Escape Claws (Cat Lady Mysteries #1) by Linda Reilly
Escape Claws by Linda Reilly
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Lara Caphart used to be extremely close to her Aunt Fran when she was growing up in Whisker Jog, New Hampshire but then her parents decided to move away. Over the last sixteen years Lara hadn’t been in contact with her aunt but she had kept in touch with one of her childhood friends from the small town that notifies her that her aunt really could use her help.
Lara decides that a visit to Whisker Jog is in order and that she needs to spend a few days helping out her aging aunt. After arriving Lara finds that Aunt Fran now has eleven cats she’s caring for and the local bully, Theo Barnes, pressuring her to sell her land. Lara jumps in helping with the cleaning and care of the cats but before a plan could be made to deal with Theo he turns up nearby murdered so Lara begins to ask around to see who may have killed him.
Escape Claws by Linda Reilly is the first book in the new cozy Cat Lady Mysteries series. While I thought this was a solid and likable start to the series, one that cat lovers will definitely enjoy, I did find a few things in it I questioned leaving me to rate this opener at 3.5 stars.
The main character in the story along with her aunt were both likable enough but I found some actions to be contradictory along the way. Finances were mentioned with both characters but just as an example Lara has a rental car for her extended stay, not sure where she would find the money for such an expense along with other things. But with that said there was a touching emotional side for the animal lovers to put so much into their care and sacrifice for them too.
There were other things along the way that just seemed to not connect very well too but the mystery was a pretty good one for a cozy read. I did also kind of question the inclusion of the ragdoll cat as it gave the story a paranormal type of vibe but that also felt a bit off in this type of book. I’d still be interested in checking back in with the characters in book two though to see where the story headed next.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Carries Book Reviews 
This is on my NetGalley shelf as well! It’s good that even though some things didn’t connect you still feel like you want to see what happens in the next book!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You might see what I mean when you read it… how can someone broke rent a car for a month? Those things are expensive for a day. LOL Just little things mentioned here and there that kind of bugged me but the mystery was a fun one. 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t understand how you can be broke and rent a car for a day. Lmao unless insurance covers it somehow. Lol😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, see what I mean? Plus some of the things with the cats and cleaning would clash, small details during the read would just stand out.
LikeLike
Hmmm… hopefully they changed after finishing up for publishing.😒 I can see how that would be irritating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Possibly, I often wonder if some things change or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! I notice a screw up with spelling or something in every book I read. I don’t know why but do. Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always seemed to me the bigger the publishers the less you’ll find though but most any pre-publication copy is bound to have a few. I ignore them unless the book is just dragged down by practically every other sentence with errors then I lose faith that it’s even fixable. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I notice ones in every book that is not an ARC like the ones already edited. I guess I’m weird but don’t pay attention to my typos!😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure they probably go cross eyed looking for errors too. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right and the authors pay for that editing and then BAM!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
real good although cats are not my passion
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! The cats were definitely a big focus in this one.
LikeLike