The Time for Murder Is Meow: A Purr ’N’ Bark Pet Shop Mystery

LoTempio’s entertaining series debut introduces former TV actress Crishell “Shell” McMillan, who inherits a pet shop in Fox Hollow, Conn., from her late aunt, Matilda “Tillie” Washburn. Tillie was well regarded by everyone in Fox Hollow except for Amelia Witherspoon, with whom Tillie had been feuding for years. Shell soon discovers that Amelia is extending the feud to herself, using her position on the museum board to block a showing of Tillie’s amazing Cary Grant memorabilia. Shell also learns that the gossip mill in town is alive and well, especially with the help of smarmy Quentin Watson, the publisher of the local rag, who plants a seed of skepticism about the newest resident in his paper. When Shell finds Amelia’s dead body, homicide detective Josh Bloodgood puts her on the short list of suspects. Two adorable cats, Kahlua and Purrday, provide solace. LoTempio (the Nick and Nora mysteries) telegraphs the killer’s identity too early, but this is a quibble. Feline-loving cozy fans will be satisfied. [em]Agent: Josh Getzler, HSG Agency. (Aug.) [/em]