RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
MURDER UNEXPECTED (Kat and Mouse Mysteries #2) by Anita Waller is the second contemporary cozy mystery in this intriguing and entertaining trilogy. Each book has a unique mystery to be solved, but these books are best read in order due to the continuation of the main characters’ interactions and development.
This story picks up just a few months after the end of the first book, which has Kat, Mouse and Doris all waiting anxiously for the birth of Kat’s baby while being wary as Kat’s husband is still a fugitive. The three are being careful and vigilant as they work to grow their detective agency, Connection in the village of Eyam.
When a widow gives the ladies a case to identify the birth mother of her deceased husband something just does not feel right. Judith is not telling the whole truth. While others knew of her husband’s wish to find his birth mother before his cancer diagnosis, no one believes Judith is doing this out of love. When the ladies go to return her retainer and get out of the case, they find Judith murdered.
This murder leads to many twists and turns, with the ladies sharing information with DI Tessa Marsden and Hannah once again.
This second book in the trilogy was even more intense and emotionally riveting than the first. Kat’s continued personal upheaval with her husband, Leon ended with a surprise that was realistic, but I did not expect the author to go there. The murder mystery plot in this book also was not what I was expecting. It had so many twists and turns that drained me emotionally and yet were completely satisfying by its resolution. Ms. Waller has some very clever ideas when it comes to murder.
I love Kat, Mouse (Beth) and Doris. These are strong female characters you feel you want to meet in real life. DI Marsden and Hannah are also intelligent law enforcement characters. Wonderful writing brings these characters to life and the resolutions are clever and thought provoking.
I can highly recommend this book and am anxiously awaiting book #3 of the trilogy!
Thanks very much to Bloodhound Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.
