by Kathleen Costa
This week we have reviews & giveaways of 2 fun Halloween related mysteries by Kathi Daley-Frankencat: A Whales & Tails Cozy Mystery & Seacliff High: The Haunting. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either a print or kindle copy of both books, and a link to purchase them from Amazon.
Frankencat: A Whales & Tails Cozy Mystery by Kathi Daley
Review by Kathleen Costa
A big storm! A lightening strike! The lights go out! The book club is plunged into darkness, so they decide to wait for the worse to pass, and when it seems safe enough, the group decides to head home. Closing up the Coffee Cat Books, Caitlin and Tara notice Paula’s car is still in the parking lot. It wouldn’t have been unusual for her to decide to get a ride from one of the other bookclub members…safety in numbers and all. But a cat, one of Tansy’s magical cats, races in the door sending Cait and Tara on the chase to get the cat out. Instead they find Paula, in the dark, behind some storage boxes, lying in a pool of blood, stabbed. “Call Finn.” No visible signs of forced entry, one victim, twelve suspects, and one cat named…Frank. Another mystery that after everything may be ‘another’ too many.
The subsequent investigation becomes very methodical as Cait, with the help from her friends and Frank the cat, maps out everyone’s location and movements before and after the lights went out. Pasting together everyone’s recollections a picture starts to…no, it’s still cloudy. Motives seem few, alibis are questionable, but nothing with big holes, and means? Well, the knife was right there.
Yeah, Kathi Daley! Another excellent adventure with a favorite series, Whales & Tails Cozy Mystery, has provided me a great afternoon of reading. This lucky thirteenth book may be a short read at 145 pages, but it is not short on excitement: Whispers of infidelity? Mental competency issues? Interesting motives, suspects with alibis, and a cat helping out? I know to newbies it might seem a bit off center to have a cat magically appear with the purpose of helping Cait solve the recent mayhem, but it works. It’s not a paranormal story no matter the unexplained feline appearance and ‘meows’ of discovery; it is just a clever literary tool to provide Cait with a unique way of discussing her discoveries and theories, and a way to explain how she winds up ‘in the right place at the right time.’ Tansy, the local witch (or that’s what people say), always provides a bit of insight, too, so Cait and the mystery cat get off on the right foot.
This story has Kathi’s signature realism focusing on issues many might identify with and very engaging as we are led on a well organized journey questioning…interrogating, the ladies of the book club systematically discovering suspicious behaviors, hidden notebooks and diaries, and keeping things up in the air until near the final chapter…you inner Sherlock is kept guessing. I love Cait, even though she is just a small business owner, she understands the limitations to her detective work and closely works with law enforcement. This again adds to the realism that Kathi brings to her work. Halloween prep, continued growth in the relationship between Tara and Sister Mary, and checking in on all the supporting characters play out in the background along with the signature delicious easy-to-follow recipes submitted by Kathi’s fans: Double Layer Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cinnamon Pancakes, Marie’s Gingersnaps, and Streusel Apple Pie. All perfect additions to your next book club gathering…sans the murder, of course!
Frankencat earns 5/5 Journal Entries and Suspects Galore!
Seacliff High: The Haunting by Kathi Daley
Review by Kathleen Costa
Life goes on…Alyson Prescott has returned to Cutter’s Cove, Oregon, after a scare her location and identity within the Witness Protection Program had been compromised and her life thought to be in danger. It seems to have been a false alarm, but, for the past four months, she has been having disturbing nightmares she’s afraid mean more. Seemingly unrelated to her sleepless nights, her friends hosting the annual Haunted Hayride are having problems with vandalism, and the popular cheerleader pleads for help with a potential stalker. Joined by her BFF1 Mac and BFF2 Trevor offering their support, even if it means exploring a dark and scary secret passage, Alyson senses great sadness leading her to believe a ghost needs her assistance, and despite hacking (you know teenagers, they know their computers) and interrogating several student aides and teachers, the stalker mystery may be more problematic. Then approaching Chan at Chan’s Occult Shop about her restless nights, she receives cryptic advice? Just another day in Alyson’s life…
Wow! Although first introduced in 2015 with Seacliff High: The Secret, I only recently became a big fan of Kathi Daley’s Seacliff High series: Secret identities, witness protection, and ghosts? Who wouldn’t be a fan of that! But, don’t be fooled by the fact that the characters are high schoolers, now seniors to be exact, they are not silly. And although high school angst (football games, boyfriend issues, final exams) do play a part, they are skilled, smart, and have enough independence from the adults that you almost forget they’re minors. Kathi weaves together with delightful entertainment the contemporary issues of a young lady being held incognito in Witness Protection shielding her from those who wish her harm and the paranormal events surrounding her ability to ‘see ghosts’ which she only acquired after arriving in Cutter’s Cove. Again, Kathi has succeeded to make Alyson’s story realistic and engaging, not juvenile hocus pocus: Stalkers? Skeletons? Spirits? Secrets? Super! Halloween fun to be sure!
These books are stand alones, so as a newbie, you can enter the series with any one of them, including this new release that I highly recommend. The ghostly mystery and often the additional more earthly investigation find an “Oh my!” conclusion, but the underlying worry over Alyson’s need for secrecy within the Witness Protection Program weaves through and will continue. If you like jumping into the deep end, you’ll be greatly entertained. If you like wading in slowly and getting all the background and character connections first, then you can read the previous six books quickly since they are all less than 250 pages. I greatly enjoyed this book, and you will, too!
Seacliff High: The Haunting earns 5+/5 Secret Passages, Secret Rooms, and a Ghost!
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To enter to win either a print or kindle copy of both of these books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Kathi Halloween,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 14, 2017. U.S. residents only for the print copy. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address. PLEASE STATE IN ENTRY WHETHER YOU WANT PRINT OR KINDLE.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I love Kathi’s books. Great review. Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win. musiqmom(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win! Love Kathi Daley. ??
Please enter me in the drawing for a print copy (I have the Kindle versions
I would love to win a kindle copy of The Haunting. I have already read Frankencat and loved it. Love all the series that Kathi writes. jawdance@yahoo.com
I love tha Halloween books by Kathi Daley.
I love Kathi’s other series, but have not read these….yet!!! they are on my to read list….
These books sound so so good. Love her books. If I win I would like the kindle editions.
I would love to read either of these she writes so good and I love the holiday books she puts out always puts me in the mood for whatever holiday. ptclayton2@aol.com
I love Kathi’s Whales and Tails series. I have read the first two and I fell in love with them. I also love the Zoe Donavon series too. I haven’t read the Seacliff High series yet. But I will.
Love Kathi’s books, Thanks for your generosity. I would love a print copy if I win, Thanks. lindamay4852@yahoo.com
I would absolutely love print copies of these books!!! My email is craig-kelley70@att.net Thank you for a chance to win some awesome books!
Thanks for sharing these books on your blog. They look great and I’d love to be entered to win print copies of them.
iamabho AT gmail DOT com
They both sound so interesting and fun to read.
Kathi Daley writes the best books. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.If I win, I would like print copies. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks for giveaway! E book .
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
I would love to win print copies. Thank you for the chance. Lamonicaks at gmail dot com
I love Halloween orientated plots…thank you for the review and I would like Kindle.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Love Kathi Daley’s books, thanks for the chance.
(mybeach52(at)yahoo(dot)com)
Kathi Halloween
Print or kindle, either is fine by me!!! Thank you for the chance
I would love to win print copy of these books. I love these series and share them with friends.
bobntoni@aol.com
Antonette Nyman
725 Hickory Lane
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Ms Daley is a new to me author and I would love to be able to read these books.
Love Kathi’s books! She never disappoints.
Print copy of books would be great.
redtweetypie@gmail.com
Sounds like a great book–I’d love to read it. It would be great to have an e-copy–thanks! Karamarks0463@att.net
I would love to win these books! What a great giveaway, thanks for offering these book.
Thanks,
sheryljeffries63@gmail.com
Kathi has great Halloween themed books. Would love a Kindle copy of Frankencat. Thankyou for the opportunity! minishoes(at)msn(dot)com
I’d love to win a Kathi Daley book. I don’t mind if it’s an e-book at all. I read print books but I also have a Kindle app on my Ipad. My email is somesmartcookle at aol dot com. Thanks for the chance!
PS it’s cookle, not cookie
Love Kathi’s books. Would love to read. Thanks for the chance.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Love your line, “keeping things up in the air until near the final chapter…you inner Sherlock is kept guessing.” That’s how I feel when I’m reading Kathi Daley’s books. They always keep me on my toes and unlike most mysteries, you don’t figure out “whodunit” right away. Whales and Tails is my favorite series and the one that happily led me to Kathi Daley’s books. Love Cait, Tara, and all the supporting characters, especially the cats and where they lead us in the stories. Tansy definitely adds to the mix and this story with a cat named Frank, (too cute) and a murder at a book club has to be an enjoyable read. Not to mention those yummy recipes!! And as you said,” Then there’s Seacliff High Kathi Daley’s Seacliff High series: Secret identities, witness protection, and ghosts?” Yes who wouldn’t love it and poor Allyson and those dreams… A page-turner for any age with those smart seniors!! Thanks, Kathleen Costa, I always enjoy your reviews and posts SO much!!
oh_bother88@hotmail.com
Both these books sound wonderful! Exactly the kind of books I love to read! Would be amazing to win a print copy!
Love All. Of Kathi s series. Thank you for the review and Giveaway!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
Love Kathi’s books, if I won I would love a print copy. Thanks for your generosity. lindamay4852@yahoo.com
nerdsrgood AT msn DOT com
I would like print please. Thanks for the chance to win,
Sally
BOTH OF THESE BOOKS SOUND GREAT. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE. WOULD LOVE TO WIN THE PRINT VERSION. calicolady60@hotmail.com
We have a winner!