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Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Rejection is Murder by Carol E. Ayer is the first book in the Cat and Mowse Mysteries. Catherine Lynley is a cozy mystery writer, writing under the pen name of Cat Summers. Her stories are always neatly tied up – her life, not so much. Catherine has spent the last 25 years running, moving from place to place, changing her name, and trying to forget the night her high school crush was murdered at a Wave City party. She doesn’t want anyone to know what she knows, and so far, she’s been successful at keeping things quiet. Until her agent, Whitney Mowse, persuades her to go to a high school reunion as research for a book about the murder. For Catherine, it’s more than that; it’s a day of reckoning. As old friends circle old wounds, Catherine receives an anonymous note demanding a secret meeting, and she realizes that the murder never really got solved. Some of the people at that reunion know far more than they are saying, including Catherine, and her decision to attend could put everything she’s worked for at risk.
In Rejection is Murder, Carol E. Ayer has crafted an intriguing mystery around a cold case and a journey through guilt, friendship, memories, and the effects of the characters’ teen years. The plot moves smoothly, alternating between nostalgia and humor. Although it is billed as an amateur sleuth mystery, it delves into darker themes, like depression, bullying, trauma, and dysfunctional families – it may be triggering in places for some readers, but these subjects are dealt with compassionately, nothing out of the context of the story. There’s a varied mix of characters, each credible and with their own characteristics and backstories. The main protagonist is strong, and the interactions between her and her agent are where you’ll find most of the humor. There are plenty of plot twists, suspects, and surprises along the way, and it will keep you reading all the way through. If you like a good, down-to-earth mystery with a decent storyline and plenty of go, you’ll love this one.
