Hello meautiful library guests
and
Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ
Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today.
Thank Cod that things have returned to almost normal at BBHQ, it's been a little frenetic the last few weeks and the P.A. had no time, but hopefully that phase has passed! MOL
Here's a supurr cute picture of yours truly, looking utterly furbulous, and enquiring if any treats are forthcoming! MOL
And I know mew are all despurrate for the riveting and epically exciting Prudence update, and if mew've missed anything so far, click here to catch up. We will continue straight on from the last update. Are mew ready? Of course, mew are! MOL
>^.^<
As I strolled into my library, the scent of aged paper and the faint sound of pages flipping greeted me. It was a cozy and familiar place, where stories came alive. Hissy Furrton was perched at her usual corner table, surrounded by a fortress of cat-themed novels, her glasses perched precariously on the tip of her nose. She looked up as I approached, a glimmer of intrigue in her eyes.
“Amber! Mew won’t believe the latest about Prudence!” she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Oh, I’ve just heard all the juicy details from Erasure over at Paws and Paper!” I replied, perking up at her enthusiasm. “It seems our dear Prudence is set to tie the knot on a cruise ship, and with a gym instructor no less, and that her sister is flying there tomorrow!”
"Yes!" Hissy beamed. "And I just heard from Melody Fluffworth that Willhumeenia has taken her lawyer with her."
"No!" I gasped in shock.
SIX DAYS LATER...
Hissy Furrton came bustling into the library early Friday morning, the 'open sign' on the main door barely turned and still swinging.
"Amber! Amber! We need to talk!" Hissy whisper hissed.
I popped up from behind my desk, my eyes narrowed at all the commotion. "SHHHHHHHH!" I said.
Hissy nearly jumped out of her fur at my unexpected appearance, the basket she was holding crashed to the floor, and her pink, knitted beret slipped over her nose. "Good gravy, mew scared the literal fluff out of me!" she replied, one paw pressed to her heart and the other pushing her beret back off her face. "I hope the drinks haven't spilt," she added, reaching down to pick her basket up.
"That was lucky," I replied, seeing the takeaway cups still in their upright position. "Oh, did mew bring cakes too?"
Hissy nodded. "Yes, they're today's special at Nip and Nom; catnip-infused cherry slices with lashings of sprinkles."
"Well, I won't be getting much work done today, then!" I chuckled and indicated towards my private reading room.
As we walked down the 'E' Aisle, I saw Ardvaar and Nibbles, two of the library mice, and asked very politely for them to watch the front desk, with the promise of extra cheese cubes. They scurried off in a blur.
After sitting on my super comfy sofa, a lovely cup of camomile and catmint tea in paw, I readied myself for the gossip.
Hissy leaned in, her expression shifting to one of noticeable excitement. "I just overheard Melody Fluffton talking to Clawdia Von Meowson in the cafe about a secret engagement party being planned for Prudence—and it’s happening this weekend, right here in Mewton-Clawson!”
"Prudence is back?" I spat my tea out in horror. "When? How? Why?"
"Well, when Willie got to the ship, Prudence was in tears because they'd just been boarded by really unpleasant pirates, and her huge engagement ring had been stolen," Hissy said. "So Willie decided to bring Prudence and her new beau home, and now there's an engagement party!"
"Where?" I gasped, using a paper napkin to mop up the mess.
Hissy gave me a conspiratorial glance. "Well, mew know that Prudence lives in the little cottage in the grounds of Fuskerton Grange, and that Willie kept the big house for herself, as she couldn't stand all the drama Prudence created?"
I nodded, remembering the huge rows I'd heard about after Colonel Snozrazzle had departed for the Rainbow Realm some years ago.
"Well, Willie has decided to host the engagement party at the Grange in a marquee in the grounds, she's got that new catering and events company," Hissy squeezed her eyes tight shut as she tried to remember the name. "It's called... Purrfectly Posh Parties and apparently they're super top-notch."
“Really?” My eyebrows shot up. “Do we know who’s invited?”
“Everyone who’s anyone, apparently,” she said, waving a paw dramatically. “But here’s the kicker: Prudence has no idea! She thinks it’s a small gathering just to celebrate her engagement. Can mew even imagine?”
“No way!” I gasped, barely able to contain my excitement. “What’s the theme? Is it going to be fluff and sparkle? Maybe a ship-themed soirée?”
Hissy grinned, enjoying my enthusiasm. “More like a ‘Tropical Paradise’ theme! Rumour has it there will be a pool inside the marquee with beach balls, mocktails, and even limbo contests on a purpose-built beach with palm trees, no less!”
“Brilliant,” I laughed as I imagined all the geriatric cats trying to do the limbo. "Dr Lawson Crunch, the local chiropractor, will be working overtime next week, then!"
Hissy giggled.
We sat in silence for a few minutes while we ate the baked goodies and occasionally grinned at each other as the catnip began to take effect.
"Well," I said, finally taking the last slurp of my tea. "I think I'd better get back to work before I fall asleep or go and raid the vending machine in the canteen!"
Helping Hissy to stand, we sashayed through the stacks and headed towards the front desk.
Just then, I noticed a commotion near the entrance. Clawdia Von Meowson entered, walking her usual grand entrance. “Darlings!” she announced with flair. “I have just the inside scoop on Prudence’s party plans! While I won’t give away too much, I can tell mew there are some… unexpected guests on the list.”
“Who? Spill it, Clawdia!” Hissy implored, leaning in closer.
Her emerald eyes sparkled with mischief. “Let’s just say, mew might want to keep an eye out for Maximus the Magnificent from the huge Estate on the edge of Gribbers-Puddling—he’s famous for his flame-coloured fur and a not-so-great reputation with lady cats! And his cousin Sassy Whiskers is bringing her whole crew!”
“Oh no, this could turn into a catastrophe!” Hissy exclaimed dramatically, clutching her paws to her chest.
“Or a complete spectacle!” I grinned, imagining the chaos that could ensue. “I can only hope Willie has a plan to keep them in check.”
“Speaking of plans,” Clawdia continued. “Mew two need to get yourselves on the guest list! As darlings, this will be a party for the ages!”
I turned to Hissy, feeling a spark of excitement in the air, plus I needed to make sure that Muskulls Mufton, the gym instructor, didn't do a runner and therefore leaving poor Melvyn back in the cross-hairs of Prudence's sights. “Well then, it sounds like we have a task ahead of us. I'll call Willie and get us on the guest list!"
>^.^<
And that, lovely readers, is the latest Prudence gossip, but it doesn't end there. Stay tuned for the next wild update....
At this rate, I'll definitely be writing my own book! MOL
Today, the P.A. also joins in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
1. I write with my ______________ hand.
2. My plans for the month of May include _______________ and ________________.
3. I wonder if anyone else _________.
4. _________ is what I like most about _________.
The P.A.'s answers are...
1. I write with my right hand. However, and you know what's coming, I did have a bit of a nasty accident (yep, it's true) with my right hand in 2001, and during that time I taught myself to write, not very well, I must add, with my left hand.
2. My plans for the month of May include getting all the little plants I've been growing into the garden borders, and I've got a garden furniture set that needs some TLC and repainting.
3. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that the moon is in the wrong spot again? Wednesday night (30-4-25) at 11pm, the moon was on its back, a small crescent, and it was low in the sky in the place it should have been around 6am. It was seven hours ahead of schedule. All I can say is, they must be having terrible staffing issues and software problems on the moonbase, either that or it's got a virus, maybe Moonvid, and it sneezed itself into the wrong spot! LOL
4. The epically epic fun factor is what I like most about writing a B Team Adventure; you don't know how much I laugh at some of the things that appear on the page.
Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy
Stabbed In The Solarium
A Moorecliff Manor Cat Cozy Mystery Book 1
by
Leighann Dobbs
Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:
When the Moorecliff clan gathers at Moorecliff mansion for Archie’s memorial service, no one expects gossipy aunt Shirley to end up stabbed in the solarium. It’s not really a big surprise though, pretty much everyone in the family had reason to want her dead.
With those closest to her at the top of the suspect list, Araminta and her mystery solving cats Arun and Sasha vow to find the answers to the questions that could lead them straight to the killer. How did mice get into the mansion? Where did the killer stash the murder weapon? What secret did Shirley know that someone would kill for? What is going on in the gardening shed at night?
I reviewed the first book in this fun series earlier in March, actually it was the same day the Prudence saga kicked up to Defcon 1! MOL
In Stabbed In The Solarium, mew are thrust into a tangled web of family drama and intrigue when the Moorecliff clan gathers to commemorate Archie’s life. However, the atmosphere quickly shifts from sombre to sinister with the shocking stabbing of the notorious Aunt Shirley in the mansion's solarium. The plot skillfully sets the stage for a classic whodunit, where nearly every family member is a potential suspect, and the motives run deep.
At the heart of the story is Araminta, a determined protagonist who, alongside her clever cats Arun and Sasha, embarks on a quest to unveil the secrets behind Aunt Shirley's murder. The story is cleverly constructed, keeping readers guessing as Araminta unravels clues that lead to more questions than answers. Including curious subplots, such as the mysterious mice in the mansion and the hidden agendas lurking in the gardening shed, adds layers to the narrative, enhancing the overall mystery.
The charming dynamic between Araminta and her feline companions brings a delightful whimsy to the darker themes of the plot. Their antics not only offer comic relief but also serve as crucial elements in solving the mystery. The humour complements the suspense, creating a well-rounded reading experience that keeps mew engrossed from start to finish.
This is a compelling cozy mystery that weaves together family secrets, unexpected twists, and a touch of feline charm. It’s a purrfect read for those who enjoy intricate puzzles and character-driven storytelling. As Araminta races against time to bring justice to Aunt Shirley’s untimely demise, mew will find yourself captivated, eagerly flipping pages to uncover the truth hidden within the mansion’s walls. Highly recommended for fans of the cozy cat mystery genre!
A pawesome addition to this highly entertaining series!
The entire series comprising of five books (so far) are available on Kindle Unlimited at the time of posting.
Paperback: 158 pages
Audio: 2 hours 42 mins
My Ratings Scale
Rating of:
Stabbed In The Solarium
Overall Enjoyment
Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today
Do enjoy the book if mew decide to read it.
It's time for me to say BFN or bye-for-now as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time and I'll be back next week with another specially paw-picked book just for mew, and don't forget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.
Before I pop off into the stacks, Chapter Twenty Four and the Epilogue of The
Purrminator will be live at U.K. time 00.25 and 00.30 am tommorow. Mew won't want to miss it! MOL
Until next time...
Keep calm and read more books
Amber
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