The panther is like a leopard,
Except it hasn’t been peppered.
Should you behold a panther crouch,
Prepare to say Ouch.
Better yet, if called by a panther,
Don’t anther.
Ogden Nash thought he was being funny. I don’t. You see, panthers are wild animals, and wild animals kill. Not like we humans kill – out of greed or lust or anger. But because they have to in order to eat or to defend themselves. Animals, as I’ve often noted, have more sense than we do.
Not that this is helping me now. You see, something has gone wrong here in Beauville. This is a small town, prone to the usual small-town vices. Yeah, you’ve got it: greed and lust and anger. But a panther attack? That’s a bit out of the ordinary, even in my line of work.
I’m Pru, Pru Marlowe. You could say I’m the local animal expert out here in the Berkshires. Raccoon in your attic? I’ll help you out. Puppy soiling the carpet? I’m good with that, too. Panthers, though, they’re a different story. And as much as I keep telling everyone that the Eastern puma is probably extinct – that nobody’s seen one here in Massachusetts for more than two hundred years – there’s no denying those deep claw marks, or the body of the lovely young woman that I found out in the woods this morning, while I was exercising Spot, the guide dog I’m currently training.
Something killed that girl. Something angry. And while I know Wallis, the tabby who cohabits with me, is going to be pissed about it, I’ve got to get involved. You see, animals – that’s my specialty. And while I don’t think that a panther is behind what happened out there, I do know that someone is going to make a poor animal pay.
You can read more about Pru’s adventures in Panthers Play for Keeps, the fourth “Pru Marlowe” pet noir coming from Poisoned Pen Press this April. The first in the series is Dogs Don’t Lie, and the books (all of which feature Pru and her tabby Wallis) are available at bookstores and online outlets.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6pm EST on April 14 and you will be entered to win a signed copy of PANTHERS PLAY FOR KEEPS. The winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Clea Simon is the author of 15 mysteries in the Theda Krakow(4), Dulcie Schwartz (7), and Pru Marlowe pet noir (4) series, as well as three nonfiction books. The latter two mystery series are ongoing and include her most recent books, Grey Howl (Severn House) and Panthers Play for Keeps (Poisoned Pen Press). A former journalist and nonfiction author, she lives in Somerville, Mass., with her husband, the writer Jon Garelick, and their cat Musetta. She can be reached at www.cleasimon.com and is on Twitter.
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This sounds interesting and I hope not too gruesome. Thanks for the offer,I would love to win the book.
I have not heard of this series, looks great, thank you for the chance 🙂
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
This is a new series to me, sounds good. I’d love to read it
I started this series and now have to catch up…I like Ogden Nash!
Another new to me series. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have the first book in the series and would love to read this one, too!! Thank you for the giveaway!
Great column.
Terrific premise for a series and this book looks very interesting.
I love the idea of a pet noir! Thank you for the chance!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Thank you all for your interest! And please don’t worry, Nancy. My books may be more “amateur sleuth” than pure “cozy,” but they are not gruesome. I do have murders but, as they say, “the blood is dry before it hits the page.” Get past the murder, which will never be very graphic, and you’re home free!
OK, I didn’t even know that Pet Noir was a genre. Well, live and learn. I love my dogs so count me in on the draw. Thanks very much for the Ogden Nash poem. A nice smile for Friday morning.
This sounds like a great read and I adore the cover! This is the first I’ve heard a “Pet Noir” reference… Interesting… 😉
This is completely new to me! It sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Pets are palls
For all us galls.
So send me this book
And we’ll catch the crook.
Panthers are cats
But they don’t eat rats.
Unless that rat,
Is a man with a hat!!!
Cozy lite…my kind of mystery.
Love cats of all sizes. Add a bo9ok and I’m all set.
I love cats and other animals in books. Sounds like it’ll be good. I think I have two of her books in different series.
catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds great, and I love the cover. Thanks for the chance to win.
Ogden Nash!!! Now, that is someone I have not read in 40 yrs!!!! Clever intro…
As I have commented before, I love all books set in New England, and especially those with Massachusetts locations. That being said, this book sounds so unique and with the story taking place in the Berkshires, I can’t wait to read it. I don’t think that I have read this author’s book prior to this, but will definitely be adding her to my list of to be ordered books.
Thank you and have a great weekend, Dru.
I’ve never heard of pet noir as a genre—I think I’d like to try it.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
It sounds like a very interesting mystery. I would love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
This is a fun series. Look foreword to the new one.
contest is closed.