Cats and Crimes

Years ago, my sister wanted me to write a book about a "crazy cat lady" who solves murders. I never got around to it back then, and she's gone now, but I am right now finishing the final book of the five-part series she envisioned. The first book, like the series, is called Cats and Crimes. I began Lorilee's story when she's at a rather isolated point in her life, partly from circumstances, partly by choice. The series arc covers her return to society, at least as much society as Lorilee wants.

All the advice we see today for older people includes calls for socialization. You'll be happier with lots of friends, they say. You'll stave off mental decline. You'll suffer fewer "old person" problems. The other side of that is becoming tired of large groups of people. Like Lorilee, I don't want to be part of conversations about how the world is falling apart. (It's always been falling apart. You just weren't paying attention forty years ago.) I'm bored by talk of movies and books that are exactly like the movies and books from last year. And don't expect me to know who J-Lo is living with these days. Could not care less.

I would suggest that friendships in old age should be curated, like fine art. Yes, I enjoy having friends IF they can hold up their end of intelligent conversations. IF they read and think and evaluate events. IF they keep their health concerns to a mention ("I have diabetes") without going into detail unless I ask.

Yes, I realize I'm picky. Seventy-five years of people will do that to you.

Cats and Crimes introduces Lorilee Riley, a woman who's pretty much given up on people and focuses all her attention on cats. Things change a little when she meets Jess, a runaway teen, and a lot when she finds a dead body in her side yard. This book is available here for $3.99