K. J. Larsen

The similarities between K.J Larson's Cat DeLuca Mysteries and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series are impossible to deny. Though Cat may be a PI instead of a bounty hunter, she has her very own Ranger (Max) and Morelli (Chance), a colleague who wears inordinate amounts of lycra (though Cleo cooks instead of eats), a family of gun toting crazies and a mother who laments her daughter's choice in career and marital status. Cat even has a tendency to destroy cars and her targets are often show more nude.

Don't get me wrong though, the similarities are not a bad thing, Sticks and Stones is fast paced, funny and entertaining caper. Cat DeLuca is a fun character, the owner of Pants on Fire Detective Agency dealing mainly with suspicious wives and cheating husbands but has the uncanny knack of ending up in the middle of murder cases. In Sticks and Stones it is her assistant, once a former client, Cleo who is accused of murdering her husband and it's up to Cat to prove her innocent. Luckily Cat has lots of back up, her father, brothers and various uncles are cops, her boyfriend is an FBI Agent, she is connected to a current and ex-spy and then there are a few family friends on the wrong side of the law. Keeping Cleo out of jail is more complicated that Cat expects even though there are plenty of people with the motive to have wanted Walter dead, and if she is not careful she will wind up in the frame as well. In between investigating Walter's past, Cat has cheaters to chase, a bridal shower to throw and a wedding to attend.

I enjoyed Sticks and Stones, it's a lighthearted cozy mystery with a solid plot, appealing characters and a great sense of humour. Though the second in the series, it works as a stand alone. The first book, Liar, Liar was named one of 2010’s best mysteries by Library Journal though, so it's worth picking up as well. show less

I enjoyed the breezy, humor-tinged style, but occasionally the well crafted prose was repetitious. Certain words or turns of phrase stood out due to a few too many uses. I also have a little trouble with a humorous voice imposed on life and death situations. One moment the MC is sick to her stomach after witnessing a killing, but is able to crack a joke a few minutes later.

I also felt the plot strayed into a secondary plot for too long. After a few chapters of the subplot, I suspected it show more would somehow tie into the main plot, but was resolved separately with no affect on the main plot.

A quality detective mystery, just not going on my top ten list this year. show less

In Larsen’s mystery novel, P.I. Cat DeLuca and her new partner, Cleo, try sneaking Cleo’s beloved dog back from her ex, only to find Walter dead. What makes this worse, Cleo was caught on tape threatening him. Taking the case, Cleo soon discovers that Walter’s multiple blackmail victims all have motives and opportunities to do the deed. To solve the case, Cat must bring all four of the victims together and pit them against each other to find the truth.

Another great addition to the A show more Cat DeLuca Mystery series. show less

Publication date: September 2010

Editor's note: As a Chicago girl, I read novels set in the windy city with a keen eye. As such, I was skeptical of K.J. Larsen’s Liar, Liar. Not only was it set in Chicago, but it played on a clichéd jingle: "Liar, liar, pants on fire. Hangin’ on a telephone wire." But K.J. Larsen firmly nails one face of the city; moreover, she does it with a spirit that readers of Janet Evanovich and Lisa Scottoline will love.

Review: Cat deLuca's antics are pretty funny show more in the first book of this new series by the sisters Larsen. From her Dr Pepper Lip Smacker to her repeated sightings of the same dead man to her Pants on Fire Detective Agency and her four-legged partner, Inga, I enjoyed the fast paced story and the twists and turns along the way. Fans of Stephanie Plum should make way for this zany new female detective.

I laughed aloud at the hardened criminal that twisted his Starburst wrappers into bows (Who hasn't done that?) and at the funeral for Dorothy. I can't wait to see what adventures await Cat in the next installment.

On the negative side I felt there were too many characters. show less