Natrelle Long Author Interview

The Tattooed Cat follows Charley on a hunt for the person that abused a cat, but finds more than she expected. What was the inspiration for the setup to this novel?

I have been an animal lover all my life, and the slightest thought of animal abuse upsets me more than any other imagined thought. It was no surprise to me several years ago when I read a study that documented the connection between childhood animal abuse and adult violence. Research has proven that all of the infamous serial killers tortured animals in their youth. I am especially fond of cats, and it was painful for me to write about the torture, but I wanted to connect animal abuse with human abuse—they are both horrible and no punishment is too severe.

Charley is an interesting and deftly developed character. What were some ideals you wanted her character to embody?

Charley appeared in my head three years ago. I envisioned a smart, strong, independent woman who, at the same time, is flawed—a woman who has been tested and punished, a woman who can be the best friend ever or the worst enemy ever. She is the first to risk everything to help those who deserve it and the first to punish those who deserve it. The scars on her body speak for themselves.

I felt like this novel was able to capture both the darkness and beauty of humanity. What were some themes you wanted to explore in this book?

I’m glad you saw both sides of the actions and characters. Loyalty is definitely one of the themes that accompanies Charley in every book, and I’ve found that readers respond strongly to the characters who have become part of her “team.” Justice, a theme that is generally attached to crime novels, provides both satisfaction and confirmation—whether delivered by the legal system or by a beautiful blond woman who often creates her own system.

What is the next novel that you are working on and when will it be available?

The fourth novel in the Charley Anderson Crime Series if tentatively titled Homegrown Heat. It should be available within a year—Charley’s not a patient character and trouble has already found her.

Author Links: Website | Facebook

“What begins with a cat ends with a corpse. Rescuing a maimed cat thrown into traffic on New York’s Fifth Avenue is just the beginning. As Charley hunts the torturers, she discovers layers of abuse and corruption that reach an ocean away.

Maybe it’s the ca, maybe it’s the fact that Charley is so determined to unravel the mystery. . . that makes The Tattooed Cat by Natrelle Long so interesting. Once your attention is grabbed there is no escaping the desire to read every single word and find out…how the cat and the nefarious deeds of a single man are interconnected…This is a book you won’t regret picking up.” Literary Titan