Cover Image: Hairballs and Homicide

Hairballs and Homicide

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Member Reviews

I enjoyed this cozy mystery with all of the characters. The two main characters were Ellie Warren and her cat.

Ellie Warren opened a Kitty Beret Cafe. Were she has cats that need a forever home. But when a woman ends up dead behind her cafe. Her life changes a lot after this.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, drama, and suspense throughout. It was also quite funny at time throughout. It was fun trying to solve the mystery of the story.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

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I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. This is a great start to a new cozy mystery series and I can't wait for more.

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This book was a fun read. It had enough twists and turns to keep it exciting without becoming cumbersome. The protagonist is intelligent and interesting.

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First in the Kitty Beret Cafe series shows definite "paw"tential. An unpleasant anti-feline customer shows up at the cafe not realizing that besides snacks and coffee are cats waiting to be adopted. Unfortunately she turns up murdered in the alley behind the cafe soon thereafter. And Ellie Warren, the owner of the cafe becomes the target of a harassment campaign. Luckily the detective reassigned to the case lives cats and seems to be underrated in Ellie. In the next book, I would like to see some tighter editing and as much depth in the human characters as there is in the feline ones. Recommended for cat fanciers.

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The first book in the Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery series by Ruth J Hartman is Hairballs and Homicide. While reading this I almost felt like this was further in the series as the assumed I knew everything about the characters before reading this book. I was missing the introductions of each character. I liked the cat cafe setting although Ellie, the owner, is lacking depth which goes back to the first point. Ellie's cats are also more accommodating about wearing cute costumes. I value my life too much to ever try dressing up any of my cats. Overall I am on the fence about this book, it had both good and bad points making me at least plan to give the second book a try.

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First in Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery

We meet Ellie Warren when she opens a Kitty Beret Cafe for cats and people, that helps find forever homes for the cats. That's until a lady comes in and has a hissy fit with Ellie in front of the whole shop and walks out. Later that same day police show up asking if Ellie ever served this women and when they put down her license she knows it's the lady she had words with.

So instead of sitting on the sidelines she and Templeton supply clues to Detective Simon Dare. It seems the killer thinks she is getting to close to catching him, but Templeton and the Detective are there to rescue her.
This was a fun first read with a little romance and a love for cats. I can't wait to see what the next books bring us. I highly enjoyed this one!

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I was attracted by the lovely cover and loved this cozy mystery.
It's engrossing and entertaining, the cast of characters is fleshed out and likable, the setting is lovely.
The solid mystery kept me guessing and it's full of twists and turns.
I can't wait to read another instalment in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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Even though I liked the idea of a cosy mystery featuring a cat café, I found it so poorly written and confusing that I had to give up after 4 chapters.

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Hairballs and Homicide is the first book in a new kitty cozy mystery series by Ruth J. Hartman. Released 26th June 2020, it's 239 pages (ebook edition) and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a new series for the author and introduces cat cafe owner Ellie Warren and a cast of feline residents in her cafe which also facilitates adoptions of the kitties to patrons and friends. The premise is cute and indeed the whole is quirky and whimsical. The cats wear costumes sewn by Ellie supposedly to enhance their adoptability but mostly to pad out the narrative somewhat.

It *is* a cute and very very fluffy cozy, clean in all senses of the word, and safe and with language that probably wouldn't elicit a blush from anyone's maiden aunt (which is a good thing in a cozy). The problem is partly that it's a new series and the characters don't feel fleshed out, they're somewhat two-dimensional, the plotting is completely linear (most of the red herrings are resolved in less than a page), the human protagonist is a passive doormat, and some of the dialogue is, honestly, a bit cringe-worthy. Some of the humor fell flat for me, since much of it is at the expensive of main character Ellie's grandmother (Nana) whose romantic exploits drive much of the humor. The miscommunications and ridiculous misunderstandings on which the plot turns are unbelievable and broke my suspension of disbelief on several occasions during my reading.

Ellie's not so much an amateur sleuth as she is a plot vehicle for handing over clues to the de rigeur handsome police detective with whom she has a slow-burn schoolgirl crush. There is a strong romance subplot element and readers who enjoy chaste romance mysteries will find a lot to love here. The whole is a perfectly acceptable, engaging, readable cozy debut and it'll be interesting to see what the future holds for Templeton (Ellie's cat) and his human companions. Incidentally, there is no anthropomorphism in the books (no cat narration) apart from the costumes Ellie puts on the adoptee cats in the cafe.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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I enjoyed reading this and it kept me guessing on the murderer. As I love cats and can't imagine not liking them the conflict between the characters because of the cat cafe was interesting. I liked the idea of a cat rescue cafe.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Truly catnip for lovers of kitty-inspired cozy mysteries.

My favorite part - all the feline-inspired coffee drinks!

Highly recommended cozy mystery for feline fanatics.

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This was a fun read with lots of action, plenty of suspects and twists one didn't see coming. Templeton the cat is quite the character and keeps the heroine, and the readers, on their toes.


I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

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A great start to a fun series. Like Ellie and Simon, Templeton is a hoot. I’m actually more of a dog person, but like cats too. Highly recommend this book and author. Fun cozy mystery.

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The blurb about this book was promising as I enjoy cozy mysteries and cats. The mystery aspects were good the characters were interesting and cats lovable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy mysteries. This book is purrfectly good! I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

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My first book by this author. I was drawn to the title and cover of the book.
I am delighted I decided to read this book
Ellie and Simon were likeable characters. Mr. Templeton was a hoot, I lived him🐱
All the other feline characters were adorable. I can't wait to read more in this series.

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This is a great start to a new series!
Ellie is a good character, she’s a dedicated cat lover and that comes across very clearly in this book.
Owning a cat cafe, Ellie is working hard to find furever homes for the cats in her care.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a feline lover, so when angry protesters show up at her store, she finds herself in the middle of a bizarre murder investigation.
The suspect list is long, and before long, Ellie finds herself the victim of cruel pranks. When hunky detective Simon is assigned to the case, Ellie finds herself attracted to him.

I had so many laugh out loud moments and I really enjoyed meeting the cast of colorful characters.
I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

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Margaret Harrington enters the Kitty Beret Café and shrieks at the sight of a cat. Owner Ellie Warren rushes to her side only to find that the woman disapproves of cats being inside the café. Ellie’s customers laugh as one of them points out that this is a cat café – where rescue cats mingle with prospective adoptees while enjoying refreshments.

Margaret threatens Ellie and abruptly leaves. Several hours later, police detectives show up, asking Ellie if she knows Margaret, then explain that she is dead. This captivating introduction to a new cozy series includes a healthy dose of frisky felines and well-defined characters.

Ruth Hartman skillfully fabricates a multi-layered story blending mystery with a little romance and lots of feline participation. The author’s ability to describe feline-human interaction is convincing and often adds humor to the narrative. Hairballs and Homicide is a welcome and purrfect entry in the feline-themed cozy mystery genre. Cat lovers take note.

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I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery set in a cat cafe. A little romance is thrown in, but mostly it's about the cats and solving the mystery. Characters are interesting, particularly the quirky seniors who visit the cafe. Though I'm not a fan of dressing up cats (and am still wondering how one of them kept her tiara on her head), it did add a little bit of imagination to the story line. And, I loved Templeton, the owner's cat, who clearly is trying to rival Koko and YumYum (of the "Cat Who..." mysteries) as a crime solver and defender of his person. Loved this book and look forward to the next in the series!

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Princess Fuzzypants here: First off, I must say I cannot understand anybody who has an issue with us kitties. And for some humans to hate us so much they would do us harm or harm a nice lady who runs a cafe that tries to find forever homes for us, it is beyond my ken.. The story starts with a harridan threatening Ellie about her cafe and her cats and then storming out. When she is found murdered by a cat toy behind the shop, Ellie becomes a purrson of interest.
Since she has a number of witnesses who can supply an alibi, she is stricken off the suspect list quickly. However, the cat hater organization, to which the victim belonged, does not accept her innocence. In fact, she is getting so many attempts on her life and her livelihood that the hunky detective assigned to the murder becomes her protector. He is more than aptly assisted by the man in her life, Templeton, her cat. Templeton is pawsome. Simon, the human isn’t bad either.
I do confess I did suspect the killer early on when he revealed his true nature. But it was an enchanting and entertaining romp to have him revealed and Ellie rescued by her heroes. I enjoyed this first tale and hope there will be others.
Five purrs and two paws up.

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Hairballs & Homicides is the first book in a new series by Ruth J. Hartman. As a fan of cats and a cat lover I was thrilled to review this new series for the author. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity..

Ellie Warren owns the "Kitty Beret Cafe", a coffee shop where customers can have coffee and baked goods while they visit with adoptable cats. I love the names of the coffee drinks such as "Saucer of Milk Latte, Mocha Meow & Kalua Kitty Cup." The back room of the cafe is called the “ Purr Pen” . Ellie is a fearless cat advocate and owns a adorable cat Templeton. When some anti cat people target her cafe and make trouble Ellie is worried. Unfortunately they have one mean customer who ends up dead near the cafe and taints the cafe with a bad reputation. People in town even accuse the "killer cats" of murdering the victim ! Ellie is also under suspicion by the investigating detective and must save her business by investigating on her own . Ellie has a smart cat named Templeton that will help her find the right suspect by cleverly putting her in the way of clues. Ellie and Templeton are a great team .

I love cat based cozies and this is one of my favorites. I enjoyed all of the supporting charcters ( including the cats!) and look forward to further books in the series. The sleuth was smart and had plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. The cats are adorable and the author knows cats and their personalities. A very enjoyable fun read that I highly recommend.

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