The meow of death . . .   Whisker Jog, New Hampshire, is a long way from Hollywood, but it’s the place legendary actress Deanna Daltry wants to call home. Taking up residence in a stone mansion off Cemetery Hill, the retired, yet still glamorous, septuagenarian has adopted two kittens from Lara Caphart’s High Cliff Shelter for Cats. With help from her Aunt Fran, Lara makes sure the kitties settle in safely with their new celebrity mom.   But not everyone in town is a fan of the fading star. Deanna was in Whisker Jog when she was younger, earning a reputation for pussyfooting around, and someone is using that knowledge against her. After being frightened by some nasty pranks, Deanna finds herself the prime murder suspect when the body of a local teacher is found on her property. Now, it’s up to Lara, Aunt Fran, and the blue-eyed Ragdoll mystery cat Lara recently encountered to collar a killer before another victim is pounced upon . . .   Praise for Linda Reilly’s Deep Fried Mysteries   “I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzler of a mystery. Reilly cooks up a perfect recipe of murder and mayhem in this charming cozy.” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Hat Shop Mysteries   “Smart, sassy, and a little bit scary. Everything a good cozy should be!” —Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries   “Everything I want in a cozy mystery: endearing characters, an enchanting setting, tantalizing food descriptions and a top-notch mystery plot!” —Susan Furlong, author of the Georgia Peach Mysteries Raised in a sleepy town in the Berkshires, Linda Reilly has spent the bulk of her career in the field of real estate closings and title examination. It wasn’t until 1995 that her first short mystery, “Out of Luck,” was accepted for publication by Woman’s World Magazine . Since then she’s had more than forty short stories published, including a sprinkling of romances. She is also the author of Some Enchanted Murder , and the Deep Fried Mystery series, featuring fry cook Talia Marby. A member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, Linda lives in New Hampshire with her husband, who affectionately calls her “Nose‑in‑a‑book.” Visit her on the web at lindasreilly.com. Claws Of Death A Cat Lady Mystery By Linda Reilly KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2018 Linda Reilly All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5161-0420-8 CHAPTER 1 "Oh God, I've got to get ready." With the toe of her beaded blue sandal, Lara Caphart turned off the vacuum cleaner and pressed the button to retract the cord. The cord snaked into the vacuum with a loud snap. She jumped slightly at the sound. Take a deep breath, she told herself. She's only a movie star. She's only been nominated for three Oscars and a Tony. She's only Deanna Daltry ... Lara was lugging the vacuum back to the supply closet when she bumped smack into her aunt, Fran Clarkson. Seven months ago, Lara had moved into her aunt's Folk Victorian home in the town of Whisker Jog, New Hampshire. Though Aunt Fran had lived in the house for well over three decades, as of the beginning of the year it officially became the High Cliff Shelter for Cats. "Sorry, Aunt Fran. I'm rushing, and I — Oh good glory, you look gorgeous. Is that a new top?" She tucked a strand of her coppery hair behind her right ear. Aunt Fran smiled, her green eyes beaming beneath the smidge of highlighter she'd swept along her upper lids. "Yes, it is," she said, referring to the gauzy, moss-colored top she wore over her pale gray capris. She did make for a stunning picture. "Lara, why are you so jittery? Ms. Daltry won't be here for at least another hour." "But ... but ... she's Deanna Daltry! And she's going to be living in our town — in tiny Whisker Jog, New Hampshire!" Aunt Fran chuckled. "I've never seen you so starstruck before. Remember, she's here to adopt, not to audition us for parts in her next movie." "I know, I know. It's just —" "And also remember, she has a reputation for being late. Notoriously late. So don't expect her to be here at the stroke of three." Lara sighed. It was true. The famous actress, best known recently for her starring role in the Broadway hit Take Me, I'm His, had often been dubbed Hollywood's "late date." Never married, she was known for her string of leading-man lovers, as well as for her generous good works. She glanced around the back porch. The official meet-and-greet room for the shelter, it boasted a sturdy square table over which a cat-themed runner had been draped. The ceiling border depicted whimsical cats — hand-painted by Lara — frolicking over a background of cerulean blue. A pine corkboard hung on one wall. Photos of cats that had been successfully adopted covered the board. Lara was pleased that four kittens and two adult cats had found good homes since the shelter opened in January. A furry body leaped soundlessly onto one of the four padded chairs. The Ragdoll cat, blue e