Escape Claws

Cat Lady Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Linda Reilly

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Here, killer, killer, killer...

For the first time in sixteen years, Lara Caphart has returned to her hometown of Whisker Jog, New Hampshire. She wants to reconnect with her estranged Aunt Fran, who's having some difficulty looking after herself - and her eleven cats.

Taking care of a clowder of kitties is easy, but keeping Fran from being harassed by local bully Theo Barnes is hard. The wealthy builder has his sights set on Fran's property and is determined to make her an offer she doesn't dare refuse. Then Lara spots a blue-eyed ragdoll cat that she swears is the reincarnation of her beloved Blue, her childhood pet.

Pursuing the feline to the edge of Fran's yard, she stumbles upon the body of Theo Barnes, clearly a victim of foul play. To get her and Fran off the suspect list, Lara finds herself following the cat's clues in search of a killer. Is Blue's ghost really trying to help her solve a murder, or has Lara inhaled too much catnip?

©2017 Linda Reilly (P)2018 Tantor

Nice mystery.

Had a good time following the story. Didn't guess who the killer was. Very enjoyable listen.

A Warm and Cozy Mystery

I truly enjoyed this cozy mystery, which is the first in the Cat lady Mysteries.

Ms. Reilly surely knows how to write cozy mysteries that engage you from the first to the last page.

I really recommend this book to all cozy mystery fans, especially if they like cats.

This review is about the audible version of the book.

“Escape Claws”

Easy listening while cleaning and/or resting. I am looking forward to the next in series.

Wonderful story and narration

Please keep your work coming. I appreciate all of your books. They keep me engaged, even when I am in pain they make me laugh, cry, and try to figure out the plot! Such a talent!!!

Excellent and enjoyable book

In <strong>Escape Claws</strong> by Linda Reilly, Lara Caphart drives from Boston to Whisker Job, New Hampshire when she gets word that her Aunt Fran is having difficulties after having had to retire early from teaching due to serious knee problems. It has been 15 years since Lara has seen her aunt, a situation they discover was created by Lara's father's suppression of their letters to each other. Fran has become the community cat-lady, with 11 cats that she has rescued, and she has started to let things go. Lara works hard to get things fixed up in the house and help her aunt get back on her feet.

Then one night, Lara hears noises outside but eventually goes back to bed. The next morning, however, Lara goes to her aunt's property line and stumbles over a rebar buried in the ground but bent all the way over when someone clearly tried to remove the rebar that marks the property line. The man who owns most of the local real estate has been trying to coerce Aunt Fran to sell him part of her property, which he needs in order to complete his major development. The project would evict his many local tenants, making Theo Barnes a decidedly unpopular man in town. So when Lara finds Theo at her feet when she trips over the rebar, there is no shortage of suspects in his murder.

I really loved listening to <strong>Escape Claws</strong>, which was full of life and pulled me into the story, keeping me raptly listening and not wanting to turn it off. The plot had creative elements to it, including numerous red herrings and twists and turns. It contains a slight paranormal element, with a cat named Blue whom Lara knew as a child and finds there again. But Aunt Fran tells her that no one else has ever seen Blue, and it becomes apparent that others can't see the cat, who does a lot to help guide her in her detection.

I enjoyed the characters in this book, who have true human and feline flavor to them. I really appreciated the fact that Lara does not get involved in the mystery case out of a desire to snoop or be nosy. Instead, she is happy to leave the case to the police until reluctantly responding to pressure to look into the situation. Lara's relationship with her Aunt Fran seems very realistic, with their ups and downs. But the cats in particular steal the scenes in the book. We don't get to know personally all 11 of Fran's cats, but we do get to know several of them, learning of their unique traits that make the cats a delight.

Callie Beaulieu ably performs the audio edition of the book. She does a great job of voicing the different characters. In particular, her acting of the denouement scene with the murderer was highly effective. The emotions drawn out in the scene come across dramatically and with power. The timing used in this performance adds to the strength of the audio version.

I had a good time listening to <strong>Escape Claws</strong>, with its fun setting and creative character development. I enjoyed the details of the book and the fun relationship between Lara and Aunt Fran, with all 11 (or does the mysterious Blue make 12?) cats. I give this book five stars!

A sleeper

The story drags on for ever without action. The main character can’t make up her mind about anything. How exactly did she get involved with investigation of murders?

The narrator uses the same voice for each character. If there wasn’t a “Laura said or Aunt Fran said”, you wouldn’t know who was talking!

I just can’t listen to any more of this.

Escape Claws

I read it for the book club I'm in and was really excited about this book. However, I didn't find this book as good as I hoped. If you are into cozy mysteries then this is it.

Mysterious and Funny

Mysterious, interesting, heartwarming, funny book!Well written and narratored book. Well worth sharing and I look forward to finding more from this author and narrator.

Great story and great characters I enjoyed the story from beginning to end.

I particularly liked the  guardian angel cat. The interaction between the characters was very believable.
 It brought pthe believable that people are not, but they seem to be one 

The Best New Cat Series Ever!!!

Thank you Ms Reilly and Ms Beaulieu for the most heart warming,
beautiful, entertaining story about cat's. I have (read) listened to
All the authors and narrators for years. None of the new books out now catch my interest. Either the story is boring or the narrator
ruins the story because their voice is wrong. I'm in love with with the people and the town. Whisker Notch, how clever! Again, many thanks for giving an old lady a book series to look forward to! Your a great team!