Picture a Pennsylvania farm girl who swapped hayfields for Houston’s legal hustle and spun her experiences into cozy mysteries—meet Kay Finch! A paralegal by day and a mystery author by night, Finch crafts suspenseful tales set against the vibrant backdrop of Texas, blending her love for cats, the Texas Hill Country, and a good whodunit into stories that keep readers guessing.
With her Bad Luck Cat Mysteries and Corie McKenna PI series, Finch has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, earning praise for her charming characters and clever plots. Her journey from rural roots to a celebrated author proves that a sharp mind and a knack for storytelling can turn everyday inspiration into literary magic.
The Making of Kay Finch
Born and raised on a Pennsylvania farm, Kay Finch grew up surrounded by animals, including a slew of cats that sparked her lifelong feline fascination. As a child, she penned mystery stories, hinting at the career to come. But it was her move to Houston, Texas, that set her on the path to authorship. Working as a legal assistant for renowned criminal defense attorney Richard “Racehorse” Haynes, Finch found a wellspring of plot ideas in the drama of the courtroom. Her 17-year career in criminal and family law sharpened her knack for crafting intricate narratives, laying the groundwork for her leap into fiction.
Finch’s love for the Texas Hill Country, discovered during vacations, became a vivid setting for her stories. Her professional life as a paralegal, combined with her rural upbringing, gave her a unique lens—grounded yet imaginative—that resonates in her work. This blend of real-world grit and cozy charm defines her storytelling.
Kay Finch’s Unforgettable Stories
Finch’s bibliography shines with cozy mysteries that pair quirky characters with suspenseful plots. Her Bad Luck Cat Mysteries, set in the fictional Lavender, Texas, star aspiring novelist Sabrina Tate and her black cat, Hitchcock, who’s anything but bad luck. The series kicks off with Black Cat Crossing (2015), where Sabrina and Hitchcock uncover a murder tied to her aunt’s shady cousin. Follow-ups like The Black Cat Knocks on Wood (2016) and The Black Cat Breaks a Mirror (2020) weave small-town charm with clever sleuthing, earning rave reviews for their humor and heart.
Finch’s Corie McKenna PI Mysteries, including Final Decree (2003) and Final Cut (2010), showcase her legal expertise. Houston-based PI Corie juggles divorce cases and murder investigations, all while penning country music lyrics by night. Finch’s standalone Relative Chaos (2006) introduces Poppy Cartwright, a professional organizer whose knack for tidying leads to a deadly discovery. Finch’s style—light, engaging, and packed with twists—reflects her ability to turn everyday settings into stages for intrigue, often with a feline sidekick stealing the show.
Her Texas settings, drawn from her love for the Hill Country’s rolling hills and vibrant communities, ground her stories in authenticity. Finch’s knack for capturing “kitty behavior,” as noted by Socrates’ Book Reviews, and her legal-inspired plotting make her mysteries both relatable and riveting.
Why Kay Finch Matters
Kay Finch’s impact lies in her ability to make the cozy mystery genre feel fresh and accessible. Her stories, infused with Texas charm and feline flair, offer readers an escape into worlds where amateur sleuths and clever cats outwit killers. As a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division, Finch bridges the legal and literary worlds, inspiring aspiring authors to mine their own lives for stories.
Her Bad Luck Cat Mysteries have garnered a loyal following, with fans praising their “Texas-sized charm” (Ellery Adams). By turning her paralegal insights into gripping fiction, Finch proves that ordinary experiences can fuel extraordinary tales, leaving a lasting mark on the cozy mystery landscape.
- Pen Name: Kay Finch
- Key Works: Bad Luck Cat Mysteries, Corie McKenna PI Mysteries, Relative Chaos
- Genre: Cozy Mystery
- Notable Praise: National bestselling author of the Bad Luck Cat Mysteries
Ready to unravel a Texas-sized mystery? Grab Black Cat Crossing and dive into Kay Finch’s cozy, cat-filled world of suspense!