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Death by the Dozen: A witty and addictive cozy murder mystery
Paperback
Series: Cat Caliban Mysteries, Book 12
ISBN13: 9781805734529
Publisher: Joffe Books Ltd
Published: Feb 10 2026
Pages: 342
Weight: 0.67
Height: 0.85 Width: 5.06 Depth: 7.81
Language: English
A curious case of a disappearing pig. A murdered historian. A sassy senior sleuth. If Cat Caliban's not your favorite crime-solving grandma, you just haven't met her yet!
Meet Cat Caliban - sixty-something widow, proud cat lady, and budding private eye. She's traded in her old life as a housewife for something far more exciting: solving crimes.
But nothing in her sleuthing career has prepared her for this.
When a local historian begs Cat to find the villain who stole her beloved pig - Gertie, a cupcake-loving micro-mini with a mischievous streak - Cat figures it's a simple petnapping. Sorry, pignapping. Until the trail leads to a dead human body.
With the city gearing up for its bicentennial celebrations, Cat finds herself tangled up in a complex mystery involving missing historical papers, a children's book about a detective with trotters . . . and a cunning killer who's determined to keep the past buried.
Cat must crack the case, bring home the bacon, and catch a murderer, before she becomes the next victim of Cincinnati's deadliest - and oinkiest - celebration.
DEATH BY THE DOZEN - a warm and witty mystery featuring Cincinnati's sharpest tongued sleuth, three cats, one Black retired cop friend and colleague with a very unruly beagle, cupcakes by the dozen, and a case where justice comes with a side of sass . . . and lots of piggy snorts!
Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander, Lucy Connelly, Rita Mae Brown, Annie Adams, Susan McBride and Tonya Kappes.
Readers love Death by the Dozen:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Cat Caliban has become one of my favorite detectives! I do truly love this book and excited to read more in the series. Definitely one I'm going to recommend!' Alex M.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A fun quick read that I found very enjoyable. The characters are awesome and well developed. I just love Cat!' Renee W.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Super fun cozy mystery with some great characters and fantastic vibes throughout. The ending was satisfactory and effective.' J.R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Death by the Dozen is exactly the kind of cozy mystery that reminds you why this genre is such a joy. It's quirky, clever, and full of heart - anchored by one of the most delightful amateur sleuths I've met in a long time.' Leanne H.
Meet Your New Favorite Senior Sleuth
Cat Caliban is Cincinnati's newest, oldest and funniest detective-in-training. She enjoys a G&T, has a nice line in put-downs and can rub people up the wrong way - although underneath she has a heart of gold. She's the proud mom of three cats, and three grown-up children who drive her crazy. Recently widowed, she embarks on a brand new career as a private investigator, hoping her obsession with detective novels will come in handy . . . although her sharp tongue might be a hindrance. It may be late in life for such a drastic change, but Cat reckons she's young for a detective - look at Miss Marple or Mrs. Pollifax. Even Nancy Drew had less training than Cat, so why wouldn't she be a success?
The setting
Northside, Cincinnati is a rough-around-the-edges urban neighborhood that might intimidate many, but not a tough broad like Cat. But it has its own quirky and gritty charm. The streets are lined with a variety of second-hand stores, including Goodwill and an army-navy surplus. The hub of the local community is Bill's Hardware, where the widget you want is usually hanging from the ceiling.
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