Title: Kat Out of the Bag
Author: Wendy Kendall
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
When celebrated international purse designer Katherine Watson hosts a party for her Purse-onality Museum, she never expected the next day's headline to read: Murder at the Gala Premiere.
Working to solve the murder, Katherine matches wits with local cop Jason Holmes and his K-9 partner Hobbs. Although Holmes and Watson disagreee often, they discover an undeniable attraction building between them. They'll have to put their feelings on hold and focus on solving the murder, before Katherine becomess the killer's next knock off.
Excerpt:
The knocking on the window startled them all, including Purrada who meowed loudly as she rolled off the bench and galloped out the door to the kitchen and beyond. Michael Clake himself was outside looking in at the scene. He smiled and waved broadly. Katherine waved back and tried to roll the front of the whiteboard to face further away from the window's view, but it seemed to be stuck on something and wasn't budging. She pushed harder and it threatened to tip over. She steadied it. Amber was out on the porch with him now and had taken his hand in both of hers. Katherine frowned as she wrestled with the board.
Pam said, “Your suspect list is stuck on the rug, dear.” Pointing at the window she added, “Are we seeing the first clues to a budding romance?”
Katherine adjusted the wheels and then turned the board to the wall. Worry etched lines into Katherine's face as she said “Is it romance, or a clever young man covering his tracks?”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Wendy_Kendall_Kat_Out_of_the_Bag?id=dErbDwAAQBAJ
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Take it from one of the Amazon 5 stars review –
The story is set in Bayside, a seaside town near Seattle, and starts off with a museum gala that soon turns deadly. Katherine Watson is a famous purse designer who returns to a seaside town where she spent many summers as a child so it holds fond memories for her. Too bad the memories are soon shattered when her best friend is murdered at her Purse-sonality Museum opening night. Katherine is shattered yet determined to uncover the killer. The story has a charming cast of supporting characters, quirky family members and friends, and a short list of suspects. The name of the museum, Katherine's cat, and a few other named things are cleverly created around "purse", which I won't mention, because they're lovely surprises. Katherine's amateur sleuthing skills kick into high gear despite law enforcement warning her off, including Jason Holmes, a very handsome K-9 officer. Jason is set up early on as an antagonist, but he reluctantly agrees to help her with the case. He and Katherine eventually warm to one another as friends first. As a reader, I just wanted to see their sweet romance build into something more. The author doesn't disappoint in that department and the book has a purrfectly satisfying conclusion. It is clear from the outset that the author has a passion and deep knowledge about purses, mysteries, history, and seaside towns, and her love for all of them come through without a heavy hand; rather, a yearning to learn more. This book is the first in a series and I really look forward to reconnecting with Katherine, Jason, and other Bayside residents in future books.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $66 Amazon (US) gift card:
Open Internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US account to win. Runs August 10 – August 17, 2021. Winner will be drawn on August 23, 2021.
Author Biography:
Wendy Kendall has a passion for purses and stories of the women through history who carried them. Her cozy mystery Kat Out of the Bag introduces purse designer and amateur sleuth Katherine Watson. She's investigating the mayor's murder at her gala opening. The prequel novella Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. Katherine is determined to see that a murderer gets their just desserts. Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For will be available November, 2021. It's an intriguing tangle of mystery and love in Katherine's town of Bayside. Wendy enjoys the Pacific Northwest and time with her two sons. She's a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, project manager, and columnist, and is working on the next of the In Purse-Suit Mysteries.
Social Media Links:
Website: wendywritesbooks.com
Facebook: Wendy Kendall, Mystery Author
Twitter: wendywrites1
Instagram: wendyekendall