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leasummer's review
3.0
Quick listen. I love cats and this has a lot of cats. There’s sort of a magical or supernatural/paranormal cat situation that isn’t well explained and we’re just supposed to accept, which is odd. The aunt comes off super whiny, not a great intro to a new series and could see it putting off some readers, I didn’t enjoy it til she got over herself.
Overall entertaining.
Overall entertaining.
kimdavishb's review
5.0
ESCAPE CLAWS, the first book in the brand new Cat Lady Mystery series by Linda Reilly is a charming visit to Whisker Jog, New Hampshire and is chock-full of memorable characters, human and feline alike! I loved that the very beginning starts with a list of the feline cast with their adorable names and characteristics. The protagonist, Lara Caphart, is an admirable woman with a generous, thoughtful personality. After showing up to help her invalid aunt care for the eleven cats she has taken in, Lara finds her aunt is being harassed by the town’s wealthy bully, Theo Barnes. When Lara is led to Theo’s murdered body by Blue, the Ragdoll cat from her childhood, she realizes she needs to stay in town and protect her aunt. There is a subplot mystery woven around the murder mystery of why Lara had become estranged from her beloved aunt after being so close to her as a young child. The author explores familial relationships and how they can go awry.
There is also an ongoing mystery of just who Blue, the Ragdoll cat is and where he came from, especially since Lara’s aunt claims she never had a Ragdoll cat. The murder mystery has plenty of suspects and the author provides enough clues to keep you guessing and turning pages. The reveal was a surprise that I didn’t see coming! I greatly admired that Ms. Reilly brings to light the plight of unwanted cats and the lack of facilities to humanely care for them. She provides a heartwarming conclusion to the story that will make you want to come back and read the next story in this series just as soon as it’s available.
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There is also an ongoing mystery of just who Blue, the Ragdoll cat is and where he came from, especially since Lara’s aunt claims she never had a Ragdoll cat. The murder mystery has plenty of suspects and the author provides enough clues to keep you guessing and turning pages. The reveal was a surprise that I didn’t see coming! I greatly admired that Ms. Reilly brings to light the plight of unwanted cats and the lack of facilities to humanely care for them. She provides a heartwarming conclusion to the story that will make you want to come back and read the next story in this series just as soon as it’s available.
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
audenbriar's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
catmom21's review
3.0
I found the book enjoyable - I was endeared to the main character and her aunt, and wanted the story to end well. I did think the “mystery” plot was light and less engaging than the relationship between the main character and her aunt. In some ways this would have been better as a fiction book than a murder mystery. I will likely read future books in the series because they are fast reads, but it won’t be the first cozy series I recommend to new readers.
peggyemi's review
4.0
Linda Reilly is a new author to me and I was happy that I took a chance on Escape Claws, which is the first in a new series. I thought this was a charming start to the Cat Lady Mysteries. The author did a nice job of balancing the mystery with introducing her characters. Lara and her Aunt Fran are very likable characters and I enjoyed the storyline that centered on them renewing their relationship after not really seeing each other for a good number of years. Lara is very personable, warm and comes across as genuine. There is a nice cast of secondary characters as well. The mystery was woven into the story nicely. The victim was not well liked by people in the town so this affords the author to weave in clues to misdirect the reader about the killer's identity.
I found this first book to be an enjoyable read that kept me entertained. I voluntarily read an advanced copy provided to me by Lyrical Underground, the publisher, through Netgalley.
I found this first book to be an enjoyable read that kept me entertained. I voluntarily read an advanced copy provided to me by Lyrical Underground, the publisher, through Netgalley.
egioia's review
4.0
Received through goodreads giveaways.
This was a cute mystery. My only complaint is that it was a little preachy about cats.
This was a cute mystery. My only complaint is that it was a little preachy about cats.
jbrooxd's review
4.0
This was great! The characters in the story and the mystery pieces all worked well together. I liked that Lara's relationship with her aunt had some tension and some interest and depth to it. The cats had a lot of personality. Their presence in the story made sense and fit in the big picture. Everything came together so well. I'll definitely keep reading these.
I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
lunifur's review
4.0
**I voluntarily read this ARC**
This was a fairly strong start to a new series. The mystery was well written and a bit surprising. The only thing I didn't really like was that the whole beginning seemed to have an overall feeling of sadness to it. But it did end up with a happier feeling by the end.
This was a fairly strong start to a new series. The mystery was well written and a bit surprising. The only thing I didn't really like was that the whole beginning seemed to have an overall feeling of sadness to it. But it did end up with a happier feeling by the end.