The Kitten Caper

Critters and Criminals #1.5

by Tara Lush

Returning to her hometown? Check.

Sisterly squabbles? Check.

Organizing the chaos in Wahoo, Florida? Ummm…

It’s Maggie Andrews’ first week back in her quirky hometown of Wahoo, Florida. She’s staying with her creative-yet-flighty twin sister Vera, who insists that the ghost of their dead, gator trapper father is haunting the family home. Maggie, a former zookeeper, prides herself on being a problem solver, not a woman who believes in half-baked theories. She sets out to prove her sister wrong, and doesn’t expect this to be the first obstacle she faces upon landing in the Sunshine State. But in the weird town of Wahoo, Maggie needs to be prepared for anything …

ebook

About the author

Tara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.

Reviews

[Erin Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, fluffy mystery novella. The title kind of gives it away. I feel like the novella is meant to get you interested in reading the full books, so it doesn't get very involved in Maggie and Vera's stories. Good if you want something short and light to read between novels.

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm [im]patiently waiting for the next Crescent Moon Inn Mystery to be released [June 1 everyone!] and I thought I would pick up this little prequel novella, The Kitten Caper, to tide me over. After reading this story, let's just say I have a new series to add to my "must read" list!

Maggie and Vera Andrews are trying to move on after their father passed away. Maggie has moved back home to support her sister, who is opening up a bookstore. Meanwhile Maggie will take over her father's gator trapping business. However, before all that can start, they have a little mystery on their hands. Vera thinks there is a ghost in the house, and Maggie sets out to investigate.

I had seen the first book in this series, Gator Queen, but haven't picked it up yet, when I saw that there was a prequel novella. Since I love reading books in order I picked up The Kitten Caper first and I just adored it! It was so cute and sweet, and the perfect introduction to this series. We learn all about Wahoo, Florida and the Andrews' twins. Plus a sweet, little "fluffy" mystery!

Being a novella, the mystery is fairly short and easy to solve. However, the reader gets just enough of a taste of Wahoo that they are bound to want to pick up Gator Queen like now! Speaking of me, I'm that reader!! If you enjoy Tara Lush's other mysteries, you need to be reading this series too! It's quirky and fun!

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Kitten Caper" by Tara Lush is the story of what happens before "Gator Queen (Critters & Criminals #1)" by Tara Lush. It's a super cozy mystery about twins Maggie and Vera moving back in together after the death of their father. They've had some odd things going on in the house. Doors opening and shutting on their own, things not being where they left them and a stuffed penguin being destroyed. On top of that, a girlfriend of their dad's comes out of nowhere to contest his will. Everything wraps up super cozy and gets you ser up for the official first book of this series.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute way to introduce us to the series to come and set the stage of “what happened before”. The mystery was cute, though not very mysterious. And the situation I thought was going to be A Big Deal wasn’t. Even though it produced some lovely sentimental moments as the sisters reminisced about their father’s life, I felt a bit let down by the build up that didn’t end up going where I thought it was going.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute cover!
I had been looking for this for awhile and couldn't find it, so it was a nice surprise. I love the Gator Queen series and this was just a sweet story.
I think I'm caught up with the author now though, and that makes me sad --- but there is a new book coming out next month and another at Christmas.

[Chili Diane Evance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two sisters back together under the same roof after their Father dies. Strange happenings after dark inside the house.
What could be causing that? They decide to see if they can find out. And get it done before one or both die from a heart
attack!