My name is Nick Charles, and I’m the handsome half of the Nick and Nora mysteries! Like my idol, Midnight Louie, I’m short, dark and handsome. . .and furry! In case you’ve haven’t guessed. . .I’m a cat! But not just any cat – I’m one who solves mysteries!
I used to belong to a PI who’s since gone MIA, and it appears I’ve inherited my former master’s flair for detection. I love helping my human, Nora Charles, solve mysteries. She’s an ex-crime reporter who came back here to Cruz, California to run her late mother’s sandwich shop. Of course, mysteries are also in her blood! I’ve helped her out many a time (ahem) by my ability to spell out clues with Scrabble tiles! I’ve also saved her life a time or two, as well.
In addition to Nora, I’m also fond of her bestie, Chantal. Chantal’s a psychic who runs a New Age shop, and she makes jewelry on the side. Her latest brainstorm is pet collars – and guess who’s drafted as her model (I should say unwilling model, meow!) I must confess, though, I’m a ham at heart, so I just suck it up when she slips those collars on me ‘cause I just love being in her video on You Tube!!!!!!
As for Nora’s love life, well, right now she’s got two suitors. FBI agent Daniel Corleone and her ex-college sweetie, Detective Leroy Samms. She seems torn between the two, but come on! We all know who’s numero uno in her heart, don’t’ we, merow!!!!!
Well, looks like it’s lunchtime. Time for me to leave my favorite spot in front of the fridge and check out today’s special! She’s making a Brad Pitt hero today – hope there’s some ham left over for me, merow! After all, a cat’s gotta eat. . .
Brad Pitt All-American Hero
6 slices bologna
6 slices cheddar cheese
6 slices Virginia Ham
Long Hero Roll
2 tablespoons mayo
Hot peppers
Shredded lettuce
4 slices tomatoes
Oil and Vinegar
Slice long roll, spread liberally with mayo. Cover with a layer of Virginia Ham, then a layer of bologna, then cheddar cheese. Garnish with hot peppers, tomato, and shredded lettuce. Sprinkle with Oil and vinegar.
Crime and Catnip is the third book in the Nick and Nora mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, December 2016.
Nick and Nora aren’t just pussyfooting around this time as they deal with a missing person’s case and murder.
While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown.
As Nora and her curious cat Nick pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him. . .
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About the author
While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – and in Spring 2017, the new CAT RESCUE mysteries from Crooked Lane! She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.tclotempio.com and catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Crime and Catnip. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends December 10, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
What a nice cover and this sounds like a very fun book to read.
I do enjoy mysteries in which a cat helps solve the mystery. I wonder how good Nick is in helping Nora solve hers.
Great character introduction. Sounds like a fun read.
I love Nick Charles from the Thin Man so I can tell I would fall in love with this series..Please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you for the giveaway. Have yet to start the series but want too.
A book where a cat is one of the main characters is always a “must read”.
Sounds like another fun series!!
A new series to start over the holidays with cats, food, and crime. Can’t wait.
Thanks for the giveaway – I really enjoy this series so I am looking forward to this next book. kuzlin at aol.com
Loved the first two books in the series. Can’t wait to read this newest.
Sounds delicious except for the bologne in the sandwich.
A great series!
wfnren at aol dot com
I absolutely love this series and can’t wait to read this newest installment. Thank you for the chance to win Dru!!!
Sounds great!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Yeah another new release from the Nick and Nora Mystery series. I enjoy Toni’s books so much that it’s hard to wait for another one to come out. Thank you Dru Ann for including it on your blog and for a chance to win a copy of it.
Sounds like fun series! Thank you for this chance.
This series is wonderful. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
Does look like a great read. Thanks for the chance to get it.
I like Nick the cat even better than the original Nick so I can hardly wait to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’ve heard about the Nick and Nora series and would love to read Crime and Catnip. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I love the cute cover! Almost unbelievably, I haven’t read any books in this series. Thank you for the opportunity to win Crime and Catnip!
Oh WOW…..Yippee Skippee….an awesome new book with the awesome and lovable Nick the cool cat as the main event….can’t get any better than this!!!!! I adore Nick and love reading all about his adventures with Nora. I have enjoyed the first two books in this series immensely and am so super duper excited to read this one too!!! The cover is soooo AWESOME too!!!! Thank you dearest Dru Ann and Toni for the chance to win!!!!! God bless you girls!!!!!
*Sigh* I loved Nick and Nora Charles movies! Looking forward to reading this book which sounds fun, exciting, and yummy. Thanks Dru Ann for the introduction. Thanks Toni for the chance to win a copy. 🙂
Definitely on my TBR list! I would love to win this book.
Sounds like a winner.
I have really loved this series so far. So excited to read book 3. Thanks so much for the chance!
Looks like a great book Thanks for sharing it with us and for the chances to win
Love this series. So nice to get to know more about Nick. He sounds like quite the character. Can’t wait to read “Crime and Catnip”.
Can’t wait to start reading this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
This is such a great series. I have Crime and Catnip on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This has to be even better than the original Nick and Nora series; Nick is a cat instead of a lush! Sure hope I win!
Love the cover of this book and I’d love to win it!
lindaherold999@gmail.com
Looking forward to the latest as the first two in this series were super!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I love mysteries and cats. Count me in. elainehroberson@gmail.com
I love this series. As a matter of fact, I was thrilled to be able to beta read the manuscript! bobwiesmann@gmail.com
Great series! Thanks for the giveaway.
Count me in for this giveaway……
I know I will enjoy this book…..
Thank you…..