesome!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This is the first book by Deborah Blake that I've read. I will definitely be reading more! I like her writing style, the characters are fun, and the story is very entertaining! A great start to a new cozy series! I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the Catskills Pet Rescue series.
The story made me think....if I won the lottery and could do anything I wanted, what would I do? Tough question. I don't think I would find the answer as quickly as Kari did!
Fun book! Loved it! The front cover is just awesome!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
October 6, 2022
Winning the lottery can change your life. Just ask Kari Stuart, who won $5M when she stopped at a convenience store to buy cat litter. That purchase alone is a hint. Kari is an animal person. Although she has steadfastly not allowed her sudden, unexpected wealth to go to her head. she impulsively buys a run down animal sanctuary after discovering there is simply no more room in the local animal shelter for even one adorable, stray kitten.
Dubbed Queenie, aka Queen Nefertiti, the kitten definitely has a charm and way about her. She even seems to sense trouble even before Kari discovers the dead body outside the fence to her kennel area. And, uh, oh, it's the rude, hateful dog warden she had a loud, public disagreement with only a few days before. Kari and her new friends from the sanctuary, not to mention a charming vet she takes the kitten to for a checkup, quickly bond and before you can say "meow", they are in the thick of investigating. Seems the late dog warden wasn't well liked and several had a reason to want him dead.
I won't detail the plot as this one was released in 2021 by #Berkley but will say that there is a great deal to like about this book. Kari is instantly likable. She's smart, hard working, feisty, and tends to think and plan ahead. Well, aside from her impulsive purchase of the animal sanctuary. You'll also find lots of good info on pet care, ranging from things like needing to wear tough gloves to handle agitated dogs to the need for extra strong fencing to confine some larger, stronger breeds and the importance of regular vet checkups and vaccinations among other points.
So, why was the dead man digging under her fence? Why did he want to buy the property that he probably thought Kari snatched out from under him given the former owners troubles with not just him but finances and overcrowding? Will that initial trip to the vet with Queenie change Kari's life? How about other single guys? How will she determine whether it's her or her money people are most interested in? Why is the one policeman in particular, so quick to seem to accuse Kari of murder? Will Kari's brother be a help or hindrance? What magic does Queenie seem to weave into Kari's life?
Bottom line, author Deborah Blake has a winner in this series. I will definitely be following this series. It's well written, flows nicely, and all the characters, well, aside from the dead guy that so many seem to be happy is dead, are likable and seem genuine. And, oh, yes, lots of adorable animals, with tiny Queenie leading the pack. Makes me extra proud to say my own corgi mix is a rescue as the need for more facilities and financing definitely has a role in this particular book.
Dubbed Queenie, aka Queen Nefertiti, the kitten definitely has a charm and way about her. She even seems to sense trouble even before Kari discovers the dead body outside the fence to her kennel area. And, uh, oh, it's the rude, hateful dog warden she had a loud, public disagreement with only a few days before. Kari and her new friends from the sanctuary, not to mention a charming vet she takes the kitten to for a checkup, quickly bond and before you can say "meow", they are in the thick of investigating. Seems the late dog warden wasn't well liked and several had a reason to want him dead.
I won't detail the plot as this one was released in 2021 by #Berkley but will say that there is a great deal to like about this book. Kari is instantly likable. She's smart, hard working, feisty, and tends to think and plan ahead. Well, aside from her impulsive purchase of the animal sanctuary. You'll also find lots of good info on pet care, ranging from things like needing to wear tough gloves to handle agitated dogs to the need for extra strong fencing to confine some larger, stronger breeds and the importance of regular vet checkups and vaccinations among other points.
So, why was the dead man digging under her fence? Why did he want to buy the property that he probably thought Kari snatched out from under him given the former owners troubles with not just him but finances and overcrowding? Will that initial trip to the vet with Queenie change Kari's life? How about other single guys? How will she determine whether it's her or her money people are most interested in? Why is the one policeman in particular, so quick to seem to accuse Kari of murder? Will Kari's brother be a help or hindrance? What magic does Queenie seem to weave into Kari's life?
Bottom line, author Deborah Blake has a winner in this series. I will definitely be following this series. It's well written, flows nicely, and all the characters, well, aside from the dead guy that so many seem to be happy is dead, are likable and seem genuine. And, oh, yes, lots of adorable animals, with tiny Queenie leading the pack. Makes me extra proud to say my own corgi mix is a rescue as the need for more facilities and financing definitely has a role in this particular book.
March 5, 2021
Furbidden Fatality
A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery, Book #1
Deborah Blake
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A lottery winner uses her good fortune to save a local pet sanctuary, but when a body is discovered on the property, she just might be in the doghouse in this first book in a new, charming cozy mystery series from author Deborah Blake.
Kari Stuart's life is going nowhere--until she unexpectedly wins the lottery. The twenty-nine-year-old instant multimillionaire is still mulling plans for her winnings when trying to rescue a bossy black kitten leads her to a semiabandoned animal shelter. They need the cash--Kari needs a purpose.
But the dilapidated rescue is literally going to the dogs with a pending lawsuit, hard to adopt animals, and too much suspicious attention from the town's dog warden. When the warden turns up dead outside the shelter's dog kennels, Kari finds herself up a creek without a pooper-scooper.
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, a cute vet, and a kitten who mysteriously shows up just when she needs it, Kari must prove her innocence all while trying to save a dog on death row. Now she just needs to hope that her string of unexpected luck isn't about to run out. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I really enjoyed meeting Kari, the workers at the animal shelter and the vet that is helping the shelter when the need arises. And the animals were cute and added a lot to the story, especially Queenie.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story and took me for an intriguing ride. The mystery was well plotted and fast paced and not easily solved. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to solve and it will take a master sleuth to solve the mystery.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. It is hard to believe it is the debut book in the series, it felt like I already knew the characters and had made friends with them. I cannot wait to read the next one and see how they are all doing.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery, Book #1
Deborah Blake
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A lottery winner uses her good fortune to save a local pet sanctuary, but when a body is discovered on the property, she just might be in the doghouse in this first book in a new, charming cozy mystery series from author Deborah Blake.
Kari Stuart's life is going nowhere--until she unexpectedly wins the lottery. The twenty-nine-year-old instant multimillionaire is still mulling plans for her winnings when trying to rescue a bossy black kitten leads her to a semiabandoned animal shelter. They need the cash--Kari needs a purpose.
But the dilapidated rescue is literally going to the dogs with a pending lawsuit, hard to adopt animals, and too much suspicious attention from the town's dog warden. When the warden turns up dead outside the shelter's dog kennels, Kari finds herself up a creek without a pooper-scooper.
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, a cute vet, and a kitten who mysteriously shows up just when she needs it, Kari must prove her innocence all while trying to save a dog on death row. Now she just needs to hope that her string of unexpected luck isn't about to run out. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I really enjoyed meeting Kari, the workers at the animal shelter and the vet that is helping the shelter when the need arises. And the animals were cute and added a lot to the story, especially Queenie.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story and took me for an intriguing ride. The mystery was well plotted and fast paced and not easily solved. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to solve and it will take a master sleuth to solve the mystery.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. It is hard to believe it is the debut book in the series, it felt like I already knew the characters and had made friends with them. I cannot wait to read the next one and see how they are all doing.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
February 27, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
So exciting! Kari Stuart has won millions in the lottery but she has no idea what she wants with her life let alone the money. Then she finds a stray little black kitten that changes her life. An animal shelter on its last legs needs a benefactor and Kari has the funds to get the place updated and open again. It also gives her life some direction as she buys and takes over the shelter and the farmhouse on the property.
Then she learns one of the shelter dogs is part of a pending lawsuit and the dog warden seems to really have something against the shelter. When Kari hears the dogs making a ruckus in the middle of the night she runs from her new farmhouse to the shelter and finds the local dog catcher dead. She and all her volunteers because suspects in his death, especially Kari and the shelter’s former manager. Plagued by vandalism and other suspicious activity Kari worries she has invested in a project she will never get off the ground. She also sees there is a real possibility that even with all her cash she could end up behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit.
_____
I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this new cozy mystery series. Kari Stuart is a lucky woman and uses her fortune in a surprising way. I mean if you won 5 million dollars would your first thought of your first major purchase. especially when you know really nothing about animals or running a business? But Kari makes it work because there is already a super group of volunteers working at the shelter. The volunteers are a diverse group dedicating to saving the sanctuary and mostly are on board helping Kari make that happen. One volunteer is a little prickly and vocal at times but Kari just rolls with the verbal punches. The author has given us a nice introduction to these characters. I was engaged and invested in their lives quickly.
Ms. Blake also delivers a well-plotted mystery with a wide variety of suspects and surprises. A tangled-up web of deception kept this reader on her toes. I loved the fast pace and the liberal use of humor throughout. The subplots are really strong and brought real depth to the entire story.
What I loved most of all was the animals. Buster, the dog accused of getting out of a fence and biting someone leading to the pending lawsuit just stole my heart. The stray little black kitten, Queenie, brings something special to the story and warmed my heart too. It was the animals on the cover that caught my eye and made me what to read this book. Kudos to the artist.
I found Furbidden Fatality to be a delightful debut for this pet-filled series. Light-hearted and entertaining, it was just a fun book to read. I am excited to see where the author takes these characters. Doggone Deadly is set to be released on November 2. I will be impatiently waiting. 🙂
So exciting! Kari Stuart has won millions in the lottery but she has no idea what she wants with her life let alone the money. Then she finds a stray little black kitten that changes her life. An animal shelter on its last legs needs a benefactor and Kari has the funds to get the place updated and open again. It also gives her life some direction as she buys and takes over the shelter and the farmhouse on the property.
Then she learns one of the shelter dogs is part of a pending lawsuit and the dog warden seems to really have something against the shelter. When Kari hears the dogs making a ruckus in the middle of the night she runs from her new farmhouse to the shelter and finds the local dog catcher dead. She and all her volunteers because suspects in his death, especially Kari and the shelter’s former manager. Plagued by vandalism and other suspicious activity Kari worries she has invested in a project she will never get off the ground. She also sees there is a real possibility that even with all her cash she could end up behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit.
_____
I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this new cozy mystery series. Kari Stuart is a lucky woman and uses her fortune in a surprising way. I mean if you won 5 million dollars would your first thought of your first major purchase. especially when you know really nothing about animals or running a business? But Kari makes it work because there is already a super group of volunteers working at the shelter. The volunteers are a diverse group dedicating to saving the sanctuary and mostly are on board helping Kari make that happen. One volunteer is a little prickly and vocal at times but Kari just rolls with the verbal punches. The author has given us a nice introduction to these characters. I was engaged and invested in their lives quickly.
Ms. Blake also delivers a well-plotted mystery with a wide variety of suspects and surprises. A tangled-up web of deception kept this reader on her toes. I loved the fast pace and the liberal use of humor throughout. The subplots are really strong and brought real depth to the entire story.
What I loved most of all was the animals. Buster, the dog accused of getting out of a fence and biting someone leading to the pending lawsuit just stole my heart. The stray little black kitten, Queenie, brings something special to the story and warmed my heart too. It was the animals on the cover that caught my eye and made me what to read this book. Kudos to the artist.
I found Furbidden Fatality to be a delightful debut for this pet-filled series. Light-hearted and entertaining, it was just a fun book to read. I am excited to see where the author takes these characters. Doggone Deadly is set to be released on November 2. I will be impatiently waiting. 🙂
October 12, 2020
A delightful mystery set in a small-town with character and heart. And best of all, animal lovers. Very much enjoyed, and I look forward to the next!
Read
October 30, 2023It's difficult for me to review this book. The writing was decent though wordy, there wasn't much action and too many characters, most of whom I found to be kind of offensive. When this book started out with a rescue dog getting loose and the main characters refusing to believe that the dog could have hurt anyone while it was running around unsupervised, I had flashbacks to my own experience, my dog mauled and bleeding as someone looked on and insisted that the dog they were fostering would never have done such a thing. Just like that person, the main characters in this book took no responsibility, immediately victim-shaming before they had any idea what had happened. The characters also complained about the dogs in their rescue barking all day, but they thought the neighbors were being jerks for complaining about the dogs barking all night. I love dogs, I love books about dogs, especially rescue dogs, but I just couldn’t connect with this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
March 9, 2021
When I was asked to read and review Furbidden Fatality, I looked up its description and knew I would be happy to read it. It’s about someone reopening an animal sanctuary, and I am currently looking for a rescue dog, after our sweet rescue Brittany Spaniel Coco died a year ago. And, Furbidden Fatality is a murder mystery amid all the wonderful dogs and cats, so you get cute and cuddly and escalating suspense all in one package. It’s heartwarming while full of dangerous sleuthing. The author Deborah Blake has written books in other genres before, but Furbidden Fatality is her first mystery novel. Her writing chops show in the creation of this entertaining story.
Kari Stuart already loves cats and dogs when she finds a stray black kitten around her apartment building. But, as she has two cats and a dog in her small apartment, keeping the kitten is just not possible. So, she does the responsible thing and takes the kitten to a shelter, but the shelter is full. Although the name of another shelter, a rescue sanctuary, is mentioned, it’s also a shelter that is in the process of closing down due to lack of funds, so its also is taking no animals.
What to do? Well, if you’re a twenty-nine-year-old woman, recently divorced, animal lover who has recently won five million dollars in the lottery, and you’re looking for a purpose in life, you buy the run-down animal sanctuary to fix up. So, that’s what Kari does, and, of course, she keeps the kitten, whom she names “Queenie.” How could she not keep her destiny director? This story is on track to its happy ending, right? Well, not so fast. While Kari has bought a new beginning in life, even with a house on site in which she can live with her pets, she has also bought into some complicated problems, including a staff of volunteers with one distrustful member, a sanctuary building that needs lots of repairs and upgrades, a dog named Buster that has his head on the chopping block, and a dog warden who doesn’t seem to like dogs much.
Bill Myers, the aforementioned dog warden, does indeed prove to be a dedicated enemy of Serenity Sanctuary. Kari has her first real taste of just how nasty he can be at the hearing for Buster, the sweet pit bull, Meyers has ticketed and accused of biting a man. As the new owner of the sanctuary, Kari must help plead the case for Buster’s exoneration, as no one at the sanctuary or who has met Buster believes he bit someone. Myers is determined to send Buster off to be euthanized, like he’s done to too many other dogs in the area, but the case is continued and not decided the night of the court date. Myers is livid, and he and Kari have words outside of the court. Kari knows she has a formidable enemy, but then she finds that enemy, Bill Myers, dead by her animal sanctuary building in the wee hours following the court appearance. Now, the problems really begin. While Kari was seen having an argument with Myers, there are plenty of people in small-town Lakeview who had grudges against the ruthless dog warden. However, being at the top of the list of suspects is a big incentive for Kari and her friends to start investigating on their own. What they uncover will shock everyone, including law enforcement.
I thoroughly enjoyed Furbidden Fatality. It is solidly written, with a well-paced ascension to the murder resolution, characters who evoke an immediate attachment and investment, a story-line that tugs at the heart and screams for justice, and the personification of the animals, especially “Queenie” into personalities we adore. The setting of a small town in the upper New York state Catskills is a lovely place for readers to land. And, there is the humor the author deftly interjects. It’s one of the elements that endears the characters and animals to us so much. An early indication of this humor occurs in a conversation between Kari and her best friend and local dog groomer Suz.
Kari: I might be crazy—the jury is still out on that.
Suz: You bought an animal sanctuary so you wouldn’t have to keep this kitten? I think the jury can come back in.
Add to all the other reasons to read this book a gorgeous cover and a catchy alliterative title, and I am certain that Deborah Blake’s first mystery and first in the Catskills Pet Rescue mysteries is going to be “fur”vently received by mystery readers. I can’t wait until the next addition to this series.
Kari Stuart already loves cats and dogs when she finds a stray black kitten around her apartment building. But, as she has two cats and a dog in her small apartment, keeping the kitten is just not possible. So, she does the responsible thing and takes the kitten to a shelter, but the shelter is full. Although the name of another shelter, a rescue sanctuary, is mentioned, it’s also a shelter that is in the process of closing down due to lack of funds, so its also is taking no animals.
What to do? Well, if you’re a twenty-nine-year-old woman, recently divorced, animal lover who has recently won five million dollars in the lottery, and you’re looking for a purpose in life, you buy the run-down animal sanctuary to fix up. So, that’s what Kari does, and, of course, she keeps the kitten, whom she names “Queenie.” How could she not keep her destiny director? This story is on track to its happy ending, right? Well, not so fast. While Kari has bought a new beginning in life, even with a house on site in which she can live with her pets, she has also bought into some complicated problems, including a staff of volunteers with one distrustful member, a sanctuary building that needs lots of repairs and upgrades, a dog named Buster that has his head on the chopping block, and a dog warden who doesn’t seem to like dogs much.
Bill Myers, the aforementioned dog warden, does indeed prove to be a dedicated enemy of Serenity Sanctuary. Kari has her first real taste of just how nasty he can be at the hearing for Buster, the sweet pit bull, Meyers has ticketed and accused of biting a man. As the new owner of the sanctuary, Kari must help plead the case for Buster’s exoneration, as no one at the sanctuary or who has met Buster believes he bit someone. Myers is determined to send Buster off to be euthanized, like he’s done to too many other dogs in the area, but the case is continued and not decided the night of the court date. Myers is livid, and he and Kari have words outside of the court. Kari knows she has a formidable enemy, but then she finds that enemy, Bill Myers, dead by her animal sanctuary building in the wee hours following the court appearance. Now, the problems really begin. While Kari was seen having an argument with Myers, there are plenty of people in small-town Lakeview who had grudges against the ruthless dog warden. However, being at the top of the list of suspects is a big incentive for Kari and her friends to start investigating on their own. What they uncover will shock everyone, including law enforcement.
I thoroughly enjoyed Furbidden Fatality. It is solidly written, with a well-paced ascension to the murder resolution, characters who evoke an immediate attachment and investment, a story-line that tugs at the heart and screams for justice, and the personification of the animals, especially “Queenie” into personalities we adore. The setting of a small town in the upper New York state Catskills is a lovely place for readers to land. And, there is the humor the author deftly interjects. It’s one of the elements that endears the characters and animals to us so much. An early indication of this humor occurs in a conversation between Kari and her best friend and local dog groomer Suz.
Kari: I might be crazy—the jury is still out on that.
Suz: You bought an animal sanctuary so you wouldn’t have to keep this kitten? I think the jury can come back in.
Add to all the other reasons to read this book a gorgeous cover and a catchy alliterative title, and I am certain that Deborah Blake’s first mystery and first in the Catskills Pet Rescue mysteries is going to be “fur”vently received by mystery readers. I can’t wait until the next addition to this series.
February 18, 2021
“She’d spent her life giving in to bullies and she was never going to let it happen again.”
I love, love, love this fabulous first in a new series! Queenie is adorable, the shelter would be a dream for many who love animals, and the Catskill Mountains area sounds incredible! This is definitely going to be one of my new favorite cat series. Queenie is a most unusual and precocious companion kitten and friend. The characters, particularly those affiliated with Serenity Sanctuary, are very likable as shown through their actions and conversations. Kari is a breath of fresh air as a protagonist who cares about other people and animals.
Kari won the lottery, the magnificent prize of five million dollars. She has not yet made a decision of what she will do, so she and her three pets remain in a little old apartment while she continues to waitress at the diner. The little kitten she finds changes all of that when, not finding the kitten’s owner in the neighborhood, she goes to the nearby shelter. It is kitten season, they are over their limit, and Kari can’t have any more pets where she lives.
The shelter told her about Serenity Sanctuary, which was going to shut its doors. Kari was able to do what I would have loved to – purchase the weary Sanctuary, infuse funds for needed upgrades and repairs, and learn to run it. Daisy, the former owner, is leaving the state soon but is giving Kari a crash course in everything. Sara, the retired high school English teacher Kari had, volunteers almost every day. They rehire a couple former part time staff, and a young, handsome vet will be on-call for emergencies. It was all going well except for one little problem.
The dog warden claims one of the rescue pups, there for 18 months, bit someone when getting out of the shelter recently. The court date only postponed the fate of poor Buster; the warden has a week to produce the person who was bitten and the medical bills for stitches. If the alleged victim shows up, Buster, who Daisy adores, will probably be euthanized. In the parking lot after that court date, the warden publicly aggravated Kari, telling her she should sell the sanctuary to him before the town shuts it down. That night, he is found murdered inside the fence of the shelter with a shovel and suspicious hole begun under the fence. Kari and Daisy are prime suspects 1 and 2. Then the vandalism begins, one deputy even accusing her of doing it herself so they will look for a different killer. What can they do to find the real whodunit?
I can’t say enough good things about this novel! It has humor, poignant drama, new friendships, and people working together for the overall good of the cats, dogs, and community. I hope we will see more of Georgia, one of our heroines. The mystery is complex, which makes it even better. It was hard to determine just whodunit, as the list of suspects grew quickly! The killer, though, was a complete surprise to me! There are several surprises, so be prepared for a fabulous read! I highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates well-written cozy mysteries with a right-hand cat, a pet sanctuary, friends old and new, and even a life lesson or two.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
I love, love, love this fabulous first in a new series! Queenie is adorable, the shelter would be a dream for many who love animals, and the Catskill Mountains area sounds incredible! This is definitely going to be one of my new favorite cat series. Queenie is a most unusual and precocious companion kitten and friend. The characters, particularly those affiliated with Serenity Sanctuary, are very likable as shown through their actions and conversations. Kari is a breath of fresh air as a protagonist who cares about other people and animals.
Kari won the lottery, the magnificent prize of five million dollars. She has not yet made a decision of what she will do, so she and her three pets remain in a little old apartment while she continues to waitress at the diner. The little kitten she finds changes all of that when, not finding the kitten’s owner in the neighborhood, she goes to the nearby shelter. It is kitten season, they are over their limit, and Kari can’t have any more pets where she lives.
The shelter told her about Serenity Sanctuary, which was going to shut its doors. Kari was able to do what I would have loved to – purchase the weary Sanctuary, infuse funds for needed upgrades and repairs, and learn to run it. Daisy, the former owner, is leaving the state soon but is giving Kari a crash course in everything. Sara, the retired high school English teacher Kari had, volunteers almost every day. They rehire a couple former part time staff, and a young, handsome vet will be on-call for emergencies. It was all going well except for one little problem.
The dog warden claims one of the rescue pups, there for 18 months, bit someone when getting out of the shelter recently. The court date only postponed the fate of poor Buster; the warden has a week to produce the person who was bitten and the medical bills for stitches. If the alleged victim shows up, Buster, who Daisy adores, will probably be euthanized. In the parking lot after that court date, the warden publicly aggravated Kari, telling her she should sell the sanctuary to him before the town shuts it down. That night, he is found murdered inside the fence of the shelter with a shovel and suspicious hole begun under the fence. Kari and Daisy are prime suspects 1 and 2. Then the vandalism begins, one deputy even accusing her of doing it herself so they will look for a different killer. What can they do to find the real whodunit?
I can’t say enough good things about this novel! It has humor, poignant drama, new friendships, and people working together for the overall good of the cats, dogs, and community. I hope we will see more of Georgia, one of our heroines. The mystery is complex, which makes it even better. It was hard to determine just whodunit, as the list of suspects grew quickly! The killer, though, was a complete surprise to me! There are several surprises, so be prepared for a fabulous read! I highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates well-written cozy mysteries with a right-hand cat, a pet sanctuary, friends old and new, and even a life lesson or two.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
December 28, 2021
Winning the lottery completely changes Kari Stuart’s life. As she tries to figure out what to do with her multi-million dollar windfall, she comes across a stray black kitten looking for a home. Kari already has two cats and a dog, she couldn't possibly take in this kitten, too. She quickly finds out that all the local shelters are completely full. She comes across a rundown shelter looking for a new owner. It’s called Serenity Sanctuary. Kari is certain her newfound fortune would be put to the best use by rebuilding the sanctuary.
She fast discovers that it’s not such an easy thing to own a shelter. There’s quite a bit of work to be done not to mention a local dog warden who seems determined to shut her down. When the warden turns up dead, all eyes focus on Kari as the killer.
Kari and her friends, as well as her new kitten, set out to find the real killer. They soon learn there’s more to the mystery than one dead man. Strange things are happening at the shelter and Kari vows to learn what they are so she can continue with her new venture as owner of Serenity Sanctuary.
This is the first of a new series and I was drawn right into the story. As an animal lover, I was intrigued at the idea of a cozy mystery centered in a shelter. Kari’s love of animals won me over immediately. Not to mention she is surrounded by a caring group of women who are totally invested in making Serenity Sanctuary a success.
The storyline is filled with clues, twists, turns and a number of potential suspects. It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I, of course, put it together wrong. I didn’t see that ending coming, which made it even more exciting to read.
I never read anything by this author before but I’m a fan now. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
She fast discovers that it’s not such an easy thing to own a shelter. There’s quite a bit of work to be done not to mention a local dog warden who seems determined to shut her down. When the warden turns up dead, all eyes focus on Kari as the killer.
Kari and her friends, as well as her new kitten, set out to find the real killer. They soon learn there’s more to the mystery than one dead man. Strange things are happening at the shelter and Kari vows to learn what they are so she can continue with her new venture as owner of Serenity Sanctuary.
This is the first of a new series and I was drawn right into the story. As an animal lover, I was intrigued at the idea of a cozy mystery centered in a shelter. Kari’s love of animals won me over immediately. Not to mention she is surrounded by a caring group of women who are totally invested in making Serenity Sanctuary a success.
The storyline is filled with clues, twists, turns and a number of potential suspects. It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I, of course, put it together wrong. I didn’t see that ending coming, which made it even more exciting to read.
I never read anything by this author before but I’m a fan now. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 6, 2023
3.5 stars
My experience with Deborah Blake is with her paranormal series. I believe this is her first attempt in a cozy mystery genre, and I think she does good. I like the set-up ... the whole idea of a waitress winning a lottery and then use the money to buy an ANIMAL SHELTER is just gold. Because come on, people, animal shelter... meaning LOTS and LOTS of ANIMALS!!!
I also like that Kari actually works with other characters in this book when she "investigates". She doesn't do it alone. The whole motivation behind the murder is slightly too outlandish though (
BUT, I'm quite interested to check out the next book. I want to know what Queenie the cat has in store next time to help her person solves crime.
My experience with Deborah Blake is with her paranormal series. I believe this is her first attempt in a cozy mystery genre, and I think she does good. I like the set-up ... the whole idea of a waitress winning a lottery and then use the money to buy an ANIMAL SHELTER is just gold. Because come on, people, animal shelter... meaning LOTS and LOTS of ANIMALS!!!
I also like that Kari actually works with other characters in this book when she "investigates". She doesn't do it alone. The whole motivation behind the murder is slightly too outlandish though (
BUT, I'm quite interested to check out the next book. I want to know what Queenie the cat has in store next time to help her person solves crime.
April 28, 2021
Debut of a charming new cozy set at an amimal shelter in the Catskills proves to be as good as premise is engaging. Well written and packed with interesting characters. Winning the lottery showed Kari Stuart's true colors. Instead of buying expensive clothes or toys for herself, she decided to buy a dilapidated animal shelter to save it from closing its doors. Needing an infusion of money wasn't the shelter's only problem, as it was being harassed with code violations and aggressive dog reports from an exceptionally hostile dog warden. When he turns up dead on tne shelter's property, the only way Kari can save the shelter is to find his killer. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2021
I’ll be honest, it was the title that sold me on this book. I LOVE a good title pun for cozy mysteries.
This was a fun and light read. A really great way to start off a new series. I look forward to reading more by this enjoyable author.
This was a fun and light read. A really great way to start off a new series. I look forward to reading more by this enjoyable author.
April 6, 2021
Not only does Furbidden Fatality, the launch to Blake’s Catskills Pet Rescue series, deliver the realistically quirky characters, generous dash of dry humor, and charming small-town setting cozy mystery readers crave, it goes one step further by offering a cleverly constructed plot with plenty of credibly motivated suspects. The icing on this scrumptious cozy confection would have to be the tots adorable cast of furry secondary characters.
November 27, 2020
A nice mystery. A lottery winner buys a struggling pet sanctuary on a whim. This has to be many people’s fantasy. To have the money to rescue animals. When Kari, the new owner, finds a dead body at the sanctuary she becomes a suspect. So she decides to find the murderer herself.
Kari is smart and resourceful. She surrounds herself with good people (except for Bryn, an employee of the shelter).I was anxious to find out the motive for the murder. I didn’t guess the murderer but it was explained satisfactorily. The pacing was good and I wanted to keep reading. This is a good start to a new series.
I received a review copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
Kari is smart and resourceful. She surrounds herself with good people (except for Bryn, an employee of the shelter).I was anxious to find out the motive for the murder. I didn’t guess the murderer but it was explained satisfactorily. The pacing was good and I wanted to keep reading. This is a good start to a new series.
I received a review copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 10, 2020
Kari thought her life was at a dead end. Graduated from college with double major but only able to get jobs waitressing and divorced from a bully. Until she randomly bought a lottery ticket and won a few million. While trying to see how this could improve her outlook she found herself buying a foundering animal shelter. The idea was good, the new friends fantastic, and rescue animals are her very thing. But. Enter the Best Candidate To Be Murdered. If only she hadn't been the one to find the body, and if only it wasn't on her property. Now add in the bumbling deputies, the suspicious sheriff, lots of problems left by the deceased, a fear of being railroaded, two separate and costly episodes of vandalism, and both the new animal control officer and the new veterinarian.
The sleuthing needed a little work but the story was cohesive and very entertaining, and the light on the plight of private shelters was fantastic. I absolutely loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. Thank you!
The sleuthing needed a little work but the story was cohesive and very entertaining, and the light on the plight of private shelters was fantastic. I absolutely loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. Thank you!
November 11, 2020
Kari is getting by, working at a diner. But when the impulse purchase of a lottery ticket on a trip to buy some kitty litter makes her $5 million richer, she vows to carefully plan how to spend the money. But all that goes out the window when she up and buys an almost defunct animal sanctuary. Despite the massive cash outlays to upgrade the place, all is going well until Kari finds the body of the town dog warden by her fence in the middle of the night.
This start to a new cozy mystery series was fun! I look forward to getting to know more about Kari's background and hearing about the adorable animals in her care.
This start to a new cozy mystery series was fun! I look forward to getting to know more about Kari's background and hearing about the adorable animals in her care.
February 2, 2021
I enjoyed this first book in the series. There was a lot going on (not too much to confuse someone, however) I liked the main character and her friends. There is some tension with her family and a possible love interest is introduced. I look forward to others in the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2021
Kari Stuart, a waitress, is stuck in a rut. Even though she recently won the lottery, she hasn't decided what to do with her money yet. That is, until a little black kitten adopts Kari as her person. With two other cats and a dog in a tiny apartment, Kari can't keep the kitten but the shelter is full. Kari learns there WAS an animal sanctuary in her hometown but it's been shut down for lack of funds, Sight unseen, Kari proceeds to buy the sanctuary and take on the enormous project of fixing it up and getting it running. The founder, Daisy, is burned out but she can't leave until she discovers the fate of a much-loved Pit Bull, Buster. The dog warden claims Buster got out and bit someone. He thinks Buster is dangerous and needs to be put down. Even Kari can see Buster is a sweetheart and is willing to go to court and go to bat for the Pittie. Unfortunately, before the case is resolved, the dog warden ends up dead behind the sanctuary and Buster's fate is delayed. The sheriff believes Kari had motive, means and opportunity to kill Bill Myers with her friend Daisy as suspect #2 and another friend as #3. Kari knows SHE didn't do it and neither did her friends. Bill Myers had it out for the sanctuary but the question is why and how do they prove it? With the help of a small kitten leading the way, Kari uncovers the clues to something shady but was it connected to the dog warden's death? There were any number of people who wanted him dead. Kari is being harassed by someone who doesn't want the sanctuary to reopen and her no good brother is back in town looking for money. Can she solve all her problems before Buster ends up euthanized for a crime he surely didn't commit?
This is a cute story for animal lovers. It was a little slow at first but once it got going, I had a hard time putting it down. I stayed up late and woke up SUPER SUPER early in the morning and finished it. I liked it well enough but some suspension of disbelief is needed. I wasn't crazy about the slight magical realism involved. We're expected to believe Kari won the lottery without really trying. She won millions or billions without taxes and all in one lump sum. Okay... Then there's a kitten with an uncanny ability to know when something is wrong and where the clues are. That seems a lot unbelievable to me. The mystery was super tight though. I thought I had the killer figured out early on but I then came up with another suspect. I never figured out whodunit or why. The clues aren't there. I guess that's a good thing. I did guess some of the things a lot earlier than Kari and friends but not the main murder. I liked how the killer was caught. Now THAT I find realistic. I just had one major issue with the story and maybe I missed it because I was speed reading but
I liked Kari and the sanctuary crew. Kari is nice but she's not a pushover. She spent her life being bullied by arrogant men and she is SO not about to put up with that anymore. I like how she can handle herself even when confronted by bullies and dealing with drunks. There's a hint of a romance brewing but just a hint. She's capable of being independent and is smart enough not to need a man but she DESERVES to have someone care about her besides her animals. She has a BFF, Suz, a pet groomer. Suz is a lot of fun. She has a lively sense of humor and doesn't sweat the small stuff. She's tough but loves to gossip. I get the sense she truly cares about the pets she grooms though and their owners as well. She stands by Kari and never asks for money. Kari's menagerie of pets include two orange cats, one large dog and a kitten with somewhat supernatural powers. Queenie is a major character in the story. She helps lead Kari to dead bodies, vandals and clues. She's bossy and demanding but affectionate in the way cats are.
I admire Kari's dedication to sticking with the sanctuary. The founder, Daisy, is burned out. I've heard that before. Too many animals in need, too little funding and too much to be done. She's absolutely dedicated to the animals though and not willing to give up on them without one last fight. I truly appreciate the Buster plot and hopefully it will raise awareness that pit bulls are a)not a breed and b)not dangerous. Buster is a sweetie and deserves a loving home. Bryn, the vet tech in training, is gloomy and negative. She's standoffish with Kari, doubting Kari's dedication even after Kari proves she's all in. Bryn has a chip on her shoulder and is scrappy. I think she had motive, means and opportunity to kill Bill Myers. The final new friend Kari makes at the sanctuary is her high school English teacher, Sara. Sara is as determined to see her former students succeed as she was when she was teaching. I wonder if that extends to murder though? I think she's capable.
The only other likable character in the novel is Dr. McCoy, the new vet. He's handsome, charming and helpful. He really loves animals and is willing to be on call to help the sanctuary. He's obviously not getting paid so it says a lot about him that he's willing to help. Plus, he's interested in Kari. The new dog warden is an improvement over the old one but he's a little too naive and that cancelled any ideas of romance between them I may have thought would appear. Georgia Travis, an ex police officer, had a run in with Myers over her beloved ex-canine partner Pepper. What kind of horrible person would take away an ex-officer's ex-police dog?! Yes, the dog might have PTSD depending on what he has seen but those dogs are so well trained. Pepper would NOT leave the yard without Georgia's say so and he would not attack someone without her command. I think something's fishy there but I hope Georgia isn't the murderer. I ended up really liking her.
Bill Myers, the dog warden, was truly a horrible, evil man. He was a selfish jerk, sexist and sexually harassed animals. I was positive he was harassing the dog owners and lying about Buster. As the judge noted, he didn't have proof the bites were recent and from Buster. I bet the vet could match the teeth marks and prove it wasn't Buster. This guy Myers was such a slimeball it's a wonder no one killed him before now. Deputy Carter isn't much better. He's sexist for sure, lazy and stupid. Please let him be the murderer! This guy needs to be fired ASAP. Deputy Overton is young and stupid. He's terrified of dogs and easily influenced by others. Sheriff Richardson is a good guy but blind to things happening under his nose. He wants an easy open and shut case and Kari is a good scapegoat. He is at least a dog lover and listens to Kari's evidence fairly but doubts her because she's just a nosy civilian who watches too many cop shows. Steve Clark lost his Irish Wolfhound after too many run-ins with the dig warden. Steve is so upset his dog is dead. Is he angry enough to kill? I think so. He didn't seem very pleasant with Kari confronted him. One last character to mention is Mickey, Kari's brother. He's lazy and wants easy money to spend on booze and women. Sadly his problems seem to have been inherited and Kari isn't doing anything to push her brother to get help. She's not enabling him either at least. It's fun to watch him in the sanctuary making a fool of himself. I'm sure he's going to stick around while the money lasts and bug his sister to sell the money pit and give anything left to him. The seedy bar owner is an enabler too and shouldn't put his bottom line over someone's well being.
I would likely read another book in this series even though it wasn't my favorite. I applaud the author for giving her proceeds to animal rescue so I want to support her and my local library. I wish she'd say which rescue/s. Perhaps the one she mentions in her dedication: Angels in Ripped Jeans.
This is a cute story for animal lovers. It was a little slow at first but once it got going, I had a hard time putting it down. I stayed up late and woke up SUPER SUPER early in the morning and finished it. I liked it well enough but some suspension of disbelief is needed. I wasn't crazy about the slight magical realism involved. We're expected to believe Kari won the lottery without really trying. She won millions or billions without taxes and all in one lump sum. Okay... Then there's a kitten with an uncanny ability to know when something is wrong and where the clues are. That seems a lot unbelievable to me. The mystery was super tight though. I thought I had the killer figured out early on but I then came up with another suspect. I never figured out whodunit or why. The clues aren't there. I guess that's a good thing. I did guess some of the things a lot earlier than Kari and friends but not the main murder. I liked how the killer was caught. Now THAT I find realistic. I just had one major issue with the story and maybe I missed it because I was speed reading but
I liked Kari and the sanctuary crew. Kari is nice but she's not a pushover. She spent her life being bullied by arrogant men and she is SO not about to put up with that anymore. I like how she can handle herself even when confronted by bullies and dealing with drunks. There's a hint of a romance brewing but just a hint. She's capable of being independent and is smart enough not to need a man but she DESERVES to have someone care about her besides her animals. She has a BFF, Suz, a pet groomer. Suz is a lot of fun. She has a lively sense of humor and doesn't sweat the small stuff. She's tough but loves to gossip. I get the sense she truly cares about the pets she grooms though and their owners as well. She stands by Kari and never asks for money. Kari's menagerie of pets include two orange cats, one large dog and a kitten with somewhat supernatural powers. Queenie is a major character in the story. She helps lead Kari to dead bodies, vandals and clues. She's bossy and demanding but affectionate in the way cats are.
I admire Kari's dedication to sticking with the sanctuary. The founder, Daisy, is burned out. I've heard that before. Too many animals in need, too little funding and too much to be done. She's absolutely dedicated to the animals though and not willing to give up on them without one last fight. I truly appreciate the Buster plot and hopefully it will raise awareness that pit bulls are a)not a breed and b)not dangerous. Buster is a sweetie and deserves a loving home. Bryn, the vet tech in training, is gloomy and negative. She's standoffish with Kari, doubting Kari's dedication even after Kari proves she's all in. Bryn has a chip on her shoulder and is scrappy. I think she had motive, means and opportunity to kill Bill Myers. The final new friend Kari makes at the sanctuary is her high school English teacher, Sara. Sara is as determined to see her former students succeed as she was when she was teaching. I wonder if that extends to murder though? I think she's capable.
The only other likable character in the novel is Dr. McCoy, the new vet. He's handsome, charming and helpful. He really loves animals and is willing to be on call to help the sanctuary. He's obviously not getting paid so it says a lot about him that he's willing to help. Plus, he's interested in Kari. The new dog warden is an improvement over the old one but he's a little too naive and that cancelled any ideas of romance between them I may have thought would appear. Georgia Travis, an ex police officer, had a run in with Myers over her beloved ex-canine partner Pepper. What kind of horrible person would take away an ex-officer's ex-police dog?! Yes, the dog might have PTSD depending on what he has seen but those dogs are so well trained. Pepper would NOT leave the yard without Georgia's say so and he would not attack someone without her command. I think something's fishy there but I hope Georgia isn't the murderer. I ended up really liking her.
Bill Myers, the dog warden, was truly a horrible, evil man. He was a selfish jerk, sexist and sexually harassed animals. I was positive he was harassing the dog owners and lying about Buster. As the judge noted, he didn't have proof the bites were recent and from Buster. I bet the vet could match the teeth marks and prove it wasn't Buster. This guy Myers was such a slimeball it's a wonder no one killed him before now. Deputy Carter isn't much better. He's sexist for sure, lazy and stupid. Please let him be the murderer! This guy needs to be fired ASAP. Deputy Overton is young and stupid. He's terrified of dogs and easily influenced by others. Sheriff Richardson is a good guy but blind to things happening under his nose. He wants an easy open and shut case and Kari is a good scapegoat. He is at least a dog lover and listens to Kari's evidence fairly but doubts her because she's just a nosy civilian who watches too many cop shows. Steve Clark lost his Irish Wolfhound after too many run-ins with the dig warden. Steve is so upset his dog is dead. Is he angry enough to kill? I think so. He didn't seem very pleasant with Kari confronted him. One last character to mention is Mickey, Kari's brother. He's lazy and wants easy money to spend on booze and women. Sadly his problems seem to have been inherited and Kari isn't doing anything to push her brother to get help. She's not enabling him either at least. It's fun to watch him in the sanctuary making a fool of himself. I'm sure he's going to stick around while the money lasts and bug his sister to sell the money pit and give anything left to him. The seedy bar owner is an enabler too and shouldn't put his bottom line over someone's well being.
I would likely read another book in this series even though it wasn't my favorite. I applaud the author for giving her proceeds to animal rescue so I want to support her and my local library. I wish she'd say which rescue/s. Perhaps the one she mentions in her dedication: Angels in Ripped Jeans.
December 16, 2020
Lottery winnings don't always lead to an easy path! Reading this book is just like winning the lottery, a strong main character, an animal rescue, and murder all rolled into one! The author does a really nice job setting the tone and stage for this story. Recent winner looking for meaning and ends up looking for ways to clear her name. Everything about this read was wonderful, the characters, story, and setting. I can't wait to dig into more.
February 19, 2021
[I received a free electronic review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
5 stars = Outstanding!
I adored this! The premise of a lottery winner pursuing her passion project is a great fit for me - I love the wish-fulfillment of that set up. The characters in this were fantastic - especially Kari and Queenie the kitten. (Well, one of the core group was infuriating - her hot and cold attitude about Kari was annoying to the point of hoping she turned out to be the killer so she would go away.) I enjoyed Kari's drive to stand up to bullies and her compassion for the animals in her care. There are a couple potential love interests for future books. And the mystery is exceptionally good, with layers that are solved over time, which made me feel like I really got my "money's worth" out of the book.
One of the biggest selling points to me, though, was when Kari used healthy boundaries with her brother. That may sound weird, but I have seen too many books where the main character is manipulated and bullied by family. It can be a real distraction for me as a reader. I'm hyper sensitive to it. But Kari is welcoming and loving while still having healthy limits, and I loved her all the more because of it.
This is now a must-read series for me.
5 stars = Outstanding!
I adored this! The premise of a lottery winner pursuing her passion project is a great fit for me - I love the wish-fulfillment of that set up. The characters in this were fantastic - especially Kari and Queenie the kitten. (Well, one of the core group was infuriating - her hot and cold attitude about Kari was annoying to the point of hoping she turned out to be the killer so she would go away.) I enjoyed Kari's drive to stand up to bullies and her compassion for the animals in her care. There are a couple potential love interests for future books. And the mystery is exceptionally good, with layers that are solved over time, which made me feel like I really got my "money's worth" out of the book.
One of the biggest selling points to me, though, was when Kari used healthy boundaries with her brother. That may sound weird, but I have seen too many books where the main character is manipulated and bullied by family. It can be a real distraction for me as a reader. I'm hyper sensitive to it. But Kari is welcoming and loving while still having healthy limits, and I loved her all the more because of it.
This is now a must-read series for me.
November 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It has a cast of great characters that anyone would want to hang out with. This is the first and I am sure not the last for this series. Kari Stuart a waitress in a small up state New York town wins 5 million in the lottery. She buys a animal sanctuary on a whim. Instantly is in love with the animals and people. Unfortunately she finds the dog warden dead in the dog yard.
Great start to a fun mystery!
#FurbiddenFatality #NetGalley
Great start to a fun mystery!
#FurbiddenFatality #NetGalley
October 11, 2021
Fun, engrossing listen!
Great characters, world-building, and storyline. Lighthearted, even though a guy gets killed. (He wasn't very nice. Wonderful friendships, and small-town gossip and support.
This audiobook is the beginning of a promising new series. I can't wait to read more.
The narrator did a wonderful job breathing life into the unique characters.
Great characters, world-building, and storyline. Lighthearted, even though a guy gets killed. (He wasn't very nice. Wonderful friendships, and small-town gossip and support.
This audiobook is the beginning of a promising new series. I can't wait to read more.
The narrator did a wonderful job breathing life into the unique characters.
February 26, 2021
FURBIDDEN FATALITY by Deborah Blake
The First Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery
Kari Stuart has every intention of turning over the stray kitten she caught to the local shelter. When Kari discovers the local shelter is full and a nearby animal sanctuary is floundering, she makes a life changing decision. With her recent lottery winnings, Kari buys the sanctuary and starts making much needed improvements. Kari knows it's going to be a tough job requiring a lot of hard work, made even more difficult by the dog warden who seems to have it out for the shelter and one of its dogs in particular. When Kari finds his dead body on the sanctuary grounds, she becomes a prime suspect, but the town is full of people who despised the warden. Will Kari be able to save the sanctuary, its animals, and herself?
The first Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery introduces readers to an eclectic group of characters, from the school teacher who taught pretty much everybody in town to the waitress who has finally had it with bullies. They are a diverse group, with the diversity coming naturally. I really like Kari, who after overcoming a lot in her life has found purpose and a no nonsense attitude. She is smart, strong, but willing to accept help. Of course I adore Queenie, but I feel that Kari's other pets were given short shrift. I hope they get a little more action, or at least attention, in future outings.
There are lots of surprises and plenty of twists and turns in FURBIDDEN FATALITY, keeping me engaged and concerned. I thought things were bad enough when the dog warden was alive, but even after death the hits keep coming for Kari, and not just being a suspected murderer. One of my primary worries was the welfare of the animals, not only Buster and the other animals in the shelter, but the fate of other animals during the dog warden's tenure. Anger doesn't begin to cover it and if I was one of those owners, he may not have made it to this book!
Animal rescues are a vital part of this world and I'm delighted to have a mystery series that shows the hard work and determination necessary to provide a decent quality of life and a chance for a home of their own for all animals while also providing a great mystery to read!
FURBIDDEN FATALITY with its tenacious characters, lovable animals, and captivating mystery is a fantastic start to a new series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery
Kari Stuart has every intention of turning over the stray kitten she caught to the local shelter. When Kari discovers the local shelter is full and a nearby animal sanctuary is floundering, she makes a life changing decision. With her recent lottery winnings, Kari buys the sanctuary and starts making much needed improvements. Kari knows it's going to be a tough job requiring a lot of hard work, made even more difficult by the dog warden who seems to have it out for the shelter and one of its dogs in particular. When Kari finds his dead body on the sanctuary grounds, she becomes a prime suspect, but the town is full of people who despised the warden. Will Kari be able to save the sanctuary, its animals, and herself?
The first Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery introduces readers to an eclectic group of characters, from the school teacher who taught pretty much everybody in town to the waitress who has finally had it with bullies. They are a diverse group, with the diversity coming naturally. I really like Kari, who after overcoming a lot in her life has found purpose and a no nonsense attitude. She is smart, strong, but willing to accept help. Of course I adore Queenie, but I feel that Kari's other pets were given short shrift. I hope they get a little more action, or at least attention, in future outings.
There are lots of surprises and plenty of twists and turns in FURBIDDEN FATALITY, keeping me engaged and concerned. I thought things were bad enough when the dog warden was alive, but even after death the hits keep coming for Kari, and not just being a suspected murderer. One of my primary worries was the welfare of the animals, not only Buster and the other animals in the shelter, but the fate of other animals during the dog warden's tenure. Anger doesn't begin to cover it and if I was one of those owners, he may not have made it to this book!
Animal rescues are a vital part of this world and I'm delighted to have a mystery series that shows the hard work and determination necessary to provide a decent quality of life and a chance for a home of their own for all animals while also providing a great mystery to read!
FURBIDDEN FATALITY with its tenacious characters, lovable animals, and captivating mystery is a fantastic start to a new series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me an e-copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
February 24, 2021
If you are an animal lover like I am I'll bet that you sometimes wish you could win a big pot of lottery money and get really involved with saving animals. Well Kari Stuart knows first hand and she is now the proud owner of a rather run down animal rescue sanctuary. Thanks to a little black kitten, Kari finds out that there is no more room anyplace for homeless animals in her neck of the woods. The kitten, now named Queenie, has set her on her new path in life. With her $5 million dollars in winnings she decides to buy the soon to be closed sanctuary and give it a new lease on life to help animals in need of furrever homes. Too bad not everybody is onboard with her plans. The local dog catcher is a nasty piece of work and he wastes no time making it clear that she isn't wanted and that he will fight to get her out. After a confrontation in the local court room over a dog biting incident which has not a shred of proof, the dog catcher is found dead at the sanctuary and Kari becomes a suspect.
One minute spent within ten feet of the dead man and it's clear that there were lots of people who will not be shedding a tear over his demise. The list of suspects is really long. Kari and the ladies who work at the sanctuary set to work to unmask the killer and at the same time get the place ready for full time business. Queenie picked the right human to adopt her and Kari is finding her new purpose in life. Much better than being a waitress and living in a cramped, dismal apartment.
This is not only the first entry in this delightful new series but it is the first mystery by a well established writer of non fiction as well as the Baba Yaga series. That carries over to this series. She writes very well and has crafted a well plotted and complex puzzle that kept me guessing. Kari and the rest of the cast well well defined and I'm going to add this series to my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Berkley and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
One minute spent within ten feet of the dead man and it's clear that there were lots of people who will not be shedding a tear over his demise. The list of suspects is really long. Kari and the ladies who work at the sanctuary set to work to unmask the killer and at the same time get the place ready for full time business. Queenie picked the right human to adopt her and Kari is finding her new purpose in life. Much better than being a waitress and living in a cramped, dismal apartment.
This is not only the first entry in this delightful new series but it is the first mystery by a well established writer of non fiction as well as the Baba Yaga series. That carries over to this series. She writes very well and has crafted a well plotted and complex puzzle that kept me guessing. Kari and the rest of the cast well well defined and I'm going to add this series to my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Berkley and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
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