Coached to Death

Catherine “Cat” Cooper, the narrator of this superior series launch from bestseller Laurie (the Psychic Eye mysteries), embarks on a new career as a life coach in East Hampton, Long Island, after selling her marketing firm for $50 million—and her husband of 16 years leaves her for another woman. To Cat’s dismay, her first client, Erma Kirkland, “a mess both financially and socially,” admits she’s been skipping car payments in order to afford Cat’s services. At least Erma is friendly, in contrast to Cat’s neighbor, Heather Holland, who keeps complaining to the town board about the construction of Cat’s new house. When Heather is found with her head bashed in by a crystal punch bowl owned by Cat, Det. Steve Shepherd of the East Hampton PD regards Cat as the chief suspect. Aided by her best friend, Gilley Gillespie, Cat sets out to find the real culprit. A mysterious new tenant in Cat’s office building, Maks Grinkov, adds some romantic heat, and Cat’s AI butler, Sebastian, serves as an unusual supporting player. Cozy fans will embrace this intelligent heroine with plenty of backbone. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, Literary Management. (Nov.)