AN INTRODUCTION FROM D.B. BORTON

Give us an introduction to yourself

I spent my professional life teaching literature, film and writing to young people. That’s given me plenty of material to work with.

Some of my books draw on my own experiences; book five drew on my experience as an amateur potter, for example, and books three and eleven drew on my memories of political activism. But I’ve spent a lot of time researching topics I didn’t know anything about, such as the WASP of WWII in book eight. That’s part of the fun of being a writer.

When I was a kid reading Nancy Drew mysteries, I loved learning about unfamiliar subject matter: doll collecting, Hawaii and even golf. So maybe I think that’s part of the tradition I’ve inherited.

And an introduction to Cat Caliban, are there any similarities between yourself and the main character?

When I began writing about Cat, I was considerably younger than she was. Now I’m older than she is. I would say that she was always a role model for me. She speaks her mind, does as she pleases and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

My mother didn’t like Cat’s use of profanity, though when I stopped writing about her, my mother told me, “I miss Cat.” In the fifth book, when Cat finally arrives at menopause, she grows crabbier than ever. I didn’t really understand my mother’s reaction to the book until she said, “Well, I didn’t have that much trouble with menopause.” That was when I realized how much she identified with Cat.

Which book in the series did you have most fun writing?

Whenever people say to me, “You must really enjoy writing,” I respond, “On a good day, I love it. On a bad day, I’d rather have a root canal.”

It’s easier for me to name particular characters I most enjoyed writing about: Franny, Cat’s youngest; Leon, her teenaged pal and sometime operative; Junior the hound dog (book four); Rocky’s three kids (books six and ten); and Evie the chimp (book seven). The twelfth book features a miniature pig named Gertie. I enjoy writing about kids and animals.

What can readers expect from this series?

Readers can expect books that make them laugh while making them think. Some of the subject matter is not typical of cozy mysteries: discrimination, the professionalization of amateur sports, toxic waste, gay teen suicide. But if I’m not entertaining readers, I’m not doing my job.

If you could describe the series in 3 words what would it be?

How about two words: serious fun.