Kathleen and her cats have a murder to solve, or least help with. Her friend Georgia has an unpleasant encounter with her former in-laws who have tracked her down despite her name change. Because the grandparents want custody of their granddaughter, Georgia is considering another run when her ex-mother-in-law is found dead. And Georgia is the prime suspect. Marcus, police detective and Kathleen’s boyfriend, warns her to be careful and not to interfere with the police investigation. But being Kathleen, she goes ahead with her own investigation anyway. This was an intriguing mystery. There are enough clues along the way for the astute reader to puzzle things out along with Kathleen. Included in the characters list is Marcus’s father who plays a key role. These delightful magical cats mysteries are always entertaining and a lot of fun. This one will leave readers wanting the next one for sure. ( )

Whiskers and Lies by Sofie Kelly is a charming cozy mystery. I like the characters in this series especially Kathleen. Her cats, Owen and Hercules are adorable and clever. I also like Marcus’s cat, Micah. The characters are developed and relatable. I love the interactions between Kathleen and her cats. They seem understand Kathleen and react appropriately. The cats and their antics (especially Hercules) add humor to the story. I like the descriptions of Mayville Heights. It is a town filled with friendly people who watch out for one another. The prankster and the pranks were entertaining. It added another mystery to the story. The main mystery was interesting and entertaining. Georgia Tepper moved to Mayville Heights a few years ago with her daughter, Emmy. She was running from her in-laws who were determined to gain custody of Emmy. Unfortunately, Margery and Hugh Wyler have found them, and they have not given up the fight. When Margery ends up dead, all evidence points to Georgia as the killer. Kathleen with help from her two feline sidekicks works to uncover the truth. I liked this mystery. It was different. There are clues to help readers solve the crime before the tense reveal. I like how Hercules and Owen help by finding clues and leading Kathleen to them. Their magical abilities are helpful (becoming invisible and walking through walls) when investigating a murder or facing down a killer. Kathleen knows that her cats have her back. Kathleen is good at asking questions without being aggressive or accusing. The reveal was tense and illuminating (there was a touch of humor too). Whiskers and Lies is the fourteenth A Magical Cats Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I did find the pacing to be a little on the slow side. I wish there had been more action. The book does contain a small amount of foul language (less than six words). I enjoyed the Halloween party planning and the descriptions of Georgia’s spooktacular cupcakes. The ending will surprise readers and will make fans of the series happy. Whiskers and Lies is a magical tale with appealing pranks, Halloween happenings, clever kitties, a murdered mother-in-law, delectable cupcakes, an alarming arrest, and an unexpected present. ( )

Book #14 in the cozy mystery series. There's nothing new or original here, simply a comforting mystery. If you like the rest of them you'll like this one. Once again, an unpleasant visitor is killed and one of Kathleen's friends is the primary suspect. As always, she starts asking questions and, with the aid of her cats, figures it out. Hercules--the tuxedo cat who can walk through walls--plays a major part in saving the day. A minor mystery is resolved, and a long-running plot thread reaches a turning point. ( )