The Time for Murder is Meow is the debut of A Purr N’ Bark Pet Shop Mystery series. When Crishell “Shell” McMillan finds herself a person of interest in the murder of Amelia Witherspoon (think Wicked Witch of the West with white hair), Shell sets out to clear her name with help from her new friends. She believes her experience in playing a spy on Spy Anyone will come in handy. Shell talks to a variety of people around town gathering information and clues. This gives us a chance to meet the secondary characters and learn about Fox Hollow. Shell’s co-star, Gary Presser arrives in town and helps in solving the crime. Gary was my favorite character and he outshone Shell. He has a great personality and provides engaging humor. Purrday, Aunt Tillie’s cat, is a delight and I like how he communicates with Shell (cats have a way of telling us what they want). I like how Shell talks to Purrday and her cat, Kahlua. Kahlua acted in typical cat fashion when first introduced to Purrday—by hissing. I am glad that the author took the time to introduce the characters and the town (set the stage so to speak). Amelia Witherspoon was a disagreeable woman which leads to multiple suspects and misdirection. The clues were a little too on-the-nose which allows readers to pin down the guilty party early in the story. I enjoyed the movie references and how Shell would compare an individual to a movie character or actor. I liked the descriptions of Aunt Tillie’s collection and the Victorian home she left Shell. Detective Josh Bloodgood provides a potential romantic partner for Shell. The Time for Murder is Meow is a lighthearted cozy mystery with movie memorabilia, a wicked victim, bewitching brew, a gregarious co-star, playful Purrday, and one anxious actress.

After her TV series is canceled, Crishell “Shell” McMillan gives up her life in in Los Angeles and heads to the small town of Fox Hollow, Connecticut. Her late aunt left her a pet shop and Shell is more than ready for the career switch. Not only does she inherit the shop, but she inherits her aunt’s Persian cat named Purrday. Her own cat, Kahlua, does not seem too happy to meet their new family member.

As Shell prepares for the grand re-opening of the Purr N’ Bark, she offers her aunt’s Cary Grant collection to the local museum to exhibit. She’s disappointed to learn the museum board voted against her offer. Shell is determined to find out their reasoning. All signs point to one particular board member who had a problem with her aunt. Shell is convinced the board member convinced other members to vote against her. Then, Shell finds the board member dead. It’s obviously homicide and the number one suspect is Shell herself.

With her freedom on the line, Shell figures she’s the best one to investigate this murder. After all, she used to play a spy on TV. With some help from her new friends, as well as her old ones, Shell vows to find a killer. She gets quite a bit of help from Purrday and Kahlua.

Two cats trying to get along and helping to solve a murder mystery? You know I’m going to love this one. I, also, love that it’s the first book in the series so I got in on the ground floor.

The author did a great job of introducing the cast without the stiffness that sometimes accompanies a new series and characters. Shell immediately came to life and her former co-star fit right in as well. They made a great team with a great rapport. There’s no romance involved between them, just a very close friendship. There is a possible romance for Shell, but we’ll find out more about that in subsequent books.

My favorite characters, of course, are Purrday and Kahlua…the kitties! There were so many cute scenes between them. They also helped to solve the mystery along with Shell. I found Shell having conversations with them to be so realistic, since I do that too. LOL

The mystery itself was filled with suspects and twists galore. I had my suspicions about who did it, but changed my mind numerous times throughout the book. It’s a fast-paced story and I can’t wait to read more. This is an excellent start to a brand new series.

THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW by T. C. LoTempio
The First Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery

Inheriting her aunt's home and popular pet store was just the opportunity Crishell McMillan was looking for. With her popular TV series cancelled and no desire to join the reboot, she's ready to retire to a quiet life in Fox Hollow. Shell receives a warm welcome from several of the town's business owners and discovers she has a roommate as well, a charming Persian named Purrday, much to the dismay of her own cat, Kahlua. Not everyone in town is friendly though, especially Amelia Witherspoon, who has a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, and not just in appearance. Within forty eight hours of arriving, Shell managers to anger a good portion of the museum board, finds herself getting bad press from the town's newspaper editor, and becomes a person of interest in the murder of Amelia, the museum board member who had a feud with Shell's aunt. In order to start fresh and re-open Purr N Bark without any hint of scandal, and perhaps pursue a relationship with a gorgeous detective, Shell gathers her friends to figure out who actually killed the wicked witch.

The Purr and Bark Pet Shop Mystery series is off to a great start. I felt an immediate bond with most of the characters and loved spending time getting to know them. Shell McMillan is down to earth and completely real, despite being a successful Hollywood actress. She's friendly, honest, and determined, yet can get angry and act rashly. Her desire to resolve matters oftentimes gets her in more trouble! I especially love the unexpected arrival of her former co-star. She and Gary continue to make a great team. I look forward to the upcoming romance between Shell and Josh. Of course, Purrday, Kahlua, and Rocco are wonderful additions, smart cats and a lovable goofball of a dog are perfect assets to a cozy mystery.

This book would have received my highest rating, except for two things. The author gave a significant clue leading me to know the identity of the murderer early on. However, I considered it may have been a red herring and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. The flaw for me was when the killer suddenly becomes crazy. The rational murderer with a solid motive who at the end of the mystery is now described as being crazy is a major pet peeve of mine. Still, I absolutely loved everything else in the book!

THE TIME FOR MURDER IS MEOW is a fantastic start to a new series. Entertaining, smart, and funny, the Purr N Bark series has wormed its way into my heart and I can't wait to spend more time with its residents!

The Time for Murder is Meow -" A Purr N' Bark Pet Shop Mystery" by T. C. LoTempio, is a good start to a new mystery series .
Being a cat lover I am always drawn to mysteries involving one or two felines, and I wasn't disappointed.

Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop

Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.

While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter?

Protagonist Shell is hardworking, very likeable plus all the characters are well developed and, Kahlua and Purrday, (the cats) were adorable.. I enjoyed the setting of Fox Hollow, Connecticut.

The mystery was well plotted and there were just enough twists and turns ad red herrings to keep me interested. I Figured out whodunit before Shell and for once I was correct.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring cats. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Cat lovers rejoice! T. C. LoTempio is penning a new series!

The Time for Murder is Meow introduces readers to Crishell “Shell” McMillan who has retired from acting to move to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to reopen the pet shop her aunt left her when she passed away. Not everyone is happy or understands how she could leave Hollywood behind but she knows this is where she is meant to be.

Aunt Tillie was a true old movie buff with a vast collection of memorabilia. With a Cary Grant festival coming up Shell is asked by the local museum to loan them her aunt’s Cary Grant movie posters, some them signed by the actor! But one member of the board rallies her cronies to vote against the display. Shell learns that member had been in a feud with her aunt for years.

When the woman calls Shell to set up a meeting she is surprised but agrees to meet if it gets her aunt’s posters displayed. When she arrives at the museum she finds her aunt’s nemesis dead and finds herself at the top of the suspect list almost as soon as the police arrive.

Putting the reopening of Purr N’ Bark, on the back burner, she delves into an investigation of her own to cat-ch the killer like a dog with a bone.

___

Ms. LoTempio brings together a great group of characters that band together to help find the culprit that took down Amelia Witherspoon. The woman didn’t have a lot of friends but Shell didn’t know her at all. That brings in the group that welcomed Shell to town, Olivia, Rita, and Ron. When her former co-star Gary Presser calls to check in with her, he knows something is up and it isn’t long before he pulls into town. Together the group is determined to solve the case. Detective Josh Bloodgood admits that while Shell had motive and opportunity he really doesn’t think she did it, but isn’t happy she and her friends are snooping. All these characters are believable and fleshed out nicely for the first book in a new series.

The human characters shine but so do the pets. Shell’s cat Kahlua soon meets Tillie’s cat Purrday. Will they get along?? Together due to their instincts and actions they play a key role in solving the mystery. I love when animals in cozy mysteries are involved and more than just pets.

The author has constructed a nice whodunit too with plenty of suspects and surprises. I did solve the murder a bit before the reveal but totally enjoyed the story right up to the last page.

As a fan of classic movies, I loved those references and would love to see Aunt Tillie’s collection in person. I hope we delve into other parts of it as the series continues.

Lighthearted, fun, and entertaining. This series is off to an excellent start! I hope Gary sticks around Fox Hollow! He turned out to be my favorite non-feline character 🙂

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh boo. :( This just didn't click with me and I found myself losing interest constantly. I stuck it through to the end, cos I am a simple girl with simple desires and a love for all things cats and this seemed so cozy and comforting and like I could just sit back with a hot chocolate and sip, and in the end all I could think of is what I could be doing instead. I'm sure someone will love this, it might just be I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it, but this wasn't for me.

Synopsis:

Shell and her two furry sidekicks must cat-ch a killer to save their pet shop
Crishell "Shell" McMillan sees the cancellation of her TV series as a blessing in disguise. The former actress can now take over her late aunt's pet shop, the Purr N' Bark, and do something she loves.
While getting the shop ready for re-opening, Shell is asked to loan her aunt's Cary Grant posters to the local museum for an exhibit. She finds the prospect exciting—until a museum board member, who had a long-standing feud with Shell's aunt, votes against it. When she discovers the board member dead in the museum, Shell becomes suspect number one. Can she, her Siamese cat Kahlua, and her new sidekick—her aunt's Persian Purrday—find the real culprit, or will her latest career go up in kitty litter? (Goodreads)

Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I liked getting to meet Shell, she seems like a hardworking likable person. And I enjoyed the secondary characters, I thought they added a lot to the story. I felt the cats, Kahlua and Purrday, stole the show. I could have read about them all day.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the beginning.

The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I had a pretty good idea who the killer was, and this time I was right (that does not happen very often).

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book when it is released.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

The Time for Murder is Meow is the first in the new Purr n' Bark Pet Shop Mystery series by T. C. LoTempio. This series focuses on an actress who inherits her aunt's Purr n' Bark Pet Shop and gives up her acting to start life over in the small town. Soon after arriving in her new hometown, Shell becomes embroiled in a controversy. She quickly forms some friends and some enemies among the townspeople. After coming across a dead body and becoming a person of interest in the case, Shell works to clear her own name and find the actual murderer.

The Time for Murder is Meow is a great start to the series. You have cats, murders, and ex-actresses which combine to make a fun book to read. Of course the cats do help to solve the murder as well. I was not previously familiar with LoTempio as an author ,but I plan to read her other books and will be watching for the next titles in the Purr n' Bark series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Time for Murder is Meow via NetGalley from Midnight Ink. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I’m three for three on cat-themed cozies in the past month and I couldn’t be happier! Two felines and their owner Shell help discover the identity of a killer amidst local politics, small-town gossip, and a cast of wacky townsfolk. Adorable, fun, and a great read to escape the trouble of life!

At merely 38 years-old, TV actress Shell McMillan retires from Hollywood after her show is cancelled. Mourning the death of her aunt, Shell moves to Fox Hollow, Connecticut to take over the management of her aunt’s pet shop, Purr N’ Bark. Shell loves animals, and after inheriting her aunt’s cat, she has two cats of her own—Kalhua and Purrday.

As Shell gets to work setting up for the grand re-opening of Purr N’ Bark, she also begins investigating why the board of the local museum refuse to display items from her aunt’s Cary Grant movie poster collection. Given the prestige of this collection, Shell is certain that something else is underlying the decision.

When one of the board members Amelia Witherspoon is murdered, Shell’s suspicions seem to be confirmed. There is something going on with the board of the museum and she needs to get to the bottom of it. That is easier said than done though when Shell becomes the number one suspect in the murder after reports of her argument with the victim surface.

Amidst the WASP-y townsfolk and local drama, the town of Fox Hall is actually quite charming and fun to read about. Shell is a fantastic leading character. From the outset, she might seem as though she could be tough to connect with given her fame, beauty, and fortune. But I found Shell to be intelligent, confident without being arrogant, and generous!

The characters in this novel are all so well-developed and fun to read about, from the new people she meets in Fox Hall to her former co-star Gary. There’s even a potential love interest in the local detective that promises to carry over into future installments! Each character truly adds to the story and they were surprisingly well-developed for a first book.

I loved that the book was kept light and humorous despite the murder (though given the title I should have expected the humor!). The two cats were fun additions to the story and will definitely appear in the future books. Altogether a fun read and an intriguing mystery that had me excited each time I got to dive back in!

Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Midnight Ink for my copy. Opinions are my own.

The Time for Murder is Meow is a strong first book for the Purr N' Bark Pet Shop Mystery series. The reader gets a solid introduction to the characters and setting along with an intriguing first mystery.
Crishell "Shell" McMillan just had her tv series canceled, forcing her to evaluate what she really wants out of life. Should she continue with the grind of Hollywood or should she slow down and be able to enjoy life? Her beloved aunt's death gives her at least a temporary answer: move into her aunt's house and re-open her pet goods store.
Hollywood should have prepared Shell for fast-moving gossip, but even she is surprised by just how fast gossip moves in her adopted home. Although she is making friends, she seems to have made an enemy of Amelia, one of the most powerful women in town. When Shell finds Amelia's body, she becomes suspect number one.
Can Shell and her new friends find the real murderer? Or will Shell's new life be over before it even starts?

I really enjoyed The Time for Murder is Meow. For being a Hollywood star, Shell is down-to-earth, friendly, and a wonderful protagonist. Bringing Shell back to Connecticut to run her late aunt’s pet store is a unique setting and foundation for this new series. When she’s informed that the local museum board has rejected her offer to loan the museum an extensive collection of Cary Grant artifacts for an exhibit, Shell can’t believe their decision. Then she learns the reason why: apparently there’s a long-standing feud between her aunt and one of the board members, Amelia Witherspoon. On a quest to get those who voted against the loan, Shell confronts 3 other board members and Amelia. The discussions are heated, things are said, actions taken, then, when Shell thinks she’s going to get to talk some sense into Amelia, Shell finds Amelia dead in the museum. Even though there are many people who dislike Amelia, Shell finds herself a person of interest. Now she must navigate her new town, put plans to open up the pet store on hold, and figure out who killed Amelia before Shell finds herself unemployed and behind bars.

The character development was done well. We get a good look at Shell’s character, who she is, why she’s back in CT, and past relationships – boyfriends, co-stars, and managers, etc. Shell meets a lot of people in this book and the characters are written well. Bringing in Shell’s former co-start, Gary, into Fox Hollow was a nice touch. He brought a nice, supportive element to Shell’s life and is more than willing to help her solve the murder. The author also provides plenty of suspects for Shell, Gary, and their cohort to investigate.

The world created by the author is described well and I was able to visualize the setting, characters, and scenes. The only issue I had with the book is that I knew exactly who did it very early on. I didn’t have a clue as to why though. Knowing who murdered Amelia did not, at all, change my views of the book. I still enjoyed the characters, setting, and path taken for the reveal. There is the potential for a love interest and I am very excited to see where the author takes it through the series.

Well, I really enjoyed this new first for a brand new series. The characters drew me right in, and I love that Shell didn't waste any time letting the detective know that she was interested in him. I'm pretty sure the feelings were mutual from the beginning though. There was a fairly early clue that told me exactly who the killer was, but it was a lot of fun to read as Shell and her three new friends from town along with her former co-star Gary all sleuthed together. If Gary hangs around town now that the case is solved, I can see a lot of fun possibilities for Shell sleuthing with him...or I think it would be cute if he got together with Olivia. But only the next book can tell us all that, and I'm definitely anxious to read it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Shell McMillian, a popular tv actress, decided to retire from the business when her show is cancelled and her aunt passed away leaving her a pet store in Fox Hollow, CN. However, before she can even open the store, she finds herself at the top of the suspect list for murdering one of the town's more unpleasant dowagers. With a hunky detective and her ex-costar, she finds herself involved in finding the real murderer. This book is the first in a new series for LoTempio and it has what it takes to be a hit-- engaging characters and a well-paced story.

I had read and enjoyed both of her previous series and I knew what to expect. She writes not only good mysteries but the relationship between her human character and the cats is pitch perfect. Here we are introduced to Shell (Crishell) McMillan, a newly retired tv actress in search of a quieter life away from Hollywood. Her aunt Tillie owned a pet store and bequeathed it to her when she died. Now Shell is looking forward to a slower pace in a small town and will share her new digs with her Siamese cat, Kahlua and a white Persian, Purrday, inherited from her aunt. All is well until she is asked to loan the local museum the Cary Grant memorabilia that her aunt had amassed. Fine until one of the board members wants to prevent that from happening and Shell gets into a rather tense argument with the woman. It seems there was lots of bad blood between Aunt Tillie and Amelia. When Amelia is killed, the gossip mill starts churning out rumors and pointing fingers at Shell, naming her the prime suspect. Lucky the police don't put too much stock in local rumor and gossip and the detective in charge may even start the flames of a relationship with Shell.
Besides the two cats and the detective, Shell's former co-star, Gary, has arrived in town, intent on getting her to return to Hollywood and tv. Without Shell there is no series. He and Shell are close platonic friends and we should all be so lucky to have such a friend. All of the characters are well fleshed out and set up for future books. The mystery itself was good and overall this was just the kind of cozy I enjoy. I hope there will be more books in the Purr N' Bark Pet Shop series.

When I chose this book I thought the cat element would be a whimsical addition to a murder mystery but not the overriding force. To add to this, the actual murder mystery was not a very exciting one and of a character that I nor other characters seemed to feel much for. Last but not least is the main sleuth and cat lady herself; a retired TV actress that I just couldn't identify with.
I really wanted to like this book but it was just a no for me, sorry.
#Netgalley

Great Start to a New Series of Cozies
I love this book! It is a very good cozy mystery, but what I love best is that the author writes it as if the audience has brains. So many lovely cozies are written in a style that feels like the author has intentionally 'dumbed it down'. Not with this story! There is a nice balance of details without it being TMI. The past is mentioned, but not dwelled upon in angst. A perfect balance was achieved. I enjoyed it so much that I am checking out her other books! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

The story is super cool. There's romance, some delicious food - Shell is a bad cook so most of the 'food' is from the local pub or so, cats (!!), mystery, murder, jealousy, heartbreak and much more! In brief, this is a super-duper cozy debut!

The characters are very likeable, especially Shell and Gary. I really liked how the five-o (Shell, Gary, Olivia, Rita and Ron) sit down together to solve the mystery.

The story is well-paced and the mystery and suspense is well-maintained till the end. With our hero on a rescue mission and the heroine confronting her worst fears, the ending was superb. If you like cats and cozy mysteries then do check out this book and you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 4.5/5

I loved this book that starts a new series by T.C. LoTempio. It's engrossing, entertaining and full of potential.
It's a light, well written and fun to read story, with a lovely setting and a cast of fleshed out and likeable characters.
I think that Ms LoTempio does an excellent work in developing cat characters and those in this book are no exceptions as they're realistic and lovely at the same time.
The mystery was good, it kept me guessing till the end and had no "too stupid to live" situations.
I hope this series will continue as it's full of potential and could become one of my favourite.
It's highly recommended!
Many thanks to Midnight Ink and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A nice start to a new series. Shell has moved to Fox Hollow to take over her Aunt Tillie's pet shop, thinking that life in a small town will be calm and the only challenge will be blending her cat Kahlua and her aunt's cat Purrday. Not! Little did she expect that donating her aunt's collection of memorabilia would lead to the odious Amelia first being difficult and then being murdered! Of course Shell didn't do it. Her BFF Gary, who came to town to try to lure her back to Hollywood, helps her find the real villain. THere's a nascent love interest in Detective Josh Bloodgood. All material to set this up for the next installment! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For cozy fans who like animals (especially cats)!

A delightful new light cozy mystery series. Fun references to old movies and their stars. Cats play a cute role in solving the mystery and being a sounding board. Potential romance. Entertaining and kept me guessing.