The affable Diane A.S. Stuckart, New York Times best-selling author and current president of the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, delighted guests at the Vero Beach Country Club last Saturday afternoon at the 37th annual Book Author Luncheon, hosted by the Vero Beach Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Prior to the delicious lunch, the prolific author, who has also penned under Ali Brandon and Anna Gerard, chatted and signed copies of some of her works, including “Fool’s Moon” the first book in her “Tarot Cats Mysteries” series.

Attendees also purchased raffle tickets for a ‘choice’ auction, designating which of the wonderful items donated by local businesses they wished to win. Proceeds from the event support the AAUW mission to “promote equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.”

“Our efforts throughout the year, not just at this event, are to serve the citizens, especially the women and girls, in Indian River County,” said event chair Sally Fitzgerald. Among other things, they provide scholarships through the Indian River State College Foundation and support nonprofits such as Girls on the Run.

Stuckart, whose books fall into the Cozy mystery subgenre – think G-rated versions of crime fiction – said she got her start writing historical romances, before switching to action/adventure. After eventually “coming home” to mysteries, beginning with her “Leonardo da Vinci Mysteries” series, her publisher asked if she would write cat mysteries.

“I started my life as a crazy cat kid; I didn’t even have to wait to be a crazy cat lady. I started early,” said Stuckart, who penned six books in the “Black Cat Bookshop Mysteries” series as Ali Brandon. However, her new series, the “Georgia B & B Mysteries” coming out in July, will feature a dog.

“I love dogs; I have three dogs and four cats,” said Stuckart, adding with a laugh, “I’m bipetsual, is what they say.”

She spoke about the enormous popularity of Cozy mysteries and their fervent readership, noting, “the grandmother of Cozy mysteries is Agatha Christie.”

Citing some of the differences between “cozy vs. crazy,” she said the protagonist, aka the sleuth, is generally a plucky female or a clever animal, and the action takes place in a closed setting. Most importantly, there is no “in-your-face” violence, gratuitous sex or bad language. There is always a reason behind the murder, and no child or animal is ever hurt.

“There are probably a hundred different mysteries series out there that feature cats,” said Stuckart, stressing that while the books can be read by anyone, they are not children’s books.

Why cats? “As far as I’m concerned, cats would make very good detectives,” said Stuckart, citing that they can see in the dark, can quietly sneak around, they’re very smart and they seem to have a built-in GPS to get them home if they get lost.

Upcoming AAUW events include a Senior Expo, March 28 at the Intergenerational Center, an April 9 Red Luncheon at Vero Beach Country Club focusing on equal pay initiatives, and an inaugural Mah Jong Fundraiser April 12 at Bent Pine Golf Club.

For more information, visit verobeach-fl.aauw.net.