Claws For Suspicion
A Catskills Pet Rescue, Book #3
Deborah Blake
5 Stars

Synopsis:

When someone from her past comes to town to cause trouble, Kari Stuart and her sassy kitten Queenie will have to work hard to protect the Serenity Sanctuary in this new Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery.

Kari Stuart is finally starting to relax into her role as the new owner of the Serenity Sanctuary and is looking forward to the various fun autumn activities in the beautiful Catskills town of Lakeview, like the annual Oktoberfest celebration. It’s time for friends and quality bonding with handsome vet Angus McCoy. Until the unexpected arrival of her unpleasant ex-husband, Charlie Smith.

He comes bearing a shocking revelation—the paperwork on their divorce never went through, and they are still married. Worse yet, he thinks this entitles him to half of her lottery winnings—although he'll happily take partial ownership of the sanctuary instead. Kari isn’t sure if he’s telling the truth, or if it’s just another one of Charlie’s lies.

But things go from bad to worse when an unexpected death makes Kari the main suspect in a murder investigation. Will she and Queenie be able to find the real killer and keep the home they’ve built at the sanctuary safe, or is their string of luck finally tapped out? (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. When Kari’s ex-husband shows up at the sanctuary, she knows that will only mean trouble. He claims that their divorce was never finalized and that they are still married. When Charlie is found dead Kari is a person of interest and she must find the real culprit to prove her innocence.


The author is very talented in her descriptions and they allowed me to see everything more clearly in my mind’s eye. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am waiting patiently for the next book in the series.

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

A new cozy mystery favorite series. If you love rescue dogs and mysteries this book series is for you.

Kari Stuart is a kind hearted young woman who works hard to save a pet rescue and shelter. She is easy to relate to and cheer for, particularly against her money-grubbing ex. Suzanne, Kari's loyal bestie, is a dog groomer and supportive friend with lavender colored hair who lends her time and talent to the shelter effort.

The volunteers at the shelter are wonderful recurring characters: Volunteer Sara Hanover is a retired ninth-grade English teacher who is somewhat a mother figure. Bryn, a younger volunteer training to be a Vet-Tech, takes time to warm up to people. Angus McCoy is a local veterinarian who volunteers his time to the shelter and is the potential love interest.

The story centers around a juicy mystery, relatable heroine you feel invested in, interesting supporting characters, a refreshing love interest I enjoy, and a delightful writing style. The icing and cherry on top are all the heartwarming animals throughout the book. This is cozy mystery gold.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Weird to say that I really enjoyed the color scheme of this book, but it was probably my favorite thing. I would say that I found this book perfectly serviceable, and I think it’s very much on me, because it takes place at a pet rescue rather than a food-related shop, so there aren’t any incredible food descriptions (or none that I remembered, anyway), which means this didn’t feel very cozy. Three stars.

This is the third installment of the Catskill Pet Rescue Mystery series, and I loved it so much! Someone from Kari's past comes to town and creates chaos in her life and at the Serenity Sanctuary. I really enjoyed the mystery and trying to figure out the murderer. It was well plotted and well paced, and I thought it wrapped up nicely. As usual, the animals, especially Queenie, were delightful, and I love Kari's friends in her community. I cannot wait for the next one!

This was my first book by the author and will definitely be going back and reading the previous books. I loved the characters of this book, the little town and the mystery. An all around great cozy mystery!

Kari and the Serenity Sanctuary crew are back, still caring for homeless pets and solving murders. In this one, Kari has put her ex-husband, Charlie, far behind her and thought he was long gone. And he was – until he found out she won the lottery. Claiming the divorce was never final, he shows up in Lakeview demanding his half of her winnings, telling Kari he plans on turning the sanctuary into a glamping resort. After a night at Oktoberfest sampling bers, Charlie collapses and dies at the hospital, putting Kari right in the crosshairs of a murder investigation.

When I saw this one come up on Netgalley, I had to have it. I read the first one a few months ago and fell in love with the characters (especially Queeenie!) and the plots. What I really enjoyed about this one was learning more of Kari’s backstory and more about what makes her tick (and, in this one, I think she learned more about what makes her tick) and that kind of character development is really what draws me into a series and this one handles it well.

It was the plot that really shined in this one; it’s always satisfying to see an odious character get his fatal comeuppance and the conclusion – so tragic! This one will probably stick with me awhile, so senseless and devastating.

Another great entry into the Catskills Pet Rescue series and purr-fect for anyone who loves adorable cats, great characters and great plots.

This is the third book in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series by Deborah Blake. This is the first book in this series that I have read. It stands alone well. The characters are realistic and developed well even though I don’t know much of their backstories. The setting was described well. I can envision the area in fall as the leaves are changing color and the air is cool. I was also able to picture the animal sanctuary and Kari’s home. This is a book I will recommend and plan to go back and read from the beginning. .

4 stars - Great! Might re-read.

This was a fun, start-to-finish read for me. I figured out most of the mystery early on, but the author still had a fun surprise for me later in the book. And I love the characters and setting in this series, so it was a delight to read. This is a series to stick with for me!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

his is the best novel in the series so far! Early autumn in New York’s Catskill Mountains sounds like a visit I would enjoy. The town is preparing for Oktoberfest at a local microbrewery where there will be something for everyone who attends. Characterization is excellent; our protagonist and her friends are very likable, and I get to know them a little better with each visit. Who can resist Kari’s pets, especially Queenie, and the pets at the shelter? This well written, intriguing mystery opens, however, with one of the worst dreams come true for many divorced women.

Kari is a young woman I admire and in some ways envy. She is living a hard-working dream since winning a huge lottery several months ago. She purchased the Serenity Sanctuary, a no-kill animal shelter that was in desperate need of funds to keep it open and serious repairs and updating. Kari put a tremendous amount of time and money into making it a modern, safe, roomy place to care for pets while they await their fur-ever home. She was able to keep the volunteers, including Sara, a retired high school teacher, and Bryn, who she could hire part time around her college classes.

It was not one of the happiest moments of Kari’s life to hear Charlie, her ex-husband, when he came in to see her, flowers in hand. She had fallen for his smooth talking once, and she refuses to repeat her mistakes. He came when he learned their divorce had not been finalized a few years earlier, that a document Kari was supposed to sign and return to the clerk’s office was not received. They are still legally married despite having been to court and hearing the judge’s decree. Since they are still married, there is the little matter of her lottery winnings. His attorney said he is entitled to half of it. He would be more than happy to take the sanctuary off her hands if she doesn’t have enough money in the bank to satisfy his demands. Charlie also wants her to come back to him and be a lady of leisure.

The plan that he and a partner have concocted for the property the sanctuary sits on is to turn it into a glamping resort. Charlie and Kari could just watch “their” money multiply, and he will “help” her wisely use the rest of her winnings. As her husband, he claims he has that right. Kari, however, is not leaving the sanctuary, nor is she giving him the first place she has ever felt safe, the place that has given her purpose and meaning. Telling Angus, the handsome vet she has been dating, about Charlie’s news, might not be easy. Then, when a murder takes place and Kari is at the top of the sheriff’s suspect list, everything changes.

The characters are well-developed; the author brings each one to life through realistic dialog and behavior. I like Kari and Sara best, as well as Kari’s adorable kitten, Queenie. Charlie is larger than life, and like Kari, I would prefer to see as little of him as possible. After telling half the town they are still married, he cost her a few friends who think she has been living a lie. One of the things I love about most of the characters is their love for companion animals and willingness to help the ones in the sanctuary. It is what makes the series sing.

Kari has a vested interest in finding out who the killer is. She had been accused of murder in the past, as had bestie Suz. They proved everyone wrong and helped find the killers who set up her and her Suz. Now if she could just refute what Charlie has told everyone and help find another killer, everything else will work its way out. Plot twists served to reveal more possible suspects; this armchair sleuth was kept guessing throughout. The killer was somewhat of a surprise even though still on my “suspect list”. The ending was more than satisfactory, and I look forward to the next adventure at the Serenity Sanctuary. I highly recommend this, and the earlier books in the series!

This was such a fantastic read! I was really looking forward it it-because I couldn't wait to see Kari crush this case against her ex-husband! I didn't want her to go through that unpleasantness, but he was going to bring it, and she was going to get through it!

Her ex was pretty infuriating. And the idea that they didn't technically finish divorcing-that means he thinks he should get some of the money. And that idea is horrifying. And then the murder happens, and it keeps looking like Kari did it, so she had to prove that she didn't on top of everything else.

Oh, but this case did cause a bit of drama with Dr. McCoy, because between her ex husband being in the picture, and then McCoy's attempts to help the investigation. Well, it was fun to read, but not so much fun to experience, though it added a small but important clue to the mix!

Though poor Sheriff Richardson. It's not Kari's fault that she's gotten entangled with these investigations, but it's not his, either. He's such a fun character to read about, I love his sense of humour! And he's basically guaranteed to be a part of this series as long as he's alive, living in Lakeview, and continues to be sheriff, so that's fantastic!

This was another amazing mystery, and I can't wait to see where the series goes from here!

Claws for Suspicion is the third book in a small-town cozy mystery series by Deborah Blake. Released 3rd May 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages (print edition) and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a fun and easy read. The plucky protagonist is a former waitress turned millionaire lottery winner who bought a dilapidated animal sanctuary and has supported and poured resources into making it a going concern supporting neglected animals in the community. She finds herself unwillingly involved in a murder investigation *again* when her ex-husband shows up years after their divorce to try to claim half her lottery winnings.

I enjoyed this installment, with Kari and her band of friends and small-town vibe. It ticks a lot of boxes: funny and down to earth protagonist, lots of animals, twists and red herrings blended into the plot, decently written dialogue that isn't clunky, and a satisfying denouement and resolution. It's a fun and enjoyable clean cozy mystery. The language is "PG" rated, a few hells and damns but nothing worse. The crimes occur off-page and there's no graphic content.

Four stars. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next for Kari & co. (Especially recommended to fans of cozy mysteries featuring animals).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Today's cozy mystery lesson is always make sure you are completely divorced - especially if your ex is a money grubbing horrible person. And especially if you decide to start playing the lottery. In this book Kari Stuart learned that lesson is spades - especially when her horrible ex Charlie shows up.

As usual, the little black kitten Queenie is the star of the show and steals every page that she happens to grace. I'm not really that much of a cat person but she always makes me smile. The victim is one that no one is sorry to see go but Kari has a very vested interest in figuring out the whos and whys of what happened.

This was a fun cozy with likable characters and lots of animal mentions. The day to day business of running a rescue is something I always find interesting and this is no exception. I did find the pacing a bit uneven and was definitely a bit slower until the murder and the investigation really started.

The shelter that Kari Stuart bought when she won the lottery is finally in great shape. However, all that is threatened when Kari’s ex-husband shows up in town. Charlie Smith arrives baring the news that there was a mistake with their divorce, and they are technically still married. As a result, he is entitled to half Kari’s winnings. Or, he will settle for the land the pet shelter is on. Kari has no interest in giving Charlie anything, so she starts trying to figure out how to get him to go away. Then he dies, and his death looks like murder. The police view Kari as their prime suspect since she is the only one in town with a motive. Can Kari convince them that someone else killed Charlie?

While the ex coming back to town isn’t a new plot element in a cozy mystery, Charlie’s motives and the complications are definitely fresh here. I did feel the plot stalled a bit before Charlie actually died, although it was setting up motives and suspects before it happened. Once it did, Kari followed a logical set of clues to the climax. I always appreciate how well things are laid out when I reach the end of the books in this series. I love Kari’s circle of friends, and it was wonderful to spend time with them again. The suspects fit wonderfully into the world. Naturally, there’s plenty of animal cuteness here as well. Fans of the series will be happy with this book, and if you haven’t started it yet, you’ll be happy you picked up one of the books.

Everything is going so well for Kari Stuart. Her new animal rescue, Serenity Sanctuary, is popular with the small Catskills town. After a terrible divorce, it has given Kari a new lease on life. She couldn’t be happier. She even has her own little kitten Queenie by her side.

Then, her nasty ex-husband, Charlie Smith slithers into town and turns her world upside down. He claims they were never divorced and he wants half of everything she owns. Even if it means taking over Serenity Sanctuary and the property it stands on. Kari is desperate to prove he’s lying but a murder occurs first and Kari is the number one suspect.

Will she lose everything she worked so hard to build for herself? Kari’s friends are not about to let that happen. As the police focus on Kari as the culprit, Kari and her friends look elsewhere for a killer.

This is the third book in the series and it has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love everything about it from the characters to the setting to the adorable animals (Queenie being the favorite, of course).

The author has developed a cast of realistic characters who truly feel like old friends. Kari’s kitten, Queenie even has her own personality and an amazing ability to track down clues and bad guys. No, it’s not paranormal and Queenie has no “super powers” but she is an incredibly smart kitty :)

I, also, enjoy the Catskills setting. Growing up in New York, I’ve been to the Catskills many times and those small areas are the perfect cozy mystery settings. They are quaint, small towns with townspeople who know everything and everyone. In this book it came in handy.

It’s a fast-paced mystery with many twists and turns. I was sure I knew who the bad guy was, but I was wrong. It kept me surprised until the last couple of chapters. Although the mystery is contained in this book, I do think it’s better to read the series in order. It gives you a better feel for what Kari has been through and where she is now.

This is one of my favorites of 2022, so far. I really do hope this series continues. I want more Kari and Queenie!







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The first thing that caught my attention making me want to read this book is the cover. Pretty fall colors, a black kitty, an idyllic lake.....the skull and crossbones. Definitely cozy style. A small town so peaceful and wonderful....until a dead body pops up. :)Gotta love cozies! Plus, Fall is my favorite time of the year, so I jumped right on this book.

I somehow missed the second book in this series and didn't realize it until I got a bit into this book. Claws for Suspicion is the third book in the Catskills Pet Rescue series. It didn't harm my enjoyment of the book that I skipped the second book....not really any spoilers and I was easily able to follow the characters and plot.

The basics: Kari Stuart is settling into her new business - an animal shelter called Serenity Sanctuary. But then her ex husband Charlie shows up, spouting nonsense about she owes him a rather large sum of money from lottery winnings. It gets even worse....Charlie turns up dead and Kari is the #1 suspect, of course. So much for serenity....

Enjoyable story! I'm definitely going to backtrack and read book 2. I like the characters, the setting and an animal shelter being part of the background of the plot. The story moves at a nice pace, and there is plenty of investigation and surprises. There aren't any intricate twists or huge reveals, but it was a fun, entertaining cozy! And the front cover is awesome!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

📚BOOK REVIEW📚

📙Claws for Suspicion by @deborahblakeauthor
📙Cozy mystery
📙4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the third installment in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. The book takes place in the beautiful small town of Lakeview deep in the Catskills. Kari Stuart is the new owner of the Serenity Sanctuary animal shelter. All is going well for her-she’s beginning to relax and settle in to her new role until the unexpected arrival of her pompous and terrible ex-husband, Charlie Smith. With the help of her friends, her sassy kitten Queenie, and the handsome vet/love interest, they will all have to work extra hard to protect Kari’s deepest love-the animal sanctuary.

LOVED:
✔️This book was so well-written with such likable and relatable characters. My fav was Queenie!
✔️The plot was very thoughtfully written and there was a nice little twist in the end!
✔️I loved how the setting was based in and around the animal sanctuary ❤️.

If you’re a cozy mystery fan and love stories that include animals that help gather clues to solve murders (might I mention small town charm as well) then you will LOVE Deborah Blake’s new book!

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Kari is the new owner of the Serenity Animal Sanctuary. Her ex-husband shows up claiming they are still married and he wants her property. She must find out if they are really still married and how to stop him from destroying the sanctuary.

The actions of the husband, Charlie, really made me angry. The nerve he had in demanding Kari’s land and business made me instantly hate him. He is a greedy sociopath.

Overall good book and satisfying ending.

Claws for Suspicion is the third in the Catskill Pet Rescue mystery series by Deborah Blake. It’s a solid cozy and well written. Blake does a good job of subtly giving you enough backstory so that you don’t have to have read the previous two books without weighing down the story.

Kari is a sympathetic heroine, and the situation she’s in is perfectly plausible. I have a soft spot for animals and rescues, so this is right up my alley. I did figure out the twist pretty much off the bat, which is pretty rare for me, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment.

This is a good, fast read and the solution works without having to make any wild leaps or twist previous events to fit the conclusion. Everything is there if you pay attention.

Supporting characters are well drawn and we’re getting to know the inhabitants of Kari’s world as more books come out. And, speaking as someone who lives in a small town, Blake absolutely nails it!

Recommended for anyone who likes cozies, animals and good reads.

NetGalley provided me with a promotion copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#ClawsForSuspicion #NetGalley

Deb Blake comes through again with this fun cozy full of mystery, mayhem, and of course, kitties! I can usually figure out whodunnit by mid-book, but this one kept me guessing! This is my first Catskills Pet Rescue book, but I'm going back for the other two because Claws for Suspicion and Ms. Blake's voice are simply charming!