Cat Got Your Diamonds by Julie Chase is the first book in the NEW “Kitty Couture” mystery series. Publisher: Crooked Book Lane, November 2016

Grandeur and opulence are everything in the famed New Orleans Garden District where pets are family and no bling is too big. Opening Furry Godmother, pet boutique and organic treat bakery, is Lacy Marie Crocker’s dream come true–until the glitter gun used to make her Shih Tzu tutus becomes a murder weapon. And Lacy becomes public enemy #1.

Now Detective Jack Oliver is hounding Lacy, and her Furry Godmother investor wants out before his name is tarnished by association. To make matters worse, a string of jewel heists with suspicious ties to the murder case has New Orleans residents on edge. To save her dream, Lacy must take a stand, put her keen eyes to work, and unravel what really happened at her shop that night. But can Lacy sniff out the killer cat burglar in time to get her tail-raising designs on the catwalk?

Witty and whimsical, Cat Got Your Diamonds, the first in a new cozy series by Julie Chase, will be the cat’s meow for fans of Rita Mae Brown and Miranda James.

This was a fun book to read and I enjoyed the mystery that was unfolded in this delightfully charming book. The author did a great job in giving us a step by step foray into the murder investigation when the lead heroine, Lacy, becomes the prime suspect. Beginning an investigation to clear her name, Lacy pokes her nose here and there and uncovers enough clues that also puts her in harm’s way. I like the pacing and the comfortable tone the author presented when describing the crux of this story. There were some laugh out loud moment as well as some interesting twists and turns that added to this lighthearted mystery that quickly became a page-turner because I had how this will all play out. Boasting a wonderful cast of characters, engaging dialogue and New Orleans as the backdrop, this was an entertaining read and I look forward to more fun times with Lacy and her friends. Bonus pet treat recipes are included.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.