NIck and Nora's Tenth Anniversary

 

Ten years ago on December 2, 2014, a little cozy mystery called Meow if its Murder made its debut from Berkley Prime Crime.  The story centered around a former true crime reporter, Nora Charles, investigating a cold case about a wealthy woman's drowning.  Along the way she meets a tubby tuxedo cat she names Nick - and a new mystery solving duo was born!

I first got the idea for this series one day when I was watching THE THIN MAN on Turner.  My twenty-five pound tuxedo cat ROCCO jumped on my lap and I thought - what if Nick Charles died and came back as a cat? Hence the first incarnation of Nick and  Nora was born.

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In the first draft, Nick actually talked!  But only Nora could hear him.  When my agent submitted it, though, the powers that be at Berkley liked the story, but they didn't want the cat talking.  i imagine it was because that might have taken it out of the cozy category and made it more of a  fantasy. Anyway, I went back and rewrote the book, giving half Nick's dialogue to Nora's BFF Chantal and the other half to a completely new character, PI Ollie.  My agent resubmitted it and thankfully, Berkley bought it!  That was back in January of 2013.  Then I was informed that the book would debut in December---of the following year!

Well, that gave me time to start writing the next two books I was contracted for  :)

Nick and Nora debuted on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 and within two weeks made the national bestselling list.  Two more novels from Berkley followed:  CLAWS FOR ALARM and CRIME AND CATNIP.  Then came the Random House/Penguin merger, and alas, Nick and Nora were dropped along with many other excellent cozy mysteries.

Over the next five years we tried unsuccessfully to place Nick and Nora elsewhere.  finally another author told me about Beyond the Page.  We sent a proposal to Bill Harris who accepted it, and Nick and Nora came back to life with volume #4, HISS H FOR HOMICIDE, on February 9, 2021!

I never gave up on Nick and Nora....and thankfully neither did their fans!  

Here's a list of all the Nick and Nora's to date

#1 - Meow of its Murder - Nora Charles, an ex true crime reporter, gets involved investigating the cold case murder of a wealthy woman - with a tubby tuxedo cat named Nick as her partner.

#2  Claws for Alarm - Nora and Nick investigate when Nora's sister Lacey is accused of the murder of her art professor.

#3 Crime and Catnip - Nora and NIck deal with a missing person case and a murder

#4 - Hiss H for Homicide - Nora and Nick help clear an old friend of her  mother's of the murder of her writing partner.

#5 Murder Faux Paws - Nora and Nick investigate the shady death of a PI and end up following a trail that leads to a shady conspsiracy. 

#6 - A Purr Before Dying - Nora's catering gig for a nighttime soap opera filming in Cruz leads, inevitably, to murder.  and when Chantal's brother is accused of the crime Nick and Nora find themselves working overtime to clear him.

#7 - Bell, Book and Corpses - Vampires in Cruz? It seems that way when a body, drained of blood, turns up at the site of Cruz's Halloween gala and Nick and Nora investigate.

Beyond the Page has contracted me for four more Nick and Nora's, so that means that this duo will be sticking around till 2028 at least for adventures 8 through 11!  

Nick, Nora and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support! As long as you keep reading, we'll keep writing!

T.C. 

Rocco and Chazz review EJ Copperman's GOOD LIEUTENANT

 Meow!  It's time for another book by our good friend E.J. Copperman! This time it's the sixth (and, sadly, final) entry in the Jersey Girl series, Good Lieutenant!

Synopsis:

LA lawyer Sandy Moss comes to falsely accused lieutenant Trench's aid in this final instalment of the critically acclaimed legal cozy mystery series.

While settling into her new home in Los Angeles together with her boyfriend and TV star Patrick McNabb, attorney Sandy Moss receives a phone call from the LA Men’s Detention Center. It’s a new client accused of murder: the near-stoic Lt. K.C. Trench!

Being good at his job but not well-liked in his department, Trench is accused of killing a fellow LA police officer whom he openly despised and threatened. With the odds against her, Sandy takes on the case of her sometime nemesis/sometime ally. She is certain that Trench can’t be the killer. It seems like someone is trying to pin the murder on him, but who and why? And what isn’t Trench telling her?

Our review:

Chazz:  This is the first Jersey Girl for me and now I have to go and read the human's others.  What great characters EJ Copperman creates!  and without a cat in the story!  I love the way Sandy plunges whole heartedly into investigating the stodgy Trench who finds it hard to crack a smile.  I must admit though that Patrick does get a bit trying at times.  The story was well written and fans of this too short lived series will not be disappointed.

ROCCO:  Like the human, I have long been a fan of EJ's.  I love the way he can effortlessly put a touch of humor in everything he writes and the Jersey Girl series is an excellent example of that.  I admit I shed a tear at the end, mostly because I know it was Sandy and Patrick's last adventure.  A definite five paws read.

This book is out today so hurry to your local store or computer and get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPOTLIGHT ON GUILT AND GINATAAN!

 This fall, readers can expect the next deliciously deadly installment in Agatha Award-winning author Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries.

 

Lila Macapagal lives in small town Shady Palms, Illinois, where she and her best friends run the Brew-ha Cafe. They serve delicious Filipino-inspired treats, and they solve crimes on the side. In GUILT AND GINATAAN (Berkley Prime Crime Trade Original; on sale November 12, 2024), the fifth highly anticipated novel in Manansala’s series, homicide follows Lila and her pals to the annual Shady Palms Corn Festival—and Lila will have to put on her sleuthing cap to find the true killer when one of her BFFs is framed for murder. 

 

Fall festivities are in full swing in small-town Shady Palms—but with the arrival of scary season comes a new and deadly mystery for Lila to solve. During the annual Shady Palms Corn Festival, Lila and her Brew-ha Café gals Adeena and Elena set up a booth selling corn-themed treats. It’s all fun and games until the trio embark on a competition through the corn maze—and Adeena is found holding a knife beside a corpse. The body is discovered to be a local politician’s wife, and all signs—murder weapon included—point to Adeena as the culprit. But Lila knows her best friend couldn’t have done this, and it’s up to her and her crew to clear Adeena’s name and put the real murderer behind bars. 

 

Just as readers were craving more diverse voices in the mystery space, Manansala whipped up Arsenic and Adobo (2021), offering up a delectable first taste of an entirely original mystery series. Manansala’s books embrace the conventions of the cozy genre while also expanding them, introducing readers to a modern Filipina heroine who faces real, relatable issues as she solves mysteries. GUILT AND GINATAAN offers no exception.

 

GUILT AND GINATAAN is perfect for readers of Jesse Q. Sutanto and Roselle Lim, and for fans of cozy mysteries!

Rocco and Chazz spotlight MRS. ODBODDY AND THE CONNIVING CANDIDATE!

Today we are turning the spotlight on the fifth Ms. Odboddy book, Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving

Candidate!

the Story:

As the war continues to rage in Europe, Election Day approaches in Newbury. Among other inequities,

 the Newbury City Council makes it difficult for local women to obtain business licenses even for home-bases 

businesses. Mrs. Odboddy decides to run for the vacant city council seat, but she has no idea what political 

obstacles she will face. The trouble starts, first with disasters in her home, to violence and racism against 

her friends, and then theft charges are filed against her!

To make matters worse, her granddaughter’s old boyfriend has returned to town declaring his unwanted, 

undying love. His heroic responses to multiple adverse events affecting the family make it difficult for 

Katherine to send him packing.

Agnes suspects her political opponent is behind all the trouble, including the state’s attempts to remove 

their beloved ward, Mattie. It seems that Agnes is up against a conniving opponent who will stop at nothing

to prevent her winning the election. How can she prevail against such sinister deeds? Is winning an 

election worth it when her family is at risk?

Join Agnes as she faces overwhelming odds in her efforts to bring much needed change to Newbury.

ROCCO:  Both Chazz and I thought that this was a very timely story, considering all that is going on in the world today!  Mrs. Odboddy fans will not be disappointed and new fans will love to follow along with Agnes! (and of course, there are cats Shere Kahn and Ling Ling!)

CHAZZ:  Politics is truly a dirty business and Mrs. Odboddy finds that out first hand!  Fans will cheer right along with Agnes as she attempts to get to the bottom of things and clear her name!  Agnes is a very strong character you can't help but admire and cheer for.  the only thing that would have made this book better were more of the cats, Ling-Ling and Shere Kahn.  LOL.

ROCCO:  We both agree - this book answers the question is winning an election worth it!  I thought the ending very timely and fitting indeed.   Available at Amazon and other fine retailers now in paperback and e-book format.

Sales Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Odboddy-Conniving-Candidate-shenanigans/dp/B0DJNVGB2Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23EJIWV2GDMZI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Hn6nOmMlx2R5wzLqfE7ZOZ57ITg8Q16VfZCj3zeN4MWuDy9j48RiaLOBhJYjmTV6TtBLVCCysRg0RMaG70Y18A.mDXIlBlr6FoMud0nWOIbW2tzTgekPsnmpaalVVye7Tw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mrs.+Odboddy&qid=1730132749&s=books&sprefix=mrs.+odboddy%2Cstripbooks%2C296&sr=1-1

Rocco and Chazz's October cozy reviews!

Ma-row! Here are our October Cozy Reviews!

A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT by Jenn McKinlay

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale October 8, 2024

 

‘Tis the season in Briar Creek in the newest installment in the Library Lover’s Mystery series from the New York Times bestselling author of Fatal First Edition. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, library director Lindsey Norris invites the new writer in residence, Helen Monroe, to join her crafternoon club. Helen politely refuses and when an altercation happens between Helen and another patron, Lindsey begins to suspect the author has been keeping to herself for a reason. When another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, reveals she’s visiting town to be near Helen (believing they are “destined” to meet), Lindsey feels compelled to tell Helen about Jackie as she suspects that Helen is unaware her “number one” fan is in town. When Jackie’s body is later discovered in the town park with a copy of Helen’s latest manuscript in her hand, the the reclusive novelist the prime suspect in the murder of her self-proclaimed mega-fan. Helen’s frosty demeanor melts when Lindsey offers her help, and now the librarian and her crafternoon pals must prove the author innocent before "The End" becomes Helen's final sentence.

Rocco's review:  Another great entry in the Library Lovers mystery series.  Lindsey Norris is at the top of her game when a 'number one' fan is murdered.  Lots of action in this entry.  However, for the future might we suggest another feline friend for Heathcliff??????  Five Paws.

 

 

THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Kate Carlisle

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale October 8, 2024

 

Contractor Shannon Hammer hopes for a peaceful Christmas with her fiancé, Mac, until murder throws a wrench in her holiday plans in this new installment of the USA Today bestselling Fixer-Upper Mystery series. Christmas has come to Lighthouse Cove, and Shannon has been contracted to renovate a local hotel owned by the Garrisons, a family that’s so devoted to the holidays they serve a seven-course dinner every night from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Last year’s festivities featured a train that transported guests around the breathtaking Cliffside property. This year, Shannon and her crew have been commissioned to build a Victorian-style carnival midway with games and prizes galore. Everyone in town loves the hotel’s spirit, except the Garrisons’ children and their spouses, who are hum-bugged by the money being wasted on holiday cheer while their inheritance goes up the chimney. Things turn nasty when a mischief-maker close to the family is found dead. It’s up to Shannon and Mac to catch a sinister Scrooge before all of Lighthouse Cove receives coal for Christmas.

Chazz Review:  This is anohter good series and I have to admit I also enjoy the Hallmark movies based on it!  We also love a Christmas mystery (one of these days the human must write one!)  Who says murder and holidays dont go together?  Five Paws

MURDER, SHE WROTE: A KILLER CHRISTMAS by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale October 8, 2024

 

This fall marks the 40^th anniversary of the Murder, She Wrote TV series, and what a better way to celebrate than by diving into the newest entry in the USA Today bestselling series! Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has finally found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead—Boston tycoon John Bragdon. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home. Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Marlene, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Marlene she will never live in his house. When Marlene is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list…

Rocco's review:  I mean, what can you say about a Murder She Wrote mystery?  For fans of the longtime TV show, it's as if Jessica never left! Always a hoot to see how Jessica can take seemingly  unrelated clues and weave a solution out of them! Five Paws! 

 

 

 All these books are out today! Run don't walk!

Chazz and Rocco

SPOTLIGHT AND REVIEW SOFIE KELLY'S FUREVER AFTER!

 

Librarian Kathleen Paulson is in for a spell of trouble when she finds a dead body, and only
her reliable magical cats can help her tail a killer in the newest installment of this 

New York Times bestselling series.

Kathleen is busy running the library and planning her upcoming wedding to detective Marcus 

Gordon when she suddenly stumbles across a body in the library. She is surprised to learn that 

the deceased was in the middle of an unlikely heist—it seems he was trying to steal one of the

 paintings that had been  in a box in the library’s workroom. Kathleen never knew any of the 

library’s rotating artwork was valuable nd can’t imagine what the dead man wanted with it.

But then an art history expert called in by the police identifies the almost-purloined painting as a 

piece that might have been part of a previous high profile art theft. Owen’s and Hercules’s whiskers 

are already twitching, and events soon make Kathleen realize that whoever killed the wannabe 

art thief has more than  murder on their mind. Kathleen and her clever cats will have to work fast to prevent 

anyone else from dying........

Another excellent entry in this series that always leaves us wanting more!  Who doesn't love a cat, let alone

a magical one!!!! Five Paws

 getting hurt.

We just love this series, and who wouldn't, with not one but two magical cats offering assistance? Kathleen is as

charmingly inquisitive as ever and it's always a kick watching Owen and Hercules lead her to the killer's

identity!  Fans will not be disappointed! Five Paws

FUREVER AFTER

A MAGICAL CATS MYSTERY

BERKLEY; HARDCOVER

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

FIVE PAWS

WE love this series. Who wouldn't, with not one but two magical cats! Kathleen is as inquisitive as ever, trying to find out just 

what was so valuable about the artwork in the library basement that someone would try to steal it!

Owen and Hercules, as always, do an excellent job of luring their human to the solution!  We give this

five paws!    ROCCO AND CHAZZ

Furever After

A Magical Cats Mystery

Sofie Kelly

Berkley; hardcover

September 3, 2024

5 Paws!

ROCCO and Chazz spotlight NO PAW TO STAND ON!

 Merow! today are spotligting Laurie Cass's latest entry in the Bookmobile Cat series, NO PAW TO STAND ON!

There’s no rest for the whiskered as librarian Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, 

have to investigate a poisoning—and a murder—in the newest installment of the national bestselling 

Bookmobile Cat Mysteries.

When a heat wave hits northern Michigan, Minnie, Eddie, and their bookmobile head to the beach to catch 

some rays and some customers. But library business is put on hold when Minnie’s restaurant-owning best 

friend, Kristen, calls. The specialty ice cream cone treat she'd been serving to patrons was sabotaged, 

making some customers horribly sick. Kristen needs Minnie to sniff out the culprit fast, or the restaurant's 

reputation will be destroyed forever.

Minnie and Eddie are hot on the tail of the suspect when an employee from another restaurant is found 

dead. Could the poisoning and the murder be related? It’ll take a feline to catch a felon...

ROCCO:  Definitely one of my favorite series. I might even go so far as to say Eddie is my idol!  

Loves the way he supports MinMinnie in her sleuthing!  I could read this series all day long! Five Paws.

Chazz: I found this series very enjoyable as well. This is my first entry and now I have to read Mama's 

other copies to cat-ch up!  Eddie definitely livens things up, and sometimes Minnie needs somoene to 

watch her back. He's the purrfect sidekick!

NO PAW TO STAND ON

LAURIE CASS

A BOOKMOBILE CAT MYSTERY

BERKLEY/MMPB/AUGUST 6 2024

5 PAWS