Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Book Review/Giveaway: Collared for Murder by Annie Knox


From the publisher: Groomed for Murder’s Izzy McHale is back, and her pet boutique, Trendy Tails, is raking in the green. But someone else in town is seeing red.…

The Midwestern Cat Fanciers’ Organization is bringing its annual weeklong retreat to Merryville, Minnesota. While that’s perfect for Izzy’s business, it unleashes headaches for everyone else. The event has lots of workshops on the care and breeding of cats, and it culminates in a cat show with a fabulous prize—a platinum collar dangle worth some big bucks.

Cattiness, of course, ensues. But the claws really come out after the prize disappears, and the wealthy director, Phillip Denford, is done in with a pair of grooming shears. Now Izzy and her furry friends, Packer and Jinx, can’t waste time pussyfooting around. They have to solve this case before a killer pounces again.


I've been looking forward to reading Collared for Murder ever since turning the last page of the previous book in Annie Knox's Pet Boutique mystery series, Groomed for Murder, knowing that it was going to be set at a cat show.

Everyone in Merryville is thrilled when their little town is chosen to host the Midwestern Cat Fanciers’ Organization's annual retreat. Izzy and Rena particularly see it as a great way to grow their business, until Izzy learns that the organization's director Phillip Denford has plans to steal Izzy's designs and mass produce them at a much lower price. Shortly after he drops this bombshell on her he's found dead - a pair of grooming shears plunged through his neck - and the extremely valuable grand prize is missing.

There's nothing better than picking up the latest book in one of your favorite series and discovering immediately that it's going to be the best one yet. In addition to the new characters introduced at the cat show and all of the excitement that takes place there, including feline agility, major changes are afoot for all of the characters we've grown to love in this series: couples Izzy/Jack, Rena/Jolly, Ingrid/Harvey, to the Trendy Tails boutique and even Gandhi the guinea pig. So much is resolved that while reading this I had a nagging dread that it might be the last book in the series, but by the end new doors have opened up that make me hope I'm wrong.

I loved every single moment of this page-turner and my only complaint is that it was over too soon!

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, June 5th for your chance to win a copy of Collared for Murder. (US entries only, please.)

34 comments:

Jeanetta said...

Collared for Murder sounds wonderfully puurrrrfect! Thank you for the great review. I am looking forward to this book. :)
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

skkorman said...

I love cozies, particularly those in which cats play a significant role—thanks for the chance to win a copy of Collared for Murder!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Unknown said...

Love the cover; thanks for the chance to win :)

Unknown said...

email: jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

Maureen The Bookish Smart Maven said...

Sounds like a good read and I'm a sucker for a cat.

Unknown said...

Looking forward to reading this one.
dotkel50 at comcast dot net

Maureen The Bookish Smart Maven said...

Sounds like a good read and I'm a sucker for a cat.

Karen B said...

Cat cozies are such great reads. Love that this series is set where I live - Minnesota!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Alicia said...

Hoping that I win a copy! Thank you!
afarage (at) earthlink. net

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to reading this book, LOVE the cover. Would LOVE to win a copy of the book.
weluvdopey@sc.rr.com

Unknown said...

Sweet cover. This has now been added to my to be read list. Thanks for the introduction. robeader53@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Melissa! This sounds awesome. patucker54 (at aol dot com)

Fur Everywhere said...

This sounds like an excellent book! I'm going to go add it to my wish list just in case I don't win. :)

petite said...

What a delightful and sweet giveaway. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This cozy is sweet and purrfect. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I loved the first book and have been waiting for this one:) Fingers, Legs, and paws crossed. Thank you for this giveaway.

Debbie S said...

Sounds great, you can't go wrong with a book with animals in it.
momzillasteel at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Truffles, I understand. We never want a loved series to end.
libbydodd at comcast dot net

Rita Wray said...

Sounds like a great read. I love the cover.

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

This sounds wonderful! Wonder if it might end up as required reading for my Kitty Lit. 101 course this summer. That's right... I have to go to summer school. MOUSES!

Purrs,
Seville

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

Forgot to mention... Please don't enter my name in the draw as I'm up here in Canada and not the USA. purrs

Random Felines said...

we love these reviews.....it makes mom's reading list that much longer :)

Sue said...

I sure hope that this is not the last book in the series----I would miss Izzy and all her adventures. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Clickner said...

Thanks for the chance. Love books with cats in them. sclickner@juno.com

Verna said...

A good mystery should always include a cat since they are so mysterious to begin with. This is definately on my "need to read" list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! vernagass@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Aaw. Such a cute, fun cover and title. I love cozies and am always looking for new ones. Okay, I admit it, I'm addicted to them. LOL

laurathomas61@att.net

Marsha said...

My little tortie, aka Punkin, would love for me to win! This sounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway.
MarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com

katsrus said...

Beautiful cover. Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

Kaye Killgore said...

Great cover, nice interview. Cats are always a favorite

kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net

Mama Cat said...

What a great setting for a murder mystery - at a cat fancier's retreat! Wow - can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance to read it! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

The Island Cats said...

This sounds like a good one. The mom is putting it on her list!

pilch92 said...

IT amazes me how many books with cats you find- and they always look good :)

holdenj said...

Looking forward to returning to Merrryville! Great review, thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Granny Loves to Read said...

Thanks for the chance