An intriguing and well-written cozy mystery. The mystery was great and kept me guessing. The characters are interesting and, even though I wanted to clobber Gideon a time or two for giving Lara a hard time about some things, it all worked out and came to a very satisfying conclusion.
Loved all the cats...including the ghost cat.

Thank you to the publisher, Kensington/Lyrical Press, and to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

The Girl With The Kitten Tattoo is the fifth book in Linda Reilly’s Cat Lady Mystery series. This is a light cozy with a well-plotted storyline and a great cast of well-developed characters, both human and feline. The story flows at a steady pace, with an intriguing mystery, and a hint of the paranormal. The plot moves swiftly, and there are lots of twists, red herrings, and plenty of suspects to keep the reader engaged. The reveal came as a surprise to me. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading well-crafted cozy mysteries.

Lara Caphart, a talented watercolor artist, moved back to Whisker Jog, New Hampshire to help her aunt, Fran Clarkson. Lara and Fran own and operate High Cliff Shelter for Cats, a unique animal shelter in their home. Fran and Police Chief Jerry Whitley enjoy spending time together, but she’s had to accept the fact that he’ll never love cats. Blue, a stunning Ragdoll cat who only Lara can see, is her guardian cat with powerful protective instincts and the ability to point out clues to mysteries. Fran, their shelter assistant, Kayla Ramirez, a vet tech student, and Gideon, are aware of Blue, but can’t see the cat who died on the day Lara was born. The relationship between Lara and Gideon Halley, a lawyer, has been progressing nicely, but her involvement in murder investigations is causing friction between them. Lara enjoys spending time with her old friend, Sherry Bowker, who owns and operates Bowker’s Coffee Shop with her mom, Daisy. David Gregson recently proposed to Sherry, and Lara is helping Sherry prepare for her quickly approaching Valentine’s Day wedding. Jealousy flares up in Lara when Megan Haskell, a woman Gideon briefly dated a few years ago, shows up in town. The next day, Gideon tells Lara that Megan is State Police Lieutenant Conrad Cutler’s prime suspect in the murder of Wayne Chancer’s, her ex-boss, mainly because she showed up at his birthday party, causing a scene and accusing him of all sorts of things. Megan, who learned that Lara helped solved murders in the past, shows up on Lara’s doorstep, wanting Lara to help prove her innocence. Gideon is concerned for Lara’s safety and doesn’t want her involved in Megan’s case, and while she doesn’t think it has anything to do with Megan, for reasons she can’t explain, something is drawing her to Bakewell where the murder occurred.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

In this fifth book of the series Lara's best friend Sherry is getting ready for her upcoming nuptials to David her fiance. Lara is excited for her friend and looks forward to play her part in the wedding. With all this s wedding talk going on Lara begins to wonders if her boyfriend Gideon will ever pop the question. She knows she wanted to go slow and at one point made it clear she wasn't ready but enough time has passed since then for him to see things have progressed. When an ex of Gideon's named Megan shows up in town looking for him with a sob story Lara finds she's a tad jealous. Who is this woman and why has Gideon never mentioned her? After Megan's ex-boss dies and it turns out to be murder she is one of the first to be looked at as a suspect by the cops. She immediately runs to Lara asking her for her help in figuring out who killed him in hopes of clearing her name. Lara doesn't really want to get involved but finds herself looking into things anyway. Lara begins to investigate but the man seemed to have quite a few enemies. She starts with those closest to him in hopes of gaining some insight into the man and at the same time trying to pinpoint a killer. Follow along as she dives into her investigation at the risk of her relationship with Gideon, will this be the end of will they work things out and find a killer along the way.

Lara Caphart really does not want to be involved with solving a murder of a man that no one liked but for some unknown reason she feels pulled in to do so. On top of that one of the suspects used to date her boyfriend which has caused some jealousy problems. Now Lara needs to try and figure out the murderer and decide what to do about her rocky relationship with Gideon Halley.

I really like how this series brings awareness to animal rescues. Also, the characters are realistic and the mystery was tricky to solve. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo by Linda Reilly is the 5th book in the Cat Lady Mystery series, and another great addition. Lara Caphart lives with her Aunt Fran in Whisker Jog, New Hampshire where they run High Cliff Shelter for Cats. Lara's best friend Sherry and her fiance David are getting married in her family's coffee shop where they met. Lara is wondering about her future with Gideon, when his ex girlfriend shows up, telling stories Lara doesn't believe. The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo is a fun book, and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end. These books always make me feel I'm right there in the shelter playing with the cats, or hanging out with my friends. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cats and cozy mysteries, this book/series is for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A clever and charming cozy mystery. Love all the cats except for the imaginary one. Not a fan of that part of the book, but it does not keep me from reading this delightful series.

In The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo, Lara is helping her best friend Sherry plan her wedding, and one of the stops is a bridal shop in a nearby town. Conveniently, one of the shop's employees is connected to a recent murder and Lara finds herself getting pulled into her own investigation by several people connected to the crime. This is a well-written mystery and I was blown away when the culprit revealed him/herself. Aside from the murder and the upcoming wedding, Lara is still involved in the cat shelter she runs with her aunt, her art business, and her boyfriend Gideon. All these elements make for a well-rounded story and I really enjoy this series! I think this book could easily be read as a standalone, but I always recommend starting at the beginning of a series to get the full background on the characters and their stories.

I recommend this book to any mystery lover, or anyone who has a soft spot for cats. I already can't wait for the next book in the series!

I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo: A Cat Lady Mystery
By Linda Reilly
Lyrical Underground
May 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

Sherry Bowker blissfully celebrating the engagement to the man of her dreams, but her best friend Lara Caphart is having difficulty sharing that same sentiment towards love. Until now, the co-owner of High Cliff Shelter for Cats in Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, had been confident of her relationship with attorney Gideon Halley despite a few snafus when her safety was jeopardized during her amateur murder investigations. The arrival of an attractive young woman in town puts an end to that, as Megan Haskell is seeking out the help of the attorney she once dated. Gideon failed to ever mention this past relationship, which has Lara seeing green and on alert. It certainly doesn’t help when Megan is arrested and the first call she makes is to Lara’s boyfriend. It seems that the former paralegal had angrily confronted her former boss Wesley Chancer at his own birthday party the night before, and when his body is found under his balcony Megan becomes the most probable suspect.

While it doesn’t take long for Gideon to cut off communication with the woman with whom he claims never progressed past being a friend, Lara finds herself drawn into Megan’s complicated life and the investigation into the murder. Lara would like to blame it on Blue, the spiritual feline guardian whom only she can see and who keeps leading her into Megan’s path. Unable to resist Blue’s guidance and feeling it her duty to help track down a killer, Lara manages to combine the questioning of suspects with her duties as a maid-of-honor. When not arranging a pastor to perform ceremonies at a coffee shop (it’s the place where Sherry and David met), Lara juggles the purchases of dress shoes and fortune cookie wedding favors with the delicate task of interrogating the provider of both. Tina Tanaka’s family had been driven out of the restaurant business by Wesley Chancer, who would later harass and stalk her through texts. Prickly and not exactly welcoming to Lara’s intrusive investigation, the women discover an unpredictable commonality that binds them together in ways that few others could ever understand. It’s a connection that Lara desperately needs as she and Gideon hit a huge speed bump in their relationship, one that had recently seemed so strong and yet is now on the brink of a breakup.

This fifth in the series is a compelling standout as it examines the unexpected ramifications for those connected to an amateur detective. There is no small amount of emotional collateral damage when the investigator is frequently attacked and in danger, leaving those who love her always afraid and concerned for her safety. Lara’s friends can’t understand why she continues to place herself at risk by helping Megan, and even Lara herself can’t fully explain it to herself. By continuing to help Megan – who inserted herself into Lara’s life without sharing all of the truth and is taking advantage of her compassion – Lara jeopardizes her relationship with Gideon by giving out ultimatums of unwavering acceptance. Despite all of the romantic drama and turbulent personalities, comfort can still be found in the adoptions of Lara and her Aunt Fran’s cat shelter. Read-to-a-cat programs for children, an FIV positive tortoiseshell ready for a forever home, and especially the roly-poly black-and-white Panda who so closely resembles the kitten tattooed on Megan’s wrist all ensure that hearts will be warmed to the delight of the many cat-loving mystery readers. Plot twists, unexpected reveals, and a killer hidden under a kind face guarantee this as a suspenseful, unpredictable, and very entertaining read.

Cozy Mystery, Romance, and Cat Rescue!
What a wonderful story! This is the first episode of the series that I have read and I never felt lost. The author is very good at telling a new reader only what she needs to know. I know that I can go read the prior books without having them spoiled for me. Very nice! This story is so good! First is a wonderful upcoming wedding and the romance between our heroine and her lawyer love. Then, there is a great cat shelter they run from their home which truly socializes all of the kitties. Then there is a crazy murder that our heroine is called to get involved in and solve with the help of her spirit kitty. It all works and is not goofy at all. I enjoyed the story greatly and now want to read the prior books and any future ones. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I picked this book up to try cosy mysteries. This book was incredibly juvenile and perhaps would be better suited for younger readers. The whole premise is that the heroine can see a "ghost" cat but the reader is told multiple times about the cat being a ghost. I got it the first time, I didn't need the continual reminder. The heroine's boyfriend was a JERK and I wanted her to dump him as I found absolutely nothing redeemable about him. Overall I did not enjoy this book and would not read the author again.

THE GIRL WITH THE KITTEN TATTOO is the fifth book in the Cat Lady Mystery series by Linda Reilly. As in the previous books in this series, you can’t help but love and admire protagonist, Lara Caphart. She is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and I adore her close relationship with her Aunt Fran. Together they run High Cliff Shelter for cats out of their Victorian home. I particularly appreciate the tender care of the animals they shelter and find it heartwarming. The characters surrounding Lara, be they human or animal, are well-developed with individual personalities. Even the characters with flaws are realistically portrayed, including Lara’s boyfriend, Gideon. He annoyed me quite a bit in this newest book but I think the author stayed true to a real-life relationship situation. The tension between the pair added an emotional level which tied into the mystery.

While cats are at the top of the list for my allergy triggers, Ms. Reilly writes such sweet descriptive scenes of the interaction between Lara and their shelter cats that it makes me want to disregard the allergy side effects and adopt a cat for myself. From the adorable cover to the charming feline cast of characters to the fascinating addition of Blue, Lara’s Ragdoll spirit cat, the author crafts a well-plotted mystery that accurately captures the theme of a Cat Lady Mystery. I enjoyed how Blue seems to connect Lara to people who need help solving issues, especially when it comes to finding justice for murder victims. There were twists I didn’t see coming and I didn’t even have the killer on my radar. With a page-turning reveal, I was happy to see that all the threads of the story were woven together into a highly satisfying conclusion.

In this 5th Cat Lady Mystery, Lara Caphart juggles her duties as her best friend’s maid of honor with her curiosity about a former and attractive girlfriend of her boyfriend, attorney Gideon Halley. When Megan, the old girlfriend, becomes the leading suspect in the murder of her ex-boss, Wayne Chancer, she asks Lara to help her find the real killer.

Linda Reilly crafts a compelling mystery that cleverly weaves details about the cat population at the High Cliff Shelter for Cats with Lara’s maid of honor activities and her sleuthing for Megan. A talented wordsmith, Ms. Reilly’s well-developed characters, including the felines, continue to evolve along with their relationships.
Not only is The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo an intriguing title, but the story itself involves unusual twists that make this a gripping read. Easily earns five stars.

Would you help your boyfriend's ex if she is a murder suspect? That's what Lara is thinking when Megan, who used to date Gideon, shows up at Bowker's Coffee Shop in Whisker Jog, NH. She's not happy about it but then Blue, her spirit cat (go with it) appears and Lara knows she has to become involved, especially after Megan also gets cozy with one of Lara's shelter cats. I'm a fan of this series because it features a great duo- Lara and Aunt Fran- and includes rescue kitties. The other characters, including Gideon and Lara's friends, are well done, the mystery is appropriately twisty (you know there's more than one suspect), and I like that there's a little not too twee paranormal aspect. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a classic cozy and fans of the genre (or those new to it) will enjoy it either as part of the series or as a standalone. I for one am waiting for the next installment.

The Girl With The Kitten Tattoo
Cat Lady Mysteries, Book #5
Linda Reilly
5 Stars

Synopsis:

The fur is going to fly . . .

Wedding bells will soon be ringing in Whisker Jog, New Hampshire. But instead of church bells, they may be tinkling above the door of Bowker's Coffee Stop. Lara Caphart's best friend Sherry and her fiancé David want to tie the knot where they met—in her family's coffee shop. Lara is overjoyed for her friend, but as she feeds and grooms the kitties at the High Cliff Shelter for Cats in her aunt Fran's Folk Victorian, she can't help but wonder when her own beau, lawyer Gideon Halley, will stop hinting and make their union legal.

It doesn't help that Gideon's old flame, Megan Haskell, just showed up with a tearful yarn about being fired that smells fishier than a can of tuna. But Blue, the Ragdoll cat who only Lara can see, appears to be on Megan's side. Should she ignore her green-eyed monster of jealousy in favor of her blue-eyed spirit cat? When Megan's ex-boss is found dead, Lara has to retract her claws long enough to follow Blue's uncanny clues and clear her rival of a murder charge . . .

Praise for Linda Reilly’s Mysteries

“I was kept guessing until the final chapter. . . . A perfect cozy mystery.”
—Susan Furlong, author of the Georgia Peach Mysteries, on Escape Claws

“Engaging characters, the psychic cat Blue, and the extraordinary healing power of cats are a winning combination for this enjoyable, heart-warming novel.”
—Kings River Life Magazine on Claws of Death

“I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzler of a mystery. Reilly cooks up a perfect recipe of murder and mayhem in this charming cozy.”
—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Hat Shop Mysteries, on
Fillet of Murder

“Smart, sassy, and a little bit scary. Everything a good cozy should be!”
—Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, on Fillet of Murder (Goodreads)



Review:

The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Lara and aunt Fran are such great characters, they love each other and would do anything for the other. Gideon was a bit of a pain in the rear in this book, he was not the great boyfriend that I thought he was. The secondary characters added a lot to the story. As usual, the cats stole the show and I just love the High Cliff Shelter for Cats.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning.

The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and I was very surprised by who the culprit was. I like when I am surprised.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This book and series is really top notch and I am looking forward to the next book already (I was sad when I was done reading it).

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

The 5th book of the "Cat Lady Mysteries" and just as enjoyable as all the rest.

A perfect cozy mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

This book was ok. I felt like the beginning was a bit disjointed, but it came together at the end. I never suspected the murderer. The reveal was interesting and explained so much of why it happened. I loved the cats. #TheGirlWithTheKittenTattoo #NetGalley

This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page. It's a clean cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. If you love cats and mystery, you will love this book. So many kitties to cuddle with! I can't wait to see what this author writes next. Thank you Kensington Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Description
Mrs Hudson must step into action once more. It’s summer in London, and things are quiet. But while Holmes and Watson chafe at their inactivity, a train, carrying a vital encoded communication, is entering a tunnel in an obscure region of the Balkans – never to be seen again. The case of the disappearing train is only the beginning of the nation’s difficulties. The missing message must be found and decoded, and a diplomat’s wife must be rescued from the clutches of a pernicious blackmailer. The nation is in danger, and if a diplomatic scandal of disastrous proportions is to be avoided, Sherlock Holmes’ brilliance may not be enough…

My Review
The Girl with the Kitten Tattoo is a great cozy that keeps you engaged until the very end. This is one mystery novel I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!!

5 Stars! 💛

This is the fifth book in the Cat Lady mysteries by Linda Reilly.

I just loved this book. I have to admit it gave me stress almost from the beginning. The distance I felt between Lara and Gideon was palpable. I think I was more worried about their relationship than I was whether she would solve the mystery.

The killer wasn't even on my radar. I wouldn't have been able to guess the identity since I don't think we were given enough clues to figure this one out. I think everyone, including Lara found out at the same time the readers did. And it was a shock for sure!

Basic premise: an old girlfriend of Gideon's seeks out Lara to assist her with solving the case of her murdered boss. The girl had no impulse control and mouthed off at the party where he was found poisoned. She has heard of Lara's success at solving murders and thought she was her only chance at freedom. This put her relationship with Gideon in jeopardy. The more she tried to step back from the case, the more the universe seemed to want to introduce her into difficult situations.

There was an interesting aspect to this story concerning a ghost cat named Blue. The cat never did anything significant but Lara took his appearance as a sign more than once.

Great story. Definitely a series I want to continue to follow. If you love cozy mysteries, add this one to your must read list!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review.I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Lara Caphart owns and runs the High Cliff Shelter for Cats along with her aunt, Fran Clarkson, in Fran's Victorian home. It's unusual in that the cats are not kept in cages, but are allowed the run of the home, therefore they'll adjust to their forever homes easier.

As Maid of Honor, she's been busy helping her best friend Sherry plan her wedding, right down to party favors. If the cats weren't keeping her busy enough, the wedding is. But one night while she's at the coffee shop that Sherry's mom owns, a beautiful young woman knocks on the door and asks if anyone knows where Lara's boyfriend Gideon, an attorney, lives. Stunned, Lara directs her but then wonders who this woman is.

It doesn't take long before Gideon tells her it's his old girlfriend, whom he dated shortly before he met Lara. Without warning, jealousy rears its ugly head and while Lara wants to tamp it down, she also wants to know more about Megan Haskell. She's about to get her wish: Megan arrives on Lara's doorstep and wants her help since her boss, Wayne Chancer, has been murdered and she's a suspect. She tells Lara that she knows she finds murderers and wants her to help prove her innocence. Megan is so distraught and helpless-looking that Lara tells her she'll do what she can.

But when Gideon finds out, it causes problems between them, and even when Lara is determined to let it go and let the police handle it, things keep occurring that pull her back into the case, and her determination doesn't amount to much if a killer can also find out who she is...

In this latest installment in the series, Lara is feeling torn between her love for Gideon and her intentions to do the right thing, no matter what the cost. She's caught up in not so much the murder of Wayne, but something else, something she can't name, and it draws her to a nearby town named Bakewell that might hold the key. But in trying to figure out what is going on, she just might have sabotaged her relationship with Gideon, who wants her to stop doing it.

Knowing that she can't, she unwillingly gets involved with the murdered man's widow, a young woman who holds several jobs and has a secret that she shares only with Lara, and Megan won't stop arriving at her doorstep unannounced, complicating her life even more. It's almost more than Lara can handle, and she can't share what's going on with anyone.

What results is an interesting mystery that has many layers, and while each one seems separate, it takes time to figure out who the murderer might be. The clues aren't overt, and when we discover the reason for the murder, it's well thought out although a bit sad at the same time. I liked the way everything was played out, and of course, the book ended just as we expected it to do, with the killer apprehended and Lara back safe in her home (as we knew she would be); it's an enjoyable book that leaves us with anticipation for the next in the series. Recommended.