Congratulations on the publication of BURY THE LEAD: A Quill & Packet Mystery by Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti publishing today with House of Anansi Press!
A big-city journalist joins the staff of a small-town paper in cottage country and finds a community full of secrets … and murder.
Cat Conway has recently returned to Port Ellis to work as a reporter at the Quill & Packet. She’s fled the tattered remains of her high-profile career and bad divorce for the holiday town of her childhood, famous for its butter tarts, theatre, and a century-old feud.
One of Cat’s first assignments is to interview legendary actor Eliot Fraser, the lead in the theatre’s season opener of Inherit the Wind. When Eliot ends up dead onstage on opening night, the curtain rises on the sleepy town’s secrets. The suspects include the actor whose career Eliot ruined, the ex-wife he betrayed, the women he abused, and even the baker he wronged. With the attention of the world on Port Ellis, this story could be Cat’s chance to restore her reputation. But the police think she’s a suspect, and the murderer wants to kill the story—and her too. Can Cat solve the mystery before she loses her job or becomes the next victim of a killer with a theatrical bent for vengeance?
Praise for BURY THE LEAD:
“A propulsive, juicy little ride—the perfect combination of Agatha Christie and Janet Evanovich—a gorgeously written, twisty, turny, small-town whodunnit, that also seamlessly weaves together themes of a dying era of journalism, the ruthless nature of ‘theatah,’ and the strength of a woman trying to reinvent herself, heal her heart, and hopefully catch a killer before it’s too late. Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti have created a vivid, warm, hilarious character in Cat Conway, whose story surely doesn’t end here … I loved every page.” —Lisa Gabriele, author of The Winters
“Giant egos, secret grievances, the locals vs. the artsy-farts: theatre towns were made for murder, and Bury the Lead was made for mystery lovers. Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti had a lot of fun with this, and so will you.” —Andrew Pyper, author of The Demonologist and Oracle
“A classic, but also topical, whodunnit staged with humour and wit.” —Linwood Barclay, author of The Lie Maker
“A smart, devious whodunnit filled with theatrical shadows and veils, Bury the Lead is both twisty and hilarious.” —Robyn Harding, bestselling author of The Drowning Woman
“Right from the hilariously brilliant opening line, I was hooked, helpless to resist reading just one more chapter. This very witty, sharp, fun, and suspenseful cozy mystery is the best escape and also a thought-provoking novel. With pitch-perfect dialogue, beautiful flow, and the most relatable heroine, Bury the Lead showcases the immense talents of Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti. As a team, they’re unstoppable.” —Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge and Watch Out for Her
“Bury the Lead is a word-perfect romp through the world of small-town theatre, both hilarious and poignant, insightful and full of twists. I give it a standing ovation!” —Roz Nay, bestselling author of The Hunted
“Reading Bury the Lead is like having cocktails with your most fabulous friends. Liz and Kate tell you fantastic stories, and you laugh, gasp, say ‘Wow!’ and ‘What?!’ a lot, and learn a few tricks you’re glad to know. They get the worlds of theatre and journalism exactly right, the stubborn talents and eggshell egos. The minute it’s over, you can’t wait to get together again.” —Johanna Schneller, Bigger Picture columnist, Globe and Mail
“Two of my favourite authors have joined forces to create an engaging, sly mystery that is perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Louise Penny. With a heroine to root for, a quirky supporting cast, a charming but shadowy small-town setting, and a whodunit that had me turning pages as fast as I could, this novel is an absolute delight!” —Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of Lucky
Kate Hilton is the bestselling author of three novels: The Hole in the Middle, Just like Family, and Better Luck Next Time. When not writing, Kate works with psychotherapy and life coaching clients in the area of transformational change. No stranger to reinvention herself, Kate has had prior careers in law, university administration, publishing, and major gift fundraising. She lives in Toronto in a blended family—including a husband, two sons, a stepdaughter, and a rescue dog.
Elizabeth Renzetti is a bestselling Canadian author and journalist. She has worked for the Globe and Mail as a reporter, editor, and columnist. In 2020 she won the Landsberg Award for her reporting on gender equality. She is the author of the essay collection Shrewed: A Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls and the novel Based on a True Story. Her book What She Said: Conversations about Equality will be published in 2024. She lives in Toronto with her family.
Kate and Elizabeth are represented by Samantha Haywood.
Congratulations!