Why is a cat like a book? Take 3

When people ask me what kind of cat Kitty O is, I like to say, "Very well loved." A few smile, a few say, "Of course," but for the most part, people continue with, "We meant what breed is he?"

I give my standard answer, "A mixture, a mutt, a grey splendor."

While that satisfies a few, others persist, "American short hair? Russian blue? Siamese?"

That need to define reminds me of books. When I tell people I just published a mystery, they ask, "A cozy mystery?" "A gritty mystery?" "Suspense?"

Whatever happened to plain old mutt cat and simple whodunit mystery?

I recall reading how J.K Rowling's agent had trouble placing her first Harry Potter novel. Was it children's? Young Adult? At the time, the notion of a great crossover was unthinkable.

I will never know Kitty O's ancestors and frankly, I don't care.

As for my novel, it's a mystery, plain and simple. Well, hopefully not too simple. I don't want people to guess whodunit on page 1. That would defeat the purpose of writing it.