Book 9 in the 9 Lives Cozy Mystery Series

On a vacation in Ontario, Quinn and Christy are once more plunged in to solving a mystery. This time they are helping Tamara’s adoptive father, Todd Ahern, who is accused of the murder of Ottawa businessman, Ralph Sharpe. The case is a difficult one. Todd was seen arguing violently with the victim shortly before he was murdered and the two have a history of being at odds with each other. It seems an open and shut case to the stubborn and single-minded Inspector Fortier, whom they’ve tangled with before.

In the end, it takes the combined efforts of Christy and Quinn, along with Roy, Trevor, Ellen, Sledge, Alice (from Listen to the Cat!), and Archie and Marian (from Let Sleeping Cats Lie) to discover that the genial and philanthropical Ralph Sharpe had a very dark underside. And it was there that his killer would be found.

“These cat themed mysteries will prove to be enduringly popular . . . unreservedly recommended . . .” – Midwest Book Review

Available now in e- and print format at:

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EXCERPT

“My father needs your help!” Tamara turned wide, pleading eyes to Quinn.

Christy tightened her hand on the glass of lemonade she was holding. She, and the other members of the Jamieson-Armstrong group, were visiting Christy’s parents in Ontario. They had been enjoying a lazy afternoon on the deck at the back of the Yeager’s gracious limestone home when Tamara arrived fifteen minutes ago, distraught and on the edge of panic.

She glanced at her parents, only to see them both staring fascinated at Tamara. They knew Christy and the others had investigated several mysteries back home in Vancouver, but the Yeagers had never been involved in one of their cases. Somewhat reassured they were interested rather than horrified, Christy looked over at Quinn. He appeared to be as tense as Tamara was.

He shifted uneasily. “Look, Tamara, I understand, but I don’t think—”

She rounded on him. “No, you don’t understand. A man is dead. A man my father had an argument with the day before he was killed. That horrible cop Inspector Fortier, the one who investigated Frederick Jarvis’ murder in Vancouver, is involved in this case. In Vancouver he decided I was the killer and wouldn’t consider anyone else. Now he believes my dad killed this poor man in Ottawa. He’s going to arrest my father, just like he arrested me. And Dad’s done nothing wrong! His only crime is caring about people and helping them live better lives.” As she spoke her voice rose almost to a shout that ended on a choked back sob.

One of the other occupants of the deck, Rob McCullagh, better known as Sledge the lead singer in the Canadian rock group SledgeHammer, stirred in his seat. “What’s the harm in taking a couple of days and checking into it?”

Quinn sent him a smoldering look, but Tamara paused to stare at him hopefully.

Sledge grinned at Quinn, unintimidated by his glare. “Come on,” he said. “You’ve got to admit it would be fun to take on Inspector do-it-by-the-book Fortier again. We showed him up before. We can do it again.”

“We’re not in Vancouver this time,” his father, Trevor McCullagh the third, said, sending him a repressive look. “We don’t know the territory and we don’t have any contacts.”

Sledge shook his head. His phone rang. He denied the call without even identifying who was trying to contact him. “We’ve got Quinn’s investigative skills, Christy’s charm—”

Christy made a small sound of suppressed amusement. Her mother beamed while her father eyed Sledge thoughtfully.

With a wicked grin, Sledge continued, “Roy already has a pal in Fortier’s sidekick, Sargent Doucet. With a little work, I bet he’d spill all the details. My dad can defend Mr. Ahern if he needs it and Ellen will keep us all organized with her magic pens and perfect paper.”

“I’m not licensed in Ontario,” Trevor said.

Sledge waved this away as a minor glitch.

“I left my pens and letterhead at home,” Ellen said.

“You could buy a new one,” Rachael Yeager said helpfully. “There’s a lovely pen shop in Ottawa.”

“Is there?” Ellen said. She sounded interested. Her expression turned thoughtful.

Sledge’s phone rang again and once more he denied the call without checking. “Great. Ellen can add to her collection and my dad can give excellent advice, even if he can’t represent.”

“Why don’t you answer the phone?” Roy asked.

Tension etched Sledge’s features for a moment then was smoothed away. “Because it’s Lindsay Strong and she wants me to do some media gigs while I’m here in Ontario.”

Trevor raised his brows. “And you don’t want to?”

Sledge shrugged.

Roy’s eyes gleamed. “Why not do some joint interviews?” A multi-published author, Roy had a new mystery series to promote. He lifted his hands with enthusiasm. “Hey, we could include Quinn. His new book is coming out in the fall. He could use the air time too.”

“Dad,” Quinn said, sounding disapproving.

Stormy the Cat, with his roommate the late Frank Jamieson, galloped up onto the deck. He’d been playing in the garden, terrorizing the local chipmunks, before the discussion began. Enough about interviews and book promotion. What about me? What’s my assignment?

Sledge’s eyes gleamed and he grinned with unrepentant devilry. “Your job is to cause mayhem.”

The cat sat in his neat and tidy way, back straight, tail wrapped around his front paws. Awesome. I’m in. When do we start?