About the Book

            

In her latest novel, Catherine introduces her junior detective, Jonathan Ellerman.

Jonathan's parents are not a happy couple. His father, Dillon, describes his wife Louise as a "nobody housewife with a nobody life with nothing to offer anybody." His scathing remarks are made to co-workers, friends, strangers; even to nine-year-old Jonathan.

Jonathan is Louise's best friend and champion, and soon he begins to understand the power these words have over his mother. A brilliant boy, Jonathan sets out to help his mother defend herself and regain her self esteem.

But there are more than mere words at work here. When Louise falls ill from a mysterious poisoning, Jonathan must find the right words to help his mother not only uncover her self respect, but before it's too late, uncover her murderer.

The Birth of a Story

The idea for this book came when I heard someone say "Watch your mouth!" The idea that words can get you in a lot of trouble stuck in my mind until the story took form. Louise isn't a mouse, she's just a nice person. And even though her husband treats her badly, she can't fathom that he or anyone else would ever want to harm her.

Her son Jonathan, on the other hand, knows evil words often mask evil intentions. He loves his father, but he's not blind to the bad things his dad does. Plus, he's heard his father say often enough that he never wanted an "egghead" for a son. Jonathan is brilliant, but his father finds no pride in that.

The two, mother and son, make a great team. And in the end, those people that take the dowdy housewife and the nerdy kid for granted learn to regret it.

I think you'll like them both.

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More books by Catherine Dawson:

• No Calls After Dark

• Vengeance Never Dies

• Coming Soon! The Owl Wisery Academy, Catherine's first children's book