hannahj428's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
asanford's review against another edition
4.0
Yay for a fun new to me cozy series! Loved the characters and the east Hampton setting. It feels like it is a spin-off from another series, but I don’t know if it is or not. Of course there’s the love triangle.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Cat Cooper is making a fresh start in The Hamptons after a messy divorce and selling her successful marketing firm. Her new life coaching business is off to a rough start with a client who is more needy that Cat had anticipated. Luckily her best friend Gilley Gillespie has time to assist since his husband is on an extended business trip. Cat needs Gilley’s help more than ever when Cat’s mean girl neighbor is murdered and Cat becomes the number one suspect. It’s going to take the two of them working together to prove Cat’s innocence and stay one step ahead of a dangerous killer.
This new series is a spin-off from two other series by Victoria Laurie. Cat is the sister of Abby Cooper, the main character from the Psychic Eye series and Gilley worked with M.J. in the Ghost Hunter series. I have read many of the books in both series, but couldn’t remember a lot of details about the character of Cat. She seems less snobby and a little more like her sister Abby than I remember. I like that she is an independent, strong-willed woman, and she makes an enthusiastic amateur sleuth. Gilley is as funny as ever, but he is more likable in this series. He is still dramatic, but not as over-the-top, and is able to put his fears aside to be an equal partner to Cat. His computer expertise comes in handy throughout the book and the two work very well together.
The mystery of who killed Heather is interesting and because of the way she treats both friends and enemies, Cat and Gilley have many suspects to pick from when trying to figure out who really killed Heather. I love how things start and although Cat has caught the attention of the wealthy and mysterious tenant in her office building, I was more intrigued by her friendship with Detective Shepherd. The two start out as antagonists but as they grudgingly begin comparing notes on the case, a friendship with the hint of a possible romance starts to build. Cat is more likable and down-to-earth when she is sharing a meal and discussing the case with the handsome detective, so I am curious what will happen in future books.
This series does not have any supernatural elements to it. Perhaps that is why the author felt she needed to build drama by involving the Russian mob and trained assassins in the murder mystery. I would have preferred a less complicated solution to the murder, but I still enjoyed the book. There are some major questions left unresolved at the end, and I assume these cliffhangers will be addressed in the next book of the series. I hope as the series continues, we get to see more of Cat coaching her clients since that adds to the story and helps us get to know Cat better. Those readers who liked Victoria Laurie’s other books will enjoy this book. The book will also appeal to fans of Laura Levine or of Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery series.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This new series is a spin-off from two other series by Victoria Laurie. Cat is the sister of Abby Cooper, the main character from the Psychic Eye series and Gilley worked with M.J. in the Ghost Hunter series. I have read many of the books in both series, but couldn’t remember a lot of details about the character of Cat. She seems less snobby and a little more like her sister Abby than I remember. I like that she is an independent, strong-willed woman, and she makes an enthusiastic amateur sleuth. Gilley is as funny as ever, but he is more likable in this series. He is still dramatic, but not as over-the-top, and is able to put his fears aside to be an equal partner to Cat. His computer expertise comes in handy throughout the book and the two work very well together.
The mystery of who killed Heather is interesting and because of the way she treats both friends and enemies, Cat and Gilley have many suspects to pick from when trying to figure out who really killed Heather. I love how things start and although Cat has caught the attention of the wealthy and mysterious tenant in her office building, I was more intrigued by her friendship with Detective Shepherd. The two start out as antagonists but as they grudgingly begin comparing notes on the case, a friendship with the hint of a possible romance starts to build. Cat is more likable and down-to-earth when she is sharing a meal and discussing the case with the handsome detective, so I am curious what will happen in future books.
This series does not have any supernatural elements to it. Perhaps that is why the author felt she needed to build drama by involving the Russian mob and trained assassins in the murder mystery. I would have preferred a less complicated solution to the murder, but I still enjoyed the book. There are some major questions left unresolved at the end, and I assume these cliffhangers will be addressed in the next book of the series. I hope as the series continues, we get to see more of Cat coaching her clients since that adds to the story and helps us get to know Cat better. Those readers who liked Victoria Laurie’s other books will enjoy this book. The book will also appeal to fans of Laura Levine or of Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery series.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
melmo2610's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting read. There were elements of the story I didn’t love and and elements I did. It seemed a little “more” then a typical cozy mystery to me for whatever reason. The mystery was good and I liked the characters as well as the humor sprinkled throughout. It definitely leaves some some of the mystery open and I look forward to having those things revealed in later books hopefully. All in all, the book was enjoyable and I will give more books in this series a try.
I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
reading_srsly's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
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This was my first book by Victoria Laurie, but it certainly won't be my last. I loved the story, characters and writing style so much; you can tell she knows her way around a cozy mystery novel. Cat is such a smart and caring character and her snappy humor make her such an endearing sleuth. I haven't read the previous series about her sister and friends, but she stood out so well on her own that I didn't need to in order to really connect with her character. Gilley was such a fun and adorable character and the perfect smart and loving sidekick for Cat.
_
I absolutely loved the description of her house on LI and can I please get my own Sebastian? I enjoyed all the little bits of new technology that were interspersed throughout the book and used to help solve the murder. This story had a lot of twists and so many possibilities, without being over the top or overwhelming. I love how all the different angles helped guide the investigation up to the culminating point. This was quite the dramatic book and I was definitely shocked by the culprit.
_
And a dash or two of romance?! My favorite! I also am looking forward to meeting more of her Life Coaching clients, because that was such a fun portion even though it was just a tiny piece. I am so looking forward to future books in this fun series.
_
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book. I was happy to give my honest thoughts.
_
This was my first book by Victoria Laurie, but it certainly won't be my last. I loved the story, characters and writing style so much; you can tell she knows her way around a cozy mystery novel. Cat is such a smart and caring character and her snappy humor make her such an endearing sleuth. I haven't read the previous series about her sister and friends, but she stood out so well on her own that I didn't need to in order to really connect with her character. Gilley was such a fun and adorable character and the perfect smart and loving sidekick for Cat.
_
I absolutely loved the description of her house on LI and can I please get my own Sebastian? I enjoyed all the little bits of new technology that were interspersed throughout the book and used to help solve the murder. This story had a lot of twists and so many possibilities, without being over the top or overwhelming. I love how all the different angles helped guide the investigation up to the culminating point. This was quite the dramatic book and I was definitely shocked by the culprit.
_
And a dash or two of romance?! My favorite! I also am looking forward to meeting more of her Life Coaching clients, because that was such a fun portion even though it was just a tiny piece. I am so looking forward to future books in this fun series.
_
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book. I was happy to give my honest thoughts.
theaudioauditor's review against another edition
4.0
Paper book review.
This is looking to be the start of another gripping series. Gotta love the mashup between the MJ and Abby series. Gilley especially, his perspective brings this frantic humor to a mystery, but he's also essential to solving everything, and he's wicked smart, despite being terrified most of the time. Cat was never a strong presence, at least for me, when reading the other series, so it's like being introduced to a whole new character. I love her confidence and her integrity. She really takes things seriously, but still manages to reflect this relatable emotional side. Ooh, the scene with the mean girls at the party, love it! That type of setting always works well for me. Gotta love the drama, I guess. I sometimes had a hard time jumping back and forth between Cat's client and the mystery at hand and her day-to-day in the gorgeous mansion while we get tidbits of her backstory. I think that's a side effect of the genre, though, and totally just a me thing. Cozies typically have more than one arc in the story to follow, and I can get so focused on one that the other almost slips my mind entirely. Would definitely recommend to fans of the genre! You need not have read MJ or Abby before to appreciate the story for itself.
This is looking to be the start of another gripping series. Gotta love the mashup between the MJ and Abby series. Gilley especially, his perspective brings this frantic humor to a mystery, but he's also essential to solving everything, and he's wicked smart, despite being terrified most of the time. Cat was never a strong presence, at least for me, when reading the other series, so it's like being introduced to a whole new character. I love her confidence and her integrity. She really takes things seriously, but still manages to reflect this relatable emotional side. Ooh, the scene with the mean girls at the party, love it! That type of setting always works well for me. Gotta love the drama, I guess. I sometimes had a hard time jumping back and forth between Cat's client and the mystery at hand and her day-to-day in the gorgeous mansion while we get tidbits of her backstory. I think that's a side effect of the genre, though, and totally just a me thing. Cozies typically have more than one arc in the story to follow, and I can get so focused on one that the other almost slips my mind entirely. Would definitely recommend to fans of the genre! You need not have read MJ or Abby before to appreciate the story for itself.
lisalondonauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Check out my full review on my Lisa Latte Booktube Channel at https://youtu.be/V9X2DfpvDaI?t=852