Review + GIVEAWAY: Crime and Catnip

Crime and Catnip
By T. C. LoTempio
A Nick and Nora Mystery #3
Berkley, 2016


Summary

Nick and Nora aren’t just pussyfooting around this time as they deal with a missing person’s case and murder.

While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown.

As Nora and her curious cat Nick pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him…

Includes delicious sandwich recipes!


My thoughts

With the title and handsome tuxedo cat pictured on the cover, Crime and Catnip is a book that called out to me, and I enjoyed it overall. Although #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, it can stand alone.

Crime and Catnip has several strengths – strong writing by T. C. LoTempio, lots of interesting characters, elements of international intrigue, a mystery that is complex and well plotted. And then there’s Nick, a smart tuxedo cat that steals the show! The story has certain cozy mystery elements, but feels more like suspense at times – resulting in a good blend of the two styles. I liked Nora and admired her determination and skill. There is some romance involved, although it doesn’t play a major part, and I’m glad to say there are no graphic scenes. The narrative held my interest and the final solution was a surprise.

There were a couple of things that I didn’t personally care for, but these won’t bother most readers. One is the psychic element brought in by a friend of Nora’s who owns a New Age shop. And secondly, the frequent use of mild profanity detracted from my enjoyment.

Overall, Crime and Catnip is an entertaining mystery.

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While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – and in Spring 2017, the new CAT RESCUE mysteries from Crooked Lane! She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them in various places below . . .

Rocco's Blog │ Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Goodreads

Purchase Links:  Amazon │ B&N

I was provided a free copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for a print copy of Crime and Catnip, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, December 12. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents