I refuse to be categorized as a coffee addict; I think three mugs before being able to function is perfectly normal. Of course, since Bud and I have moved to our new home in an idyllic rural setting, my commute to the University of Vancouver where I’m a professor of criminal psychology (well, I am at the moment. . .though there are some worrying things going on in the department) has increased, so now it’s only really at the weekend that I have the chance to indulge in freshly ground beans and a strong, satisfying mug or three.
Luckily, today is Saturday, so I’m looking forward to the aroma of brewing coffee, the moistness of a lemon poppy seed muffin, and the happily relaxed company of my husband and Marty, our now slightly-less-tubby black Lab. Running around our five acres of heaven is good for Marty. I suppose it could be said to be good for me too – my relationship with the ride-on mower is progressing in leaps and bounds. When it works, that is.
Even though I know I have to head out and cut the grass today, for once I can also feel relaxed about it because we just had the machine serviced. One of the marvelous things about living where we do now is that there’s a less-hurried rhythm to the life out here, and there also seems to be a specialist who can do just about anything. An elderly chap named Greg runs the local “bring it and we’ll fix it” workshop. . .so we took our mower (we bought it second-hand and it’s always made an ominous clunking sound) to be diagnosed and repaired. Now there’s no more clunking, just a regular purring, and an eager response to my pressing the accelerator. Wonderful.
Bud delivered the mower on his own when I was at work, but we went to collect it together. I liked Greg’s barn. It’s a unique place; half workshop and half library, it appears to be the accepted hang-out for a group of about a dozen retired men who live in the area. They make themselves at home in the ramshackle old place that smells of oil and cut grass, and talk about all the equipment they use on their acreages, or else browse the collection of books Greg has piled on wide-plank bookshelves there – all of which are about World War Two aircraft. It was a bit of a shock to my system when I noted the spines on the shelves; my late father had a similar interest, and collection. That meant I was able to speak to Greg about his favorite topic while Bud nattered about chainsaws, weed-whackers and stump grinders to the little group of men who were at ease in the collection of sagging and torn – but apparently comfy – armchairs. I’m guessing the furniture has found its way to Greg’s after having been slung out of basements because some parts of it are more duct tape than upholstery.
It was an odd hour; as I reeled off facts and figures about designers, engines, air speeds and handling capabilities – all of which I’d read about when I used to indulge my Dad and pretend I found his books interesting – I could tell ears were straining to hear what this woman with an odd accent and comfortable girth was talking about to Greg. Bud finally gave up trying to engage the group, and I found myself being quizzed. Bud graciously listened for a while, then made moves to allow us to leave. Yes, he rescued me – again! He’s told me that, when he went back to get some oil, Greg quizzed him too – not about aircraft, but about me. It seems that, sometimes, I let all the facts my largely secret eidetic memory stores about a topic spill out a little too much and a little too quickly. I have to be more careful about that . . . I’d rather listen than be talked about. You never know what you might pick up. Oh, excuse me – there’s the phone. I have a feeling it’ll be Bud’s mother, Ebba. It usually is at this time on a Saturday. I hope it’s not a family crisis; I’ve only had one mug of coffee so far.
The Corpse with the Garnet Face is the seventh book in the Cait Morgan mystery series, published by TouchWood Editions, April 2016.
The seventh book in the Cait Morgan series finds the eccentric Welsh criminologist–sleuth accompanying her husband Bud to Amsterdam to try to unravel a puzzling situation.
To Bud’s surprise, he discovers he has a long-lost uncle, Jonas, who’s met an untimely death. Bud’s mother assures him Jonas was a bad child, but, from beyond the grave, Uncle Jonas begs his nephew to visit the city he adopted as his home to delve into the life he built for himself there, founded on his passion for art.
With an old iron key as their only clue, Cait and Bud travel to Amsterdam to solve the cryptic message left by Jonas—and to honor the final wishes of a long-lost relative.
# # # # # # # # # # #
About the author
Cathy Ace was born and raised in Swansea, South Wales, and worked in marketing communications for 
decades across Europe. Having migrated to Canada in 2000, she now lives in beautiful British Columbia, where her ever-supportive husband (and two chocolate Labradors) ensure she’s able to write full-time. Bestselling author Ace writes two series of mystery books: the Cait Morgan Mysteries, and the WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries. Her fourth Cait Morgan Mystery, The Corpse with the Platinum Hair, won the 2015 Bony Blithe Award for Best Canadian Light Mystery.
You can find out more about Cathy and her work here: cathyace.com
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win a print copy of The Corpse with the Garnet Face. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end April 13, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
This is a new to me author but the story sounds intriguing ….and I love Amsterdam. Thanks for the chance to win a copy., I will have to go back and look into her earlier mysteries in this series.
I’m so pleased you’ve “found” me Pat – and delighted that you’re intrigued! 🙂
I have just starting reading this author’s work and love it. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m delighted to hear you’re enjoying my work, Doward. Thank you 🙂
Wishing I had a lemon poppyseed muffin with my coffee as I sit here! Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh heck, holdenj, they are the most addictive of the muffin “species”! 😉
I’m a coffee nut too! I like the Cathy Ace books that I’ve read previously. Thanks for a chance to enter.
Hi Donna – So pleased you’re enjoying my work, and that you understand the role of coffee! 🙂
Sounds intriguing! 7 books in this series – how did I miss them?
Hello Karen B – so pleased you’ve “found” me via Dru Ann’s blog – here’s hoping you choose to sink your teeth into my work 🙂
I surely understand her need for coffee in the morning…It used to be tea for me, but now it’s tea in the afternoon.
Hello Gram – I’m ready to accept caffeine in any way 😉
I noticed a post for The Corpse with the Garnet Face on FB and was interested because of the cover and the title- both intriguing.
Hello there amreade – I’m so pleased the cover and title caught your eye – here’s hoping you choose to sample the books 🙂
I’m more of a tea girl than coffee addict. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Hello Daniele – I hope Cait’s preference doesn’t put you off her 😉
I’ve really enjoyed the previous books in this series–over coffee, of course–and am looking forward to the next installment.
Hello rochf – I’m so pleased you enjoy my work….and, yes, coffee helps most things 😉
Never heard of this series before. Sounds intriguing.
Hello Amy -I’m so pleased you’ve “found” my work here on Dru Ann’s blog – I hope you choose to meet Cait “in person” 🙂
The Corpse with the Garnet Face has a very fascinating cover. If I’m not familiar with an author the first thing that catches my attention is the covers of the books. Then the titles draw me in further. Thank you for the information about this author and book. robeader53@yahoo.com
So pleased you like the title and the cover….here’s hoping you enjoy the book 🙂
I own several of Cathy’s books and enjoyed reading all of them. I’d be thrilled to add this latest one to my home library.
Fingers crossed! 🙂
I enjoy this author’s novels which are intriguing, well written and unique. Being Canadian is even better and love B.C.
So pleased you enjoy my work! 🙂
Congratulations on have your 7th novel in the Cait Morgan mystery series published. Your success gives the rest of us something to strive for.
Thanks Kristina 🙂
🙂
An award winning author writes another interesting mystery set in a beautiful location, with a title that sounds intriguing – winning combination. Can’t wait.
Thanks cheltgirl60 🙂 Here’s hoping you enjoy it.
That’s a good suggestion for writers, too. Don’t give in to information dumping.
You’re right Libby – one of many pitfalls 😉
Mark me down as officially “enticed”. Cathy Ace is on my list.
YAY! “Officially enticed” sounds great! 🙂
Sounds like a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Glad you like the sound of it 🙂
I’d love to read The Corpse With the Garnet Face, and definitely need to look into this series — it sounds really fascinating ~ Thanks so much for the giveaway!
So glad to know you like the sound of it – and hoping you choose to meet Cait Morgan in “person”! 🙂
Doesn’t the musical voice of a person just ring bells for a person. I myself love to hear them and could listen all day, or as long as they want to talk. I’m putting this series on my TBR list.
So happy to be put on a TBR pile…it’s always the start of a wonderful friendship 😉 Thank you.
Amsterdam should be a super setting for Cait to do some sleuthing. I’d love to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Cait loves it….sort of 😉
I enjoy reading this author’s books. I would love to win this one.
I’m so pleased you enjoy my books – fingers crossed you read this one too 🙂
Awesome book! Definitely on my TBR list.
YAY! I love knowing my book’s on a TBR pile – thank you 🙂
Love the covet for this book. You are a new author to me and I would enjoy reading your book. Great giveaway, thanks.
So pleased you like the cover, dinannekc. Here’s hoping you get to meet Cait Morgan “in person”! 🙂
Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for entering 🙂
I really like this series. I enjoy all the arm chair traveling. Congrats on the new one.
So pleased you enjoy the different locations… 🙂
Sounds fascinating! I’m looking forward to getting to know this series.
So pleased you like the sound of it – I hope you get to “meet” Cait soon 🙂
How have I missed this series…..I am now on the hunt 😉
I’m so pleased you’ve found Cait here…and happy hunting 🙂
Congrats & continued success to Cathy!!
Thank you for the giveaway…
Thanks so much for the encouragement and support 🙂
Just finished reading Cathy’s WISE mysteries and loved them – have the Cait Morgan mysteries on my list.
So pleased you enjoyed meeting the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency, Mary C. Here’s hoping you enjoy the Cait Morgan Mysteries too 🙂
Sounds like an intriguing mystery.
So pleased you like the sound of it 🙂
Sounds like a Awesome read 👍👍 Have not had a chance to read this series yet . Thank you for a chance to win 💟
So pleased you have now “found” Cait Morgan – I hope you get to join her on one of her trips 🙂
Thank you Cathyn 🙂 For the comment 🙂
🙂