Amazon asked for a review of a book and when I went to choose the number of stars as usual I found that according to Amazon "I like" is 4 stars. Well not to me. There are not enough stars as far as I am concerned. Three stars means I liked the book and will reread it. Four stars means it was really special and five stars is for unbelievably spectacular life changing books...like Lord of the Rings. So, I come back to Goodreads where I have been using my scale of stars and wondering if the authors are getting the impression I do not care for their books when the complete opposite is true. I really enjoy this series and Hamlet is a treat of a cat and I cannot wait to read the next one to find out about Reese and Connie. ( )

Another entertaining Bookshop Mystery. The writing is a little stilted in places but overall a fun read. ( )

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is interesting, enjoyable and suspenseful. The story is engrossing and engaging, and a little fun. I don't always like mystery books, but I enjoyed this one. ( )

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.

The 4th 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 the 4th 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. ( )