Kat Out of the Bag by Wendy Kendall
About Author Wendy Kendall…
The result of Wendy Kendall’s passion for purses, mystery and romance is the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries published by The Wild Rose Press. Kat Out of the Bag, also published by Harlequin, introduces Katherine Watson purse designer/sleuth. As Katherine moves from designer bags to body bags, she’s uncovering clues to a murder. The exciting sequel is Don’t Shoot the Messenger Bag: It’s the perfect accessory to murder. The prequel, Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. Finalist for Best Suspense at Killer Nashville, Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For creates a tangle of mystery and love, raising suspicions about a teacher’s romantic new sweetheart. A summer rom-com, Cherry Shakes In The Park blends danger, divas, and frothy delights. Ribbons of love run through the holiday book, Heart of Christmas Cookies and Dreams. Wendy enjoys investigating the Pacific Northwest life, and she leaves a trail of her own clues as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, teacher at Seattle’s Hugo House, and syndicated columnist.
Twitter – @wendywrites1
Instagram – wendyekendall
This is a spotlight on “Kat Out of the Bag” by Wendy Kendall
Kat Out of the Bag Blurb
When celebrated international purse designer, Katherine Watson, hosts a gala for her Purse-onality Museum, she never expected the next day’s headline to read: ‘Murder at the Gala Premiere.’ But after a dead body is found during the event, that’s exactly what happened.
Working to solve the murder, Katherine matches wits with local cop Jason Holmes and his K-9 partner, Hobbs. Although Holmes and Watson disagree often, they discover an undeniable attraction building between them. But they’ll have to put their feelings on hold and focus on solving the murder, before Katherine becomes the killer’s next knock off.
What Readers can expect fromKat Out of the Bag
My protagonist Katherine Watson is a fashion icon, hard working person. Her eye for design detail helps in uncovering clues. She has an innate curiosity. She believes that bags people carry naturally reveal conscious and unconscious personality traits about that person, which she interprets. She finds and analyzes other clues too. She makes mistakes and recovers from them. She’s bold and overconfident. She’s lots of fun and has a great personality.
Katherine is surrounded by a supporting cast of amazing characters that often bring humor, always voice different points of view, and cheerfully support Katherine and each other in all endeavors. Although their well-meaning support is not always evident to Katherine.
Her must-have creations made Katherine Watson the purse designer for fashionistas, influencers and celebrities from coast to coast. She’s giving back to her hometown by launching the Purse-onality Museum, telling women’s history through historical purses. At the glittering opening, Katherine’s best friend and town mayor, Brenda, is found strangled by a purse chain.
Katherine launches her own investigation. Her mother Moonjava, who is inspired to live a hippie flower-power life, pitches in to help her daughter solve the mystery and to lead protests as needed. Katherine’s grandmother Pam, who never misses a good town story from the local coffee group, is readily available with additional clues.
As Katherine clashes with likely suspects, she analyzes murderous motives. Faced with bitter political and personal rivalries, decidedly unfashionable secrets, and an exclusive selection of lies, she’ll have to stop a cunning killer, or she may become the next knock off.
Kat Out of the Bag Purchase Links
An excerpt fromKat Out of the Bag…
“There’s an officer nearby. We’ll alert him. Hold the line.”
Katherine was worried by the operator’s monotone. Did she understand the urgency? Katherine watched in disbelief as the shadow figure moved toward the shed attached to the waterwheel. Too late, she thought to get a picture after the person disappeared inside the shed.
“Oh no,” Katherine muttered. She spoke into the phone, “Hurry. I think it’s the killer, maybe looking for something left behind? Hello?” Had the operator hung up?
“Yes, the officer is on the way. Please stay on the line.” The operator’s voice now sounded bored.
A sharp ray of light from inside the shed cut through the darkness. The light jumped around. Sweat collected on Katherine’s upper lip as she imagined the killer looking through her things for something, maybe critical evidence. Fear gave way to irritation at the invasion. Irritation gave way to anger. Someone had to stop that killer from removing whatever incriminating thing was so critical it had driven a return to the scene of the crime. Katherine wanted to scream. Where were the police? Maybe MJ was right about them. She pressed against the French doors. The light in the shed went out. Her breath caught in her throat. The silhouette walked out of the shed toward the alley leading to the maze that burrowed throughout Bayside and beyond.
Katherine spoke gruffly and fast, “Hello. Where’s your officer? The suspect is getting away.”
“Ma’am, please stay calm and hang on the line. They’re on the way.”
Katherine unlocked the door to the yard and whispered to the 911 operator, “I’m in pursuit.”
