Irish Roots Author: An Interview with Jazz -- Long Serving Cat

By Elaine L. Orr (with permission of Jazz)

There is one character in every Jolie Gentil mystery, sometimes with a bigger role than others. No, not Scoobie or Aunt Madge -- though they also appear. It's Jazz, Jolie's small black cat. She moved to Ocean Alley with Jolie, so she's been around longer than Scoobie. Jazz does not have a speaking role, but she can answer an interviewer's questions.

1. What is your name and your author's name?

My name is Jazz and I've been with my owner, Jolie, for 10 years. My author’s name is Elaine L Orr. She didn't used to include her middle initial, but the same year she started publishing in earnest, someone by the same name also did. What are the odds of that?

2. What book(s) have you appeared in?

I appear in the Gentil cozy mystery series, set at the Jersey Shore. There are 14 books in the series, and I also appear and a couple of other pieces. People just can't get enough of me.

3. Please give information about the series.

As a real estate appraiser in her Jersey Shore town, Jolie’s flexible schedule allows time for trouble. With a name that translates to “pretty nice,” she’s used to teasing, and her embezzler ex-husband taught her a lot about unscrupulous behavior. But stumbling across dead bodies in the middle of the work day? That was a new one. Fortunately, when she and I moved to her great aunt’s B&B at the Shore, she hooked up with old friends and made new ones. Some of them can be helpful in solving mysteries, some not so much.

I, however, am in every book and I'm always helpful. That's why they put me on the cover.

The most recent book is Phoning in a Murder, which – in addition to a murder – touches on the issue of cell phones in schools.

4. Are you based on a real cat, such as your author's?

I am a black cat, and proud of my somewhat haughty nature. My author has had two black cats, which were very independent and smart. While she has drawn some of my characteristics from them, I am my own Feline. Her cat, Stella, is shown in the photo. I can climb trees better.

5. Can you share an excerpt from one of your books that features you in an important scene? If so, please include it.

In Behind the Walls, I helped keep my owner from pushing up daises. Pebbles, a skunk without scent that had wandered into the house, was of some assistance. My author said to tell you she has put this scene in my point of view, so you get a better idea of my talents.

Jolie crawled out of the closet and half-crouched. The intruder was still holding the gun. Plus, the intruder’s knee was a very hard place to head butt, and Jolie was dizzy.

“Bitch!” the intruder yelled, and rose awkwardly to her feet.

Apparently, Pebbles likes gunshots even less than strange people, and she darted out from under the bed almost at the intruder’s feet. The woman shrieked and raised a foot to kick her. Faster than Jolie could keep track of me, I launched myself at the robber’s ankle. Pebbles swung around and raised her tail at the woman.

“Get away! Get away!” she screamed.

She raised the gun, but she was really off balance, trying to shake me off her foot. I sank my claws into skin and began to climb.

A short time later….

George had hit the intruder and now had the gun. He held it at his side and said, “Stay down there, do not move!”

Jolie looked to her left and saw a white-faced Scoobie.

He then looked toward the floor. “Damn. That is one pissed off cat.”

Only then did I let go of my prey. I had made it up to the woman’s knee.

6. What do you like most about your role in your authors' books?

First, my position is an important one, which is why I am on the cover of all of the books. Second, my owners are trainable. For example, they have finally learned that I am allowed to sit on the small table at the front window. Finally, while I have a role of sorts in every book, it is never an exhausting one. This gives me a time to nap and hide from the toddler twins who now live in my house.

7. Are you a talking cat in your books or a silent one who just meows occasionally?

I don't speak in the books. My author has wanted to give me a speaking role, but I let her know that I had no intention of interacting with humans besides her any more than I had to.

8. What advice would you give other cat characters?

I think it is important to train your owners to provide what you need. I don't believe in this nonsense of being seen and not heard. Meow as much as you like.

9. Are you and/or your author on social media?

My author is. I have no interest in pounding a keyboard.

https://www.elaineorr.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elaine.orr1/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@AuthorElaineOrr

Twitter https://x.com/ElaineOrr55

Irish Roots Author Blog https://elaineorr.blogspot.com/

Newest Jolie Gentil book is Phoning in a Murder

14^th in the Jolie Gentil Series, April 20, 2024

Setting: the Jersey Shore

Lifelong Dreams Publishing

Paperback 178 pages