Winning
the lottery can change your life. Just ask Kari Stuart, who won $5M
when she stopped at a convenience store to buy cat litter. That purchase
alone is a hint. Kari is an animal person. Although she has steadfastly
not allowed her sudden, unexpected wealth to go to her head. she
impulsively buys a run down animal sanctuary after discovering there is
simply no more room in the local animal shelter for even one adorable,
stray kitten. Dubbed Queenie, aka Queen Nefertiti, the kitten definitely
has a charm and way about her. She even seems to sense trouble even
before Kari discovers the dead body outside the fence to her kennel
area. And, uh, oh, it's the rude, hateful dog warden she had a loud,
public disagreement with only a few days before. Kari and her new
friends from the sanctuary, not to mention a charming vet she takes the
kitten to for a checkup, quickly bond and before you can say "meow",
they are in the thick of investigating. Seems the late dog warden wasn't
well liked and several had a reason to want him dead.
I won't
detail the plot as this one was released some time ago but will say that
there is a great deal to like about this book. Kari is instantly
likable. She's smart, hard working, feisty, and tends to think and plan
ahead. Well, aside from her impulsive purchase of the animal sanctuary.
You'll also find lots of good info on pet care, ranging from things like
needing to wear tough gloves to handle agitated dogs to the need for
extra strong fencing to confine some larger, stronger breeds and the
importance of regular vet checkups and vaccinations among other points.
So,
why was the dead man digging under her fence? Why did he want to buy
the property that he probably thought Kari snatched out from under him
given the former owners troubles with not just him but finances and
overcrowding? Will that initial trip to the vet with Queenie change
Kari's life? How about other single guys? How will she determine whether
it's her or her money people are most interested in? Why is the one
policeman in particular, so quick to seem to accuse Kari of murder? Will
Kari's brother be a help or hindrance? What magic does Queenie seem to
weave into Kari's life?
Bottom line, author Deborah Blake has a
winner in this series. I will definitely be following this series. It's
well written, flows nicely, and all the characters, well, aside from the
dead guy that so many seem to be happy is dead, are likable and seem
genuine. And, oh, yes, lots of adorable animals, with tiny Queenie
leading the pack. Makes me extra proud to say my own corgi mix is a
rescue as the need for more facilities and financing definitely has a
role in this particular book.
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