The Catmas Conspiracy

Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy #3

by Renee Pawlish

Join Evelyn Chambers in a holiday adventure that's equal parts mystery, humor, and heart-pounding suspense!When retired nurse Evelyn Chambers receives an unexpected CIA assignment to pose as the lucky winner of a trip to Munich's International Cat Fanciers' Exhibition, she knows her quiet holiday plans have just been shredded like a scratching post. But how can she say no?

With her cover firmly in place, Evelyn jets off to Germany, ready for what she assumes will be a simple observe-and-report mission. But as snowflakes fall and Christmas lights twinkle, she finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that's anything but cozy. A mysterious Brit, a suspiciously cat-averse Italian, and a shadowy German businessman are up to something far more sinister than picking out the perfect kitty treats. With her trusty felines back home and only her wits to rely on, Evelyn must unravel a conspiracy that threatens to scratch more than just the surface of international security.

Evelyn navigates a maze of deception and unexpected allies as she explores quaint Bavarian cafés and the bustling convention floor. But as she closes in on the truth, will Evelyn's novice spy experience be enough to outmaneuver these crafty criminals, or will this Christmas mission leave her out in the cold?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Fiction

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

About the author

From the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.

Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.

Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.

The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off

The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released

The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest

Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.

The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.

To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....

on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/

on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish

Reviews

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Catmas Conspiracy kept me happily engaged reading the latest addition to the Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Cozy Mystery series.

Evelyn is busy getting ready for the upcoming Christmas holiday when she is stunned to receive a visit from Rudy, assistant to Agent Torres CIA, whom Evelyn has worked with before. Rudy lets her know her services are wanted again and to expect a call from Agent Torres.

Asked to attend the International Cat Fanciers' Exhibition in Munich and just be an observer and collect what information she can, then pass it on to Torres, this sounds like a perfect trip for Evelyn, the cat lover.

Of course, many opportunities to do more than observe pop up that Evelyn just can't seem to ignore, and she finds herself in many tricky situations. Her smart thinking helps some of the time. How will this new adventure turn out for Evelyn? It's a fun and intertaining read- find out for yourself.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn Chambers pursues another case. Evelyn again takes on a job for the CIA. This being her third kind of makes her a full fledged spy, in my opinion. She is sent to a cat convention to watch some people the CIA have found suspicious. While there she, of course, gets more involved than she should have and has a few adventures.
We again get a view of a European country where her cover of playing tourist allows the author to give a mini tour of places most people never get an opportunity to visit and see.
I think this a great addition to a growing series that is getting better with each volume in the series. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. And of course cat lovers will really enjoy this one.

[Patricia A. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of this new series is fantastic. By now we know Evelyn Chambers and her work with the CIA. If you haven't read the first two, this book will stand alone. However, I do heartily recommend the others. Evelyn is an elderly lady with 4 cats. She helps the agency by gathering information - nobody notices a sweet little old lady after all! This book has her going to Munich to a cat show to try and uncover what a suspicious group is up to. Evelyn is in her element at the cat show and she spots members of the group and begins her investigation. She's only supposed to observe, of course, but that rarely works out! I loved the book and Evelyn's capers and I think most readers will agree! Pawlish has several series and I recommend them all.

[Peg Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn Chambers is back in Renee Pawlish’s latest senior spy cozy mystery. Torres contacts Evelyn about traveling to Munich to an international cat convention. Her love for her four felines makes a perfect cover for her trip. Torres wants her to gather information about a couple of people who have been on the CIA’s radar. Her assignment is just to observe and report - not to take action or get involved. But Evelyn’s curiosity gets her right in the middle and she needs to rely on her instincts, past experiences, and a surprising ally to survive. This enjoyable book will keep you guessing.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Catmas Conspiracy is a cat fanciers delight! In Evelyn Chambers' latest adventure, readers are able to experience an International Cat Convention set in Munich at Christmastime. I love having a glimpse of foreign places and landmarks through Evelyn's eyes. Though she doesn't have much time to spend sight seeing while trying to figure out: who is friend or foe? As has happened in the past, she finds herself in over her head, but natural resourcefulness and an unexpected ally saves the day. Both suspenseful and humorous... how will Evelyn lose her safe phone this time?.. this Conspiracy is thoroughly enjoyable! I look forward to many more foreign exploits of Evelyn Chambers.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Catmas Conspiracy (The Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Series Book 3), my sixty-eighth read from prolific author Renee Pawlish, the third in The Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Series. New character, new premise, different era. Any Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to anything written by her. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elderly, they don't see us coming!

The location of this story, Munchen(Munich), retrieved such happy memories from my visit 20 years ago! The Christmas ornament Evelyn purchased is like the one I am looking at hanging on my Christmas travel tree! I enjoy the story more when I can identify locations and experiences contained in storyline. I have seen the river surfers but, it was in September.

Using a feline fanciers convention as a backdrop for espionage was both unexpected and brilliant writing! Well done!

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Catmas Conspiracy is a page turning, arm chair travel, cat lovers, older sleuth delight. As a German American retired German teacher, I enjoyed revisiting München (Munich), Germany. No passport or jet lag. Renee Pawlish weaves authentic German words, culture, cuisine, attractions, and the German Christmas market with Glühwein into this unique mystery at a Feline Fanciers Munich Cat Convention. Looking forward to reading more of the Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Series and traveling the world in the comfort of my home.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! Love the main character and her felines!! Love the way Evelyn always is into “trouble” and love her many antics. She seems to be a magnet for trouble and has creative ways of dealing with problems while on “cases”! Hoping that there will be many more books in this series as the books catch my attention and have me laughing and guessing what’s going to happen next! Love love love that the books and the main character Evelyn take my mind off the “real world”!!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee Pawlish has a new Evelyn Chambers cozy mystery. This time the CIA wants Evelyn to travel to Germany to attend an international cat convention. At the convention she is to check out a couple of people suspected of participating in illegal activities. She is only supposed to observe but Evelyn is such a trouble magnet, she gets too involved again. A great cozy read with lots of twists and turns.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining book!

Evelyn, a senior occasional CIA agent, heads to Munich, Germany on another assignment. Her orders are to check out the International Cat Fanciers Exhibition. It seems there are suspicions activities going on at the Exhibition and Evelyn needs to observe and report. Of course, it winds up being much more of an adventure than it was supposed to be. A fun story with a Christmas theme!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit in the new cozy series from Pawlish. Evelyn Chambers is quite the agent/not agent. This time, her assignment is right up her alley; a trip to Munich for a cat convention. What could go wrong? Well, apparently, she still needs work on hiding in plain sight and following.
It's a fun book with some interesting twists and turns.

[Barry Weisbord · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a CIA consultant, Evelyn sure has a knack for getting more involved than she’s supposed to. I hope I have this much energy when I get to her age. This has great characters and a descriptive narrative that keeps you turning the pages. Although I’m not a cat lover (sorry Renee), their antics around the house make me laugh. As always, I’m looking forward to more books.

[Joyce927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate experience for a cat enthusiast, Evelyn is sent on an assignment by the CIA to observe and report on two people at an International Cat Convention. The new senior spy series continues in this third book with action and plot twists to keep the reader turning pages. Pawlish always delivers exceptional results in all of her series, and I highly recommend any of her books.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. It kept me reading all the way through. It's the third in a series (which I didn't realize) but there is enough info to get the gist of the main character. I will definitely have to go back and read the first two books.

[Renee Boomershine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Evelyn Chambers story. She is again working with the CIA. It was another enjoyable story. I would recommend it to anyone who like cozy mysteries.

[Diana Bustamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a cat fan but I have visited the German Christmas markets and loved the magic! Evelyn Chambers is a senior and works occasionally for the CIA

[jean barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun

Loved the idea of a middle aged woman with a double life, the cat woman and the spy, what better

[Charlene L · Rating 2 out of 5]

It did have a lot of action and a good plot but I felt like there was no resolution.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great fun read!

I enjoyed the main character and her exploits. She seemed like a possible friend. Her exploits were a bit over the top, but enjoyable.