Hi there,

My name is Molly Stewart. I live in tiny Whitewater Valley, Indiana with my cat, Percival. Some people might think being a cat groomer is an odd choice for an occupation, but I absolutely love it. My furry little clients – I’m talking about the cats, not their humans, although a couple of them are shaggy and could use a haircut – are a joy to work with. Except maybe a couple of the spicier, moody felines who hiss as soon as they see me.

Still, I love my job and wouldn’t trade it. Percival usually goes with me on mobile groomer visits because he gets too moody if left alone. The other cats are used to him, which is good, because he’s extra nosey and is always in the other cats’ business.

My life had been moving along at a nice clip – haha – no pun intended, until one of my pet parents, Durbin Haines, ended up dead. His little cat, Jasper, had nowhere to go since Durbin’s wife didn’t like cats. And I wasn’t about to put the poor little guy in a shelter. So I went from being a one-cat family, to two. It was a little rough getting the two kitties to play nice, but I asked our local veterinarian, Hank Chenowith, for advice and help.

Hank did help. But that wasn’t all. Several of the town’s residents had it in their minds that I was after Hank in a more-than-professional way. At first I told them they were meowing up the wrong tree. But then I had to admit, I did have a crush on the handsome animal doctor.

Besides helping my cats get along, Hank also helped me when I did a stakeout to spy, um, watch, a potential suspect I had for Durbin’s murder. My being with Hank in a parked car set tongues to wagging. Even though nothing romantic happened… sadly.

But the people who moved along the romantic gossip train the most were two octogenarian pet parents who have me take care of their sibling sphinx cats on a weekly basis. Those gals decided to spread the word that I was after Hank, and the fun went on from there.

As for Durbin’s murder, I ended up with several suspects. I had to take on the duty myself, because our dastardly sheriff decided that my Uncle Russ was his prime suspect. No, I couldn’t let that happen. For one, Russ was innocent. For another, he’s my favorite uncle and we’re close. If the local law wouldn’t do their job, it was up to me.

Brushed Up On Murder, A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery Book #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: April 2023
Format: Digital
Purchase Link

The life of a cat groomer isn’t just pampering purring felines, it’s murder.

Mobile Cat Groomer Molly Stewart loves her job. Until she finds the dead body of one of her pet parents stabbed with a garden implement in his back yard. When Molly’s uncle Russ becomes the prime suspect in the murder and the sheriff won’t consider anyone else, Molly claws through obstacles as she prowls for clues.

With help from handsome veterinarian Hank Chenowith and Molly’s two cats, Percival and Jasper, will Molly succeed in proving her uncle’s innocence before the real murderer pounces on her?

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.

All comments are welcomed.