Back to where it all began

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By Liz, wishing winter away in Boston

Back in 2013, my first book came out: Kneading to Die, the first in my Pawsitively Organic Mystery series.


And I was over the moon.

I’d wanted this MY WHOLE LIFE – to be a published author. To see my books in bookstores. To hold a finished copy in my hands. To watch people fall in love with characters I’d dreamed up.

And it was happening.

That cast of characters fell out of the setting I’d chosen – a small town in Connecticut that was a mashup of a few towns in the area in which I lived at the time. Some of the characters (the furbabies) were based on my IRL furbabies – bittersweet, because they’re gone now, but I love that they live on in the books.

I loved spending time in that town, with those people. I loved walking into Barnes & Noble on 5th Avenue in NYC and seeing MY BOOK on the shelf. It was all happening.

And that book was nominated for an Agatha Award for best first novel, too – the icing on the cake.

It was a dream come true.

That series ran for seven books. Seven moments in time where I got to tell a fun story and spend time with people I would’ve totally loved to hang out with, in a town that got to really come alive in my imagination.

When the last book came out in 2019 and I moved on to other things, it was bittersweet to see it end. People still write to me and ask if there will be more.

To which I always say, You never know.

Well, I don’t have a new book in the series for you, but I do have exciting news:

The series is FINALLY coming to audio!



Yep, Kneading to Die is out now on audio, and A Biscuit A Casket will be out in March. The rest of them will follow.

I am so excited to see this series get another life in this medium. I love audiobooks, and I love that these books are getting their day.

It’s also such a lovely trip down memory lane, thinking about where it all started.

Readers, do you love audiobooks, or do you prefer sitting down with an actual book? Tell me in the comments and I’ll randomly choose a winner of a Kneading to Die audiobook.

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Published by Cate Conte / Liz Mugavero

Cate Conte writes the Cat Cafe Mysteries and the Full Moon Mysteries. As Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the first of which was an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. She lives in the Boston area with her rescue pals.

61 Thoughts

    2. Another wandering mind here. Or perhaps an inability to (shudder) multitask. So glad there is no quiz on what I heard on Morning Edition today!

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  2. That’s such exciting news, Liz! I’m super happy for you. I don’t listen to audiobooks unless I’m on a long solo car trip. I find they go too slow for me. But I know many readers prefer them for all kinds of reasons.

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  7. Both, audio books are my go to when I have work to do around the house or walking. My first love is sitting down with a good book. But I’m so thankful for audiobooks because I wouldn’t get anything done. Ha ha

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  10. So exciting that your series is going to audio!

    I love audiobooks! For me, hearing the narrator relate the story brings me right into it. I listen every chance I get, but mostly in the car

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  11. I love holding a book and seeing all the words appear! I have never tried an audio book but would love to!

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  12. Congratulations on the audiobooks! I love to listen to them as I work on a jigsaw puzzle. The perfect combination. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. Congratulations on the audiobooks, Liz! I have never listened to any of my own books in audio. I’m afraid the narrator’s voice will become the voice in my head!

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  14. I like to listen to books when I’m doing stuff around the house. It makes the work less tedious. I just love this series and the Cat Cafe mysteries as well. I’ve read them all.

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  15. What a beautifully written blog, Liz! I can imagine what a thrill it must be to see and feel the fruits of labor come alive!!! I love printed books, however at 75 we are no longer able to read most printed books, unless they are large print. My wife has macular degeneration. So she can only read on Kindle with large font. We just love audiobooks!!! Today I am going through our home library and boxing up most of our treasured books and donating them. Thank you for making it possible to hear your books through wonderful narrators. Joy. Luis at ole dot travel

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  16. I miss Shaggy. I’m thrilled your books will come out on audio and new readers (listeners?) will find them. I prefer reading to listening, but to be fair, I haven’t given listening a fair shot.

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  17. Like so many here: “no audiobooks”… Audio goes in one ear and out the other…which was difficult when I was in college and law school and massive notes just to get the basics. Love the feel, the weight, and the dance of words across the page. May the audio of your books, Liz, bring joy to others.

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  18. Congrats on the rejuvenation! I love to sit quietly with a book in hand. But I also like to listen to books in the car while driving. Makes long drives that aren’t particularly scenic go a lot faster. I would love to experience your great books audibly.

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  19. So exciting for you – and the readers too! Congratulations!

    I’ve always read paperbacks, but it seems that audio is getting bigger and bigger.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  20. I am definitely a fan of reading a physical book. There is something about holding a book that is cozy and personal. I know that many people will disagree with me, and that’s okay!

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  21. Congratulations, Liz. So excited that the Pawsitively Organic series is coming to audio.

    I am afraid I am in the minority. No audio books for me. My concentration sweet spot is visual, but I know a number of folks who only “read” on audio. It’s a great option for so many!

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  22. I like audio because the speed can be regulated and I can do something meaningless while listening. Also my vision is not as good as years ago.

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  23. I enjoy some audiobooks every year – usually non-cozies I’ve always meant to read.

    Congrats on this series hitting audio! (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

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  24. I listen to audiobooks every day, I’m always on the go so this way I can still fulfill my love of reading ! Congratulations on getting your series in audiobook form !

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  26. I used to not enjoy them, but I have come to realize the value of listening to ebooks while I am doing other things. Alternating between listening to audiobooks and reading paperbacks has helped me increase my total of books I have enjoyed these past few months, so I am definitely hooked now.

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  27. I love books in any format. For years I resisted getting an ereader, preferring physical books, but finally gave in when I realized how convenient it would be for travel. Now I especially love that I can increase the font size for my aging eyes! Audio books followed as a way to make my commute to work and long solo road trips more fun, then I started to continue listening at home. Today I still read physical books, but audio and ebooks are a big part of my reading life too.

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  29. While I prefer books, I read more and more from Kindle due to lack of space. I listen to audiobooks as well, appreciating them in the car or if I’m doing something that doesn’t require concentration. I had purchased Kneading to Die by accident when trying to navigate Amazon and Kindle for one of the first times, and it led me to the rest of the series. Congratulations on starting audiobooks!!
    jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  30. I enjoy both reading a book & listening to one. There are times when I can’t sit & read, but I can work & listen. I’m a winner either way. Thank you & congratulations!

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