Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery

This sprightly series opener from LoTempio (Claws for Alarm and two other Nick and Nora mysteries) offers pure catnip for feline mystery fans. Ad exec Sydney McCall left New York City for her hometown of Deer Park, N.C., after finding her fiancé, the boss’s son, in bed with her secretary. In Deer Park, she quickly runs into a corpse—obnoxious Trowbridge Littleton, who recently vowed to close down Friendly Paws, the animal shelter run by Syd’s sister, Kat. With Kat high on the suspect list, Syd has to investigate a colorful roster of Littleton-haters. Cue the cute cop, Will Worthington, who doesn’t want interference from an amateur sleuth—even though he and Syd had a thing in high school. Who killed Littleton? How long until Syd and Will kiss? LoTempio spins the suspense, but what most distinguishes the book is Syd’s mystical connection with Toby, an unadoptable orange tabby. Who’s the rescuer, who the rescued? You needn’t be a cat person to get caught up in their drama. Agent: Josh Getzler, HSG Agency. (Mar.)