Pet in Peril

October 31, 2016
If dogs and cats could read, their holiday gift for two-legged friends would be Celine’s third romp featuring L.A. pet food TV chef Kitty Karlyle (after Lights, Camera, Murder!). Kitty and her sidekick, makeup artist Fran Earhart, find only trouble when Kitty’s annoying producer, Steve Barnhard, insists on shooting an episode of her show, The Pampered Pet, at the New-Age/New-Pet weekend being held at Little Switzerland Resort and Spa, “nestled in the southern California hills somewhere.” When Kitty finds the body of wealthy creep Victor Cornwall, it’s cherchez les chiens as well as cherchez la femme. Meanwhile, Kitty’s black Lab, Fred, and rescued tuxedo cat, Barney, go from blissful runs and rubdowns to super chow, including Kitty’s popular liver and oatmeal treats. Despite too many cartoonish characters, such as stuffy pet shrink George Newhart and egomaniacal chef Henri Moutarde, Celine amuses and then scares in a tense description of Kitty’s mountainside encounter with the killer. Agent: Priya Doraswamy, Lotus Lane Literary Agency.

November 15, 2016
Kitty Karlyle takes her friend Fran and a television crew to the posh Little Switzerland Resort and Spa for Pets in this installment of the TV Pet Chef series. But there is nothing relaxing about this trip after another guest is found strangled in his room. Victor Cornwall loved to show off his championship pet ring but did not treat his dogs well. He also had many enemies due to failed investment schemes. Fran is a suspect in his murder as her parents lost a lot of money through Cornwall's schemes. When Cornwall's wife, Eliza, is poisoned, and Kitty is pushed down a ravine, Kitty begins to press hard for answers in the face of a desperate killer. Surprises and secrets flavor the crime scenes in between the unusual details of filming a pet cooking television show. Pet mysteries continue to be popular, and this fun addition to the subgenre should find an eager audience. Pair Celine's series with Linda O. Johnston's Barkery & Biscuits novels, also starring a pet chef.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)