Peruse Plot Boiler (Black Cat Bookshop Mystery, #5) Documented By Ali Brandon Released As Ebook

the story, but it reminded me of my all time favorite The Cat Who series with KoKo doing the yell, and pushing books off the shelf.
The whodunnit mystery solving team of local bookstore owner Darla amp her somewhat internet famous cat Hamlet are at it again, This time two women that were previous ballerinas are found dead after the Fourth of July Block Party, Is it a serial killer, a love triangle, jilted lover, or something more nefarious, . . All is sorted in the end with the killers brought to justice but Detective Reese is still engaged!! With only one more book written in this series I hope everything amp everyone has a nice tidy ending! We shall see.
. . onward valiant kitty mystery lovers! I am liking this series a lot, But I only have one more book left in the series then it is on to the next series, I am in such a cozy mystery mood, I started this book in late August and finally finished an almostpage book! I had previously read the last book in this series and had really liked it, but this one, unfortunately was a slowgo.
The murder finally took place just after page, so almost a third of the way through, I was familiar with all the main characters, which a was a reason for me to read this one, I just didn't care for the plot, or the fact that Darla Pettistone, the main character, is always so annoyed with Hamlet, her large black cat, who has a knack for tossing clues her way so she can help solve the murder.
This plot revolved around a Fourth of July block party, and after reading about the meetings, and fighting between the store owners trying to arrange the party, it finally happens, along with not one, but two murders toward the end.
After more details that don't really relate to the murders or point toward possible suspects, this story finally reaches its conclusion, I cannot recommend this book, and I am just happy that I finished it in midDecember! Another adventure of amateur sleuth Hamlet and his bookstoreowner mistress, Darla Pettistone.
As always, all characters are introduced and 'the stage set' before anything untoward happens well, crimewise anyway, And, upon reflection, the title picture is involved in the resolution at the end, . . with the usual and unexpected twist, of course,
Ali Brandon does have a knack to draw her readers into the tale she spins literally from beginning to end, There are recurring characters that are reintroduced in a manner that is not repetitive to those following the series, but is enough for newcomers at the same time.
The plots come thick and fast, and are 'meaty' to match, and make good sense on top of it all, Absolutely fantastic! Darla and Hamlet, once again on the case, This time it's not one, but TWO murders being investigated, and I was really impressed by the sleuthing this time around, I hadn't guessed the identity of the killer at all, because you only get the most subtle of hints, I really enjoyed the coffee aspect of the novel too, because one of my loves is coffee, I won't say I'm a coffee snob, because I enjoy a good caramel latte as well as a strong Italian brew, so my tastebuds are indiscriminate.
I do limit myself slightly though, thecoffee at my work isn't the greatest, haha!

Still, I would really like to see a bit more of Darla selling books.
She's always gallivanting around the neighbourhood while Robert and James pick up the slack, C'mon Darla, do some work already! Then there is the almost romance aspect I want something concrete here, Both Darla and another of my favorite literary sleuths are single and ready to mingle so I need one of them to go for happily ever after what can I say I'm a romantic at heart but this two things are the exceptions.
Who knows where the next book will lead Speaking of, I can't wait to read it, it will be going straight on my preorder list as soon as it's announced.


Great series, another five star read! I thought this was going to be a great addition to the series, It started well enough but I was disappointed that the ending depended on the main character loosing all common sense, I was practically screaming at the book the last two chapters for how bad it had become, Definitely one of the better cat cozy series, Most small business owners can identify with the need to boost slumping sales, but very few are willing to take on a block party.
Already struggling with noshow bands, emo replacements, and a grumpy neighbor, Darla is nearly undone when the bodies start turning up, Fortunately, Darla has her friends, employees, and cat Hamlet, to help out, A nice installment in the series with comic touches to enliven the mystery and hint at more character development in future installments, Darla is busy organizing a Fourth of July block party, along with help from other shop owners in her neighborhood, Things are going smoothly except for the lone holdout, the owner of a coffee shop who feels that Darla's newlyinstalled coffee bar in her bookstore is competition.
When Hamlet discovers the man's wife dead, and another local business owner is found dead the following day, the police initially rule it a murdersuicide.
However, Darla and Hamlet aren't so convinced, It's up to them to find the clues that will out a killer before anyone else dies,

The story was entertaining and moved at a good pace, If I had any complaints, it was that the first murder didn't take place until almost a third of the way through the narrative, and there was a minor loose end or two that never got resolved.
The story featured some surprising twists, although I was on to the killer long before anyone else, Fun series with enough elements of friendship, business and mystery to keep you interested, While it is hard to relate to a Big City block party, author explains all the elements of theth of July business party with karate and dance troupe.
There is no clues to the killer, unless you count the cat's instinct, Only gavedue to the introduction at the very end and the incredulity of the heroine trusting a stranger at the end of the book.
This visit to Pettistone Bookstore is another fun read, Darla is holding the package high out reach of Hamlet who jumps high and gives big blow, The package goes flying around and hits the ground, Hamlet is on fast before Darla can react, She is the Organizer of theTH JULY Shops celebration, While event is happening Hamlet finds the body of one of the owners, What is Hamlet trying to tell Darla and does it effect theth Celebration The subplots merge into one easily, PLOT BOILER is an example of how a series can get better and better with each installment,

Ill admit that the first Black Cat mystery, DOUBLE BOOKED FOR DEATH, was not my favorite book, Therefore I wondered if Id ever care for the series, Author Ali Brandon has really grown this series into a solid one, I just love the addition of the coffee bar to the bookstore, Its exactly what was needed, PLOT BOILER is the best installment to date,

Ms. Brandon keeps the action going in this story with not one, but multiple deaths, The story is fast paced and wonderfully plotted, A whodunit that kept me guessing, and a finale that I never saw coming,

Im looking forward to the next tome author Brandon has brewing for us!
Plot Boiler is the fifth book in the A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series.


Darla Pettistone is back in her bookshop and is very pleased with the remodeling that took place while she and her black cat, Hamlet, were in Florida.
As is Robert, her teenaged clerk, who is now the stores Barista,

Theth of July is just around the corner and Darla, with the help of some of the other shop owners are planning a block party to celebrate theth and hopefully to promote their shops and generate additional revenue for everyone.
But George King, owner of Perky's Coffee Shop, is disgruntled about Darla's coffee bar, claiming that is hurting his business, Darla, having overheard some young ballet students of Penelope Winston's dance studio, talking about a “special blend” coffee that Perky's is selling, As the block party is about to wrap up Darla is heading to Perky's to confront them about the possbile illegal substance in their special blend coffee, but instead finds George King's wife is lying dead at the entrance to the shop.
Later the body of Penelope Winston is found dead,

With the help of her good friend and PI, Jacqueline “Jake” Martelli, Darla is off investigating before any more shop owners meet their

demise.


As in the previous books James, her store manager, is back to do what he does best, manage the store and give Darla the find to sleuth.
Hamlet continues to provide Darla with clues and ends up saving the day, Also Darla gets some disturbing news about Reese, the hunky detective that she likes to have little interest in,

Will be watching for the next book in this series, This is fast becoming one of my favorite series, Love the characters and storylines, I enjoyed the local town setting and Hamlet the cat, Nice cozy mystery. The New York Times bestselling author of Literally Murder returns to Pettistones Fine Books, where the silence of Hamlet the cat speaks volumes about two mysterious deaths

Its almost Fourth of July, and to boost customer traffic in their Brooklyn neighborhood, bookseller Darla Pettistone decides to throw a block party.
All the local shop owners are thrilledexcept the proprietor of Perkys Coffee Shop, who thinks Darla is trying to poach his customers by selling her own caffeinated brew in her new bookshop café.


But when Hamlet comes upon the owners notsoperky wife, its clear a killer has crashed the party, And when a second local business owner shuffles off this mortal coilas Hamlets namesake would sayDarla and her curious cat must perform some fancy footwork to shine a spotlight on a secret worth killing for Dropping one star because Jake is back to calling Darla "kid" again.
It's condescending and not an appropriate way to speak to someone who is supposed to be your friend as well as your landlord, even if she is younger.


The rest of the story was great, however, My biggest gripe is something that probably wouldn't bother everyone, Early in the book, it's mentioned that anyone seated next to the dumbwaiter can hear everything being said on the other floor, Yet everyone is having private conversations next to the dumbwaiter as if they had never been told that, It was a dead giveaway that this was going to play an important role, As for the rest, I knew who the killer was as soon as the story mentioned a dancer missed an important audition because she got sick.
And I bet I know why she was so concerned about retrieving that vape pen, I'm surprised Darla didn't get that hint because Hamlet was clearly trying to tell her something,

I'm a little bummed that there's only one book left in this series, "I don't know what they say here in Brooklyn, but back home in Texas, they call it crawfishing on a deal, "

Darla is back in the bookstore after her trip to Florida with Hamlet in the last book, The renovations have been completed and the new coffee bar is up and running with Robert as the barista in residence, Darla is planning a block party for theth of July to boost sales for her fellow shopkeepers, Perky's Coffee Shop owner, George, is miffed with Darla because he thinks she is horning in on his business and passes the event planning to his wife.
The block party goes off as planned with a few irritations such as the featured band backing out, Darla feels the need to confront George about a "special blend" he is selling after hearing some dance students discussing it, Instead, she stumbles upon the body of George's wife at their shop door, A few hours later, the body of the dance studio is found in her studio, Darla along with her PI friend, Jake and of course Hamlet strike out to find the killer,

This series gets better with each book, I love Hamlet's attitude! His subtle or not! method of giving Darla clues is so incredibly feline that you just know that Ms.
Brandon lives with a cat or two, James is his usual scholarly self and Robert is really coming into his own, Jake and Darla have a truly great friendship, I enjoy seeing them work together for a common goal, We meet some new characters that I hope will be back in future books, Particularly Pinky. Her band "saved the day" when the scheduled entertainment cancelled,

There are always twists and turns, I think I know exactly who the culprit is and everything changes, Excellent addition to the series and I look forward to catching up with everyone at Pettistone Books soon, .