Showing posts with label Blaize Clement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blaize Clement. Show all posts

Sunday, September 9, 2012

The Cat Sitter's Pajamas

Title: The Cat Sitter's Pajamas

Author: Blaize Clement aka Lee Silvey aka Elizabeth Clement

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Dixie Hemingway Mystery, Bk 7

ISBN: 9780312643133

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

This was one of my ever lingering library books, but I finally settled on it as my next read because of the adorable cover. 

Regarding the actual content, I didn't feel Dixie had as much of her pet sitting in this one.  Oh, she still did her rounds, but the book felt more about everything else going on than about the pets.

For the mystery itself, I didn't figure out who the victim or murderer were, but I did know early on (MUCH earlier than Dixie) how a suspect knew so much about the owner of house in which the murder occurred and why Dixie's house what searched by mysterious criminals (well, kinda - I figured what they were looking for but not why).  Anyway...

Blaize Clement passed this past year, and I've heard her son intends to take up the series.  I'll have to see how it goes.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Traipsing through my readings... (Can you tell I'm running out of titles?)

Flipped Out (Do-It-Yourself Mystery, Bk 5) by Jennie Bentley (library copy) - This was another enjoyable DIY book despite Derek sometimes being dense to the point of annoying.  I'm looking forward to whatever comes next in the series.

Handbags and Homicide (Haley Randolph Mystery, Bk 1) by Dorothy Howell (library copy) - I was really worried about this book.  I didn't think I'd be able to connect with Haley and her shallowness.  Somehow, though, I not only liked her (and she certainly can be shallow - not to mention LAZY and a bit arrogant), I couldn't wait to read the next installment.

Purses and Poison (Haley Randolph Mystery, Bk 2) by Dorothy Howell (library copy) - I was eager to read more of Haley's story.  At times in this one I thought she was delusional about her "somewhat' boyfriend.  And as for the mystery, she should have been more forthright from the beginning (of course, then the story wouldn't have been what it was).  I look forward to more.  I should be getting the 3rd book, Shoulder Bags and Shootings, as soon as it's returned and I already have book 4, Clutches and Curses, checked out and waiting.

Lost and Fondue (Cheese Shop Mystery, Bk 2) by Avery Aames (library copy) - I liked this one better than the first in the series.  I have absolutely no interest in the cheese part of these, but I am interested in what will happen next with the characters.

Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons (Dixie Hemingway Mystery, Bk 6) by Blaize Clement (library copy) - I like this series, but Blaize Clement always had to include something to irritate me.  This time it was Dixie's dreamworld in which everyone drank water with birth control chemicals until she approved of them and gave the antidote.  Grrr.  Otherwise, it was an enjoyable book with a decent amount of suspense.

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich (personal copy) - This was the first romance I've read by Janet Evanovich.  It was a quick, light read.  I liked the main characters.  Some of the smaller characters made an appearance then were shoved off until needed later.  And the ending was somewhat abrupt, but okay.  Overall, I enjoyed it.

"The Clever Detective" by Linsey Lanier (free e-book short story through Sony ReaderStore [also available through Smashwords]) - Very cute, very fun.  I'm definitely going to have to read more by Linsey Lanier.

Tempest in the Tea Leaves (Fortune Teller Mystery, Bk 1) by Kari Lee Townsend (library copy) - I was cautious going in this because books with psychic protagonists can be preachy, and I don't care to be pushed when I'm trying to enjoy a book.  Fortunately, that wasn't a problem with this book.  Sunny could be a bit air-headed (blurting out details in front of people she's trying to get information from and giggling way too much), but she was still likable.  I didn't like the lead detective as much, but he wasn't bad.  Sunny's parents were annoying, but took huge breaks between scenes, so tolerable.  In fact, my only real complaint would be the nickname Detective Mitch Stone gives Sunny - Tink.  Tink is what Derek calls Avery in the DIY cozy mystery series.  I would have preferred a more original nickname be used for Sunny (if any).

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof


Title:
Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof

 Author: Blaize Clement aka Elizabeth Clement aka Lee Silvey

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Copyright Date: 2008

Print Date: January 2009

ISBN: 9780312369552

Pages: 275

Series: 4th in the Dixie Hemingway Mystery series

Book Description (from dust jacket):

Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter introduced a winning sleuth in Florida pet sitter Dixie Hemingway, and the next books in the series, Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund and Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues, firmly established author Blaize Clement as a new star amongst mystery fans. Now Dixie Hemingway, no relation to you-know-who, is back in this fourth riveting installment.

When Dixie meets Laura Halston, a newcomer to Siesta Key, she recognizes a kindred spirit and believes she's found a new friend. Disarmingly beautiful, Laura confesses that she's in hiding from an abusive husband. Later, when Laura receives threatening phone calls, Dixie is certain the husband is the culprit.

But the more Dixie learns about Laura, the less certain she is about anything...and then matters turn deadly. As she tries to understand Laura's past, Dixie is forced to acknowledge things about herself that she has never faced before.

Fast paced and gripping, Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof is everything Blaize Clement's many fans have come to expect.

Comments:

I've been waiting to read this one for a while, and ended up checking it out from the library. Unfortunately, I don't remember much about the first three books in this series except that I enjoyed them (for the most part) and that Dixie and, I presume, Blaize are majorly-anti-declawing (written in such a way that made me rather angry, but I'm getting off-topic...).

So I knew that unless Blaize discussed the declawing thing again (thankfully, she didn't), I would enjoy this book. It was a nice quick read.

My only question, and maybe I'm just not too bright, is what the title is referring to. The Cat Sitter part is obvious. But Hot Tin Roof? Huh? I've got to be missing something so simple.