Sunday 21 September 2014

the marmie vagabond

"How's the ol' book report comin' along there, Sivvers?" asked Nissy as he padded into the room. "You finished, yet?"

Seville triumphantly pulled a sheet of paper from the typewriter with a flourish.  "All done. Whew that was hard but I'm really pleased with the result.  Pretty sure Professor Lyon will give me an A on it.  Maybe even an A plus."  Seville sat back on his haunches, smiling to himself with satisfaction.

"Lemme see that, Sivvers," and Nissy snatched the paper from Seville's paw.  "I'll check for spellin'...  MOUSES!  That's not a book report, Seville.  What were you thinkin'?"

"Of course it's a book report, Niss.  It's MY book report."  Seville paused in thought.  "Should I have added the name of the book?  Maybe I should have added the name..."

"And a whole whack of other stuff, too, Seville."  Nerissa stared down at the piece of paper he held in his paw and what was written on it.  It's a book about me.  About me, Seville.  The end.

"Seville, it's like one sentence.  MOUSES!"

"No way, bro.  Look closely at all those periods," and Seville pointed each one out to Nerissa. "Three periods.  That means, three sentences.  Of course, that's assuming the words 'the end' count as a complete sentence.

Nissy shook his head in disbelief.  There weren't enough cries of MOUSES! in the world to cover this sort of incompetence.

Nerissa glanced around, noticing the multitude of crumpled-up papers strewn about the room.  "You went through all that paper just to type three sentences?"

"Had some typos," Seville explained.

Nissy rolled his eyes.  Sighing loudly, he began, "First of all, you've gotta prove your point.  Secondly, I'm not sure your point is even valid."

Narrowing his eyes, Seville asked, "You saying you don't think your pal Leann Sweeney wrote The Cat, the Vagabond and the Victim about me? REALLY?  Well I beg to differ, Niss.  I was clearly the inspiration for the main character, Clyde."

Nissy squinted at Seville, uttering a loud, "Huh?"

Seville stuck out a claw and stated, "Clyde is a marmalade cat, just like me."  Revealing a second claw, he said, "He's also a big marmalade cat...  just like me.  I weighed in at sixteen pounds last doctor's appointment."  A third claw emerged and he added, "Plus, he's a vagabond."

"You even know what the word vagabond means, Sivvers?" Nissy asked.

"Of course I do!" Seville scowled.  "Means he moved about.  Wandered.  Clyde travelled two hundred miles, all on his own, just to get back to his house.  That makes him a vagabond."

"I, too, was a vagabond," continued Seville.  "Remember?  I arrived here one December day after wandering for miles and miles upon..."

"Peeps think you got stuck in a movin' van and were brought here accidentally," Nissy interrupted. "You didn't wander on your own to get home.  You just landed on our doorstep and made yourself at home.  MOUSES!"

"Point is, I vagabonded," Seville muttered.  "Ummm...  moved about.   Not sure vagabonded is a word, to be honest."

"Seville, the marmie cat in Leann's book is super smart."

"MORE proof that Clyde was inspired by me," smirked Seville.

"Not exactly, Sivvers," and Nissy pursed his lips together.  "As I was sayin', Clyde is super smart. He's really the hero of the whole book. Not only does he solve the crime but it's because of him, that everyone figures out that a crime has even been committed."

"What do you mean by not exactly, Niss?  You insinuating I'm not super smart?"

"Not exactly insinuatin' it, Sivvers.  Anywho...  If it weren't for Clyde there would be no story," continued Nerissa.  "Clyde knows somethin' is up and travels all those miles only to find that the person he loves more than anyone in the world has died.  I must admit, had a few tears in my eyes when I read 'bout that."

"Me too, Niss.  But then Clyde became so famous and everyone wanted to meet him.  That's when he ended up staying with Jillian, right?  Clyde got to meet Merlot, Chablis and Syrah.  Lucky guy. Those cats are really cool."

"They sure are.  Jillian is pretty cool, too.  She kept Clyde safe from the press at first and then from the bad guys."

And speakin' of bad guys," continued Nissy, "I didn't have a clue about who the killer was until it was revealed.  I couldn't figure out the murder at all.  Leann's really good 'bout keepin' a reader in suspense.  It's like that in all her books."

"I know this is off-topic but what did you think about the GPS stuff?" Seville asked his brother.

"Oh gosh, that had me worried.  Don't need the peeps gettin' ideas like that.  Gonna have to have a little chat with Leann 'bout that.  Imagine tellin' the whole world there's such a thing as a GPS collar for cats?"

"I know!" exclaimed Seville.  "Peep #1 has threatened to use one of those on Tess more than once. I always thought she was joking as I didn't know they actually existed but it looks like Tess might be in for a surprise.  Has the peep read the book yet?"

"Yup," sighed Nissy in reply.  "Read the part 'bout the collars and everythin'.  MOUSES!"

"If the peeps put one of those collars on you, Niss, they'll figure out exactly where your chipmunk pals are living."

Nerissa's eyes grew wide and again he cried, "MOUSES!"

"You put that in your book report for Professor Lyon, Niss?"

"Not the stuff 'bout the GPS collars, no.  Not the stuff 'bout you bein' the inspiration for Clyde, either," and Nerissa rolled his eyes once more.  "But some of the other stuff, sure."

Seville hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you really think my report should be a little longer?  You really think the one I wrote won't get an A?"

"I really think we need to get you some more paper for that typewriter.  On second thought, why don't you come on over to my desk and we'll work on this together.  You can use my computer.  Perhaps we'll save a forest or somethin'," and Nerissa kicked a balled-up piece of paper across the room, with a paw.  "You sure do make a lot of typos.  All those typos and only three measly little sentences," and he hopped up onto his chair, shaking his head in dismay.

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

The Cat, the Vagabond and the Victim is the sixth book in the Cats in Trouble Series written by the National Bestselling Author, Leann Sweeney and published as an Obsidian Mystery, a trademark of the Penguin Group.  Connect on-line with Leann through her website, Leann Sweeney, Facebook page Author Leann Sweeney or on Twitter at @LeannSweeney  The cover picture of Leann's book was used with the permission of - you guessed it - Leann Sweeney.

28 comments:

  1. Thank you for this great blog! So entertaining. And most of all thanks for loving Clyde and friends!

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    1. Of COURSE we loved Clyde! Clyde is one super loveable guy. purrs

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  2. Hehehehehe....I hate to say it Nissy but Sivvers sounds a bit like Waffles in his logic...hehehe is it a orange thing?hehehe,xx Speedy

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  3. this was adorable! and that is an excellent book.

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  4. Glad you got that Siwers all straightened out Nissy. Sounds like you are going to get him on the right path. That does look like a great book . Take care.

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  5. That sounds like a great book! We's a little worried the mom bean might get ideas about the GPS collars....but we should be okay since don'ts get to go outside furry much.

    Time to find that credit card of hers, MOL

    Sasha, Sami, & Saku

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  6. It looks like a great book ! Purrs

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  7. We need more Sivver's reviews!
    The REAL Maple Syrup Mob xxxxx

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  8. That sounds like an exciting book! And that report was...um..... interesting.

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  9. That sounds like a great book guys! Thanks for the um, expanded, review. Hope you expanded YOUR report Sivvers so you get that A!
    Marty

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  10. Sounds like a great book, but the GPS collar has got me worried too.

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  11. I'm not sure Nissy! I think Sivvers is just succinct!! He gets right to the point. No messing about!! I like that! It saves time :) I might get the Staff to check out the book though!! ;) xox

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  12. We think that was one of the best book reports ever! It does sound most interesting!

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  13. Best book review ever. You two are so clever! Loved this post. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  14. Sounds like a great read- good job with the review you 2. http://15andmeowing.com

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  15. Wow, that was the most creative book report ever. Awesome job

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  16. Wow Nissy yous be serious 'bout dat schoolin'. Luv da story and yous all lookin' good.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi

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  17. After that review, this book is a must read! :)

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  18. Sivvers, it's all about us, too.

    heh.

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  19. Sounds like a great book!
    Oh Niss! You always crack me up!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  20. Wow what a great review, thank you for sharing!!

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  21. Hehehehe...that's a great book report, Seville. I think we think of you now when we're going to read it :D You have some pawsome desks and computers too, guys :) Pawkisses :)

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  22. Great book review. I am surprised you are not working on the computer and that will check your spelling for you.
    Thanks for stopping by and helping me celebrate my Blogoversary yesterday. Always fun to see and visit with you.

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  23. What a purrfect and hilarious book review! Seville, we think your book report is A+ worthy! ;)

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  24. Hiya Nissy, love todays post and I'll be getting the P.A. to buy that series asap - it sounds pawesome! Purrs Basil xox

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  25. Sivvers I think your book report started off strong, but languished near the end. Just add another period and it will be fine😊

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  26. Give Seville a break Nerissa. He does try hard. (and he is orange so... close to my fur)
    Dad first read us a 'Cat's in trouble mystery' way back when Leann Sweeny's first book came out. Got us into having him read to us nightly and we are a few hundred cat themed books past that first one. We will be sure to get this one!
    Timmy

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  27. Wow, that was one interesting book review (report). Hugs and nose kisses

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