About this ebook
Nothing bad ever happens in Ponderosa Pines.
That’s what anonymous gossip columnist Chloe LaRue and her best friend, town matriarch EV Torrence, always believed—until Luther Plunkett, a handyman with big opinions and bigger complaints, loudly challenges local building regulations and promptly turns up dead.
In a town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, a murder has a way of snowballing fast—especially when EV was seen arguing with the victim in front of half the population. Before the body even gets cold, EV becomes suspect number one, and not even Chloe’s well-honed gossip instincts can stop the rumor mill from grinding into overdrive.
As tensions rise, old grudges resurface, and the town divides more fiercely than it has since the founders argued over whether to name it Ponderosa Valley or Whispering Pines. Against the wishes of Detective Nate Harper and Deputy Dalton Burnsoll, Chloe and EV decide to do what the police won’t—dig for the truth themselves.
But in a town built on secrets, poking around might uncover more than just a killer. It could expose the kind of truths that shake a community to its core.
Cat Killed A Rat is the first book in the Ponderosa Pines cozy mystery series.
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries by Donna Andrews, Bailey Cates, Jenn McKinlay, and readers who enjoy quirky small towns, sharp wit, and lighthearted mysteries with heart.
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About the author
ReGina Welling writes cozy mysteries filled with quirky small towns, sharp humor, and characters who know far too much about one another’s business.
As co-author of the Ponderosa Pines Mysteries, she delights in gossip-fueled investigations, unexpected friendships, and communities where nothing bad is supposed to happen—and then murder shows up anyway. Her stories blend classic cozy mystery elements with wit, warmth, and a strong sense of place.
ReGina lives in Maine, where she draws inspiration from tight-knit towns, strong personalities, and the idea that secrets never stay secret for long.
Erin Lynn writes cozy mysteries that celebrate friendship, humor, and small towns where everyone knows your name—and your secrets.
As co-author of the Ponderosa Pines Mysteries, she brings a love of character-driven storytelling to tales of amateur sleuths, escalating gossip, and mysteries that ripple through an entire community. Her work balances lighthearted fun with the darker truths that often hide beneath friendly smiles.
Erin lives in Maine, where she writes stories inspired by close communities, unlikely detectives, and the trouble that starts when curiosity gets the better of good intentions.
