Cat Got Your Diamonds

September 19, 2016
Chase’s uneven series launch introduces Lacy Marie Crocker, the owner of Furry Godmother, a New Orleans pet boutique and bakery. When an intruder who acted strangely in her store earlier in the day attacks Lacy in her storeroom that night, she drives him off with a glitter gun. Hours later, Det. Jack Oliver accuses her of murdering the man, Miguel Sanchez, with her glitter gun. Unfortunately, Lacy’s only witness to Sanchez’s earlier behavior is Pearl Neidermeyer, a customer who was focused on tutus for her dancing dogs. Lacy’s financial backer, Mr. Tater, withholds funds until her name can be cleared, prompting Lacy to start her own investigation. Too many plot threads and improbabilities make this cozy less effective than it could be, but hopefully Chase will show a surer hand in future installments. Pet lovers will certainly appreciate the recipes for treats. Chase is the pen name of Julie Anne Lindsey (Murder in Real Time and two other Patience Price mysteries).

September 15, 2016
Returning to New Orleans signally fails to make life easier for the owner of a pet boutique accused of killing a man she's never met.Lacy Crocker's dad is old money, and her mom is new money. But she's pretty much no money and so must restart her life in her hometown after a failed engagement. Apart from emergencies, Lacy's too proud to let her parents help with her business venture, Furry Godmother, a store that carries the pet clothing and special treats she's designed. She's stuck instead depending on Mr. Tater, a middle-aged local businessman, as her patron and investor, though he's more interested in her bottom line than the unique vision she's trying to bring the area's wealthy pet owners. While Lacy's checking the shop one night after a string of local burglaries, she comes upon an intruder and defends the shop with the weapon of her trade: a glitter gun. Though she's certain she's more afraid of the attacker than he is of her, the next thing she knows, he's dead, and his body is being carted away, leaving her as the prime suspect. Getting grilled by Detective Jack Oliver is totally unfair, since Lacy is the wronged party, but Jack, as her parents insist on calling the detective, isn't quite sure Lacy is innocent. Now Mr. Tater is threatening to pull his funding unless Lacy's name is cleared, and she's stuck working with Jack to find out who the real killer is before she and her glitter gun are carted off to jail. Even though the privileged status of her leads may be hard to take, Chase, who's already published as Julie Anne Lindsey (A Geek Girl's Guide to Justice, 2016, etc.), puts her experience to good use in this well-crafted series kickoff.

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Starred review from November 1, 2016

Lacy Marie Crocker fled a broken relationship in Arlington, VA, and rebuilt her life in New Orleans by opening Furry Godmother, an upscale pet boutique on Magazine Street specializing in pet fashions and handmade, organic confections. When Miguel Sanchez is murdered with the glitter glue gun she uses on her doggie tutus, Lacy becomes Det. Jack Oliver's primary suspect. Fearful her business will crater if she can't clear her name, Lacy takes on an investigation of her own. She is determined to put the past in her rearview mirror and move on, helped by her mother's grudging support and her father's compassion, not to mention some romantic interest from Jack. Pet treat recipes at the end of the book are a bonus. VERDICT Leann Sweeney and Linda O. Johnston devotees will love this cozy debut and its charming, optimistic sleuth.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2016
Lacy Crocker is happy that she has a small-business investor for her Magazine Street pet boutique and organic-treat bakery. She left a fiance in Arlington, Virginia, with few assets and lots of student loans. An offensive customer returns late at night, and Lacy blasts him with her glitter gun before calling police. She learns that he was killed at the back door to her shop, and handsome Detective Jack Oliver thinks she killed him. Her investor does not want to be associated with the investigation, so Lacy uses the network she grew up with to find information. Detective Jack starts appearing wherever she is, especially after Lacy continues to chase clues, and there are break-ins at her house and store. Humorous scenarios fitting pets for costumes lighten the mystery. The banter between Lacy and the detective, plus the local New Orleans color, will delight readers. Fans of Miranda James may also enjoy this.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)