Marie Celine

**I received a copy of this upcoming book from Severn House via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review**


Gourmet Pet Chef Kitty Karlyle is finally seeing some success. Her new television show, The Pampered Pet, has 3 episodes completed and she's awaiting her first paycheck to help her ailing finances. According to her bestie and roommate, Fran, it isn't only Kitty's finances that are hurting. Her pets, Fred and Barney, are depressed. Following a trip to a pet psychologist, Kitty takes her pets and her friend on a vacation to a swanky pet spa. Her producer decides to film the next episode of The Pampered Pet on location at the Little Switzerland Resort and Spa for Pets. The trip goes downhill from there after another spa guest is strangled in his room, and Fran becomes the prime murder suspect.

Pet in Peril is the third book in the Pet Chef Mystery series. This is the first book in the series that I have read, but I was able to jump right in and enjoy without any trouble. The mystery is well-paced, with plenty of humor and quirky fun. With gourmet pet chefs and doggie psychologists in the mix, how can you not have a zany, good time?

I like Kitty Karlyle as a main character. She has an unusual job, but works hard to be able to continue doing what she enjoys. The supporting characters complement Kitty perfectly. I think Fran was my favorite character in this book. She is sassy and not afraid to voice her opinion, even when she's a murder suspect.

As with most cozies, the plot really isn't all that realistic, but I don't read cozy mysteries for a dose of real life. It's more fun to read about LA Celebrity pet chefs and murderous mayhem at an upscale pet spa. The cover art is absolutely darling -- what a cute dog!!

The mystery plot was a bit predictable, but fun. All in all, an enjoyable quick read! I will definitely be reading more of this series!

This book will be published by Severn House on December 1st. Pet lovers and cozy mystery enthusiasts will definitely enjoy this book!

Marie Celine is a psudonym for author Glenn Meganck. He also writes under the name J.R. Ripley. For more information on the Pet Chef books, check out Meganck's website: www.glennmeganck.com… (mere)

Lights, Camera, Murder! by Marie Celine is the second book in the Kitty Karlyle Pet Chef Mysteries. Kitty Karlyle is a gourmet pet chef in Los Angeles, California. She makes meals for the pets of the very wealthy and famous (she does meals for all types of pets including pigs). Kitty is getting ready (reluctantly) to film a pilot for a new cooking show called The Pampered Pet for CuisineTV at Santa Monica Film Studios. After filming the pilot, Kitty looks for the producer, Gretchen Corbett to see how she liked the show. Unfortunately for Kitty, she finds Gretchen face down in her office with one of Kitty’s knives in her back. Kitty is shocked at her discovery. Then the security guard comes along and thinks she murdered Gretchen (she is standing over the body). The police are called and one of them is Kitty’s fiancé, Jack Young. Kitty is a suspect and she does not like being in the hot seat. Kitty with the help of her new friend (and roommate), Fran Earhart (who is loud, flamboyant, and can be a wee bit annoying) sets out to find the killer. Kitty will have to work quickly before she is arrest for the crime or the killer decides she is a nuisance. Kitty also has to deal with her jealously of Jack’s new boss, Lt. Elin Nordstrom (a goddess according to Kitty). Can Kitty keep her fiancé from falling for another woman while keeping herself out of jail?

Lights, Camera, Murder! is the second book but it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a cute story, but a little too silly (and sometimes unbelievable) for me. For a reader who likes silly humor, this is the book for them. The mystery is child’s play to solve (the author gives it away). The writer tries to lead us on a merry chase on a search for the killer, but none of them make sense (or are logical). I wish the murder had not occurred so early in the book (it makes for a long book). There are a couple of references (ambiguous or incomplete) to the first book (Dishing Up Death) in the story, but they do not detract from the reading of the book. I did not like most of the characters (they are too over the top). Kitty is immature (and has a big jealous streak) for a business woman. I think the characters lacked depth. We are only given superficial information on the main people in the story. I give Lights, Camera, Murder! 3 out of 5 stars (it is okay). The idea is good, but the final product just needs a little more work.

I received a complimentary copy of Lights, Camera, Murder! from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.… (mere)