Hello! My name is Oliver J. Sampson, but to Nora Charles, her tuxedo cat Nick and their host of friends, I’m better known as Ollie. I was the partner of the PI who originally owned feline Nick, and since meeting Nora I’ve aided her (at least I like to think I have) in solving some of her cases – although, let’s admit it, most of the credit goes to that tubby tuxedo, Nick Charles!

What’s a typical day like for me? Well, first I go into the office and check the mail and my messages. Then I’ll review notes I have on any cases I might be working on at the time. Then it’s off to Hot Bread for some coffee, conversation, and a good lunch!

So At Hot Bread, I’ll usually meet up with Louis Blondell, Nora’ friend and also her boss over at Noir, the online true crime magazine. Louis loves to pick my brain about different cases. He’s actually pretty good with the Internet, and also a pretty decent hacker, as he’s proven on more than one occasion. He’s also pretty predictable, he’ll always order Nora’s Thin Man Tuna Melt and a cup o’joe.

And what might I order? Well, my usual fare of choice is Nora’s Thin Man Tuna Melt, but lately I’ve become enamored of her Robert Downey Jr. club – Chicken Breasts, bacon, avocado, tomato and crunchy lettuce on seven grain bread. SOOOO Good. Nora’s friend Chantal usually serves me my sandwich and she always makes sure my coffee cup is filled!

Most of the conversation lately centers on Nora’s latest mystery. Did I mention she’s taking a PI course? My fondest dream is to have her take Atkins’ place and join me, but she maintains that she’s not a PI – she’s just someone who’s been lucky. Well, I’ll agree that luck does have something to do with all of her successes…luck in the form of a black and white cat. Anyway, right now she’s helping out a friend and investigating another PI’s mysterious death. The police said suicide but Nora (and Nick) disagree. . .and you know who’s probably going to turn out to be right!

And just in case you’re salivating over my lunch order, here’s the recipe for the Robert Downey Jr. Club Special direct from Nora’s recipe book!

Splash of olive oil
6 slices smoked bacon
2 small chicken breasts
6 slices bread
3 teaspoons mayo
1 tsp mustard
Butter
1 mashed avocado
Crunchy lettuce leaves

Heat oil in pan, fry bacon till crisp. Set aside. Add chicken to the pan and cook until golden brown. Slice and set aside with bacon.

Lightly toast bread. Mix mayo and mustard together, the spread half over 2 slices of toast. Butter the remainder.

Assembly: on top of a slice of buttered toast, place half the chicken, then the avocado. Add the mayo spread toast, mayo side down. Add remaining chicken, bacon and lettuce. Finish with remaining toast, then cut in two, add skewers and serve with potato chips or coleslaw!!!!!!!

Murder Faux Paws, A Nick and Nora Mystery #5
Genre: Cozy
Release: February 2022
Purchase Link

Dead men tell no tales, but in the riveting new Nick and Nora Mystery, they sure leave a lot of clues . . .

When a local PI’s untimely death is ruled a suicide by the police, budding sleuth Nora Charles has no intention of letting sleeping dogs lie—or sleeping cats, for that matter. Certain it was a case of foul play, Nora rouses her trusty sidekick Nick and launches an investigation of her own. Then a second PI is murdered, and Nora knows the two men were on to something—and that she’s on to something too.

Following the enigmatic clues left by her late predecessors, Nora soon uncovers a plot that involves a local politician, missing campaign funds, and what could be a bogus real estate deal. But when hints of treason surface, what started as small-time thievery soon balloons into a matter of national security. With the uncanny Nick sniffing out—and spelling out—leads, Nora follows a trail that will take her to the heart of a shadowy conspiracy, and into a trap set by a conniving culprit that will have her wishing she had Nick’s nine lives . . .

About the author
T. C. LoTempio is the author of the national bestselling Nick and Nora mystery series. She lives in Arizona with her two cats, Maxx and ROCCO, who is the inspiration for Nick in the series. ROCCO has his own blog, Cats, Books and More Cats where he reviews cozies each month and hosts author interviews and giveaways. You can find them at Cats, Books, and. . .More Cats! and you can sign up for TC’s newsletter at her website, tclotempio.net.

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T.C. has generously offered to give away a $10 Amazon gift card. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person. Giveaway ends March 23, 2022. Good luck everyone!

All comments are welcomed.