Catherine is a wealthy woman. She is also going through a nasty divorce where custody of her two sons is hanging in the balance. Returning to a quiet coastal community seems to be a good option. To get out of the limelight since the sale of her million dollar business and try to recoup her life and her sons who have voluntarily decided on boarding school rather than reside with either of their parents.

Her new career as a life coach for the adrift does not seem to be going well and when her neighbour with an axe to grind with Cat dies in disastrous circumstances, Cat becomes the first suspect. Extricating herself from the nightmare she finds herself in and settling matters right, apart from being amateur detective and finding the murderer with the help of good friends is Cat's aim. That she tramples too many toes in the process is part of the fun part of this book.

Cat is funny and over confident. She sparkles and gets into trouble unwittingly. The story is fast paced and engaging. Characters are colorful.

Coached to death is the first in an exciting new series featuring characters from the author's other delightful series. Catherine Cooper, sister to Abigail Cooper featured in the Psychic Eye mysteries, is reeling from an unexpected divorce from her spouse and decides to start fresh in the Hamptons. After selling her successful business and building a new house for herself and her boys, she decides to become a life coach to the rich but adrift members of the Hamptons. However her neighbor Heather is determined to make her life miserable. After a particularly heated confrontation, witnessed by many, Catherine is woken by the police to some startling news. Heather was beaten to death, with Catherine's punch bowl. Of course Catherine becomes the main suspect and the lead detective is set to have her thrown in prison. However Cat knows there are any number of people in the Hamptons who had something to dislike about Heather and could have easily been the culprit. With her friend Gilly, who was featured in the Ghost Hunters series, by her side, Catherine is sure they can unmask the killer before she is thrown in jail for a murder she did not commit.
This was a fast paced thrill ride full of plenty of twists, turns, and action. Given how long it took me to warm up to Catherine in the Psychic Eye mysteries, I wasn't sure how I would feel about her as a heroine but I thoroughly enjoyed her in the lead role. She is feisty and fierce and full of sass. I think as a strong, independent woman going through a tough time, she will be relateable for many readers. Gilly was the perfect counterpart, lending a comical, tech savvy humor that dispels much of the tension in the darker moments of the ensuing drama. Their friendship was endearing and one of the best parts of this new series. I look forward to further novels in this series and seeing how Catherine's life in the Hamptons progresses. I highly recommend this book to readers looking for a fast paced, slightly edgier cozy mystery that has all the elements of a great series.

Cat Cooper is making a fresh start in The Hamptons after a messy divorce and selling her successful marketing firm. Her new life coaching business is off to a rough start with a client who is more needy that Cat had anticipated. Luckily her best friend Gilley Gillespie has time to assist since his husband is on an extended business trip. Cat needs Gilley’s help more than ever when Cat’s mean girl neighbor is murdered and Cat becomes the number one suspect. It’s going to take the two of them working together to prove Cat’s innocence and stay one step ahead of a dangerous killer.

This new series is a spin-off from two other series by Victoria Laurie. Cat is the sister of Abby Cooper, the main character from the Psychic Eye series and Gilley worked with M.J. in the Ghost Hunter series. I have read many of the books in both series, but couldn’t remember a lot of details about the character of Cat. She seems less snobby and a little more like her sister Abby than I remember. I like that she is an independent, strong-willed woman, and she makes an enthusiastic amateur sleuth. Gilley is as funny as ever, but he is more likable in this series. He is still dramatic, but not as over-the-top, and is able to put his fears aside to be an equal partner to Cat. His computer expertise comes in handy throughout the book and the two work very well together.

The mystery of who killed Heather is interesting and because of the way she treats both friends and enemies, Cat and Gilley have many suspects to pick from when trying to figure out who really killed Heather. I love how things start and although Cat has caught the attention of the wealthy and mysterious tenant in her office building, I was more intrigued by her friendship with Detective Shepherd. The two start out as antagonists but as they grudgingly begin comparing notes on the case, a friendship with the hint of a possible romance starts to build. Cat is more likable and down-to-earth when she is sharing a meal and discussing the case with the handsome detective, so I am curious what will happen in future books.

This series does not have any supernatural elements to it. Perhaps that is why the author felt she needed to build drama by involving the Russian mob and trained assassins in the murder mystery. I would have preferred a less complicated solution to the murder, but I still enjoyed the book. There are some major questions left unresolved at the end, and I assume these cliffhangers will be addressed in the next book of the series. I hope as the series continues, we get to see more of Cat coaching her clients since that adds to the story and helps us get to know Cat better. Those readers who liked Victoria Laurie’s other books will enjoy this book. The book will also appeal to fans of Laura Levine or of Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery series.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

I was so worried that I wasn't going to like this book; that Cat couldn't hold a book of her own; that I NEEDED the paranormal element to enjoy this author. I was so thrilled to find out that I loved the book; Cat CAN hold her own (to be honest, I like her more than Abbi); and I DIDN'T need the paranormal twist (though I missed it). I even like this love triangle that I see brewing!

I can't wait to see where these characters go and what trouble they get into!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2996426295

Suspense and quirky characters.. great combination. This author kept me questioning (incorrectly on my part) right to the end. I have read Ms. Laurie’s previous series with Cat and Gilley as secondary characters. I wasn’t sure what to expect with them as the main characters in this new series but I should have known they would be great. Ms. Laurie is an exceptional author. Her books are well written with wonderful suspense and great characters. I am looking forward to more books in this series with all the returning cast of characters.

Coached to Death by Victoria Laurie is the 1st book in the Life Coach Mystery series, and it is great. I have been a long time fan of Ms. Laurie, having read all her books, so I was excited to read this book. Catherine, Cat, Cooper is the sister of Abby Cooper in the psychic eye series. If you have not read the psychic eye books, you will not be lost reading this book. Cat is starting over as a life coach in East Hampton, after a unexpected divorce. When Cat's neighbor is found dead, Cat and her best friend Gilley are determined to sole the mystery. This book has everything, humor, excitement and a little romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I strongly recommend this book to all cozy book lovers, you will not be disappointed.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

A nice start to a new series! Cat is trying to remake her life by opening a life coach service in the Hamptons. Along with her friend (and what a good friend!) Gilley, they plan to straighten out some of the, ahem, special residents of this wealthy area. Unfortunately, Cat's neighbor Heather is a total pain- and then she's murdered, with Cat as the chief suspect. Regular cozy readers know how this goes- Heather has more than one enemy- but Laurie has created a twisty solution that kept me guessing. Good characters in Cat and Gilley combined with a nice sense of place made this a very good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'd not read Laurie's other series (in which Cat evidently makes an appearance) but I'm certainly going to look for more of this one!

After Cat sells her popular marketing firm and gets divorced, she moves to the Hamptons to begin a new chapter in her life. She opens a new business as a life coach to start helping people more directly. She gets off to a rocky start with a few of the locals and is then framed for murder! In order to clear her name, Cat must help the police gt to the bottom of this twisty crime.

I really loved this story. It seriously kept me guessing the whole time. I never would have guessed the ending. I really enjoyed the characters. Cat was super fun and strong. Steven was this grumpy detective that I loved. And Gilley was just loads of laughs. I do feel like I missed a bit because I haven't kept up with her other two series that are connected to this one. I've read a couple books from the other two series but not enough that I really understood the connections to this book, and I feel like I lost a bit of enjoyment. But overall, I really enjoyed this story. I loved the whole thing and it kept me super interested the whole way through. I can't wait to see what comes next in this series!

A fun, well-written spin-off from both the Ghost Hunter series and the Psychic Eye series. Gilly (MJ's sidekick in the Ghost Hunter series) and Cat (apparently Abby's sister from the Psychic Eye series) team up in this new series set in the Hamptons.

Cat has sold her business for tens of millions of dollars, and is setting up 'home' as a Life Coach. Her best friend is Gilly Gillespie and they find themselves investigating the death of Cat's neighbour, who died after drinking punch at a party that Cat was invited, but didn't want to go, to.

Gilly's not so OTT here (one of the reasons I stopped reading the Ghost Hunter series was because he was always screaming), and it's really refreshing to see him be rational, intelligent and quick-witted with Cat.

Cat was clever and funny, and makes not only a good amateur sleuth, but a great Life Coach. Her first client is an older woman with a crippling case of self-doubt and lack of confidence, and although Cat's advice and help isn't the expected, she actually solves many of her client's issues through listening to her, and simply being kind.

Great dialogue and fun characters, an interesting mystery and good plot kept me reading steadily. Definitely putting it on my 'to read' pile!

Coached to Death is a well written and entertaining murder mystery. I enjoyed the plot and the quirky characters. I definitely will be reading more books in this series. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

A good mystery. Cat is smart and tenacious. Cat is invited to a gathering, but she really doesn't want to deal with her neighbor. She is a bit of a bully. When Cat finally has enough of her bullying, she snaps. When the neighbor turns up dead, Cat is the number one suspect. With the help of her friend, Gilley, Cat has to clear her name. The suspect list is very long as the victim was pretty nasty to everyone and she had a few dealings with the mob. So, Cat and Gilley have to weed through the list to figure out who murdered her and they have to dodge an assassin.

Victoria Laurie took two of her supporting characters from her Psychic Eye Mysteries and Ghost Hunter Mysteries and has creating a whole lot of fun wrapped around a solid mystery. Cat (sister to Abby) and Gilley are a wonderful combination and the result is hilarious. They find themselves embroiled in proving Cat's innocence in a murder of a not-very-nice-person in her neighborhood - one that is set out to embarrass and humiliate Cat. Along with Gilley, and some mysterious, but wonderful help from Abby's past, Cat learns about how strong she really is and to trust herself. It's a fantastic read - and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Laurie cooks up for these two next. Thank you!!

Coached to Death by Victoria Laurie is the first book in a new mystery series that actually includes two characters from her other two series, the Psychic Eye series and the Ghost Hunters series.

Ms. Laurie has written a well crafted plot that moved along at a quick pace as she introduced Catherine Cooper, Abby Cooper's sister, and Gilley Gillespie, MJ's partner. Catherine struck me as a strong and determined woman who has reinvented herself in the Hamptons. Gilley is sweet, tech smart and offered some humorous moments to lighten the tension during the story. There were several twists, suspects, an assassin, and the mob which kept Catherine and Gilley pursuing every clue in spite of the danger. It also looks like there may be potential for a love triangle for Catherine in future books. A complex mystery that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

Coached to Death by Victoria Laurie is the first book in The Life Coach Mysteries and has shown so much promise, that I can't wait for the next installment.

Cat Cooper sold her immensely successful business and relocated to the Hamptons after a nasty divorce and decided to become a life coach. She has also built a perfect house for herself and her boys, her best friend Gilley is working with her at the agency and all would be perfect if it weren't for her devious and hateful neighbor Heather Holland.
After one very heated and very public confrontation with Cat, Heather ends up dead. Cat is obviously a prime suspect and the local detective has no intention of looking any further for the culprit, so it's up to Cat and Gilley to clear her name.

This is some type of spin off from Ms. Laurie's already existing series featuring Cat's sister and some other character who are part of this book as well. Mainly a very mysterious Mr. Maks who quickly becomes Cat's love interest.
I really liked the main protagonist, she is highly successful, smart, funny and sassy. I also love Gilley, his sense of humor is absolutely amazing.
Characters are human and believable, Cat and Gilley's friendship is so special and their easy banter is truly funny.

The book is steady paced, something is always happening and there isn't a dull moment. I love the romance and can't wait to see in which direction it is going to develop. Well told and cleverly delivered mystery.

A truly fantastic start of the new series.

After a messy divorce, Catherine Cooper moves to the Hamptons for a fresh start as a life coach. Unfortunately, things are off to a rocky start. While attending her neighbor Heather's lunch party, they get into a heated argument in front of all the guests. When Heather is found dead hours later, she immediately becomes the main suspect. With the help of her friend Gilley, Cat is determined to catch the real murderer before she ends up in jail. Coached to Death is a fantastic start to a new series. The plot is engaging, complex, and nicely paced. Cat was a feisty, likable main character. Her friendship with Gilley was one of my favorite things about this book. Gilley was such a lovable character. He had me laughing out loud a couple of times, and I loved his fun, over the top personality. The last few chapters of the story were action-packed and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending left off on a bit of a cliffhanger and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book. I recommend this book to readers looking for a slightly darker and unique cozy mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it! What a shocking ending! There was no way to see it coming. This author is an amazing writer. It was wonderful to see familiar faces again in this new series. Gillie is a blast and hasn't changed a bit. It's hysterical seeing him screeching alongside Cat. I'm looking forward to the next book!

This is the first book in Victoria Laurie's new series staring Cat Cooper and Gilley Gillespie. Cat has just moved to East Hampton after her divorce to start a business as a life coach. While at a party at her neighbors, she gets into a fight with the host and storms home. Just hours later the police show up at her door asking about her involvement in her neighbors death. Now Cat, along with Gilley, set to prove her innocence.

This is a spinoff series as Cat is Abby Cooper's sister from the Psychic Eye series and Gilley was MJ's best friend in the Ghost hunter series. This is the perfect blend of both worlds. I always loved Cat's wit and humor whenever she was mentioned in the Psychic Eye books. And of course any chance to still have some Gilley now that the Ghost hunter series has ended makes me very happy. Cat and Gilley's personalities and their humor show off so well and complement each other perfectly. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Irecieved this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having finished the last series with Gilley in it, this was such a refreshing change for him. A great start that is captivating, with some old and some new characters, and a new business.. I'm excited to see where this story goes. I loved the Ghost Hunters series so I hope this one is just as good.

It was a refreshing change to see Gilly without MJ by his side. You could really see him starting to grow and blossom now that he is not around spooks all the time. He is such fun!

This is the first book I have read by Victoria Laurie and I was completely charmed. It was filled with suspense, humor and delightful characters. The why and how of the whodunit surprised me and the set-ups for more stories in the series was expertly done and didn't leave me feeling cheated like there was a cliff hanger with lots of unanswered questions. I anxiously anticipate more and highly recommend 'Coached to Death' for anyone who enjoys a great story.

I received a complimentary copy of this gook from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.