Claws of Death by Linda Reilly is the 2nd book in the Cat Lady Mystery series, and another great addition. Lara Caphart lives with her Aunt Fran in Whisker Jog, New Hampshire where they run High Cliff Shelter for Cats.  When legendary actress Deanna Daltry returns to her home town of Whisker Jog, she adopts two kittens. When a body is found on Deanna's property, Lara jumps in to help solve the murder.

Claws of Death is a fun book, and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cats and cozy mysteries, this book is for you.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This, the second in the series, is as good as the first. No slump in this series. Lara and Aunt Fran have opened a cat shelter and they come to know Deanna, an actress who has moved back home when she comes to the shelter to adopt a kitty or two. As they discuss kitties, Deanna invites them to attend a tea the next day. One uninvited guest has words with Deanna and, well, this being a mystery, the man in question turns up, toes up, in Deanna's family cemetery. Who to turn to for help when the police focus on Deanna as a suspect? Lara and Aunt Fran, of course. They have been down this road before and set to investigating the dead guy and how he is connected to Deanna and her past, etc. There must be others in town who disliked the man but which one of them did the deed?
This series has it all; a well written mystery full of the required twists and turns and it has cats, of course. One of them is even a spirit guide only Lara can see. She and her Aunt Fran are well developed characters, people I wouldn't mind having as friends and the small town feel is a welcome literary vacation. Too bad I read this in a day, now I have to wait for the next book.

Claws of Death provides the same entertainment as the first installment Escaped Claws did.

Linda Reilly does it again by providing cozy mysteries readers with a good solid, fun and entertaining mystery that will keep you guessing the whole time. I have to admit I am sold on the authors writing style, she truly writes mysteries that are hard to find fault in.

I enjoyed the new characters especially the new rescue helper Kayla, I believe she will become a great helper to Lara.

You’ll find one recipe Lara’s Blueberry Buckle in the back of the book.


If you’re looking for a book with mystery, murder, love, new friends and cats, this one is for you.

Claws of Death by Linda Reilly is the second in the Cat Lady Mysteries.
Set in Whisker Jog, New Hamshire, Lara and her Aunt Fran have gotten High Cliff cat shelter and adoption center opened. They meet legendary actress, Deanna Daltry, when she returns to her hometown and adopts 2 kittens.
During a welcome back celebration for Deanna, pranks begin happening to her but when a body is found on her property, she is the top suspect. Lara again is thrown into an investigation.
The story has great flow, terrific characters, and plenty of twists and turns with a bit of romance and a bit of a ghostly kitty.
I also enjoyed reading about the cats and the adoptions. I want to visit Whisker Jog and visit High Cliff.
I was given an ARC from Netgalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.

What a fun, fascinating cozy mystery, a solid 2nd offering in the Cat Lady Mystery series! This author brings to life a delightful cat shelter owned and operated by Fran and her niece, Lara, and a collection of gorgeous cats ready for adoption. It is a complex mystery that I couldn’t solve. The first mystery in the series wow-d me, and this is another wow!
Welcome back to High Cliff Shelter for Cats in beautiful Whisker Jog, New Hampshire! Fran is a school teacher who has taken a year off for knee replacement surgery, and her niece, Lara, a watercolor artist, returned to help and decided to stay. So many people have dropped off cats to Fran to take care of that, when Lara returned, they began the High Cliff Shelter for Cats. They chose some to keep, and some to find fur-ever homes for, and review applications from anyone wanting to adopt.
That includes Deanna Daltry, a famous actress, returning to Whisker Jog and wanting to adopt a cat. She decides on a pair of kittens, Noodle and Doodle, pending the application process. She invites Fran and Lara to a reception being held for her by the Ladies’ Association. During the reception, a man came in to see her who she asked to leave. A threat is found on Deanna’s car that brings an abrupt end to the reception. When Lara goes to Deanna’s home with the kittens, she looks out the window to see someone lying down in the graveyard of the long-ago owners of the mansion. They find the man from the reception, Don Waitt, murdered. Being on her property, Deanna is the primary suspect.
I really like Lara and Fran, they are the perfect ladies to care for a cat shelter. Theirs is the kind of home I’d love to have! They are well-defined through actions and dialog, as are other characters throughout. Lara has a secret helper at the shelter. Blue, a gorgeous, fluffy Ragdoll, can only be seen or heard by Lara. Blue looks exactly like a cat her aunt had owned many years ago when Lara was a regular visitor.
The mystery is written very well, introducing great ideas such as children volunteering to read to cats at shelters – a win-win for both the children and the cats. Friendship is a major theme, including Lara and best friend Sherry, and a lonely Deanna. The plot twists brought surprises at every turn, a new suspect who might have wanted to hurt a kind older man…or frame Deanna for it. I enjoyed learning a little about the wildflower and herb in the story, and various things about cats imparted as part of the story of pets and pet adoption.
I was not prepared for who the real bad guy was; the killer was a complete surprise. I was very pleased with the novel overall. It flowed well, grabbed my attention at the beginning, and held it throughout. There were no loose ends, and I am completely looking forward to the next one. I love cat-themed cozy mysteries, and this series is a delight. I highly recommend Claws of Death to those who enjoy cozy mysteries with likable characters, a mystery that stumps the reader, and of course, cats.
From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Lara and her Aunt Fran run a cat shelter out of their home. A famous actress comes to adopt 2 kittens to have in her mansion. When checking on the kittens new home a dead body is discovered and the victim has ties to the actress's past. Lara finds clues to the past to discover who could've had the motive to get the victim out of the way.
The author writes characters that you feel you know from the very beginning. Very well written plot that will keep you guessing who did it until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of Claws of Death by Linda Reilly in exchange for an honest review. The book is a light read, suitable for a large range of audiences who are looking for something gentle with no graphic violence. Throughout the book there is information regarding cats, the care and feeding of them as well as a strong recommendation for adopting from a local shelter. The protagonist lives with her aunt in a home they have turned into a shelter for abused and/or abandoned cats. The shelter then makes the cats available for adoption, an admirable alternative if someone is looking to add a pet to their home. In addition, there is a “spirit cat” only the protagonist can see, who is helpful in magically focusing the protagonist’s attention on important clues.

The mystery in the book is almost secondary to the relationships created for the protagonist, both in her personal life and those that are part of the adoption process within the book. As such, if you are interested in reading a story that is more about people than about solving the puzzle, this may be ideal for you. Also, anyone who has a soft spot for cats, particularly shelter ones, may enjoy that element of this book. If you are looking for a strong mystery with clues sprinkled throughout and an opportunity to solve the puzzle, this may not provide as much of a challenge as you like. There is important information that is only provided at the end of the book, as the mystery is solved. This precludes the reader reaching a conclusion until it is presented in the book.

The book itself is well written, with good attention to detail. It moves at a smooth pace from beginning to end and is easily read in the space of a few hours.

This book was fantastic! Linda Reilly has done it again.

I love Lara, Aunt Fran, and the other fur babies in this story. New characters were introduced and I hope they show in future stories; I hope Kayla remains at the shelter and can't wait to see what happens with Nancy, Deanna. And their new ward, Will.

I'm also excited to see where Lara and Gideon's romance goes and hopefully we will meet Sherry's new beau too.

Bring in book #3!!!

I will post this on Amazon once it is released.

Claws of Death by Linda Reilly is the second book in Cat Lady Mystery series but can be read as a stand alone.
Cat lady Lara along with her aunt Fran has just opened a cat shelter center when a very famous older actress, Deanna Daltry who has just moved back into their little town requests an adoption.
As soon as Deanna shows up, she is a subject to rude pranks, scary messages and there is a dead man in her backyard.
Even though Lara tries to stay away she somehow manages to be in the center of all happenings and she has no choice but to get involved into this mystery.
I enjoyed this book very much. It has a nice cast of likeable characters, both human and feline and great setting. The story has a nice flow to it and it is not too fast paced. It's cleverly ploted and easy to follow with not too much inner dialogue. It also presents every day life and how running cat shelter looks like. I particularly liked that it shows how beneficial these shelters can be, both to animals and people alike.
This book is a real treat for lovers of cozies and cats.

CLAWS OF DEATH, the second book in the Cat Lady Mystery series by Linda Reilly, is a sweet, sentimental story that is also an entertaining whodunit with a mystical twist! Protagonist Lara Caphart, with her Aunt Fran, have turned their home into High Cliff Shelter for Cats in the small New Hampshire town of Whisker Jog. Lara has a “guardian”, a Ragdoll cat that only she can see, who guides her and helps match up felines with fur-ever homes. Even if you’re not a cat person, you can’t help but love the sweet scenes connecting kitties with homes, especially when children are involved. I also enjoyed the ideas Lara comes up with to involve the community with the shelter, especially having kids practice reading to the cats waiting for families! I also appreciated that Ms. Reilly starts the book with a list of feline characters living at their shelter. It’s an adorable touch.

The mystery plot is fast paced with plenty of suspects to guess about who murdered a local man and if the new resident in town, actress Deanna Daltry, is really guilty. I love mysteries that weave in long-ago stories that need unraveled in order to solve the current day crime. Ms. Reilly’s writing flows and the clues are sprinkled evenly throughout the story to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. The subplots added to the appeal of the book yet didn’t detract from the main event. The suspenseful conclusion had me turning pages faster and faster and ended on a sweet, emotional note. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for Lara and her mystical Ragdoll, Blue!

This a charming cat cozy mystery. Heart-warming, along with a clever mystery. This is a pleasant series. I look forward to reading the next one.

In this second book of the series legendary actress Deanna Daltry has decided to move back home and wants to adopt some kittens in the process. Lara meets Deanna when she stops by to inquire about adopting some kittens and helping others who want to do the same. Lara and Aunt Fran are happy to help but want to make sure that the actress will be providing a wonderful home to such precious cargo. While there Deanna invites Lara to a tea party being held in her honor the following day. At the party a couple of strange things occur, Deanna finds worms in her purse and Lara finds a strange message written in lipstick on Deanna's car. Deanna also seems to have words with a man who wasn't invited to the party. When said man is found in Deanna's cemetery, located on her estate, the police look to her as a suspect. She has heard that Lara recently help the police solve another murder and asks her for help. Can Lara help Deanna figure out who the killer is and will it end up being Deanna in the end. Follow along as Lara looks into the past for clues to help figure out just who had something against the dead man and why. Along the way Lara comes into contact with a housekeeper who doesn't like cats, a new hire that seems to good to be true, and a ton of history from the past to delve through. This is such a lovely series whose characters show the love a furry friend can bring to anyone's life. I can't wait to see what happens next and meet the new cats and kittens sure to grace the pages.

Excellent second entry into the series but don't worry if you haven't read the first- Reilly will catch you right up on the goings on in Whisker Jog. Lara moved home and now she's running a cat shelter with her Aunt Fran (love Aunt Fran!). They adopt out a pair of kittens to a faded movie star Deanna who almost immediately finds a dead body on her property. Of course Lara is going to investigate! This one has all the elements of a good cozy (and a ghost cat!)- good guys, bad guys, a little romance, and some neat characters. Not too twisty but enough to keep you engaged. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Two paws up!

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I wasn't a huge fan of book one, Escape Claws. I enjoyed it enough for what it was, a kind of come back home feel good story. It missed the mark a little for me on a few notes but I loved the relationship between Lara and Aunt Fran. That only, pushed me on to book two. I am so glad that I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!!

In Claws of Death, there is fame, mystery, budding romance, and the author touches on a couple dark topics. Although very much a cozy, the "mystery" is quite serious and kicks ya right in the feels. I didn't even see the "who dunnit" coming. And if you are a cat person, which I know most cozy readers are, you develop a very special bond with one particular kitty in this book.

I do not see a listing on Goodreads for a book 3. There was no cliffhanger at the end; however, I want more now!! I am hopeful that Linda Reilly continues this series.

The book is the second one in the in the Cat Lady mystery series. Information about cat behavior is woven into the story. Lara and Aunt Fran have open a cat shelter in Whisper Jog, New Hampshire. Both of them volunteer at a tea for Deanna Daltry, a well -known actress who has brought a Victorian home as she is retiring and returning to her hometown. The pair meet Deanna at the tea the actress invites them to visit her at a mansion. Lara received a frantic phone from Deanna to come immediately as there is deadman in her garden. I HIGHLY recommend this book and series.
Recipe for Blueberry Buckle.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Press for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

Claws of Death is the second book in Linda Reilly’s Cat Lady Mystery series. This is a light cozy with a well-plotted storyline and a great cast of well-developed characters, both human and feline. The story flows at a steady pace, with an intriguing mystery, and a hint of the paranormal. The plot moves swiftly and there are lots of twists and turns, a few red herrings, and plenty of suspects to keep the reader engaged. I didn’t guess the culprit’s identity until the reveal. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading clean cozy mysteries.

Lara Caphart is adjusting nicely to her move back to Whisker Jog, New Hampshire and enjoys spending time with her old friend, Sherry Bowker, who owns and operates Bowker’s Coffee Shop with her mom, Daisy. Fran Clarkson, her aunt, is making great strides in her recovery from knee surgery, but knows she’ll have to have the same procedure on her other knee soon. The relationships between Lara and lawyer Gideon Halley and Fran and Police Chief Jerry Whitley are growing nicely. High Cliff Shelter for Cats, the unique animal shelter Lara and Fran operate in their home has been successfully placing cats in forever homes. Deanna Daltry, a well-known actress, recently moved back to Whisker Jog and adopted two adorable kittens, but Lara is concerned because the housekeeper, Nancy Sherman, doesn’t seem to like cats and believes they belong outside. Laura finds herself in the middle of another murder when she discovers the body of Donald Waitt in the private cemetery behind Deanna’s home. Deanna believes she’s the prime suspect because of her previous relationship and recent confrontation with the victim. Gideon is concerned for her safety and doesn’t want her to investigate and Jerry wants her to stay away from his investigation, reminding her multiple times about the saying about ships being sunk by loose lips, but it isn’t possible for her to just sit back and not help clear the names of innocent people. With the help of Blue, a beautiful, blue-eyed Ragdoll cat only Lara can see, she ferrets out clues.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Claws of Death by Linda Reilly was an excellent follow up in her Cat Lady Mysteries series. I am hopeful that series will continue for a long time as it really ticks all the boxes for a great cozy mystery.
Ms. Reilly's descriptive writing had me immersed once more in Whisker Jog with Lara and Aunt Fran. The shelter is up and running and there is a new resident in Whisker Jog, Deanna Daltry a legendary movie star, who has adopted two kittens from the shelter. Soon after the adoption, there's a murder on Deanna's property; and Lara is on the case.
The plot moved swiftly and there were plenty of suspects as well as twists before the reveal. The characters are developing well in this series and I felt like I got to know them so much better in this book. I really like Gideon and Lara together; and I adore Aunt Fran. She is great role model for women of "a certain age".

I love Linda Reilly's books. This is the second in her cat lady series that I've read and I really enjoyed it. Her books seem to get better with each addition to a series. I especially love that she writes cozy mysteries involving cats.

The characters are well-developed and the book moves along at a fast pace. I love that there were new faces in this book and I look forward to seeing more of them in the upcoming books of the series.

I enjoy mysteries of all kinda, especially cozies, and ones that have cats hold a special appeal to me. I definitely recommend this book.

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

Things are going well for the High Cliff Shelter for Cats since Lara has moved in with Aunt Fran, who is mobile now since having surgery on one knee. Good thing since taking care of the cats requires two surefooted adults. Activity picks up when well-known actress Deanna Daltry moves home to Whiskey Fog, adopts two kittens from the shelter and urges folks at her welcome home tea to support the shelter.

Unfortunately, murder soon happens. Donald Waitt, Deanna’s high school boyfriend, is discovered dead in the graveyard that adjoins Deanna’s newly purchased house. Of course, Deanna becomes a person of interest as does her housekeeper, Nancy, who has a record.

Police Chief Jerry Whitley begins his investigation while trying to keep Lara from interfering. But Lara possesses a secret weapon she can’t tell anyone about – Blue. Blue is a cat spirit only Lara sees when she needs a clue. And Blue is one very helpful kitty.

Linda Reilly writes a captivating mystery with all the elements required plus a very special group of characters she brings to life – the delightful felines that come and go through the High Cliff Shelter for Cats. Not only does Ms. Reilly create personalities for the cats, she describes the reason each person wants to adopt a cat, fabricating heart warming vignettes around the process. While the Cat Lady Mystery series is a must read for cat lovers, mystery fans will never be disappointed.

I am not a cat lover, but Linda Reilly almost makes me reconsider (my severe allergy). 'Claws of Death' is the second offering in this delightful series that gifts us with a great mix of expert mystery, the right touch of romance and sparkling characters. There were so many misdirects that I was truly surprised with the suspenseful ending. I highly recommend and look forward to more!