Full disclosure. I used to love a good cozy mystery, but for some reason, I moved away from them over the past couple of years. I still read the occasional one and enjoy them every time, but they just don’t hold my attention the way they used to.
Until this book.
Right from the start I knew that I was going to really like Pip (short for Epiphany). Her initial reactions to her mom’s phone calls gave immediate insight into Pip’s frame of mind, which was totally relatable.
It also showed that Pip handled frustrating situations with a sense of humor, which I really appreciated. It was nice to have a heroine who, even when desperate for a job, could keep her wits about her and crack jokes.
Which leads me to the other characters.
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There’s Mummy, who we get a clear picture of because Pip has a unique ringtone for her. There’s also Pip’s cat, Most, probably one of the funniest “pet acquisition” stories and the cleverest name I’ve come across.
And then there’s Pip’s sister Flis (short for Felicity) who is in a class of her own. It took me a few beats to understand her, but once I did, well…let’s just say that Mrs. Malaprop has a descendant, and her name is Flis.
I laughed out loud over just about every one of Flis and Pip’s conversations. There was extremely clever writing and the plot points that came out of them were unique and interesting.
If you couldn’t tell, the authors are skilled at word play and have an amazing command of the language.
Then there is the case itself. I liked how Pip came on the job (not going to give it away) and I liked how the entire thing unfolded. It kept me entertained and interested all the way through.
Sometimes cozies stretch the realm of believability – everyday person has uncanny ability to solve crime. That’s not the case with Pip.
She uses what she knows, and she turns it to her advantage. For example, she figures out a few pieces of the case based on her love for pop culture, reading gossip magazines, and scouring Instagram.
Think of it as a cozy for 2020.
I’ll be honest, I’m not always a fan of pop culture and the digital age but it worked for me in this book, especially because the writing was clever. I mean, to make a joke about alliteration using alliteration? I think I’m in love.
Consider me a fangirl, avidly awaiting additional adventures for Pip.
Author Bio:
Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.
