Book cover, The Mystery of the Circus Curse, by Karen Petit

A runaway bear, an old- fashioned family circus, and a mysterious curse set the stage for The Mystery of the Circus Curse, the fourth book in the popular "Shandon's Ivy League" Mystery Series by Columbia author Karen Petit.

The book, published by Red Letter Press, will have its official Columbia launch Monday, June 22, at the Columbia Regional Visitors Center, 1101 Lincoln St. Petit will sign books from 3- 6 pm.

The "Shandon's Ivy League" Mystery Series, which follows the adventures of a group of crime- solving pets, was inspired by Petit's dog Ivy, a lively Lab- Chow mix. The series takes its name from the author's neighborhood in Columbia and Ivy, who died last year.

"The mystery series was born in Columbia and has a decidedly Southern flair," said Petit. "It's a great fit to launch the book at the Visitors Center, which is Columbia's front door to fun and adventure. The mystery series embodies the spirit of our city."

Karen Petit and her standard poodle, Louise

Petit will be accompanied by Louise, the standard poodle whom she adopted last year from a poodle rescue organization. Louise, who will be an occasional character in the series, makes her debut as a circus poodle.

In The Mystery of the

 

 

Circus Curse, Ivy and her friends are thrilled that the circus has come to their hometown in Capital City. But their excitement quickly turns to fear when a dancing bear named Pirouette escapes from the circus and is running wild through the city. In their quest to find Pirouette, the pets discover that an odd curse involving paintings and jewels has surrounded the circus since World War I.

"This mystery turns the lives of the 'Shandon's Ivy League' pets into a fast- paced, three- ring adventure," said Petit. "It's fun summer reading for children and pet lovers of all ages."

Petit also will have her first novel for adults, A Paw on My Heart, at the book signing. The inspirational memoir tells about her life with Ivy, also a rescue dog, and the healing power of pets.

"After Ivy's death, people asked if the series would end," Petit said. "But Ivy will live through the series, and the addition of Louise as an occasional character adds a new dimension to the pets' adventures."

To learn more about the series, visit redletterpress. googlepages.com.