Leann Sweeney

The Cat, the Vagabond and the Victim is the sixth in Leann Sweeney's Cats in Trouble series. It's a media circus in Mercy. Clyde the cat traveled over 200 miles to get home only to discover his former owner dead. Jillian Hart agrees to foster the famous tabby in hopes of diverting some media attention and the chaos it's creating. There's something that doesn't add up about Clyde's owner's death. Why would a man who was already dying from a terminal illness be murdered?

This continues to be show more an enjoyable cozy mystery series. The new characters introduced as part of the new plot are all annoying and fairly unlikable. Jillian did her best to play nice with everyone which I think was unfortunate as some of these people could have used a serious talking to. The mystery plot was well done as always. I managed to guess the main motivation while still being surprised by the final reveal. show less

The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret is the seventh in Leann Sweeney's Cats in Trouble series. Finn, Tom's stepson, has fallen in love with a cat from Mercy's Animal Shelter. Turn's out the tortoiseshell is quite an escape artist, having snuck out of the shelter several times, always bringing back a trinket to commemorate her escape. Most recently she was found with an antique locket, one partially covered with blood... Jillian and Tom are on the case.

This cozy mystery really hit the spot! I show more enjoyed meeting the new characters, even if some of their stories were heartbreaking, and of course I was absolutely charmed by little Magpie. For once I even had the suspect narrowed down to the correct person, even though I had the motivation all wrong. Jillian and Tom's relationship has progressed nicely. And that ending, it may have been a tad dusty while I was reading. show less

The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon is the fourth in Leann Sweeney's Cat's in Trouble series. These cozy mysteries continue to charm me. I love all the characters, human and furry! This time around we get to learn more about Tom's past, one that he's been hesitant to share until now.

Jillian has just returned home from a week long arts and crafts show when she discovers her friend Tom missing. He's not answering his phone, his car is gone and there's a stranger claiming to be his brother staying show more in his house! Jillian doesn't trust the guy, especially since he allowed Tom's diabetic cat to escape. It's not long before Tom shows up on Jillian's doorstep looking like he came out second best in a fight. Just as he's trying to explain what happened to him, Mercy PD finds Tom's car wrecked and with a dead passenger inside. Who is this stranger, why was he in Tom's car and who killed him? Jillian must find out what kind of trouble Tom's gotten himself into and get to the bottom of it quickly.

Turns out it's quite a tangled mess Tom has, one that will take some sleuthing to unravel. The story is fast paced and the reveals keep coming. The mystery was more complex than in previous installments. Sweeney used enough misdirection that I guessed wrong on who the killer was. The new characters introduced are interesting. Tom's family is a group of unpleasant individuals, his stepson excluded. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of his stepson in the future. There is also a bit more romance in this one as Jillian finally admits she cares deeply for Tom and they begin to show it. It was another satisfying read. show less

I am loving this series and I felt this second book was even better than the first. I love how Leann Sweeney is bringing in both cat and quilting facts into the storyline and doing it flawlessly. The story is told in the first person. Jillian finds at least 50 mistreated cats. Now while this is not a pleasant subject, Leann presents it without too much ugliness. The cats were found at the home of a professor who is later found dead. His family arrives into town, consisting of his ex-wife, show more her boyfriend and 2 sons. When Jillian is attacked in her own home, her best friend policewoman Candace comes and lives with Jillian to protect her. Kara, Jillian's stepdaughter, also shows up unexpectedly. The two have not spoken since Jillian's husband's death. The main plot is figuring out the killer, but I also like the introduction of Kara to Jillian's life and of course, Tom who wants to be closer to Jillian than just a friend show less