Review: Sticks and Stones (A Cat DeLuca Mystery #2) by K.J. Larsen

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; Large type / large print edition (Feb 7 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159058922X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590589229

Book Description

What does a woman do when she discovers her husband is an incurable cheater? If she’s Cat DeLuca she launches the Pants On Fire Detective Agency. Now Cat does what two years of unholy matrimony taught her. She catches cheaters.When a client (Cleo Jones) shoots her cheating husband’s bum full of buckshot, he disappears, taking her money, dog, and sister with him. Private Investigator Cat DeLuca promises to return the dog and money if her client stops shooting at Walter. Cleo agrees. The detective finds the dog and a mysterious bag chuck-full of cash. And then she finds Walter. His very dead body is still warm.

 

The case is a slam dunk for the cops who arrest Cleo for the murder of her husband. She had motive and opportunity and a dozen witnesses heard her scream bloody murder. One made a video. 

Cat DeLuca is determined to prove her client’s innocence and it’s not an easy sell. Walter was an unsavory character with enemies. To find his killer, Cat will have to sift through the ones who didn’t pull the trigger. Her investigation leads to four players with secrets: a childhood friend, a gambler, a construction tycoon, and a legendary Chicago designer. When forensic evidence suggests the detective knows more about the murder than she’s telling, Cat faces the certain loss of her agency. 

 

Cat DeLuca is smart and charming. She’s an unlikely heroine and her partner, a beagle named Inga, is quite likely to eat the evidence. Sticks and Stones delivers steamy romance, intrigue and laugh out loud humor for a wickedly delicious read.

 

 

My Review

This is the second book in the Cat DeLuca Mystery series by K.J.Larsen. It is not necessary to have read the first to enjoy this one.  The book is rather a zany ride that has been compared to Janet Evanovich's series however in many ways this book is better.  The Stefanie Plum series has become nothing less than reworked babble whereas Cat DeLuca is fresh and interesting.

Cat DeLuca has a huge Italian family filled with police officers which comes in very handy.  She has two very fascinating and helpful men in her life.  The book is populated with interesting characters galore.  The Chicago setting is dead on.

A quick fun read!  Great story!  I'm looking forward to the next Cat DeLuca Mystery!