Kathy Manos Penn
The halls are decked with holly. But can anyone be jolly when a precious pet vanishes without a trace? The Yuletide cheer turns sour when Leta Parker’s delightful doggo Dickens dashes out the door with a canine companion and doesn’t return. Can Leta and her team of Little Old Ladies unravel the Christmas caper in time to make the season merry and bright?
Where/when is your book set?
This cozy animal mystery is set in modern times in a Cotswolds village.
Who is your main character?
Leta Petkas Parker, the main character, is a fifty-something widow from Atlanta who retires to the Cotswolds with her two precious pets. She describes herself as a work in progress–making new friends and making her way.
Why is Christmas so important to the story or you?
It’s all about the memories. The Christmas decorations and music I describe in the book all exist in my life. Pulling out my ornaments and collection of stuffed animals is a joyful trip down memory lane. Like me, Leta has a crocheted tree topper made by a loved one, and she listens to Christmas tunes from all eras of her life. Whether it’s Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, or more recent artists like Mannheim Steamroller, the tunes put a smile on my face and hers. For Leta, it can be bittersweet because she’s simultaneously thinking of her late husband and taking a big step with a new man in her life. I’d leave the tree up for months if it were up to me, and I’m pretty sure Leta would too.
Pen In Hand, Words on Page 