Reviewed by annieb123 on
Claws for Suspicion is the third book in a small-town cozy mystery series by Deborah Blake. Released 3rd May 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages (print edition) and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a fun and easy read. The plucky protagonist is a former waitress turned millionaire lottery winner who bought a dilapidated animal sanctuary and has supported and poured resources into making it a going concern supporting neglected animals in the community. She finds herself unwillingly involved in a murder investigation *again* when her ex-husband shows up years after their divorce to try to claim half her lottery winnings.
I enjoyed this installment, with Kari and her band of friends and small-town vibe. It ticks a lot of boxes: funny and down to earth protagonist, lots of animals, twists and red herrings blended into the plot, decently written dialogue that isn't clunky, and a satisfying denouement and resolution. It's a fun and enjoyable clean cozy mystery. The language is "PG" rated, a few hells and damns but nothing worse. The crimes occur off-page and there's no graphic content.
Four stars. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next for Kari & co. (Especially recommended to fans of cozy mysteries featuring animals).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 7 May, 2022: Reviewed