62) The Cat, The Collector and The Killer by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

Jillian Hart and police chief Tom Stewart are enjoying peaceful, newly wedded bliss in Mercy, South Carolina, until a woman is found wandering the streets one night. She's in her night clothes, disoriented, and carrying a kitten in a tote bag. A search of the woman’s house reveals many more cats, a maze of cardboard boxes—and a dead man.

Although the evidence suggests the frail woman is the killer, Jillian doesn’t believe she’s capable of such a crime. The dead man had many enemies in town, which means finding the real murderer may prove to be its own cat and mouse game...

My Thoughts :

The Cat, The Collector and The Killer is the eighth installment in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries.  This is one of my favourite cozies to listen to and sometime last year I started the series and listened to all seven installments.  That meant I was waiting for a new part in the series for the first time.  So my anticipation and expectations were very high.  Which may be part of the reason why I didn't find this newest release to be as good as the previous books.

There was everything I have come to know, love and expect in this new addition and the story has progressed so nicely with Jillian and Tom now man and wife.  Some time has passed since the last book and I expected the couple to be more lovely dovey than they actually were.  They actually seemed to be more like friends who lived together.  There was hardly a married feeling despite the continuous references and reminders to them now being wed.  Maybe the author still needs to convince herself that she really got them to tie the knot?

Despite this slightly weird feeling about the new couple, I just felt the plot this time around wasn't very interesting.  There was definitely enough for me to keep listening but it wasn't as good as the previous books in the series.  The mysteries in the other seven books were much more compelling and made me wonder about various aspects of the characters, reasons and decisions.  This one fell a little flat and left me just wondering if the marriage has broken the series.

Of course I will be continuing the series and look forward to another installment.  After all every series has a book that isn't as good as the others.  Some will even think this is the best of the bunch.  It is only my view and I am sure the many fans of the series out there will love this book even if it felt a little off for me.  Definitely a series worth listening too and a must read for cat lovers!

89) The Cat, The Sneak and The Secret by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

Jillian Hart and Tom are finally tying the knot, but first they need to make sure Tom’s stepson, Finn, is as comfortable as possible in the lake house they will all call home. So when it becomes clear that Finn has fallen for a pretty cat from the Mercy Animal Sanctuary, Jillian and Tom readily agree to make room for one more—even though the tortoiseshell kitty is a notorious kleptomaniac.

So far, the cat has sneaked out of the adoption center time after time, bringing back trinkets, shoelaces, and socks. But when she brings back an antique locket, Finn enlists Tom’s and Jillian’s sleuthing skills. They hope to return the treasured item to its owner, but their search for answers is sidetracked when a body is found. Still, their sneaky cat’s find may just lead them to a killer.…

My Thoughts :

It is so nice to be all caught up with this series but now I will have to wait for the next installment!  (If there is one)  I am a big cat lover and have two of my own but like Jillian, I would happily surround myself with even more.  This time around there is a lovely cheeky kitty called Magpie to amuse the readers and I couldn't get enough of his shenanigans.  Oh and the mystery plot was good too ;)

This was the seventh installment in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries and it was just as delightful as the previous reads in the series.  I love the characters and location but the cat theme is a huge selling point as well.  The fact that the author always weaves a nice mystery plot is also not lost on me and I love spending time with Jillian as she unravels the mystery.

There was some sadness in this one with the loss of a regular character but there were also some new characters and a lovely event that regular readers will be eager to hear about.  As always the narrator did a great job and I have to applaud her work on this series because she really brings it to life.  I enjoy listening to this series so much because of her voice.

I was always jealous of Jillian's kitty cam and often moaned I wanted one too and guess what?  I have one now.  It was actually funny to hear Jillian had some new functions on hers because mine already had them!  Although I have to say that mine little darlings are not always in plain view ready for me to watch them!

A great cozy series and one I always love to visit.  I hope there will be more in the series and look forward to more mysteries as well as the continuing stories of all the characters in Mercy.

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48) The Cat, The Vagabond & The Victim by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

When Clyde the cat travels two hundred miles back home only to find his former owner dead, the story makes national news. While everyone seems eager to tell Clyde’s incredible tale, someone needs to step up to care for him. Because the media attention is creating chaos at the local shelter, cat quilter Jillian Hart agrees to foster the loyal orange tabby, hoping his location is kept secret.

But while the media circus around Clyde continues, Jillian learns the real story behind his owner’s death—he was murdered. Why would an eldery man already dying from a serious illness become a murder victim? As the local police search for an answer, Clyde makes another escape. Jillian is drawn into the case when she finds Clyde has returned to his home again—and he’s found another body. When the motive behind these murders is finally revealed, Jillian understands Clyde is in danger of becoming the next victim, and she must help find the killer before the claws really come out.…

My Thoughts :

I am really enjoying this kitty cozy series but was annoyed to find this sixth installment wasn't available in an audio format even though the book released last Summer.  So when I saw this one appear on Audible for pre-order I used a credit and made sure I was ready to start listening to this one as soon as it came out.  Jillian and her kitties are lovely entertainment for my trip to and from work and I love the mysteries that the author weaves.  This latest addition was no exception.

Of course Jillian manages to get herself mixed up in yet another murder.  However how she finds herself involved and why she keeps herself involved always has something to do with her cats or another cat.  This time it is the lovely vagabond Clyde who gets Jillian mixed up in a family full of feuds that will make your head hurt.  The annoying reporters are nothing compared to the headache Clyde's family makes when they find out his owner didn't die of natural causes.

There was, as always, the usual characters involved in this mystery but Tom and Candace didn't make much of an appearance and neither did many of the regulars.  They mostly had cameo roles in this one but it didn't hurt the story at all.  There were quite a few new people added to the mixture but I doubt they will be seen in future books.  Although it would be nice to catch up with them at some point to see how they are doing.

The continuing story took another leap and it will be nice to see what happens next.  It looks like the kitties will be getting some more people to curl up with everyday.   I am still envious of Jillian's catcam and wish I could have one!  And I don't think I am the only one!

All in all another enjoyable installment in this cozy mystery.  The audio version has a great narrator and I love listening to the series.  I am really looking forward to the next installment and hope the audio version releases as soon as the physical version.

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17) The Cat, The Mill and the Murder by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

When cat lover and quilter Jillian Hart volunteers to help a local animal shelter relocate a colony of feral cats living in an abandoned textile mill, she never expects to find a woman living there, too. Jeannie went missing from Mercy, South Carolina, a decade ago, after her own daughter’s disappearance.

Jeannie refuses to leave the mill or abandon Boots, her cat who died years ago. After all, she and Boots feel the need to protect the premises from "creepers" who come in the night. After Jeannie is hurt in an accident and is taken away, those who've come to town to help repurpose the mill uncover a terrible discovery.. As the wheels start turning in Jillian’s mind, a mysterious new feline friend aids in her quest to unearth a long-kept and dark secret.

My Thoughts :

This is the fifth book in the Cat's in Trouble series and after book four I was expecting another full and action packed book.  However this one was a little more laid back in respect to the previous installment and despite lots of new information last time around, it was all a thing of the past as far as this story was concerned.

What really made me wonder this time around was the addition of a ghostly feline friend.  Hence my addition of Paranormal in the tags below.  There has never been a mention of anything supernatural but this book revolves a lot around Jillian being able to see a cat that only one other person can see.  I can't understand why the author suddenly went in this direction and if she will ever do so again but it was unexpected and made me believe that Jillian would end up collapsing and being diagnosed with some horrible illness.

So while the ghost cat was slightly unnerving it was also a nice twist.  The plot was, as always, interesting and it was fun trying to figure out who could have committed the murders.  I did get a little confused now again regarding the characters who were trying to buy the mill.  I could never remember who was who and in the end I just gave up concentrating on that and just enjoyed the book.

Once again I enjoyed the story, characters and location.  The cats are a lovely added bonus and a wonderful twist in this cozy series.  Once again I missed Clara and Candice.  They were around but not as much as I would have liked.  They appeared now and again and usually, in Candice's case, because of work.

Another great book and I am really looking forward to another installment.  I haven't checked if there is another book available but there was a nice cliffhanger to this one and I am eager to carry on listening!  Although I have lots of other audios that need my attention so I won't be rushing off to use my last Audible credit this time around.  I can be patient and wait!  I hope!!

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5) The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

When quilter Jillian Hart returns to her lake house in Mercy, South Carolina, she discovered her friend, Tom, is missing-and his estranged half-brother has moved into Tom's house. Jillian doesn't trust the guy, especially since he allowed Tom's diabetic cat to escape. When police officers find Tom's wrecked car with a dead stranger inside, Jillian is determined to find out what happened to Tom-before someone else turns up dead.

My Thoughts :

My Cat's in Trouble marathon continues with this fourth installment.  Not my favourite of the bunch so far but still a great book and a wonderful audio.  There is a lot of new information to take in this time around and the majority of it  revolves around Tom.

Jillian really shows how strong and dependent she is in this fourth part of the series when Tom drops quite a few bombshells.  Well he doesn't need to drop them because they all come out despite him wanting them to or not.  Most women would have thrown a hissy fit and left the guy to come by begging and explaining himself but Jillian sticks by Tom all the way through and does what needs to be done.

The plot is sometimes a little confusing this time around.   So many new characters all from out of town meant there was a lot of information to take in.   Even though Clara and Candice were around they were strangely distant during this book.  Only appearing now and again and usually, in Candice's case, because of work.

I enjoyed this fourth book and look forward to continuing the series.  If I had an audible credit available I would already be listening to the fifth installment.  Alas I don't so I am going to listen to something else for a change.  I am sure it won't hurt me to have a break from Mercy.  However much I am enjoying the series it will good to go visit somewhere else for a change and rest assured I will be back in Mercy as soon as possible.

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150) The Cat, The Lady and The Liar by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

Cat quilter Jillian Hart finds a gorgeous stray cat belonging to the fabulously wealthy Ritaestelle Longworth, who believes she's being drugged. Before Jillian can get to those charges, a body turns up in the lake-and her cat Chablis finds Ritaestelle nearby. Can Jillian's cats aid her in solving a mystery with decades old roots?

My Thoughts :

Well this series has grabbed me!  I couldn't resist getting the next installment as soon as my new Audible credits came in and I am pretty sure I will be using another one to get the next part.  There is something very special about this cozy series and I an enjoying the audio versions a lot.

Things have really advanced in the series and this third book has Jillian adapting more to the whole amateur sleuth role that she seems to have fallen into without wanting it.  It also shows her being more at home in Mercy, accepting friends and the way of life it offers.  She has grown so much already and it is nice to see the character changing in such a way after the loss she has suffered.

The plot this time around was once again very hard to solve and had some nice twists and turns.  I am always happy to figure things out but it is even better if the author can keep you guessing till the amateur sleuth also solves the murder!  The cat aspect is a cat lovers dream!  I adore reading about Jillian's kitties and enjoy the cat facts that the author drops into the story.  The concept is working out great and I am loving it.

Well worth checking out if you are a cozy lover and a definite must read for cat fans!  I guess book four will be my next audio to listen to despite having others waiting for my attention I just can't get enough of this series.  It reminds me a little of the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris but more modern.

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145) The Cat, The Professor and the Poison by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

Between her kitty quilt-making business and her three beloved cats, Jill has her hands full. That doesn't stop her from wanting to solve the mystery of the milk cow that's gone missing from her friend's farm. But imagine her surprise when a stolen cow leads to the discovery of fifty stray cats and one dead body-a victim of cold-blooded murder...

My Thoughts :

I am seriously loving this series!  Only two books into the series and I can't get enough.  I am a huge cat lover so the concept is just wonderful and I adore all the kitty information the author slips in.  I am also quite jealous of Jill's Kittycam!  I want!!

The mystery this time around was well thought out and interesting.  Lots of twists and turns kept me guessing right to the very end.  There were some great new characters added to the series and I look forward to getting to know them better.  I find the location to be very quaint but full of so many diverse people that this series will definitely keep being one to read!

I am actually listening to this series and I can highly recommend going this route if you like audios.  The narrator does a great job of bringing the characters to life and has a nice voice.  I will continue to listen to the series via Audible and I am very tempted to use this months credits on the next two books in the series.

Well worth trying if you like cozies and a definite must read for cat lovers.  I am going to enjoy catching up with this series!

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122) The Cat, The Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney

The Blurb :

Jill's quiet life is shattered when her house is broken into and her Abyssinian, Syrah, goes missing. Jill's convinced her kitty's been catnapped. But when her cat-crime-solving leads her to a murdered body, suddenly all paws are pointing to Jill.

Soon, Jill discovers that Syrah isn't the only purebred who's been stolen. Now she has to find these furry felines before they all become the prey of a cold-blooded killer-and she ends up nabbed for a crime...

My Thoughts :

This series has been on my radar for a while.  So when I saw the first two books on offer on Audible, I snapped them up quick and decided that this one would be my next book to listen to.

It was a slow start but once the story got going I started enjoying it more and more.  Getting to know the town and characters was fun and the murder mystery kept me guessing up until the end.  I loved the cat aspect of the book and liked the cat information that that was slipped in.  I never knew some of the facts the author added so I actually found out some quirky things about my own balls of fluff!

There isn't much else I can say about this debut other than it was a good start.  I hope the character continues to come out of her shell and not dwell on the past.   It will be interesting to see how the series continues and what mischief Jill and her cats will get into.  I have the second book ready to listen to and it is high up on my audiobook list!

Well worth checking out if you haven't already.  Cat lovers will be especially pleased about this one and any cozy mystery readers will definitely enjoy this small town mystery series.

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