Romeow and Juliet
(Whales and Tails Mystery Book 1)
Cozy Mystery
Setting: Island off Washington State
Paperback: 204 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1503015487
E-Book ASIN: B00OYAGHN6
Romeow and Juliet is the first in a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt’s oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn’t working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.
In the first installment to the series Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.
Meanwhile, Romeo, as stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am a late arrival to the Kathi Daley party. I see all her books on Facebook and have helped her promote a few of them but she writes and published so fast that for someone like me that likes to read series books in order it would take me awhile to catch up. When I saw she was debuting a new series I knew it was my chance to get in on the festivities.
Caitlin Hart is a character I can identify with immediately. She loves animals just like I do and she takes it to a whole new level by helping her aunt run the Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. She is working to open a coffee and bookstore with her best friend, Tara, that will also feature cats for adoption. She also has a dog of her own that goes almost everywhere with her.
In addition to Cait, her aunt and Tara the island has a wonderful group of very interesting residents, including 2 very special felines, Romeow and Juliet who seem just destined to be together.
While Cait and Tara are checking out the place that will become home to Coffee Cat Books they make a shocking discovery that may set back their plans for quite some time.
Kathi Daley has given us everything needed for a great cozy mystery. A small island setting, wonderful human and animal characters, small town politics and issues facing big town outsiders and a very “cativating” whodunit too!
I think I read this story in record time and then quickly downloaded book #2, The Mad Catter
Kathi Daley is the author of the Zoe Donovan Mysteries, Tj Jensen Paradise Lake and now the Whales and Tails Mystery series.
Come for the murder, stay for the romance.
Kathi lives in the beautiful alpine community of Lake Tahoe with her husband Ken and dog Echo. When she’s not writing she enjoys hanging out on the beach with her children and grandchildren. During the summer she enjoys hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, wakeboarding, and sunset cruises on the lake. During the winter she enjoys cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and curling up by a fire with a good book.
Kathi uses her mountain home as inspiration for her books, all which include appearances by the wildlife she shares her life with.
Visit Kathi on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books, and on Twitter @kathidaley.
She also has a website, www.kathidaley.com, where she shares photos of her mountain home as well as recipes featured in her books.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Another awesome series by Kathi Daley! I found her about 6 months ago and have read all of her books! Love!
I just finished reading The Mad Catter and I loved it. Now I need to go back and get this one so that I will be ready for March.
Yes, Kathi Daley is a fast writer and I too have trouble keeping up. I am going to try to do that though.
My favorite author!!!!!!
This book sounds wonderful. As a ‘cat mystery’ writer, it’s right up my alley. Congrats.
I would read the book for the setting! I love the area.
Sounds like a great series. Love the cover and title.