Tracey Drew

Tessa Wakefield is the quintessential cozy protagonist. She is wonderfully human…introspective, sympathetic, and genuine. The author has done a wonderful job of layering her character one relationship at a time. She is the rock that is helping her grandfather mourn his dead wife. She is the big sister who is willing to turn the town upside down to prove that her baby brother isn’t a killer, all the while allowing herself to be honest about his flaws. She is the daughter who accepts her place in her relationship with her mother with a grace that most women would envy and her being secure in her own skin, despite her insecurities when dealing with intimidating peers and potential love interests, give her a level of class not often seen in a cozy. Of course, it is her interactions with her grandmother’s cats that keep the story rolling in humor and humility. It takes a special kind of person to understand their place in a cat’s life:

Because I was that kind of inherited by default cat-staff. The kind convinced that cats understand everything we say but choose to react only to the things that interest them. Or benefit them. Or entertain them. Call me insane, but I shot devil eyes at Kit for a moment, waiting for an apology. I got a bored yawn instead.

As Tessa investigates the murder she discovers as much about herself as she does the secrets that thrive in a small town. I love that small towns are small-town-like no matter where in the world they are. The mystery is well written. I did guess whodunnit early on but I dismissed the person, then thought about them again later and was still surprised by the way it ended. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily… (altro)

I got this set when it was free on Amazon. The hardest thing for me when reading something like this is noting all the similarities from book to book--much more noticeable to me when I'm reading them one right after the other. A friend had noticed this was free on Amazon and posted it to Facebook. Another friend asked how much the cats factored into the stories. None of us knew at the time.

Tessa is a former high school counselor who moves in with her grandfather after her grandmother dies and helps with the yarn store her grandparents ran for years. Along with the yarn store, Tessa has inherited two cats, Pearl and Kit, who factor more into the earliest book than they do in the third book.

And we've got the requisite love triangle with Tessa trying to decide between a police detective and a pub owner.

These were okay but not really impressive. I'd read another one if I came across it free or discounted but I'm also not compelled to go search out future books in the series.… (altro)

This is a charming series but I am so glad I waited to read Book 1, and first enjoyed the prequel of "Balls and Bones." It's so much fun to read the introduction meeting felines Pearl and Kit as they each tell the reader about their sibling and their humans. That said, Book 1 was a bit of a let down as although Pearl and Kit continue to add delight to the series it is by participation with their humans not direct communication to the reader. The author's sense of humor remains evident in a different way via the "Crafting for Calmness" classes with attendees either part of the "Serial Knitters" or "Happy Hookers." Without a doubt I wish I could shop for my knitting yarn at "Unraveled."

Harry Wakefield and Nana Dee-Dee had owned the yarn store, "Unraveled" for almost 40 years and Harry isn't sure what's next for the business following the recent loss of his wife. I loved the relationship between Tessa and her grandfather Harry as the characterization of the two is very endearing not only as they now live together but also as they work at the yarn store.

Tessa also isn't sure what the future holds but certainly didn't expect her present to involve the pop-up store where her younger brother is working. The store was formerly an old butcher shop but mystery continues at this address and is more complicated than first evident. For all armchair amateur sleuths who like to solve puzzling investigations before the reveal, multiple suspects and twists in the clues add to the entertainment. I'll definitely keeping reading the series.… (altro)

The series was recommended in one of my Facebook cozy mystery groups and with 2 black cats on the cover I knew it was an irresistible download for me. I was ready to start reading the 1st book in the series one evening when I saw that there was a prequel, “Balls and Bones” that would be made available if I signed up for the author’s newsletter. Well, I started reading the prequel and I couldn’t stop myself from continually lol. I’m normally a quiet reader, smiling or sometimes quiet tears. There’s been an occasional giggle or laughter but not onward for several minutes. By the time my husband made an inquiry I was reading Chapter 2. As I looked up to reply to my husband and read him a few sentences, I saw the disapproving annoyance on the face of our little feline Holly as I was obviously interrupting one of her naps.
Chapter 1 – Is Pearl’s description of her brother and humans.
Chapter 2 – Is sibling Kit’s description of his sister and humans.
The fun and adventures are simply non-stop!

It came as no surprise that the author's inspiration for Pearl and Kit are 2 tabby brothers named Kevin and Alfie that live with Tracey and her husband.

It's time to read Book 1 in the series!… (altro)