Good solid cozy with authentic characters.
Kate owns a yoga studio. Michael, her live-in boyfriend, owns a pet store. Together they are renovating the house they live in that Kate inherited in Seattle.
After not getting the engagement ring she was expecting, Kate asks Michael why they aren’t moving forward in their relationship. Michael tells Kate that he is already married to Gabriella who is still living in his hometown in Oregon. He insists that it is a sham marriage to get her a green card but agrees to ask her for a divorce. Kate, Michael and their dog go to Oregon though Kate has not forgiven Michael for his deception. Michael stays with his sister Shannon. Kate stays with her best friend Rene with husband Sam, 3 month old twin daughters and two labradoodle puppies.
Kate, Michael and their 100 pound German Shepherd, Bella, confront Gabriella, who is reluctant to speak to Michael. During a doggy beach run the next day, Bella finds Gabriella dead. Kate and Rene have solved four murders in the past two years. To clear Michael’s name, they begin investigating the crime.
Kate, Rene and Shannon are delightful characters. Each have their own quirks and personalities. Kate and her dog Bella suffer from pogonophobia, the irrational fear of beards. Bella also has a stomach disorder, which is how Kate and Michael met. Shannon is a hoot and is the perfect person to have at Michael’s back. Rene is the perfect partner in detection. Even though she calls herself Watson to Kate’s Sherlock, she can hold her own when interrogating suspects or investigating clues.
Overall, Pre-meditated Murder is a good choice for cozy mystery fans. It would especially appeal to dog fans. The yoga is minimized and all terms are explained so even readers that are not into yoga will enjoy this book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks to the publisher, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley for an advance copy.