Member Reviews
First, I need to say that I love this series. After reading several unsatisfactory books, I was looking forward to one that I knew I would enjoy, and this did NOT disappoint. I started reading it and it felt immediately like I was amongst old friends that I had not seen for awhile and it was comforting and fun. And then all I wanted to do was read this book! I loved being back in Wagtail with Holly and Oma and Rose and all the peripheral characters that flow in and out of these books. And this one was really good as there seems to be multiple things going on at once and you have to try and figure out [along with Holly] if they are connected or all separate incidents. Add all the fun animals, their owners and all the antics that they can get up to, and then of course, M U R D E R [naturally], this becomes both a fun book and a WHOCANITBEIHAVENOIDEA kind of book. Because, for the first time in a L O N G time [one of the last cozies I read, I knew the who and why by chapter 5; NEVER a fun or enjoyable thing], I had absolutely NO CLUE [though I should have thinking back on it today] who the killer was OR the why. HOW glorious. I love it when that happens. Makes the reading experience even better. At least for me. ;-)
This is a fun and enjoyable read with plenty to keep you guessing and to keep you wondering and to keep you thankful. You will understand that last one once you have read it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Krista Davis, and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
I never get tired of spending time in Wagtail, VA with Holly and her grandmother, Oma. Together they own and run a pet friendly Inn in a very pet friendly town. Holly is owned by her pup Trixie and her cat, Twinkletoes. In this, the 7th of the series, everybody is getting ready for a big gala fund raiser for pet adoption. Even the pets are decked out in finery. Twinkletoes sports a tiara. People have come from all over and there is a group of women who are friends and arrive as a group. Besides the usual luggage, they bring secrets with them.
Judge Barlow has been a widower for only six months and he has become the romantic focus for more than a few local ladies, including Holly's Aunt Birdie. When the judge's beloved dog goes missing, his housekeeper hires a pet detective to find him. Leave it to Trixie to be the one to not only find the missing dog, Fritz but also the dead body of the pet detective, dead by poison. Several threads run through the mystery and all are nicely tied up at the end.
I like to read series in order but this is one that can stand alone no matter which book you pick up. Each one is full of great characters, wonderful pets, a lovely setting and a puzzle that will be sure to keep you guessing.
My thanks to the publisher Berkley and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book! This is a well written cozy mystery that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the end. If you love animals you have got to read this book! Outstanding read!! Thank you Berkley via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This series is fun and has great characters . The story line is fun and keeps the read wanting more. I love that each one has different dogs or cats that bring the storyline together. If you love animals this is a fun series w relatable characters and interesting events that make you look forward to the next one in the series.
I really wished Wagtail existed. I'd love to move there. I like how the town is set up with the safety of the animals in mind. In the latest edition to the series, a local judge's dog goes missing. A pet detective is hired to find the missing canine. The dog shows up, and a short time later, the body of the pet detective is found. Holly gets involved when a friend becomes a suspect. The identity of the murderer surprised me even though the clues were there. I hated to see it end.
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I like this series that takes place in Wagtail, a pet friendly town/resort/vacation destination. Someone is murdered in the days surrounding a fund raising gala, and Holly is drawn in to the investigation. There are so many suspects for the murder and other suspicious things going on that sometimes it gets confusing. By the end, I had to stop and think about who did what to whom when because of all the red herrings. Regardless, it's always fun to visit Wagtail.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Another great addition to this series! I would love to visit Wagtail, be able to vacation with my pets and eat gourmet meals with them. The characters quickly become your best friends and the setting is idyllic. The mystery itself had enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. I can't wait for the next one!
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#BigLittleSpies #NetGalley
In the newest Paws & Claws Mysteries, Holly Miller is gearing up for the gala event of the season... the Wagtail Animal Guaradians (WAG) Gala, in support animal welfare. However, not all is going smoothly leading up to the Gala, especially when a pet detective is found dead. Now Holly and her friends must put their heads together and try to solve the mystery, who would want the detective dead and was he really a stranger to Wagtail, or was his appearance more sinister?
Over the last year I have seriously crushed on this series! I've completely caught up with all the books in less than a year, and I was so thrilled to have a new adventure to read!
As an animal lover myself, I absolutely love Wagtail. The concept of a town that caters completely to animals is absolutely bliss, and I wish it was a real place to visit. Especially the Wagtail Inn, where Holly works alongside her grandmother, Oma. Absolutely heaven!
The mystery itself was terrific, absolutely first class! I was left guessing right up to the end. I couldn't quite tie all the elements together, and I love that I was stumped! Krista Davis always delivers a well-plotted mystery and this one is no exception.
If you love animals you have to be reading this series! While they work as standalone novels, after just one you will want to read them all! Delicious food, interesting locals and a first class mystery... the Paws and Claws Mysteries really has it all!
The judge's dog is missing and everyone is searching for it. Holly finds the pet detective in someone's backyard. He's dead.
Berkley and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published on March 30th.
There is a group of ladies in town that is called Wagtail Animal Guardians or WAG. They have cats or dogs and enjoy get togethers with both the people and the animals eating.
The police initially consider Holly as a suspect because she found him. So Holly launches her own investigation. She thinks it's someone in the group because the victim died in the back yard of one of them.
It's amusing because the judge, who is a widower, is being pursued by three women.
Holly looks at all of them with new eyes looking for clues. She's wrong most of the time but she finally thinks she has it right. The trouble is that the killer knows what she works out, so she's on the list for removal next...
A good read.
Interesting characters, both 2- and 4-legged, with uncertain agendas.
A tantalizing mystery.
This is my first book by Krista Davis. I've heard tons about her books. Everyone raves about them and the fact that they include animals had me at the word go. So as soon as I could get an arc for this book I was thrilled.
I love the town of Wagtail and everyone in it. Seems like such a homey place. Almost kind of like Mayberry but with way more perks. The idea of a pet friendly hotel where all your critters get to roam around with you is purely genius. I wish something like that existed in real life. Everything was just fantastic.
I loved that the weapon the killer used was so unique. I don't believe that I have ever seen that in any other book before. Loved that aspect. Loved the multiple mysteries rolled into one. So many scandals! I enjoyed this book so much. Krista Davis is absolutely wonderful in her creating of worlds with words and how fleshed out her characters are. I really loved Holly and Holmes. So cute together. I really hope there comes a time when those two actually get married.
I did not see the murderer coming. I thought I had it all pieced together and then things kept changing. It really kept me on my toes! Wonderful. A very exciting book. I loved that all of the animals had their own personalities and were able to do what animals do but to be able to showcase it in such a way that showed off how intelligent critters are.
I absolutely adored this book. I am going to just buy them all and then read from the beginning. So, far, some of the best written in animals I have read. Absolutely fabulous. I could not put it down.
I received this ARC from NetGalley to read and review. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
The women of the Wagtail Animal Guardians (WAG) are hosting and pet charity adoption gala. Holly and her grandmother own a pet-friendly hotel where the ladies are staying. During this busy time, Holly receives a call from her grandmother's best friend asking for help. It seems someone is spying on the Judge and playing pranks on him. Then a pet detective, who was hired to find the judge's missing German Shepherd Fritz, is found dead. Who would want to kill a stranger. It's up to Holly, Trixie her dog, and Twinkletoes her cat, to find out.
I loved these types of cozies. I am an animal lover and enjoy reading stories that incorporate pets. The story is fun and engaging. There are several twists and mysteries within mysteries in this book. Very entertaining.
BIG LITTLE SPIES, the seventh book in the Paws & Claws Mysteries by Krista Davis, is another fun romp through the charming town of Wagtail! The protagonist, Holly Miller, co-owns pet-friendly Sugar Maple Inn with her grandmother, Oma. I love the close relationship they have. Their furry sidekicks, Trixie, Twinkletoes, and Gingersnap, add appeal with their delightful antics. Trixie especially, with her penchant for finding dead bodies and dragging Holly into investigations. One of the many strengths of this series are the characters, both human and pet alike, whether they be the core characters or visitors enjoying all that Wagtail has to offer. As the story progresses, there are a lot of people to remember. However, there is a handy character list at the beginning of the book for referencing. In addition to the pet-centric town setting, the author always manages to set up a memorable event to capture the reader’s attention. In this newest release, visitors are flocking to the town to participate in the ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ pet adoption charity ball. With vivid descriptions, I felt like I was right there, enjoying all the tastes, smells, and delights that the town has to offer.
Ms. Davis is quick to set up the scenario for a crime to happen, and keeps a strong pace as the story unfolds. When Trixie finds the body of a visiting pet detective, Holly becomes involved. Could it be one of her guests who did the dastardly deed? As the clues are revealed, Holly finds lots of viable suspects including connections to residents in Wagtail. With a dash or two of romance, a glamorous pet and human ball, and secrets galore, this solid cozy mystery kept me turning pages until I’d read the very last word.
Running the Inn with her grandmother, Holly’s chef serves up plenty of mouthwatering food and treats for human and pet guests alike. There are several recipes at the back of the book and I was happy to see that there are several delectable recipes for people and a few safe options for dogs.
This is a good series for animal lovers. I enjoyed this installment thoroughly. The mystery was good and kept me guessing, and the characters were fun. I love Wagtail.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I absolutely love Wagtail! If it was a real place I’d probably move there :)
Holly is helping with a fund raiser for the local shelter and when a group of ladies come to help organize the event a mystery is afoot. All the ladies are connected to the murder victim, but who is connected to the other victim, local Judge Barlow? As usual everyone is a suspect and yet everyone is too likable to be a killer. Fortunately Holly has Trixie to help her sniff out the guilty party.
This is quite possibly my favorite setting in all of cozy mystery-land. A place where pets rank right up there with people (or possibly higher than people) is my kind of place. Holly is awesome and I love Oma and Mr. Huckle. Even “the pill” Aunt Birdie is charming (we all have one!)
I don’t think you’d need to have read the series to enjoy this, but if you haven’t read the series you should!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
“Big Little Spies” the 7th instalment in the "Paws and Claws” Mystery series by Krista Davis. This is one of my favourite cozy series, I love Trixie and Twinkletoes and the whole concept of Wagtail.
As with all the book previously I read in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. The characters ate like old friends and the new characters the WAG ladies each bring something to the story and Wagtail, VA. I have a little terrier mix and two kittens, it reminds me of them and I love the antics that Trixie and Twinkletoes get up to around the hotel.
I never know who committed the murders until the end, and the food always makes me hungry - would love to vacation in a place where you and your dog are welcome everywhere. Wagtail is definitely somewhere I would love to live or visit.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait till the next book!
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkeley Publishing Group and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
At a charity ball for people, dogs and cats a lot of People meet at a Inn. They there is murder. The owner of the inn and her dog and cat help to solve the case. A lot of suspense and a surprising end.
Number 7 in this series.
Inn owner, Holly Miller has a full house of women from the Wagtail Animal Guardians. They are in town for the pet adoption charity ball.
Holly and Trixie are crazy busy when she receives a call from her grandmother’s friend, Rose. It seems the recently widowed Judge has lost his german shepherd. The housekeeper has called in a pet detective but Rose thinks Holly and the gang can find him first.
And maybe they do, but finding a dead pet detective wasn’t on the list of things to do.
The ladies at the inn are acting sketchy and have each other's backs, but Holly isn’t so convinced that one of them isn’t a killer.
The characters in this series are adorable! The pups, the old ladies, even the cats play a role. Ms. Davis understands her audience very well and this is one of the best Cozy Mystery Series.
NetGalley/ March 30th, 2021 by Berkley Books
This is the seventh book in the series, and it just keeps getting better! It is always a guaranteed entertaining read. I could not put this book down!
Interesting characters and a whodunit that keeps me engrossed and guessing.
I cannot wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
This is the first time I have read this series and I am planning on going back on reading the rest in the series. This can be read as a standalone. This was a fun cozy mystery with the cutest pets.