Cover Copy
The meow of death…
Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, is a long way from Hollywood, but it’s the place legendary actress Deanna Daltry wants to call home. Taking up residence in a stone mansion off Cemetery Hill, the retired, yet still glamorous, septuagenarian has adopted two kittens from Lara Caphart’s High Cliff Shelter for Cats. With help from her Aunt Fran, Lara makes sure the kitties settle in safely with their new celebrity mom.
But not everyone in town is a fan of the fading star. Deanna was in Whisker Jog when she was younger, earning a reputation for pussyfooting around, and someone is using that knowledge against her. After being frightened by some nasty pranks, Deanna finds herself the prime murder suspect when the body of a local teacher is found on her property. Now, it’s up to Lara, Aunt Fran, and the blue-eyed Ragdoll mystery cat Lara recently encountered to collar a killer before another victim is pounced upon…
Also by Linda Reilly
The Cat Lady Mystery Series
Escape Claws
Claws of Death
CLAWS OF DEATH
A Cat Lady Mystery
Linda Reilly
LYRICAL UNDERGROUND
Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Copyright © 2018 by Linda Reilly
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First Electronic Edition: June 2018
eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0417-8
eISBN-10: 1-5161-0417-X
First Print Edition: June 2018
ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0420-8
ISBN-10: 1-5161-0420-X
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
For my aunt, Deanna White, whose love and generosity were the inspiration for Deanna Daltry.
Acknowledgments
So many folks to thank!
To my editor, Martin Biro, thank you for your encouragement and for helping to improve the story. Your inspiration and your ideas for tweaking the details made it so much better!
To my agent, Jessica Faust, who is always there when I need her. Thank you, Jessica!
To Kensington’s fabulous marketing team, thank you for working so enthusiastically at getting the word out there about the Cat Lady Mysteries.
A huge thank you to Erin Alsop for naming Catalina. What a perfect name for a sweet mama kitty!
To my husband and family, thank you for your continuing love and support. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. And a special thanks to my mom, Peg Gregory, for experimenting with the recipe for blueberry buckle until she got it perfect!
And hugs to all the cozy and cat lovers who have embraced the series. I couldn’t have asked for more purrfect readers.
Claws of Death
Cast of Feline Characters
Twinkles: An orange-striped tiger cat with big gold eyes, he’s fond of snoozing with his best bud Dolce
Ballou: A black, short-haired feral with an adorable white ’stache, he’s gradually venturing into the orbit of the humans who love him
Munster: This orange-striped male, the sociable, unofficial greeter of all human visitors, is itching to cozy up to the chief of police
Dolce: Long-haired, solid black, and as sweet as a sugar cookie, he’s usually found curled up in Aunt Fran’s lap
Bootsie: Slender and gray, this lovable girl has been waiting a long time to find her forever home
Frankie: With his white chest and paws and pink nose, this gentle gray boy craves a tranquil home where he can be the only cat
Catalina: This darling white kitty with one black ear and one black forepaw is the mom to Noodle, Doodle, and Bitsy
Noodle: Mostly white, this kitten’s brown, diamond-shaped mark next to her right eye pegs her as the queen of the litter
Doodle: With two black stripes encircling one foreleg like an armband, this brother to Noodle and Bitsy looks ready to patrol his territory
Bitsy: Size-wise, this tiny kitten hasn’t quite caught up to her siblings, but she’s frisky and curious and a definite mama’s girl
Blue: A mystical Ragdoll with a creamy coat and chocolate-colored ears, paws, and tail, she materializes whenever Lara needs her to conjure up a clue
Chapter 1
“Oh God, I’ve got to get ready.”
With the toe of her beaded blue sandal, Lara Caphart turned off the vacuum cleaner and pressed the button to retract the cord. The cord snaked into the vacuum with a loud snap. She jumped slightly at the sound.
Take a deep breath, she told herself. She’s only a movie star. She’s only been nominated for three Oscars and a Tony. She’s only Deanna Daltry…
Lara was lugging the vacuum back to the supply closet when she bumped smack into her aunt, Fran Clarkson. Seven months ago, Lara had moved into her aunt’s Folk Victorian home in the town of Whisker Jog, New Hampshire. Though Aunt Fran had lived in the house for well over three decades, as of the beginning of the year it officially became the High Cliff Shelter for Cats.
“Sorry, Aunt Fran. I’m rushing, and I— Oh good glory, you look gorgeous. Is that a new top?” She tucked a strand of her coppery hair behind her right ear.
Aunt Fran smiled, her green eyes beaming beneath the smidge of highlighter she’d swept along her upper lids. “Yes, it is,” she said, referring to the gauzy, moss-colored top she wore over her pale gray capris. She did make for a stunning picture. “Lara, why are you so jittery? Ms. Daltry won’t be here for at least another hour.”
“But…but…she’s Deanna Daltry! And she’s going to be living in our town—in tiny Whisker Jog, New Hampshire!”
Aunt Fran chuckled. “I’ve never seen