Dixie Hemingway’s Not So Typical Day by John Clement

Mar 31, 2015 | A Day In My Life

The Cat Sitters Whiskers I got a message from Dru asking if I’d be interested in sharing a “Day in the life. . .” story with her readers. Of course I was thrilled, but I almost turned her down. In all honesty, I didn’t want to disappoint her, and I’m sure she only asked because, like most people, she just assumes my life is one big fun-filled, action-packed adventure, and that every morning I wake up in a world filled to the brim with danger and mystery and intrigue. Of course, I can’t really blame her. If you’ve read any of the “Cat Sitter” mysteries based on my life, you probably think the exact same thing. But it’s not true.

Here’s the deal: I’m a cat sitter. End of story.

Well, even that’s not true. In reality I’m a whatever-sitter, because I’ll happily take care of whatever you’ve got: cats, dogs, hamsters, chickens, parrots, fish, ferrets, iguanas — all God’s creatures, great and small. Except snakes. That’s true too.

If you’ve got a pet snake that needs looking after, I’ll try to keep my voice at a normal tone while I politely refer you elsewhere. It’s not that I hate snakes. Not much. There’s just something about dropping little squirming mice into a snake’s open mouth that gives me the creeps. Plus, I’m not so sure it was God that came up with the idea of snakes in the first place.

Anyway, in the books, I live on Siesta Key, a tiny island that sits just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida, about midway down the Gulf coast. That’s true. And most of my clients live here too, although in reality I’ll take any client within an hour’s radius, so that’s basically true too. But here’s the thing: Siesta Key is a sleepy little beach community. To read the books, you’d think it’s the crime capital of the world the way I’m always running into thieves and murderers and crime scenes.

Yes, I’ve probably discovered more murder victims than the average Josephine.

Is it nine now? Ten?

I’ve lost count, but in my defense I should point out that it’s true I’m a sheriff’s deputy. . . or at least I was, until the sheriff’s department decided I was too unstable to carry a loaded gun in public, but that’s a whole other story. And yes, I realize all these murders and crimes I’ve uncovered have taken place after I handed in my badge, but I can explain every one of them. And never mind that yes, it does seem to happen with almost frightening regularity. . .

Um. . . I have a confession to make.

Right now, I’m sitting in the backseat of my car, writing this in the notebook where I keep all my client information. I’m parked in Caroline’s driveway. She’s away on vacation, so I’m taking care of her cat, Pansy — a mackerel tabby with beautiful emerald eyes and tawny bands of pale straw running through her coat, like the color of dried grass on a beach dune. I’ve just called 911, and I’m trying not to worry about her while I wait for the police to arrive. Luckily, Pansy’s very shy, so I’m sure she’s hiding somewhere until she feels it’s safe.

When I unlocked Caroline’s front door and went into the kitchen to get Pansy’s food, I found a man lying face up on the cold marble floor in front of the refrigerator. His eyes were frozen in astonishment, and his skin had turned a pale, almost translucent white. Clutched in his left hand was a broken necklace, and scattered on the floor all around him were black pearls, each roughly the size of a green pea.

Okay.

So maybe Dru knows what she’s doing.

You can read more about Dixie in The Cat Sitter’s Whiskers, the 10th book in the “Dixie Hemingway” mystery series, published by St. Martin’s Press. The first book in the series is Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on April 7 for the chance to win a copy of The Cat Sitter’s Whiskers. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.

About the author
John Clement is the author of the Dixie Hemingway Mystery Series created by his mother, Blaize Clement (1932-2011), and published by St. Martin’s / Minotaur. The latest two books, The Cat Sitter’s Cradle and The Cat Sitter’s Nine Lives, received unanimous praise from fans and critics alike, and The Cat Sitter’s Whiskers hits the shelves this March, 2015. John divides his time between Siesta Key, Florida, where the series takes place, and New York City, where he’s currently working on the 11th mystery while his pup snores at his feet under the desk.

You can join the mailing list at www.dixiehemingway.com or follow on Twitter.

75 Comments

Alicia Farage on March 31, 2015 at 1:06 am

I love, love, love this series!
noraadrienne on March 31, 2015 at 1:27 am

I love this series… and even with her son writing it there’s been no observable difference in the quality of the story. Please toss my hat into the contest ring Dru.
Patricia Allen on March 31, 2015 at 1:28 am

I just read my first cat writer’s book and I loved it. Can’t wait to read them all! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Dotty Kelley on March 31, 2015 at 1:34 am

Love this series. Can’t wait to read this one.
Barbara Hawk on March 31, 2015 at 1:36 am

Can’t wait to read this series! Sounds like fun! Thanks for the opportunity to win this!
Lynette K. on March 31, 2015 at 1:37 am

This is an incredible series. I am so happy John is continuing his mother’s wonderful work.
Kaye Killgore on March 31, 2015 at 1:44 am

I have read this series from the first. I got to meet John at Left Coast Crime, and he was charming.
MaryB on March 31, 2015 at 2:01 am

Love this series! Thanks for the chance to win.
bookwoman on March 31, 2015 at 2:42 am

I love this series. I am so happy to see it continue. Thanks
Jen on March 31, 2015 at 5:14 am

This book sounds like a fun read. I will need to check out the books in this series. Thank you for a chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
heather on March 31, 2015 at 6:17 am

Great “Day in the life of”. I really enjoy this series. Thank you.
Gram on March 31, 2015 at 6:28 am

Great series, animals, murder – what’s not to like.
Valerie Consoer on March 31, 2015 at 6:43 am

I’ve loved this series from book 1! Looking forward to this one, too!!
Debbie Carnes on March 31, 2015 at 7:13 am

Sounds like a fun book, look forward to reading it
ladyjanel on March 31, 2015 at 7:56 am

Love the cover. This has to be my favorite cover I’ve seen in awhile. Have not read the rest in the series but looking currently for the books. Hopefully will find them real soon. Thank you for the chance.
griperang on March 31, 2015 at 8:06 am

What a fun series thank you for the chance to win
Dawn Frazier on March 31, 2015 at 8:06 am

I love this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Beverly Guy on March 31, 2015 at 8:06 am

What a totally awesome cover on this new book…love, love, love it. I just love all of the awesome books John Clement and his precious mom have written in the Dixie Hemingway series. This one looks like another winner! So excited and can’t wait to read this one too!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this one! God bless!
Nancy Funkhouser on March 31, 2015 at 8:15 am

I need to get into this series. From what everyone says it is a very good read. Would love a copy to start.
Marilyn Watson on March 31, 2015 at 8:16 am

I would love to read this…the cover is fabulous and I have heard only good things about this series. Please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Diane Barnes on March 31, 2015 at 8:27 am

Best series ever!! The covers, the storyline,and best of all, Dixie and pets.
Meg Mims on March 31, 2015 at 9:27 am

Ooooh, Dixie’s done it again! Black pearls… hope there’s a pirate in this one!
Ruth Nixon on March 31, 2015 at 9:38 am

I have enjoyed this series since the first book and this is the very best cover yet but it’s the story that gets me and keeps me wanting more.
Judy Weaver on March 31, 2015 at 9:40 am

This sounds great and I love the cover!
Mary Jane H on March 31, 2015 at 9:41 am

Adorable cover, will be adding this series to my TBR list!
rochf on March 31, 2015 at 9:48 am

I love this series–can’t stress the importance of a pet sitter enough.
Betty W on March 31, 2015 at 9:50 am

This book sounds great! Fantastic review and contest! Thank you!
Yifat C. on March 31, 2015 at 10:06 am

Sounds good. I just may start with this one and then read backwards. This could be very enjoyable.
suekey12 on March 31, 2015 at 10:22 am

I just love cozy series with cats—thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Kay on March 31, 2015 at 10:25 am

I really enjoy this series and there has been such a seamless transition when John took over writing. I cant wait to read this newest installment. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
carlrscott on March 31, 2015 at 10:46 am

I hadn’t seen this series before but I think we’d both enjoy it. Thanks for the intro and the chance to win a copy.
Patricia on March 31, 2015 at 11:06 am

Thanks, Dru & John! Much continued success with this series! Love it!
Robin Coxon on March 31, 2015 at 11:29 am

Having read previous books in the Dixie Hemingway series I am sure this will be a great book to add to my to be read list. Thanks for the info.
peggy clayton on March 31, 2015 at 11:37 am

This sounds like a great series I am going to have to start reading it after I do the few sitting on my nightstand . Thank you for intoducing us to this author.
Barb Bristol Wiesmann on March 31, 2015 at 11:48 am

I love this series. They are all sitting on my bookshelf waiting for this one!
sallycootie on March 31, 2015 at 12:52 pm

Even though I am a dog person, I am really enjoying books with cats.
MaryAnn Forbes on March 31, 2015 at 1:46 pm

Love cats, books & new authors; the Cat Sitter’s Whiskers sounds perfect.
Thank you.📖📚
Lisa Garrett on March 31, 2015 at 1:46 pm

I hate snakes too!
Loretta Blimline on March 31, 2015 at 2:11 pm

Don’t have a cat, but love reading “The Cat Sitter’s” books!!
Paula Thompson Staton on March 31, 2015 at 3:02 pm

this looks great
Nancy Roessner on March 31, 2015 at 3:12 pm

I haven’t yet read this series, but I hope to start with this book.
Sue C on March 31, 2015 at 3:35 pm

Will have to read this. I love cat books. sclickner@juno.com
Margaret Utsey on March 31, 2015 at 3:57 pm

Love this series!
Lisa Brown on March 31, 2015 at 4:16 pm

i have not read this series, looks great 🙂
Donna McCoy on March 31, 2015 at 5:31 pm

I have not read this series yet, but hope to do so in the future. I hope I can win one of these books.
bonnijeanmarley on March 31, 2015 at 5:54 pm

I think this would be a fun series to start reading.
Sharon Forrest on March 31, 2015 at 7:05 pm

A new series for me. Yay!
Deb Godava on March 31, 2015 at 7:18 pm

This series is totally enjoyable and addictive:) One of my favorite ever-because of her love of animals and of the people in her life which many are her customers. Think she could use another new book – being a Beagle lover would love her to get into one her “messes” with an always “trouble making Beagle”!!!!!!
Terri Crossley on March 31, 2015 at 7:43 pm

Thanks for the chance! I love this series !
Mo on March 31, 2015 at 8:43 pm

Another entry in a great series. Thanks for the contest.
Jeanie Dannheim on March 31, 2015 at 9:46 pm

So far I’ve read only one of the Cat Sitter novels, so I’d love to read another! And I’d like to hear the story of why Dixie is considered too unstable to carry a gun…other than that she’s found more bodies than cats have lives…thank you for the chance to win!!
Lindar on March 31, 2015 at 9:55 pm

Love this series. John, you’re doing a great job!
Anita Miles on March 31, 2015 at 10:11 pm

Love it
Amanda Seaman Neal on March 31, 2015 at 10:55 pm

Thank you for offering the giveaway!
Wanda downs on March 31, 2015 at 11:52 pm

Great giveaway
Kristin on April 1, 2015 at 8:57 am

I can’t wait to read this latest book in the series!
Sherry c.Burns on April 1, 2015 at 11:04 am

I LOVE THIS SERIES! ! !
kayk597 on April 1, 2015 at 4:22 pm

I’ve read all the books in this series to date, and thank God that John has taken over the series. Please keep it going, and I would be thrilled to win this book!
Anita Miles on April 1, 2015 at 9:46 pm

Love the story
servedogmom on April 2, 2015 at 12:27 am

I love this series. The book is on my TBR wish list. servedogmom@yahoo.com
Margaret Rushton on April 2, 2015 at 8:42 am

I’ve read all of the books so far and can’t wait to read the new one and see what mystery Dixie gets into next.
cyn209 on April 3, 2015 at 12:17 am

What a great cover!!!!
wendynewcomb on April 3, 2015 at 9:05 am

This is a fun series, thank you for the chance to win this newest book.

wfnren at aol dot com
holdenj on April 3, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Fun post and the idea of being a whatever sitter! Thanks for the chance to win!
Michelle Fidler on April 3, 2015 at 12:19 pm

I have one of the books in this series.
Veronica Boudreau on April 4, 2015 at 3:04 pm

Thank you for the chance I have pinned the book in pinterst, facebook.
Judy on April 4, 2015 at 4:21 pm

You had me at a cat sitter with whiskers. Oh, my, there are 9 more in the series.
Valeria M. Hoffman on April 4, 2015 at 5:11 pm

Books about real animal lovers are always in my to-be-read pile. Animal lovers are also people lovers.
Deb Walker on April 4, 2015 at 6:39 pm

I think this series sounds delightful. Something I really want to read.
Wanda downs on April 5, 2015 at 12:13 am

Would lve to win and read
conniepsaunders on April 5, 2015 at 9:01 pm

This sounds like a wonderful series! Thank you.
margo sue on April 6, 2015 at 7:24 pm

Looking forward to reading this
Katty on April 6, 2015 at 7:40 pm

John Clement, you really it this one out if the park (couldn’t help but use cliche with opening MB season)…with this book you’ve made the series your own and I love it.
Lisa Catropa on April 6, 2015 at 9:08 pm

I love Dixie! I was so happy that John kept the story going after the loss of his mom. She was an incredible woman and her spirit lives on in these books.
Dru on April 7, 2015 at 6:20 pm

Contest is closed.