Murder Has Nine Lives

May 2, 2016
In Levine’s enjoyable 14th Jaine Austen mystery (after 2015’s Death by Tiara), the L.A. freelance writer has a chance to supplement her income through a star turn for her cat, Prozac, as the “before” kitty in a Skinny Kitty cat food commercial. Meanwhile, her own hot prospect is an ad campaign for her client Toiletmasters’ new self-flushing toilets. Phil Angelides, her Toiletmasters boss, introduces her to his gorgeous (single) nephew, who’s new in town and interested enough to ask her for a date. What could go wrong? Series fans should know by now that, even if Jaine’s meddling parents aren’t involved this time, someone—or something—will complicate her life. A murder is only the beginning of another wild misadventure with Jaine and Prozac. This outing will keep cozy readers amused and wondering what absurdity will happen next. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency.

April 15, 2016
A writer thinks she's found a ticket to fame and fortune when her cat gets tapped for a TV ad shoot. Not that Jaine Austen minds turning out copy for Toiletmasters Plumbers' new line of self-flushing commodes. Her boss, Phil Angelides, is a nice guy, and his golden-haired, blue-eyed nephew, Jim, offers more than a little promise as a potential beau. But when Deedee Walker, Agent to the Animal Stars, offers Jaine's cat, Prozac, a shot at a spot in a Skinny Kitty commercial, visions of dollar signs dance in her head. She envisions enough money for a trip to Maui with her parents. Enough for a second pair of Manolo Blahniks. Enough to send her rushing over to down-at-the-heels Kleinman Productions, where director Ian Kendrick is about to start shooting from writer Zeke's script. When Dean Oliver, the brains behind Skinny Kitty, reveals that Jaine's pet is slated to play the overweight "before" cat, Prozac promptly goes postal. Her feline tantrum, though, is nothing compared to the chaos that erupts when Dean keels over after scarfing a mouthful of his own product. Everyone's a suspect, including Dean's wife, Linda, his mistress, Camille "The Pink Panther" Townsend, food stylist Nikki Banks, Deedee, Ian, Zeke, and of course Jaine. Can she solve a murder and clear her name before the killer makes an encore appearance? Jaine's flair for the well-turned phrase puts her in the top tier of do-it-yourself detectives.

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May 1, 2016
In between writing new copy for a Toiletmasters brochure pushing self-flushing toilets and getting ready to travel to Hawaii with her parents, freelance writer Jaine is asked if her beloved tyrant of a cat, Prozac, is available to star in a commercial. His eating prowess is desired for the ad; Jaine is game, but the shoot turns deadly when the inventor of Skinny Kitty cat food drops dead. Everyone present had a reason to kill him except Jaine, from the embezzling agent, to the formerly famous director, to the victim's long-suffering wife. There are other, less deadly problems: Jaine must suffer through a blind date with a man who speaks through his teddy bear, and Prozac is having trouble dealing with disappointment over his failed acting career. Jaine pursues justice and sanity in her usual hilarious yet smart way, with Levine infusing wit into her heroine's every thought. A thoroughly fun read that will interest Evanovich fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

August 29, 2016
Fans of sitcom writer Levine’s Jaine Austen series about a L.A.-based freelance writer and her snarky cat, Prozac, will find much to enjoy in this cozy tale of murder in the backstage world of TV commercials. With Prozac set to be the new face for Skinny Kitty feline food, Jaine is introduced to a collection of characters, including talent agent Didi Wallace, an assortment of eccentric cat owners, and a mostly malcontent cast and crew. With excellent timing, reader Pressley gets the most out of Jaine’s self-deprecating narration, during her work as copywriter for Toiletmasters’ innovative self-flushing commodes, her toe-cringing dinner date with the world’s most handsome man, who has a fixation on his teddy bear, and her phone calls from her bizarre parents. But Pressley’s most impressive achievements may be the woozy conversations between Jaine and Prozac, with the latter sounding even more blasé and entitled than Garfield. A Kensington hardcover.