A Tale of Two Kitties

July 10, 2017
Bestseller Kelly graduates to hardcover with her inviting ninth Magical Cats mystery (after 2016’s Paws and Effect). Kathleen Paulson, the director of the Mayville Heights, Minn., Free Public Library, owns two cats with unusual abilities: Owen, who can vanish at will, and Hercules, who walks through walls. When library intern Mia Janes’s paternal grandfather, Leo, is bludgeoned to death, the main suspect is Mia’s father, Simon. Father and son had argued bitterly, but there are others who might have wanted Leo dead: a mysterious woman from Leo’s past; a casino owner who believes Leo cheated him; and Leo’s estranged twin, Victor, who years earlier ran away with Leo’s wife shortly before she died in a car wreck. The problem is that Kathleen’s alternative suspects all have unshakable alibis. With some help from her gifted felines, Kathleen unravels the mystery in a leisurely but plausible fashion. Cozy readers will enjoy spending time with Kathleen, her cats, and the appealing residents of Mayville Heights. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends Literary Agency.

July 1, 2017
Two cats provide active assistance to a small-town Minnesota librarian investigating an ancient scandal that may have sparked a recent murder.All around Mayville Heights, the return of Victor Janes is big news. Victor ran off years ago with his twin brother Leo's wife, Meredith. Soon afterward, Meredith was killed in a car accident, the townspeople suspect while she was trying to return to Leo and their son, Simon. Librarian Kathleen Paulson becomes acquainted with Victor in the course of helping him find some niche books, and while they don't instantly bond, she knows she should reserve judgement on his past behavior. In the years since the scandal, Simon has grown into an adult with a child of his own who's almost grown. His daughter, Mia, works with Kathleen but doesn't share her reluctance to pass judgement on Victor. She's certain Victor had something to do with Meredith's death, wants nothing to do with her great-uncle, and even accuses Kathleen of being too nice about giving Victor a chance to make amends. Before Victor can settle in, Kathleen finds Leo bludgeoned to death. She's encouraged to investigate by none other than Owen and Hercules, her two companion cats, who like nothing more than a good mystery (Paws and Effect, 2016, etc.). While the cats offer what help they can--and they are indeed a talented twosome--Kathleen also gets insight from her good-guy boyfriend, Detective Marcus Gordon, who shares whatever information won't compromise the case. In spite of the heroine's protestations, Kelly writes a tale that's Minnesota nice in the best possible way, allowing readers to enjoy the story without tipping into either Pollyanna or snark.

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September 1, 2017

Years ago, Victor Janes ran off with his brother Leo's wife; now a dying Leo has invited him home to reconcile. But librarian Kathleen Paulson knows Leo's granddaughter Mia doesn't like her great-uncle. When Kathleen discovers Leo's body, she teams up with her two magical cats, Owen and Hercules, to prove Mia's father, Simon, isn't the killer. This warm follow-up to Paws and Effect will delight fans of cat mysteries and Jenn McKinlay's "Library Lover's" series.--LH

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