In the first five books of the HOW TO WASH A
CAT series, Rupert and Isabella’s feline adventures have taken them all over
San Francisco and across Northern California. From their home base in the
Jackson Square antique shop, the cats have ventured out to explore the murals of
Coit Tower, the science museum in Golden Gate Park, and the cupola at the top of
City Hall. With the help of a cat-modified stroller, they’ve visited a
California gold mining town, the State Capitol, and historic Monterrey. Along
the way, the cats have uncovered Gold Rush treasure, cavorted with multitalented
frogs, rescued an abducted albino alligator, and unmasked the murderer of a City
Hall intern.
Rupert and Isabella’s latest mystery takes them on a journey through time – back
to 1775 when the first European sailboat discovered the Golden Gate, the passage
leading from the Pacific Ocean into the San Francisco Bay.
The tale of the San Carlos is well documented, but a critical aspect of the
ship’s story is missing from the official record. Unbeknownst to most
historians, the ship’s passenger rolls included a grumpy chef named Oscar, his
niece, and her two beloved flame point Siamese. Also onboard was a serial killer
with an MO eerily similar to one threatening to disrupt the America’s Cup in
modern day San Francisco…
As the writer typed this summary on her keyboard, a slender cat with
orange-tipped ears and tail hopped onto the desk. Tail sticking up into the air,
Isabella walked around the laptop and took a seat on an adjacent dictionary.
Leaning over her person’s shoulder, the cat gazed at the screen, intently
studying the typed words.
Conventional wisdom dictates that cats can’t read, but the writer had learned
from vast experience not to question Isabella’s extraordinary capabilities.
After reviewing the text, Isabella maneuvered into the writer’s lap and pawed at
the keyboard.
“Mrao.”
“Yes, I was just getting to that part.”
Feline editorial input was a regular part of the writer’s routine. She slid
her arms around the cat and resumed typing.
…It’s up to the cats and their person to flush out the killer – in both time
frames – before she takes her next victim…
Isabella considered this addition. Then she rotated her head to look at her
person. The cat’s ears turned sideways as she expressed her critique.
“Mrao.”
The writer shifted in her seat. “Umm. But it’s an ensemble cast.”
Isabella fixed her person with an uncompromising stare.
“Mrao.”
“Oh, all right.”
The writer moved the cursor to make the edit. The last sentence now read:
…It’s up to Isabella to flush out the killer – in both time frames – before she
takes her next victim…
The cat settled into the writer’s lap, returning her attention to the laptop
screen. Reaching up with her paw, she tapped the writer’s arm, an indication
that the writer should keep working.
“Mrao.”
About HOW TO CATCH A CAT
In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of HOW TO PAINT A
CAT, there are choppy waters ahead...
A serial killer with a peculiar penchant for City Hall interns is on the loose
in San Francisco, and it’s up to me—and my two cats, Rupert and Isabella—to put
a stop to the spree. Unfortunately, worrying about my uncle Oscar’s failing
health and assisting with the interim mayor’s America’s Cup regatta doesn’t
leave me with much opportunity to chase down clues.
Could the key to apprehending the killer be found in San Francisco’s sailing
history? The first European vessel to pass through the Golden Gate contained a
familiar cast of human—and feline—passengers as well as an elusive killer who
used a similar murder weapon. Will the past catch up to the present in time to
crack the case?
About Rebecca M. Hale
Rebecca M. Hale is the NY Times bestselling author of the Cats and
Curios series, beginning with HOW TO WASH A
CAT. The series, starring Rebecca's cats Rupert and Isabella, takes place at
an antique shop in San Francisco's historic Jackson Square. Each book features a
treasure hunt style mystery relating to a different aspect of California history
– from the Gold Rush (HOW TO WASH A CAT) to the San Francisco escapades of Mark
Twain (NINE
LIVES LAST FOREVER) and the Bear Flag Revolt (HOW TO MOON A
CAT). The alligator romp HOW TO TAIL A CAT explores the wealthy businessmen who
endowed the city's famous Steinhart Aquarium.
Rebecca is also the author of the Mystery in the Islands series, which started
with ADRIFT ON ST JOHN. When a water taxi sinks and one of the vessel's
passengers disappears, the locals suspect the missing woman may have been done
in by a ghost from the island's 1733 Slave Revolt.
Rebecca and her cadre of cats live in Western Colorado.
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