Mudpie Interviews...Princess Fuzzypants from T. C. LoTempio's Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery Series

 

There may be honor among thieves, but a long-ago diamond heist might hold the secret to a man’s murder . . .

Pet shop owner Shell McMillan is thrilled to see everyone in Fox Hollow flocking to the local animal shelter’s fundraiser, where they can get their old keepsakes and collectibles appraised and maybe even sell them for a tidy sum. But the event has drawn some shady characters as well, including Pete Martin, who seems determined to get his hands on a beat-up old jewelry box at any cost. Then Martin is found murdered, and Shell has to go from fundraising to finding a killer.

It doesn’t take long for Shell to figure out that the jewelry box was concealing diamonds from a long-ago heist, and that Martin wasn’t the only one trying to get his hands on the stash. But to figure out who wanted him dead, she’ll have to uncover who was behind the original heist and who knows where the rest of the gems are hidden. It’s as dangerous a case as Shell has ever faced, and if she’s not careful, her search for the missing stones will leave her stone-cold dead . . .

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Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Princess Fuzzypants, one of the feline stars of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about her!

Welcome, Princess Fuzzypants! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Shell?

I’m a feisty red Maine Coon cat with a lot of personality! Shell (actually Purrday) found me in the backyard of the Urban Tails Pet Shop. Shell tried to find my owner and after a few weeks passed with no luck (unless you count that fraudulent claim!) decided that I should become a member of the family.

As for more of my background, well....that may be revealed at a later time and I don’t want to give away any secrets. 

What's a typical day like for you?

I have a lovely cat bed in the kitchen but you can usually find me up in Shell’s room, ether cuddled with Purrday who’s also there or at the foot of the bed. After breakfasting Shell usually takes Purrday and me along to the pet shop (Kahlua prefers to stay home and nap). We roam around the back room and occasionally do catch a mouse! Then it’s back home with Shell and dinner time! Of course, if there’s a mystery to solve you can bet Purrday and I are right where the action is.

Just between us girls, is there a bit of a romance going on between you and Purrday, or are you just roommates?

Sorry...I’m not the type to hiss and tell LOL. But we are quite fond of each other. Quite.

What about Kahula? She doesn't seem to be the same feline detective that you and Purrday are. Are you all one big happy family?

Kahlua is a pedigreed Siamese and, as such, an enigma onto herself. Do we all get along? We do have a few hissyfits from time to time, as cats will, but basically yes we do all get along.

Please tell us about your latest adventure, Cats, Carats and Killers.

Shell’s mother’s latest fundraiser, an antique road show,provides the backdrop for Purrday and me discovering an old box that conceals a twenty-five year old secret – a cache of diamonds from a robbery. Shell, of course, gets involved when a friend of hers is accused of murdering a man who was trying to get the box—and I figure prominently in the ending. (sorry, no spoilers. You’re going to have to read the book)

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not sleuthing? (Toys, treats, nap spots...)

I adore treats of any kind, taking a nap on the pet shop windowsill in the sun, playing with balls and feather toys....but I love it best when Purrday and I can sink our claws into a good mystery!

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About the Author: 

T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora mystery series. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery Series, as well as the Cat Rescue series and the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series. Check out her and Rocco’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and visit her website, www.tclotempio.net, for more information.

Author Links:

Webpage: http://www.tclotempio.net

Blog: http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5

Twitter/X: @RoccoBlogger

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1195684.T_C_LoTempio


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Mudpie Interviews...Bailey from Kallie E. Benjamin's Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery Series

 

When a murder unleashes a widespread investigation through Crosbyville, children’s book author Pris and her trusty bloodhound, Bailey, must sniff out the truth before the whole town goes to the dogs.

After deciding that life as a teacher wasn’t right for her, Priscilla found inspiration for her first children’s book in her three-year-old bloodhound’s nose for truth, and so The Adventures of Bailey the Bloodhound was born. After the book’s massively pawsitive response led Pris to move back to her hometown of Crosbyville, Indiana, to continue the series, she’s surprised by how things have changed in the town, but even more so how they haven’t.

Pris is frustrated to discover that newly elected school board trustee Whitney Kelley—a former high school mean girl—is intent on making Crosbyville more competitive by eliminating “frivolous spending” on the arts and social programs, including Pris and Bailey’s beloved pet-assisted reading program. A minor altercation between them isn’t anything unusual, but after Bailey sniffs out Whitney’s body in a bed of begonias, locals start hounding Pris and Bailey as suspects for the crime.

With Bailey’s sharp senses and Pris’s hometown know-how, can they prove to the community that they’re all barking up the wrong tree?

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Bailey, the canine star of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about him!

Welcome, Bailey! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Pris?

Hello, Mudpie. Thank you for the invitation. As you know, my name is Bailey, and I’m a bloodhound. Bloodhounds are scent hounds. Humans believe that bloodhounds descended from hounds that were bred by monks in Belgium at the Abbey of Saint Hubert. But, that was such a long time ago, that no one can really be sure, and I don’t speak French. They say we were originally bred to hunt deer, wild boar, and rabbits. However, our superior tracking ability demonstrated that we were far more valuable in tracking people. Since the Middle Ages, bloodhounds have been used to track lost or missing people and escaped prisoners.

Anyway, I’ve been with my human, Priscilla Cummings, for three years. She was an elementary school teacher, and I could tell immediately that she was lonely. Teaching little humans is a lot of work and I don’t think everyone appreciates everything that teachers do. Well, it didn’t take long for Pris to see that I’m really good at finding things. When it comes to finding lost items, I’m at the top of the pack. Pris was inspired to write a children’s book featuring me. It’s called The Adventures of Bailey the Bloodhound, Pet Detective. Of course, it has been highly successful. The kids love me. 

What's a typical day like for you? 

Pris and I went through a lot of training (mostly for her benefit. I caught on quickly). Afterward, I got a special vest. Pris says it’s my working vest. When she puts it on me, I have to focus on finding whatever human has wandered off. She calls that Search and Rescue. Sometimes, I go to school and listen while the young humans read to me. Pris said that’s called Pet Assisted Therapy. Other times, we go to hospitals or libraries and put on demonstrations. When we’re done, I get a special treat. It’s a good job and I enjoy it, especially because I get to spend more time with Pris. 

It must be exciting to be the star of a series of children's books! How did that come about? 

The life of a bloodhound is quite interesting. There are so many amazing scents out there, but humans can’t smell them. They’ll just walk right by unless you stop them. I’ve found lots of great stuff that people have misplaced. Sometimes, I have to dig it up to get to it, but uncovering buried treasure is no problem at all for me (I’m a great digger). One day, Pris noticed that I had uncovered a lot of lost items. That’s when she started writing it down. She made it into a story and sent it to a woman she calls a literary agent. The next thing you know, kids were coming up to me and calling me, Bailey the Bloodhound, Pet Detective. Some kids want pictures. Most of them just like pulling on my ears. It’s tough, but thanks to me, Pris is going to be able to quit her job and write about me full-time. So, that’s cool. Plus, whenever she gets something called a royalty check, she buys me expensive liver treats. 

And now you're also the star of a mystery series too! Tell us about Sniffing Out Murder. 

One day, Pris and I were having our morning constitutional through the park, when I got hold of a scent. It was the scent of a woman I’d met the previous day. She wasn’t a very nice lady. She yelled at Pris and said some unkind things about me, too. If I weren’t such a good boy, I would have loved to have taken a bite out of her, but I didn’t. Not even when she deliberately stepped on my tail. Although, I did turn and give her a piece of my mind. I’ve discovered that humans don’t speak canine, so I growled and showed my teeth so she would know that I wasn’t happy. Anyway, we were walking through the park and I picked up her scent. I followed it to a begonia bed. She wasn’t a nice lady, but I don’t hold grudges. I let bygones be bygones and I dug and dug until I was able to pull out her shoe and show it to Pris. If it hadn’t been for me, no one might ever have found the lady. I haven’t heard anyone mention anything about a medal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave me one for finding her. 

Do you use your talents as a bloodhound to help Pris solve the murder? 

Absolutely. In fact, because of my exceptional ability to distinguish scents, I was able to find several important clues that helped Pris figure out Whodunit. 

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not sleuthing? (Toys, treats, nap spots...) 

When I’m not solving mysteries, I love to eat, take naps, and lay on the floor while my human rubs my tummy. I like to listen to stories, too. I enjoy it when the little humans read to me. But my most favorite thing to do is to follow scents. We moved into a new house and there are some new critters that like to roam across the yard. There’s one impudent little squirrel that I’ve been trying to meet, but he just tosses nuts on my head and climbs higher up in the tree, but one day. . .

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you? 

The human who writes about Pris and me, Kallie E. Benjamin, is working on another adventure of ours. There was a festival in the town where we live, Crosbyville, Indiana. The festival is on the estate of a wealthy man. Well, I can’t tell you everything that happens, yet. However, I can tell you that I play a very important role in figuring out this mystery, too.

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About the Author:

Kallie E. Benjamin (Valerie Burns) is the author of the Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery series. The first book, Sniffing Out Murder releases on December 5, 2023. Valerie is an Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist. Writing as V. M. Burns she is the author of the Mystery Bookshop Mystery, Dog Club Mystery, and RJ Franklin Mystery series. Writing as Valerie Burns, she is the author of the Baker Street Mystery series. Valerie is also an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles.

Author Links:

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/v-m-burns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmburnsbooks/

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16534140.V_M_Burns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmburnsbooks/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/vmburns

Website: vmburns.com

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Mudpie Interviews...Percival & Jasper from Ruth J. Hartman's Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery Series

The life of a cat groomer isn’t just pampering purring felines, it's murder.

Mobile Cat Groomer Molly Stewart loves her job. Until she finds the dead body of one of her pet parents stabbed with a garden implement in his back yard. When Molly’s uncle Russ becomes the prime suspect in the murder and the sheriff won’t consider anyone else, Molly claws through obstacles as she prowls for clues.

With help from handsome veterinarian Hank Chenowith and Molly’s two cats, Percival and Jasper, will Molly succeed in proving her uncle’s innocence before the real murderer pounces on her?

Brushed Up On Murder introduces readers to cat groomer Molly Stewart, who divides her time between her very own salon and a mobile grooming van. She's built a successful business in the small town of Whitewater Valley with a steady stream of customers, so it comes as a complete shock when she brings one of her furry clients home, only to find their owner dead in the garden. Molly becomes the new owner of now orphaned Jasper, and has her hands full trying to get her own cat Percival to accept his new brother, but that's nothing compared to the detective work she's forced to take on when her beloved uncle becomes the main suspect.

I look forward to spending more time with this fun cast of characters, and especially watching Molly's relationship with hunky vet Hank evolve!

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Percival & Jasper, the feline stars of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about them!

Welcome, Percival & Jasper! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourselves and how you each came to live with Molly? 

Hi, this is Percival! Molly has been my human for a long time now. We're so close, she even takes me to work with her!
And I'm Jasper! Molly rescued me from a bad situation where I might have ended up in a pet shelter. I'm so much happier with her!

What's a typical day like for you? 

Percival again. Sometimes, Molly sees clients - other cats whose humans bring them to her to be brushed and bathed. And other times she has a mobile grooming van where she goes to the humans' houses and sees the kitties there. I like those best since I get to go along for the ride!

Since your human is a mobile cat groomer, do you like it when she fusses with your fur or do you prefer taking care of those things yourselves? 

It's Jasper again. Before I came to live with Molly, my other human took me to see her so she could groom me, so I love it! She always makes me look so handsome. :)

In Brushed Up On Murder, the first book in the Mobile Cat Groomer mystery series, you two don't exactly see to eye. Are you getting along? 

Percival here. Jasper and I did have a rough start when Molly first brought him home. Even though I see lots of other cats at Molly's work it was the first time she'd ever brought one into our house. But Molly, with advice from her friend, Hank, helps us!

Do you lend a paw in helping Molly solve the mystery?

Percival again. Yes! Since she takes me to work with her, I got to be in on finding clues and checking out possible suspects. It was fun! And when Molly figured out who the killer was, Jasper helped too!

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not sleuthing? (Toys, treats, nap spots...)

Jasper again. I love naps. And treats. And catnip! Molly used some catnip for Percival and me when she was trying to get us to be friends. It smelled awesome!

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you? 

Percival again. Jasper and I are still so excited that we helped solve a murder! Along with Molly, we're ready to pounce on the next one that comes along!

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About the Author:
Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.

Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.

Author Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ruth.j.hartman

Website https://www.ruthjhartman.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/ruthjhartman

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3312900.Ruth_J_Hartman

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Mudpie Interviews...Milton & Pearl from Ruth J. Hartman's Bookshop Kitties Mystery Series

 

When children’s book author, Christy Bailey, receives a call from her aunt Betty to help out at her bookshop, she drops everything to go. Christy packs up her two cats—Milton and Pearl, the stars of her children's mystery books—and leaves busy Philadelphia for tiny Green Meadow, Indiana. The timing of the call is perfect, as Christy’s letch of an ex-boyfriend has just cleaned out her savings, leaving Christy with a pile of unpaid bills and a desire to start over. And what better place to do that than a charming small town in Middle America?

But when Christy reaches her aunt's bookshop, instead of small town hospitality she finds a dead body! Even worse, her aunt is passed out in the corner, hands covered in blood. The dead woman is an old frenemy of her Aunt Betty, and while Christy knows her aunt is innocent, the local detective isn't so sure. With Milton and Pearl prowling for clues, Christy is determined to find the real killer and clear her aunt's name... before her story ends in tragedy!

Minnie and Pearl steal the show in this debut of the Bookshop Kitties series, both as the stars of the mystery itself, and also of the children's book series their devoted human Christy writes.

When Christy returns to Great Meadow following a painful breakup to help Aunt Betty run her bookshop, she's hoping for a simpler life, not expecting to find herself smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery. The victim was hated by many people in town so there's no shortage of suspects, many of which are pretty unlikeable themselves. It's a good thing Christy's fearless, feisty felines are also on the case, eager to help sniff out clues and claw the bad guys.

A purrfect cat cozy that will leave readers meowing for more!  

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Milton & Pearl, the feline stars of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about them!

Welcome, Milton & Pearl! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Christy?

Hi, this is Milton! My sister, Pearl, and I had been abandoned in a Philadelphia alley as tiny kittens before we went to live with Christy. We love her! Pearl and I are from the same litter, so we’ve always been close. But having Christy as our mom completed our family.

What's a typical day like for you?

Hello, this is Pearl! Milton and I love to hang out in Aunt Betty’s bookstore where we live now in Indiana. Lots of interesting customers come in, and give us plenty of attention, which we deserve! Sometimes when Christy isn’t working, she takes us for outdoor rides in our stroller or on leashes for a walk. We kind of like the stroller better though. Walking can be hard exercise for sleepy kitties.

In addition to being the feline stars of the new Bookshop Kitties mystery series, you're also the stars of children's books written by your human. Can you tell us more about these books, and if your soon-to-be adoring public might one day be able to read them?

Dial M for Meow is the first one the public gets to read! It’s coming out on January 10th and we’re so excited! We had so much fun helping Christy write the book. She values our opinions and says that we’re awesome furry editors too. In Dial M for Meow, the books we’re in are for children, but the ones our human writes are for big people.

Back to the Bookshop Kitties series, do you have a paw in helping Christy solve the mystery?

Hi, Milton again. Yes we do! Pearl and I work together to search for clues and help point Christy to possible suspects. I must say, we’re very good at our job. And Christy says she couldn’t do it without us.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not sleuthing? (Toys, treats, nap spots...)

Well, I have to admit, Pearl and I do nap quite a bit. Although as cats, that’s one of our main jobs. Christy and Aunt Betty are both really good about giving us treats, even though sometimes we wish they wouldn’t make us wait for them so long. When kitties get empty tummies, it doesn’t always go well, right? We also like to bat things around. Sometimes the object we’re playing with turns out to be a clue for Christy to use!

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you?

Hey, Pearl again. We’re ready to pounce on any and all clues in upcoming mysteries! We can’t wait for whatever our next adventure might be. Milton, Christy and I want to thank you for interviewing us!

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About the Author:

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.

Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.

Author Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ruth.j.hartman

Website https://www.ruthjhartman.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/ruthjhartman

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3312900.Ruth_J_Hartman

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Mudpie Interviews...Earl Grey from Victoria Tait's Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery Series

 

A charity ball. A dead guest. Can an amateur sleuth solve the case or will it ruin Christmas for ever?

Aspiring antiques expert, Dotty Sayers, is excited about organising a ball in a Cotswold country house. When a lecture on modern art leads to a kiss under the mistletoe she thinks all her Christmases have come at once. But her festive cheer turns sour when a partygoer is found dead on the dance floor.

The police ask Dotty to help wrap up the case of a stolen painting, but as the search continues she becomes entangled in the murder investigation. When this amateur detective realises the culprit could be a close friend, will she face the Yuletide music?

Can Dotty put aside her personal feelings and herald a murderer?

Gavels, Tinsel and Murder is the fourth book in the charming Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series. If you like to eat, drink and be merry with a group of entertaining characters, then you’ll be entertained by Victoria Tait’s festive tale.

Christmas comes but once a year so buy Gavels, Tinsel and Murder today!

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Earl Grey, the feline star of this series. We hope you enjoy meeting him!

Welcome, Earl Grey! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Dotty?

Hi Mudpie. Thank you for speaking with me today. Most people ignore me but the things I’ve overheard … I could have solved a case or two.

I’m a pedigree British Blue cat, or Shorthair, as my breed has been renamed. I prefer blue as it matches my luxurious grey fur, which has a blueish tint. I cut an imposing figure, despite some people calling me fat and spoilt.

My first owner was the Duke of Ditchford and we lived peacefully together in Windrush Hall, in the British Cotswolds. It was his family’s house and had been passed down for generations. Unfortunately, the Duke closed off the main house and we only lived in two rooms. But I had the run of the hall where plenty of mice lurked.

After the Duke died, his man, Norman, kept an eye on me for a while until he was arrested. For a crime he was totally innocent of, I must point out. Oh, and I did enjoy annoying the Welsh police inspector when Norman took me with him to the police station.

That was where I met Dotty. She rescued me and took me back to her place, and then we moved to our current cottage. It’s not like the old hall, but I’m know I’m loved and I’m well fed.

What's a typical day like for you?

I wake early and potter down the stairs of our cottage and through the door to the adjoining farmhouse, which is always kept open for me.

Norman lives there now, and he likes cooking a good breakfast. He rarely gives me any, but Aunt Beanie, who owns the house, often feeds me tip bits of bacon or sausage. To give Norman his due, he always gives me my own breakfast.

I spend most of my day curled up by the Aga, a larger cooker which gives out lots of heat.

At some point I’ll wonder outside. I have the run of the farm buildings and there are usually mice hiding somewhere or voles trespassing.

In the summer I’ll find somewhere warm for a nap, but in the winter I’m soon back inside by the Aga.

I’m lucky. Dotty is a great cook and I can usually persuade her to share her meals with me. By the end of the day, I’m full and ready to curl up on her bed to sleep.

Is it true that you live with a pig?!?!?! How do you feel about that? And more importantly, how do you protect your food?

Agatha was a small, wirey bundle of bristles when I first met her, and she was very sorry for herself. She’s a pedigree Berkshire pig, but she lost her family to a nasty pig disease.

When she arrived at the farmhouse, she insisted on curling up with me, which was annoying at first, but then she grew on me. She’s always been very respectful, if rather boisterous, as her confidence grew, but she knows my food is mine. She gets a sharp tap on the snout if she tries to eat anything she shouldn’t.

But she’s so big now and still full of energy. She keeps knocking things over and I know Norman is worried she’ll hurt Uncle Cliff. He’s threatening to move her outside.

The latest mystery you star in, Gavels, Tinsel and Murder, takes place at Christmas. Do you have any special plans for Christmas this year? It must be beautiful there in the Cotswolds.

It’s cold. I like the sun, not the snow which is wet and covers everything. And worse still, the mice go to sleep. Christmas was nothing special with the old Duke.

I do like the sparkly Christmas decorations, which are an acceptable alternative to mice, although Norman and Dotty tell me off when I play with them.

The best thing about Christmas at the farmhouse is that everyone loves to cook and eat. So my plans are to take full advantage of this side of the festive season.

Do you assist Dotty in any way in solving the mysteries she finds herself entangled in?

Not anymore. You see, I was catnapped. They were a lovely old couple who fed me all sorts of wonderful French delicacies, but still, it was scary.

And then I had the visit to the police station with Norman, when he was arrested. One time is enough, although it would be fun to goad that Welsh police inspector again.

I do spend a lot of time listening in Dotty and her friends discuss their current cases around the kitchen table, but personally, I can’t understand why humans have to be so beastly to each other. And they call us animals.

And I do worry about them. Dotty has been hit on the head and shoved down a flight of wooden stairs, and a suspect broke Aunt Beanie’s leg a few months ago.

I prefer a peaceful life, curled up by the Aga.

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you two?

My kitty senses tell me there’s danger ahead for Dotty. I wish she’d leave the detecting to the police, but I know she can’t, especially if she feels there’s an injustice. I just hope she doesn’t end up in jail, or worse.

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About the Author: 

I was born and raised in Yorkshire, UK, and never expected to travel the world. But I fell for an Army Officer, and I’ve followed him from Northern Ireland, up to the Scottish Highlands, across to Africa and the Kenyan Savannah, back to the British Cotswolds, and we are now living in Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Southern Europe.

I never expected to be an author, but all this moving is not ideal for holding down a job. Instead, I’ve taken the experiences of the places I’ve lived to write vivid and evocative cozy mystery books with determined female sleuths.

I have two fast growing teenage boys, and together we’ve learnt to ski on the Bosnian mountains. I also enjoy horse riding, mountain biking and I’ve started running as a way to improve my physical fitness, mental well-being and shed some excess pounds.

For access to exclusive content, giveaways and freebies, sign up for my newsletter at my website: VictoriaTait.com

Author Links:

Website: https://victoriatait.com/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/victoria-tait

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriataitauthor/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/VictoriaTaitAuthor/_saved/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20373879.Victoria_Tait

Mudpie Interviews...Soji from Mollie Hunt's Tenth Life Cozy Mystery Series

 

This summer, there’s trouble brewing at the Cove County Fair! 

Camelia Collins, Ocean Cove’s most recent resident over seventy years of age, is all set to go to the fair! The smell of the popcorn, the roar of the crowd, the Ferris wheel and the pony shows—things she remembers from childhood and looks forward to experiencing again.

But something’s up at the Cove County Fair. Camelia’s new friend Alice, keeper of an aging tiger, is murdered, and the tiger goes missing. Who did it? A rogue band of aggressive animal activists seem like the obvious culprits, but they deny the act.

Only one entity knows the truth—the ghost cat Soji, but will the capricious spirit decide to come forward before someone else dies?

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Soji, the feline star of this series. We hope you enjoy meeting her!

Welcome, Soji! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to meet Camelia? After all, you are...um...a ghost...

Soji: What to say? I Soji. Does not everyone know? But since you ask so nicely, I tell. I do like to speak of myself.

I, the spirrrit manifestation of one long-dead. Here my history, as written in the Ocean Cove Museum in the room of my name:

Soji was born around the turn of the twentieth century in one of Ocean Cove’s original homesteads. It is said she lived to the ripe old age of thirty-two. When she passed, her owners were so devastated, they laid her to rest in the back yard under a flat river stone engraved with the words, ‘Now Gone To Her Tenth Life, Beloved Soji.’

Everyone agrees she was black, though some say she was big and long furred like a Norwegian Forest cat and others say slim and shorthaired. In her manifestations as the Ocean Cove Ghost Cat, she always appeared misty white, as might be expected of a phantom. Many claim to have witnessed her, and our archive is fortunate to have photographs.

The property on which she was buried was sold during World War II. Sometime after that, the original homestead was razed and a new house built, but the stone remains to this day.

And of the human Camelia? Her coming to live in my home coincided with danger. Though I not manifest for many decades prrrevious, only I could save her life.

What made you decide to spend your time in the afterlife solving crimes?

Soji: Not a decision but a calling. Some say I come back to right great wrongs. I, the Joan of Arc of cats.

Do you have any interaction with living kitties, such as Camelia's tuxie Blaze?

Soji: The living cat Blaze is my frrriend. He is warm against my cold. I am feline, after all, and do enjoy a cuddle.

I read that you're the 7th black kitten of a 7th black kitten. What does that mean?

Soji: Yes, it is true. That rare lineage makes me immortal. I not know about it when alive, but found to my surprise that even after death, I still here. Now I free. I come and go at will, stalk through walls, appear out of thin air. I do miss chasing mice, for I have no need to eat. Sometimes I still do it for fun. To be a ghost cat is supreme!

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you?

Soji: Christmas is coming…

About the Author:

Cat Writer Mollie Hunt is the award-winning author of two cozy series, the Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and the Tenth Life Mysteries. Her Cat Seasons Sci-Fantasy Tetralogy features extraordinary cats saving the world. Mollie also pens a bit of cat poetry.

Mollie is a member of the Oregon Writers’ Colony, Sisters in Crime, the Cat Writers’ Association, and Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and a varying number of cats.

Author Links:

Website: https://molliehuntcatwriter.com/
Amazon Page: www.amazon.com/author/molliehunt
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/MollieHuntCatWriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molliehuntcatwriter/
Twitter: @MollieHuntCats
Books2Read UBL: https://books2read.com/ap/8GJYBe/Mollie-Hunt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7768987.Mollie_Hunt
Sign up for Mollie’s Extremely Informal Newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/c0fOTn

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Mudpie Interviews...Baby from Valerie Burns' Baker Street Mystery Series

 

In a brand-new culinary cozy series with a fresh edge and a delightful small-town setting, the acclaimed author introduces Maddy Montgomery, a social media expert who’s #StartingOver in small town Michigan after inheriting her great-aunt’s bakery…and a 200-pound English Mastiff named Baby.

When Maddy Montgomery’s groom is a no-show to their livestream wedding, it’s a disaster that no amount of filtering can fix. But a surprise inheritance offers a chance to regroup and rebrand—as long as Maddy is willing to live in her late, great-aunt Octavia’s house in New Bison, Michigan, for a year, running her bakery and caring for a 250-pound English mastiff named Baby.

Maddy doesn’t bake, and her Louboutins aren’t made for walking giant dogs around Lake Michigan, but the locals are friendly and the scenery is beautiful. With help from her aunt’s loyal friends, aka the Baker Street Irregulars, Maddy feels ready to tackle any challenge, including Octavia’s award-winning cake recipes. That is, until New Bison’s mayor is fatally stabbed, and Maddy’s fingerprints are found on the knife . . .

Something strange is going on in New Bison. It seems Aunt Octavia had her suspicions, too. But Maddy’s going to need a whole lot more than a trending hashtag to save her reputation—and her life.

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Baby, the canine star of this series. We hope you enjoy meeting him!

Welcome, Baby! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to be under Maddy's care? 

My name is Champion Crooner Ol’ Blue Eyes, One for My Baby. However, everyone calls me Baby. I was raised by a lovely human named Miss Octavia Baker. She found me as a puppy on the beach near her home in New Bison, Michigan. I was the runt of the litter and a scrawny little thing, but Miss Octavia fed and care for me until I grew healthy and strong. She showed me at dog shows and of course, I wanted to do my best for her, so I won. Now, I’m retired from dog shows, but people pay big money for me to sire puppies. It’s a RUFF life, but somebody’s got to do it. Anyway, Miss Octavia owned a bakery and we used to have a wonderful time together. She was a great cook and she made special treats for me. Those were good times. One day, Miss Octavia died and her great-niece, Maddy came to stay. Boy, was she green. She didn’t know how to do anything. She can’t cook. She didn’t know the first thing about dogs. I had to teach her how to do everything.

What's a typical day like for you? 

On a typical day, I let Maddy get up first. I take a nap while she showers and gets ready for work. Then, I get up. A quick shake, and I’m ready to go. I eat breakfast and then we go to Baby Cakes Bakery. After Maddy opens the door, I take a tour of the building to make sure it’s safe. Then, I curl up and nap, uh I mean supervise Maddy and the other staff, Miss Hannah and Leroy. Sometimes, I greet customers. Maddy likes to take my picture and post them online, so I pose for pictures. I guess, you could say I’m a model. Good thing I learned how to pose during my time on the dog show circuit. Smiling for the camera is an art. The top dogs make it look easy. When the last customer leaves, then I escort Maddy home. Then, its dinner, a little cuddle, and then I make sure she makes it safely to bed. It’s exhausting, but I don’t mind.

Tell us about Two Parts Sugar One Part Murder, the Baker Street Mystery Series you star in. 

Maddy used to live in Los Angeles. I think something happened. I know she was supposed to have gotten married, but the groom never showed up. He was a dummy. Anyway, Maddy was pretty sad, but when she heard that my human, Miss Octavia, died, she came here. Now, she stays in the house. She runs the bakery, although between you and me, she doesn’t know the first thing about cooking. And I look after her. Lots of people wanted to buy the house and the bakery. But Miss Octavia arranged things so that Maddy has to stay here for at least a year. Some guy got mad and when Maddy told him she wouldn’t sell him the bakery. They had a big fight and I had to come and show him who was boss. Nobody yells at my human and gets away with it. Well, right after that, the guy was killed, right there in the bakery. Maddy had to figure out who did it.

Do you assist Maddy in any way in solving the mystery? 

Absolutely, Maddy’s new to New Bison, and she’s young and kind of naïve. I help her know who the good guys are. Like, my vet, Dr. Michael Portman. He’s one of the good guys, even though he pokes and prods me, and even gives me shots. He also knows just the right spot to scratch behind my ears.

English Mastiffs are such huge dogs, you must be very helpful at intimidating potential bad guys. Are you a tough pup or a softie? 

Maddy calls me a “gentle giant.” I like to cuddle, take walks on the beach, and eat snacks. I put up with quite a lot from the kids who come in the bakery and want to ride me like a pony. However, if someone comes sniffing around my humans who wants to ‘cause trouble, well…that’s when I have to let them know just who’s the real boss.

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you two? 

Well, I don’t want to give anything away, but spring is the start of the New Bison Spring Festival. Maddy’s determined to continue Miss Octavia’s legacy in the baking contest. However, a new bakery is opening in town, backed by a guy named CJ Davenport. I don’t like the smell of him. Apparently, neither did someone else, because he gets himself killed. Maddy has to catch his killer before her goose is cooked.

About the Author: 

Valerie (V. M.) Burns is the author of the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series. Her first book, The Plot is Murder, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Debut Novel. She is the author of the Dog Club Mystery Series, the RJ Franklin Mysteries, a three-time finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and an Edgar Award-nominated short story. Her newest series, Baker Street Mysteries, will release later this year, and her Pet Detective Mystery series will release in 2023. Valerie is on the board of Sisters in Crime and the Southeastern Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. She is also a member of Dog Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, and International Thriller Writers. She is a manager for a Fortune 100 company and a mentor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie currently lives in the southeastern United States with her two poodles. Readers can visit her website at vmburns.com.

Author Links: 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/v-m-burns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmburnsbooks/

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16534140.V_M_Burns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmburnsbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vmburns

Website: vmburns.com

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Mudpie Interviews...Persephone from Bailey Booth's Spy Kitty in the City Mystery Series

I always dreamed of being a part of my favorite show, Parking Lot Potluck, but I never expected them to ask me to help solve a murder.

Someone poisoned a dish on the popular cooking competition show. The host is dead and my favorite judge is in critical condition. The only one who witnessed the crime was Great Dane, Chloe.

Persephone and I are off to Seattle to solve the crime, but things are much different behind the scenes. Have the cast and crew been working on a recipe for deception, or was it a contestant with a case of sour grapes who’s brought production to a halt?

And Chloe isn’t talking to my talking cat.

Whatever I do, I have to keep my inner fangirl in check, or my favorite show could get eliminated for good.

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Persephone, the feline star of this series. We hope you enjoy meeting her!

Welcome, Persephone! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Addie?

Hi, Mudpie! Nice to meet you. I’m a ten-year-old black cat with white legs. Margaret, my old owner, used to call me Purry Pants. I didn’t like it. But I did like her.

I met Addie when I got catnapped after an art heist Margaret’s art gallery. Someone taped me into a cardboard box, and left me at Addie’s shelter. Imagine my surprise when she could understand me! I didn’t think humans could understand cats. When I told her what happened, we worked together to find the stolen painting. Margaret thought I should stay with Addie, and we found a cat at the shelter that was perfect for her.

What's a typical day like for you?

It depends on where we are. If we’re working at Helping Paws, I talk to the shelter animals and find out if they’re happy or if there’s anything they need. Human makes appointments to meet me, and then I tell Addie which of our animals would be best for them to adopt.

If we’re working on a case, we travel to new places. Addie talks to the people involved with the case, and I talk to the animals who saw what happened. Sometimes, they’re afraid to talk to me because they’re protecting their human. I try to pick up on scents too. Sometimes those help Addie find the bad guy.

Do you enjoy being able to talk to your human and other animals?

I like that I can talk to both, because they can’t talk to each other. Addie tries to make everyone at Helping Paws as happy as possible, but she had no way to know that something wasn’t right. So I like fixing things.

Are there any downsides, or times you wish you were just an ordinary kitty?

The thing I don’t like about our cases is that Addie puts me on a leash when we go out. She says it’s for my own good, but it’s so embarrassing.

Tell us about Potluck and Poison, the new Spy Kitty in the City Mystery you star in.

Someone got murdered on Addie’s favorite TV show, and we’re going inside the TV to help find out who did it. Addie says we’re not actually going inside the TV, we’re headed to Seattle, but I still don’t quite understand how the show gets in the TV. I need to talk to a Great Dane named Chloe who saw the crime, but the problem is, Chloe doesn’t like cats. So I’m worried I might not be able to help Addie this time.

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you and Addie?

We’ll be back at Helping Paws finding homes for animals until the next case comes in!

About the Author:

Bailey Booth is an animal lover, travel enthusiast, and avid reader. She drinks way too many soy lattes and will probably laugh at your jokes.

She also likes long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners…oh wait.

Wrong profile.

Bailey’s been writing and amateur sleuthing since she was a kid. Fun fact: Spy Kitty in the City came to her in a dream. Follow your dreams!

Author Links:

Website www.baileyboothbooks.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/baileyboothbooks

Instagram www.instagram.com/baileyboothooks

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21508578.Bailey_Booth 

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Mudpie Interviews...Diogi from Amy Pershing's Cape Cod Foodie Mystery Series

 

Christmas is coming to Cape Cod, but when Sam Barnes finds a very dead Santa in a very hip restaurant, it’s up to her to sift out suspects who have been naughty vs. nice….

Professional foodie Samantha Barnes has a simple Christmas list: a quiet holiday at home with her dog and a certain handsome harbor master; no embarrassing viral videos; and no finding dead bodies. Unfortunately she’s got family visiting, she’s spending a lot of time in front of the camera, and she’s just stumbled over the lifeless body of the town’s Santa Claus.

Plus, Sam’s plans for Christmas Eve are getting complicated. There’s the great eggnog debate among her very opinionated guests. There’s the “all edible” Christmas tree to decorate. And there’s her Feast of the Five Fishes prepare. Nonetheless, Sam finds herself once again in the role of sleuth. She needs to find out who slayed this Santa—but can she pull off a perfect feast and nab a killer?

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Diogi, the canine star of this series. We hope you enjoy meeting him!

Welcome, Diogi! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries?

Of course! You see, what happened was my human (also known as Samantha Barnes, the Cape Cod Foodie) had a bit of trouble in New York City, where she had been an up and coming young chef. Turns out her chef husband was the kind of guy who makes me want to bite someone. Him preferably. Anyway, they had a kind of sword fight with their chef’s knives and somebody put it up on something called YouTube, and suddenly Sam’s not a chef anymore.

So when she inherits her Aunt Ida’s house in Fair Harbor on Cape Cod, she comes home with her tail between her legs (I know exactly how that feels). In her new life she finds herself juggling a new job as the local paper’s “Cape Cod Foodie,” a complicated love life (although what’s complicated about a harbormaster who takes us out for rides in his boat I do not understand), a posse of just-slightly-odd friends (including our neighbor, the librarian Helene Greenberg, who I wuv), Aunt Ida’s falling-down house, and me, a super-wonderful (in my humble opinion) puppy!

And, oh yeah, what Helene calls “a propensity for falling over dead bodies.”

Tell us about An Eggnog to Die For, the new Cape Cod Foodie mystery you star in. What’s that been like?

To tell you the truth, it’s a little confusing. People keep doing things that make no sense. Like Sam stumbling over a very dead Santa in a very hip restaurant and everybody getting all upset. I mean, if I leave one of my disgusting tennis balls on the floor and Sam trips over it, do we call the cops? We do not. We just throw the ball out the door and are done with it.

Also, completely out of the blue, Sam and her parents decide to bring a tree into the house. Did you ever hear of anything so silly? Everybody knows that trees do not belong in houses. I barked at it really hard, though, so I think we’re safe. Keeping my humans safe is a big part of my job.

And, to top it all off, the humans keep cooking what smells like incredibly delicious food (cookies and eggnog and a bunch of other yummy stuff) and then putting it where I can’t, ahem, sample it. What’s with that? I thought this Christmas thing was a time for sharing…

How did you come to live with Sam? And how did you get your … unusual … name?

Oh, it was complete “meet cute”! And my name is self-explanatory (read on!) This is how Sam explains it in our first adventure, A Side of Murder.

“I have a surprise for you,” Helene said. She put two fingers to her mouth and let out an ear-splitting whistle. A blur of fur came flying up the steep path that led down to the salt pond. I had a confused impression of a wet nose and large pink tongue in my face and enormous muddy paws on my chest.

I’d had dogs as a kid. I knew how this was supposed to work. “Down!” I shouted. Nothing. The creature continued to lick me to death.

“Down, Diogi,” Helene said calmly, holding up a dog treat that had miraculously appeared in her hand. In a nanosecond, the beast turned his attention to Helene and stood gazing fixedly at the dog treat. In this brief moment of calm, which I suspected was only the eye of the storm, I could see he was your typical Cape Cod mutt, part yellow lab, part whatever. Great water dogs, good with kids, gentle. This one was remarkable in no way except for his size. He was ginormous.

“You’ll have to forgive his manners,” Helene said. “He’s still just a puppy.”

“You mean he’s going to get bigger?” I yelped.

“Oh yes,” Helene said. “He’s still just a baby. But he’s a fast learner.”

She handed me a dog treat. “Tell him to sit. Diogi will do anything for a treat.” She pronounced the name dee-OH-gee.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the treat gingerly just in case the dog got over-excited and jumped me again. “That’s an … unusual … name.”

“It’s a joke,” Helene said, blue eyes dancing. “Dee, oh, gee. D, O, G. Get it? Dog! D, O, G!” She laughed delightedly as if hearing the joke for the first time. “It’s spelled D, I, O, G, I.”

I had to smile. “Is there a cat called C, A, T?” I asked.

Helene rewarded my wit with another peal of laughter. “Seeaytee,” she crowed. “That’s rich!”

I held the treat up and said “Sit, Diogi” in my firmest voice.

Diogi ignored the command, instead leaning against my leg with all his considerable weight. I gave him the treat anyway.

“I think your dog needs some more training,” I said to Helene.

“Well, we’re working on that,” Helene acknowledged. “But he’s not my dog.”

“Whose dog is he?” I asked.

“Why, he’s yours, Sam,” Helene said, as if the answer was obvious. “Diogi comes with the house.”

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you and Sam?

I gotta tell you, I’m a little worried about that one. It’s called Murder is No Picnic and it comes out next summer. I know it’s got a lot about Cape Cod and something called the Fourth of July and food and cooking and family and friends and, oh yeah, a murder. But other than that, Sam is, for once, keeping her mouth firmly shut. But that’s okay, whatever happens, I’ll be there for her.

About the Author:

Amy Pershing, who spent every summer of her childhood on Cape Cod, was an editor, a restaurant reviewer and a journalist before leading employee communications at a global bank. A few years ago she waved goodbye to Wall Street to write full time. An Eggnog to Die For is the second of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries featuring Samantha Barnes, a disgraced but resilient ex-chef who retreats home to Cape Cod where she finds herself juggling a new job as the local paper’s “Cape Cod Foodie,” a complicated love life, a posse of just-slightly-odd friends, a falling-down house, a ginormous puppy and a propensity for falling over dead bodies. Kirkus Reviews gave An Eggnog to Die For a starred review, saying, “A delightful sleuth, a complex mystery, and lovingly described cuisine: a winner for both foodies and mystery mavens.” A Side of Murder, the first of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries, which Elizabeth Gilbert called “the freshest, funniest mystery I have ever read,” was the first book in the series. The third, Murder Is No Picnic, will be published in May 2022.

Website: AmyPershingAuthor.com

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Mudpie Interviews...Yoshi & Gatsby from the Petectives Mystery Series (w/Review & Giveaway)

The Rainbow Bridge is the wonderful place that pets visit after they die. Is someone planning a one-way, all-expense paid trip there for cat detectives Yoshi and Gatsby? Things are getting tense for the world’s greatest cat detectives. Wild coyotes are roaming the streets, a fast talking cat psychic claims he can speak to the dead and the neighborhood is being plagued by robberies committed by literal cat burglars. All of that is nothing compared to what might be the biggest challenge of Yoshi and Gatsby’s careers: their humans have just adopted a dog!

Before the mysteries are solved there will be a thrilling rooftop chase, encounters with animal villains and a ghostly visitation. Humor, action and mystery combine into a story that both pet lovers and mystery readers will love.

Yoshi and Gatsby of the Petectives books have stopped by to shameless plug their latest book:

Mudpie: Hi guys! It’s been awhile since you’ve visited us.

Gatsby: But now we’re back and better than ever! And Mudpie, may I say that you’re just as sweet as the dessert whose name you share.

Mudpie: Gatsby, didn’t you use that same line on Truffles the last time you were here?

Gatsby: Uh…

Mudpie: Maybe we should just stick to my questions, and not bother with old pick-up lines.

Yoshi: Fire away. I’ll do my utmost to answer while Gatsby tries to think of some new pick-up lines.

Gatsby: Hey! I should do the talking. After all, I narrate our stories.

Mudpie: You can both answer. As I was saying, it’s been awhile since you’ve been here. Can you reintroduce yourselves?

Gatsby: Absolutely. My name is Gatsby. I’m an orange, stripey cat who loves making fun of my owner, being mean to dogs and eating lasagna.

Yoshi: Wrong orange cat. You just described Garfield. You are definitely not Garfield.

Gatsby: Am I Heathcliff?

Yoshi: Not unless someone’s changed the title of our book to ‘Wuthering Heights’.

Gatsby: Is that a literary joke? Nobody’s going to get that.

Mudpie: Actually the visitors to my site are very intelligent, well-read people. I’m sure that they all got it.

Gatsby: Well that’s great but we’re not here to talk about good literature; we’re here to talk about the Petectives books. Wait, what did I just say?

Yoshi: Perhaps I can get back to Mudpie’s question. His name is Gatsby. He’s an orange cat who’s outgoing, reckless and not nearly as funny as he believes he is. My name is Yoshi. I’m an erudite black cat who enjoys books, naps and using my intellect to solve the difficulties that arise in our neighborhood. You see, Gatsby and I act as private investigators for the other pets in our area.

Mudpie: What kinds of difficulties?

Gatsby: Our neighborhood is a hotbed of animal crime! We’ve had to deal with everything from cat nappers to attempted dogicide!

Yoshi: I don’t believe that our neighborhood is any different than the average American suburb. But from time to time, mysteries crop up that we need to investigate.

Mudpie: So what mysteries crop up in your newest book?

Gatsby: Well our latest book is called Petectives: Rainbow Bridge. In it our neighborhood is being beset by cat burglars.

Mudpie: You mean some guy dressed in black who sneaks into the upper stories of buildings?

Gatsby: Nope. Actual cats are somehow getting into people’s homes and stealing premium cat food and cat toys.

Mudpie: That’s much worse.

Yoshi: Indeed. But that’s not the only problem plaguing the area. Feral coyotes also seem to be wandering our streets looking to prey on house pets. And Gatsby has an encounter with them.

Mudpie: That’s horrible!

Gatsby: It’s not all heavy. We also have to deal with an old friend of mine who’s come into town claiming that he’s a psychic and can communicate with the dead. For the right price, of course.

Mudpie: Seriously? That’s not for real, is it?

Yoshi: Ah well, that’s where we come in.

Mudpie: Well at least no one gets murdered.

Gatsby: Not at first, but you never know where these things are going to go.

Mudpie: Does someone get murdered?

Gatsby: We’re not giving out spoilers! You’re going to have buy the book to find out!

Mudpie: No I’m not. I have a review copy, I’ve already read the book. I was just trying to help generate interest.

Yoshi: And we thank you. Do you have any other questions for us?

Mudpie: Yoshi, I know that you’re a reader. Have you read any good books lately?

Yoshi: Well, I just finished Poirot: The Greatest Detective in the World by Mark Aldridge. It details the history of Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective, who’s celebrating his hundredth anniversary this year. I found it to be an excellent read. Highly recommended.

Mudpie: I’ll have to check that out. Is there anything else you guys would like to say?

Gatsby: Yes. Buy Pectectives books! There’re five of them now! Collect ‘em all! Old people love them! Middle-Aged people love them! Kids love them! There’s mystery! There’s action! There’s humor! It’s sorta like a cozy mystery without any annoying humans. You all should stop reading this nonsense right now, go to Amazon and search for ‘Petectives’!

Yoshi: Hmm. I think I see why it’s been so long since we’ve been here. Thank you, Mudpie.

Mudpie: Thanks, guys.

As you can see, Mudpie really had her paws full with these guys, but we just love Yoshi and Gatsby to pieces and have ever since their very first adventure a number of years ago. Each of the cats' unique purrsonalities shines through once again as Yoshi, the brains behind the operation (who solves mysteries in between naps), and Gatsby, the impulsive risk taker who constantly finds himself in hot water, are on the case of a pair of mysteries as a gang of cat burglars have invaded their cozy little neighborhood and a face from Gatsby's past arrives claiming he can communicate with the dead. This isn't even the full extent of their problems, because even as the book begins poor Gatsby is recovering at the vet after nearly putting one paw over the Rainbow Bridge himself! 

Each and every one of the stories in the Petectives series is an absolute delight, and the best part...NO PEOPLE! If you prefer characters with fur and four legs, these are the books for you. I for one don't miss human involvement a single bit because these kitties prove they can take care of things themselves. Four paws up!!!

GIVEAWAY! The author has generously offered to give away paperback copies of Rainbow Bridge and the short story The Fourth Cat to one lucky winner. To enter, simply leave a comment below by midnight eastern one week from today, 10/21/21. (US entries only, please.)