Hi, cozy reader friends! This is DeAnna Drake, author of the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mysteries, and I’m thrilled to be celebrating the newest book in the series—Blackmail and Kitty Tails!
The confetti’s flying all over my writing room, the celebratory tea is steeping, and Aneksi… well, she’s napping in a cozy corner after graciously allowing me to take center stage today. (She says she’s already famous enough, thank you very much.)
Since this is the fifth book in the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series, I thought it was the purr-fect time to answer a question I get a lot:
Why a talking cat?
Or, more specifically…
Why Aneksi?
The short answer: because cozy mysteries are so much more fun with a little magic and a lot of whiskers.
But the long answer? Let’s dig into it, shall we?
She’s More Than a Sidekick
Aneksi isn’t just there to add charm (though she has that in abundance). She’s a confidante, a protector, and a centuries-old magical being with a surprising amount of wisdom—and sass. She challenges Rebecca when she’s too impulsive, comforts her when the world feels too heavy, and sometimes topples over a statue or two just to keep things interesting.
Let’s be honest: Rebecca couldn’t solve these crimes on her own. She needs Aneksi’s help.
She Sees What Others Don’t
Aneksi has the uncanny ability to sniff out secrets—literal and metaphorical. She notices suspicious behavior, senses cursed artifacts, and has a sixth sense about danger. Plus, her low- to-the-ground perspective means she’s always finding things hidden in shadows, under tables, or inside unsuspecting tote bags.
When you’re hunting down a murderer armed with a cursed Egyptian dagger, having a clever cat at your side isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
She Keeps the Tone Light (Even When the Stakes Are Deadly)
Cozies are all about balance. There’s murder, sure—but there’s also humor, heart, and the comfort of a community that rallies around its own. Aneksi is my favorite way to inject levity into even the tensest scenes. Whether she’s curling up in an ancient sarcophagus or hypnotizing someone into spilling a secret, she keeps things delightfully off-kilter.
She also has a gift for saying what the rest of us are thinking—and with more cattitude.
She’s a Link to the Past—and the Future
Aneksi’s magical roots stretch all the way back to Cleopatra’s court, and while that might sound like ancient history, it means she carries a unique knowledge of the world that helps Rebecca understand the cursed artifacts they face. But she’s not stuck in the past. She’s adjusting to small-town California life just fine—thank you very much—and if she has to help solve a murder or two to protect her new home, so be it.
So, why talking cats?
Because they remind us that friendship can come in unexpected forms.
Because they say what we sometimes can’t.
And because they make solving crimes a whole lot cozier.
If you haven’t met Aneksi yet, now’s the perfect time. Blackmail and Kitty Tails is out today, and I can’t wait for you to dive into this glitzy, twisty, claw-sharpened mystery.
Get it at AMAZON | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW7X65W1
Also…
Don’t miss my Publication Celebration with 6 days of special bonus content giveaways for subscribers. Not a subscriber yet? Join the fun here: https://DeAnnaDrake.com/join
With cozy vibes and purring gratitude,
DeAnna
About the Author
DeAnna Drake is an award-winning author who writes witty and whimsical cozy mysteries filled with magical animals and feisty heroines who are always striving to balance the scales of justice in an offbeat world.
Under different names, DeAnna writes young-adult fantasy fiction, contemporary romances, and historical novels set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
When she isn’t plotting new adventures for her characters, she’s a craft addict, drinks too much tea, binge watches crime dramas, and escapes to Disneyland whenever she can.
She lives in Southern California with her family, which includes her two favorite people and one ridiculously pampered border collie. Learn more at https://DeAnnaDrake.com.
