Sassy Cat Mysteries

Mimi Lee Gets a Clue (Sassy Cat #1)

Nominated for a Lefty Award!

Mimi Lee is in over her head. There’s her new Los Angeles pet grooming shop to run, her matchmaking mother to thwart, her talking cat Marshmallow to tend to—oh, and the murder of a local breeder to solve…now if only Mimi hadn’t landed herself on top of the suspect list. 

Mimi Lee hoped to give Los Angeles animal lovers something to talk about with her pet grooming shop, Hollywoof. She never imagined that the first cat she said hello to would talk back or be quite so, well, catty—especially about those disastrous dates Mimi’s mother keeps setting up. 

When Marshmallow exposes local breeder Russ Nolan for mistreating Chihuahuas, Mimi steals some of her cat’s attitude to tell Russ off. The next day the police show up at Hollywoof. Russ has been found dead, and Mimi’s shouting match with him has secured her top billing as the main suspect. 

Hoping to clear her name and save the pups Russ left behind, Mimi enlists help from her dreamy lawyer neighbor Josh. But even with Josh on board, it’ll take Mimi and Marshmallow a lot of sleuthing and more than a little sass to get back to the pet-grooming life—and off the murder scene.

PRAISE

“Mix an intrepid dog groomer with a sarcastic cat, add a generous dose of Southern California, sprinkle with murder, and you get a cozy mystery that’s bound to please.”—Laurie Cass, author of the Bookmobile Cat Mysteries

“A fun, charming, and totally unique mystery featuring lots of adorable pets (and one particularly snarky cat). Mimi Lee is a winning heroine with a hilarious family, especially her meddling, marriage-obsessed mother.”—Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks

“I laughed out loud more than once reading Mimi Lee Gets a Clue, the first book in the new Sassy Cat mystery series, Mimi Lee is feisty, determined, and lots of fun—and I love Ma, her match-making mother. The story features an intriguing mystery and Marshmallow, a talking cat that only Mimi, as his owner, can hear…Sharp writing, a main character I’d happily be friends with, and a talking cat. What more could a reader want?”—Sofie Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of the Magical Cats Mysteries

“Chow’s charming debut is an adorable mystery perfect for pet lovers. Mimi’s authentic family grounds the story amidst the glitzy and glamorous backdrop of LA. I devoured it in one sitting.”—Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune

“Chow smoothly mixes intrigue, romance, and humor. Cozy fans will have fun.”—Publishers Weekly

“A frothy, fun series debut.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Pet lovers will be delighted by this fun and yet suspenseful mystery…The balance between suspense and humor is perfect and makes this read a page-turner.”—Book Review Crew

“A frothy read for any pet-lover who enjoys a little mystery and romance.”—Criminal Element

“Mimi is more Nancy Drew than Jessica Fletcher, meaning she doesn’t have the sage experience needed the help solve complex mysteries, but her youth brings a real freshness to the cozy mystery genre.”—Escape with Dollycas

“This fluffy entertainment could prove irresistible.”—Booklist

“In addition to the whodunnit mystery, Chow brings readers into the world of humans and the animals they love.”—NW Asian Weekly

“Mimi Lee Gets A Clue is a delightful book. Full of humor, memorable characters, and lovable animals, this fast-paced story kept me entertained from beginning to end. Add in a mystery that keeps you wondering, and Chow’s new series becomes the perfect pick for cozy fans.”—Buzzfeed


Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines (Sassy Cat #2)

When a local teacher is found dead, LA’s newest pet groomer Mimi Lee finds herself in a pawful predicament—with her younger sister’s livelihood on the line.

Mimi Lee is on top of the world. She has a thriving pet grooming business, the sweetest boyfriend, and a talking cat to boot. When she arrives at the elementary school where her sister Alice works, she’s expecting a fun girls’ night out—but instead finds a teacher slumped over in her car, dead.

Alice was the last one to see Helen Reed, which instantly marks her as the prime suspect. Unable to sit quietly and let the authorities walk all over her sister, Mimi starts snooping and talks to Helen’s closest contacts, including one jumpy principal, a two-faced fiancé, and three sketchy teachers. With the help of her sassy but savvy cat, Marshmallow, and a cute kitten named Nimbus, the clock’s ticking for Mimi to get to the bottom of yet another case before her sister gets schooled.

PRAISE

“I haven’t loved a cat in a book this much since I read the first The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lillian Jackson Braun a hundred years ago. This series is also set in the Los Angeles area — hmmm, am I missing California? – Mimi has opened a pet grooming service so she meets a lot of quirky pet owners. Mimi’s mother is a hoot, too. Mimi is a delight and I can’t wait to hang out with her again.”—Poisoned Pen

“This is catnip for fans of talking cat cozies.”—Publishers Weekly

“[Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines] will appeal to readers who enjoy Vivien Chien’s Noodle Shop mysteries, with their Chinese American heroines, as well as similar family dynamics and portrayals of savvy businesswomen.”—Booklist

“If you love an intriguing mystery with an appealing protagonist, a wisecracking cat, and lively family dynamics you must read the Sassy Cat mysteries by Jennifer Chow. I’m so glad I found this fresh new voice in the cozy mystery world.”—Sherry Harris, Agatha nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries

“I love Marshmallow! He is once again my favorite character in this series…he really saves the day in this book. Overall, Mimi Reads Between the Lines is another great entry in this cozy cat mystery series. 4 stars!”—Diane Reviews Books

“Add in the ‘talking’ cat as well as a new fur baby this book was a fun read that cozy fans are sure to enjoy.”—Books a Plenty

“A cracking, fun and lighthearted cozy mystery…”—Brianne’s Book Reviews

“A lighthearted cozy mystery with a cute kitten, a matchmaking mama, fun foreign fare, parent problems, a setup sister, one panicky principal.  And a cheeky cat.”—The Avid Reader

“I enjoyed this lighthearted cozy mystery, second in the Sassy Cat Mystery series. The fascinating mystery had me stymied, the characters are well-defined, and I appreciated how close-knit Mimi and her family is…I highly recommend this cozy mystery!”—Open Book Society


Mimi Lee Cracks the Code (Sassy Cat #3)

Nominated for a Lefty Award!

One of BookRiot’s Best Upcoming Cozy Mysteries for the Second Half of 2021!

When murder follows Mimi Lee to her romantic island getaway, she puts on her best sleuthing hat with her sassy cat in tow in this adventurous cozy mystery by Jennifer J. Chow.

 
Mimi Lee just found an extra perk to being a pet groomer at Hollywoof (other than cuddling animals all day long, that is). Pixie St. James, one of Mimi’s clients and the investor behind Hollywoof, has offered her and her boyfriend, Josh, a getaway at her vacation home, nestled on beautiful Catalina Island. With the island just outside of Los Angeles but still far enough from the hustle and bustle, Mimi, Josh, and their cat Marshmallow (who, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead in a dingy pet hotel) are excited for their relaxing stay.
 
That is, until Pixie’s last renter, Davis D. Argo, turns up dead. Mimi and Josh’s romantic getaway immediately turns into an enormous buzzkill, especially when Pixie asks Mimi for help. The police suspect Pixie, and Mimi knows a thing or two about wrongful allegations. Mimi figures it couldn’t hurt to snoop a little since she’s already there, and soon discovers that a valuable item is missing. Except Pixie isn’t the only one in the neighborhood who has been robbed. There is something strange happening on the island, and Mimi won’t stop until she finds out what it is.

PRAISE

“Chow offers original characters, clever banter, and a laid-back California vibe. This is perfect for lovers of crime-solving animal cozies.”—Publishers Weekly