A pet detective on the hunt for a prominent pooch is found dead, and inn owner Holly Miller has to sort through her guest list for suspects in this all new Paws & Claws mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.The ladies of the Wagtail Animal Guardians, WAG for short, are in town for a pet adoption charity ball, and Holly is making sure to roll out the red carpet for her special … carpet for her special guests. She and her furry best friend Trixie are busy keeping the WAG ladies happy and preparing for the ball when they learn that a retired judge has lost his prized pup.
The venerable citizen has hired a pet detective who has some personal ties to Holly’s new guests. His presence ruffles some feathers, and when the PI is found DOA not long before the ball, Holly wonders if one of the WAG ladies had a motive for murder. To make matters worse, some pet-loving guests of the ball nearly suffer the same deadly fate. Holly and Trixie will have to sniff out the clues and leash a callous killer before they strike again….
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Big Little Spies by Krista Davis is the 7th A Paws & Claws Mystery. I love visiting Wagtail in each delightful tale. While Big Little Spies could be read on its own, I recommend reading this charming series in order. Holly, Liesel, Rose, Holmes, and the other residents of Wagtail are wonderful characters. They are developed characters who are friendly and relatable. I love all the cats and dogs. They run around playing, snooping, getting into mischief as well as helping find a clue now and then. Wagtail is a special town. I would love to live in this pet-friendly place. The mystery is well done. It is clever and fun to follow (and solve). There is plenty of action to keep things lively. I enjoy following Holly and Trixie as they ask questions and dig up clues. There are some great twists and turns in this whodunit. There is a good wrap up at the end. I wish all cozy mysteries were as well done as this one. There are some recipes at the end of the book for humans and canines. I am going to try the canine recipes (I think my fur babies will love them). I also learned to check the ingredients on my peanut butter before giving it to my dog. This is one of those books that you cannot wait to see how it ends, but you also do not want it do end. I was sad to leave Wagtail, and I cannot wait for my next visit. Big Little Spies is a captivating whodunit with a dead detective, a beastly bash, a misplaced pooch, a startling romance, a clever canine, and a crazed killer.
One of my favorite cozy mystery settings is the pet wonderland in Wagtail, VA. Folks are gathering for the ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ fancy ball held by the WAG Ladies (rescue volunteers); a group of five very different women who’ve brought their pets along during their stay at the Sugar Maple Inn.
Holly Miller helps her grandmother, Oma, manage the beautiful Inn. They adore pets and have several of their own. Trixie, Holly’s rescue dog, has a keen nose for sniffing out dead people. Lo and behold, she finds a corpse washed up on the nearby beach. As the story moves at a brisk pace, I found there were so many suspects introduced that it was somewhat frustrating trying to keep track of who was who (I couldn’t) and which pet was theirs. A gruff, retired Judge has a prominent role in the murder mystery and his situation provides levity in the seriousness of the mystery! I had a niggling feeling I knew who the killer was and it turned out I was correct. All in all, this is a great story. I highly recommend this book to animal lovers! Enjoy trying the delicious recipes the author shares after the story.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
A fun book! I always enjoy visiting Wagtail and wish it was a real place where I could vacation with my cats. Holly is on the case after a pet detective is found dead with the dog he was searching for next to him. The town is also holding a charity ball to support the animal shelter and the five women in charge all seem to have a connection to the murdered man. After some strange events around town and a few people ending up poisoned, Holly is determined to find answers with help from her furry companions, Twinkletoes the cat and Tricia the dog. Delightful characters and an intriguing storyline. I highly recommend this fun series!!
Being the mother of a canine fur baby, another fun visit to Wagtail, courtesy of author Krista Davis, was just what I needed.
How an author can continue to make fresh, new books in a series already on its seventh title, is beyond me. Yet, author Krista Davis does just that. She has once again added even more depth to this, her seventh Paws and Claws Mysteries. Brava!
While there are times I can become exhausted chasing around with a protagonist who has her teeth into something and just won’t let it go, BIG LITTLE SPIES was not one of those cases. I was happy, eager even, to follow along with Holly in an attempt to catch a killer. When every lead that came up turned into a tangled leash, I found myself totally clueless. I wasn’t even close to having it figured out.
A brilliant mystery, fabulous charters old and new, animals, murder, and so very much more. The perfect addition to the Paws and Claws Mysteries, BIG LITTLE SPIES was an all-around satisfying treat. A real read-in-one-sitting tale, this story has it all. You just can’t go wrong with this book!
Oh, and there are treats by way of recipes included in the book!
I feel as though this review is not up to my usual standards. My concentration was scattered while writing this one. Please don’t let that stop you from picking up a copy of BIG LITTLE SPIES for yourself. You’re going to love it!
Read 3.18.2021
GREAT. GOOGLY. MOOGLY.
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
There’s a pet adoption charity ball being held in Wagtail with the ladies of the Wagtail Animal Guardians in attendance and Holly is making sure they’re happy while they’re staying at the inn. Holly soon learns that a retired judge is missing his dog and that a pet detective named Seth has been hired. However Seth has ties to the WAG ladies so things get difficult when Holly finds his body behind Rose’s house. And when a few more ladies almost meet the same fate, Rose becomes a person of interest so Holly begins looking into things.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. The book’s well-written with wonderful characters whom you’ll enjoy getting to know. I was pulled into the story from the start and kept hooked throughout while the mystery kept me guessing. I’m eager for more of this excellent series. Wagtail seems like a wonderful place and I would love to live there. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the most enjoyment and benefit.
I adore this pet themed series so much, and BIG LITTLE SPIES is an outstanding addition. Author Krista Davis has created wonderful characters (I particularly love Holly, Rose, and Aunt Birdie) with a setting that I wish was a real place. I would to vacation in Wagtail. The mystery here is top notch with a couple of subplots tightly woven into the main murder mystery. I thought I had it all figured out, but the killer’s identity and motive took me by surprise. Excellent!
Fantastic read! Krista Davis never fails to write an exceptionally entertaining mystery. You have to love Holly, Oma, Rose, Holmes, and all their critters and love the calamities they get themselves into! Oh, we can’t forget Officer Dave, even though he is supposed to unravel the calamities. Big Little Spies is a great beach read so put it in your TBR pile and take to the beach this summer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return to Wagtail, Virginia just in time for the ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ Pet Adoption Ball being thrown by the Wagtail Animal Guardians or WAG for short. The ladies and their pets have all checked in at the Sugar Maple Inn and Holly, Oma Liesel, Zelda, Mr. Huckle, Gingersnap, Twinkletoes, and Trixie are making them all feel welcome. But they are concerned about another precious pup. The Geman Shepherd of a local retired recently widowed judge is missing. His housekeeper has called in a pet detective but before he can return the dog to the judge, Trixie, Holly’s rescue dog who has a habit of finding dead bodies, finds a dead pet detective. It seems the detective has connections to several WAG members. There are also several strange things happening that put other lives in peril. It’s time for Holly and Trixie to find out what the heck is going on including who killed the pet detective.
I absolutely love the pet-friendly town of Wagtail. With a new puppy in the house, who we love to take everywhere with us, Wagtail would be a perfect vacation spot. Even a dead body or two is an issue because I love a good mystery and would do anything I could to help Holly crate a killer.
The core group of characters, human, canine, and feline, are so cleverly crafted. They all have huge hearts and love catering to their guest’s needs and having Wagtail become a great tourist destination. They are all engaging and genuine. I get such a kick of Holly jumping on a golf cart and being quickly followed by Trixie and sometimes Twinkletoes. The pets are not just window dressing they are vital to the story.
We are introduced to several new characters and their pets. I love that Ms. Davis knows this may be confusing at first so she graciously includes a complete list of characters before the story begins. The WAG ladies are a diverse group with their own issues and secrets. They spend a lot of time together and know each other’s quirks and how to work best together but even they don’t know all of each other’s secrets. The judge and his housekeeper also play prominent roles. They also have issues and secrets.
The story unfolds at a very fast pace with subplots tightly tangled with the main mystery/s. There is truly a plethora of suspects with a variety of motives. Twists and turns muddied my thinking several times and just when I thought I had the killer leashed another twist sent me off in another direction and still I was barking up the wrong tree. I was gobsmacked when everything was revealed. The author plotted out a fantastic mystery.
In addition to the marvelous characters and the mysteries they were wrapped in the Sugar Maple Inn serves up a menu of delicious food for its guests. The pet-friendly versions are really interesting and thought-provoking. We don’t prepare special meals for our pooch but there are some great easy-to-make options included in this book. I just may have to try some of them out. A pet cookbook with the recipes from this series would be fun.
Big Little Spies is a delightful addition to this series. The title truly fits. I do get a little melancholy when I reach the final page of books in this series because I really enjoy spending time with these characters. I can’t wait to return to Wagtail. This visit ended much too soon.
I want to live in Wagtail. I liked the characters, especially the four legged ones. There is a big ball happening in town to benefit pet adoptions. Not only are people invited, so are their pets. Everyone is dressed up, including the pets. When a pet detective is found dead, Holly helps to figure out who killed him. There are too many things going on in town. The Judge suspects that someone has bugged his house and is listening in on all his conversations. One woman’s pill were switched and she became very sick. Two more women were poisoned. What is going on? Can Holly find out what is going on before anyone else dies?
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.
A good read.
Interesting characters, both 2- and 4-legged, with uncertain agendas.
A tantalizing mystery.
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.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest review.
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.
I really love this series! The setting of a pet-friendly town is so fun. Wagtail is one of my favorite fictional towns; I would love to vacation there. Most of the characters, both human and fur, are entertaining and likable. The mystery is intriguing with well-placed red herrings and a multitude of suspects; I didn’t figure out whodunit it until the big reveal. I recommend this book to pet lovers, cozy mystery fans, and fans of the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
I love Wagtail and all of the characters, especially the four-legged ones. The town is always having special events and this time there is a pet adoption charity ball. The Sugar Maple Inn is hosting the WAG (Wagtail Animal Guardians) Ladies while they are in town to put on the charity ball. The ball is just as you would imagine with human and animal guests welcome and all dressed to the nines. I loved the descriptions of the guests’ attire and the food for both humans and animals. Also, a dog is missing in town and a pet detective has been hired to find it. There is a murder, but there is also another mystery in this book. I was kept guessing about both mysteries until the end. I like how the characters have developed over the course of the series and hope that there will be many more books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
amateur-sleuth, pets, cozy-mystery, murder-investigation, animal-welfare, animals, family-dynamics, friendship, situational-humor****
I have to admit to feeling behind it because I hadn’t read any of the previous series books. That did not mean that I didn’t enjoy it! Fascinating characters and creative sleuthing by humans and intriguing pets alike. Good read for a chilly afternoon.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. Thank you!
Big Little Spies is the seventh book in the Paws And Claws Mystery series by Krista Davis.
Holly Miller and her Oma are busy getting their Sugar Maple Inn ready to welcome Wagtail Animal Guardians(WAG) members, who are having their There’s No Place Like Home Pet Adoption Ball.
Holly and Trixie, her rescue dog, are enjoying meeting with their guests and their pets when she gets a phone call from her boyfriend’s grandmother, Rose, asking her to come to Judge Barlow’s home. Holly thinks that there has been some word on Barlow’s missing German Shepherd, Fritz. Holly knew that Barlow’s housekeeper, Miss Dovie, had hired a pet detective, Seth Bertenshaw, to look for Fritz. But instead, Rose and Barlow feel that listening devices have been placed in the judge’s home.
A day or two later, while at a shed fire at Miss Dovie’s, Holly notices that Trixie is missing. Soon she hears her bark and fears what that bark might mean. She soon finds not only Trixie but also Fritz. Trixie and Fritz are standing guard over the body of the pet detective. Before long, a guest dies when someone switches her medicines, and another lady is sent to the hospital in serious condition possibly caused by poisoning. It’s time for Holly and Trixie to get down to business and find out what is going on in Wagtail before there are any more deaths.
It’s always great to visit with Trixie, the pets, and the wonderful residents. I would love to live in a community like Wagtail, where the dogs and cats can go wherever their humans go. The story is well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and believable,
Delicious recipes, both for humans and pets, are included in the book.
I will be looking for the next book in this exciting series.