Karen Kijewski: Kat Scratch Fever (USA 1998)

From the Publisher:
"KAT COLORADO IS A PRIVATE EYE WITH A SENSE OF FUN AND BRAINS TO SPARE." -- The New York Times Book Review
"CLEVER SLEUTHING... A GREAT SETUP... Kijewski writes with wit and fine pacing, and Kat remains invigorating company." -- Publishers Weekly

Award-winning author Karen Kijewski returns with a thrilling new novel featuring Kat Colorado, "the quintessential female P.I." (Booklist) When a Sacramento attorney commits suicide-and Kat finds a video suggesting he's been blackmailed-she's determined to identify the extortionist. Oddly, though, the culprit seems to have a charitable streak-ordering victims to make their payments to Hope for Kids, an organization that helps handicapped children. And when Kat also uncovers an embezzlement scheme that's skimming from the charity's funds, the puzzle grows more complex-and the case more deadly...

"A TOUGH, FLIP, INTELLIGENT PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR... Part of the joy of a visit with the smart-mouthed Kat is the cast of characters that accompanies her through the pages." -- The Washington Times

"KAT COLORADO REMAINS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST, FASTEST-TALKING GIRL GUMSHOES, managing the usual feisty female Pl stuff with more than usual flair and humor... Kat and her pals may be just the crowd you want to curl up with on the chaise this summer." -- Rocky Mountain News

Karen Kijewski: Kat Scratch Fever. Berkley Books, ISBN: 0425163393 (June, 1998), 349 p., $6.99.

Karen Kijewski: Kat Scratch Fever (UK 1997)

From the Publisher:
The Christmas season doesn't look too festive for Pl Kat Colorado when prominent Sacramento lawyer James Randolph commits suicide while under her surveillance. Moved by his death and by his young widow's inconsolable grief, Kat determines to find the key to his suicide.

But Randolph - the victim of a vicious blackmailer - is just the tip of a dangerous iceberg. And when a sleazy journalist - gets hold of the story, Kat finds a number of very scared people coming forward. By chasing leads, turning on the charm and twisting a few arms, Kat identifies a web of deceit of frightening proportions. And as she gets closer to her quarry, the blackmailer turns up the heat, resorting to violence that threatens Kat, her friends, her family and everything she holds dear...

Don't miss Karen Kijewski's previous Kat Colorado mysteries available from Headline.

'An intriguing mystery... an engaging heroine' -- The Sunday Times
'Karen Kijewski... deserves to stand alongside writers such as Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky' -- Daily Mirror
'Hugely enjoyable' Daily Telegraph
'A seamless syncopation of sleuth and setting that will have mystery buffs recalling Grafton and Paretsky' -- Booklist
'Kat Colorado puts the spark in Karen Kijewski's bright mysteries' -- New York Times

Karen Kijewski: Kat Scratch Fever. A Kat Colorado Mystery. Headline, ISBN: 0747254753 (November, 1997), 343 p., £5.99.

Karen Kijewski: Kat Scratch Fever (USA 1997)

From the Publisher:
Kat Colorado, "one of the toughest and toughest-talking of the new breed of female investigators" (Los Angeles Times), investigates a suicide and discovers a trail of blackmail, betrayal, and blood that ends on her doorstep.

When prominent Sacramento attorney James Randolph suddenly commits suicide while under surveillance by Kat, she is stunned by the shocking images that confront her. Moved by the poignancy of his life, and the circumstances of his ing Randolph's past to find the key to his suicide.

But Randolph, the victim of a vicious blackmailer, is just the tip of a very dangerous iceberg, and his death has far-reaching consequences in the community. Reporter J.O. Edwards is also intrigued by the suicide; an article he writes sets off a chain reaction, which encourages another of the blackmailer's victims to come forward. By chasing leads, finessing her contacts, and twisting a few arms, Kat -- with J.O. on her heels -- identifies a pattern, a web of deceit of rightening proportions. As Kat comes closer to her quarry, the blackmailer turns up the heat, resorting to brutal physical violence, threatening Kat, her friends, her family, and everything she holds dear.

Karen Kijewski has again written *a mature, multidimensional story that mbines humor, pathos, suspense, and st-paced action* (Bookist). With Kat Scratch Fever, she delivers another novel of provocative twists and high-tension suspense and solidifies her position as one of today's best mystery writers.

Karen Kijewski is the triple award-winning author of seven previous Kat Colorado thrillers, including Honky Tonk Kat and Alley Kat Blues. She lives in Sacramento.

Karen Kijewski: Kat Scratch Fever. Putnam's, ISBN: 0399142452 (June, 1997), 323 p., $22.95.