by Diana Hockley

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Kimberlee Clarke is astonished when she receives a letter from her Grandmother Lassister in Texas. Even more astonishing are the contents: Grandma is considering who to give her horse ranch to after she dies. The inheritor has to manage the ranch the same way as Grandma’s late husband would have.

Kimberlee is not keen to travel there—she is suffering severe headaches—but when the doctor tells her that they are the result of stress, husband Brett suggests they visit Grandma. Thumper, Kimberlee’s black cat, is also invited, as is Kimberlee’s friend, Dorian, who turns out to have received an identical letter from Grandma. Unknown to Kimberlee, Dorian is her cousin!

Kimberlee, Brett, their five-year-old-daughter, Amanda, and Thumper set out, accompanied by Dorian and her dog, Sam.

Upon arrival at their grandmother’s place, Kimberlee feels uneasy, although there appears to be no reason for her feelings. Grandmother is exactly what she purports to be, but Kimberlee is right be uneasy—Granny has a hidden agenda.

The hired hand, Harold, and his wife, and Grandma’s lawyer, Wilbur Breckenbridge, are as thick as thieves. Nanny, hired by Grandma to look after Amanda, is a rigid, scary woman. Something is not right…and the visitors soon discover some highly irregular dealings which could very well lead to murder.

Thumper is delighted to meet Noe Noe, Grandma’s Burmese cat, and Sam is just glad to be on the fabulous ranch.

The writing is energetic, the plot intricate and plays out satisfactorily, as does the ending. I enjoyed this cozy—not the least because of the cats, Thumper and Noe Noe. The characters of Kimberlee, Brett and Amanda are well shown and charming, Dorian is a little less so but her dog, Sam, is sweet.

Five stars!

To enter to win an ebook copy of Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Lethal,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 29, 2014. U.S. residents only.

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Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL!

Diana Hockley is an Australian mystery author who lives in a southeast Queensland country town. She is the devoted slave of five ratties & usually finds an excuse to mention them in her writing, including her recent novel, The Naked Room. Since retiring from running a traveling mouse circus for 10 years, she is now the mouse judge for the Queensland Rat & Mouse Club shows. To learn more, check out her website.