If you love cozy mysteries, furry companions, and a bit of magic than you will enjoy this series (this book is pretty far in the series, but the author is amazing at story telling and getting you caught up).

Another fantastic cozy mystery from Sofie Ryan, with a great mix of mystery, humor and magical cats! This was a great visit to Maine!

Another great cozy mystery! I really enjoy this book and series. The cast of characters are great and always make me smile. You really can't go wrong with a cat named Elvis either. Highly recommended!

Sarah and her friends, Jess and Nick, get together on a regular basis—most of the time. Now it’s been a while since their last outing, but she and Jess manage to meet at their usual place for good food and great music.

On their way to the car, they’re shocked to see their friend Stella standing over a man lying half on the sidewalk and half in the street. He’s bleeding from a head wound and Stella has a bloodied glass ball in her hand.
Image Source Penguin

Sarah and Jess are sure Stella didn’t bash the man, but she’s in shock and he’s on his way to the hospital, lights and sirens all the way. Unfortunately for Stella, the man dies. He’s one of the most disliked men in town so the suspect list of who would want him dead goes way past Stella. Means, the glass ball, too bad she had that in hand. Opportunity—standing over a dying man’s got that covered too. Motive—everybody’s got one.

Sarah owns a second hand store, recycling, upcycling, and saving or reinventing treasures. Her back room is rented out to older friends who call themselves the Angels. Mr. P is a licensed private detective, Rose is getting her license, Charlotte and Liz have other functions in the group. They take on Stella’s case and Sarah, once again, is dragged right along. After all, someone has to keep an eye on them.

At the shop, Avery is in charge of window displays, creative ideas, and selling up a storm, with the help of Charlotte. They’re both aided by Elvis the Cat. He poses on furniture and charms customers. Mack, originally just the fix-it guy, is now Sarah’s Valentine—if she can decide what gift will make their first Valentine’s Day special.

I love this series. The characters are people you’d want to know, especially the Angels, if you could keep up. Sarah and Mack make a wonderful couple. Avery is still in school but is more self-assured than most adults. And Elvis—who can resist a charming cat? This is book nine in the series.

Ryan also writes the Magical Cats mysteries under the pen name of Sofie Kelly. Regular readers will remember Owen and Hercules and Owen’s Fred the Funky Chicken catnip toy, often beheaded. Find an excerpt of the first book in the series, Curiosity Thrilled the Cat, at the back of the book

It's winter in Maine and Sarah and her cat Elvis are looking forward to to relaxing. When she finds her friend, Stella standing over a body on the street everyone thinks it's an open and shut case. But Sarah and Charlotte's Angels are on the case, determined to set their friend free. This is book 9 in the Second Chance Cozy series. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really love this series! The characters are great! I love Sarah and the older characters! Always a want to read series for me!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

otally Pawstruck is another excellent novel in its series; I thoroughly enjoyed it! There is a winning combination of a personality-plus cat, a cast of characters who make up the very best kind of family, a charming repurpose and thrift store, and a murdered man with more enemies than friends. If I had the choice of where to get lost for a few months, this just might be a place I’d seriously consider. Elvis was a stray cat when an old friend gave him to Sarah. He is now an indispensable part of her life, as well as a feline lie-detector who must watch Jeopardy! every day.

Sarah moved to North Harbor, where she loved staying with Gram many summers when growing up. One of her oldest, best friends, Nick, is still here, as is Jess, her best friend since college. Gram and her new husband now live in an apartment in the renovated Victorian Sarah purchased and lives in. Gram’s closest friends Liz, Charlotte, and Rose are like beloved aunts to Sarah. Owner of Second Chance, the repurpose/ thrift shop, Sarah employs Rose and Charlotte. She also employs her right-hand person, Mac, who later became her boyfriend, and Avery, Liz’s granddaughter and a wonderfully creative teen.

Charlotte, Rose, and Mr. Peterson run Charlotte’s Angels from Second Chance, begun after Charlotte was accused of a crime she did not commit. Mr. P has the private investigator license for the Angels, and Rose has been studying to get hers.

Sarah and Jess had been out to dinner and were walking to Sarah’s SUV. They saw a man lying partway into the street, with Stella, a friend of Gram and the Angels, standing over him holding a bloody glass sphere. Stella was in shock and did not respond to their questions. The man is Vincent Swift. His pulse is very weak and his breathing shallow. They called for an ambulance, and Jess tried to get Stella to respond while Sarah held Vincent’s hand, encouraging him to hold on. There was a puddle of blood under his head, and from the way he was lying, it was clear he had been attacked rather than slipping on the ice and falling.

During the night, Swift died. Stella’s peace of mind died, also, since she is the only suspect the police are looking at. Shortly before he was attacked, Vincent and Stella had a public disagreement at the library where both were in a board meeting. Vincent was a cantankerous man who made enemies of most people in town due to how he treated others. He and his son, while not exactly estranged, rarely speak.

The characters are three-dimensional, heartwarming people I would love to have as my extended family! The lovable group of seniors of Charlotte’s Angels, plus Liz and Gram, are a delightful family. I especially like Sarah, Elvis, and Mac. They all help each other out and those in trouble. They are witty, loving, and hard-working. We get to know them best through their actions and realistic dialog.

It is sad that the dead man had more enemies than friends. It also makes for a definite challenge when trying to find the real killer. We are also presented with several possible motives and a red herring. Stella hired her friends at Charlotte’s Angels to find who really killed Vincent so she could stay out of jail. Sarah isn’t technically one of the Angels, but she does provide legwork and input to the brainstorming sessions. I continue to be amazed at the kinds of things that Mr. P finds online, and how, even though Liz’s connections in town provide valuable input.

I was surprised to find that my pet suspect was the real bad guy yet felt very sad for the person. There were bigger surprises that I didn’t see coming, however, which really added to the novel. All loose ends were tied up, and I am already missing Elvis, Sarah, and the Angels! I highly recommend this cozy mystery, which can be read as a standalone, and the rest of the series.

My first Sofie Ryan book and it won't be my last. Fun, fast, and cozy read with compelling characters and good whodunnit. Also a cat named Elvis!

What a fun cozy!!

When I get to my senior years I hope I have a group of friends like the Charlotte’s Angels and am willing to do even half of what they do!

This is my first visit with Sarah and her lively group of friends. North Harbor Maine is as beautiful as it is charming. With a super cool rescue cat named Elvis and an intricate mystery, all is set for an entertaining read. The story is well written and the characters are fun and hilarious. You can tell Sarah and her ladies are tight and would do just about anything for one another. Like figuring out how the man everyone dislikes died and prove one of her dear friends had nothing to do with the crime.

Sarah runs the Second Chance antique shop and rents space to Charlotte’s Angels, a private investigation agency staffed with senior citizens who are also her friends. When a friend of Sarah’s and the Angels, Stella Hall, is found standing over the dead body of unpleasant Vincent Swift after a contentious meeting of the library board the Angels swing into action to prove Stella’s innocence and find the murderer. Problem is, everyone who knew Vincent Swift had reason to dislike him and want him gone.

I enjoy this series. The characters are likeable as well as believable and the senior citizen PIs are delightful. The action moves along nicely with suspects being cleared one by one until Sarah comes to a realization of who the murderer is. The book is a quick read with just the right balance of mystery to character development. I look forward to future entries in the series

This latest title in Sofie Ryan’s Second Chance Cat mysteries was a joy to read. All of my favourite people are present and accounted for. I have always loved the cast of seniors that play such a loving, supportive role in our main character’s life. When one of their friends becomes the main suspect in the murder of an unliked town person, their group springs into action when they are hired to find the culprit. The plot moves along at a good pace, giving us many suspects to consider. The backdrop to the story, Sarah’s re-purposed second hand shop,, provides a fun place for everyone to intersect and interact along the way. I enjoyed the big reveal to Avery’s latest window display,. There is also a lovely “Easter Egg” placed in the story which gives a nod to the author’s other series written as Sofie Kelly. (Magic Cats). So, please do pick up Sarah and Her furry sidekick, Elvis, latest adventure. You won’t be sorry that you did.

I'm always interested in reading a good mystery that involves cats, Maine, and second hand shops. Totally Pawstruck fits that bill, and I was captivated from page one.
Elvis is a sweet cat and I love how the author created his personality. Sarah is a good character, and the mystery was well done.
Sarah happens to see her friend Stella standing over a body, Stella appears to be in shock and the victim is barely hanging on.
The victim is not well liked, but Sarah knows that Stella had nothing to do with the bizarre event so she doesn't hesitate when its time to investigate.

I highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a well written story with plenty of red herrings and some very likeable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#TotallyPawstruck #NetGalley

Sofie Ryan involves the reader in another Second Chance Cat mystery. Sarah and her cat Elvis take on the case of an unpopular curmudgeon who was found dead on the street by her Stella. Everyone seems to have a motive. How she unravels the puzzle is for the reader to follow and possibly solve first. Read and enjoy.

I absolutely adore this series, and I love Elvis the cat! This was a phenomenal installment of the Second Chance Cat mysteries. I loved the mystery and trying to figure out "who dun it." I cannot wait for the next one!

Totally Pawstruck is the 9th book in the Second Chance Cat cozy mystery series. I love the characters in this series...especially Elvis the Cat. :) Sarah is a great main character. She's intelligent and makes a great amateur sleuth! Her grandma and her group of feisty older ladies make for excellent side kicks as well!

This time around a member of the North Harbor library board is killed. Another member of the board is found standing over the body, blood on her hands, seemingly in shock. Of course, Stella is immediately suspect number one. Sarah knows the evidence against Stella is circumstantial and that she wouldn't murder anybody. Sarah and the older ladies (known as Charlotte's Angels) are on the case to catch a killer before Stella is framed for a killing she didn't commit.

I would have liked a bit more Elvis antics in this newest book just 'cause I like the kitty, but all in all, a nice new story in this series. The mystery started quickly....no reading half the book before something happened. The story moved along at a nice pace. There was plenty of suspects and sleuthing. Enjoyed every word!

I read both this series and the Magical Cats series she writes under another penname. Always up for a new book by Sofie Ryan!

Totally Pawstruck by Sofie Ryan is the 9th book in her fun, cute Second Chance Cat Mystery series. Sarah Grayson, our heroine, runs a resale/repurpose store called Second Chance, and she has a smart adorable black cat named Elvis; who also helps Sarah solve mysteries. Also, Sarah rents an office space in her store, to a detective agency called Charlotte’s Angels, which are a wonderful group of senior citizens (Rose, Liz, Charlotte and the one man, Mr. P).

Enjoying a night out, Sarah and her friend Jess, leave a restaurant and while walking home, they see a friend standing over a body. When they run to check on their friend Stella, who is in shock, Sarah bends down to check on the man; who turns out to be a member of the library board, who most people hate, including Stella. The police question Stella, since the man died, and Sarah with her help from Charlotte’s Angels are determined to prove their friend’s innocence.

What follows is an exciting, fun, mystery whodunit, with wonderful recurring characters, which kept my attention from start to finish. Though Elvis was a bit quieter in this book, the rest of the wonderful group were lots of fun to watch them separate the clues to find the killer. There were a number of twists and surprises that kept changing the game, and Sarah will begin to narrow down the suspects; especially since the victim was evil.

I do not want to give spoilers, so not to ruin it for you. I continually loved the friendly banter and relationship with Sarah, Elvis, and The Angels, as they were all smart and savvy, with no fear among them. The romance between Sarah and Mac picks up more, as I really like them together; as well as the secondary characters not part of the Angels (Nick, Jess, Michelle, etc)

Totally Pawstruck was a delightful, fun, mysterious and charming story, with a fantastic group of recurring characters, as well as our wonderful Elvis, all of whom have a wonderful bond together. If you enjoy a lighthearted mystery, a smart cute cat, and wonderful heroine, then I suggest you read this series, so very well written by Sofie Ryan.

I so enjoy this series! I do like the mysteries in each book but my favorite part is the community of Sarah's store with Mac, Avery, and all the Angels. I love their dynamic and I love that they all drive Sarah crazy at one time or another but also clearly love her and she loves them. My favorite part about this series was that we really get to see more of Liz. And not just Sarah's grandmother's best friend Liz but Liz in her element with all her power and connections. I'm quite sure I want to grow up to be Liz or at the very least have someone like her on my side.

The mystery was interesting and I do love when it's easier to figure out who wouldn't want to kill the victim. I wasn't sure who the real killer was until the very end. I think I figured it out at the same time Sarah did. My only complaint with this entry in the series is that Nick and Mr. P weren't as active in the book as they have been in previous books.

I love the entire crew in this book. Elvis, Sarah, Mac, Charlotte’s Angels, etc. They all work together nicely. The mystery kept me guessing. I like how Nick realizes Sarah is not in control of the Angels and even he has been roped into helping them. They mystery kept me guessing.

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

"Totally Pawstruck" is a cozy mystery. It's the ninth book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. This book did not spoil any of the previous mysteries. The main characters were nice, engaging people. The mystery was a clue-based mystery. The amateur detectives asked questions and looked into various alibis. They basically just got alibis for all of the suspects and double-checked them, and that left one person. Case solved. There were no sex scenes. There were only a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.

Enjoyable and an easy read. Have not read the rest of the series so I took a little time getting the character relationships straight. Will probably ready the earlier titles.