Who's in charge? Let me tell you

An important message from the cat-in-charge

The Christie Curse: a book collector's mystery 

By Victoria Abbott 

Coming March 5, 2013 

From Berkley Prime Crime

 Perhaps you are unaware that cats are in charge. You may have been living under a rock or something. At any rate, this would be a good time to get with the program. Some cats are more in charge than others. I have been a ruling cat for some years now, in the historic building that is the Van Alst House in Harrison Falls, New York. It has been in the hands of the Van Alst family since the late 1800’s. There has always been an important cat on the premises.

You can tell I’m important because I am Siamese and my portrait is on the wall. My chief staff member, Vera Van Alst had it painted and also (for reasons not totally clear) had one done of my littermate, What’s-its-name. As you can see, I am the beauty in the family.  

 

Here’s the situation:  this place has been an excellent home, good food prepared by the Italian cook, Senora Panetone, valuable antiques to leap from and onto. I particularly like the black walnut sideboard with the Sheraton dining set, the feather beds and all the secret hiding places. Everything was wonderful until she came. I can barely say her name, but you need to know, so, for the record, it’s Jordan Bingham. She claims to be an honest researcher, but I have heard Vera mention that her relatives are nothing but a bunch of crooks. I think I can use that against her.

This is a young human who doesn’t realize the importance of the right environment for a thinking cat; in fact, she seems to have little knowledge of our species at all.  That is shocking. I regularly rake her ankles with my lovely sharp claws so that she’ll get the hint and leave, but so far, no joy. My littermate is a bit of an appeaser and has been making nice. What’s that about?

All to say, I’m getting a petition together. Now, you must write a letter to Miss Van Alst emphasizing that Jordan Bingham and that unspeakable snorting creature, Walter the Pug, have no place in our world and should have the boots put to them forthwith, before my life is completely ruined. Go back to reading your books when you’re finished. I will be grateful to you, although that may not be immediately obvious. 

In the meantime, is there anything else you can do for me?


P.S. Whatever you do, DO NOT check out these people at www.victoria-abbott.com