Wednesday 18 May 2016

out of the batter bowl

"LOOK OUT!" Rushton yelled as Seville walked past the kitchen door. Seville turned in the direction of his brother's voice just in time to receive a paw-full of goopy, gooey, pasty batter in his face.

"What the mouses?" Seville sputtered, spitting out lumps of batter as he spoke.  "What the mouses are you two long-haired marmie boys up to?"

"Sorry about that," Anderson apologized, padding over to Seville.  He wiped what batter he could from Seville's face with a paw.  Drawing the paw to his mouth, he sniffed.  Then he licked it and screwed up his face. "Tastes good, Rushy, but you were right.  It is kind of lumpy."

Seville looked from Anderson to Rushton and then back to Andy once again.  "I'll ask once more. What the mouses are you two up to?  Whose idea was this here food fight, anyway?  I thought you were working on your book reports for Kitty Lit. 101!  You know, your reports about Linda Reilly's latest book, Out of the Dying Pan."

"We were.  I mean, we are," Rushton answered, rather matter of factly.

"It's true, Seville," piped up Andy.  "We're doing what one calls a reenactment of one of the scenes in the book.  Checking out how realistic it is and stuff."

"Turns out the scene was very realistic," added Rushton.  "I can totally see something like that escalating to flying batter and things, just like in the book.  Andy and I proved it and everything."

Seville rolled his eyes before saying, "When Peep #1 finds out about this..."

"Oh she already knows," explained Andy.  "Said something about us driving her crazy which is absolutely ridiculous as neither one of us can drive."

Seville pursed his lips, partially closed his eyes allowing them to glaze over, and shuddered.

"You okay there, bro?" Andy asked.  Without waiting for a response he continued with, "So anyway, now that we've proven that the book's batter scene in the kitchen really could happen..."

"Which we already knew but simply felt the need to prove," added Rushton.

"Now we can go type up our reports for Professor Lyon," finished Anderson.  "You have yours done already, Seville?"

"Had mine done ages ago and it's a good thing, too, 'cause I'm looking at this kitchen and thinkin' that SOMEONE is gonna have to do a little cleaning."

"I think Peep #1 will clean it up when she gets back from crazy, wherever that is," said Andy.

Rushton stared at Seville for a moment before asking, "Don't you want to know why we needed to do this reenactment, Seville?"

"Uh actually...  NO."

"Sure you do.  Don't you think Seville wants to know, Andy? Don't answer that, Anderson.  It was what one calls a rhetorical question," and Rushton settled back on his haunches before continuing.  "Anyway, Andy and I were discussing the various relationships in Linda Reilly's latest book, Out of the Dying Pan.  The various relationships between the characters and stuff."

"And by stuff," Anderson butted in, "he means food.  Deep fried food like fish as, as you know, the main character Talia owns and operates a restaurant serving such things.  Things like fish.  And meatballs too!"  Anderson turned to Rushton to add, "We need to try making those Deep Fried Meatballs, Rushy.  Recipe is in the back of the book."

"As I was saying," Rushton scowled at his brother, "the book has a lot of relationships.  Some fairly simple and others far more complex.  Relationships between the various characters and..."

"And food.  Don't forget the food," Andy reminded Rushy.  "But also scarves."

Seville sat down, closed his eyes, and lay his head in his paws.  "I can't believe these two cats are my brothers," he muttered.  "Clearly, they were adopted."

"Andy does have a point about the scarves," Rushton agreed.  "There are two scarves.  The smoky smelly one that Martha is always wearing and then the.. uh..  the murder weapon.  You know, the one Talia made for her grandmother."

"Which is another relationship," Anderson said.  "You know, the relationship Talia had with her grandmother when she was growing up.  How she loved her and made her that lovely scarf as a gift..."

"Which then showed up with the victim, before the victim was an actual victim," continued Rushton. "That has got to make one wonder if there was a relationship between the victim and Talia, right?  Might even make the police look at Talia as the killer."

"Yeah," Andy butted in, "because Talia already had a relationship with the police.  After all, she did find a dead body in Linda Reilly's first book, not long before Out of the Dying Pan takes place. This is the second time she has done that so when you think about it, she's developing a rather interesting association - or relationship - with the police.  And then there's the relationships between the victim and Talia and the victim and her mother and the victim and..."

"And the relationships between the shop owners with one another," added Rushton.  "Also the relationships between Talia and her adorable calico kitty and then that Siamese kitty and the victim had a relationship which leads to the exposure of some other relationships and...  Oh!  And keep in mind, all of these relationships are exposed throughout the book, one at a time, so you never know which ones are simply fun or interesting or related to the crime.  Plus, the relationships make the storyline multi-dimensional."

"Excuse me," Seville interjected, "but can someone please explain what all of this has to do with your whipping up a batch of batter and having a food fight in the kitchen?  Anyone? Anyone at all?"

"Um..." and Rushton looked upwards at the ceiling.  "Oh wow.  Look at that.  Which one of us threw batter all the way up there?  It hit the fan and everything."

Anderson looked down at a paw and began to study a claw with great concentration.

Rushton scratched behind an ear.  "Well we really just wanted to see what being in a food fight would be like as neither one of us had ever been in one before.  Ours went a little further..."

Andy tapped Rushton on a shoulder.  "Actually, ours went a lot further than the one in the book.  No batter hit the ceiling in Out of the Dying Pan."

"True," Rushton nodded in agreement.  "But at the time, it seemed like a good experience to have. And you have to admit, Seville, that the characters involved in the smaller and..."  He gazed about the kitchen.  "...and not nearly so messy incident in the book did all share relationships both to Talia and to one another and..."

"THERE WERE NO FOOD FIGHTS IN THE BOOK!" Seville hollered.

"But there was that scene involving some arguing and batter and some of the batter did end up on someone's shoe."

"MOUSES!" cried Seville.

"No, there were no mice Seville," Andy frowned.

Seville slapped a paw to his mouth.  "Tell me you didn't..."

"Didn't what?" asked Rushton.

"Tell me you didn't go and get your lumpy batter on that extra-special, super-duper autographed copy of Out of the Dying Pan that Linda Reilly offered to GIVE AWAY to one of the readers of my blog.  Where is it?  Andy?  Rushy?" and Seville looked frantically around the kitchen.  "With all this batter flying about...  WE CAN'T GIVE AWAY A DAMAGED COPY!"

"Don't be ridiculous," chastised Rushton.  "We wouldn't do a thing like that.  The autographed copy of Out of the Dying Pan is tucked safely away, where it will remain until your blog's GIVEAWAY is over and someone wins it.  We would never let it get damaged in our little food fight.  NEVER."


"Little?" and Andy raised an eyebrow.

"Little," Rushton answered firmly.  "And that's exactly what you will say if questioned by the peeps.  Got that?"

"Got it," Anderson nodded before turning to his other brother.  "Seville, you really should tell everyone about the giveway.  Tell them how to enter and stuff.  Your readers will want to know.  Or...  Or do you want me to do it? I can, you know.  I can definitely do that.  Here goes."

                                  ****************************************

Linda Reilly is giving away an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Out of the Dying Pan to one lucky reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post before midnight, Atlantic time, on Sunday May 29th, 2016.  The winner will be selected by random drawing on Monday May 30th.  Contest is open world-wide, unless prohibited by law.  No purchase necessary.

                                  ****************************************
Out of the Dying Pan is the second book in the Deep Fried Mystery Series written by Seville's pal, Linda Reilly, and published as a Prime Crime Mystery by the Berkley Publishing Group, a division of the Penguin Group.  Connect on-line with Linda through her website, Linda Reilly, or on her Facebook page, Author Linda Reilly.  The cover picture of Linda's book was used with the permission of none other than Linda Reilly, herself.

                                  ****************************************

Disclaimer:  We received no monetary compensation for this post.  Linda Reilly is giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader but we cats bought our own copies for Kitty Lit. 101.  Also, all opinions are our own.  MOUSES!

51 comments:

  1. Seems like there are more relationships than batter, or was it the other ways around? Here's hoping peep does switch the fan on anytime soon, it could get messy, again! purrs Erin

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    1. Relationships keep a book interesting, don't you think? Character development and all. And batter keeps our kitchen interesting, for sure. MOUSES!

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  2. guys.....miss treez, food, & cats.....now yur talkin grate reedz !!! de book soundz total lee awesum, thanx for sharin bout it & best fishes two everee one az well ♥♥♥☺☺☺

    N guys....ya dinna heer thiz frum uz...but bee for ya kleen de batter off de ceeling fan....throw sum perch up ther sew it landz...just sew......hit de on switch two de fan... & waa laa....deep fried perch...just...like ....that.... ♥♥♥

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    1. What a great idea! I'll go see if we have some perch, right now. purrs

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  3. A little batter splatter sounds lots better than a bladder spatter!

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  4. Great story and great review boys. Entertainin' as always.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi

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  5. MOL! That is one original way to do a book review!

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    1. Hopin' Professor Lyon will take originality into account and give me an A. purrs

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  6. Hehehe you guys want some help in cleaning up?xx Speedy

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    1. No need. Thanks so very much for the offer but Peep #1 has it in paw, for sure. purrs

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  7. Oh Seville, you cats had me ROFLMAO!!!! I can remember food fights as a youngster in school, but this was way too funny!! I think you might want to get your batter problem cleaned up before the Peeps find it and you cats have to go sit in a corner for the night. . . but it sounds like all of you had fun!! Will definitely have to check these books out!! Thanks for the info!! kitty kisses and head bonkies from my Clan to yours!! ♥♥♥

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    1. But if there should be nip in that corner, I'm all for a time out there, for sure. purrs

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  8. Oh man a book giveaway?? A cosy mystery giveaway?? We. Are. In.

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    1. And you are! Got your name down for the draw, for sure. purrs

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  9. WOW......first of all what a great "hint/preview" of the new book by Miss Linda - you sure have peaked my interest! Secondly, that food fight looked like fun and if I had another kitty in the house I'd be figuring out a way to get a food fight started. Tee Hee......you all are too much!

    Love and Hugs, Sammy

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    1. If you like, I can teleport on over and we can have some food fight fun. purrs

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  10. Food Fight...I'm in...sounds purrfectly fun...fish and batter...catnip to me.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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    1. Oohhh... Deep Fried Catnip Fish! Sounds like a winning recipe, for sure!!! purrs

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  11. So loved todays post Seville! MOL MOL

    Great review too, I'll be getting the P.A. to add this book to her list - she loves cozy mysteries! :D

    Purrs

    Basil xox

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    1. And I just KNOW your P.A. will love THIS book, for sure. purrs

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  12. Ha, great review! Great giveaway, too!

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    1. Thanks so much! Got your name entered in the draw, for sure. purrs

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  13. I've said it before and I'll say it again, your book reports are just brilliant. I haven't read my copy yet...GASP what am I waiting for???

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    1. What ARE you waiting for? It's a great book, Mudpie. You're gonna love it, for sure. purrs

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  14. This sounds like another book Mom Paula needs to put on her list to read when she retires.

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    1. It sure does! She's gonna love it. I just know it! purrs

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  15. Alexandra Miller20 May 2016 at 05:16

    How entertaining!

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    1. The book really, really is. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it, for sure. purrs

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  16. Now I've heard of you know what hit the fan and of peeps hitting the ceiling, but batter? You are most definitely talented, boys! Keep up the good work, but please, please try not to send peep#1 crazy, even if you can't drive ;)
    lots of love from England
    Heidi
    xxx

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    1. Yes apparently, batter CAN hit the fan if you throw it high enough and hard enough to outwit that ol' Mr. Gravity. purrs

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  17. Oh! Oh! Oh!
    A re-enactment!!! That's way cooler than a book report...
    WHAT!!!. Mommy? Yous does not agree???
    What does yous mean batter is tough t cleans....
    PEEPS!!!!
    Well, Bravo! Mes LOVED it!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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    1. Turns out your mum is right. Batter is tough to clean. But Peep #1 managed to clean it up anyway and for sure. purrs

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  18. This sounds like a great book, I think, I got distracted when you said there was a recipe for deep fried meatballs. That sounds really good. Great report, I think you should do them more often.

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    1. There is! The recipe for those meatballs is in the back of the book. purrs

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    2. Oohhh... Started reading the next book on my Kitty Lit. 101 reading list last night so there should be another report next month. purrs

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  19. Lol! Sounds like a fun read!

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    1. Oh my gosh, it really was. A MUST-read, for sure. purrs

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  20. Mommy would love to have a copy of this book. Especially to read to her sweet baby (ME) during Mommy and Me Time.

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    1. Does your mum read to you a lot? That's really sweet. purrs

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  21. Sounds like a fun book. Another new-to me author. Thaks for the opportunity.

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    1. Oh it is! IT IS! So happy I was able to introduce Linda's books to you. purrs

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  22. I'm a first time reader of your blog & found it very entertaining! Thank you for a chance to win!
    Sandy Todd
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}Com

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    1. I just LOVE it when someone tells me they enjoy my blog. THANK YOU!!! purrs

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  23. Cool I love Cozies! Thanks for the chance! The book sounds really interesting and fun to read!!!!! Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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  24. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome review and giveaway post. I would love to curl up with my catbabies and read it!

    brookeb811 at gmail.com

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    1. It's such a great book! I just know you and your fur-babies would love it, for sure. purrs

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I love hearin' from my pals. I really, REALLY do. PURRS.