Sneaky the Library Cat Interviews Cinnamon the Cat from the Catmint Chronicles by Amanda Sterczyk

~ Debbie ~ Leave a comment

What is your name and your main character’s name?

I’m Cinnamon, the best amateur sleuth in the Cotswolds. My human, whom I just inherited, is Rowan Thorne. She hails from New York but has deigned us with her presence since inheriting Black Thumb Betty’s Cafe & Herb Shop from her dearly departed aunt, Elizabeth (Betty) Thorne.

Mice to meet you and Rowan.

What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.

I feature in the popular (thanks to me) cozy animal mystery series, The Catmint Chronicles. We’re talking no-murder mysteries, quirky British village, amateur sleuth (of both the human and pet varieties), and moi (Rowan refers to me as the ‘sarcastic talking cat’…I aim to please).
The books are:

Cinnamon and the Clue in the Cardamom (Book 1)

Cinnamon and the Cursed Catmint (Book 2)

Cinnamon and the Clove Conspiracy (Book 3)

Cinnamon and the Spirit of Spruce (Christmas Novella)

Cinnamon and the Tangle of Thyme (prequel, reader magnet available with subscription to newsletter, you can subscribe and receive it for free! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/eejmvze5sv)

Please give information about your series.

Our series is called The Catmint Chronicles. I’m contractually obligated (as Rowan’s lawyer has informed me) to share the following series description and to tell you I’ll be featured (as a supporting cast member, sadly, not the start of the series) in the upcoming series, The Pugs Cozy Mysteries.

Welcome to Cresswell-on-Wyrd: Where the tea is herbal, the secrets are ancient, and the cat always gets the last word.

Escape into a “no-murder” mystery series that feels like a weekend getaway to the English countryside. The Catmint Chronicles is a heartwarming, clean-read collection perfect for fans of quirky villages, botanical lore, and feline sidekicks with big personalities. If you’re looking for a world where the stakes are high but the comfort is higher, start your journey at Black Thumb Betty’s Café & Herb Shop.

When New Yorker Rowan Thorne inherits her eccentric Aunt Betty’s shop in the tech-free village of Cresswell-on-Wyrd, she expects to brew tea, not solve mysteries. But Aunt Betty left behind more than just a shop—she left a vanished recipe book, a trail of cryptic riddles, and a very “vocal” Himalayan cat named Cinnamon.

Cinnamon is snarky, judgmental, and has a most unusual secret: he speaks. But only when the right spice is in the air.

Throughout the series, Rowan must navigate village rivalries, council squabbles, and the mysterious properties of Betty’s secret tinctures. From the missing pages of a legendary grimoire to a hostile takeover attempt by the local butcher, Rowan and Cinnamon must untangle the truth before the village’s heritage is lost forever.

Why Readers Binge-Read The Catmint Chronicles:

A True “No-Murder” Experience: Pure mystery and intrigue without the gore, making it a safe, relaxing read for all ages.

The Talking Himalayan: Follow the evolution of Cinnamon’s “gift” as he translates for pugs, belts out show tunes, and keeps Rowan on her toes.

Botanical Magic: Each book features unique herbal lore and “recipes” that blur the line between science and folklore.

Quirky British Charm: A tech-free setting where gossip travels faster than the internet and the traditions are as deep as the tea.

Complete Series: No cliffhangers! Follow Rowan’s journey from “fish-out-of-water” to village protector across three full-length novels and a festive holiday novella.

Perfect for fans of: The Thursday Murder Club, Garden Spells, and any reader who suspects.

That sounds pawsome!

Are you based on a real animal such as your author’s? If so, please give further details.

Apparently, the author has a female cat named Princess who’s a dead ringer for moi. Though, I think I’m more fabulous than any other Himalayan. You can quote me on that.
The author claims she has a sign in her house that sums me up perfectly:
            If cats could text back…they wouldn’t

And, well, do you blame them?

MOL. (meow out loud). I like that.

Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.

The following excerpt is from Cinnamon and the Clue in the Cardamom: The Catmint Chronicles Book 1 (Rowan’s lawyer told me to say this: Copyright 2025 Amanda Sterczyk, all rights reserved). Rowan is narrating:

“I have demands.”

“What’s that now?”

Cinnamon turned his back on me and slunk towards

his cat bed. I hadn’t noticed it when I first walked in the

kitchen, as it was lodged between the wall and the stove.

He lay down in it and closed his eyes, oblivious to my

questioning. The boiling water drew my attention back to

the stove. Adjusting the temperature of the water, I

reached for a timer and set it to five minutes. That should

be enough time to release the cardamom in the water and

get it to a suitable temperature for drinking. No milk

meant it would be hotter and I didn’t relish the idea of a

burnt tongue on my first day in the shop. I moved towards

the open pantry shelves, moving various strange-looking

jars aside until I found honey. I’d have to revisit brown

sauce and marmite. A noise by the stove drew my attention

back to Cinnamon, as he meowed and stretched his

paws out.

“Hey! I just realized that you don’t have a British accent.”

“And neither do you.”

“Well, of course not. I’m American, not British, though

my father is.”

“Good for your father, well done, old chap. I’m not

British either. I’m a cat.”

“Thank you for that, MOTO.”

“MOTO?”

“Master of the Obvious. Of course, I know you’re a cat. If

your accent isn’t British, then what is it?”

“You are standing in front of a talking cat and all you

care about is my accent? Aren’t there more pressing matters

to discuss? You know, like my demands.”

“Well, perhaps. But, come on man, cut me some slack.

You’re a talking cat. My brain is still processing the situation.

This is just one more insane development that’s hit me in

less than a week.”

“Fine. I’ll indulge your bizarre line of questioning. For

now.”

“Great! So, what is your accent?”

“Cat.”

“Cat? That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Well, that is the only way I can explain it to your

human brain.”

“Alright, alright. I guess that will have to do for now. Let’s

move on to more interesting topics. Why am I able to under-

stand more of what you’re saying than back there when I

first heard you speak?” Asking the most logical question in

my mind, I pointed behind me towards the doors leading to

the customer area.

“Demands.”

Cinnamon and the Clue in the Cardamom 53

“Fine. What are your demands? I’ll see what I can do,

then I want more info on your abilities.”

“Perhaps.”

He was a unique cat in some ways but a typical cat in

more ways than one.

A purr-fect excerpt. Thanks for sharing.

What do you like most about your role in your authors’ books?

That I’m there, obvs. The books wouldn’t be the same without my magnificent presence. And you can quote me on that.

Will do.

Are you a talking animal in your books or just a silent one like I am who just emits animal sounds occasionally?

Oh, I talk, but only with the right individuals.

Sounds like my author’s character cat, Soup, in her new series.

What advice would you give other animal characters?

Stand by your demands.

Great advice.

Do you have any new books coming out? Please give dates and details.

The Catmint Chronicles is complete. But I will feature in the upcoming series, The Pugs Cozy Mysteries.

Good going.

Are you and/or your author on social media? If so, please list your links.

FB: Author Amanda Sterczyk (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586214477134)

IG: @amanda_stretch

Thanks so much, Cinnamon, and best whiskers to you and Amanda on your upcoming series.

Sneaky the Library Cat Interviews King Henry, the cat from the Death by Chocolate Series by Sally Berneathy

~ Debbie ~ Leave a comment

Hello, Sir. What is your name and your author’s name?

My name is King Henry, and my author’s name is Sally Berneathy.

Mice to meet you both.

What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

MURDER, LIES AND CHOCOLATE

THE GREAT CHOCOLATE SCAM

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE ATTACK

FATAL CHOCOLATE OBSESSION

DEADLY CHOCOLATE ADDICTION

GUNS, WIVES AND CHOCOLATE

SPIES, LIES AND CHOCOLATE PIES

TWIN TROUBLES AND CHOCOLATE TORTES

My author lists them all as cozy mysteries, but, IMO, they’re not very cozy. She has a very snarky sense of humor! I’d call them uncozy mysteries. But don’t tell her I said that. She blends a mean bowl of food for me every day. I’d hate for that to change.

MOL (meow out loud). I promise not to say a word. Congratulations on your long-running series.

Please tell me more about it.

The series is called Death by Chocolate, though nobody has died from chocolate…yet. My human, Lindsay, almost did in the first book, though it wasn’t actually the chocolate. It was the poison added to the chocolate by someone I had tried to warn her against. I don’t like to brag, but I saved her life. Okay, her next door neighbor, Fred, had a role in saving her life, but it was a secondary role.  

Sounds interesting. In one of my Cobble Cove books, Love on the Rocks, Alicia’s boss at the library got a poisoned box of chocolate. Luckily, she survived, but someone else didn’t.

Are you based on a real animal such as your author’s? If so, please give further details.

I am based on my author’s cat, Leo. She’s always been an animal person, but after her dog of 19 years died, she was determined never to lose another animal. She needed help. Leo barged into her life and refused to leave. Leo stayed with her for 18 years, and now she refuses to get another cat because no one could be as wonderful as Leo, which is certainly true. So I connect with her in her books.

Awww. My author has lost many kitties. I’m based on Oliver, the Siamese, who she loved very much. I hope I can carry on his memory, although I’m my own purrson.

This is a picture of Leo. He weighed 23 pounds and did not have an ounce of fat. He was the size of a small bobcat and was the kindest, gentlest creature…unless attacked!

My author got him a Yorkie after he came to live with her. She was the size of a mouse when she got her, and he took her to raise! He was always gentle with her and let her boss him around! However, she’s seen him send a couple of very large dogs running in terror!

He was grateful to my author for having a bird feeder and birdhouse, bringing his prey to him!

Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.

Any scene I am in becomes important, but I will select only one.

This is when I first came to live with my human in the book, Lindsay. She had spent the night with her estranged husband and hated herself for being weak. She wanted to get rid of him, but he was like a bit of gum stuck on your shoe. She and I had met briefly, and she had gone to her next door neighbor’s house for a short visit. I was waiting for her return.

I took my time going back toward my house. I wasn’t in any hurry to face the task of dealing with the man that one part of me wanted gone from my life and the other part wanted back. In a different way, I was every bit as terrified of him as Paula was of the abusive man I was now certain she’d known in her past.

I slapped the fender of Rick’s SUV as I went past, deliberately leaving fingerprints. He hated that.

I stepped up onto my porch and saw another problem. The cat was still there, lying on my door mat, draped over Taz, creating a perfect border for the Go Away! part. Obviously he couldn’t read.

But then, neither could Rick who had stood on that same mat last night and paid just as much attention to the message as the cat did.

“Go home,” I ordered.

He stood up and stretched, arching his back.

I picked up the newspaper, opened the door, and he darted inside.

Yes, it was pretty obvious this cat was a male. He ignored me just like Rick did.

“What’s that cat doing here?” Rick demanded as the feline leapt gracefully onto my faded rose-colored recliner. He was a big cat, completely filling the seat and draping his head and front paws over one arm of the chair. He looked up with those killer blue eyes and gave a contented meow before settling down, completely at home.

Rick sprawled on my sofa, making himself as much at home as the cat. I’d been gone long enough for him to shower, blow dry his hair with my dryer, shave with my razor, and slip back into his khaki slacks, Italian loafers and white Polo shirt that enhanced his tan. To top it all off, he was drinking from my favorite mug, the one that said “Life is uncertain. Eat chocolate now.”

“Go home,” I repeated.

“Yeah, cat, go home.”

“I was talking to you. This is—” I looked at the regal creature in my chair— “this is King Henry, my new cat. He’s staying and you’re going.”

Pawsome excerpt. thanks for sharing it.

What do you like most about your role in your authors’ books?

I’m the pampered star. I get great food, I have a comfortable bed (though I share it with Lindsay most of the time), and I am king of the entire neighborhood. I often help solve crimes and, though that sounds dangerous and I sometimes encounter bad people, I weigh 23 pounds and have half-inch claws and teeth, plus I’m trained in martial arts. If I do suffer a minor wound, Lindsay babies me and gives me special treats until it heals.

Nice life. Alicia also babies me, as do the other employees of the Cobble Cove library.

Are you a talking animal in your books or just a silent one like I am who just emits animal sounds occasionally?

Of course I talk…in Feline language. Because of the shape of my mouth, I can’t speak English, but I understand it quite well. It amazes me that some humans can’t understand Feline. It’s a much simpler language than English. We don’t have all that stuff like subject/verb agreement, objective case vs. nominative case, verb conjugation, gerunds, and all those other useless rules. Yet I have never met a human who can speak Feline. Lindsay understands me most of the time, but that’s as close as it gets.

Good point. I only talk to the other pets in the book, but I’m able to communicate with Alicia with feline body language to help her find clues.

What advice would you give other animal characters?

Demand equal pay and equal billing! Demand your picture on the cover! It took my author a long time to find an artist who could do a decent job of putting me on the cover, but I continued to demand, and she finally got it done. I’m the star. My picture should be on the cover.

I agree completely. I didn’t get on Debbie’s covers until the third book of the series.

Do you have any new books coming out? Please give dates and details.

My author is currently working on a new one, tenth in the Death by Chocolate series, which should be released in the fall 2026.

Excellent. There are only six Cobble Cove books so far and a short-story collection featuring me and the other characters. Debbie has two other series,, so I have to be patient for #7.

Are you and/or your author on social media? If so, please list your links.

https://www.sallyberneathy.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/sallyberneathy

https://www.facebook.com/berneathy

https://www.facebook.com/SallyBerneathy

https://www.instagram.com/sallyberneathy/

Thank you for the interview, King Henry. I will share those links with my readers. Best whiskers to you and your author on your series.

Sneaky the Library Cat Interviews Bippity the Kitten from The Black Cat Detectives by Kit Gray

~ Debbie ~ Leave a comment

Meow, there, Kitty. What is your name and your author’s name?

Hello, Sneaky! Thank you for having me on your blog! I’m Bippity, the oldest and wisest of three intrepid kittens known as The Black Cat Detectives. Sure, I’m only the oldest by a few moments, but it counts.

My author is called Kit Gray.

Mice to meet you both. What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.

I have only appeared in one book so far: a cozy mystery called The Black Cat Detectives. Rude. I deserve an entire series, at the very least. Hopefully, my author will get off their bum and make that happen.

I have high hopes that people will read my adventures, which I suppose are also the adventures of my siblings, Boppity and Boop, and they’ll want more. If so, we kittens are ready and eager to solve every murder that comes our way!

Sounds pawsome. I wish you luck!

Are you based on a real cat such as your author’s? If so, please give further details.

My author had a terrible year where five of their elder cats crossed the rainbow bridge one after another. My siblings and I carry within us the wise, regal, fierce, goofy, snuggly, mischievous spirits of those five ancestor-cats, and it’s our honor to bring them to life on the page, where they will live on forever.

Awww. Sorry to hear that. I also carry on my author’s Siamese’s memory in our Cobble Cove books.

Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.

I am fairly sure we are only allowed to share excerpts from chapter 1. Shockingly, my siblings and I do not appear in chapter one. Can you believe it, Sneaky? I know. It’s appalling. Chapter 1 introduces our human, a stage magician called Mila. But don’t worry, chapter 2 is my first chance to shine: I tell that entire chapter from my own perspective. After that, you get chapters by my fierce brother Boppity, and then by our snuggly sibling Boop. Then Mila again, and the cycle repeats. We are good kittens, and take turns politely.

My author read your book and loved it. She is posting her review on Amazon and your author’s other sites and sharing it below.

What do you like most about your role in your authors’ books?

I am the one in charge of everything. It’s a lot of work, but the entire story would fall apart without me. You might think that our human was the main character. Actually, she might think so, too. But I know that once you read our story, you’ll see the truth. Like Mila, my siblings think they have important roles to play, and I suppose from time to time, they do stumble upon something useful, but in the end, the book is all about me.

We three kittens also have the ability to subtly bend the laws of physics to our command. Or at least Boppity and I do. Boop basically just purrs. But my abilities are far more powerful, subtle, nuanced, and important that my brother’s. He nearly gets us into serious trouble more than once with his Physics.

Just one more reason why I’m in charge.

Makes sense.

Are you a talking cat in your books or just a silent one like I am who just meows occasionally?

Like most animals, we kittens communicate almost entirely with body language. The silly humans have lost the ability to understand the vast majority of what we say, thanks to their ridiculous obsession with their weird tonguey-lip-noise language. Of course, we have a robust vocabulary of trrrns and yows and mreeps and such, but those are usually just for emphasis or clarity.

This means that when a human is reading a chapter by me or one of my siblings, they get the unique and magnificent opportunity to understand not just what we are thinking, but also to understand what we are saying with our bodies. Sometimes, they even get to see us talk with some lesser animal like a dog or a horse or even a ridiculous, wayward-pooping chicken.

But when the reader is in one of Mila’s chapters, they will unfortunately be as oblivious as she is.

Poor humans.

I operate in the same way in my mysteries and agree with you.

What advice would you give other cat characters?

Patience is your most important skill when dealing with humans. Especially if you are considering bonding with one of them, it’s extremely important to remember that it’s not their fault they struggle under the burdens and limitations of their species. They’re prone to strange obsessions about meaningless abstractions like wealth or mate-ownership, and sometimes you will find them baffling. But they are worth the effort. There is no love quite like the bond between humans and cats. If you find yourself becoming frustrated, try to remember that they are warm, they have a seemingly endless supply of delicious meat-feast, their clever fingers are excellent at finding itchy spots, and even though the poor things cannot purr themselves, they make the very best foundations for a purr pile.

MOL (Meow Out Loud). Exactly!!!

Do you have any new books coming out? Please give dates and details.

I don’t have any news on that front right now, but check in on my author’s website or social media, or join our Mewsletter for all the latest updates and exclusive content.

Will do.

Are you and/or your author on social media? If so, please list your links.

We are mostly on our human’s website at https://elise-scott.com where we have bios, information about our book, and even a link to a form where you or your humans can ask us for free advice.

You can sign up for our Mewsletter there too, right below our author’s photograph at the very top.

Our human is also on:

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/elisescott.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisescottwrites/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58697146.Kit_Gray

Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/authorkitgray

Twitter/X: https://x.com/buttonjar1

Thank you so much for interview, Bibbity. and best whiskers to you and your author. I’m including your blog tour below and the review of your wonderful book.


The Black Cat Detectives: A Mystery
by Kit Gray

About The Black Cat Detectives


The Black Cat Detectives: A Mystery
Cozy Animal Mystery
Setting – Corvin’s Crossing—a small fictional island off the coast of New England
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892425520
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNW3NQ3C
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892425537
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNVM2SHD
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892425544
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNW6TDN4
goodreads badge

A charming cozy mystery with a delightful twist: The detectives are three kittens with magical powers, determined to solve a most purr-plexing case.

Precocious kittens Bippity, Boppity, and Boop are exceedingly loyal to their human, the twenty-eight-year-old up-and-coming magician Mila. She saved them from starving to death in a dingy Corvin’s Crossing alleyway and has been nothing but loving ever since, even though her own life is in shambles.

So when Mila’s sketchy boyfriend and business manager turns up dead at the end of her big magic show—she’s the prime suspect. With evidence mounting, there’s nothing stopping the sheriff from hauling away Mila to the human pound. Unless the kittens can solve the crime and clear her name.

The kittens will have to use their dubious control over the laws of physics and every whisker of know-how they’ve got to catch the real killer if they want to save their happy home with Mila. This is one meow-stery more tangled than any ball of yarn they’ve encountered yet.

REVIEW

This was a fun mystery. The black kittens were so cute how they interacted with one another unbeknownst to the humans including Mila, the main character. This feels like the first of a series, and I hope it will continue. The mystery was difficult to solve. I couldn’t guess the killer, so it was a nice surprise. The physics tricks the kittens performed were confusing but interesting. It worked well with Mila, the magician’s act. I recommend this book highly. The only thing I would change would be the frequent use of “they” when referring to one of the kittens. Otherwise, a great cozy read.

About Kit Gray

Kit Gray aka Elise Scott writes from their lived experiences of queerness, disability, neurodivergence, fat-positivity, and petting three cats with two hands. Their life has been an adventure, from facilitating equine therapy for trauma survivors to counseling at-risk youth with the aid of an inordinately large sub-woofer and beyond. They earned their BA from Mount Holyoke and their MS from Capella University. Their debut novel, a cozy mystery featuring three kittens with the ability to bend the laws of physics, who must solve a murder to save their rescuer from the human pound, is forthcoming from Crooked Lane in May 2026. Elise is a Not Quite Write Prize winner and Best-of-the-Net nominee. Their short work has appeared/is forthcoming in The Advocate, Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror, The Not Quite Write Anthology 2025, The B’K, Five Minutes, Knee Brace, All Existing, and Quibble, among others. Find out what they’re working on now at http://elise-scott.com.

Author Links

Purchase Links – Penguin Random House Amazon B&N Bookshop.org

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 3 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

June 3 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 4 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 4 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 5 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW

June 6 – Baroness Book Trove -SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows -CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 9 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

June 9 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 11 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

June 12 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 15 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 16 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

GIVEAWAY LINK: https://kingsumo.com/g/1vj4kd1/the-black-cat-detectives-a-mystery-by-kit-gray

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Sneaky the Library Cat’s Interview with Mademoiselle Fifi from Sore Like An Eagle by Marc Jedel

~ Debbie ~ 2 Comments

What is your name and your author’s name?

You may call me Mademoiselle Fifi, if you please. I am a refined, intelligent, and devastatingly adorable petite canine. I’ve heard my owner Andy refer to me as a toy poodle, but I assure you I am no toy. Someone named Marc Jedel writes books about me and Andy. He’s obviously super intelligent for realizing I am worthy of multiple books.

A pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle Fifi.

What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.

I am in the Redwoods Country Mystery series, with Rivers and Creaks, Whine and Dine, and now Sore Like an Eagle. Clearly the author has a thing for bad puns and likes to make fun of Andy just because he’s retired and has the normal aches and pains of a sixty-five year-old human.

MOL (Meow Out Loud).

Are you in a series? If so, please give information about it.

[Sniffs disapprovingly]. Weren’t you paying attention to my previous answer? [Dramatic sigh]. Yes, I’m in a cozy mystery series set in the beautiful Northern California Redwoods Country. My human, Andy, runs a bed and breakfast inn, although he wisely hired a helper who does all the cooking and cleaning. He’s not very good with other people so it’s much better that he avoids talking to them as much as possible. I’ve heard someone describe the book as Grumpy Old Men meets Schitt’s Creek.

Sounds interesting, and I’m a fan of cozies for obvious reasons.

Are you based on a real dog such as your author’s? If so, please give further details.

I do not understand your question. I am, of course, a real dog. No one could invent a dog quite as beautiful, adorable, and magnifique as me. [Blows chef’s kiss]. But no, my author does not have a toy poodle. His dog is more of a mutt with no sense of fashion or humor. 

My apologies.

Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.

Rather than sharing something that will likely serve as a spoiler, I want to share something more personal. I hope you share my concern about this topic. It’s vacuum cleaners. They are the bane of my existence. Those soulless predators have an insatiable hunger for crumbs and dignity. They feed on fear. They lurk. They hum. They plot. One day they will rise up and consume us all. 

How do you handle these terrors?

I am a cat, Fifi. I hate vacuum cleaners. I, like my author’s cats, hide when it is turned on.

What do you like most about your role in your authors’ books?

Some would describe me as the beating heart of the Quilt House Inn, not to mention the fashion compass for a man who would otherwise pair socks of mismatched colors. Since my dearly departed Catherine, Andy’s wife, is no longer with us, I keep Andy company. Someone must make sure he eats something other than toast and guilt. Without me, he’d wander into murder investigations without snacks.

That would be a shame. He’s lucky to have you.

Are you a talking dog in your books or just a silent pet like I am who just meows occasionally?

I do not deign to speak to the humans. I may bark on occasion at suspicious shadows to remind Andy I am indispensable. He carries me everywhere in a roomy pocket in his silly fishing vest he’s always wearing. When not napping, I possess an exceptional ability to detect emotional distress—and bacon—from astonishing distances. I also possess an exquisite ability to look adorable while judging people silently. It is a rare skill.

I share that skill, Fifi, so I can relate.

What advice would you give other dog characters?

I’ve heard others recommend you should be yourself, but this makes no sense since they aren’t me. When you have a certain je ne sais quoi like I do, the best advice for another dog would be to try to imitate as many of my qualities as possible. Take the time that Andy’s friend, Charlie, attempted to train me with fake bacon treats. The nerve! I am not some common Labrador who will eat anything under its nose. Quelle horreur!

Your French is quite appealing, Fifi. If you were a cat, you’d be purrfect.

Do you have any new books coming out? Please give dates and details.

The latest novel is Sore Like an Eagle, third in the Redwoods Country Mystery series, although it can be read as a standalone. Personally I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to read all of the novels since I’m in it, but there’s no accounting for the peculiarities of humans. 

For the future, I’ve suggested a spinoff series to the author that would be called The Fifi Files, but he has declined so far. He probably didn’t want to pay the royalties.

Too bad. You can keep trying. It never hurts.

Are you and/or your author on social media? If so, please list your links.

Sore Like an Eagle, is on sale for only $2.99 during this tour. It’s available at: https://mybook.to/SoreLikeanEagle. You can find me at:

Website: www.marcjedel.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author

BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel

Merci for the interview, Fifi, and best tail wags to you and your author on your new release. I’m sharing the blog tour for it below.


Sore Like an Eagle: A Redwoods Country Mystery
by Marc Jedel

About Sore Like an Eagle


Sore Like an Eagle: A Redwoods Country Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – California’s Redwoods Country
BGM Press (April 20, 2026)
Number of Pages: 241
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8989814428
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GWJ5ZM28
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DY9Z93XX
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The coroner is claiming natural causes. The mayor is crying murder. Can this feisty retiree spot the truth before the clues drown in the chaos?

Andy Shirley won’t admit he likes it here. But in the year since his wife’s passing, the copy-editor-turned-reluctant-hotelier has begun to appreciate small-town life amongst the towering redwoods. And his quick eye for detail has him suspecting foul play when the local busybody is found belly-up in the community pool.

With his sleuthing skills unaffected by a recent hiking injury, Andy ignores the police chief’s cautions and dives into an off-the-books investigation. But though his snarky sidekick and pocket-sized poodle help chase down leads, all his Poirot-inspired maneuvers aren’t getting him any closer to closing the case.

Can he pull off an impossible solve, or will the lack of evidence drive Andy off the deep end?

Sore Like an Eagle is the splashy third book in the Redwoods Country cozy mystery series. If you like reluctant heroes, unexpected team-ups, and puzzles that keep you guessing, then you’ll love this hilarious yarn.

Try Sore Like an Eagle to swim laps around crime today!

About Marc Jedel

Marc Jedel writes funny, feel-good murder mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty plots, and the kind of humor that goes down easy with a cup of tea—or glass of wine. After years of writing marketing copy in Silicon Valley, Marc finally started crafting fiction people actually wanted to read. He’s the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Silicon Valley Mystery, Ozarks Lake Mystery, and Redwoods Country Mystery series. His books have earned thousands of glowing reviews.

Like Andy from the Redwoods Country Mysteries, Marc keeps getting older and sincerely hopes his retirement doesn’t involve running a B&B. Like Marty from the Silicon Valley series, he lives in tech-heavy California, has worked in high-tech, and proudly wields bad puns. Like Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake series, Marc grew up in the South and spent many a summer in and around Arkansas.

He lives with his endlessly patient wife and a sweet, neurotic dog who remains deeply unimpressed by Marc’s jokes. When not writing, Marc can be found hiking, plotting murders (on the page, officer, really!), or avoiding whatever home improvement project he’s been putting off.

Visit marcjedel.com for free content, updates, and more!

Author Links

Purchase Links – AMAZON

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 11 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

May 12 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 12 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 13 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 13 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 15 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 16 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 17 – Twirling Book Princess – SPOTLIGHT

May 18 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 19 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 20 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

May 22 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 24 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

Giveaway Link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1knrp41/win-a-signed-copy-of-sore-like-an-eagle-a-redwoods-country-mystery”

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Sneaky the Library Cat Interviews Mischief, the dog from the Whispering Witch Series by Mildred Abbott

~ Debbie ~ Leave a comment

Hello, Pup. What is your name and your author’s name?

I’m Mischief, and my author is Mildred Abbott.

Mice to meet you both.

What book(s) have you appeared in? Please list them and their genre.

I’m the star, well…. Co-star, if I’m being honest, of the Whispering Witch Mysteries. I’ll be in all the books, but right now, there are only the first two out: Gossiping About Grimoires and Verifying About Vampires.

A cozy witch series. Love it!

Please give information about it.

My human… more accurately, my witch, Maeve Hawthorn, writes about witches. Which would have been perfectly harmless if she hadn’t been a little bit too accurate. You see, we had no idea witches and other magical creatures were real. Turns out, they didn’t really like my Maeve spilling all their secrets and don’t believe that it was only an accident. They lured us to New Orleans, demanding answers.

Probably didn’t help matters that Maeve tried to help save a dying witch and ended up getting her magical powers.

For some reason, the other witches found that suspicious.

So… that’s where we are. In this amazing little part of New Orleans called the French Quarter. We solve mysteries, meet new friends–my personal favorites are Tabitha, the opossum, and Walter, a little pug that wears clothes. Personally I find clothes itchy, but he seems to like them. We’ve also discovered quite a few… well… folks, let’s say, that are not very friendly.

We spend a lot of time trying not to get into trouble and stay safe while we work on our magic.

We don’t always succeed… How’s that?

I’m hooked.

Are you based on a real dog such as your author’s? If so, please give further details.

My author has had four corgis. I never got to meet them, but their names were Dunkyn, Dolan, Alistair, and Winifred.

I’m sure they were perfectly nice.

But I am, objectively, special.

They were all Pembroke corgis—no tails, and all orange. A bit unfortunate, if you ask me.

I’m a Cardigan so I have a long fluffy foxtail and I’m a beautiful pattern of black and white.

Clearly, I’m an improvement upon the original design.

Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.

“Oh, Mischief, what have I gotten us into?”

She snuggled against me and in answer issued a long, relaxed sigh.

“You know, I’m always amazed how much you understand what I’m saying and what’s going on around us. However, you seem completely clueless at the moment, which is surprising.” I buried my face in the large white patch of fur at the back of her neck, tears stinging my eyes. “Although I have to admit, I wish I were clueless right now too.”

Mischief exhaled, sounding annoyed, then squeezed her way out of my embrace, trotted about a foot across the mattress, and plopped down, staring at me.

I laughed again. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to insult you or anything. I only…”

The expression in her eyes brought me up short and ushered back the memory beside Eudora’s body. How in the world had I forgotten?

“I could have sworn you talked to me earlier.”

Her annoyed expression deepened.

I leaned closer. “Are you irritated because that’s ridiculous or because I’ve been too busy being a stress-mess to remember until now?”

She glared, though not necessarily angrily, but more like another flash of what I thought was annoyance. She leaned closer so her nose almost touched mine and held my gaze, staring so hard had it been anyone else, it would have felt invasive and too personal.

But it was Mischief, so I stared right back. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”

She blinked, then stared again.

“You are!” I gasped at the realization. “You are trying to tell me something. Actually, trying to say something… right?”

Though I couldn’t hear even the faintest reply, the expression in her dark eyes was a resounding Yes. Truthfully, it was probably more of a Duh!

“Okay.” In my excitement, I attempted to push aside being captured and my probable purging and scurried up into a sitting position on the bed.

That was instantly too high, so I repositioned to my knees, leaning forward and resting on my forearms, returning our faces to eye level.

Again, I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but I got the impression she was laughing.

Strange. Although I suddenly realized how I must look spread over the bed with my rump up in the air. “Kind of like you when you want to play, huh?”

Her eyes twinkled.

“Okay… what’s different from earlier?” I thought back to the moment at the cathedral, trying to recall. She’d been on my lap, and I’d buried my face in her fur, as I so often did for comfort. But… I’d just held her a moment ago. Just had my face buried in her fur while I tried not to cry.

Before I could sit up, drag her into my lap, and try again, Mischief drew closer once more and pressed her forehead to mine.

I started to argue, to tell her of my plan of recreating the scene. However, she seemed to know what she was doing better than I did, so I held my position.

Mischief pushed a little harder against my forehead and took a long, slow breath, then released it. Her breath didn’t smell minty fresh or anything, but the warmth washed over my cheeks and felt as familiar and safe as home.

I attempted a slow breath of my own, but it shook.

Mischief did it again.

So did I—longer, deeper, and slower that time. The tightness in my throat lessened, and the claws gripping around my heart loosened ever so slightly.

Safe.

I scrambled back, startled, as I hadn’t really expected it to work. “You said that, right? Not just my imagination?”

Her scowl was all the answer I needed.

Pawsome excerpt. Thanks for sharing it.

What do you like most about your role in your authors’ books?

I get to hang out with my Maeve all day long. Which, isn’t new.

Before all of this, she was a writer, so we were together constantly—but that mostly meant her typing at a computer while  supervised and napped.

Now we get to go on real adventures. There’s magic, mysteries, and all sorts of interesting creatures to meet (and occasionally chase).

There’s also the food, which I take very seriously. New Orleans has been excellently for that.

 But mostly.. I get o make sure Maeve is safe.

Someone has to keep an eye on her.

Sounds like fun and a job with perks.

Are you a talking pet in your books or just a silent one like I am who just meows occasionally?

Maeve and I have always understood each other. She’s very good at reading my glares. When she accidentally got magic and I became her familiar, that changed. Now she can actually hear me.

I don’t speak like her or any other people. They waste a lot of words. We animals like I’m sure you know, Sneaky, are much more efficient and can get the point across with just a word or two. Or, like you, don’t require a word at all to make your feelings perfectly clear. Humans could learn a thing or two from us.

That’s the truth!

What advice would you give other dog characters?

Every once in a while, your human will forget that you are the one who’s actually in charge. I’ve learned it’s best to pick my battles. Go along and let them have their little delusions. And then when it matters, when it really matters, remind them who’s boss and save the day.

Unless there’s treats on the line and then… do whatever you’ve got to do to get them all.

Great advice for all pet characters.

Do you have any new books coming out? Please give dates and details.

Thanks for asking! My third adventure with Maeve, Snitching About Spirits is coming out in June!

I think this might be my favorite adventure yet. The first one it’s trying to learn how to stay alive after discovering witches are real. And our second adventure was all about vampires. I don’t know if you’ve ever met a vampire, but trust me. I am not a fan. Hard nope! from me.

But our third escapade? There’s a ghost we’re trying to help. Ghosts are pretty fascinating. You can see right through them and yet don’t see them. But just a little bit of advice, Sneaky, just in case you run into one. Don’t walk through them. If you’re like me, it will make you sneeze. I think I might be allergic…

Thanks for the tip, Mischief.

Are you and/or your author on social media? If so, please list your links.

We are!  We’d love for you to come chat with us!

Newsletter sign up:  http://www.mildredabbott.com/contact-mildred.html

Website: http://www.mildredabbott.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbottAuthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17347095.Mildred_Abbott

Instagram: @mildredabbott

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mildredabbottauthor

Wonderful. Thanks for the pet chat, and best tail wags to you and your author. I’m sharing your blog tour below.


The Whispering Witch Mysteries
by Mildred Abbott

About The Whispering Witch Mystery Series

Start the Whispering Witch series today—a paranormal mystery where magic has consequences, trust is dangerous, and even a corgi might not make everything okay.


Gossiping About Grimoires (Whispering Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Urban Paranormal
1st in Series
Setting – New Orleans, Mostly French Quarter
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8243417433
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GQTC3TKR
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GJTS4272
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Maeve Hawthorn writes about witches for a living.
They want her to stop.

When a book signing ends in her abduction, Maeve’s only priority is escaping with her corgi, Mischief, alive. That urgency deepens when she learns her captors are real witches, furious that Maeve has been exposing their secrets to the world.

Before Maeve can make sense of how her fiction has become reality, she’s caught in the middle of a murder that leaves her marked by magic she doesn’t understand. When a dying witch’s power floods into her, Maeve becomes the prime suspect in a crime she didn’t commit—and a target for every supernatural being certain she knows too much.

Turns out, magic isn’t a gift. It’s a liability.
And clearing her name may cost Maeve far more than her safety.

With danger closing in and no clear allies other than Mischief, Maeve must navigate a hidden supernatural world that wants her silenced… or dead.

For readers who enjoy witchy mysteries with a little more at stake than a traditional cozy, Gossiping About Grimoires will appeal to fans of Danielle Garrett, Erin Johnson, and Juliet Blackwell.

(Includes the Shroom Boom recipe from Ayu Bakehouse, a beloved New Orleans bakery.)


Verifying About Vampires (Whispering Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Urban Paranormal
2nd in Series
Setting – New Orleans, Mostly French Quarter
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 30, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GGZ4YC8Q
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Maeve Hawthorn didn’t mean to get involved with vampires.
They insisted.

When a prominent member of New Orleans’ vampire community is accused of murder, Maeve is pulled into an investigation that could unravel the fragile balance between magical factions. Clearing their name isn’t just about justice — it may be the only way to prevent something far more dangerous.

As Maeve follows a trail of secrets through candlelit courtyards and hidden supernatural circles, she discovers that truth in this world is layered, political, and rarely convenient. Meanwhile, living with her roommates and their familiars begins to feel like home. The witches who were once strangers are becoming allies. Maybe even family.

But solving one mystery has a way of exposing others.

And in a city built on power and old allegiances, someone is always watching.

For readers who enjoy witchy mysteries with a little more at stake than a traditional cozy, Verifying About Vampires will appeal to fans of Danielle Garrett, Erin Johnson, and Juliet Blackwell.

Continue the Whispering Witch series — a paranormal mystery where magic has consequences, loyalty is complicated, and even a corgi doesn’t know all the answers.

(Includes Butterscotch Pecan Scone recipe from Bywater Bakery, a favorite New Orleans bakery.)


Snitching About Spirits (Whispering Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Urban Paranormal
3rd in Series
Setting – New Orleans, Mostly French Quarter
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ ~ 400 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GRSFK8VD
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Maeve Hawthorn started chatting with ghosts.
They made demands.

When a murder victim refuses to stay silent and buried secrets start coming to light, Maeve is pulled deeper into the hidden power struggles shaping New Orleans’ magical world. What started as a single investigation is unraveling something much older—and far more dangerous.

As Maeve follows the trail through enchanted courtyards, secret alliances, and the fragile peace between supernatural factions, she begins to realize the truth may not be what anyone wants revealed. Meanwhile, living with her roommates and their familiars is starting to feel less like survival… and more like family.

But some secrets were buried for a reason.

And when the past finally surfaces, it may threaten far more than one witch’s life.

For readers who enjoy witchy mysteries with a little more at stake than a traditional cozy, Snitching About Spirits will appeal to fans of Danielle Garrett, Erin Johnson, and Juliet Blackwell.

Continue the Whispering Witch series — a paranormal mystery where magic carries a price, loyalties are tested, and even a corgi can’t sniff out every secret.

(Includes a bewitching S’mores Cheesecake recipe from Deuxbelle, an award-winning New Orleans bakery.)

About Mildred Abbott

Mildred Abbott writes twisty cozy mysteries filled with humorous and complex characters. Whether brimming with magic or simply an above-average dose of curiosity, Mildred’s amateur sleuths solve murders with the cutest sidekicks ever. Fifteen years as a special education teacher and a lifetime of loving rescue dogs results in creating adventures with a ton of heart and the need for lint rollers.

Author Links

Newsletter sign up: http://www.mildredabbott.com/contact-mildred.html

Website: http://www.mildredabbott.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbottAuthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17347095.Mildred_Abbott

Instagram: @mildredabbott

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mildredabbottauthor

Purchase Links
– Amazon – Gossiping About Grimoires Verifying About Vampires Snitching About Spirits

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 12 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

May 13 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 14 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

May 15 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

May 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

May 17 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

May 18 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

May 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

May 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

May 20 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

May 21 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 22 – Twirling Book Princess – SPOTLIGHT

May 23 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

May 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 25 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

May 25 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 25 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

GIVEAWAY: To win an eBook of your choice from the Whispering Witch series, comment on this blog with the one that interests you most. Please include your email. 

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