Synopsis from Goodreads:
When Gerry Coneybear, a cheerful young artist, comes to her Aunt Maggie's funeral, she is shocked to learn that she has inherited her aunt's rambling 200-year-old waterfront home. Unfortunately, the house comes with a multitude of her aunt's cats as part of the bequest. As Gerry fends off the greedy, jealous relatives and the mysterious part-time housekeeper, she gradually comes to realize that her aunt may have been murdered. Cats, teacups, horticulture and art come together to help Gerry solve the mystery.
My Review
After the death of her Aunt Maggie, Gerry Coneybear can’t believe she inherits her aunt’s home. Gerry wants to sell it as she has her own life in Toronto, but the lawyer tells her she can’t do that. Her aunt made a few stipulations. One is that she must live in the house. The second is that she must care for her cats…all twenty of them. With the help of her aunt’s part-time housekeeper, Gerry is able to take care of them.
Gerry is an artist and decides to open an art gallery in the house and teach art classes. Everything is working out well for her, until she learns that her other relatives are not happy that Gerry inherited the house. Strange things start happening and Gerry fears for her life as well as the kitties. She comes to the realization that her aunt may have been murdered, but she has no proof. Gerry decides to do some investigating herself.
I liked Gerry right from the start. The rest of the cast I wasn’t sure about. I trusted no one. I thought any one of them could have been the guilty party. While the cats don’t communicate with the humans, the reader does get to know things from the cats’ point of view. I always enjoy a story that features the cats in the mystery.
The setting is perfect. It’s a small town in Canada. Everyone knows each other and many seem to be related in one way or another. The beginning of the book gives the reader a chance to get to know the characters, then the suspicions begin. It’s not known from the start that anything devious has happened, but it doesn’t take long to realize something isn't right.
The author did a good job of grabbing my interest and keeping me interested until the very end. Even then I wasn’t sure I was convinced as to who the culprit could be. There were several different possibilities.
This is the first book in the series and I’m looking forward to the next book. It’s just the kind of mystery this cat lover enjoys.
For reading challenges:
What An Animal Reading Challenge 2024
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2024
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Looks good.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
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