KitKat Reviews The Baby-Sitters Club #Mystery 1: Stacey and the Missing Ring

Title: Stacey and the Missing Ring
Author: Ann M. Martin
Genre: Juvenile / Nostalgia / Mystery
Status: Read
Cats?: Yes, there's a cat named Mouse!

KitKat Says:

It's not often that I get to read the first book in a series that features characters I remember fondly from kittenhood, but here we have one with The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #1: Stacey and the Missing Ring.

It's been ages since I've read a Baby-Sitters Club book, but I loved this series as a kitten.  So when this mystery crossed our desk, you better believe I got my paws on it right away.  I couldn't wait to dive right in!

Reading this book really took me back.  It begins with three chapters of reminding you who all the characters are: the girls in the club, their families, their clients.  This takes a while, but kids like repetition, and this is juvenile fiction, after all.

Then we get into the juicy stuff: the babysitting.  No, I'm kidding.  THE MYSTERY. As you've probably guessed from the title, this mystery involves 13-year-old Stacey and a missing diamond ring.

See, diamond is Stacey's birthstone and she's been begging her mom for a (diamond) birthstone ring. Mother and daughter have an argument about it, and Stacey tells all her friends.  As luck would have it, she babysits for a fancy new client and, sure enough, that client's diamond ring goes missing. Stacey is blamed.  No, it's worse than that.  Stacey is accused of stealing.  And when she won't confess, the client threatens to tell all The Baby-Sitters Club's clients she's a thief.

I really felt for Stacey, when she was accused of a crime she didn't commit.  It's hard enough for that to happen to you as a grown-up, but when you're thirteen, the trouble is compounded by the fact that you're a kid and nobody believes you.  She has no way of proving she didn't steal the ring, and even her best friend seems to think she's guilty.

Nobody, cat or kitten, would want to find themselves in Stacey's predicament.

But Stacey comes up with a clever way to solve the problem. That, paired with a bit of luck, leads her to the solution.

Is there a lot of investigation in this book? No. Does it include all the components you expect to find in your typical mystery? No.  There's no questioning suspects or anything along those lines, but there are enough red herrings that I thought I had this mystery tied up and I was wrong, wrong, wrong.  But I don't mind being wrong.  The ending surprised me and put a little smile on my face.

The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #1: Stacey and the Missing Ring took me on a trip down memory lane. I would recommend it to people who are currently thirteen years old, as well as grown-ups who read these books when they were young. If you're as much of a sucker for nostalgia as I am, you're sure to enjoy it!

Find Stacey and the Missing Ring at Amazon

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Ginger Reviews The #Cat Who Went Bananas #Cozy #Mystery

Title: The Cat Who Went Bananas

Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
Genre: Cozy / Pets / Amateur Sleuth
Status: Abandoned
Cats?: At least three

Ginger Says:

I'm breaking my own rules, here.

I have a bit of a personal policy about not reviewing books until I've read them to completion. If I have no intention of finishing a book, I wouldn't normally review it.

Why have I broken my rule for The Cat Who Went Bananas?

Because it's bad.  It's really bad, really poorly written. Dick and Jane Solve a Murder, with a heavy helping of Grampa Simpson rambling. When you're constantly asking a book "Why are you telling me this?" that's not a good sign. Honestly, it was a struggle to get through the first three chapters. By that point, I knew I wouldn't be reading the rest of the book.

Sure cats have nine lives, but they're all too short to waste on bad writing.

The reason I wanted to review The Cat Who Went Bananas (or at least comment on it) anyway is that this book comes from a series that's been around for decades. The earlier "The Cat Who..." books are fantastic. I've reviewed one written in 1967 very positively.

When I got my paws on a copy of The Cat Who Went Bananas, I put it aside for a time when I wanted to treat myself. Sometimes you need to cozy up with a good book, and if you're lucky, you're familiar with a series that can give you just the feeling of warmth and comfort you need.

The fact that this terrible book is part of a series that was formerly fantastic is what disappoints me the most. I had high expectations based on other books in the series.  This book doesn't meet those expectations. Nowhere near.

How the mighty have fallen.

Ever since I put this book down, I've been thinking about successful series on a grander scale. Not just books, but television too.  No matter how good a series is in the beginning (or wherever its golden era is situated), at some point that series is going to be in decline. I really respect creators who know when to pull the plug, but I also understand the urge to keep on truckin, especially if the series is making big money.

As a reader, do you prefer to follow a series into the abyss because you're comfortable and familiar with the characters? Or do you stop buying those books as soon as they're past their prime? I can think of a lot of TV shows I've stopped watching even though I really liked them earlier on.

What about you? Can you think of a series (whether it be books or television) that dropped off in quality? Did you keep reading or watching?  Or did you dump it like yesterday's trash? Let us know in the comments.

If you're curious about The Cat Who Went Bananas, I invite you to form your own opinions. I won't be finishing it, but maybe you will. Maybe you'll love it!

Find The Cat Who Went Bananas at Amazon

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Hey Mystery Cats, What is the Ultimate British Mystery Series?

We're talking television today.

The Brits make the best TV mysteries, but which series is the best of the best?

Butterball Says:

There is only one possible response to such a question. The greatest British mystery series of all time is Midsomer Murders. This program has been around for decades. Why are we still watching it after more than 20 years? Because this long-running television show is consistent and reliable in providing us with the cosy settings and situations we crave.

That's why the Ultimate British Mystery Series is Midsomer Murders.

Zorro Says:

Looking for a good time? Well then Death in Paradise is the show for you. Set on the fictitious island of Saint Marie and filmed on location in Guadeloupe, Death in Paradise is funny, sunny, and comfortingly formulaic. One of the best things about all these British shows is the predictable pacing, and Death in Paradise has got that down to an art form. You always know roughly when things are going to happen, but I'm always surprised by the results. This show's got a lot going for it--including comedy legends like Ardal O'Hanlon!

That's why the Ultimate British Mystery Series is Death in Paradise!

KitKat Says:

Believe it or not, I agree with Butterball (it happens on rare occasions), but I'll pick another one--which is easy to do, because there are so many amazing British mysteries out there. I'm going with Inspector Lewis, the Morse spin-off. Why Lewis and not Morse? Because Inspector Lewis has everything going for it that I enjoyed with Morse--it's cinematic, it's got an amazing soundtrack and intriguing mysteries--but it doesn't have the one thing I was never too fond of with Morse: Morse himself. I just never liked that character, sue me! With Inspector Lewis, I really enjoy the interplay between the investigators and, on top of that, the show is visually stunning.

That's why the Ultimate British Mystery Series is Inspector Lewis.

Ginger Says:

Oh, it's so hard to choose, but I'll have to go with Rosemary and Thyme. If you've never seen it, you should go out and find yourself a copy. It's a murder mystery series about two gardeners who just happen to solve crimes. One used to be in the police and one has an academic background, so they're perfectly positioned to figure out whodunit. This is the cosy of cosies. It's the cosiest cosy that ever cosied. The characters are great and there's plenty of gardening? Who could ask for anything more.

That's why the Ultimate British Mystery Series is Rosemary and Thyme.



Feel free to weigh in. That's what comments are for! 
Which is your favourite British mystery series?

Zorro Reviews #KidLit #Mystery: Murder on the #Canadian

Title: Murder on the Canadian 
Author: Eric Wilson
Genre: Action Adventure / Murder Mystery / Juvenile Fiction
Status: Read
Cats?: Nope.

Zorro Says:

I admit it: I'm hooked on Juvenile Fiction. Ever since I read my first Hardy Boys mystery last year, I haven't been able to kick the habit.

My latest kidlit read is Murder on the Canadian, A Tom Austen Mystery written by Eric Wilson. Yes, our amateur sleuth is a young lad. Yes, he's hilarious. And yes, he's about to solve a murder on a train.

Great cast of characters in this one. So much personality. There's nothing worse than dull characters in a murder mystery, and you won't find any here.  Young Tom loves Hardy Boys mysteries and detective novels, but he's no kid genius. There are a number of clues an adult reader picks up on that Tom doesn't notice. This builds tension.  You're sitting there going "That's a clue, Tom! It's a clue!"

He gets there eventually, I should mention. Kid's not a total dope. In fact, he does a better job at solving this murder than I would have, as a kitten. I shouldn't be so hard on Tom.

There's a great action sequence toward the end of the book, as well.  Something to look forward to.

Murder on the Canadian is a fun read. I honestly wasn't prepared for how much I would enjoy this one.  Big personality, lots of fun suspects, a smattering of jokes, and a physical struggle that could mean the difference between life and death.  What more could a cat ask for?

The agonizing sound of a woman's scream hurls Tom Austen into the middle of a murder plot on board the sleek passenger train The Canadian. Who is responsible for the death of lovely Catherine Saks? As Tom investigates the strange collection of travellers who share Car 165, he gets closer and closer to the truth . . . and then without warning, he is suddenly face to face with the killer, and his own life is threatened in the most alarming possible way.

Find Murder on the Canadian at Amazon

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Butterball Reviews #British #Mystery A Guilty Thing Surprised by Ruth Rendell

Title: A Guilty Thing Surprised (An Inspector Wexford Mystery)
Author: Ruth Rendell
Genre: British Detectives
Status: Read
Presence of Cats: A brief appearance by a ginger named Ginger (very creative...)

Butterball Says:

As I recall, it was a mere one year ago when I lamented the fact that I had gone so very long in life without ever having read the words of one of Britain's finest mistresses of mystery.  Ruth Rendell represents quality writing and intriguing plots, the likes of which this cat has not seen since Agatha Christie.

A Guilty Thing Surprised is not the first Inspector Wexford Mystery, and though I have not read any other books in this series, I did not feel this fact hampered my enjoyment in the least.

Because the setting is a manor house in England's green and pleasant land, one is immediately transported to the time of Agatha Christie's writings.  Thus, it feels oddly anachronistic when the servants are reportedly listening to The Beatles and stacking the dishwasher.

The copyright date on this book reads 1970, which leads one to believe it is set in perhaps the late sixties: a time of change, when the older generation believes they have betters, and the younger generation believes they can one day become their betters. And perhaps they are correct.

When the lady of the house is murdered in the woods, suspicion falls upon the usual suspects: the husband, the family, the servants. Motives abound.  Whether she was murdered for love or money, there is no short supply of characters who might have wielded the weapon.

There are hints of piquancy and salacious goings-on behind the scenes, but I must say the resolution is salacious in the extreme! From the very first pages, I thought things were perhaps heading in a direction KitKat would most enjoy. Was I correct in this assumption? Ah, that would be telling!

For now, I'll only say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the world of Inspector Wexford, and I hope to visit again very soon. Highly recommended for lovers of Agatha Christie's masterful works!

Find A Guilty Thing Surprised at Amazon

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Murder at MarketFresh, Book 2 in the Lasagna Lady #Mysteries #Series

Hi, hi, hi!

It's me again, your pal KitKat, with another announcement about our cat mom Doris Hay's Lasagna Lady Mysteries series.

Book Two is now available! 

Much like its predecessor Murder at Meadowlark, the new book Murder at MarketFresh is set in the Mystery Cats' hometown of Toronto.  The first book was set at a retirement residence. This murder takes place in a supermarket parking lot. It's a hit-and-run, but is it deliberate?  Is it an accident?  Luella Genova is one of only three witnesses, and she votes for deliberate act of violence.

One thing I love about the second book in any series is that you've gotten all the meeting your main characters stuff out of the way. We met Luella and Chandelle in Book One.  We already love them--despite their quirks or because of their quirks, I'm not sure which. Now we're ready to watch them take on the worlds of lasagna delivery, crime-solving, and dealing with the ghosts of the past.

You may recall that in Book One, someone broke into Luella's house. That was never fully resolved, was it?  Well, in Book Two we find out who it was--and the answer will blow you away!

We also get to see Luella trying to worm her way into Chandelle's young life. Luella's convinced Chandelle would be happier if she made some friends her own age. When she tries to get the transgender teen to join her school's LGBT Alliance, let's just say it doesn't go well. Chandelle's great at driving other people's lives, but she doesn't appreciate it when Luella interferes in hers.

There's so much going on in this book it would be a great read even without the murder mystery, but, that said, the mystery is actually central to the action.

What does it take to solve a murder in a supermarket parking lot? A mischievous husky dog, an entrepreneurial high school student, and a little lasagna lady with a whole lotta heart!

When Luella Genova witnesses a hit-and-run in the parking lot of the MarketFresh superstore, it isn’t her first brush with murder. It is, however, the first time she’s witnessed the death of a teen.

Grace Tangoco was a determined young woman working three jobs to pay for university. Her classmates and coworkers loved her, and yet nobody knew her all that well. Nobody but her secret boyfriend, who mysteriously disappeared after the hit-and-run.

Who could have killed such a kind and hard-working young girl? The police are investigating, sure, but this case can only be cracked by Luella the Lasagna Lady and her business partner Chandelle “Garlic Bread Girl” Jervais. After all, they’re the only two people who know about the teenager’s haunting last words.

If you're ready to watch Luella and Chandelle's friendship build while they solve another murder, you're ready for Murder at MarketFresh.

Murder at MarketFresh is currently enrolled in Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program. That means, if you're a KU member, you get to read the entire novel for free!

Murder at MarketFresh is the second book in the Lasagna Lady Mysteries series.

Read MURDER AT MARKETFRESH by Doris Hay today! 
It’s free with KindleUnlimited!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZZNLB6?tag=dorishay-20
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079ZZNLB6
Amazon CANADA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B079ZZNLB6
Amazon AUSTRALIA: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B079ZZNLB6

Zorro Reviews The Charmed Bracelet (Nancy Drew Graphic Novels: Girl Detective #7)

Title: The Charmed Bracelet (Nancy Drew Graphic Novels: Girl Detective #7)
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Illustrator: Vaughn Ross
Genre: Action Adventure / Female Sleuth / Graphic Novel
Status: Read
Cats?: Zero

Zorro Says:

Last year KitKat inspired me to read a Hardy Boys mystery for the first time. When The Charmed Bracelet showed up on the Mystery Cats' desk, I swiped it too. (Sorry, KitKat. You can read it next.)

Why did Zorro, your action/adventure cat, want to read a Nancy Drew mystery? Easy answer. Just flip through this graphic novel and the first thing you'll notice is all the car chases and squirming around in air ducts. Nancy Drew is a total ninja in this graphic novel. Early on, she saves her boyfriend from being struck down by a murderous motorcycle. Okay, the motorcycle itself wasn't murderous. The guy riding it was. But wouldn't that be cool if the motorcycle was a sentient being intent upon Ned's ultimate demise?

Maybe I should be writing Nancy Drew graphic novels!

As you might have guessed by my description, the Nancy Drew in this graphic novel is a contemporary version of the character. She's a kick-ass super-heroine, for the most part.

Bess and George are no delicate doilies either. While Bess is interpreted as a bit of a femme fatale, George is her usual tomboy (KitKat's type, I'd venture to guess) and self-proclaimed "Girl Computer Whiz."

There are two mysteries to be solved in The Charmed Bracelet. One involves a stolen computer chip. The other is more personal: Nancy's boyfriend Ned is being framed for crimes he didn't commit.

Despite the dual mysteries, The Charmed Bracelet is a quick read. Maybe too quick? I'm not a big reader of graphic novels, so I'll be the first to admit I'm not overly familiar with how the pacing usually works in this style of book. I'll pass it along to KitKat, but I don't think she's a huge reader of graphic novels either, so the Mystery Cats probably can't provide an expert opinion. But, heck, we never claimed to be experts! We're just cats who like mysteries. And, as a cat who likes actiony thrillery tales, I thought it was a neat little read, but with an emphasis on "little." This glossy paperback has a total of 112 pages, and a whopping 24 of those pages are bonus materials and ads for other books! 

If you're a Nancy Drew aficionado, you'll surely want to investigate this graphic take on the franchise.

Find The Charmed Bracelet at Amazon

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