Additional information
by Michael Craft (Author)
A weight-loss miracle ... a dashing gay architect ... a talking cat. What could possibly go wrong? In the idyllic little town of Dumont, Wisconsin, wealthy widow Mary Questman adopts an exotic stray cat, Mister Puss, who begins to talk to her. At least she thinks so. Mary's young friend, gay architect Brody Norris, soon finds another reason to worry about Mary's judgment when she decides to help finance a bizarre weight-loss enterprise called FlabberGas, the invention of a flamboyant local dermatologist, Dr. Francis Frumpkin. Brody's skepticism is partially overcome when Dr. Frumpkin commissions him to design the first of a planned chain of FlabberGas clinics. But then, during a public demonstration of Frumpkin's gimmicky new treatment, a volunteer is gassed to death in a hideous mishap that turns out to be no accident. It was murder, all right. Suspects abound. And Brody is drawn into the role of amateur sleuth, assisting Sheriff Thomas Simms. Funny and tender, thoroughly tangled, with a chilling motive at its core, the mystery comes to a jolting conclusion when Brody pieces together tiny, overlooked details and helps Sheriff Simms name the killer. Along the way, though, Brody himself gets a little help-or so it seems-from the chatty Mister Puss.
Author Biography
Michael Craft is the author of fifteen novels, including the acclaimed Mark Manning mystery series, three installments of which were honored as finalists for Lambda Literary Awards: "Name Games" (2000), "Boy Toy" (2001), and "Hot Spot" (2002). In addition, he is the author of two produced plays, and his prize-winning short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. Craft grew up in Illinois and spent his middle years in Wisconsin, which inspired the fictitious setting of "FlabberGassed." He holds an MFA in creative writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and now resides in Rancho Mirage, California. In 2017, Michael Craft's professional papers were acquired by the Special Collections Department of the Rivera Library at the University of California, Riverside. A comprehensive archive of his manuscripts, working notes, correspondence, and other relevant documents, along with every edition of his completed works, is now cataloged and made available for both scholarly research and public enjoyment. Visit the author's website at www.michaelcraft.com.
