I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

Unfortunately, this title is part of a series, in order to read this book, I would recommend reading the rest of the series first. The characters carry through and the fact that you can not read this book as a standalone without some background knowledge of the characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery as a fan of Agatha Christie. I think there was the right amount of tension and excitement and the setting was perfect, or should I say purrfect? Anyway I will definitely check out what the author has to offer next.

Another great mystery from Liz Mugavero, with plenty of intrigue and lots of great animals, too. An enjoyable series.

Kristan “Stan” and Jake are getting married. Stan is trying to stay calm despite having to deal with all the wedding advice from her mother. Then when her bachelorette party turns out to be a murder scene, Stan can help but start snooping. Her guest list becomes her suspect list.

This is the seventh book in the series but my first. This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. However, I believe I could understand the character’s backstories better if I’d read the previous books. The characters are relatable and well-developed. Being an animal lover, I really enjoyed the pets that were included in the story. The mystery is well-plotted with several twists and turns. There are recipes included for gourmet pet treats.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

Are you an animal lover who is interested in reading fun cozies over the holidays? Liz Mugavero is the author of the Pawsitively Organic Mystery Series, and these cute cozies feature Kristan (Stan) Connor and her fiancé Jake McGee, along with dozens of friends in the small New England village of Frog’s Ledge. Stan owns a popular organic pet patisserie, and seems to get involved in investigating the ongoing murders as an amateur sleuth. She often gets herself and her friends into danger, and even becomes a murder suspect on occasion. Law enforcement doesn’t want Stan’s help, of course, but without it, there would be a lot of unsolved murders in that small town.

Murder She Meowed, is the 7th installment in the Pawsitively Organic Mystery Series, and includes recipes for organic pet treats. In this novel, Kristan (Stan) is engaged to the wonderful Jake McGee, and her friends throw a bachelor party for her. One of her friends hires a dancer to come out of a cake, but when he arrives, he doesn’t jump out of her cake because he is dead. Stan has met the dead dancer and wants to help find his killer.


Mugavero’s characters are well-developed and likeable. These cozies are suitable for all ages, since there is no graphic violence, language, or sex. There is a lot of fun however, and cozy readers will enjoy this series.

Kristan "Stan" Connor loves concocting tasty organic treats for dogs and cats--and she also loves her fiance, pub owner Jake McGee. But she's not so enthusiastic about finding a dead body at her own bachelorette party.

Stan and Jake's wedding will soon take place on the town green in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, followed by a reception at their beloved Irish pub filled with friends, family, and their four favorite canine companions. Stan just has to endure the traditional girls' night out first. Male strippers jumping out of gigantic cakes aren't her preferred entertainment. But the hired hottie never gets around to taking it all off, because someone takes him out first with one of Stan's kitchen knives. A heartbroken Stan recognizes the victim as one of the delivery men from the local farm who must have been moonlighting for some extra cash. Now the guest list has turned into a suspect list and Stan's making a vow to find the killer.

The mystery is well written and has plenty of suspects along with red herrings, twists, turns, and lots of misdirection to keep the reader guessing as to who the real culprit is. The characters are so well written and well developed which makes it seem like you are catching up friends. The way the author describes the places in town and the characters you can picture what's happening in the book in your head.

I wish that Stan's mom and sister would have just let Stan and Jake plan their wedding the way they wanted it, instead of ignoring them and trying to plan the wedding as they would of wanted it. It would have been nice if Jake would have stayed and helped Stan when the unwanted wedding planner showed up at the house instead of leaving the house like a big chicken. I liked that Stan and Jake did get to tie the knot, and that they almost got to have the wedding that they wanted right from the start. I hope that the author continues this series so we can see how Stan and Jake's story continues and to see what the future holds for them.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Books for my review.

Another fun cozy mystery in the Pawsitively Organic series! The town of Frog Ledge really comes to life and the characters are relateable and endearing (especially the pets)! I love cozies that include a wedding (even with a crazy Momzilla) so this book, which also includes some great recipes for the fur kids, is definitely a must read!

Animals, weddings, families and stress - Liz Mugavero has taken this random selection of ideas and crafted them into a fantastic story, another brilliant edition to the Pawsitively Organic series.

This one starts with Stan being given a guilt trip about the fact that she wants her wedding the way she wants it, which means no Bachelorette/Hen party and no church wedding, her sister has arranged the first (and Stan reluctantly gives in) and her mother is well and truly arranging the second, apparently Stan's feelings about the matter are incidental to a well arranged, society style wedding. Just as things couldn't get any worse from Stan's point of view there is a death at the party, now Jessie (the State Trooper and soon to be Stan's sister in law) is trying to figure out who wanted a hard working young man dead, and at every turn she seems to hit a snag, so Stan decides to help out (not that Jessie wants her help mind you!) and hopes that this at least can go more smoothly.

Murder, She Meowed is book seven in this series and the first I have read in the series. It is a cute mystery,well written, and great characters.

This is book 7 in the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series and Frog Ledge, CT is busilly getting ready for Stan and Jakes wedding. Bit somehow she has lost control of their simple vows and party after at Jake"s bar. Her Mother and sister think they know best. When Kristan finds a dead body in the cake at her bridal shower the It throws a clinker into the wedding plans. With just 3 weeks till the big day she has to get the wedding back under control and solve the murder so the wedding party can attend. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wedding preparations can be murder - but in this case it is literally true as the body of the young man scheduled to dance at Stan’s bachelorette party is discovered within the fake cake.  Between trying to prevent her mother from taking over her wedding, running her pet patisserie, and helping Jessie solve the crime, Stan has her hands full. But unless the murder is quickly solved she won’t rest easy - particularly when a stalker starts targeting her and her business.


Liz Mugavero’s pawsitively organic mysteries are a treat for animal lovers as well as mystery lovers.  I enjoyed Murder She Meowed immensely, especially the interactions between Stan and her family and friends.  Frog Ledge is a believably close knit community, and all of the characters readers have come to know are present without situations feeling forced. The mystery itself is well crafted, and has many surprises in store for readers.  I definitely recommend Murder She Meowed to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.


5 / 5


I received a copy of Murder She Meowed from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

MURDER, SHE MEOWED is the seventh book in Liz Mugavero's Pawsitively Organic cozy mystery series. The backdrop to this mystery is Kristan "Stan" Connor's upcoming wedding and the battle with her well-intentioned yet overbearing family over wedding stuff. One of the mini battles is with her sister over the bachelorette party. Stan's sister is determined to get her the traditional stripper- infused party, while Stan couldn't care less. It's particularly unfortunate when the stripper in question is discovered murdered at the party. Liz Mugavero tells a story that perfectly captures the fun smalltown dynamic - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nikki, Stan's visiting friend, provides a great sounding board and source of comfort and support as Stan deals with family nonsense while trying to unmask a killer. There is a great degree of danger throughout this story, but Liz Mugavero relieves the tension with friends and cute pets.

Perry Puck is a friendly young man with no enemies that he knows of. It comes as a surprise to Stan that he was supposed to be a stripper at her unwanted bachelorette party and that he was murdered. Stan comes to find out that many people may have had a reason to harm him for reasons beyond his control - his inheritance or his natural good looks. Either way, it amounts to jealousy as a likely motive for murder. Liz Mugavero does a good job of balancing the suspense and thrills with the fun elements typical of a good cozy mystery. I also like how Stan speaks up on behalf of the victim and the unfairness of his death, as well as the way the community comes together to help her in her investigation and with her wedding.

MURDER, SHE MEOWED is a tangled tale of family chaos mixed with murder most foul. Stan is one of my favorite female amateur sleuths because she's realistically flawed yet entertaining to read about. Family is a huge theme in this mystery - for most of the main characters. Trying to decipher family dynamics in order to get to the truth is frustrating for Stan at times, but she perseveres. The murder victim's family also serves as an interesting contrast to Stan's own family. I look forward to reading Liz Mugavero's next mystery.

Murder, She Meowed by Liz Mugavero has readers journeying to Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Kristina “Stan” Connor is getting married to pub owner, Jake McGee in three weeks. The couple have spent the winter planning their wedding which will be at McSwigg’s (Jake’s pub) followed by a reception. The pub holds a special place in their hearts, and they want to celebrate the day with their close family, friends and pets. Unfortunately, Patricia, Stan’s mother, has her own ideas for the wedding and makes plans without consulting Stan. Stan’s sister, Caitlyn is insisting on giving her a bachelorette party and a reluctant Stan attends. At the bachelorette party the excitement ramps up when a giant cake is wheeled in and, instead of a half-naked man jumping out of the cake, they see blood seeping from the bottom of the cake. Inside they find Perry Puck dead from a knife wound with one of Stan’s kitchen knives inside with him. Perry is one of the farmhands at Spring Hill Farm and has been moonlighting as a stripper. Sgt. Jessie Pasquale, Stan’s soon to be sister-in-law and an unenthusiastic guest at the party, quickly takes charge of the crime scene. Stan would like the murder solved before her wedding day and begins asking questions around town. Stan soon finds a threatening note on her car and then the individual gets into Pawsitively Organic, Stan’s pet patisserie, to leave another one. As if Stan does not have enough on her plate, her mother has hired a wedding planner to “reshape” her wedding. She needs to stand up to her mother or the town will soon have another murder on its hands with Stan taking her marriage vows in an orange jumpsuit. Can Stan pinpoint Perry’s killer before her big day? Will Stan and Jake get the wedding they planned, or will Patricia get her way?

Murder, She Meowed is seventh book in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. If you have not read any of the previous books in the series, you will not be lost. The author provides the necessary background information for new readers. I like the town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut with its quirky residents and unique shops. Stan has cultivated a wonderful group of friends who have become family to her, and she wants to celebrate her special day with them. Stan is a woman of simple tastes and she does not want an extravagant wedding. Unfortunately, Stan’s mother, Patricia refuses to listen and steamrolls right over Stan’s objections. I did not understand why Jake was not more supportive of Stan. When the wedding planner shows up, Jake ducks out (the chicken). Stan is lucky to have her good friend, Nikki Manning in town. I found Murder, She Meowed to be entertaining and easy to read. I love the adorable cats and dogs featured in the story. Nutty, the Maine Coon cat, is my favorite. I did not like Patricia and Caitlyn ignoring Stan’s wishes. I found it frustrating, aggravating, annoying and many other words ending in “ing”. It is supposed to be humorous, but, as you can tell, I was not laughing. The mystery had several suspects and misdirection to distract readers from the real culprit. The author upped her game with this whodunit (thank you). The ending of Murder, She Meowed is extremely satisfying. I enjoyed my latest visit to Frog Ledge, and I was smiling when I finished this engaging tale. I am giving Murder, She Meowed 4 out of 5 stars. There are pet food recipes at the end. Murder, She Meowed is a delightful cozy mystery with its friendly residents, delectable delights at Izzy’s, adorable fur babies, a wedding and a dead man in red satin undies.

Murder She Meowed
Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, Book #7
Liz Mugavero
5+ Stars

Synopsis:

Kristan "Stan" Connor loves concocting tasty organic treats for dogs and cats--and she also loves her fiance, pub owner Jake McGee. But she's not so enthusiastic about finding a dead body at her own bachelorette party . . .

Stan and Jake's wedding will soon take place on the town green in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, followed by a reception at their beloved Irish pub filled with friends, family, and their four favorite canine companions. Stan just has to endure the traditional girls' night out first. Male strippers jumping out of gigantic cakes aren't her preferred entertainment. But the hired hottie never gets around to taking it all off . . . because someone takes him out first with one of Stan's kitchen knives. A heartbroken Stan recognizes the victim as one of the delivery men from the local farm--who must have been moonlighting for some extra cash. Now the guest list has turned into a suspect list--and Stan's making a vow to find the killer . . .

Includes Gourmet Pet Food Recipes!

Praise for Purring Around the Christmas Tree

"For fans of pet-themed mysteries, Mugavero pens a purrfect New England Christmas cozy, which also includes gourmet pet treat recipes." (Goodreads)


Reviews:

The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I enjoy any time that I get to spend with Stan and her family and friends. You never know what Stan and her cohorts are going to do, it is always an adventure. Stan is still having trouble with her mother. Now she is trying to take over her wedding, changing all the plans that Stan and Jake have made. Will they come to an agreement or will the happy couple elope?

The writing style flows smoothly and it defined the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, visiting Frog Ledge, Connecticut, and enjoying my visit. I felt like I was visiting Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie, seeing all the pet treats and food that she makes.

The mystery was well plotted and fast paced and it was not easily solved. The suspense and tension kept growing as I swiped the pages, and although I wanted to see what would happen next, I was afraid to find out.

I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Sometimes a book just clicks with the reader, and that is what happened to me. I have read the whole series and they just keep getting better.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I have been a longtime fan of this series, but this book is the prime example of why this series is so good. Liz is an amazing author who crafts a story from a blend of all of the perfect ingredients: lovable characters, well-written story line, a mystery full of twists and turns. Liz will keep you coming back with her amazing stories! I loved the interactions in this book - and I was so happy that there was so much Jake & Stan, and that they finally got their happily every after! And last, but not least, the recipes, I love the recipes - I can guarantee you will love them too, you and your fur babies.

It is almost time for Kristan and Jake's wedding, which means time for those fun traditions such as bachelor parties and a last Ladies Night with the bride to be. With the groom owning a pub and the bride running a bakery, you know the food has to be fantastic, right? Of course you also know that not everyone dreams of the same sort of wedding, and mothers do like to live out their fantasies when wedding planning. This always leads to complications. However no one could predict what they find in the stripper cake!
Stan, not being the sort to keep her nose out of a mystery, or anything she finds interesting, seems to be a magnet for trouble. We get to see more about her relationships with people, not just husband to be, Jake.
This time the murder victim is not the most hated person in town, as in some cozies. Still there are several suspects and motives to keep you guessing.
And of course, wonderful recipes to share with your favorite furry friend as you read this book together!

Disclosure: I received a digital copy from the author through Netgalley for review. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from others.

Brief Summary:
"Stan" is from a small town owner of a pet bakery. She is marrying her Irish fiance who own a local Irish pub. The couple do not want a large wedding. Her meddling mother, sister, and practically the whole town, have other ideas and want to change everything right down to the dress she wears. Her sister wants to throw a bridal shower which will be a "surprise" location. It just happens to be at her bakery. That is where the story and murder really begin.

My review:
This is a 7th book in a series which I mostly enjoyed. I was glad to know that I could read it and not have any carry over characters to catch up with. It did take me longer than I thought it would to read.

The wedding story and the actual murder story could almost have been two separate stories in and of themselves. I felt the author almost ran away too much with the wedding part and not the murder part. I felt she also had troubles keeping track of her characters. I also felt it took too long to get to the actual murderer who was only briefly mentioned nearer to the end of the book.

Having said all that though, I loved the character "Stan". She is an independent woman who I could actually relate too. She has strong opinions of what she truly wants but tries to be a people pleaser too. Her relationship with her Mother is often teen-ager like (which is mentioned) and it causes her heartache to the point she wants to run from it all. To make matters worse is her soon to be sister-in-law is also the local sheriff. I would like to have known more about her relationship with her pub-owning brother.

I found her pet bakery to be a great idea and I almost wished it had been described even more. I saw it to be cozy and place where everyone wants to hang out. Stan and her soon-to-be co-business partner are likeable and people this reader would just want to hang out with. The back of the book included some real pet recipes which I thought was a nice touch and one of the reasons I wanted to read and review the book.

I found it funny that she was able to do so much investigating on her own. Although her sister-in-law often told her to butt out, she plain didn't. She got away with a ton in my mind but her stubborn persistence paid off for what seemed like a somewhat inept sheriff.

The twist in the book were okay including the (spoiler alert) stalker but even that was surprising and took a long time to get to for such a minor character.

I would have also liked to have know even more about the character that was murdered. He was likable and complex. Again, it took near the end of the book to really get to know him. When I did, I wished he had not been killed off. Suggestion to author: write a prequel about him, I would read it!

Again, overall, I liked the book and the recipes, but would like those minor characters to be beefed up more. For these reasons I give the book a 3 star review.

~Michelle aka Naila Moon

"Murder She Meowed" is the seventh book in the fabulous Pawsitively Organic Mystery series by Liz Mugavero. This is a much beloved series among cozy fans and I am always thrilled to read the next releases. I recommend the entire series. This series is charming, full of antics of lovely animals and has likable fun charcters, This book can be read as a stand alone.

In this next in series protagonist, Stan (Kristan) Conner is preparing for her wedding. Stan is having typical bride stress because her mother has taken over the wedding. When a highly unusual murder occurs at her bachelorette party Stan sets aside her wedding plans to investigate much to the chagrin of her intended and her Mother. as well as her new sister in law a detective who does not like her meddling in murder investigations. Stan forges on and soon is knee deep in suspects as well as clues. .

The mystery itself was fun as well as interesting and kept my attention to conclusion with many clues and suspects. This is a endearing series for readers and one I enjoy from cover to cover. I hope the series will continues in the future. Thank you to Kensington Publishing and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.,.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed this series from the very first book. I have felt invested in the character and story line development so I almost feel like a member of the wedding now that Stan and Jake are about to get married. They have a definite idea of what they want but Stan’s mother has other ideas. Fans of previous books know her mother can be pretty obtuse when it comes to the feelings or opinions of others. This is no exception. She seems determined to steamroller Stan at every turn.
So when the stripper at Stan’s bachelorette party is stabbed it throws an even bigger pall over the festivities. There are plenty of suspects to go around and one of them is now stalking Stan. She truly doesn’t need any more crazy in her life. It all starts to become too much- way too much.
Thankfully Stan has lots of stalwart friends and Jake. Even her pets, especially her Maine Coon Nutty, come to her rescue. In fact, Nutty plays an unexpected but pivotal role in Stan getting what she wants. It’s a good solid mystery with plenty of red herrings before the killer is unmasked in a most unusual way.
Five purrs and two paws up.