Thursday, November 5, 2015

Book Review/Giveaway: Plot Boiler by Ali Brandon


From the publisher: The New York Times bestselling author of Literally Murder returns to Pettistone’s Fine Books, where the silence of Hamlet the cat speaks volumes about two mysterious deaths…

It’s almost Fourth of July, and to boost customer traffic in their Brooklyn neighborhood, bookseller Darla Pettistone decides to throw a block party. All the local shop owners are thrilled—except the proprietor of Perky’s Coffee Shop, who thinks Darla is trying to poach his customers by selling her own caffeinated brew in her new bookshop café.

But when Hamlet comes upon the owner’s not-so-perky wife, it’s clear a killer has crashed the party. And when a second local business owner shuffles off this mortal coil—as Hamlet’s namesake would say—Darla and her curious cat must perform some fancy footwork to shine a spotlight on a secret worth killing for…


I've been eagerly awaiting this installment in the Black Cat Bookshop mystery series because of the opening of Darla (and Hamlet's) bookshop cafe. If I can't be in my own home surrounded by my books and my beloved cat, there's no cozier place for me than in a bookstore cafe, so I couldn't wait to virtually visit the Pettistone's Fine Coffee Bar.

Darla is planning a block party to celebrate July 4th and to boost traffic to neighborhood shops. Everyone is on board except for George King, the owner of Perky’s Coffee Shop, who isn't pleased that Darla has opened a competing cafe. His wife Livvy is much more accommodating, but before the block party is over, Livvy is dead. Then a second business owner is found dead as well. Who is killing off ballerinas? And do the murders have anything to do with the latest teen craze of vaping?

Once again our little hero Hamlet saves the day by knocking pertinent book titles off the shelves to drop hints to Darla, and ultimately saving her life.

This is a sensational cozy mystery series that just gets better and better. I was left guessing at the identity of the killer until the very end, and found myself just one step ahead of Darla in piecing everything together. For one of the very best cat-centered cozies on the market, pick up a Black Cat Bookshop mystery today!

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Wednesday, November 11th for your chance to win a copy of Plot Boiler. (US entries only, please.)

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ooo - sounds really good! I'm going to check this author out!! Mudpie, you have excellent taste! thanks to your review I am now enjoying Miranda James' novels. Did you see my review of Murder Past Due? I thanked you for your review of another of the author's books!! Here's a link in case you missed it. Love, BobbieSue & Toby
https://libraryofcats.wordpress.com/2015/11/03/murder-past-due/

Unknown said...

It looks great, a fun read; thanks for the chance to win :)
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

Lisa said...

I love this series and I love Hamlet. Looking forward to this one because what's better than a bookstore than a bookstore with a cafe. Thanks for the chance to win. poohwine1217@gmail.com

Jeanetta said...

Plot Boiler sounds like a great cozy mystery book, and I adore the cover! Thank you for the chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

BoSoxAmy said...

I love this series! Can't wait to get to this installment!

BoSoxAmy said...

I love this series! Can't wait to get to this installment!

Karen B said...

The Black Cat Bookshop cozy series is one of the best! Hamlet and Darla make a great pair of sleuths.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

skkorman said...

Sounds like a good read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Unknown said...

The Black Cat bookshop cozies are a favorite and I would love the latest one to read. Thanks for including Ali Brandon on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

Looks like a great story! Would love to catch up with Hamlet! Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Hannah and Lucy said...

That book sounds as though our Mum would enjoy reading it.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

katsrus said...

Love the book cover. Sounds like a great book.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

pilch92 said...

That sounds great. I love black cats, book stores and Brooklyn :) pilch92@aol.com

Alicia said...

I love Hamlet and this series!
afarage (at) earthlink (dot) net

Anonymous said...

This is definitely one of my must-haves, this month. Thanks, Melissa!

kim hansen said...

Looks like a fun read. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

Rita Wray said...

Sounds like a good read.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I found the books knocked off the shelf quite entertaining.
Hamlet is clever fellow. Now if only the humans could pick up the hints quicker!
libbydodd at comcast dot net

traveler said...

Thanks for this delightful book which I would enjoy greatly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

What a wonderful series, great feature and giveaway. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

bookwomen said...

Hamlet is a wonderful bookstore cat. Thanks for the review

gibsonbk@hiwaay dot net

rockergoddess2002 said...

I would love to win a copy! rockergoddess2002@yahoo.com

Sue said...

Cat cozies are just the best! Hamlet is a perfect cat for the job.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Glad yous liked it. Mommy sez she hawrdly has time to read a magazine article these days. MOL

Luv ya'

Dezi and Lexi

Cleopawtra said...

Added to my TBR list, winter is my read time. A mug of good tea, a loving kitty and a good book on the couch is perfection on a cold night. Thanks for the giveaway. rose_red2@cinci.rr.com

Noodle Cat said...

Sounds like a great read.
have a super Thursday...

Noodle and crew

Unknown said...

This is a very enjoyable series! Thank you for the opportunity!
ejbs3s@yahoo.com

Annie Bear said...

I love this series! I'm glad I came to your blog today. I didn't know another book was out.I'm glad to hear how much you enjoyed it. Thanks for the giveaway. (Adding my e-mail because everyone else did.) toriacat@yahoo.com

Susan said...

Thanks for the chance to win. sable677 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

sounds like its going to be good.great giveaway..thanks for the chance
mekachew at keromail dot com

Daniel Scott said...

With winter coming on, curling up with a good book is my wife's favorite pastime when she is off work.

Anna Gerard/Diane A.S. Stuckart said...

Thanks for all the nice comments, and thanks to Mudpie for a lovely review. Good luck everyone! ~Ali Brandon

A Tonl said...

Pawesome job as always, Mudpie!!

NoraA said...

I'm a huge fan of the series and would love to add this one to my collection. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

Meg C. said...

Sounds like a great new addition to this series. Thanks for the chance to win.

robbfan141729@yahoo.com

Kaye Killgore said...

I love this series. Hamlet is a cool cat.

kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net