Murder Most Finicky by Liz Mugavero
A Pawsitively Organic Mystery #3
The dog days of summer have arrived in the small town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, and business is booming for Kristan “Stan” Connor. Her Pawsitively Organic pet food has even caught the attention of celebrity pastry chef Sheldon Allyn, who helps Stan open a fancy pet pastry shop in Frog Ledge. A partnership is born, and Sheldon invites Stan to Newport, Rhode Island, for an appreciation weekend he’s hosting for all his independent chefs. But the gourmet getaway turns sour when one of the chefs turns up dead, and a second one goes missing…
As Stan tries to figure out who had a recipe for murder, the pool of suspects expands. And if she can’t sniff out the culprit soon, this killer may just serve up a second helping of murder…
Includes Gourmet Pet Food Recipes!
When you’re writing a cozy with food in it, it’s a serious matter. Culinary cozies are much loved by readers who wait anxiously to see what kind of decadent dessert, savory stew or other mouth-watering dish the author will serve up along with a good mystery. It’s a tough job.
But have you ever tried recipes for dogs and cats? Yeah. I hadn’t, either. Until I started writing the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. Talk about tough customers! No, I’m not talking about the dogs. I’m talking about the cats. You know, the ones who turn their noses up at pretty much anything, even if it’s made out of all their favorite ingredients and they ate it yesterday? Welcome to my life.
When I first started testing recipes, here’s how it went:
Cozy kitchen, warm oven emitting delicious pumpkin and peanut butter scents. Three dogs sitting in an expectant circle. Three cats sitting on the counter cleaning their faces, trying to look bored but keeping one eye on the oven. Timer dings.
Mom: “Hey guys! Treats are done! Let’s just let them cool for a few minutes and then we can all have a taste testing party. Won’t you like that?”
Dogs wag tails in excitement. Cats close their eyes and fall asleep. Mom serves the treat—pumpkin muffins—on silver platters. Before she even finishes putting the plates on the ground, the dogs scarf down their entire treat and give their most pitiful looks, hoping for more. Cats open one eye, sniff at their plate, then go back to sleep. Repeat scene.
These same cats loved pumpkin treats the previous day. They also usually love anything the dogs are eating. Until they know they’re supposed to like it. Then they decide to snub it. But there’s nothing left to do but try again. So we find more recipes, bake them anxiously and wait for the cat to stalk away, tail high in the air, indignant that they would be asked to eat such slop.
But I bet when our backs are turned, those plates are licked clean. It’s the way of the cat.
Readers, how picky are your cats? Do they eat homemade treats?
About the Author
Liz Mugavero has been writing stories since she could hold a pen. Before that, she would tell them to anyone who would listen (not many at the time). After deciding early on she would write books for a living, she practiced by writing bad, angst-filled poems, short stories and even a storyline for a soap opera–all by age 15. She never wavered from her goals despite all the usual questions including, “So are you going to be an English teacher with that degree in English?” or, “That writing thing sounds nice, but how are you REALLY going to make a living?”
She went on to get a master’s in writing and publishing and spent time in journalism, PR, and presently, corporate communications. And she’s confident this writing thing IS the way to make a living.
Aside from writing, she loves animals (has a houseful), the beach, reading other writers’ masterpieces and Starbucks coffee.
Author Links
Webpage – http://www.lizmugavero.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/lizmugavero
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475412.Liz_Mugavero
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Mugavero/329291780446231
Sounds like a fun read, and I adore the cover art.
This book sounds like it be a great read
I like the sound of the book.
Sounds like a nice book! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I love the look of the grey cat. So serious, like don’t mess with me.
My cats are total opposites. One will not eat a treat at all. Maybe once out of 20 tries. The other, I call my little dog. She’s under the dining table, looking for food. She has a BIG sweet tooth. She actually tries to pull your arm down, when you’re eating orange scones. She’s been known to climb on the table, to get the waffle and bacon lunchable snacks. She also knows where her treats are, in the kitchen and will talk to you, until you give her a couple.
I’ve never tried to make treats for them. We do for our dogs occasionally.
Thanks for sharing.