Careless Whiskers by James Miranda (English) Paperback Book

Description: Careless Whiskers by James Miranda When Charlies daughter is falsely accused of the murder of an angsty actor, he and Diesel must put their best paws forward to crack the case in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series.When librarian Charlie Harris daughter is falsely accused of murder, he and his faithful feline Diesel must leap forward to crack the case in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series.Charlie Harris has sworn off investigating murder and mayhem after a recent close call. Instead, hes delighted to cheer on his daughter, Laura, whos starring in a production of Careless Whispers. The theater department at Athena College is debuting the play written by a fledgling playwright with local connections and Charlies son-in-law, Frank Salisbury, will be calling the directorial shots.Laura is upset to learn that Luke Lombardi, an overbearing actor she knew from her time in Hollywood will also be taking part in the production as a guest artist. Lombardi arrives with an entourage in tow and promptly proceeds to annoy everyone involved with the production. When he collapses and dies on stage, after drinking from a glass Laura handed him, she becomes the chief suspect in his murder.Charlie knows his daughter is innocent, and hes not going to let anyone railroad his little girl. So, despite his intentions to put his amateur sleuthing days behind him, Charlie has to take center stage, and with Diesels help, shine a spotlight on the real killer. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Miranda James is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, including The Pawful Truth, Six Cats a Slayin, and Claws for Concern, as well as the Southern Ladies Mysteries, including Fixing to Die, Digging Up the Dirt, and Dead with the Wind. James lives in Mississippi. Promotional "Headline" When Charlies daughter is falsely accused of the murder of an angsty actor, he and Diesel must put their best paws forward to crack the case in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series. Excerpt from Book One I stared at my daughter in considerable alarm. I couldnt remember ever seeing her like this, grabbing at her hair and stomping around my office. Suddenly she stopped in front of my desk and glared at me. "I swear, if I could get my hands on Trevor Percy right this minute," Laura said through gritted teeth, "Id pull every tooth right out of his head." "Laura, sweetheart, surely it cant be that bad," I said in what I hoped was a soothing tone. Beside me, Diesel, my Maine Coon cat, chirped in distress. Always sensitive to heightened emotion, he seemed to be growing more agitated along with Laura. "What on earth has this Trevor Percy done to make you so upset?" The glare did not abate. Nostrils flared as she expelled a harsh breath. "What has he done? What has he done?" She threw her hands up and started roaming around the room again. "Hes gone and ruptured his appendix-thats what hes done, the bloody idiot-and now hes out of commission, stuck in California, where hes bloody useless." "I think you ought to have a little sympathy for him," I said. "A ruptured appendix is no fun." I tried not to shudder as I recalled my own experience some twenty years ago. "Im sure your agent can find someone else to take his place." "You have no idea, Dad." Lauras stormy expression, as she continued with her restless pacing back and forth, worried me. I wasnt sure she had heard me. "This could be an unmitigated disaster. When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions!" I recognized the quotation from Hamlet. In reply, I offered another line from the same play, There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." Startled, Laura stopped pacing and glared at me. "Do you honestly think Im imagining all this? Come on, Dad, you know me better than that." "I understand youre upset," I said, a little tartly. "Youve also got Diesel on the verge of a nervous breakdown. You have to stop this ranting and calm down." Laura looked stricken. Her gaze shifted down toward the cat, as if she were only now aware of his presence in the room. She dropped to her knees and held out her arms. "Come here, sweet boy," she said, her voice low and steady. Diesel hesitated a moment. She called him again. This time he trotted right into her embrace, and she stroked his head, speaking in a reassuring tone. "Im sorry, sweet boy. I didnt mean to upset you." He responded with a loud meow. "I think he forgives you," I said, relieved that the storm seemed to have broken. Laura remained on her knees for perhaps a minute more, rubbing the cats head and stroking down his back. Mollifying the cat evidently soothed her as well. When she stood, she appeared composed. "Thats better," I said. "Now, come sit down and discuss this calmly. Hasnt your agent found another guest star for you?" Laura sank into the chair in front of my desk, and Diesel took up position beside her. He rubbed his head against her jean-clad thigh. "Yes, she has. Thats the problem." "Why?" I asked. "Who is it?" "His name is Luke Lombardi." I detected an undertone of distaste in the way she said the name. "Whats so bad about him? Is he a terrible actor?" I asked. "No." She drew out the syllable. "Hes a terrible person, but hes actually quite a good actor." Then she added, almost grudgingly, it seemed, "He was nominated for a Tony a few years ago." That sounded promising, but I still had no idea what lay behind my daughters obvious dislike for the actor. "Have you worked with him before?" Laura nodded. "In a community playhouse production in Connecticut one summer, a couple of years before I moved here. After hed been nominated for the Tony." She snorted. "He worked it into conversations every day." I could understand her irritation, but I had other concerns about the man. I put it to her bluntly. "Did he harass you?" "Good Lord, no." She laughed. "I am so not his type." "Is he gay, then?" I asked. She shook her head. "Oh, no, hes definitely straight. He likes his women dumb and stacked." She glanced down at her chest and giggled. "I have two strikes against me." "I see," I said wryly. Laura, like her brother, Sean, had graduated near the top of her class in high school, and had done extremely well in college. "What are your objections to having him as guest artist, then?" The theater department at Athena College put on a spring production every year, and they always tried to find an actor of some reputation to play a leading role, not only as a draw to sell tickets, but also for their students to have the chance to work with a seasoned professional. Laura had the leading female role in the play, and her husband, Frank Salisbury, was directing. Laura had professional experience, having spent several years in Hollywood, with bit parts in television shows, as well as theater productions there and back east. She was not a big name, however. "Hes a gigantic drama queen," Laura said. "He throws fits at the drop of a hat if something isnt to his liking. He tries to cow the director into doing what he wants and doesnt take direction well. He can be a bully. And he drinks." What a charmer, I thought. I began to understand Lauras concerns over having to work with this man. "Isnt your agent aware of this mans reputation?" I asked. "She is," Laura said. "Hes one of her clients, too, however, and she said he needs the work." She made a guttural noise. "I could kill her. She swore up and down that she had a perfect replacement for us, and then she sticks us with Luke." "I suppose its too late for her to find someone else," I said. "The contract is signed, and it would cost a lot to get out of it. On top of all that, theres absolutely no time," Laura said. "Plus, rehearsals with him start next week. Youre welcome to come by anytime." She hesitated. "Id love it if you did, in fact. I know Frank wont mind, and if Luke knows my father is watching, he might behave better." "If hes as obnoxious as you say, I cant see that my presence will inhibit him," I said. Diesel uttered a couple of chirps, as if in agreement. Laura patted his head and laughed. "It probably wont," she replied frankly, "but it would make me feel better, and it might keep Frank from taking Lukes head off." "Ill do what I can, then, but I dont know that Ill be able to make every rehearsal." Laura flashed me a smile full of gratitude. "When does Lombardi arrive?" I asked. "Hes supposed to be here Saturday morning sometime. Hes flying into Memphis on Friday and spending the night there, and Frank is going to pick him up in one of the college vans," Laura said. "Theres a big reception for him at the Farrington House Saturday night, where hell be staying for the duration. The department has reserved their best suite for him and his entourage." "Entourage?" I said. "That sounds pretty grand." Laura shrugged. "All it probably means is a couple of people: his personal dresser and whatever unfortunate woman hes got dangling at the moment." I had to admit to a considerable amount of curiosity about Luke Lombardi. He sounded like he could be a nightmare, but I also had complete faith in my son-in-law to handle the situation. Frank was young, but he had a strong character and was not easily cowed or pushed around. He had to be strong, working as he did with the often histrionic personalities in the theater department. I expressed these thoughts aloud. "Yes, youre right, Dad," Laura said. "I know Frank can handle him, but Frank does have a temper, and Luke has a knack for finding your buttons and stomping on them." "I still put my money on Frank," I said, though privately her words caused me a few misgivings. I trusted Lauras judgment about her fellow actor, and I could foresee trouble ahead. A knock at my office door caught both Laura and me off guard, and we turned to see Melba Gilley, my longtime friend and the administrative assistant to the library director, standing there. "Is everything all right?" Melba asked, frowning. "I could hear a loud voice when I walked out into the hall a few minutes ago on my way to the lounge for some coffee." The first floor of the antebellum mansion that housed the archive and rare-book collection, along with my office, also contained the library administrative office, along with a staff lounge and a small kitchen. There were two reception rooms as well. If I left my office door open, as I usually did while working, I could hear sounds from downstairs, and vice versa. I hadnt realized Lauras voice had reached a loud enough volume to attract anyones attention. "Sorry." La Details ISBN0451491165 Series Cat in the Stacks Mystery Language English ISBN-10 0451491165 ISBN-13 9780451491169 Series Number 12 DEWEY 813.6 Format Paperback Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States US Release Date 2020-11-24 UK Release Date 2020-11-24 Author James Miranda Pages 320 Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc Year 2020 Publication Date 2020-11-24 Imprint Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S. Audience General NZ Release Date 2021-02-23 AU Release Date 2021-02-23 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:130605637;

Price: 21.49 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2025-01-21T03:08:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD