Murder Faux Paws
When a local PI’s untimely death is ruled a suicide by the police, budding sleuth Nora Charles has no intention of letting sleeping dogs lie, or sleeping cats, for that matter. Certain it was a case of foul play, Nora rouses her trusty Scrabble word spelling sleuth sidekick cat, Nick, and launches an investigation of her own. Then a second PI is murdered, and Nora knows the two men were on to something and that she’s on to something too.
Following the enigmatic clues left by her late predecessors, Nora soon uncovers a plot that involves a local politician, missing campaign funds, and what could be a bogus real estate deal. But when hints of treason surface, what started as small-time thievery soon balloons into a matter of national security. With the uncanny Nick sniffing out, and spelling out, leads with his Scrabble tiles, Nora follows a trail that will take her to the heart of a shadowy conspiracy and into a trap set by a conniving culprit that will have her wishing she had Nick’s nine lives.
The Details
Series: A Nick and Nora Mystery – Book #5
Author: T. C. LoTempio
Genre/Category: Cozy – Pet/PI
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing
ISBN: 1954717679
Page Count: 229
Rating: 
The Review
I have long been a fan of Toni LoTempio; her writing is always filled with beautifully written prose and delightfully entertaining characters. Murder Faux Paws is no exception and continues the streak of fun and captivating storylines and seriously intriguing mysteries that captivate an audience. But then again, you can’t go wrong when one of the main characters is a Scrabble tile spelling cat, and the other is a budding PI cafe owner!
When a PI dies suddenly from what is determined to be suicide, and another dies accidentally, Nora knows it’s no coincidence. Even without Nick’s Scrabble words and her natural investigative skills, anyone who knows anything about murder could see that the two PI’s were murdered. The suspects are few, and the wrong person is arrested for the death of one of the PI’s. Nora has to put on her thinking cap and start asking questions. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that this isn’t just a case of suicide and accidental death or even a routine murder; this is a matter of National Security. The killer lines Nora up in their sights, and no amount of Nick’s spelling out words with his Scrabble tiles will save her, or will it?
It’s easy to follow the red herrings in this story, easier to figure out who the killer is if readers pay attention to the details. Nora puts herself in harm’s way, and Nick does everything he can to save her before the killer gets by with another murder. Readers will love the action and the suspense. The PI angle is memorable, a Scrabble-playing cat is astonishingly innovative, and the plot is believable. Nora is an engaging character full of charm, curiosity, and determination. Too bad she isn’t good at relationships with men. This is my only complaint about this book and the series in general. The love interest(s) seems a bit forced and not plausible. I loved the wrap-up of the murder investigation, no doubt Nora is an excellent PI, but the rest of the ending was disappointing.
Suffice to say; I will be reading the next installment in the series. I love Nick, the Scrabble-playing cat who seems to be on the magical side of things and always knows when his favorite human is in danger. I think Nora will eventually figure out her romantic issues, and there is no doubt she would make a better PI than most people; why she continues to run the cafe is a question that may need answering. Readers will adore the characters and the town, and they will cheer for Nora and Nick in future volumes. Murder Faux Paws is a fun, quick read that will leave you wanting more or wanting a Scrabble playing cat to hug!
The Author
While Toni LoTempio does not commit or solve murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early in life when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10,m “The Secret in the Old Attic.” She (and Rocco, albeit he’s uncredited) pens the Nick and Nora mystery series and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. She, Rocco, and Maxx make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple.
Other series and books from this author readers will enjoy include the “A Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery” series, The Time for Murder is Meow, or the “A Cat Rescue Mystery” series, Death by a Whisker.
Represented by: HSG Agency
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