Next time you visit the mystery section at your favorite bookstore, count the number of books that have cats on the covers. Although it might be easier to count the ones that don’t. There has been a cat on the cover of every one of my Bibliophile Mysteries.
And my Fixer-Upper Mysteries, too!
And now there’s a cat on the cover of my latest book, Ripped from the Pages.
Well… a kitten. The same kitten that appeared on the cover of The Book Stops Here last year because finally, Brooklyn Wainwright has a cat of her very own. Charlie (aka Charlemagne Cupcake Wainwright Stone, a weighty name for something so tiny and cute).
Cats and cozy mysteries seem to go together, and I think it’s because cats are both mysterious and cozy. They don’t express themselves as openly and as enthusiastically as dogs do. Their love is not automatic—you have to earn it. You have to prove yourself worthy of being allowed the honor of petting a cat.
Once you do win the love of a cat, that’s where the “cozy” part comes in. Can there be anything cozier than sitting in a comfy chair to read a good book, with a cat curled up in your lap? Their purr is hypnotic and almost magically disperses the stresses of the day.
I’m going to have fun watching little Charlie grow up, and I hope readers will, too. Although the books are published about a year apart, much less time passes in Brooklyn’s world between books, which means that although Charlie was first introduced two years ago, she’s still just a kitten. Here’s a snippet from Ripped from the Pages so you can see how Charlie reacts the first time she meets a dog face-to-face.
My parents’ next-door neighbors, the Quinlans, generously offered up their gorgeous French-style cottage for our use. They were off to Europe for three months. We offered to pay them rent, but all they required from us was that we take good care of their golden retriever, Maggie.
Once we were unpacked and exploring the kitchen, Derek and I watched Maggie and Charlie sniff and circle each other for a few minutes. Finally, they seemed to agree that they could live in peace together. At least, I hoped so. Maggie ambled over to her bed and settled herself down on the fluffy surface. Charlie followed right behind her, clambered up and perched directly on Maggie’s big paw. Maggie stared at the tiny creature for a long moment and I prepared myself to whisk the cat away. But then Maggie let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes. Charlie snuggled up against the big dog’s soft, warm fur and was asleep several seconds later.
Derek and I exchanged smiles. I had a feeling we would all be very happy here.
And now here I was, sitting in my mother’s kitchen on a bright, Monday morning, drinking coffee with Robin and listening as my mother tried to brush past the fact that I did indeed have an alarming tendency to come upon dead bodies in the strangest places. Luckily, that wasn’t likely to happen in Dharma anytime soon.
Are you a cat person or a dog person (or both)? Share a cute story about a pet in your life.
About the Author:
New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle is a native Californian who worked in television production for many years before turning to writing. A lifelong fascination with the art and craft of bookbinding led her to write the Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring Brooklyn Wainwright, whose bookbinding and restoration skills invariably uncover old secrets, treachery and murder. Her latest book is RIPPED FROM THE PAGES, available now in hardcover and ebook.
Excited to explore the secrets of wine country, Brooklyn attends an excavation of the caves hidden deep under her parents’ commune—and the findings are explosive. A room is unearthed, and it contains a treasure trove of artwork, rare books, a chest of jewelry…and a perfectly mummified body.
A closer examination of the murdered man’s possessions reveals a valuable first edition of Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Hidden in the book is a secret map that unveils an even greater hoard of treasures brought to California by French winemakers fleeing the Nazi invasion with the commune leader’s grandfather, Anton, among them.
As reporters and art appraisers flock to Sonoma to see the precious bounty, questions begin to rise—did Anton hide these items to protect them, or did he steal them for himself? Who is the mysterious man left for dead inside the cave? But not all crime is buried in the past. When a new presence threatens the town’s peace, Brooklyn decides to do a little excavating of her own and solve the mystery of the treasure before anyone else is written off….
Jennifer’s Review of Ripped From The Pages
Review (4 Stars): What a fascinating mystery! I love Ms. Carlisle’s mysteries because of the detailed research that is involved with each book that Brooklyn restores. In Ripped From The Pages, Brooklyn has moved back to Dharma temporarily with her lovely boyfriend, Derek, until the renovations on their loft are completed. While they are there, a mysterious room filled with treasures is discovered during an excavation of the caves and Brooklyn finds herself involved in another murder mystery. She must find the clues to solve the mystery before it is too late and someone wants to make sure that she never leaves Dharma again.
Such a delightful series and I always look forward to spending time with Brooklyn and Derek. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and learning about A Journey to the Center of the Earth made this story so much more enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the Bibliophile Mystery series and see what danger Brooklyn can find herself in next.
Giveaway
Love the cover, looks great, thanks for the chance to win it 🙂
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
I squealed when I saw that color! It’s almost luminescent, don’t you think? And the spine is the same gorgeous dark green that’s on the wine bottles. So pretty!
I meant “when I saw that COVER.” Not color. Even though the color is definitely part of what makes the COVER so pretty! 😉
I’m a HUGE fan of the series. I’ve read them all to date and own three of them. I’d be honored to place this book in my home library collection.
Thank you, Nora-Adrienne. <3 I'm honored by your enthusiasm.
This series is unique and wonderful. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
I love this series! I have read all of them and absolutely adore them!!!
Yay! That makes me happy!
Love the title and the cover, would love to give this book a happy home. Thanks for the chance!
I love the series! The cover is amazing! Thanks for the chance to win!
Good luck, Barbara and Lori!
Love this series and all of her writing. I really enjoy Brooklyn and her family and her connections to Derek and all her friends. Can’t wait to read this latest one!! I would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thank you, Lori! If you’re interested, you can send in for a free map of Dharma, the wine country commune where Brooklyn grew up. Details are in the Secret Room at http://www.KateCarlisle.com. 🙂
Although I have always been a cat person, I’m an animal lover and love dogs, too. Currently we have 4 cats and a husky named Elvis. He puts up with a lot from the cats but when he says settle down, they all obey. 🙂
Thanks for the entry!
laurieire at hotmail dot com
OMG, Elvis is the perfect name for a husky, the way they howl, and those beautiful blue eyes. 🙂
I can agree books and cats do sum it up to the word cozy. Usually, when I am reading that is the moment my cat Rumbles will jump up on to my lap, lay down, and go to sleep. Love him dearly. Thank-you for a chance.
That sounds so precious, Cindy. I can’t think of a better word for it than cozy. 🙂
looks interesting
I love reading mysteries and would love the chance to win.
I’d be excited to give away a copy of Ripped From The Pages.
Love the series, can’t wait to read this one!
Love this series. Love the author.
kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
I love this series and can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment.
I’m owned by a dog (Bear). She has anxiety disorder. If she misplaces me she gets frantic.
It’s especially hard if I want to go on a trip and need to leave her behind. The baby siitter says Bear paces the floor – looking for me – and cries a lot. the baby sitter says she will no longer keep Bear as it makes her nervous. Guess you can tell who rules the dog house.
Oh, poor Bear! I saw a dog behavior TV show once that suggested dogs like this aren’t afraid of being hurt when they’re left alone… they’re afraid of not being around to protect YOU from getting hurt. Poor Bear with the big heart!
Love your books. They don’t have them at our library, but they do order them for me from other libraries around the state.
Love your books. They don’t have them at our library, but they do order them for me from other libraries around We are owned by 12 cats.
Hi, Kathleen! Make sure you let your library know that you want the Bibliophile Mysteries. They listen to their patrons! 🙂
The new Book sounds great. I love the background and your Covers are always beautiful.
Thanks for the chance,
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I’m allergic to cats, although I’d never admit it. I’m more dog person though. I love my little spoiled chihuahua who has to be handfed and likes to cuddle in any warm spot she can find.
I am looking forward to reading Ripped from the Pages, and the cover is awesome! I love the kitty. 🙂 I like both cats and dogs. As a child, the family pets were cats, dogs, and hamsters. They were all sweet animals.
My current fur baby is a little maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle mix), and she loves to play. One time my sister, her family, and dogs visited us. My little one was thrilled, and wanted to play with the dogs. Once I tried to pet her and she didn’t want me to touch her so my sister’s dogs came to me. So I petted them. My little girl growled and put herself between me and dogs. I was only allowed to pet her.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
LOL!!!! They do get territorial, don’t they?
I’ve had both cats and dogs as part of my family in the past. But we currently just have the one cat (though she prefers my mother over me). I’ve loved every book of Kate’s that I’ve read and am looking forward to not only this, but those that are (hopefully) to come. Thank you very much for the chance to win.