Hiya – you’ve caught me packing, forgive me if I carry on while we chat? Yes, I know I should be a dab hand at this by now, given how often I do it, but I can never quite decide what to take out when I can’t shut my suitcase. You too? Yes, it’s a pain, but, there you are, I’m lucky to get the chance to take this trip, so I shouldn’t complain.

Tell you about it? Of course. This is going to be a Very Special Trip. Bud and I are flying from Vancouver to Phoenix, Arizona on a private jet. . .a first for both of us. Sammy Soul’s organized it all: do you remember him? Big noise in 1970s rock, known to have overindulged in almost every way conceivable. . .then he settled down in Kelowna, British Columbia, where he has a winery and hotel. Yes, that’s him. We first met him three years ago when we went to that area to help a friend of Bud’s whose sister had. . .well, let’s just say “died”, shall we?

Anyway, Sammy and Suzie Soul’s daughter, Serendipity, used to run the restaurant at Sammy’s golf course: SoulVineFineDine – the name alone was quite a mouthful. Bud and I warmed to Serendipity as soon as we met her – such a level-headed young woman (considering her parentage) and a talented chef. Now she’s opening a new restaurant out in the desert beyond Phoenix. . .the Sonoran Desert sounds wonderful, doesn’t it, and we’re looking forward to our time there. We’re staying at a place called The Desert Gem, which is a brand new “boutique luxury resort” says Serendipity, though it’s run by those who espouse the Faceting for Life ethos.

What’s that? Hmm. . .well you might ask. Serendipity was a follower when we first met her, and it seems to be a bit of a batty – but essentially harmless – way for folks to take time each day to focus on fourteen “Critical Facets” of their life. . .things like giving, laughing, energizing, that sort of thing. . .so they can become the best version of themselves. Bud’s a bit worried that they might try to get us to join up, but I’ve promised him we won’t drink the Kool-Aid until we know a bit more about them; to be honest, it does sound a bit cult-like, so I’m crossing my fingers they don’t all waft about chanting and doing weird stuff all the time.

We’re the guests of honor at the soft-opening of Serendipity’s restaurant in a few night’s time, but first we get to visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in the desert – a place I’ve longed to see for myself for many years. After we leave Serendipity’s, we’re going to spend a few days in the National Parks, too – and I know Bud’s very keen on that part of the trip. So, all we have to do is get to The Desert Gem and be well-behaved guests for a week, and the rest of the time is our own.

I’m really looking forward to a week of peaceful contemplation in the middle of the desert – all the trips we take seem to end up involving a dead body. So here’s hoping that can be avoided this time. Yes, of course I’ll keep in touch while we’re away – I know how you like to be kept informed, even if we do end up facing something unexpected. But – be honest – what could possibly befall us. . .alone in the middle of the desert with only a cult-like group to keep us company. Yes, of course I’m kidding – it’ll be fine, I’m sure of it. See you soon!

You can find out just how many things go wrong for Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson when they get to The Desert Gem in The Corpse With The Turquoise Toes by Cathy Ace, published on 7th April 2022.

The Corpse with the Turquoise Toes, A Cait Morgan Mystery #12
Genre: Traditional
Release: April 2022
Purchase Link

Guests of honor at the opening of a swish new restaurant in Arizona, Welsh Canadian criminal psychologist sleuth Cait Morgan, and her retired-cop husband Bud Anderson, are looking forward to living in the lap of luxury for a week.

But an unexpected death at the desert retreat puts more than a wrinkle in their plans. Is the Faceting for Life movement, of which their host is a devotee, just a harmless framework for life-affirming activities, or a façade for a cult where no one is quite who they appear to be?

In the twelfth Cait Morgan Mystery, Cait and Bud arrive at their remote destination keen to relax and indulge, only to discover that Cait might have – for the first time in her life – truly met her match. And her adversary’s agenda? Well, it’s anything but restful. . .indeed, it’s both wicked, and deadly.

About the author
Cathy Ace’s Cait Morgan Mysteries feature a criminal psychologist sleuth encountering traditional whodunits around the world (optioned for TV); her WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries feature a quartet of soft-boiled female PIs solving cozy cases from a Welsh stately home. Her psychological suspense novel, The Wrong Boy, has also been optioned for TV. Shortlisted for Canada’s Bony Blithe Award three times, winning once, she’s also won IPPY and IBA Awards; her work’s also been shortlisted for a Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, and the Crime Fiction Lover Best Indie Novel. She migrated from Wales aged 40, and now lives in Canada.

All comments are welcomed.