Great book and part of a great series. ( )

In Larsen’s mystery novel, P.I. Cat DeLuca and her new partner, Cleo, try sneaking Cleo’s beloved dog back from her ex, only to find Walter dead. What makes this worse, Cleo was caught on tape threatening him. Taking the case, Cleo soon discovers that Walter’s multiple blackmail victims all have motives and opportunities to do the deed. To solve the case, Cat must bring all four of the victims together and pit them against each other to find the truth.

Another great addition to the A Cat DeLuca Mystery series. ( )

The similarities between K.J Larson's Cat DeLuca Mysteries and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series are impossible to deny. Though Cat may be a PI instead of a bounty hunter, she has her very own Ranger (Max) and Morelli (Chance), a colleague who wears inordinate amounts of lycra (though Cleo cooks instead of eats), a family of gun toting crazies and a mother who laments her daughter's choice in career and marital status. Cat even has a tendency to destroy cars and her targets are often nude.

Don't get me wrong though, the similarities are not a bad thing, Sticks and Stones is fast paced, funny and entertaining caper. Cat DeLuca is a fun character, the owner of Pants on Fire Detective Agency dealing mainly with suspicious wives and cheating husbands but has the uncanny knack of ending up in the middle of murder cases. In Sticks and Stones it is her assistant, once a former client, Cleo who is accused of murdering her husband and it's up to Cat to prove her innocent. Luckily Cat has lots of back up, her father, brothers and various uncles are cops, her boyfriend is an FBI Agent, she is connected to a current and ex-spy and then there are a few family friends on the wrong side of the law. Keeping Cleo out of jail is more complicated that Cat expects even though there are plenty of people with the motive to have wanted Walter dead, and if she is not careful she will wind up in the frame as well. In between investigating Walter's past, Cat has cheaters to chase, a bridal shower to throw and a wedding to attend.

I enjoyed Sticks and Stones, it's a lighthearted cozy mystery with a solid plot, appealing characters and a great sense of humour. Though the second in the series, it works as a stand alone. The first book, Liar, Liar was named one of 2010’s best mysteries by Library Journal though, so it's worth picking up as well. ( )

When I saw the publisher’s description of Sticks & Stones, it sounded reminiscent of Janet Evanovich’s and Lisa Lutz’s novels. Sticks & Stones is the second book in the Cat DeLuca mystery series by K.J. Larsen. It works fine as a stand-alone novel, so no worries on not having read the first book.

To give you an idea of the writing quality, Book #1 in the series, Liar, Liar, was named one of 2010’s best mysteries by Library Journal. K.J. Larsen is actually the pseudonym for three sisters who are writing the series together. Normally I’m not thrilled about design by committee but in this case it not only works but it works very well. If you’re fond of mysteries series with wacky, offbeat humor then you’ll want to check this one out. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=2588. ( )

I can't say enough about Cat DeLuca, she is funny, and smart and quick on the take. She finds herself fighting to free her assistant Cleo who is up on murder charges for offing her sleazy ex-husband. There are too many people who want him dead but only one who did it. Meanwhile Cat is also trying to catch a slippery cheating husband with his pants down. I love this series reminds me so much of Stephanie Plum. I can't wait to see what Cat is up to next! ( )