There’s a whole lot to love about Jennifer J. Chow‘s cozy mysteries. An sprawling urban setting. A smart millennial heroine. A sassy talking cat. Got your attention, didn’t it? Read on to find out more!
Guest Blogger: Jennifer J. Chow
“If you’re looking for a fun, light read that includes a brave Asian American protagonist, an intriguing mystery, silly antics, a fast paced plot, and a sarcastic and loveable cat, this book is for you!” —Escondido Library staff recommendation
MIMI LEE BREAKS THE CODE (Nov 30, 21) is one of BookRiot’s Best Upcoming Cozy Mysteries for the Second Half of 2021!
When murder follows Mimi Lee to her romantic island getaway, she puts on her best sleuthing hat with her sassy cat in tow in this adventurous cozy mystery by Jennifer J. Chow.
Mimi Lee just found an extra perk to being a pet groomer at Hollywoof (other than cuddling animals all day long, that is). Pixie St. James, one of Mimi’s clients and the investor behind Hollywoof, has offered her and her boyfriend, Josh, a getaway at her vacation home, nestled on beautiful Catalina Island. With the island just outside of Los Angeles but still far enough from the hustle and bustle, Mimi, Josh, and their cat Marshmallow (who, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead in a dingy pet hotel) are excited for their relaxing stay.
That is, until Pixie’s last renter, Davis D. Argo, turns up dead. Mimi and Josh’s romantic getaway immediately turns into an enormous buzzkill, especially when Pixie asks Mimi for help. The police suspect Pixie, and Mimi knows a thing or two about wrongful allegations. Mimi figures it couldn’t hurt to snoop a little since she’s already there, and soon discovers that a valuable item is missing. Except Pixie isn’t the only one in the neighborhood who has been robbed. There is something strange happening on the island, and Mimi won’t stop until she finds out what it is.
“In addition to the whodunnit mystery, Chow brings readers into the world of humans and the animals they love.” —Northwest Asian Weekly
The Sassy Cat Mysteries revolve around a cat, Marshmallow, who is both sassy and telepathic. If you had any supernatural power, what would it be? (Bonus: Would you use your powers for good or evil?)
Teleportation. I would use my powers for . . . laziness, to break out of my habit of tardiness.
Mimi has a special relationship with her younger sister, Alice, who is a recurring character in the series. Do you have any brothers or sisters? If any of them were ever accused of murder, would you go to the mat for them, or would you send them an occasional letter or two in prison once they were wrongfully convicted?
I have an older brother. I’d send him a care package of comic books—j/k. I would totally go to the mat for him, especially if I had a sassy cat and a legal expert by my side.
You are an incredibly busy author. In addition to writing hilarious cozy mysteries, you’re involved with Chicks on the Case and contribute to AAPI awareness events. How on earth do you juggle all those responsibilities?
That’s why I need the teleportation superpower (see above). Speaking of Chicks on the Case, we have a virtual festival sponsored by North Brunswick Library coming up on Tuesday, July 20th: A Killer Sense of Humor: Adding Mirth to Murder Mysteries. I’m also happy to be involved with Crime Writers of Color; some of us are actually part of an upcoming anthology (see below).
Are you a part of any current of future anthologies, and if so, did you contribute a story from the Sassy Cat universe or something else?
I’ll be part of Midnight Hour: A Chilling Anthology of Crime Fiction From 20 Authors of Color (Crooked Lane Books; November 9, 2021). As you tell from the title, my story will be a bit darker than those found in the Sassy Cat universe.
The Sassy Cat Mysteries are fantastic and I’ve enjoyed reading all of them. Do you have any future plans for Mimi and Marshmallow?
Mimi and Marshmallow are back and visiting Catalina Island in the next book in the series, MIMI LEE BREAKS THE CODE (November 30, 2021).
What’s next for you? I heard a rumor that you’re working on a Night Market series? What’s that all about?
Yes, indeed! The new culinary cozy series coming out June 2022 star the Yee cousins who run a food stall at a local Los Angeles night market and get embroiled in murder.
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“Chow smoothly mixes intrigue, romance, and humor. Cozy fans will have fun.”—Publishers Weekly Jennifer J. Chow is the Lefty Award-nominated author of the Sassy Cat Mysteries and the forthcoming Night Market Mysteries (Berkley/Penguin Random House). The first in the Sassy Cat series, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, was selected as an Overdrive Recommended Read; a PopSugar Best Summer Beach Read; staff picks for Changing Hands Bookstore, Escondido Library, and Richland Library; and as one of BuzzFeed’sTop 5 Books by AAPI authors. Jennifer J. Chow has also published other Asian-American novels involving secrets and mysteries and is a member of Chicks On The Case. She’s active in Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Color, and Mystery Writers of America. Connect with her online at www.JenniferJChow.com or find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook under @jenjchow. You can sign up for her newsletter for breaking news!
Signed copies are available at: The Hangout, Vroman’s Bookstore, and Book Carnival. |
