Author: Deanna Drake
Genre: Mystery/Paranormal/Fantasy
Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781964418339
Tule Publishing
204 Pages
$11.99; $4.99 Amazon
June 5, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
What are cursed artifacts, a talking cat, and a dead body doing in the sweet little town of Citrus Grove? That's what spirited shopkeeper Rebecca Cuthbert wants to find out and she had better do it ast because she's the prime suspect in the murder of the town's shadiest antiquities dealer.
It's a troubling start to her reunion with her long-lost grandfather and a far cry from the Southern California vacation she was expecting. So far, nothing in Citrus Grove is quite what it seems. Not her grandfather, who suspiciously disappears at the strangest times, not his curious antique shop, which has more secrets than customers, and certainly not the oddball neighbors, with their hidden motives and questionable connections.
As Rebecca races against time with her new feline friend to uncover the truth behind a mysterious murder, she finds herself tangled in a web of danger and deceit as captivating as Queen Cleopatra herself. With help from unexpected allies and an often-exasperating, yet undeniably handsome detective, Rebecca must outwit the cunning killer before she becomes the next victim.
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Rebecca Cuthbert has just discovered she has grandfather. Unfortunately, it was because of sad circumstances she's recently experienced that allowed her to do so. She packed up her life from Montana to California for a visit, but since she's arrived, strange things have happened.
Her grandfather's manager stole from him, and one of the artifacts has turned up at a shady dealer's home. He's offered to give it to her, but when she arrives the man is dead. The police think she killed him. She also has a surprise in the form of a tiny, ragged kitten that needs her help...about that kitten...is it her help, or will the kitten help her? Anyway -- she has to find out who the killer is to save herself from a permanent vacation in jail...
This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. Which is saying a lot, since I normally don't read fantasy. Guess I'm just too rooted in reality. Oh, well...but I loved it. I loved all the characters, especially the fact there's no 'evil nemesis' (a real bane for me). The characters are well-drawn and most of them have depth, but when the book centers on a main character, it takes time to flesh everyone out.
The mystery was done wonderfully, with enough questions that deserved -- and found -- answers throughout the book. And I loved, just loved, little Aneksi and her arrogance. Being a lover and owner of cats, I know what arrogance they can, and do, have. Discovering more about her throughout the book was indeed fun.
When the murderer was revealed, I discovered it right around the same time as Rebecca, which is very good, since I usually guess the killers early on in the book. The ending came together nicely, and gave us a hint of what to expect in the next book. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the author and BookSprout but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Deanna Drake's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/DeAnna-Drake/author/B0CJ9X4KSC?ref
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