REVIEW: Escape Claws

Escape Claws
Author: Linda Reilly

As a child, Lara Caphart spent a lot of time at her Aunt Fran's. She remembers the house was bright, her Aunt was happy, and a pan of brownies seemed to always be cooling on the stove top. Then after sixth grade, her parents moved, taking Lara with them. School, then College and being an adult took over....and it's been 16 years since she saw her beloved Aunt Fran. When her former BFF from grade school contacts her about a local businessman, Theo Barnes, threatening her aunt, Lara travels back to Whisker Jog, NH. Her aunt is in weak health and Lara is not going to let her be threatened by anybody. Lara isn't in town very long before she finds Barnes' dead body. Suddenly both her and Aunt Fran are being questioned and fingerprinted by the police. The case heats up when another body is found. Is it a suicide? Or another murder?

That's all I'm going to say about the plot. No spoilers from lil ol' me. :)

Escape Claws is the first book in the new Cat Lady Mysteries series. The story is definitely a great start to a new series! I thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters are small town quirky, but realistic. I liked the relationship between Lara and her Aunt. Even after 16 years apart, family is family. :) There is a little touch of supernatural to the story as well. Just a dab.....and it added a nice element to the tale. The mystery moved a bit slowly....but not too slow. Developments in the case were wrapped in character development since this is a beginning to a series. So, I didn't get impatient....I enjoyed the character's relationships and backgrounds as much as the mystery portion of the plot.

I will definitely be reading more of this series! Luckily I won't have too long to wait. The next book will be out in June 2018! :)

Linda Reilly also writes the Deep Fried Mystery series. For more information on the author and her books check out her website: http://www.lindasreilly.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**