Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am always happy when Leann drops by for a visit!
The Cat, The Mill and The Murder by Leann Sweeney
We don’t make much of anything in this country anymore—China seems to have taken over in that department–and though I never think about “themes” while I am writing a book, there always ends up being one hidden between the lines. In The Cat, the Mill and the Murder
The inspiration for this book began when I saw an abandoned textile mill for the first time in the town where I now live. These old buildings are like discovering dinosaur bones—except they aren’t buried. They lie unattended across the South, begging to be used again. Bricks lie scattered, old smoke stacks rise but with no purpose, stone staircases lead to nowhere. I was sad when I saw the Greenwood Mill, but I saw a story.
The Cat, the Mill and the Murder
~Leann
About The Author
Leann Sweeney was born and raised in Niagara Falls and educated at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Lemoyne College in Syracuse, New York. She also has a degree in behavioral science from the University of Houston and has worked in psychiatry. A former registered nurse, she has been writing in the mystery genre for many years, and also writes the Yellow Rose Mystery series.
Find out more on her webpage here. She also blogs at The Cozy Chicks on Sundays!
Find her on:
The Cat, the Mill and the Murder:
A Cats in Trouble Mystery
5th in Series
Cozy Mystery
Obsidian (May 7, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451415417
E-Book File Size: 534 KB
ASIN: B009UZ9ZRK
In this fifth installment of the Cats in Trouble series Jillian has volunteered to help relocate a clowder of feral cats from on old mill so the city can help investors revamp the space. She was quite surprised to also find a woman living in the mill. Jeannie went missing from Mercy 10 years ago shortly after her daughter disappeared.
Jeannie has no plans to evacuate the mill where she lives with her cat Boots. She tells Jillian, it is a “holy place” and she must protect it from “creepers”. When Jeanie is hurt and forced to leave the mill to go to the hospital Jillian learns there are more surprises in the old mill. Secrets that have been buried for years start to see the light of day.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Leann’s love of felines shines brightly in her stories and each one is better than the last. This one features the Lorraine Stanley Textile Mill. Cozy loves will recognize this homage to two special ladies.
This story takes us to the “other side of the tracks” to the Mill Village. A little trip back in history but even in 2013 there is still the division of classes even as one of mighty rich have fallen on hard times. They still have the hoity-toity attitude.
We also learn about feral cats in a very entertaining way. Shawn explains the difference between the cats we love to cuddle and the cats we just can’t.
In addition to the wonderful character of Jeannie, our favorites from the past return. Jillian and Tom’s romance is evolving even with Lydia still trying her best to keep them apart. I laughed out loud as she was kept out of crime scene and she begged Tom for his help while doing her best to ignore that Jillian was even in the room.
But the characters that capture my heart have four paws, Merlot, Syrah, Chablis and now Boots add the special touch to this story. I love how much Jillian loves her kitties and even has an app on her phone to check on them. I also love the way most of the residents of Mercy are pet lovers and believe in humane treatment of all animals. In fact this book was part of Penguin’s Read Humane Campaign. All through the month of May you can purchase special copies of six different books and Penguin will donate $25000 to the Humane Society of the U.S. to fight animal cruelty.
Another “catavating” cozy from Leann Sweeney! and may I add another New York Times Bestseller! Kudos my friend!!
Would you like to win a copy of this wonderful book?
Thanks to the people at Penguin
I have 2 copies to giveaway!!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I am always sad to see out mills going to waste when so many are out of work. I’m looking forward to reading this book. Dee
This book sounds like a real good read.
Can’t wait to read this, I love cats. Thanks for the giveaway !!!
I love books with cats. I will have yo add this to my tbr pile.
I have the whole series up to this one. May need to reread the first one cause it has been awhile.
I love this series and can’t wait to read this one….
Thanks so much for the wonderful review!
Wonderful post! This is such a great series, no need to enter me in the drawing, Leann is an auto-buy for me!
Great review, the book sounds like a good read.
I think it would do everyone some good to take a trip to ‘the other side of the tracks.’ Lots of people have forgotten what made America the place to be.
Thanks for the great comments. I learned so much writing this book. Mill workers spent long hours in the factories making very little money. They made quality fabric and today, we do not make any cotton fabric here. We have shipped our equipment and our raw cotton overseas. Plus, during my research, I discovered so much about the mill culture–things never taught in any history book. I am so glad I was inspired by two things–3 of my senior cats passing one after another and seeing one of those broken down mills in person.
I read about this book at another blog and put it on my public library’s ‘to read’ list. I look forward to reading it.
Leann, since I was a small child reading and learning have been an enjoyable pastime for me. Your books are some of my favorites -they are “cozy” and I learned something from each book I have read!
Hi Leann, I love this series and even own a few of the titles… I’d love to be able to add this one to my library so I can share it with my kids.
From the synopsis and review, this book sounds wonderful and is going on my TBR list 🙂
Hi Leann, I love books about cozies and Im looking forward to reading this story. Im a big cozy mystery fan!
I meant to put that I love books about Cats.. =)
I love your mysteries.
Always love your books, Leann!
Wonderful post and a great series which I enjoy very much. Best wishes.
Enjoyed this feature and would love this book.
Nice post. Looks like a great read.
What an interesting mystery series! Love cats and will be putting Cats in Trouble on my TBR list. Thanks for the great giveaway!
My daughter would love this book, thank you for the chance to win it for her.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
This has to be one of my all time favorite series!! I can’t wait to start reading this Cats In Trouble addition. Any reader out there that loves a good mystery and cats, HAS to read this series! Please keep them coming! =)
I like mysteries but I have not come across these before, shall have to keep an eye open for them
Sounds good to me. I am eager to read her book.
Thank you for once again sharing about what sounds like a really cute and fun read. I think it is awesome that Penguin so generously supported this cause.
This sounds like a wonderful story. I look forward to reading it.
I have a soft spot in my heart for feral cats and I enjoy a good cozy so I really want to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh, this sounds like a lovely book. And it’s part of a series. I will have to look into finding them.
What a novel way to set the story, with a “repurposing” of the mill. Glad you stopped by today! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for the chance to win this book, I enjoy mysteries with cats in them.
I look forward to reading this book and seeing what the solution is for the feral cars.
Thanks for the review. Sounds like a wonderful book.
Thank you for the wonderful review and interview from Leann ~ I love The Cats in Trouble Mysteries and can’t wait to read Leann’s latest~ Happy Reading and Writing~ Cheers~ Elizabeth
We have cats and I love mysteries and I do genealogy so Im interested in old mills also. Sounds really like one I would enjoy reading.
I love the setting for your book, old buildings brought back to life are so interesting.
As a cat lover, I cannot resist a good cat mystery!
Great review. Sounds like a marvelous read.
I love cats. I also love mysteries that revolve around people who own cats.
I’ve been a fan of the Cats in Trouble series since I read the first book. I hope I’m the winner, so I can add this one to the others in my (very small) library. Can’t wait to read it! Each book in this great series gets better and better!!
I love reading cozy mysteries, and the kitty cats are cute. Thanks for having the giveaway.
wonderful review <3 i love cozy mysteries with felines in it, always makes me feel good when I read one and have my cat snuggling near me
thanks for the great gift idea … she’ll love it