Crafts and Life

Allie Cobb returns home from a book conference armed with hugs for her cat and her boyfriend, and dreams of a long, hot bath. She’s also getting ready to take the plunge by hiring an intern for her expanding literary agency. But it’s one for the books when Allie finds the town’s librarian—and her longtime role model—seconds away from death on the library floor.
 
Who would want to poison Vicky Napier—one of Rushing Creek’s most beloved citizens—on the eve of her retirement? But it seems there were toxic people in her life, like the handyman with an obsessive crush, and a wood carver with a hair-trigger temper. The list of suspects includes Allie’s boyfriend, Brent, who’s in the running to take over as town librarian. Avenging her friend’s murder could be a trap as she goes up against a killer determined to write Allie’s epitaph . . .

J C Kenney has done it again, another engaging story starring Ursula the Calico Cat (oh and her servant Allie Cobb!)

Allie has been away at a book conference back in New York, and she is glad to be able to get back to her apartment in Rushing Creek and to see Ursi and her house/pet sitter aka her boyfriend Brent and his dog Sammy, when she has unwound from the conference and the travel Brent lets her know that Mrs Napier, the head librarian, is planning on retiring to Florida and she is recommending that he, Brent, applies for the job!  Allie is sad that she will be leaving (but is happy with the idea that Brent could be permanently around!), the following day they head to the library to give Vicky Napier some cookies only to discover her dying in the break room with a volunteer kneeling beside her!

Now Allie is determined to find out who would kill a librarian and why, at the same time try and find an intern for her expanding business, oh and try not to get checked out by a killer!

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name? 

Hello! My full name is Brent Theodore Richardson. My mom fell loves the character of Commander Data from Star Trek, so my first name is in honor of the actor Brent Spiner, who played Data. My dad is a fan of President Theodore Roosevelt, so that’s where I get my middle name. 

What is your Profession? 

I have a degree in Library Science. I currently work as a consultant to library systems that want to add a genealogy program to their line of services. My dream job is to be the head of library services in a university setting.

What is your current favourite book or movie? 

My favorite book would have to be The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I first read it the summer between high school and college, and it changed my life. Up to that point, I’d never read a book translated from another language. It opened up a whole new world or literature to me. I’ve read it six times now and find something new every time.

What is your go to comfort book or movie? 

Raiders of the Lost Ark, no contest. Even though Indiana Jones is an archaeologist instead of a genealogist, I love the glimpse of him as a nerdy college professor. As a kid, it made me think anybody could be a cool adventurer.

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book? 

I think it would be a lot of fun to be The Librarian from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels. The fact that magic changed him into an orangutan, yet he still goes about his business and is respected by other characters is amazing. Plus, I’d have an endless supply of bananas!

What is your ideal evening? 

I like to cook but living on my own with only my dog Sammy as a roommate isn’t very conducive to that. Since I’ve met Allie, I really enjoy preparing a nice dinner for the two of us and watching a classic film. When I’m not spending the evening with Allie, I have a few friends who I hang out with playing board games. That’s always a good time, too.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 8 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

January 8 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

January 8 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 9 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST

January 9 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW

January 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

January 10 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 10 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

January 10 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

January 11 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

January 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 11 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 12 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

January 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

January 13 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

January 13 – Diane Reviews Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

January 13 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

January 14 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

January 14 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

January 14 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT