Tortie Shorties on Mystery Monday

Welcome to this week's edition of Tortie Shorties on Mystery Monday, featuring the latest releases from two of our favorite cat cozy series!

The Mythmakers (Miss Cuddlywumps Investigates Book 5) by Roby Sweet

From the publisher: Lately, things have been quiet in the tiny, historic village of Brooksford, Maryland. The residents got through Halloween with no “shenanigans,” as the mayor would say, and now they’re headed into a peaceful Thanksgiving season. But Rory Roberts knows better. She knows something is off from the moment the first amateur filmmakers arrive at the edge of town, and her feelings prove true when their “documentary” leads to a violent death in Rory’s backyard, with Rory herself as an early suspect.

Now, Rory and her classically educated calico cat, Miss C, with help from their friends, must work through their limited list of suspects to determine who the real killer is. They may find clues in an online horror movie showing the moments leading up to the crime, but that video also causes more trouble for Brooksford when it quickly goes viral, drawing crowds of unwanted tourists into town, and straight to Rory’s normally quiet cottage. Will Miss C’s classical education be up to the challenge of deciphering the 21st-century clues in this crime, or will her and Rory’s meddling only push the killer to strike again?

Tortie Shorties Review: The very first scene of this 5th Miss Cuddlywumps adventure shows Rory handcuffed in the back seat of a police car, wearing pajamas and L.L. Bean boots, desperate to find someone to take care of her beloved Miss C before being hauled off to jail. If that doesn't draw you in, nothing will! From that point on we learn what has led to Rory's current situation, which all begins when amateur filmmakers descend on the town to produce a documentary on Brooksford's mysterious Woldwomper creature (introduced in book 4, Night of the Furies). Before you know it Rory is scuffling with one of the filmmakers when they trespass in her yard late one night, he ends up dead, and in spite of her relationship with Sheriff Mike all eyes look to Rory as the killer.

As in previous books, the divine Miss C watches over her domain from her two-story cat condo in the living room and her cozy little bed on Rory's desk. Her favorite part of the day is getting a stroller ride around town to conduct her own investigations. She uses her knowledge of Greek mythology, learned from her previous owner Professor Eleanor, to reach educated conclusions about those she comes into contact with. In spite of a limited number of suspects this case is a real puzzle though, and even beyond the murder Rory and Miss C's lives are about to change in some very big ways, both in their very own home and thanks to their cat-hating neighbor Mrs. Crabtree (otherwise known as Medusa). Oooh...this is gonna be fun!!!

The Fast and the Furriest (Second Chance Cat Mystery) by Sofie Ryan

From the publisher: Sarah Grayson owns Second Chance, a shop that sells lovingly refurbished items, in the charming town of North Harbor, Maine. But she couldn't run the store without the help of her right-hand man, Mac--or her dashing rescue cat, Elvis.

Mac's life before North Harbor has always been a little bit mysterious, but it becomes a lot more intriguing when a woman from his past shows up in town, and then turns up dead. Suspicion falls on Mac, but Sarah--and Elvis--know he can't be the killer, and they hope they can prove his innocence quick as a whisker.

Tortie Shorties Review: This is one of my very favorite cat cozy series thanks to it's cast of characters (especially Charlotte's Angels), Maine setting, repurpose store angle, and of course, Elvis the cat. In The Fast and the Furriest readers *finally* get to learn more about Second Chance's mysterious handyman Mac in very dramatic fashion when a woman from his past arrives at the shop looking for him, and then is found dead after being spotted arguing with Mac by none other than Sarah's "boyfriend" Nick. This obviously makes life quite difficult for Sarah, but with Elvis by her side the true culprit doesn't stand a chance of getting away with murder!

Truth be told, my least favorite part of the cozies I read is the protagonist's romantic entanglements. I understand that it matters because it's a part of their life story, it's just an aspect of the books that I put little to no emotional investment in. That being said, I've been rooting for Sarah and Mac since his character was introduced in the series, most likely because his character's past has been such a mystery and Sarah has seemed confused by her feelings for him. Plus there is absolutely no chemistry between her and Nick, who she seems to feel obligated to because he's the son of one of her dear friends. Now that Mac's story is out in the open, the end of The Fast and the Furriest has me waiting with baited breath to find out what's next in their relationship!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Fast and the Furriest from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I purchased my copy of The Mythmakers. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!