Crime Cats Mystery Series
Watch this two-minute video introduction to the Crime Cats mystery series, courtesy of ThatOhioVibe.com. To learn more, continue reading the text below.
Everyone wants their child to read more. But it can be a difficult task.
The best way to get your child to read — or read more — is to find something they connect with and begin by reading it to them.
How do I know? I didn’t like to read as a child. But now I’m the award-winning author and illustrator of Crime Cats.
Does your child like superheroes? Animals? Hidden history? What about a superhero who solves mysteries with two cat-detectives right here in Columbus, Ohio?
Crime Cats is an award-winning chapter book series set in Columbus. The reader follows eight-year-old superhero, Jonas Shurmann, as he solves mysteries around his neighborhood with his cat detective partners, CatBob and Neil Higgins.
Did you know Columbus was once home to the largest amusement park in America? Did you know Columbus has a direct connection to the discovery of King Tut’s tomb? It’s true!
Crime Cats explores the fascinating stories behind Columbus’ hidden history. And thousands of readers have benefited from the wholesome life lessons woven into each tale about the value of empathy, self-worth, and friendship.
But did I mention the cats? There are lots and lots of cats!
Not only do readers learn about feline life through the characters, but every volume offers Cat Clues. These tutorials will enrich your reader’s relationships with the cat-friends in their life. They teach everything from how to correctly introduce yourself to a new cat to what to do if your cat goes missing.
Crime Cats is legit.
The series has won 8 independent book publishing awards so far. Crime Cats: Missing, won the Gold Medal for Children's Mystery in the 2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards, and Silver Medals for Preteen Mystery in both the 2016 Literary Classics Book Awards and the 2016 Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Crime Cats: The Dusenbury Curse, won Silver Medals for Preteen Mystery in the 2017 Literary Classics Books Awards and the 2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards. Crime Cats: The Deadly Scarab won the Silver Medal for Preteen Mystery in the 2018 Literary Classics Book Awards, the Silver Medal for Preteen Mystery in the 2018 Readers' Favorite Book Awards and 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. The first Crime Cats Suspicious Activity Book, Heavy Metal Pizza Party, won Best Activity Book in the 2018 Book Excellence Book Awards. The series has been recommended by Columbus Parent magazine and made Columbus Metropolitan Library's 2015 Summer Reading list. The books have also been featured in columbusunderground.com, ThisWeek Community Publications, and been profiled on WOSU-TV's Broad & High program. Not to mention the testimonials from publications, teachers, and librarians you will find throughout this website.
I was even voted one of Columbus' best authors in the 2015 ColumbusUnderground.com readers poll, thanks to the support of my awesome readers!
And when you buy new copies of Crime Cats, you instantly become a hero.
I donate a portion of the profit from every new copy sold to the Crime Cats Relief Fund: a private charity that issues grants to help with medical care expenses for South Clintonville’s community cats.
Join the adventure!
If you want to give your child a superpowered boost to their reading habits, find one of my amazing retail partners in your neighborhood, order copies now through Amazon, or check my signing schedule to buy autographed copies directly from me.
And remember that Crime Cats books make excellent gifts.
The story may be set in Columbus, but these adventures are enjoyed by readers as far away as England, Australia, Japan, and Jordan. If you live in Columbus, share a piece of home with a relative or friend.
Crime Cats is printed in the USA.
Praise for Crime Cats
“…an entirely entertaining chapter book series about a boy detective and his two cat friends…”
“Wolfgang Parker’s incredible tale of deceit, mystery and action is perfectly balanced in this second installment of the ‘Crime Cats’ series...’The Dusenbury Curse’ deals with humor, love, hatred and superstitions, but it also teaches some valuable lessons about trust. I very much enjoyed Wolfgang Parker’s delightful tale, and recommend The Dusenbury Curse to readers aged 7-12 who enjoy their adventurous animal tales of mystery and intrigue with a side order of pure hilarity. ”
“An engaging read especially ideal for cat lovers ages 8-12, ‘Crime Cats: The Dusenbury Curse’ is a choice pick for school and public library children’s collections. ”
“‘Crime Cats: Missing’ is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.”
“‘Crime Cats: Missing’ is highly recommended as a gift for young cat lovers, and for public and school library children’s fiction collections!”
“Almost every single day I have at least one request for your books! They are never on the shelves! When one is returned it is automatically given to the next student on a hold request.”
“‘Crime Cats: Missing’ provides a much needed genre for an age group of children who have limited, interesting books to read. It is a mystery with an element of scary that children love to read. Including cats as characters is another aspect that appeals to young elementary aged students. This is the start of a great series that includes historical facts about the Columbus area. Students will love the adventure. Adults will enjoy the historical facts. Looking forward to the 3rd book in the series. Keep them coming!”
“..a rollicking good adventure/mystery that will appeal to kids and adults alike.”
“This was a great read!!” (4 out of 5 stars)”
The Books
Vol. 1— Missing
Winner of the Gold Medal for Children's Mystery, 2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Winner of the Silver Medal for Preteen Fiction, 2017 Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Winner of the Silver Medal for Preteen Mystery, 2016 Literary Classics Book Awards
Cats are vanishing all over the neighborhood, but Jonas Shurmann doesn't care. He thinks cats are spoiled brats who don't appreciate anything people do for them. Jonas has bigger problems in his life: the ridiculous-looking chicken costume he has to wear to his class Halloween party, working at the vet's office after school, and his math book getting thrown into the yard of a haunted house. Those are real problems!
At least that's what Jonas thinks, until he discovers he can hear cats talk.
Through his newfound power, Jonas befriends two cat detectives, CatBob and Neil Higgins, and together the trio sets out on a pulse-pounding adventure that leads them straight to the door of a haunted mansion that holds the chilling truth behind the disappearances.
Vol. 2 — The Dusenbury Curse
Winner of the Silver Medal for Children's Mystery, 2017 Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Winner of the Silver Medal for Preteen Mystery, 2017 Literary Classics Book Awards
A mysterious figure from the past has returned to exact revenge upon Orville Dusenbury and it's up to Jonas Shurmann and his feline partners, CatBob and Neil Higgins, to stop it. But the detectives aren't alone on the mysterious Phantom's trail. An army of enemies watches from the shadows as the heroes race to unravel the secret of a 100-year-old curse before Orville is ruined. Mysteries abound as the Chicken-Boy of Clintonville and the Crime Cats return in the second installment of this spooky mystery series.
Vol. 3 — The Deadly Scarab
Winner of the Silver Medal for Preteen Mystery, 2018 Literary Classics Book Awards
Winner of the Silver Medal for Children's Mystery, 2018 Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Winner of the Silver Medal for Pre-teen Mystery, 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
Being a superhero is hard! It’s not as easy as Jonas Shurmann thought it would be. Instead of being the coolest guy in school, his teacher accuses him of lying about his adventures. And the new girl in his class makes up a superhero that everyone likes way more than the Chicken-Boy of Clintonville and the Crime Cats.
But everything changes when Jonas finds a mysterious ring.
That’s when he finally gets to experience what it’s like to wield real power. The only problem is that he risks losing his friends, his family...and his very soul! Get ready to explore ancient history and deadly mysteries in the most epic "Crime Cats" adventure yet!
Suspicious Activity Book — Heavy Metal Pizza Party
Winner for Best Activity Book, 2018 Book Excellence Book Awards
The Crime Cats Suspicious Activity Book is packed full of super-rad activities that can be played alone, with your friends, or even with your whole family--it's up to you! In this book, YOU team up with the Chicken-Boy of Clintonville and his partners, cat detectives CatBob and Neil Higgins, to solve puzzles, master mazes, draw, and even become the author of your very own Crime Cats mystery!
Author's Note: You will need a copy of Crime Cats: Missing to complete some of the activities in this book.