Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof

Blaize Clement has a way with words. Her descriptions are so evocative, you feel that you are right there on the spot, and in memory, it seems that you watched the movie of the story, rather than just reading words on a page. Although I love her mysteries, I can't help wishing she would just write a novel, a really long one.

I buy this series in hardcover, cannot wait for the mass market! The plot is tight, moves along at a hard-to-put-down pace. Dixie is a likeable heroine, with flaws. She has put tragedy from the past in perspective and is trying to move on. And as a retired petsitter, I very much enjoy that aspect of the series. I remember too well the 4 am start to my days, but do find it interesting that Dixie's nights aren't late as well. I often finished up at 10 pm. Guess I should have been solving murders instead of caring for all of those dogs!!

[[ASIN:0312369557 Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof (Dixie Hemingway Mysteries, No. 4)] I love what Blaize Clement has done with this fresh, fun mystery series. Yes, bad things happen but bad things happen in real life, also. Dixie is woman with a tragic past looking for a calm new future. She chooses a new career that would bring her joy only to find it leads to more death. I love this series and look forward to it continuing.

Another fun pet sitter novel by Blaize Clement. I love this series and the recurring characters. While her books are a quick read, they are neither too simplistic or too gory. I would recommend starting with the first book in the series to get the background of the characters and see their development.

Dixie Hemingway is not your average heroine/sleuth. Unlike most leading ladies in mystery series, Dixie actually has a law enforcement background. After barely making it through a horrific tragedy, Dixie left her job as a deputy and is now a pet-sitter in Siesta Key. Despite her efforts to lead a simpler life, she continues to stumble across crime and dead bodies. Dixie is tough and independant, yet vulnerable after losing the two most important people in her life. This entry in the series really focuses on Dixie's need to reconnect with people and build relationships. I love Dixie's character and her interaction with her pet-sitting "clients", the animals. The mystery was complex and surprising, especially as it related to Dixie's feelings toward the victim. One of the best parts/subplots of the book was the young son of Dixie's pet-sitting clients and his seizure assistance dog. Overall, I loved this book and the ending leaves much room for new developments in the series. Dixie is growing and healing with every book and the author does a great job of taking the reader through the healing procees realistically, without being too melancholy. I can't wait for the next one!