A fun cozy mystery that felt very on theme. While not my favorite theme among cozy mysteries I could definitely still appreciate the talent of the author and can already envision recommending to various readers.

Sorry, I thought I gave feedback on this one but I really enjoyed it.. I have enjoyed this whole series and wish there was more than just the four! Julie Chase aka Julie Ann Lindsay is one of my favorite authors and I would read about anything she writes. :)

Lacy Crocker is the proud owner of Furry Godmother, a pet boutique and organic treat bakery, in New Orleans. In Cat Got Your Secrets, Lacy Marie Crocker stumbles into another murder scene while delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle's bark-mitzvah. The problem is that the last person to see the victim alive was her own father, and he becomes the main suspect. All this is right when there is a huge dinner being planned in his honour. Her mother is fit to be tied and wants this case to be solved before everyone declines their invitation. Lacy works with (sort of) Detective Jack Oliver and when she starts to unearth clues, she begins to receive threats and possible blackmail pictures. What is going on in this case and can she and Jack find the killer before someone else ends up dead?

I love the character of Lacy Marie Crocker. She is a New Orlean's blueblood but does not want to make it on the coattails of her family. When she returns home she opens her own store and is doing well. I love that her bread and butter is making clothes for pampered pets. She is independent and smart, stubborn and loyal, creative and just a lot of fun. There are a couple of possible love interests, but it is not really a love triangle. I like both of them for different reasons and I like that her parents are not against either of the relationships should she decide to pursue either of them. From her wealthy and overbearing parents (at least her mama) to her somewhat kooky friend (and former nanny) Imogene to Lacy’s best friend Scarlet as well as Jack and Chase, she has a lot of people watching her back and she definitely needs it. And then there's Penelope her beloved cat who lives to ride around Lacy’s store on the back of the roomba. I enjoyed how this mystery played out. There were a lot of suspects, twists and red herrings that kept me guessing. Secrets, secrets and more secrets drive this story, which is where the title comes from. I enjoy this series as it has fun characters and entertaining mysteries. I do suggest you read them in order to get to know the characters from the start. If you enjoy a fun cozy mystery to escape into, then pick up the Kitty Couture mysteries.

A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

I simply adore Julie Chase’s Kitty Couture series, and Cat Got Your Secrets just might be my favorite yet. Either the series keeps getting better, or I’ve come to enjoy characters who are familiar by now. But whatever the reason, this witty, well-written story that’s filled with southern charm provided a great reading experience.

New Orleans’s Garden District, known for its stately historic homes and wealthy residents, is a fascinating backdrop for the action that centers around Lacy and her Furry Godmother pet boutique and bakery. I love my pets, but when it comes to the couture designs that Lacy creates for her high-end customers, I just have to roll my eyes. Fun to read about, though!

Lacy might not be the smartest fictional detective, but she cares about her family and leads from the heart as she tries to clear her father’s name. Detective Jack Oliver is a favorite of mine … financially secure through inherited family wealth, but loves police work. The romantic tension and witty dialogue between them is wonderful. Lacy actually has two love interests, but let me just say that if Jack doesn’t win fair lady, I’ll be terribly disappointed.

Strong, appealing secondary characters add richness to the story, such as Lacy’s best friend and also their family employee who used to be her nanny. Lacy’s mother cares about her, but she’s a controlling figure who worries about appearances, and I’m on the fence as to how I feel about her. And then there’s Penelope, the cat. I can just see her riding the automatic vacuum cleaner around the shop!

The murder plot is well crafted. Rarely am I able to solve the murder’s identity; I just enjoy going along for the entertaining ride. The dry wit and some laugh-out-loud scenes are a strength of the story. This is also a clean read with no profanity or anything graphic. Thank you for that, Julie Chase!

Another creative touch that I loved are the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, helpful “tips” from Furry Godmother with a hint of what’s to come. Here’s two of my favorites …

“If you want something done right, do it yourself. Just don’t get caught.”

“Everyone deserves the royal treatment, even the jesters.”

I loved Cat Got Your Secrets and hope the series continues for a good while. Highly recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I'm not one to shy away from jumping into a series anywhere. Sometimes, it works but not always. It works with this series. Written as a stand-alone, I believe I could start this series anywhere and not feel lost or underwhelmed with spoilers of previous books.

I'm going to start with the recipes. There are three pet recipes at the end of the book. 1 is a freezable treat perfect for the summer and super easy. Truthfully, it's people safe too so if you happen to have a little one that gets into them while you're pampering your pets, it'll be just fine. The last 2 require cooking and one is geared toward your feline friends while the other is geared toward your canine pal.

Moving on to the story, I was intrigued by the pet boutique idea with custom treats and outfits. I kinda loved that Lacy's mom was a little pushy and thought she knew what was best when it came to Lacy's business and its icon. It wasn't done out of maliciousness but it still was frustrating as it went against Lacy's vision for what she wanted for her boutique. I enjoyed how Lacy has a good relationship with her parents but there's still the child/parent dynamic that comes into play when you move back closer to your parents once you've been away.

The murder plot was excellently written. In fact, there was so much going on (but not so much that I got lost) that I missed some clues I may have normally picked up on. The ending was brilliant and it seems as though two mysteries were solved. One that seemed a continuation from possible previous events and the murder that was the focal point of the book. The relationship with her love interest was genuine. Overall, I greatly enjoyed how the characters interacted with one another.

If you're looking for a good beach read, I recommend this to any cozy fan.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Julie Chase for giving me the opportunity to read this delightful story and share my honest opinion.

4.5 stars rounded up.

I loved this newest installment of the Kitty Couture mysteries. Lacy still gets me a little riled sometimes when she does stupid things without thinking, but she's gotten at least a little better at that than she was before. Not much, but a little.

While it was true that we had a murder in this one, the blackmail was really the intriguing part of the mystery. The story moved along at a decent pace and stayed on track nicely.

I look forward to seeing what else Lacy gets into in further installments in the series!

What a fantastic cozy read. Ms. Chase is a fantastic cozy mystery writer. I am always pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns in each of her novels. This is defiantly a book my library will be purchasing in the cozy mystery genera.

I can’t say enough how much I love this series, and Cat Got Your Secrets reminded me why I love it all over again. Lacy, who just wants to run her pet boutique, keeps running into bodies (clearly the pet boutique business is a dangerous one) and then of course can’t help but figure out whodunit. This time it’s personal, and I really enjoyed the larger focus on her family in this book.

Southern fiction meets cozy mystery in this fun series set in the heart of New Orleans. Lacy Crocker will become a friend, and the eccentric band of characters (and pets!) she surrounds herself with will quickly take up residence in your heart. Wry humor, well-plotted mystery, those great characters and enough romance to keep you swooning make Cat Got Your Secrets a must read.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This book is the 3rd installment in the Kitty Couture Mysteries series. These are the stories of Lacy Marie Crocker, who has a pet boutique. This time, she finds the body and to her surprise, her father becomes suspect #1. It is a fun tale of Lacy trying to find the real killer. The characters and storyline are developed very well. They are believable and you can picture exactly what is going on. I love this series! I hope Julie Chase continues to write in this series. It is a fast and easy read and one you won't regret!

I'm going to start right out and let you all know that the Kitty Couture Mysteries Series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series' ever. I love the author's writing style, the conversational tone with which she writes each book, and the her characters are a hoot.

Upon delivery of a pet treat order, she finds out that the owner of the location of the delivery was found dead that morning; locked in a freezer. Unfortunately, the last person to see the man alive is Lacy's veterinarian father, putting law enforcement's sights set on him. Lacy knows she cannot just sit idly by even though Detective Jack Oliver is on the case. He's extremely capable but this is Lacy's father. She does some pretty dumb things in the book but I can't say I wouldn't do everything I could to help out my father if something like this happened.

Cat Got Your Secrets is full of twists and turns as the author takes the reader on an adventure that opens up cans of worms in the lives of some of the more affluent members in the Garden District. I love the background story of Lacy becoming more involved in society related events at the request (or demand) of her mother. While, Lacy is from an affluent family in the New Orleans Garden District, she doesn't act like it. She is very down-to-earth and her character has been written wonderfully. She has the opportunity to never want for anything but she wants to make her own way in the world. Instead of falling back on family money, she worked hard to get through college and start her own business - a pet boutique.

Oh, Detective Jack Oliver....be still thy fluttering heart. His character in this series is a fresh take on cozy mystery heroes. Sure, he's the standard potential love interest police officer but he's so much more. His banter with Lacy had me rooting for them through the entire book. The chemistry is spot on and can be felt by the reader. His character has depth and emotion and he's oh, so patient with Lacy and her antics while trying to "help" solve crime.

Jack Oliver isn't the only potential love interest in Cat Got Your Secrets. Her friend Scarlet's brother-in-law, Chase Hawthorne, is back in town and has set his sights on Lacy. I still don't feel their chemistry like I do when Jack enters the picture. There's nothing particularly wrong with Chase but I just don't feel any of the right vibes when he's with Lacy. The sizzle and tension are non-existent; I actually get more of a brother-sister vibe from them (except when Chase mentions things about kissing Lacy). I'm giddy with delight at how things progress with the love interests though and can't wait for the next book.

I am still very impressed by the way the author was able to keep suspicion off of the true killer. I was none the wiser until the big reveal and didn't suspect a thing. The path to solving the murder was paved with several potential candidates that had means and motive. Bravo, Julie Chase, bravo!!

Cat Got Your Secrets is the third Kitty Couture book. This series really gets better with each book. This is one of the few series that I've been able to follow from the start, and I'm really glad I have.

Things are a little better with Lacy and her mom. They have a very interesting relationship and even if you haven't read books one and two in the series, you'll see that in the first few pages. Mom definitely wants Lacy to be something she's not, a society lady. She can be very annoying and its easy to see why Lacy had left home

This time Lacy is working to keep her Dad out of jail, when he becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his friend. Her dad is definitely not the type you'd expect to be a suspect in a killing. He's very mild mannered, in fact, it is hard to believe that he's married to her mom.

Lacy is doing everything to try to find the killer, and it is landing her in trouble too. She almost ends up with a restraining order and then there are the blackmail letters. (She's not the only one getting them either)

Her relationship with Chase seems to be growing too and the same goes for Jack. I'm not a huge fan of love triangles in cozy mystery series, especially when both guys are great, but I do like Chase and Jack. Its three books in and I can't really say whose team I'm on, I like both guys.

There were so many people that could have killed Walter Becker. I liked the fact that sleuthing didn't exactly get the case solved.

This is a fabulous addition to this series!

When I started this I was coming off a SF space opera followed by a political thriller and it took me two chapters to switch voices in my head from NY staccato to NOLA drawl. Once I had done so I felt wrapped by the warmth and charm of Mardi Gras Central as our somewhat PTSD former debutante heroine plunged into a new mystery. Le sigh. Yes, this is #3 in the series and I am sad that I haven't (yet) read the first two since obviously (incorporated by reference but no spoilers other than the heroine survives to enjoy another adventure) a lot of fun stuff went on! In addition to the murder and mayhem one might expect, there are also animals of every description and costumes for each. I, personally, want to see one of the turtle tiaras--and I don't even have a turtle. Happy Reading!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

An absolutely delightful new cozy from Julie Chase! Doesn’t that grab you right away?

Lacy’s back and this time her father has been accused of murdering his best friend. Her dad goes into slump, her mother is in denial and worried more about upcoming National Pet Pageant, Lacy goes into overdrive to find proof so that Detective Jack Oliver will leave her dad alone and find the real killer. The tables turn on Lacy when she receives an envelope and finds herself in the cross hairs of a blackmailer. To Jack’s dismay Lacy acts again without thinking things through and puts herself in danger.

I love Lacy Crocker. She is creative and smart and devoted to her dad. When she learns he was with his friend so close to the time of his death she knows exactly what Jack is going to do. She tries to warn her mother but she doesn’t think it is a big deal until they take her husband to the station for questioning. Then she expects Lacy to fix everything.

Lacy’s mother is very demanding without her husband in the hot seat. This time she not only expects Lacy to clear her father but she also puts her on the Pet Pageant committee, a committee that she chairs. She has declared that all committee members to dress in pastels for an entire month. Remember Lacy is also running a business, a business where sales should increase when the pageant takes place. She also has several special orders. All this before she even tries to have any private life. So murder, blackmail, a new wardrobe, her business, a pageant, and normal life. Lacy’s plate is more than overflowing. This mother/daughter relationship ebbs and flows. Lacy doesn’t ever want to hurt her mom’s feelings but it is hard work. As the story continues the relationship starts to brighten but I feel for Lacy so much under all that weight.

The private life I mentioned includes attorney Chase Hawthorne and Detective Jack Oliver. They each have their pluses and minuses. I remain on Team Jack!

The focus of the story lets us get to know some of the supporting characters. Imogene, Lacy’s former nanny takes on the heavy load of The Furry Grandmother while Lacy does her investigating and Scarlet helps Lacy with the case as she taps into the gossip train around town. But it is Penelope and Spot that always make me smile and laugh.

The mystery is well written and keeps a steady pace from beginning to end. The subplots and main plot flow together nicely. Secrets, secrets and more secrets drive this story. The plot takes an interesting twist that brings many more suspects to the forefront. The drama escalates when Lacy finds herself in more than a little danger. My pages were turning briskly.

The story takes place around Valentine’s day and it was fun to see people shopping for their pets.

I adore this series. Fun characters and themes and entertaining mysteries. I do suggest you read them in order to get to know the characters from the start. They are all perfect escapes!

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase is the third story in A Kitty Couture Mystery series. Lacy Marie Crocker owns Furry Godmother in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a pet boutique and organic treat bakery that caters to all animals. Lacy is dropping off dreidel dog treats for a bark-mitzvah at a catering hall next to The Cuddle Brigade when she notices a slew of emergency vehicles. She gets out to inquire what is occurring and discovers that her father’s friend, Wallace Becker is dead. When Lacy discovers her father was the last person (besides the killer) to see Wallace alive, she knows she needs to act quickly. Lacy starts delving into Wallace Becker’s life to find out who would have wanted him dead. She needs to work in her investigation in between baking pet treats, creating costumes, helping with the preparations for the party honoring her father, and her NPP Welcoming Committee commitments (thanks to her mother). In addition, there are her two suitors, Chase Hawthorne and Detective Jack Oliver.

Cat Got Your Secrets was easy to read and had a good pace. I did feel that the murder occurred too early in the book (right at the beginning) which makes the book feel long. Cat Got Your Secrets can be read alone. Everything a reader needs to know is provided in the story. I felt the author tried to stuff too much into one book. There are numerous people and animals introduced (along with wacky costumes for the pets). None of the human characters are fully developed (very superficial). There are details missing from the story (an example is the father’s first name). I am rating Cat Got Your Secrets 2 out of 5 stars (just not for me). Lacy is a difficult character to like (and lacks depth). She is 30 going on 16 (I might be giving her too much credit). Lacy has unreasonable expectations, runs around like the Roadrunner, overreacts to every little thing, breaks laws, etc. There is just one zany antic after another. Then there is her demanding mother (a woman who loves parties and events). The mystery is not complicated and it is easily solved early in the novel (one clue will give it away). There was a repetition of information especially in the beginning. Cat Got Your Secrets failed to capture and hold my attention. I wanted more substance and less wacky. I am not the right audience for A Kitty Couture Mystery series.

The mystery in this book starts right from the beginning and intertwines with a storyline from the previous book. I had my suspicions about who the killer was but ended up being wrong. The killer turned out to be someone I didn't suspect at all and I love being stumped so that was fun. What's the point in a mystery if you're able to figure out who the killer is yourself, right? It's not supposed to be easy to figure out. :)

I liked getting to see more from secondary characters like Scarlet and Imogene. Penelope and Spot provided a lot of laughs during this book. I can picture my cat doing silly things like riding around on a Roomba so that provided a lot of entertainment value.

It's been a while since I read the second book in this series, and while I enjoyed that one, I didn't seem to like this one quite as much. I found Lacy to be a little more immature and dramatic in this book. She comes across a lot younger than she actually is. It also bothered me a little that she didn't seem all that concerned with the death threats that she received. I did like that we got a little more information about Lacy's past in this book and that we got to see her repair her strained relationship with her mother.

CAT GOT YOUR SECRETS by Julie Chase
The Third Kitty Couture Mystery

Lacy Marie Crocker is back at Furry Godmother whipping up organic treats and outfits for pets of all types. But when she stops to deliver some driedel-shaped doggy biscuits for a St. Berdoodle's Bark-Mitzvah she discovers a crime scene. The victim is Wallace Becker, the owner of the Cuddle Brigade, a popular pet sitting business. The problem is that Wallace is also a friend of Lacy's dad. The dad who's acting strange...and the last person to be seen with the victim! Now Lacy's bound and determined to prove her father's innocence, with or without the help of a certain hunky homicide detective or a charming lawyer. But will Lacy wind up in a killer's sights yet again?

The Kitty Couture Mystery series is a cute cozy series and the third book in the series fits right in. Although Lacy has struggled to make it on her own and be her own person, she does have a Cinderella like aura which the villain describes perfectly, "you bounced down the driveway like little blue birds followed you through life". Lacy is a perky cheerful soul, albeit nosy and a bit immature. Fortunately she's also quite a bit likable. She's a caring person who genuinely wants to help others, animals and people alike. I enjoy watching the relationship between Lacy and her mother grow and develop, as well as Lacy's relationship with her two possible beaus, Chase and Jack.

CAT GOT YOUR SECRETS is a cute cozy filled with ever evolving characters, a great location, and an in-depth mystery. Julie Chase gives readers plenty of wonderful visuals, such as the apparel Lacy creates. But, my favorite visual is that of Penelope regally riding Spot, cat atop a robotic vacuum, priceless and memorable!

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Humans who read my blog know I do not wear clothes- not a collar nor a scarf. I prefer to be au naturel in all my Maine Coon glory. Once I get past this blip (since the premise of the book is Lacy designs and sells wardrobes for pets) I do enjoy this series. I love the New Orleans setting and I like Lacy, her family and her two beaux. The mysteries are always entertaining even though Lacy does get herself hurt repeatedly without taking note of the people who love her or learning her lesson. I guess the books would be pretty short if she did.
In this outing, her dad is the last person to see one of his friends who is found dead in a walk in freezer. He had a heart attack and was very ill but the wound on his head screams murder. Naturally, her dad is a person of interest and boy the gossips in town are interested.
The entire family lives under a cloud of suspicion so Lacy figures she needs to solve the puzzle.
I do like the way there are a couple of open ended mysteries that get woven into this story from previous books which makes me suggest that this is not a book you want to pick up as a one-off.
But I would recommend the series not just because of the Roomba feline jockey, Penelope. She is pretty cool though.
I give this four purrs and two paws up.

A fan and fast paced cozy series with a complicated mystery to keep you guessing until the end.
This is the third book in the series. I do recommend you read all the books but you can read each as a stand alone.
Lacy Marie Crocker straddles two worlds, financially. Her family has money but she is determined to make her career success o her own. She is a talented fashion designer who is using her talent to create memorable fashions for animals, from llamas to cats and dogs, to guinea pigs. Her home town has enough money to pamper their pets and support her chosen career full time.
Still, Lacy seems to find time to get her curious nose into trouble. She doesn't have to look far for it - it often lands on her doorstep.

This time it is Lacy's father, the beloved town veterinarian, who is in the wrong place at the wrong time AND show up on a surveillance camera. By trying to clear her father's name and save the family reputation, Lacy finds herself once again in the sites of a crazed killer. There are references to past times when Lacy found herself in danger but it is all very clear and understood.

Having a tendancy to find herself in danger, Lacy also attracts strong, handsome men who want to protect her. Not that Lacy feels she needs protection. (Mostly Lacy needs protection from herself.)
Her mother also feels that a man should be required in Lacy's life.

As if figuring out a murder and saving the family name is not enough, a National Pet celebration is coming to town. Do you realize what this woud mean for The Furry Godmother? The major obstacle means Lacy working closely with her mother, who seems to be having some growing pains (not midlife crisis) of her own. Their relationsip has been improving but there are always back slides.

So we have murder, family relationships, hunky eligible men, and adorable animals in costumes plus some secrets are revealed. What is not to love?

Lacy Crocker is the proud owner of Furry Godmother, a pet boutique and organic treat bakery, in New Orleans. Cat Got Your Secrets is the third book in the Kitty Couture Mystery series. This newest installment is centered around Valentine's Day (without being sappy about it, too -- which I loved!) and a National Pet Pageant.

Lacy is on her way to deliver some treats when she sees emergency vehicles at a crime scene. She discovers that one of her father's friends has been murdered. The major problem is that the last person to see Wallace Becker alive was her father. Lacy knows she has to act fast and investigate Becker's death to prevent her father from being arrested, while juggling her business, serving on the welcoming committee for the pet pageant, and her usual busy life.

Lacy is an enjoyable main character, although a bit spoiled and immature at times. Her mother is incredibly annoying (but the character is meant to come off as utterly impossible). I did find it a bit hard to connect on a personal level with the characters as they are not well developed, which happens sometimes in a fast-paced cozy. I may have had a bit of a disconnect because this is the first book in this series that I've read. I was able to pick up the plot and basic understanding of the characters so that I could enjoy the mystery, but maybe I would feel more connected with these characters if I read the first two books. But, my disconnect might be caused by the fact I don't really find the characters all that likable? They come off as rich and spoiled. But, I was reading the book for the mystery, not to fall in love with the characters. The mystery starts off almost immediately....and kept my attention for the entire book. Great mystery. Slightly annoying characters.

I liked the fast pace, humor, setting, and quirky characters (with the exception of her pushy, annoying mother). There were plenty of suspects, and the mystery is engaging. I enjoyed Cat Got Your Secrets enough to backtrack and read the first two books. Middle of the road rating on this one for me. The mystery kept me reading....but I didn't really care for the characters. If I change my mind after reading the beginning of the series, I will come back and amend this review.

For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://juliechasebooks.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**