Review: Pounced by Christy Barritt

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
River Heights

Release Date:
November 2013






Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sierra is used to fighting for the lives of innocent creatures. But when a killer puts the lives of her own cats on the line, her crusade becomes personal.

Animal rights activist Sierra Nakamura never expected to stumble upon the dead body of a coworker while out filming a project. She definitely never expected to get involved in the investigation. But when someone threatens to kill her cats unless she hands over the “information,” she becomes more bristly than an angry feline.

Sierra knows that curiosity killed the cat, but she’s determined that her snooping will ultimately save the lives of her furry friends. Making matters worse is the fact that her cats—and the investigation—are driving a wedge between her and her boyfriend Chad. With every answer she uncovers, old hurts rise to the surface and test her beliefs.

She also knows that if she lies down with dogs, she’ll get up with fleas. Saving her cats just might mean ruining everything else in her life. In the fight for survival, one thing is certain: It’s either pounce or be pounced.

*For fans of the Squeaky Clean Mystery series, this book takes place simultaneous to Dirty Deeds.

Fiction/Christian/Mystery

My Review

Sierra Nakamura is beyond shocked to discover the dead body of one of her co-workers. She didn’t know the girl very well, so she’s even more shocked when threats are made against her own precious cats in connection with the murder. Someone thinks she knows more than she actually does.

Sierra’s devotion to her cats and animals, in general, is admirable. I’m a cat and animal lover myself, so I can identify with that. However, her lack of understanding or even trying to understand her boyfriend, Chad, was getting on my nerves. She kept accusing him of trying to control her, but she was the one trying to do the controlling, as far as I can tell. Apparently Sierra’s problems go back to her childhood and dealing with domineering parents who she was never able to please.

None of this prevented me from continuing and finishing the book, though. It is a good, solid mystery. I didn’t figure it out until the end. That’s a very good thing when reading mysteries. It’s a clean mystery – no violence, sex or foul language. It’s a quick read as well. Even with my problems with the main character, I still couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next and how it all wrapped up.

Some of the characters, including Sierra, appeared in the author’s other mystery series the “Squeaky Clean Mystery Series”. I haven’t read this series yet.  I didn’t even know they were connected when I started reading Pounced, which is the first in the Sierra mystery series. I’m interested in reading the other series and to learn more about the characters, but it’s not necessary to read before reading this one. I didn’t feel lost or that I was coming in during the middle of the story. It is a complete story in itself, I’m just curious about the other characters :)

Overall, a decent start to a new series. Sierra started to come around a bit more towards the end. I could see character growth beginning already. You do have to admire someone who stands up for their beliefs against all odds.

This series has some great possibilities.  For an animal lover like me, I've already added the rest of the books to my wishlist.



For reading challenges:
What An Animal Reading Challenge 2016
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2016

*I received this one as a freebie from Kindle. All opinions expressed are my own.*