Monday, March 30, 2020

MIMI LEE GETS A CLUE by Jennifer Chow



Publisher:      Berkley 
Published:      March 10, 2020  
ISBN:      978-1984804990
Genre:     Cozy Mystery    
Format:     Print from Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FIVE HEARTS
 

Mimi Lee has just opened up her pet grooming salon, Hollywoof!  Located in the heart of Los Angeles and near Hollywood she hopes to be the groomer to the star’s pets.  At first business seems a tad slow, but the salon has after all, just opened.  As a grand opening gift to Mimi her sister, Alice, brings her a fluffy white Persian rescue kitty straight from the pound.  Being more of a dog person than a member of a cat’s staff she names the kitty “Marshmallow”.  After all, he IS fluffy and white like the tasty coonfection.  Not exactly enamoured of his name, Marshmallow is a decent guy and grudgingly accepts his name…but there is a twist to the furry feline.  He speaks.  He not only speaks, but he can read.  Despite her shock and surprise, Mimi rolls with it and comes to find out Marshmallow is actually quite the sleuthing partner which comes in handy when Mimi stumbles upon a dead body.  Even more so when Mimi becomes suspect No. 1.

Jennifer Chow is a new to me author but she’s quickly moved to the top of my favorite author list.  I have to admit I was drawn to MIMI LEE GETS A CLUE because I had a fluffy white Persian named Marshmallow although I called him Mel.  And while he didn’t speak quite the way Marshmallow does, he, like most cats, communicated his wants and needs quite clearly. 

Chow treats her readers to a well told mystery along with some cultural education and a dose of laughs. Mimi is a great character.  She’s smart, compassionate and finds ways to balance her family with her business and friends.  And given her mother, who is a character in and of herself, that balance is essential.  I loved her mom!  Unlike other stories where the mother trying to matchmaker her daughter get annoying, Mimi’s mom is a hoot!  I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. 

We are treated to a solid array of suspects and I have to admit that each one in turn sure seemed like the one who done it. 

Chow also takes readers into the world of puppy mills and corrupt breeders and balances those horrors with how a good breeder cares for their pets.  I hurt for the sick and injured puppies in the story – SPOILER SPACE – They all turn out just fine with happy homes. 

Once I started reading Mimi Lee Gets a Clue I couldn’t put it down.  It’s a read with something for animal lovers and cozy mystery fans everywhere. 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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