1st in Series
Setting -The small town of Starport Cove
and a suburb of the town called Bluffington Hills
Independently Published
Publication Date: May 11, 2023
Paperback page count: 211 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8393265519 / Digital ASIN: B0BZZMMGFF
REVIEW:
A CATastrophic Neighborhood is the first book in author Maryann Shanesy’s Pet Momma Cozy Mystery series, and it puts all the worst elements of an out-of-control HOA on full display. New homeowners Tarsey and Steve Quinston are clear-eyed novices until they discover the HOA property manager has been creating havoc in their new community, but they both keep a clear head while working to set things right. But when Tarsey realizes their newly adopted cat, Silver, may be linked to an unsolved murder in the town, the HOA problem takes a backseat.
Tarsey and Steve Quinston are surely the nicest young couple in the cozy mystery world. They seem to complete each other’s world, and they’re even employed in public service: he’s a prosecuting attorney, and she works for a charitable non-profit. I enjoyed them buying their first home and becoming part of their new community, and I liked how delighted they were with their first cat, too.
Although Tarsey doesn’t outright decide to investigate the death of the seamstress, Felicity Irrington, she goes through all the right motions. She uncovers information the police detective in charge of the case missed while she’s trying to establish Silver’s true identity. She asks some smart questions of just the right people.
The HOA storyline, though, is what offers the most drama. With an unpleasant, power-mad, and illogical property manager, an unprofessional HOA president with money problems, and a couple of nasty neighbors in the mix, there’s a whole lot of it going around. Plot twists generate good suspects that may keep readers guessing who did what until the big reveal.
This book is the author’s first cozy mystery, with many possibilities for future stories. I felt the story took a little long to get established, with quite a bit of mundane dialogue and detail prolonging things unnecessarily; however, this tendency evaporated as the story heated up. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure with anticipation.
I recommend A CATASTROPHIC NEIGHBORHOOD to cozy mystery
readers, especially those who enjoy cat-themed stories.
No comments:
Post a Comment