Book Review of Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

The most unique novel I believe I have ever read. Truly enchanting, a bit worrisome,but thankfully with a happy ending,

An heirloom home that includes a magical garden with a mind of its own. An apple tree that protects the family, yet bears fruit that can reassure or instill terrifying fear if someone dares to takes a bite.

A prodigal daughter returns to the family home with her own daughter, fleeing an abusive husband. She and her sister pursue a new life together, protective of the young girl, though she’s wise and intuitive.

And then there’s cousin Evanelle, one of the family who lives in the area. She stocks a variety of products, bearing them as gifts to friends and relatives, just before they need them, though she doesn’t know the reason.

There’s romance in the air for the two sisters as well. I read this one in no time. Simultaneously serious and amusing, the plot and setting cast a spell kept that kept the pages turning.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen closes with a section detailing the culinary and behavioral modification effects of various garden flowers and herbs.

Book Review of Escape Claws by Linda Reilly

So this is where the Cat Lady Mysteries began. Escape Claws by Linda Reilly tells the story of Lara Caphart’s move home from Boston to Whisker Jogg, New Hampshire, to help out her Aunt Fran, a retired school teacher in need of knee surgery.

Fran is a caretaker of more rescued cats than she can handle in her current condition. Lara wants to help but worries she can’t stay north for long, as her job at the Boston bakery and her apartment above are calling.

Lara’s attraction to a high school more than friend, now lawyer, Gideon, does offer a temptation to stay, along with the reacquaintance with best friend and diner proprietor Sherri, and the need to find a solution for Aunt Fran.

Lara is fascinated with solving the mystery of the frequent appearance – and disappearance – of a blue-eyed ragdoll cat just like the one she recalls from childhood. And, of course, the murder of much maligned townsperson, Theo Barnes, with whom Aunt Fran has a former association.

An upsetting beginning leads to a happy ending for Aunt Fran and her felines, and the beginning of a comforting cozy mystery series.

Book Review of Claws of Action by Linda Reilly

Claws of Action, my second experience in the Cat Lady mystery series, by Linda Reilly, one of my husband’s favorites, involves the murder of a much maligned health inspector.

Several suspects jockey for position in the reader’s mind – as in all superior mystery stories. Meanwhile, the first “read to a cat day” in the newly constructed, specially arranged room, must be postponed at the cat shelter operated by main character/amateur sleuth Lara Caphart and her Aunt Fran.

Aunt Fran becomes miffed at her police chief boyfriend, due to an investigation-related happening. But Lara enjoys some good times with her beau Gideon, at the local clam shack and the barbecue at his home.

Will the new kitty left in their care become a permanent resident with Lara, Fran, and the not-for-adoption cats, if his owner is jailed for murder? Or will Lara and Fran be framed for involvement in the crime, thanks to the use of construction-related material from their cat shelter in the crime – along with a viable motive?

Love these stories set in an area of New Hampshire I’ve visited and enjoyed.

Book Review of Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

I loved exploring Aunt Dot’s extensive collections with Laurie Sassalyn, her niece. Laurie has returned to Maine, from her home in Seattle, for a brief stay – or will it be permanent? To go through Dot’s possessions following her passing at the age of ninety-something.

The item of greatest interest is a decoy, which may be immensely valuable, or not so much. Laurie sells it to a professional who helps dispose of possessions left by dead ancestors, then wishes she had it back – I won’t give away the reason.

Will she learn the history of how her aunt ended up with the decoy? Will romance blossom with the man who purchased the duck from her? Or with her old high school boyfriend, now the town’s librarian?

Fun times with friends alternate with alone time reliving the memories of Dot, who enjoyed many adventures, Laurie discovers a parallel regarding Dot’s romantic life and love for freedom and independence, and her own preferences.

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes is a well-written page turner. The ending isn’t exactly Cinderella, but it’s a satisfying modern version addressing the question of marriage versus independence.

Book Review of Claws for Celebration by Linda Reilly

This one was a suggestion from my husband, a former fan of canines, now more enamored with felines.

Claws for Celebration, a Cat Lady Mystery, by Linda Reilly, set in Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, during the Christmas season was a pleasant read, in spite of the fact that I became a bit confused by the relationships of murder suspects at times.

If only we could make our home a non-profit cat rescue shelter, since that’s what we’ve basically done – given homes to a number stray cats, over the years. Though I suppose making it official would entail additional labor to care for even more felines – and of course, it would complicate matters emotionally, as we’ve never been able to let go of four-footed creatures, once they’ve attached themselves to us.

But I digress. My husband enticed me to explore Claws for Celebration by mentioning that a home economics teacher was involved with the story. Unfortunately, the unpopular teacher was the victim.

Lara Claphart, who runs the High Cliff Shelter for Cats, along with her Aunt Fran, uses her sleuthing skills – and help from a ghost cat from the past – to try to discover the murderer.

Who put shellfish residue on a gaily decorated cookie baked by Lara’s friend’s mother, that was entered in the local Christmas cookie contest? Did someone want to win the contest that much? Or was there another motive at work?

What’s the status of Lara’s romantic relationship? What’s up with her mother? Side stories that accompany the main plot.

Will Lara live to see the holiday, if she get’s a handle on the killer’s identity? Read and see.

Book Review of The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett

The Clutter Corpse, the first Decluttering Mystery – a new series by Simon Brett, was well-written and a page turner. It didn’t take me long to finish it, though I do much prefer the author’s Fethering Mystery series. Love Jude and Carol’s adventures, and the play between their opposing personalities.

But this book’s main character did grow on me. Ellen Curtis is a widow – due to suicide – whose grown son Ben still lives with her. Unfortunately, Ben has inherited his father’s gene for depression, though when not suffering attacks of despair, he is charming and ambitious. Ellen is less close to daughter Jools, who is more independent and opinionated.

Ellen operates Space Woman, a decluttering business in Chichester, England. In this story, she discovers a body in a cluttered flat, and the case turns out to be related to one of Ellen’s earlier earlier decluttering jobs.

Another mystery involves the disappearance of a woman Ellen considered her best friend, and a college student who may not be whom he at first appears to be.

An interesting ending includes an unsettling event for Ellen and a surprising admission of guilt by the person responsible for the murder.

Simon Brett is a master of language and British culture, and this was a good story. Still, I hope my friends Carol and Jude are cooking up a new plot for Mr. Brett to narrate soon.