Mollie Hunt's Blog, page 31

A RARE CASE OF EXTREME PODODERMATITIS

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August 28, 2020 started like any other day at the foster office of the Oregon Humane Society. I was there to pick up a new foster cat, Barry Manilow, a sweet brown tabby of undetermined age. Barry had come from a hording situation and was afflicted with a condition I’d never encountered before, plasma cell pododermatitis, also known as “pillow foot.” When I looked it up online, I saw photos of cats with foot pads resembling a pillow. They didn’t begin to prepare me for what I found with Barry.

Barry’s pads were swollen to the point of hugeness. The front pads were pendulous, raw and bleeding. Here is the email I wrote to the foster department the next morning:

“Poor Berry! His little foot pads are bleeding every time he takes a step, and even when he’s sitting quietly. Whatever healing scabs there were are coming off like layers of skin, leaving raw flesh. This is compounded by the fact he likes to jump on everything. What a mess! He is the sweetest boy, but I’m at a loss about the bleeding.”

Foster responded immediately, offering to take him back, but I declined. I would cope with the mess and try to keep him comfortable rather than have him go back to the shelter. His doctor suggested keeping him kenneled for the major part of the time to reduce his walking. He was happy with that, loving his bed and my big kennel with its nice window view of birds and trees. I gave him a tablet so he could watch “Bird TV” and hung ribbons and shiny things from the ceiling. When I let him out, he enjoyed being with me and exploring a larger domain. I followed him around with a damp cloth to mop up the blood.

At first, Barry was unsure what to do with his freedom. He ignored all of the toys and pretty much ignored me as well. Though he had got a reputation at the shelter for being feisty, I never saw that side of him. He was always mellow and curious in spite of his painful feet.

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He began coming nearer to me, especially when I rubbed his sideburns. He realized he loved being petted, and though he wasn’t ready to sit on my lap, he would come close and snuggle. Then one day he began to play with a string toy! For a cat person, there is a moment of pure joy when a sullen, hesitant cat finally finds play!

This elation was short-lived however. Barry began to lose his appetite. His pads seemed even more swollen, and he had become reluctant to walk on them, taking only a few steps before crouching down. I contacted the Foster office again, and this time they asked that I bring him in. When I dropped him off in the parking lot per pandemic protocol and said goodbye, I hoped the doctor could do something for the sweet boy who had been making so much social progress. I also hoped he would come back to me, but that didn’t happen. By the time he was ready to be in foster again, I had a trip planned, so he moved on to another foster parent.

I had Barry with me for a mere six days, but his will to thrive will remain in my heart and mind forever. In spite of terrible experiences, unending pain, and life in a hopeless situation, he was ready to change and learn. His love (and curiosity) overcame the ordeals of his past. I am so thankful to OHS for giving ones like Barry a new chance and a better life. 

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Barry is finally ready for adoption here in Portland Oregon. Here’s the link: https://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/details/249214/

HAPPY (ALMOST) NATIONAL CAT DAY 2020!

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For the past several years, I’ve released my Crazy Cat Lady cozy mysteries on or around National Cat Day*, and this year is no exception. Tomorrow, the 29th of October, 2020 will see the official launch of Cat Conundrum, 7th in the series. I originally chose National Cat Day for several reasons, the most practical being it was the closest cat holiday to the date the books were ready, but now it has become a tradition, one I cherish in all the richness of the day.

*I need to note that the dates you see on my Amazon page are not necessarily the true date of release. The Cat Conundrum print version for instance, has a date of 2018, which was the date I uploaded my cover to the Amazon site. The book itself was not uploaded until now, and the official launch is 10/29/20.

In my series which features the adventures of Lynley Cannon, cat shelter volunteer, I strive to take a step further than mere entertainment. At the beginning of each chapter, I include a cat tip, trick, or fact in hopes to educate and engage those who want to know more about cats. But be assured, Lynley rarely lectures. She prefers to lead by example, so if you learn something new about fostering, cat safety, general care and health, or a fun new cat toy, it’s only because she is practicing these things in her own daily life.

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As a volunteer myself, I know the importance of the work. Our society is so adept at letting the vulnerable fall through the cracks, and cats are no exception. In my area, Portland Oregon, we are blessed with forward-thinking animal advocates who have come together to help save lives. Their aggressive spay & neuter program has all but wiped out cat overpopulation, making our Oregon Humane Society available to help cats from other areas, especially those affected by disaster.

All of us can help save lives. Whether we foster, adopt, volunteer, donate, or sew a cat blanket, we are helping with the big picture. Many hands make light work, so my mother told me, and I’ve seen it in action within the world of animal advocacy. In my lifetime, dogs have been unchained and cats have been moved to the safety of the indoors. Unwanted kittens are no longer disposed of. Declawing is becoming a thing of the past. There is more work to do, certainly, but kindness and compassion have taken root and are bound to flower.

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So let’s celebrate National Cat Day in style this year. Lavish your kitty with love, and help a cat shelter or group if you can.

From Wikipedia: National Cat Day is an awareness day to raise public awareness of cat adoption, taking place on August 8 in Canada and October 29 in the United States. The National Cat Day website states that the holiday was first celebrated in 2005 “to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.” The day was founded by Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, who was supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is a nonprofit pet adoption organization.

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Join me on National Cat Day, October 29thto celebrate the launch of Cat Conundrum, the 7th Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery. There will be book giveaways, cat talk and tips, conversations, a grand prize, and possibly a Facebook Live reading hosted by Tyler the cat. The launch party will be hosted by the Cozy Cat Writers and Readers Facebook Group with a live event between 1:00 and 3:00 PDT on my FB author page, Mollie Hunt, Writer. Stop by anytime for prizes, conversation, cat tips, and more. Virtual catnip for all!

8 WAYS TO SUPPORT A BOOK LAUNCH WITHOUT ACTUALLY GOING

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This year there will be no in-person book launch at a cozy, independent bookstore with friends, family, and fans gathered around. No cat-face cupcakes or champagne (or grape juice) shared. This year, my new book will come out only virtually. I plan to make it a party, with giveaways, conversations, and a possible live reading hosted by Tyler the cat. Hopefully you can stop by the Cozy Cat Writers & Readers Facebook group sometime on October 29th. I realize it’s National Cat Day and you will be busy indulging your cat(s), but kitty would want you to take a break and check out the contest to see if I’m giving away any catnip mice.

Thankfully there are other ways to support an author with a new book besides going to in-person launch:

1.      Preorder the book. Preorders are counted toward first-week sales, so preordering can give a huge boost to a title.

2.     Read it? Leave a review. Reviews are important. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy— “I liked it,” is enough.

3.     “Like” the author’s Facebook Fan page. This is win-win, because you never know what tidbits you might pick up. For instance, I give cat tips on mine.

4.     Request a copy from your library. Most libraries take suggestions from their clientele, just as most libraries do not take books directly from the author.

5.     Pass it on. Instead of tossing the book into the Goodwill pile once you’ve read it, give it to a friend who you think might enjoy it, or leave it in a “Little Community Library” box, if you have those in your neighborhood.

Here’s a sneaky one, but I like it!

6.     Move the book face-out at bookstores. Next time you see the book at a store, rearrange the shelf so the cover faces the aisle to make it much more noticeable.

7.     Suggest the book to your book club.  Some authors give deals for book club sales, and I am one of them. It never hurts to ask.

And lastly:

8.     If you liked the book, tell the author. It may seem obvious, but it happens rarely. Few writers write to make money—it’s all about telling their story. To know that story has reached someone is the highest reward a writer can receive.

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We have a winner!

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The winner of the iSuperb Pack of 4 Canvas Coin Purse Wallets is Timmy Cat! Congratulations, Timmy! Be sure to share your prize with Dad Pete and the family.

Join me again on National Cat Day, October 29th, for a Grand Prize giveaway (TBA) to celebrate the launch of Cat Conundrum, the new Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery. The launch party will be hosted by the Cozy Cat Writers and Readers Facebook Group. Stop by anytime for prizes, conversation, cat tips, and more.

CAT COZY/FELINE FANTASY GIVEAWAY!

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This Is My Truth Now blogsite is hosting a GIVEAWAY for five (5) authors of cat cozies and feline fantasies, and I am one of them! Beginning today, Sunday October 25, 2020, you can enter to win either an e-book or all five paperback collection! (US Only) Giveaway runs over the next 5 days, from 10/25 thru 10/29 @ 5pm EST. For details, check the TIMT site.

My giveaway book is the first in my Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery Series, Cats’ Eyes. Other offerings are No Gravestone Unturned, the newest Cobble Cove Mystery by Debbie De Louise; Himalayan Hazard (Pet Whisperer PI) by Molly Fitz; Dorothy Claes and the Prison of Thenemi (Silver Gox Mysteries) by C.P. Morgan; and Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Cat Magic (Lily Singer Adventures) by Lydia Sherrer.

There are several ways to win this Rafflecopter Giveaway. Good luck!

Excerpt from CAT CONUNDRUM, The 7th Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery

In just 10 days, Cat Conundrum will take it’s place among the other 6 Crazy Cat Lady cozy mysteries! I try to make each story different, while featuring the familiar characters and settings readers have come to enjoy. Conundrum varies a bit from the usual theme in that it takes place in a new town. Long Beach, Washington is an area I know well, and it’s a thrill to bring this lovely spot to the forefront.

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But it wouldn’t be a murder mystery without murders. Here’s a excerpt:

I got to Bristol’s on the dot of two, but Tabby had not yet arrived. I told the server I was expecting another person, so she seated me at a little table by the front window. After bringing me coffee, she dropped a pair of paper menus, two waters, and a complimentary plate of homemade bread with butter.

The view was lovely, the bay side of the Peninsula with its oyster beds and gently rolling waves. Beyond, the mainland was a green-gray strip of forested hills on the horizon. This time of year, the deli’s little back garden was mostly spent, a skeleton of dry, black stems and stalks, but a few hardy rose blossoms persisted, their pink and mauve bright as paint splashes on a Paynes-gray canvas.

For a while, I watched a boat scudding between the oyster traps to pick up their catch. I surveyed the seagulls soaring in the clouded sky. I examined the artwork on the walls of the restaurant and the sweet little carvings of fishermen and -women that lined the windowsills. I even unpacked some of the gifts I’d bought on my morning shopping spree. But as the minute hand on the antique wall clock advanced—two-ten, two-twenty-five—‌I started getting restless. There was only so much water to be sipped, forks to straighten, scenery to be admired before my thoughts came around again to Tabby. Why was she late? Rude? Detained? Or something else, something darker and more destructive?

I’d tried her number, but my call went straight to voicemail. I decided to give her another ten minutes; then if she hadn’t made it and I hadn’t heard back, I would head home. Since Frannie and her convenient automobile had returned to Portland, I was on foot, and it would be a bit of a hike to the guesthouse. So far, the rain had held off, but now that dark sky promised showers if not an all-out squall. I’d assumed Tabby would give me a ride home, but I’d also assumed Tabby would honor her promise to meet. Now it looked as if I would have to change my plans.

I called her number once again, with the same results. This time, I didn’t bother to leave a message—‌what could I say beyond my original “Where the heck are you?” She could see with her own eyes I’d already tried multiple times.

I looked at the clock—‌two-fifty. In my mind, nearly an hour late was officially a no-show. Whether it was by her own whim or she had met with circumstances beyond her control, my occupying a prime table in the little restaurant was of no benefit whatsoever. It was time to give up and begin the trek home, hoping the rain would delay its arrival for a little longer and knowing it probably wouldn’t.

I got up, took a last sip of cold coffee, and put on my coat. I pulled a five out of my wallet and left it on the table, apologizing to the server as I passed by.

“Oh, that’s fine, ma’am,” she said politely. “Stuff happens. Come back for a meal sometime when it’s more… convenient.”

“I’ll do that,” I promised.

I was on my way out. My hand was on the knob, turning, when the big door flew open, knocking me to the side. As I recovered my equilibrium, I saw the culprit, Creepy Guy himself—‌déjà vu all over again!

He stumbled in, looked around madly, and dashed up to the counter.

“Jean! Jean!” he cried.

The server ran out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.

“Carter, what is it? Keep your voice down,” she cautioned. “You want me to lose my job?”

“Jean!” the young man panted, pulling off his ball cap to reveal a mop of dark brown hair. “Jean! Listen to me!”

The woman slumped and sighed. “Okay then. Quit whimpering and talk.”

Carter glanced around at the audience his outburst had attracted. His face was as white as the linen tablecloths. In a hiss of horror, he announced, “There’s been another murder!”

Cat Conundrum is available for preorder. Tyler suggests you order now, so your ebook copy will arrive on National Cat Day, October 29th, 2020.

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One More Day to Enter the Contest!

This week I’m offering a cute iSuperb Pack of 4 Canvas Coin Purse Wallets. The purses are lightweight and durable, perfect to hold your little belongings, coins, cash, credit card, USB charger, cable headset, keys, lipstick, cat treat, or ???

For a chance to win, email me at molliehuntcatwriter@gmail.com and put Contest, Coin Purse in the subject line. Tyler the cat will choose the winner at random from the entries received. Sorry, U.S. addresses only. Drawing tomorrow, Sunday, October 25, 2020.

CAT CONUNDRUM – 10 FACTS AND FANCIES

It always amazes me when I write a book how many details come into play. To create a full story, I draw on my own experiences as well as do research on things beyond my personal realm. Here are a few things of note in my upcoming Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery, Cat Conundrum:

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1. What is a conundrum? The word conundrum refers to complex, difficult problems or, more informally, a mystery or puzzle. The word conundrum consistently ranks among the top ten most frequently search terms on the Merriam-Webster’s website.

2. Who’s that cat? Seaview, the feline hero of Cat Conundrum, is of the Maine Coon breed. Known for huge size, luxurious furs, and trilling chirps, Maine Coons are often utilized in films. The most recent additions to the Maine Coon actors’ league are brothers, Leeu and Durban who play Grudge on Star Trek: Discovery.

3. Cat Con: The Cat Summit featured in Cat Conundrum may be fictional, but cat-themed events are very real. Besides the classic cat show, cons such as Jackson Galaxy’s Cat Camp and Pop Cats bring cat people together for fun and shopping. Conferences like the Winn Feline Foundation FIP Symposium focus on cat health, research, and learning.

4. Got Clams? Digging for razor clams is a popular local sport on the Long Beach Peninsula where Cat Conundrum takes place. My husband and I went clamming last week and got our limits in record time.

5. Police Procedure: Lynley ends up fostering a cat who is involved in a police investigation. Did you know that in these cases, the animal itself can be considered evidence and therefore must abide by strict rules?

6. The Infamous Locked Room: Locked-room murders have fascinated mystery authors and their readers since the beginning of time. Edgar Allan Poe, G. K. Chesterton (Father Brown Mysteries), Ellery Queen, and of course, Agatha Christie are just a few who have challenged themselves with writing a locked-room mystery.

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7. Celebration of Life: At the Cat Summit, Lynley and Frannie discover a remembrance project where cat cohabitors decorate small flags to commemorate their cats who have passed. This flag project is based on a real venture I found at a CWA Conference, though that one wasn’t limited to angel cats.

8. Cats at work. Many stores and businesses have a resident cat, one who either lives in the premises or comes when the employees are at work. Besides bookstores like the one in Cat Conundrum, cats may be seen at libraries, markets, dressmakers, print shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

9. Cat Writer: Ursula K. Le Guin was an American author best known for her works of speculative fiction and science fiction, but she also wrote cat stories. The Catwings series is an illustrated joy for cat lovers of all ages.

10. More to come! Cat Conundrum is not the last Lynley Cannon cozy mystery. Look for Adventure Cat, coming next fall.

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Still Time to Enter the Contest!

This week I’m offering a cute iSuperb Pack of 4 Canvas Coin Purse Wallets. The purses are lightweight and durable, perfect to hold your little belongings, coins, cash, credit card, USB charger, cable headset, keys, lipstick, cat treat, or ???

For a chance to win, email me at molliehuntcatwriter@gmail.com and put Contest, Coin Purse in the subject line. Tyler the cat will choose the winner at random from the entries received. Sorry, U.S. addresses only. Drawing Sunday, October 25, 2020.

CLAMMING ON THE WILD WEST COAST

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Here in Long Beach, Washington, digging for razor clams is a tradition. In the spring and fall, dig times are in the morning. In winter, they are at night. People go down to the beach an hour or so before the low tide. In the dark of night, dozens of lanterns and lamps can be seen all up and down the long shoreline like fairy lights.

Sometimes the clams show themselves with a distinctive divot in the sand, and sometimes they defy detection. Sometimes it’s raining, which makes the job even more challenging.

In Cat Conundrum, Lynley gets her first lesson in clamming. Here’s an excerpt:

“Nearly gave up on you folks,” she said, kissing Denny on the cheek. She turned to me and surprisingly gave me a little peck as well. “I’m Cait. And you must be Lynley. Your other friend didn’t come?”

“Frannie regrettably declined,” I said. “She’s home with the cat.”

Cait chuckled. “Denny explained about you and your cats. I have a cat, Iggy. You can meet him when we get back, but right now we’ve got to catch the tide. Time’s a wastin’.”

She walked around to a covered deck at the side of the house and opened a plywood locker, pulling from it several sets of blue grip gloves, two Coleman lanterns, a handful of net bags, and a pair of the infamous gumboots.

“Size seven?” she asked me.

“Seven and a half.”

She swapped the pair she was holding for another. “I only got eight. Denny tell you to wear extra socks?”

“He did.” I took the boots, and sitting in a lawn chair that had seen better days, wrangled them onto my feet. With the two pair of heavy socks, they fit as comfortably as one could expect of molded rubber. Cait grabbed out one of the metal tubes—a clam- digging device called a clam gun, Denny had explained to me on the way over—then closed the cupboard. Divvying up the gloves and bags between the three of us, she handed Denny one of the lanterns and kept one for herself.

“You got your license?”

I looked at Denny in shock. “No, I…” I began, but he pulled a plastic orange wallet from his pocket.

“Here you go. Don’t lose this. If you don’t have one, it’s big trouble.”

“Do they check?”

“They sure do,” Cait said, hefting the lantern in one hand and the clam gun in the other. “There’s a limit on how many clams folks are allowed, and for good reason. We take our clamming very seriously here on the Peninsula.”

Only pausing at the truck to light the lanterns and pick up our own clam guns, we headed for the path that would lead us across the dunes to the beach. The sound of the ocean swelled as we shuffled along, our lanterns bobbing and swaying, making lively shadows in the dune grass and huckleberry. As we climbed a short rise to finally view the ocean, I stopped in my tracks. The beach, usually one long, windswept ribbon of empty sand, now twinkled with a hundred little lights, other Coleman lanterns like our own. From where I stood, they reminded me of something enchanted—fairies, moving in and out of the silken waves. Beyond the lanterns’ glow was darkness, save for where the sun had slipped away, leaving a final strip of deepest red on the horizon.

“How beautiful!” I sighed.

“It is, isn’t it?” Cait remarked. “We are truly blessed to live in this wonderful place.”

“Yes,” I sighed. “You truly are.”

And after the clams are gathered, there’s time for talk:

Denny rinsed off his hands and draped a striped linen towel over the plate of clams. “All done,” he said. “Should I start the fry-up?”

“In a minute,” Cait said. “Join us and drink your cider.”

Denny obediently came over to the fire. Setting his mug on the coffee table, he held out his hands to warm them.

“That feels good,” he sighed.

“Clamming is cold work.”

“And what’s your take on this murder case,” Cait asked, “from a professional point of view?”

Denny sat down on the couch, his eyes still fixed on the flames. “You know I work with animals, not people.”

“But you deal with people too, ones who are responsible for whatever’s happened to those animals. Some of them are far from nice.”

“That’s the truth.” His face set into a frown, and I didn’t want to guess at the things he had witnessed as a humane investigator.

“Did you hear Cait’s idea about there being more than one killer, Denny?”

He nodded. “Interesting speculation. You’re right, it would explain a few things. But what would that mean? Having a murder buddy?”

“I think it might be worth considering,” I said.

“You would.” Denny began to laugh, and we all joined in.

Suddenly I thought of something else. “Cait, you said you know everybody on the Peninsula…”

“Well, a good portion, for sure.”

“What about a young, skinny guy, white, probably mid-twenties, though he could be older. Or younger for that matter. I’m not great with ages.”

“That’s not a lot to go on, hon.”

“He was wearing dark clothing and a ball cap pulled down over his eyes. I saw him a couple of times, and he was always dressed the same. I’d guess it’s part of his image.”

“There must be twenty guys fitting that description I can think of off the top of my head. Anything else you recall? What about his demeanor, his body language?”

I tried to visualize everything I could remember about Creepy Guy. “He sort of skulked, if you know what I mean, as if he weren’t really involved with the goings on around him but hanging on the sidelines. He was at the museum the night of Dunne’s murder, in among the onlookers, and he was also at the Cat Summit.”

“Why are you asking, Lynley?” Denny said suspiciously. “Did this guy bother you?”

“No, not really,” I replied. “He slammed me into a wall, that’s all.”

“He what?” Denny exclaimed. “Why didn’t I know about this?”

“It was no big deal. I’m sure it was an accident—I was going out, he was coming in—fast. He couldn’t have known I was there.”

“So if it wasn’t a big deal,” Denny charged, “why are you following up about him now?”

“I’m not sure. I suppose it’s because he seemed to be everywhere but always looked so out of place. I’ve heard murderers like to visit the scenes of their crimes.”

Denny laughed. “Where did you get that? Television?”

“My mother told me,” I justified, “but you’re half-right—chances are she heard it on one of her mystery shows. That doesn’t make it untrue,”

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Here is our own personal clamming haul from last night.

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Don’t forget to enter my current giveaway contest. I’m offering a cute iSuperb Pack of 4 Canvas Coin Purse Wallets. The purses are lightweight and durable, perfect to hold your little belongings, coins, cash, credit card, USB charger, cable headset, keys, lipstick, cat treat, or ???.

For a chance to win, email me at molliehuntcatwriter@gmail.com and put Contest, Coin Purse in the subject line. Tyler the cat will choose the winner at random from the entries received. Sorry, U.S. addresses only. Drawing Sunday, October 25, 2020.

Cat Conundrum, Crazy Cat Lady mysteries #7, launches on National Cat Day, October 29th, 2020.

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CAT CONUNDRUM – READ AN EXCERPT – ENTER A GIVEAWAY

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Cat Party Continues!

The launch for Cat Conundrum, the 7th Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery, is coming up fast. Cat Conundrum finds our hero, sixty-something cat shelter volunteer Lynley Cannon, on the wild Washington coast with her friend, Special Agent Denny Paris. The pair are all set to give a presentation on shelter cats at a prestigious cat summit. Little do they know they will be confronted with not one, not two, not three, but four bizarre murders!

I thought you might like to read an excerpt.

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Chapter One

The sea raged like something undone. From out of the hollow hills came the screech of an animal: a cougar or a wolf. A gull floated in the cold, gray sky above, a winged shadow against the cloud cover. A typical January morning on the wild Washington coast—I found the scene exhilarating.

My name is Lynley Cannon, and as a native resident of urban Portland, it had been a while since I’d traveled into the wilderness. My presence today was a gift, and I was prepared to take full advantage of it.

“Showtime,” came a voice from behind me.

I turned to see my friend and co-panelist, Special Agent Denny Paris, standing in the doorway of the lodge. As my eye traced the stunning lines of the grand, turn-of-the-century inn, I had to confess that maybe this wasn’t the backwoods after all.

“Ready, Lynley?” Denny asked, holding the door for me.

“As I’ll ever be,” I replied, pushing through into the cozy warmth of the lodge’s magnificent conference room. Dutifully I took my place on the stage. I straightened my glasses, folded my hands, and stared at the ever-increasing audience as they, in turn, stared back at me. I glanced at Denny. The young man with his fine features, cat-green eyes, and sandy hair curling from under his blue police cap seemed the epitome of confidence. I wished I had half his aplomb.

As I am an introvert, I was less than thrilled to be the center of attention even though I knew it was for a good cause: cats. I’m all about cats, and the Long Beach Cat Summit promised to be a top-rate event. The special agent and I had chosen to present on the subject of shelter cats. It had sounded like a good idea when we submitted the proposal; now that I sat in the spotlight, I was having some serious second thoughts.

Denny must have picked up on my angst because right on cue, he turned to me and whispered, “You look great, Lynley.”

I didn’t have a mirror, nor did I need one to know what I looked like: a tousled, slightly frumpy, sixty-something cat enthusiast. His compliment was a lie, but a kind lie all the same.

“This is an excellent opportunity to get the word out about cats in the shelter system,” he went on. “I’m glad I convinced you to come along.”

I smiled back, unsure whether I should thank him or do him bodily harm.

The panel hasn’t begun yet, I thought as my trepidation ramped up into near-panic. Still time to make a run for it. I could say I needed to use the bathroom; get a drink of water; retrieve a necessary item from my purse, and then go. Go go go! Denny would figure it out when I didn’t return. He’d make the best of it. They would never even miss me…

My attention was hauled back to reality as a big man in a black uniform lumbered up the steps to the stage. Though probably a bit over the perfect weight for his stature, he carried it straight and tall. His round face held a kindly smile, but his eyes, shadowed by the bill of his hat, were a mystery. Then he pulled the hat off. The smile broadened, and a pair of bright blues lit up as if he knew everyone in the place and was glad to see them.

The room instantly quieted, whether from anticipation of the show or the man’s magnetic personality, I couldn’t tell.

“Welcome,” he said in a deep, rolling basso that matched his figure. “For those of you who don’t know me…” He gave a little chuckle which was echoed throughout the room. “I’m Sheriff Matt Boulder.” The sheriff raised a self-effacing hand to the smattering of applause. “Thank you, thank you, but tonight’s not about me. No re-election speeches, I promise.”

He paused for another bout of laughter. “You kitty-cat folks are in for a treat. For our first panel of the day, I have with me Special Agent Denny Paris from the Northwest Humane Society. Special Agent Paris heads up a team of humane investigators—you may know them better asanimal cops—for our Pacific Northwest area. Besides handling animal abuse and neglect cases, his team works hard to educate our kids about pet care and safety so they grow up treating animals right.”

This time, the applause was enthusiastic. Denny gave a courteous nod, but I was close enough to see his face redden. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who was nervous after all.

“Also we have Lynley Cannon.” The sheriff peeked at an index card in his hand. “Cat expert from Friends of Felines Cat Shelter over in Portland. Besides being a longtime cat shelter volunteer,” he read off the page, “Ms. Cannon fosters cats and has several cats of her own, including a registered therapy cat that she takes into assisted living communities. Lynley is here to tell us about her experiences.”

The applause rolled around to me, polite and optimistic. I gave a little wave and fiddled with my pen, hoping that when it came my turn, I wouldn’t freeze, pass out, or toss my cookies.

* * *

All went well. The hour sped past with Denny speaking about his investigations and me chatting about cats. People asked the usual questions. How many cats do you have? (Eight.) What’s it like to volunteer at a cat shelter? (Fun and exhausting.) How do you keep from adopting them all? (Willpower and knowing they will get a good home with someone else.) And the inevitable Why does my kitty pee on the carpet, linoleum, bathtub, pillowcase, or boyfriend’s new boots? (See your veterinarian to rule out a medical cause, then look for behavioral issues.) I didn’t freeze, faint, or embarrass myself with inadvertent bodily functions. In fact, once I got over the initial stage fright, I quite enjoyed it. I was almost sorry when it came to an end and Sheriff Boulder stepped up to the microphone once more.

“We have time for one last question,” he announced.

Several hands went up, but before he could choose, a man at the back of the conference room stood. Pulling the beat-up ball cap off his head, he choked it in his restless grip as he made a query that changed everything.

“What’s being done about the murder?”

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You Won!

Tyler had some unexpected help choosing this week’s winner, but he and Blaze finally agreed: the winner of this week’s giveaway is Leah. Leah has won an advance reader copy of Cat Conundrum! Congratulations!

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New Contest Starts Now!

Next, I’m offering an iSuperb Pack of 4 Canvas Coin Purse Wallets. These are so cute! The purses are lightweight and durable, perfect to hold your little belongings, coins, cash, credit card, USB charger, cable headset, keys, lipstick or ???.

For a chance to win, email me at molliehuntcatwriter@gmail.com and put Contest, Coin Purse in the subject line. Tyler the cat will choose the winner at random from the entries received. Sorry, U.S. addresses only. Drawing TBA.

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Cat Conundrum launches on National Cat Day, October 29th, 2020!

From now until October 29th, stay tuned for more cat info, excerpts, and giveaways. Be sure to pounce on over to my new Facebook group, Cozy Cat Writers & Readers, which will be the Cat Conundrum Launch Central. I created this page for readers and writers of cozy cat fiction to find each other. Look for your favorite cozy authors there.

Cat Conundrum is the 7th book in the Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery series, but don’t worry—books need not be read in order. As with all the Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mysteries, cat tips, tricks, and facts at the beginning of each chapter!

CAT CONUNDRUM LAUNCH NEARS THE FINAL STRETCH

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Mark your calendars!

I don’t know how time can go both slowly and swiftly, but I do know that there are only 24 days until the launch of my latest Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery, Cat Conundrum. Cat Conundrum is all set to launch on October 29, 2020, National Cat Day. Presenting a new cat cozy is my favorite way to celebrate!

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Lynley Goes To The Beach!

Cat Conundrum finds our hero, sixty-something cat shelter volunteer Lynley Cannon, on the wild Washington coast with her friend, Special Agent Denny Paris. The pair are all set to give a presentation on shelter cats at a prestigious cat summit. Little do they know they will be confronted with not one, not two, not three, but four bizarre murders!

A locked room. A dead man. The cat is the only witness, and he isn’t talking.

Locked-room murders are being committed in sleepy little Long Beach, Washington. As to the killer, Sheriff Matt Boulder has no idea who or why.

The sheriff needs help. He calls his friend, animal cop Denny Paris, and gets a surprise bonus: Lynley Cannon, amateur sleuth. This isn’t how the sixty-something cat shelter volunteer envisioned her beach vacation, but when Denny asks her to join him in the search, how can she refuse?

While the officers investigate one line of inquiry, Lynley takes a different approach. Her only clues, a cat found at the murder scene and a rich man’s missing wife, lead her thread by thread to a scheme more insidious than fiction.

But who will she tell when she turns out to be the one in the locked room?

Cat Conundrum is the 7th book in the Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery series, but don’t worry—books need not be read in order.

Cat Conundrum is available for pre-order here! Customers who pre-order the book will receive the content on the release date, 10/29/2020.

As usual, cat tips, tricks, and facts at the beginning of each chapter!

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Still Time to Enter the Contest!

This week, I’m offering a signed paperback copy of Cat Conundrum, sent to you before it comes out! That’s right. The winner will be able to read Cat Conundrum before anyone else (aside from me and my editor, of course)!

For a chance to win, email me at molliehuntcatwriter@gmail.com and put Contest, Conundrum Book in the subject line. Tyler the cat will choose the winner at random from the entries received. Sorry, U.S. addresses only. Drawing October 10, 2020.

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Cat Party!

From now until October 29th, stay tuned for cat info, excerpts, and giveaways. Be sure to pounce on over to my new Facebook group, Cozy Cat Writers & Readers, which will be the Cat Conundrum Launch Central. I created this page for readers and writers of cozy cat fiction to find each other. Look for your favorite cozy authors there.

THE LATHE OF PORTLAND, from the Fire Star Press Blogsite

 

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Are you in the mood for a little dystopian tale? Part memoir, part crazy. Check it out on my Fire Star Press Blog Site.

https://firestarpress.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-lathe-of-portland-by-mollie-hunt.html