This was a really fun and cute read. I really enjoy cozy mysterious especially when animals are involved so I knew this would be the perfect pick for me and I was right.
This was a great start to a cozy series. I loved the characters and the setting was just so nice. It definitely had that classic cozy vibe but had some great unique qualities as well. This is definitely a solid entry in the cozy mystery genre and I can not wait to see where this story goes.

Kari Stuart is using a portion of her lottery winnings to purchase and renovate a local pet sanctuary. It’s not something she had thought of doing until the little black kitten she rescued led her there.
At present, there is a lawsuit pending, with a claim that one of the dogs got out and bit a man. Although the dog seems to like everyone, it’s something that has to be taken seriously, although nobody can figure out just how he got out.
When the animal warden is found dead just outside the shelter, Kari becomes a suspect, along with several other animal lovers.
The new vet, the shelter volunteers and others band together to save Kari and the dog.
This will be a nice series to follow. Good characters that readers will like to see grow.

Kari finds a stray kitten and was taking it to a shelter because she already had too many pets. There was a 2 year college in the next town over and students there sometimes rented places then in June most went home after the semester ended. Maybe one of them abandoned the kitten once it outgrew it’s tiny and cute stage, Once she got to the shelter they said they were full with kittens and couldn’t take any more. They suggested she take it to the Serenity Sanctuary. The nasty county dog Warden Bill Myers was trying to shut it down for all kinds of code violations even though they were waiting for grant money to come in to fix the place up. Hearing all this Kari had recently won a large sum of money from the state lottery and decides to buy the place. One night Kari receives a phone call from a neighbor saying the dogs were barking waking everyone. Kari goes outside to see what’s going on and finds Bill Myers by the fence apparently trying to dig a hole under the fence with a snare noose around his neck choked to death. The cops think Kari did it. So she decides that maybe she and Daisy could dig up a few more suspects. They have to look further than just the two of them and who would benefit from getting the property. A fun story trying to save a rescue sanctuary and finding the real killer.

This is one of my top 3 favorite cozies for 2021 ! This was charming and fun to read. The story is well crafted, the charcters are drawn perfectly to the story and I loved the premise the author chose for this.series. Every animal lover will devour this book from cover to cover. Very well done to the author ! Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

Kari has a simple life sitting in her run down apartment, waiting tables at a diner and driving a falling apart car. She has secretly won the lottery but is purposely not telling anyone or doing anything until she is sure what path she wants to take. She runs across a precocious black kitten who by chance introduces her to the local pet rescue sanctuary that is falling in disrepair and being harassed by a horrible dog catcher. As Kari talks to the crew on staff a idea forms and she decides to buy the shelter and fight the dog catcher for their right to re open . When the nefarious man is found dead by Kari on the shelter property after a public dispute , the police consider her suspect number one. Kari steps up both her shelter revitalization at a fast pace amid suspicions and fear of arrest. As the shelter experiences vandalism and difficulties Kari is determined to not let anything stand in her way of clearing her name and opening the shelter. This mystery was very exciting and kept me guessing to conclusion. I loved the charcters and the animals. The devotion to the welfare of animals is so appreciated by this reader. The shelter is the perfect setting for this mystery series. The author has a winning series here and I cannot wait to read the next in series.

I loved everything about this series ! This is a debut cozy mystery I highly recommend.

Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake is the 1st book in A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series, and a great read. Kari Stuart becomes a multimillionaire with one lottery ticket, and buys a run down animal shelter. Kari runs into all kinds of trouble including a lawsuit and a dead dog warden. What a great beginning to a new cozy mystery! I strongly recommend this new series, and can not wait for the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What would you do if you won the lottery, I'm not sure that I would purchase a pet rescue at the insistence of a forceful feline that needs rescuing but it sure makes for an interesting cozy setting! Kari Stuart was living day to day, without a purpose but it seems that fortune has favored her and life is giving her a direction. A direction and a challenge as the animal shelter needs a savior, a handyman, and a sleuth when the antagonistic animal control guy ends up dead on the property while seeming to have been caught causing trouble. We know that Kari didn't do the deed and obviously this killer has hands instead of paws so her wards are off the hook, but both Kari and the former owner are high on the suspect list. The cops don't seem to want to help, or at least the lead investigator and his sidekick, the Chief is completely by the book which can be good and bad as vandals endanger the animals and set the restoration attempts back further. Fortunately for Kari, her furry companion won't let her quit and there just might be some help from the new vet as well. Highly entertaining, great red herrings, and a very nice way to remind people that there are fur babies that need help too. This story reminded me of my desire to volunteer at a local shelter, now to finish the proper paperwork.

I literally couldn't put this book down! A lottery winner buys a run down animal shelter with a big problem. The dog marshal is certainly a not likable fellow. After Kari finds him dead she's the number one suspect. As she and her helpers try to find out who really killed the dog marshal, they find out just how despicable he was! Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this one!

The first book in a new series, Furbidden Fatality is a cute cozy with a mean dog warden. Let's start from the beginning. Lottery winner Kara moves back to her home town at odds end. When she finds a stray kitten and all the shelters are full, Kara's last hope is a dilapidated shelter that just happens to be up for sale. Kara makes a snap decision and buys the shelter on the spot. The shelter not only comes with animals, but a snarky intern & Kara's retired high school teacher as a volunteer.

Murder and mayhem ensue. We meet all sorts of cute animals throughout the book, along with neighbors, whom I'm sure we'll see in future stories. A great start to a new series. Especially recommended for animal lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher , and the author for a digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. This review can also be found on my Goodreads page.

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, Berkeley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I LOVED this book. I love animals and I was so happy this one included lots. I was horrified though by the dog warden's behavior. Good for Kari for standing her ground!

Kari Stuart won the lottery, although she has kept it fairly quiet. She finds a stray kitten and takes it to the local shelter because she cannot keep her. However, when she finds the shelter (and all surrounding) is full, she reconsiders keeping the kitten. She then learns about the failing animal sanctuary that is for sale and buys it on a whim. As she puts more money and more love into the sanctuary, she finds that this is truly what she loves doing.
What puts a damper on it is the local dog warden (who is a real horse's patoot) turns up dead on her property and she is now the #1 suspect. She just wants to build her fence to keep the sanctuary dogs safe, so she is forced to solve the crime so she can save the sanctuary.

This book was absolutely delightful, charming and wonderful. I do hope there will be plenty more where this came from. It certainly kept me guessing in the end and while it was quite the surprise ending, the author tied it all together perfectly. Oh please keep these coming! I am actually looking forward to reading this again.

Furbidden Fatality is the first book in a new series by Deborah Blake. Kari Stuart is a 29-year-old newly minted multi-millionaire after winning $5 million dollars in the lottery. She decides to take some of her new fortune to purchase a run-down pet sanctuary. What she wasn't banking on was an overzealous dog warden out to get the sanctuary. Kari also wasn't expecting to find his dead body in the dog yard in the middle of the night. Now a top suspect, Kari ventures onto the path of amateur sleuth.

As she investigates, Kari discovers a lot of town secrets, citizens who stop at nothing to get what they want, and blackmail. Kari has a lot on her plate in just a short while as she tries to save her rescue, prove she's not a murderer, and protect unjustly accused animals from death. Add in a slew of vandalism and Kari is up to her eyeballs in problems. With the help of some of her rescue volunteers and her new kitten, Queenie, Kat may just be able to figure out what's going on. Hopefully, she figures it out before she lands behind bars.

The mystery was light but entertaining. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story as Kat tries to unravel the mystery. Several suspects are introduced, each having their own reasons for wanting the dog warden dead.

I enjoyed Furbidden Fatality. Kat is a great character. She's kind, thoughtful, and compassionate. She's a safe sleuth, in that, she doesn't do ridiculous cozy mystery heroine things. She has a small group of sidekicks assisting her and they are a great cast of characters. I was engaged in their lives and in the story from the start and can't wait to read more in this series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

I love Deborah Blake's non-fiction work, so I was so excited to read her first cozy mystery. Furbidden Fatality follows a young woman named Kara Stuart who lives in the Catskills,NY. She is recently divorced and has moved back home with her 3 adopted cats and her dog. She hits the jackpot literally and decides to invest her winnings in a run down animal sanctuary. She also inherits all the sanctuary's troubles, the biggest one being an evil dog warden who wants to take away one of the dogs named Buster. Things get even worse when Kara finds a dead body on her new property and is immediately a suspect.

A very fun mystery, with some great secondary characters. I would definitely continue with the series and recommend it for cozy lovers, especially if you love animals.

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.**

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. 🙂

“ ‘I never liked that deputy,’ Izzy said, frowning. ‘He bends down the corners of the pages in books.’ She made a tutting sound. ‘I don’t trust anyone who mutilates books.’ “

Amen to THAT! This was the cutest book!! Kari, just recently having won the lottery, finds herself owned by a bossy stray kitten and contemplating buying an animal rescue facility. It needs updating, sure. Like, a lot of updating. And upgrading. But once she sees these poor creatures just waiting for a home, she realizes she has found her passion project. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about this animal shelter and will go to any lengths, even murder, to ensure that Serenity Sanctuary is closed for good.

Most of the (human) characters, save for Kari and the sanctuary volunteers, are despicable. But the animals 😍. In this new cozy murder mystery series there are three legged cats, wrongfully accused pit bulls 😒, and all manner of potential rescue animals. I loved everything about Kari and her search for justice for these poor creatures. At every turn someone was trying to stop her or harm the animals. But she perseveres! I have adopted five retired racing greyhounds over the years and I understand the love of an animal and the importance of fighting for those that can’t fight for themselves.

If you adore or have been owned by animals of any kind at all, you will love this one!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Available now!

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.

Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake is the debut of A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. I enjoyed reading Furbidden Fatality. It is filled with spunky, smart women who have a soft spot for animals. There are also two men who care about fur babies and were friendly with Kari. The animals in the book were adorable especially Queenie. She is one smart kitten (handy with shoelaces). I thought Furbidden Fatality was well-written with steady pacing. There is humor scattered throughout that provided giggles, chuckles, and laugh-out-loud moments. Kari Stuart is twenty-nine years old with a useless college degree. She has been working as a waitress and living in a rundown apartment. Kari recently won five million dollars, but she is not sure what to do with the money. When Kari catches a black kitten that has been left outside her apartment, she takes it to the local shelter. She learns it is full along with all the other shelters in town. That is when Kari learns that Serenity Sanctuary had to close because of lack of funds and problems with the animal warden. Kari has found a purpose for her life and for her money. When the animal warden ends up dead outside the pet sanctuary, Kari along with two female volunteers and her best friend set out to find the killer. There are several good suspects along with misdirection. The mystery was filled with action that kept the book moving at a brisk pace. I like that the author describes the pet sanctuary, Kari’s new home, the town, and the people. She manages to strike a balance between not enough information and too much. There is mild foul language in the book. I am looking forwarding to reading the next A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery. Furbidden Fatality is a doggone entertaining tale with a crafty feline, an aggressive animal warden, valued volunteers, a bothersome brother, and an abundance of animals in need of anodyne accommodation.

Furbidden Fatality: A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery by Deborah Blake.  I am glad this is the first book of a new series. There is room for growth.  I enjoyed the setting and alot of stories can come for future books.  Some of the main characters were fleshed out but most felt under developed.  I didn't believe the " Laurel and Hardy" cops. How many criminals fess up the way they do in this book? Not too believable. I like the interactions with the animals.  Maybe more of that and less hokeyness would be better.  I have a low tolerance for condescension and all the active cops in this book were patronizing.  Not a good look.

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. 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.

Enchanting story ~ I enjoyed it very much. The animals were delightful and Kari is a strong likeable main character. There are lots of places to take this series. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.