Author: Chelsea Thomas
Genre: Mystery
Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9798770789980
Independently Published
266 Pages
$12.99; $5.99 Amazon
November 20, 2021
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The Toluca Lake Film Festival is in town, and every movie star has a lap dog that needs grooming. That should be good for Amy's dog grooming business. But then a pair of dead bodies show up and threaten to ruin Toluca Lake's reputation.
The cops are going to cancel the festival if the killer isn't found before opening night, so the girls need to set things right fast. But this is a dangerous case, and they might get murdered just for snooping around.
Hollywood loves drama.
But this case might be too dramatic for Amy and Petunia, and it's got more twists and turns than the most captivating big screen thrillers.
All that and Fluffy the cat is off on his biggest adventure yet. Yes. Fluffy narrates his own chapters. No, he doesn't care if you like him. He's got a romantic interest in his life these days, so he's got all the companionship he needs, thank you very much.
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When Amy and her granny Petunia attend a film festival in Toluca Lake, they don't expect any drama except for that in the films. But when one film wins and the director goes up to take his prize, he is heckled by someone in the audience. To top it off, they decide to find their way backstage after hearing two gunshots. Finding the director and a woman shot dead -- wearing masks -- they are on their way to solving a double murder in their small town.
But it won't be easy once they find out about Javier's past and his treatment of people. It seems there are too many people who didn't like the man, from women to his best friend. Not getting any help from the police is going to hinder the investigation, but when Amy's best friend Betsy decides to use her writing and acting abilities (which aren't that wonderful as of yet) things start to move forward. Who would guess that Betsy would be key in this investigation?
To top it off, Amy has to choose between Jacob the surgeon or Mike the cop. She's put her love life on hold for too long, and wants to be able to make a decision. But with her relationship problems in the past, she's not that sure she'll be able to do it...
Then there's her cat Fluffy, who is sure he sees a doppelgänger of himself outside and haunting his dreams. Determining to find the truth, with the help of his neighboring cat Elizabeth, he's also trying to figure out what's going on. Will it lead him to discovering he's imagining it? Or something more sinister?
This is the sixth book in the series and I have read them all, delighting in Amy and Petunia's adventures. In this one, we are taken to the dark side of filmmaking, and how it affects those who are struggling in the industry to make a name for themselves. It's not pretty, but then again, trying to make it in most high-end businesses isn't.
Her dog grooming business takes second place to the murder and what is happening in her personal life. With all the suspects, Amy has to decide which ones have alibis, and which one has the most motive to kill Javier. Was the woman also a target, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Betsy puts herself in full screenwriter mode, which is a hoot watching her as she gets into character, to help solve the murder.
What ensues is sometimes hilarious, and most often filled with action as the three women embark on finding another killer to keep the people of Toluca Lake safe. When the murderer is discovered, it's a different reason altogether, and quite unexpected, but manages to bring the story together nicely.
Although I personally am not keen on Amy's choice (as I think she might have made it) I understand completely; and didn't really expect anything else. It never detracted from the mystery at all, and the book was definitely a must-read for me, as all Ms. Thomas's books are. She's a talented writer that also has the ability to put humor in her books, which isn't all that easy to do. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy via Booksprout but this did not influence my review in any way.
More on Chelsea Thomas's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/t/chelsea-thomas/
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