A Pose Before Dying

April 1, 2024
The peaceful atmosphere of a yoga studio is ruined by murder. For Ashley Branson, opening A Purffect Pose in Cardinal Lake, Ohio, is a win-win. She gets to run her own yoga business away from her domineering mother, and an endless stream of shelter cats gets a chance to interact with potential adopters. Ash is thrilled by the mixed bag of people who sign up for courses. Her first class is marred by the arrival of her brother, Hunter, a chronic troublemaker who sneaks in the back door. Next, the owner of the dog grooming place next door shows up with police officer Olivia Chase, complaining that loud meowing is ruining his business--a bogus complaint soon dismissed. Ash's celebratory night out includes trying to convince her best friend's girlfriend that she's not trying to steal him and getting hot and bothered over a chance meeting with Walker Hawk, who seems to have stepped out of a romance novel. But all that fades into the background when Ash finds the body of chemistry professor Jonas Valentine in her studio, stabbed and set out in the child's pose. Fearful that Hunter may be involved, Ash starts sleuthing even though she knows that Chief Dan Higgins will be furious with her. Once Higgins shuts her studio down, she has plenty of time to check into other suspects. The rumor that the prof was making and selling drugs is but a single step on the long road to exonerate Hunter. A simple mystery for lovers of cats and yoga.

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April 1, 2024

Despite family expectations, Ashley Branson forges her own path to start a yogic version of a cat caf�, whose goal is to adopt out cats and build a clientele of yoga enthusiasts. But shortly after the launch of A Purrfect Pose, Ashley's attention pivots to solving the murder of a much-disliked college professor whose posed corpse has been found in the yoga studio. Not only is her studio threatened, but Ash's wayward brother Hunter might also be involved. Ash's anxiety as a brand-new small-business owner is heightened, but cute cats and encouraging friends strengthen her admirable resolve. Complex family history and pressure to join the Branson family business also add depth to the story. Finally, the revelatory ending gives more interactions to look forward to among Cardinal Lake's dynamic residents. VERDICT While cat yoga may be an extremely cozy activity and setting for a novel, Erickson ("Bookstore Caf� Mystery" series) also offers a vexing murder mystery that will unsettle and intrigue readers. This series starter quickly piles up the tension and conflict and establishes a main character who's worth rooting for.--Hazel Ureta

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2024
Ashley ""Ash"" Branson has just opened her cat yoga studio, Purrfect Pose, offering yoga classes and adoptable cats. However, not all is smooth sailing as she must deal with a disgruntled neighboring business owner, an animal rights activist, and her overbearing mother who would like nothing better than to see her fail and return to the family business. Things get much worse when, after hours, she discovers student Jonas Valentine in the studio, in child's pose, stabbed in the back. Ash investigates because she believes her screw-up brother--now in hiding--may be involved when she finds a photo of him with the victim. To protect her brother, she withholds evidence from the police, getting herself in hot water with the police chief. Complicating matters, Ash is attracted to the hunky Walker Hawk, who may be a suspect. Readers who enjoy yoga or love cats will appreciate the fresh frame in this series starter, as well as the character of Ash, a sympathetic young woman finding her own way in life.

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