Interview with J.A. Devereaux, Author of The Cat Burglar’s Handler

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Cat Burglar’s Handler (Cat Burglar Detective Mysteries Book 1)?

With a total of 21 books in two separate series already written—12 books in the Requisition For: A Thief series, plus two prequels—and 7 books in the Thief à la Femme series, I wasn’t looking to start another series. It was a one-on-one with Scarlett Braden Moss, my marketing coach from Ad School Coaching (Bryan Cohen’s group), who suggested I try my hand at some other subgenre, one that actually existed, lol. My response: a third series? When she suggested it, I balked. I’d only ever intended to write one, the Requisition For: A Thief series. I surprised myself when I took on a suggestion from a fan to write a series about a female thief, Thief à la Femme. That was most certainly all I thought I’d ever write. I am, after all, all about “the thief who isn’t really a bad guy,” and I already had a male and a female thief as my MCs (main characters). What else was there to do with my particular passion… theft? Ah, what else indeed!

The reason my marketing coach suggested another series was that the previous two don’t really fit snugly into one subgenre. They are main-genre Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, but because they’re about the thieves as the heroes vs. the usual police/detectives being the heroes, they don’t have a subgenre of their own. However, within a few weeks after my discussion with Scarlett, I began entertaining a couple of possibilities: 1) a female detective mystery (subgenre: women sleuths/police procedural) or 2) a Cozy Mystery… no, wait… an Animal Cozy Mystery! Now that excited me. And making the cat a burglar-turned-detective was a lightbulb-over-the-head moment. Deciding to further the fun with a good deal of humor-laden satire sealed the deal, and Cat Burglar Detective Mysteries was born.

CBDM is meant to be pure fun, mischievously delightful. Yes, the cat’s attributes pretty much land him in the “a little bit unbelievable” element, but hey, isn’t that what makes for a fun, funny, impishly delightful Animal Cozy Mystery? I think so!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Cat Burglar’s Handler (Cat Burglar Detective Mysteries Book 1), what would they be?

For Bandit (my CMC, Cat Main Character, who everyone thinks is named Houdini because of the description… but he isn’t): “The Pink Panther Theme Song” by Henry Mancini. For Kasia Dobry (FMC): “Bugler’s Dream (Olympic Fanfare Medley)” written by John Williams (the song you hear when the Olympic coverage comes on TV). For Detective Lt. Mark Delacroix (MMC): “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I like Mystery, Thriller & Suspense books ranging from espionage and crime/heist to cozies. I also love a bit of humor. One of my favorite series is The Davis Way Crime Caper Series by Gretchen Archer.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am currently rereading the Davis Way Crime Caper series (known on Amazon as Bellissimo Casino Mysteries).

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Not one specific scene, but every scene that showed a little more about Bandit and his incredible capabilities. I had my own “laugh out loud” moments because, in Bandit, I created the perfect cat, too perfect to ever really exist. Having one of my own, D’Artagnan, I knew exactly what characteristics I would really love to see in a cat. Bandit was a blast to create.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have mugs that I’ve created (customized) for every book I’ve written, and I always drink coffee from one of them while writing. So, there’s that. But I think my biggest quirk is my writing style. I don’t do outlines or plot summaries. I sit down and start writing (I think that’s referred to as “a panster” [not a planster]). Everything that appears thereafter is a product of the creative juices that flow from, oh my gosh, the depths of my wild imagination!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Too outlandish? That’s why they call it fiction!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

It was supposed to be fun and entertaining, not deep or depressing. I hope you laughed and got away from life’s worries for just a little while.

J.A. Devereaux is the author of the new book The Cat Burglar’s Handler (Cat Burglar Detective Mysteries Book 1)

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