Hi everyone! I’m Christy Bailey.

I’m a children’s book author but also help my aunt run her bookstore, Words To Read By. Since my move from Philadelphia to Green Meadow, Indiana, life has turned out to be not only fulfilling, but at times even dangerous! A murder that happened a while back where my aunt was the accused, turned out okay for her in the end, but in the meantime, it felt like a roller-coaster ride for both of us.

And just when I thought things had calmed down, another catastrophe happened.

The children’s books I write are about my real-life cats, Milton and Pearl. My kitties were with me when we discovered a dead guy in my friend Janie’s bakery following my aunt’s wedding. The cats were very interested in checking out the recently deceased, but I drew the line at them trying to take a nap on his chest. Not only that, the man happened to be Janie’s ex-husband and an incriminating letter that made Janie look guilty was also found close to the body.

During all of this, my new uncle’s nephew, Elliott, (my sort-of new cousin?) moved to town. He’s a pharmacist, and a super nice guy. With all Janie has been through with her awful ex-husband while they were married, and now with her being eyed as his murder suspect, I’ve taken it upon myself to get Elliott and Janie together. I love playing cupid, but sometimes wish I could do it for myself. The guy I like, Micah, is a great friend, but so far it hasn’t progressed past that. I’m not giving up though.

As far as the body we discovered in Janie’s kitchen, there are several people who I’m checking out as possible leads. That’s taking up a lot of time and energy, but I’m also swamped at the bookstore since my aunt and her new husband are out of town on their honeymoon. Thank goodness I have the support of several people, and cats, to help me figure out this puzzle.

The police are eyeing Janie as their main suspect. But I can’t let that happen. Milton, Pearl, and I are on the case. And with Janie, as well as Micah, checking clues, I have no doubt we’ll find the real killer.

Well, I better go. I just realized I ran out of canned cat food. Again. And Milton and Pearl are giving me the stink-eye!

Murder She Meowed, A Bookshop Kitties Mystery Book #2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: February 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

From author Ruth J. Hartman comes the next purrrrfectly fun Bookshop Kitties Mystery…

Children’s book author Christy Bailey is thrilled that her aunt Betty is finally marrying the man of her dreams! The small wedding is a family event, right down to Christy’s cats and subjects of her books, Milton and Pearl, who are dressed in wedding attire and pulled down the aisle in a wagon. After the reception, Christy and her boyfriend-hopeful, Micah, agree to help her friend and wedding caterer, Janie, clean up at her pastry shop. But when they arrive at the shop, they’re not greeted by Janie but Janie’s ex-husband—who’s dead on the floor, cold as a frozen muffin!

Suddenly the murder is all anyone is talking about in the small town of Green Meadow, Indiana, and it’s clear the local police detectives have Janie squarely in their sights. But Christy believes in her friend’s innocence and with Milton and Pearl pawing for answers, Christy will stop at nothing to give Janie a happy ending.

About the author
Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. Her husband reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and adores her even though all her books must have at least one cat in them. Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who find trouble without even trying.

Follow updates about her mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.