Victoria Laurie’s latest work has a distinct flavor, setting it apart from previous entries in the Cat and Gilley series. Not only has she swapped the roles of the duo, but she has also woven in social commentary. Laurie fearlessly calls out brutality and discrimination within Texas law enforcement, and though not calling out for change, is making her readers aware of its existence. There is also an in-depth narrative of psychics. Laurie, a professional psychic, takes her time defending their abilities and existence.

Gilley, once the skittish Scooby-do personality, now is the beacon of reason. Meanwhile, Cat—usually steadfast and confident—finds herself wavering, adding l a new layer to their enduring friendship.

Early on, a murder sets the stage for the investigation. Yet, as we move from scene to scene, we find ourselves entangled in multiple storylines. This web of narratives, while occasionally overly descriptive, maintains a smooth flow.

From a previous mention on Laurie’s podcast, this appears to be the last we will see, for a while at least, of the Cat and Gilley saga. The author has her eye on fresh horizons and has mentioned new material. “See No Evil,” an addition to the A Psychic Eye Mystery series, is out now, and the upcoming fall release of “A Trinket for the Taking.”

This novel was a great addition to the series. I enjoyed following along on Cat and Gilley’s adventure and we got a change of setting. It was a very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I always enjoy catching up the Cat and Gilley. This book starts with Cat avoiding her boyfriend, Shep, so she flies to Texas to stay with Gilley and his new boyfriend. A murder occurs while they are in Texas and Cat and Gilley can't help but investigate. I really liked the different location of this book. It is always refreshing to see the characters in a different environment. The characters are always well written, and the mystery was well done. All in all a great book..

OMG I could not put this down! I loved this book. Loved, LOVED, L-O-V-E-D the ending! I hope this isn't the end of the series!! Great mystery with twists and turns I did not see coming!!

This is the 5th book in the Coaching Fire series. Cat is a life coach and Gillie is her assistant. Gillie is back from Paris where he met his new love Stuart, a costume designer. He’s putting on the Texas Rose Festival, and Cat joins them after his costumes are sabotaged and a man is found shot to death. Cat’s crime solving abilities preceded her so she gets involved to solve the crime and save the festival, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Coaching Fire: A Cat & Gilley Life Coach Mystery
By Victoria Laurie
Kensington Cozies
December 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

While everyone’s heard of Runaway Brides, Cat Cooper is a Runaway Proposee. She literally ran away from a kneeling Steve Shepherd, leaving him hanging because she was unable to give him an answer that could break both of their hearts. It’s not a good look for someone whose new career is that of a Life Coach, but she’s possibly following the lore of “Do what I say and Not What I Do.” Dodging Shep’s many texts and phone calls, Cat takes the opportunity to get out of town and join her bestie Gilley Gillespie in Texas. Gilley’s boyfriend Stuart Jacobs is in charge of creating the gowns for the Queen and many princesses of the Rose Festival, which is rife with egos and competitive designers. When Stuart’s assistant designer Broderick Carmichael is murdered and his sister Imani arrested, Cat and Gilley are so appalled by the police’s biased response that the two once again decide to investigate.

Going undercover as fake reporters – although Cat’s not willing to go so far as to give up wearing her usual designer shoes worth a real reporter’s monthly salary – they discover that there are many unhappy with Stuart’s success and with motives to sabotage the festival. It’s only when the warehouse holding the gowns is set on fire and an actual diamond tiara and pendant stolen that Cat is forced to call in the Calvary, namely the one person she’s been trying to avoid. Proving to be far more mature than the Life Coach, Shep arrives with his law enforcement credentials and experience to help them prove Imani’s innocence and prevent Stuart from being on the hook for the stolen jewels.

This fifth in the series finds Cat and Gilley switching their usual dynamic, with Gilley for once having the saner head while it’s Cat who is acting far more immature as she dodges confrontations. Longtime fans of the author’s Psychic Eye and Ghost Hunter mystery series will appreciate the cameos and references, but it’s those loyal to Cat, Shep, and Gilley who will relish seeing just how much they’ve transformed. The world of designers and the wealthy benefactors behind them is fun and fascinating, since both of them are filled with eccentric and quirky characters. Cat’s refusal to have a real conversation with Shep can make her a bit frustrating, but once she explains her reasons to Gilley she becomes far more relatable and sympathetic. As always, the writing is stellar and the dialogue between Gilley and Cat clever and often hilarious. This 5th of the series is at its best when it depicts the complications of adult relationships and the bonds between family and friends. Cat and Gilley are fashion-forward besties who prove to be a standout couple whether investigating murder or forcing one another to face their greatest fears. If this is the last of the series, it ends on a high note by delivering a genuinely surprising solution and happily ever after to all of its characters. The legion of Victoria Laurie fans and anyone looking for a fashion-centric read should place this on the top of their to-be-read stack.

Cat has been over seas with Gilly watching him fall head over heels for Stuart Jacobs a creative director. Stuart is heading up the Texas Rose Festival for the first time and he wants everything to go perfectly. When someone is murdered and one of Stuart's staff is the main suspect he hopes Cat will investigate and clear their name. Cat begins her investigation with Gilly's help and the two learn there are numerous suspects to look into. The two soon learn that there are many paths.to follow but which one will lead them to a killer. Follow along and see just where their investigation leads, will someone else end up dead before they find the murderer?

Cat Cooper has fled to Texas just in time for the city's Rose Festival...and a murder.

Gilley is there with love interest Stuart Jacobs is there working on the festival, but one of his staff is considered suspect number one.

Cat and Gilley naturally begin to investigate...while Cat also wrangles with the romantic problems she left behind.

When I read the description for this book it sounded fun and glamorous.

But I didn't find that fun resonated through the pages as much as I would have liked.

As a book within a wider series I think some better introduction to the characters was needed, I found characters were introduced quite abruptly and the plot seemed a little reliant on readers knowing the unspoken backstory.

I actually ended up going back and reading up on some of the past stories, then coming back and reading this one again.

With that it was a sweet story.

Cat and Gilley are forced to investigate a murder in Coaching Fire, book 5 of the Lifestyle Coach mysteries. This book has it all: two serious romances, a behind-the-scenes look at a rose parade pageant, an arson, an assault and of course, the murder. Even with all that action, my favorite part of the novel is its characters. Cat and Gilley are true originals especially within the cozy mystery genre. They are funny without being crude. And they seem to genuinely love each other.

To understand all the nuances in the characters, it is highly recommended that you read at least the last book in this series, Coached Red-handed, before reading this one.

Coaching Fire is the best book in the Lifestyle Coach mysteries. It also seems like the last one (boo hoo). After following the author through three cozy mystery series, I’m sure I’ll like her next one too. Still, I’ll miss Cat, Gilley and the gang. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Coaching Fire is the fifth book in Life Coach Mystery series written by Victoria Laurie.

I liked this series from the first book and I have read all of the installments.
I have to say that this isn't my favourite story. I have a feeling that the mystery took the back seat of the love life of both main characters and while I really like my characters to have depth and development it didn't sit right.

While I like my main heroine, her love and care for the people in her life in this installment she seemed a bit of goody two shoes.
The mystery was pretty insteresting but like I said I had a feeling that it wasn't as important as it should have been.
All in all a solid story about very liked characters and a nice setting.

Another good addition to the series but with a change of venue; these usually are not my favorite as I am a creature of comfort and I like my people to stay in their familiar spots but the change of venue here was enjoyable. I loved getting to know the new town of Tyler (which I will be visiting next year) and the new friends Cat and Gilley make. Most of the novel focused on the mystery, since the interruptions of daily life were taken away with the traveling, but there’s also a good amount about Gilley and Cat’s issues with their love lives, which both seem to be resolved. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

This book was the perfect wrap up to the series. The mystery is full of surprises. We get our favorite characters and lots of resolutions. And I actually love the moments when I wanted to reach into the pages and shake Cat! And I'll always want more Gilley. The ending left me with a smile on my face.

There was something in this book that made me think about Princess Daisy by Judith Kranz. I assume it's the luxury and the descriptions of the guesthouse as this is a cozy mystery and not a racy romance written in the 70s
Kat and Giley are well done and likeable as usual, the mystery is solid and I liked the setting.
I hope there will be more instalment, this one is recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Cat and Gilly are in the middle of another murder investigation, at least this time it's in Texas.
I thought the mystery was great! Lots of red herrings, twists, and turns, and as soon as Shep arrived to help I felt like the team was complete.
Gilly has a new love and while he tends to fall in love super quickly I do like Stuart and hope that they can both make this relationship work long-term

I'm not sure how many more books we will be getting in this series as this one definitely had the feeling of an ending, but I look forward to either more of Cat and Gilly or whatever else VIctoria Laurie writes.
PS If you like your cozy mysteries with some paranormal elements I would recommend Victoria Laurie's other series!

This was not my favourite in this series but I will probably still pick up the next one as I like the characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

So....about that proposal! Cat wasn't expecting Shep to get down on one knee and so, in a move that annoyed me but was necessary for the plot, she heads off to Texas where her BFF Gilley is helping his new love interest Stuart with a Rose Festival. And, of course, almost as soon as she arrives, there's a murder and Stuart's assistant is implicated. Cat and Gilley can't let local law enforcement investigate in its own so they not only launch themselves, they reach out to Shep for help. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I've been a fan of this series not only for the mysteries but for the characters and the setting. This sees everyone moved to Texas and it didn't entirely work for me. That said I'm interested in seeing what happens when we get back to New York.

** spoiler alert ** ** SPOILERS AHEAD **

3.5 stars

I am not going to lie - in amateur sleuth (or cozy mystery) category, at times I focus more on the relationship development rather than the mystery. So I would do that here as well - before talking about the mystery.

Truthfully, I haven't been fully on board with Cat and Shep's relationship. I thought they have different perspectives in life. Shep hasn't been 100% supporting Cat whenever she conducts her sleuthing (although Shep being a detective and Cat inserting herself in his active investigation probably doesn't help). Cat isn't exactly making Shep's life easy as well.

So I wasn't completely surprised with Cat being unsure about Shep's proposal - she actually said "No" and then abruptly left to Texas to help her best friend, Gilley. BUT the way that Cat pretty much ghosting Shep (she didn't want to talk to him AT ALL) and also Shep's sort of ultimatum by phone about "I wan't to be with you or not at all" wasn't helping the case. I still thought their relationship foundation was shaky, no matter the complete turnaround of Shep's personality in this book. I can only wish them the best.

I was HAPPY with Gilley's newfound relationship though. It was hard to see him sad and heartbroken. So I also wish him all the best.

Now, the mystery... oh I loved it! I loved that things were excitingly moving quite fast, with a murder, an arson, and even a theft! This involving Gilley's new lover, Stuart, and his business added the intensity because Cat and Gilley didn't want to see Stuart failed! Cat's investigation (and Gilley's) was fun - and Shep did come and help them, so it was all good for Stuart. Yay!

Cat and Fillet are on the case again. They are in Texas with Gilleys new designer boyfriend Stuart. He is the designer in charge of the Texas Rose Festival. There is a murder on his design team and another team member is a suspect. Gilley, Cat and Shep work the clues to find the real killer. I love this series so much and I'm sad to see it end. I love Gilley and his quick wit. I enjoyed following the clues and figuring out the mystery.

#NetGalleyARC I keep reading novels from this author because I used to DEVOUR them. I still really enjoy the author's writing and style but maybe it's this character that I'm just not totally sold on. Will I keep reading the series? Probably because I'm that weird reader who has an allegiance to a series and author, but I will say that this novel was a bit more enjoyable than the last. I really like the ending and epilogue.

As expected, Victoria Laurie has done it again! She spins a story in a way that leaves you guessing until the very end. Not just that, but she makes you fall in love with her characters.

A great story!