Notes from a parish cat and his author Julie Mackenzie

My photo
I am Father Tom Fish, esteemed member of the religious team at Temptation of Christ Parish in the novels by author Julie Mackenzie. As to my background, I was invited into the rectory as a stray, laid on the charm, and was invited to stay, even honorarily ordained and no less spiritual than my sidekick Father Will. He dotes on me to high heaven and forgives all of my street cat proclivities, whatever the hell that means.

Friday, August 10, 2012

HIGH FEATHER

I promised an excerpt from Mom Julie's book in today's post and I will not disappoint.

HOWEVER




Before I put it on MY blog, I want to mention a couple of things.

We still have Father Will, the good-looking priest. (I wouldn't know, I just see him from the ankles up, from my pillow, or from his lap, and he's ok.) but, this book reveals more of good ol' Father Jack, the cussingest priest you'll ever meet who's trying not so hard to mend his ways.

Anyway, this HIGH FEATHER book is not only leaner, it's meaner and shorter than the first one. I won't go into why that is, just that a good story started up and revved itself all the way to the end. Mom Julie is happy with it, except for one thing:

SOMEONE DIES.

Nobody we get to know really well or anything, but still--




That sets the entire parish condo community on its ear. Not only because of it being the first death under mysterious circumstances at Temptation Arms, but a sweet, little old lady is implicated!! My friend Patsy, mom to the late mancat Vinny Blackwhisker!! You might remember him from posts a little over a year ago. Can you imagine?

Anyway, here's the excerpt from when she finds the former headmaster of the parish school dead outside her door and runs to get Father Jack. He's in the middle of a celebration in the Arms' atrium and is alarmed when he sees her trying to get his attention, agitated and very upset:

(The following is copyrighted material from the book HIGH FEATHER by J.R. MACKENZIE)

Chapter 8


The Body
           
    Jack took Patsy’s elbow and steered her into the hall.
    “What is it?”
   With head shaking, the elderly woman gestured for Jack to follow.  There was no one around, everyone still inside enjoying the last few minutes of the night’s festivities.
    Having the priest now by her side did nothing to calm Patsy. She looked up at him and said, “I just killed someone!”
    With calming hand on her shoulder and heart in his mouth, he said, “Patsy, that’s impossible. Tell me what happened.”
    As they made their way toward her apartment, she went back to the very beginning of the evening. “Well, after everyone arrived, I closed up the cloakroom and I had my dinner. Then, I got up to use the bathroom at my place since it’s right here on the first floor—“
    They rushed past closed doors, windows looking out onto the courtyard and darkened benches.
    The priest was trying to catch his breath. “Patsy, slow down!”
    About halfway to their destination, Jack could see a shock of hair partially hidden and the sole of a shoe facing him. He reached for her hand. It was like ice.
    As they approached the alcove, it was clear a man was lying in the darkness. His body was contorted, neck twisted. Jack was no expert, but he had seen the departed too many times not to know when he was facing death.
    “My Fred!” Patsy sobbed at his side.
    It was hard to see who it was. As he knelt down and reached for the man’s wrist, still warm, he stared into the face of the former headmaster of the parish school, their honored guest for the evening, their new friend; but certainly not Fred, as Patsy claimed. Jack paled and, dropping the man’s hand, arose and stood back.
    “My Fred!” she repeated. “It’s all his fault!”
    Confused, the priest shook his head. He had no words. The poor woman was obviously in shock, standing behind the priest, as if he were a shield to protect her from some unknown evil lying before them. She was whimpering words unintelligible.
    “Patsy,” he began, moving so he could put his arm around her shoulders,“Your Fred has been dead a long time, now. He had nothing to do with this, and neither did you."
    Jack himself bringing up her late husband’s name only increased the anguish and brought on more tears. “You don’t understand!”
    “Patsy, dear, you are confused and in shock.” He patted her head as the woman pressed her face into his jacket like a child. He could feel the rhythm of her jerking motions against his pocket. He pulled out a handkerchief and a half-eaten bar of chocolate.
    As he glanced down the hall where they had just come, he saw a couple of people step out of the atrium. They looked curiously in his direction, moving to stand over by the coatroom.
    The only thing the priest wanted to do right now was get her out of sight.
    “Patsy, Patsy.. it’s all right. Let’s get you inside.”
    He reached over to her condo door which was open, and entered. She was still clinging to him.
    “Go over, sit the hell down.” He felt like he was being choked by a vine that wouldn’t let go. “I’ll take care of this—“
    “I’m so sorry. So sorry.”
    “Patsy, it’s not your fault.” He added, under his breath, “Nor his.”
    Jack deposited her on the couch, gave her a glass of water which she left sitting on the coffee table, then returned to the hall.
    He pulled out his cell phone and punched in the emergency number. “Yes, I need an ambulance right away.” He gave the address and exactly where they could come in with the least commotion. “And, please, no sirens approaching the school!”
    The next call Jack made was to his best friend on the force, Detective Lieutenant Ed Bryson. He had his private number and made quick work of filling him in.
    “Yeah, Ed, a fine kettle of fish. Patsy claims her husband who’s already dead just murdered our newest resident.”

***********

 About the feathers:

At the same time the police, Will and Jack are attempting to solve the mystery, Will is trying to put together a celebrity auction to raise money. An independent theater and film star, known for her red feather boa reaches out to Patsy and helps clear her name. I know EXACTLY what happened all along, and I find a way to help the feathered thespian and Patsy connect.  I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING MORE!





One more thing:

It's only going to be published on Kindle, available for the sum of what you might put in the poor box. Meanwhile, there'll be snippets of the book here for your reading pleasure :)

Coming soon!

ONLY IF:

Mom Julie gives me extra treats (chick-hen, skipjack tuna or nip) in exchange for the free publicity on MY BLOG!!

--Tom















26 comments:

Unknown said...

I got chills and excitement. Wow - can't wait to read it - but only in the daylight as I would not want to have nightmares about murders.

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

Hi Tom !
Me and mommie liked the excerpt from your mommies book <3

Marg said...

That sounds like a great book. We will have to start saving our green papers. Take care.

Brian's Home Blog said...

WOW! Tehanks for sharing that part, twas really, really good! Have a happy weekend everyone!

Hannah and Lucy said...

We have been looking behind us in case the killer is there!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Marilia said...

Really a great book!!!
I´m feeling!
Kisses

Random Felines said...

that was a good one....mom is gonna have to look into that. and we agree that publicity rights can be sold for high quality treats. :)

Tamago said...

Ohhh very exciting and mysterious! I wonder what's going on in Patsy's mind! The book sounds great!

Julia Williams said...

I am sure you will get those extra treats! It's only a fair trade for that great free publicity. Sounds like a really good story!

Kat said...

Wow! I'm looking forward to reading the book, it's suspensful and exciting and I just love it!
Your pal,
Sherlock

Kat said...

I can't wait to read the book!
xoxo
your pal Sherlock

Anonymous said...

Way cool!!!!!

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Extra treats for publicity? What a deal!!

Old Kitty said...

Ooooh how intriguing!! Poor Patsy!! Poor Fred!!! Poor Jack who has to solve this fiendish mystery!! Yay!!!

All the best with mum's book lovely Tom!! Take care
x

Cara n Crew said...

Tom, you are such a tease! :)
we are all ready hooked and can't wait for the book. will it be available for Nook too?

Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

The Island Cats said...

Tom, our mom has a Kindle now so she can't wait to get this book!!

The Daily Pip said...

My assistant just happens to have a Kindle! We will definitely check it out!

Your pal, Pip

The Furries of Whisppy said...

Kindle is NOT allowed in our country! :(
We hope Mom Julie gave you the extra treats you deserve!

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Whisppy, my furriends & mom,

So sorry to hear that about Kindle in your country..
who knew?

We might just try something else..mmmm..

Mom Julie & Tom

Sage said...

That has to be the BESTEST tantalizing snippet ever. Tom, you have a very talented Mom.

Mommm, you have to come read this and get this on your Kindle...I want to hear what happens. I just know you'll read it to me, right?

Your pal, Sage

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We don't have kindle, but it sounds very exciting.

meowmeowmans said...

Awesome! We LOVE it, Tom and Mom Julie!!! We can hardly wait for High Feather to be available ... we are buying it for sure!

Big hugs to you both, and to Tinker, Mitty and Anastasia, too. :)

Unknown said...

Great Story! Mommy wants to knows when it comes out in print as she wants another autographed copy!
Kisses
Nellie

Cathy Keisha said...

Whoa! You got me hooked. Wonder if Julie would be innerested in reading my Aunt Pauline's latest book cos I'm sure she'd want to read this book.

Shaggy and Scout said...

Oh gosh we are late getting here what with the people being out of town & all. The excerpt is very intriguing and will definitely buy if for our kindle to go right with your other book!

Oui Oui said...

We really like the quandary of someone with Alzheimer's committing murder. How clever!

Thank you for your very kind reflections and condolences on the passing of my mother. I never realized just what her loss meant to me, but its the compassion of friends that help make it bearable. Thank you and God bless you.

Purrs,
Paula & The Twinkletoe Tails Gang