1--What is the title of your latest release?
FUREVER AFTER
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Kathleen Paulson is busy running the library and planning her upcoming wedding to Detective Marcus Gordon when early one morning she discovers the body of a past nemesis in the library. It seems he was trying to steal one of the paintings hanging near the checkout desk. Kathleen can’t imagine what the dead man wanted with it.
But then an art history expert called in by the police identifies the watercolor as a piece that was stolen in a high-profile art heist. With some help from Owen and Hercules, her very clever cats with some very unique skills, Kathleen works to catch a killer before she ends up painted into a corner.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
This book is part of a series. They’re all set in Mayville Heights, Minnesota. Mayville Heights is very loosely inspired by Red Wing, Minnesota. By chance I found a video tour online about Red Wing and fell in love with the place.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I would. Kathleen is a loyal friend. She has two cats—I’m a cat person—and she always seems to have brownies!
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Compassionate. Resilient. Smart.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I am not the kind of person who will ever be a cave explorer!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I write the book through until the end and then I go back and edit. And I always use an outline. The one time I didn’t the story ended up going off the rails.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Pizza.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
It’s a small room in the basement. At the moment I’m sharing it with a pile of boxes because our daughter—who just graduated—is living with us temporarily while she apartment hunts.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Thriller writer Hank Phillippi Ryan. She’s such a sweet person in real life, but as a writer she can create some very twisty stories.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I’ve been asked this question quite a few times and my answer is always the same. The Poky Little Puppy. It was the first book I read by myself.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I remember very little about the conversation because I was so surprised. In fact, at first I thought someone was someone playing a trick on me.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I like everything. At the moment I’m reading Robert Thorogood’s the Marlow Murder Club books. I’m looking forward to seeing the four-part series, based on the first book, that’s coming to PBS This October.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
The Princess Bride. I quote lines from the movie all the time.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall. It’s perfect for being outside.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I have to have a birthday cake. Preferably chocolate. And pizza.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently discovered the TV series Will Trent. I’ve heard that it differs from Karin Slaughter’s books but since I haven’t read any of them, I had no preconceived ideas about the characters. I’ve become a big fan of Erika Christensen who plays Angie. And yes, I’ve requested the first two books in the series from the library.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I don’t really have a favorite cuisine. My mother was British, so I like shepherd’s pie with a side of peas or a good marmalade sandwich.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I like to hike when the weather isn’t too hot. I also make mixed media collages and I’m always prowling around flea markets and thrift stores looking for things I can use in my art.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
The next book in the Second Chance Cat mysteries, CAT GOT YOUR KILLER, which I write as Sofie Ryan, will be out early in 2025.
Magical Cats #16
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 like 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 and 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 getting hurt.
Mystery [Berkley, On Sale: September 3, 2024, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593548738 / eISBN: 9780593548752]
Sofie Kelly is the pseudonym of young adult writer and mixed-media artist, Darlene Ryan. Sofie/Darlene lives on the east coast with her husband and daughter. In her spare time she practices Wu style tai chi and likes to prowl around thrift stores.
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