I had read and enjoyed both of her previous series and I knew what to expect. She writes not only good mysteries but the relationship between her human character and the cats is pitch perfect. Here we are introduced to Shell (Crishell) McMillan, a newly retired tv actress in search of a quieter life away from Hollywood. Her aunt Tillie owned a pet store and bequeathed it to her when she died. Now Shell is looking forward to a slower pace in a small town and will share her new digs with her Siamese cat, Kahlua and a white Persian, Purrday, inherited from her aunt. All is well until she is asked to loan the local museum the Cary Grant memorabilia that her aunt had amassed. Fine until one of the board members wants to prevent that from happening and Shell gets into a rather tense argument with the woman. It seems there was lots of bad blood between Aunt Tillie and Amelia. When Amelia is killed, the gossip mill starts churning out rumors and pointing fingers at Shell, naming her the prime suspect. Lucky the police don't put too much stock in local rumor and gossip and the detective in charge may even start the flames of a relationship with Shell.
Besides the two cats and the detective, Shell's former co-star, Gary, has arrived in town, intent on getting her to return to Hollywood and tv. Without Shell there is no series. He and Shell are close platonic friends and we should all be so lucky to have such a friend. All of the characters are well fleshed out and set up for future books. The mystery itself was good and overall this was just the kind of cozy I enjoy. I hope there will be more books in the Purr N' Bark Pet Shop series.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Suspect Number One...
The first in the Purr n’ Bark Pet Shop Mystery series (a re-issue) finds former actress Shell taking over her aunt’s pet shop business. When a member of the board is discovered deceased, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can Shell, together with her furry sidekicks, get to the bottom of this mystery in time to save the business? Fun cosy mystery with a colourful cast of characters and a promising start to the series.

When her long running television series is canceled, "Shell" McMillan relocates to small town Fox Hollow, Ct to take over the recently closed pet shop her aunt ran until her illness and resultant death. Thinking this is the right time to retire, but being too young to be without something purposeful in life, Shell is full of ambition and passion.
Even before she gets the pet shop up and running she meets the local shop keepers and some local animals. She also meets the most despised woman in town and has her own run in and disagreements with her. So when, before her first full day in town has ended, Shell is the one to discover this notorious woman's body, she finds herself investigating in real life what she as she had done on television for a decade.

With interesting characters and plenty of suspects, this is a study of motivation and opportunity.
Figuring out the "who" wasn't difficult. Early clues sort of gave it away too soon but my interest was held as the rest was revealed. This series has potential to be a lot of fun.

Shell McMillan has said goodbye to the glitz and glamour of a TV career, and moved to Fox Hollow to run the pet store her Aunt Matilda has left her. Shell finds herself caught in an altercation with local know-all Amelia, and when Amelia is killed, finds herself as a prime suspect. Along with her pet cats Purrday and Kahlua, former co-star Gary and some friendly locals, Shell sets out to prove her innocence and find the real killer.

I enjoyed this story, I loved the helpful felines and thought it was a great first book in a hopefully long series. I liked the hint at a relationship to come between Shell and local Detective Josh, and I really hope Gary sticks around in Fox Hollow!

Chrishell ‘Shell” McMillan is a very successful TV star, with a long-running show about a pair of PIs. Unfortunately her show is cancelled and her aunt dies leaving her a pet store. As she tries to settle in with her new life she finds a woman murdered.
It was enjoyable book.
#TheTimeforMurderIsMeow #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley, T. C. LoTempio and Beyond the Page Publishing for the book The Time for Murder is Meow. This is my personal review.
Crishell “Shell” McMillian was on a TV series that had just been cancelled. This was now the perfect time for her take over her late aunt’s pet shop. This was the perfect job for Shell.
Before long Shell gets mixed up with a murder and becomes the prime suspect. She knows she must clear her name and with the help of her newfound friends she sets out to do just that.
The mystery for me was not hard figure out. I like cozy mysteries that have a more twists and turns.
It was a good story but it did not leave me to involved.

This is a strong start for a new series and is being re-issued through Beyond the Page Publishing since the original publisher, Midnight Ink, is no longer in business. Please see my original review at www.reviewingtheevidence.com. You will have to search for the review by book title. Thank you.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cozy mysteries. T.C. loTempio knows how to set a scene, create a character, make you feel like you’re right there next to them solving crime. Settle in for the day or night and read this fantastic page turner.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Beyond The Page Publishing, in return for an honest review. The first book in a new series and one I hope continues. Chrishell ‘Shell” McMillan is a very successful TV star, with a long-running show about a pair of PIs. Her show’s cancellation coincides with Shell’s bequest from her Aunt of a home, a pet store business, and resources. Happily leaving Hollywood behind, Shell and her cat, Kahlua, take up residence in Fox Hollow and start planning the Urban Tails store’s reopening. They’re aided by her Aunt Tilly’s cat, Purrday, who joins the household. Things don’t go quite as planned when old feuds and new ones start manifesting around Shell’s new life. When Shell finds a murdered woman at the museum afterhours, she’s suddenly a prime suspect in the death. Joined by new friends and a former colleague, Shell’s determined to solve the mystery and keep her new life on track, not behind bars!
This has all the elements that make a solid cozy – fun female lead, handsome detective, quirky friends, two great cats (is Purrday psychic or just lucky?). I liked it very much and, like others, hope it continues (and Gary sticks around!).

Cute new series! It does seem though, that this series has actually been around and this is maybe a reintroduction to it? The characters are all fun and mostly seem to have common sense, and the mystery was solid. The red herrings were well done and it was great to actually see the character(s) work to solve the case and slowly eliminate suspects. The cats were a nice little bonus!

This was received as an ARC from Netgalley.

After her aunt's death, Crishell McMillan decides to leave her Hollywood life behind, and move to Fox Hollow to take over her aunt's pet shop, Urban Tails.

The whole story feels very contrived. Many characters repeat the same lines of dialogue, and much of the conversation between characters feels stagnant. The overarching mystery in the story does keep you guessing,  but you have to wade through a long exposition to reach the beginning. The mystery is also muddled by the characters constantly grumbling stomachs, and incessant desire for coffee.

This book was just OK for me. The main character was likeable enough but I didn't really connect with her. It's the typical cozy scenario - new town, new job, new everything. There wasn't anything I really hated (adopt, don't shop) but nothing really stood out to make this a great book for me either. I'd read the next one if Gary is in it but otherwise might pass.

I received a free copy of THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW (Purr N’ Bark Pet Shop Mystery: Book 1) by T.C. LoTempio in exchange for an honest review. Crishell “Shell” McMillan’s television series is cancelled right after she finds her producer-fiancé in bed with another woman. Fed up with the Hollywood lifestyle, Shell takes the opportunity to start afresh when Shell’s aunt unexpectedly passes away and leaves her estate to Shell. Shell moves into her aunt’s house with plans to reopen her aunt’s pet shop; however, the grand re-opening is suspended when she becomes a person of interest in the murder of the local termagant. With the assistance of her television sidekick, some new friends, and her aunt’s Persian tomcat, Shell sets out to clear her reputation so she can re-open the Purr N’ Bark without the shadow of scandal.

This was a pretty good start to a new series. The characters were charming, and the story was engaging. I recommend this book to fans of small-town cozy mysteries with cats and other animals.

#TheTimeForMurderIsMeow #NetGalley

Shell McMillan has left Hollywood behind. When her Aunt passes away and leaves it all to Shell, both her house and her business. With Shell’s last show being cancelled, she decides to retire at a young age and make a go at life in Fox Hollow.

When Shell finds the woman she argued with in public murdered she needs to clear her name fast or she won’t last long in Fox Hollow. Learning the ins and outs of Hollywood politics should have prepared Shell for this, but she finds that Hollywood politics are not much different than those of a small town.

With her former co-star in town to help, she and her new friends all join together to find out who the murderer is so that Shell can get back to her quiet life once again. That is if the murderer doesn’t get to Shell first.

A great start to a new cozy series. It has all of the elements you need for a curl up and read cozy mystery. a strong female protagonist, adorable animals, the hate detective and friends who have your back. I’m looking forward to this series being around for a long time to come.

I loved this story! It was fresh and exciting and the characters made me laugh!
When Shell returns home to run the pet shop her aunt left her, she has no idea she's going to be a top murder suspect.
Leaving no stone unturned, Shell does her best to find the real culprit, while hoping she doesn't become the next victim.

I am really looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Kitty-riffic!!!
Such a fun cozy I enjoyed the plot and was surprised by the ending. 😻