Cat Writer extraordinaire Mollie Hunt has announced that the release of her new novel, Ghost Cat at the Mystery Hotel, is May 30. Today, the author joins Mewla for an interview.
Mollie Hunt’s many written works include two cozy cat series, a cat sci-fantasy tetralogy, as well as some cat poetry. Ghost Cat at the Mystery Hotel, part of her Cozy Paranormal series, takes place on the Oregon Coast. Another of Mollie’s book series, the Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mysteries, features a retiree who shares her Portland home with rescue cats.
Mewla: Mollie, thank you for joining us! For many years you’ve volunteered at animal shelters in your free time. What’s your main hint(s) for socializing new cats and kittens when they arrive at the shelter?
Mollie: Even though cats share some of the same behavioral traits, each cat is an individual.
The first thing to remember when approaching a new cat is that that cat may not be anything like your cat at home. Finding out the cat’s background is helpful. Were they a stray or had they lived in a home? Did they live with other animals or were they the only pet? At a shelter intake, a brief personality assessment is done. Though not always a true representation of the cat’s personality, it’s somewhere to start. Was the cat shy or outgoing, shut-down or friendly? Ask other volunteers who have interacted with the cat about their experience.
Then, most importantly, take your time. I volunteer in a behavior unit where cats who have behavior issues are housed until they get better. Sometimes all I do is sit in the kennel with the cat and read to them.
Oh, by the way, I enjoy the senior cats and rarely have interactions with those tiny aliens known as kittens.
Mewla: LOL. I’m sure that some of those senior cats can keep you on your toes, too. Such great advice. I’d never think of reading to cats as a way to socialize them. Thank you!
What is the most rewarding aspect of working at the shelter?
Mollie: In a world full of problems that we can do little about, I believe it’s important to find a place where I can make a difference. That’s where volunteering fits into my life. Since I began working with the cats at the Oregon Humane Society nearly twenty years ago, I have always felt useful and worthwhile. I have seen many changes in the shelter systems and in people’s attitudes toward cats and pets in general. We are growing into a more humane society, and I’m proud to be a part of that.
I’ll tell you a story. Some years ago, I was called to foster Snowball, a fluffy white cat who suffered life-threatening injuries when he escaped from his home and was struck by a car. His owner, Tom, couldn’t afford veterinary care and had to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender his beloved companion to OHS. Snowball received life-saving medical care he needed, and Tom checked on him every day.
Tom wanted to have his beloved Snowball back when he got well, but that wasn’t how the shelter worked. At that time, OHS was set up to help homeless pets, which was why Tom had to relinquish ownership of Snowball before the cat could be treated in the hospital.
Tom never gave up on Snowball, and it became clear that OHS had to make an exception and reunite them. This incredible human and animal bond inspired OHS to change their rules and build a Community Teaching Hospital where sick and injured pets are treated on an affordable sliding scale.
Tom wanted to have his beloved Snowball back when he got well, but that wasn’t how the shelter worked. At that time, OHS was set up to help homeless pets, which was why Tom had to relinquish ownership of Snowball before the cat could be treated in the hospital.
Mewla: A whole new Hospital, wow! What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing that. And thank you for the good work you are doing at OHS. Animal shelter volunteers are so valued and needed, and with your experience, you are a great resource for new volunteers, too.
Please tell us about your current cats, including your rascally tripod, Clarence!
Mollie: People laugh when I tell them I only have two cats at present. One is twenty-year-old Tyler, and the other is Clarence, who will turn one in May. Quite an age difference, but they get along well enough.
Clarence doesn’t know he’s missing his back leg. He is what he is! He can do nearly anything other cats do except for jumping. I never have to worry about him getting on the counter.
I adopted Tyler several years ago at the approximate age of fourteen. He was healthy then and he’s still amazingly healthy now. Both Tyler and Clarence are brown tabbies with exceptional personalities.
Mewla: Now, we’re all waiting excitedly for your new novel to be released on May 30. What’s your book about?
Mollie: The Tenth Life Cozy Paranormal mystery series features the adventures of septuagenarian Camelia Collins who, upon moving to her dream cottage on the Oregon Coast, finds it is already occupied—by a ghost cat! In the latest book, Ghost Cat at the Mystery Hotel, Camelia meets up with her old college friend Anne Pine for a murder mystery weekend at the infamous Mystery Beach Hotel, but death becomes more than a game.
Accompanied by her ghost cat companion Soji, Camelia begins to discover clues that aren’t part of the role-playing storyline. A lurking stranger spies on Camelia from the house next door. A vengeful spirit haunts the hotel. A winter storm rages outside, threatening the old building, while a murderer roams the halls, threatening those within. Will Camelia’s keen senses and Soji’s feline wiles be enough to catch the killer before they kill again?
Mewla: That is a fascinating plot! Full of shenanigans, for sure. Tell us about the cat or cats in the novel!
Mollie: Ghost cat Soji is one-of-a-kind. Well documented in the Ocean Cove History Museum, the puss who died in the early twentieth century has since had many sightings. It’s believed that her preternatural appearances have to do with her being the seventh black kitten of a seventh black kitten, but to Camelia who happens to live on the property where Soji’s gravestone lies, the little spirit is an impish yet valuable friend.
Mewla: The seventh black kitten of a seventh black kitten is an intriguing backstory. I can’t wait to read about Soji and Camelia’s relationship and adventures.
What writing projects are you working on now?
Mollie: I am in the first draft of the eleventh Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery which features a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip. It’s a fun series for me since I can take details from my own experiences, as well as include cat tips and facts so readers can learn a bit while they are entertained. This book will have a quilting theme.
I’ve got one more book to go in the Cat Seasons Sci-fantasy Tetralogy and have a nearly complete first draft, but it’s one of those manuscripts that I wrote and put away some years ago, so there will be work to do on that one. I love this fantasy series about cats changing the world in ways humans cannot.
Mewla: Where can we purchase the book?
Mollie: You can pre-order the Kindle version of Ghost Cat at the Mystery Hotel, a Tenth Life Cozy Mystery #3, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW3DGRK3
Both the e-version and the paperback will be available for purchase on May 30th, 2024.
Check my website https://molliehuntcatwriter.com/ and Facebook page www.facebook.com/MollieHuntCatWriter/ for more news.
Please share a comment below.
That was one cool interview and we’re big fans of Molly here too!
Hi Brian! I appreciate you letting us know that you enjoyed the interview with the wonderful Mollie Hunt!
Thank you, Brian. I’m a big fan of your family too!
I really enjoyed this interview, Mewla! Mollie Hunt’s cat mysteries are among my favorites! And I really like the idea of reading to cats!
So glad and thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the article, Leah!
Thank you Mewla for the fun interview and unique questions. You made me think!
It was fun for me, too, Mollie. Glad you didn’t mind getting put to work with my questions, lol. I loved hearing about your work, about Snowball, and about the Soji the Ghost Cat. : )
Love it! “The seventh black kitten of a seventh black kitten,” who can resist such a literary lure? I challenge any loving person to say nay. The plots and subplots as outlined in this interview, seem to be intriguing and the kitty characters are relatable. Anyone who loves cats and mysteries (about 80% of the world’s population in my view) will be in for a treat.
Congratulations to Molly Hunt on creating such an entertaining series of books. Her kitty, Tripod is such a swashbuckling character. I can just see this guy inspiring a series on cat pirates living in a feral colony on an island of the Oregon coast (lol). Move over Johnny Depp, Tripod just eclipsed ya dude!
I wish Molly, her cats and her books continued success and may they go from strength to strength. I will be checking out Amazon for my Kindle copy.
Thank you so much! I like the pirate idea. Who knows where that could go?
Thank you, Celinne. I love the pirate idea also. I often see cats on boats in marinas and can imagine swashbuckling Clarence with an eye patch, lol.
Congratulations on your new book, Ms Hunt! Mysteries are a favorite of mine. I used to love the
Mrs. Murphy books and so I will get your new book!
Thank you, Celia! Mrs. Murphy is a star!
Thanks for sharing, Celia.
Thank you for sending me your newsletter! I look forward to this book by someone who is a well-known author and long time cat lover.
Thank you for the compliment! I do love cats!
I appreciate you stopping by, Cathy!