Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Synopsis:

First in a new series!

Nora Charles doesn’t believe in fate, even if she is a crime reporter who shares a name with a character from The Thin Man. In fact, she’s moving back to Cruz, California, to have a quieter life. But after finding an online magazine eager for material, and a stray cat named Nick with a talent for detection, Nora’s not just reporting crimes again. She’s uncovering them…

Back in her hometown, Nora reconnects with old friends and makes some new ones, like Nick, the charming feline who seems determined to be her cat. But not everything about Cruz is friendly. Writing for a local online magazine, Nora investigates the curious death of socialite Lola Grainger. Though it was deemed an accident, Nora suspects foul play. And it seems that her cat does too.

Apparently, Nick used to belong to a P.I. who disappeared while investigating Lola Grainger’s death. The coincidence is spooky, but not as spooky as the clues Nick spells out for her with Scrabble letters—clues that lead her down an increasingly dangerous path. Whether fate put her on this case or not, solving it will take all of Nora’s wits, and maybe a few of Nick’s nine lives.

Review:

Meow If It’s Murder is the first in the new cozy mystery series Nick and Nora Mysteries by author T.C. Lotempio. It is a wonderful first. Giving just enough back story to draw the reader in and enjoyable characters that keep the reader involved. Nora Charles has moved to her home town of Cruz, CA to take over the family café Hot Breads. Her mother left Nora in charge knowing that her love of cooking would keep the café’ going. Her mother’s death may have forced her to come home, but maybe a quieter life is just what she needs. Nora has left the big city of Chicago and her own crime column Crime Beat where she was a crime reporter. As her former school friend says “From printer’s ink to pastrami.”  Yes it was a big change for Nora.

Nora connects with her best friend Chantel and has made some updates to the café menu to draw in a younger crowd. She wants to keep her hand in writing as well. Maybe investigating the curious death of socialite Lola Grainger for a local online magazine. Then Nick comes into her life. Nick is a charming cat that will not take no for an answer when he decides he belongs to Nora. Nora and Nick suspect there is more to the death of Mrs Grainger than a boating accident. And Nick seems to be attempting to help her find the answers. When she finds out that this amazing cat actually belonged to the detective investigating the same “accidental” death, she knows the new pair must find the answers. But danger lurks for both Nora and Nick and they have to be careful lest something happens to them as well.

Meow If It’s Murder is a great first and I can not wait for the next installment. The characters are well written and engaging. They draw you in and make you want to get to know them even better. The author leaves the reader with a hint at more fun to come. Will Nora get to know the handsome detective (or is he more than that) better? Will Ollie (the partner of Nick’s former owner) be in the next book? Will Nick stay and finally be a happy model for Chantel’s jewelry business? This is just a fun and entertaining new cozy series that hits all the right buttons. I recommend especially to cat lovers. Now if only Nora would get a dog ….

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*