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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
The Case of the Crazy Cat Lady by Debbie De Louise is the first book in the Buttercup Bend Mystery series. Cathy is a dedicated resident in Buttercup Bend. When she is drawn into the murder of Maggie Broom – otherwise known as the town's own Crazy Cat Lady - she goes from cat lover to crime solver. Even more shocking than her death is the mystery of why Maggie left her inheritance to someone other than her family. Matters only grow more complicated when Maggie's family isn't pleased with the outcome and the local sheriff has reason to believe the killer was someone close to Maggie. Cathy isn't convinced the answer is that simple and this seems to be proven when another death occurs. She teams up with her close friend to find the truth before the killer can find her.
A delightful backdrop blends a bit of zaniness and endearment that pairs well with the charming name of Buttercup Bend. This immediately sets you up for a lighthearted and quirky story. Debbie De Louise crafts the dialogue to fit the tone with words like jiffy and spiffy. The story comes to life through Cathy and you'll love every second of sleuthing with her. Maggie is at the center of the mystery and the author does a splendid job of giving her a voice and presence in the story. You get a genuine sense of who she was which allows you to empathize with her and connect with her over her love of cats. This love of felines is immediately clear as her home is a haven for cat things with a knocker in the shape of a cat's head, cat plates, and even cat mysteries on the bookshelf. Through her estranged family members, you get an automatic list of suspects that Cathy digs into.
The story is aimed at cat lovers with different cats appearing throughout, such as Oliver and Boots. Oliver is the one seen most consistently with his presence used to add humor and to provide comfort with his snuggling and purring. You can see the love of writing in the type of details used, with a few referencing animals such as a hound-dog face, looking like lost sheep, and smiling a Cheshire-cat grin. Part of the charm of The Case of the Crazy Cat Lady is the writing style, humor, and love of cats which makes it the ideal read for cat lovers, and those that enjoy cozy mysteries and adore sassy female leads.
