Santa Claws is coming to town and checking his list for a murderer—as the New York Times bestselling Paws & Claws Mysteries continue… grandmother has arranged for Wagtail to have a Christkindl Market packed with goodies and decorations for the howliday tourists. But Holly’s mood takes an unseasonable turn when she learns that her old flame and childhood friend Holmes Richardson has brought his fiancée home—and she’ll be staying at the Sugar Maple Inn…
A love triangle becomes the last thing on Holly’s mind when her Jack Russell Trixie’s nose for trouble leads her to the corpse of a pet clothing tycoon. Now Holly and her dedicated detectives—Trixie and Twinkletoes the cat—must sniff out the killer to keep Christmas from going to the dogs…
Delicious recipes for owners and pets included!
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Love this series!
A delightful Christmas cozy mystery! I don’t read this genre to often, but this one was purr-fect! The scene in the village was so decked out for Christmas! I could almost smell Christmas cookies baking as I walked through the quint village. I’ve had many pets in my life and to my delight, my first pup, Trixie, was used to name a cute Jack Russell terrier in the story.
When a murder happens in the village of Wagtail, Virginia, getting into the Christmas spirit can be difficult. Will the townspeople and possibly the nose of a special k-9 help solve the mystery?
I enjoyed this book by Krista Davis around the Christmas holiday. This is book five of her “Paws and Claws Mystery” series but can be read as a stand-alone. She put a little of everything in the story… mystery, a little fun romance, some laughs, and of course the friendly pets. You gotta love it!
~This book was given to me through a giveaway by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
Book #5 in the Paws and Claws series is just so good. I love the characters, animal and human, they are good friends now. The mystery was hard to solve and entertaining to track the clues. I am listening to this series on audio and that makes the story come alive. I really enjoy this series.
This was another entertaining visit to Wagtail. It is Christmas in Wagtail and the town and the Sugar Maple Inn are dressed up for the holidays and there is a Christkindl Market on the Green too. Also in town is Holmes Richardson, along with his fiancee Norma Jean and her family to meet the Richardson’s for the first time. The Thackleberry clan, who also own a pet clothing business, plan to spread some holiday cheer while they are in town to the pets and the children too. Things start to go wrong when Trixie finds a body and the suspect list is long, including someone close to Holly. The mystery was interesting and I loved the ending. This was another great addition to the Paws and Claws Mystery series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love this series. They just keep getting better and better.
Holly, Trixie ( Jack Russel), and Twinkletoes ( cat)
The plot was ok. A lot of side plots that didn’t add to the story line. The audio was one dimensional and sing song. It really took away from the story. Actually got on ones nerves. I would not recommend the audio.
For those who like animals, who just want an entertaining quick read, and who like a decent mystery, just a lot of fun.
A cozy mystery that does not disappoint. Holly and her family become the reader’s friends as they try to solve the latest Wagtail murder.
it was a quick read. Story was predicable.
I love these Paw and Claws stories. Each one is more interesting than the last. I love Oma , Holly, Trixie and Twinkletoes. Another great story from Krista Davis.
Visiting Wagtail is always a pleasure and this book is no exception! It’s Christmas time in Wagtail and the most horrific family of all has descended upon the Wagtail Inn to make everyone miserable, but when one of the family dies a mystery is afoot and it’s up to the usual crew to uncover the truth before a killer flees and an innocent goes to jail. Fabulous character development with interesting personalities, including the personalities of the fur pals in the book coupled with an intriguing plot makes for an entertaining read! If you haven’t read the series, you really should especially if you are an animal lover as they feature prominently throughout the stories!
Not a Creature was Purring by Krista Davis is the fifth book in the A Paws and Claws Mystery series. Holly Miller is looking forward to Christmas in Wagtail, Virginia with her Oma and large circle of friends. Then Holly discovers that Holmes Richardson has brought his fiancé, Norma Jeanne Blume along with her extended family home for the holiday. Holly was hoping Holmes would realize Norma Jeanne was not the right woman for him and see that the perfect partner for him is right under his nose. Dale Thackleberry, Norma Jeanne’s grandfather and CEO of a pet apparel company, is in the Christmas spirit and distributes gifts to local children (despite his families grumpy and haughty demeaner). Rupert Grimpley, though, disturbs the entire town with his giant blow up Grinch (with lights and music). Birdie Dupuy, Holly’s aunt, is particularly disgruntled over this new edition. Holly is out walking Trixie when she takes off towards Rupert’s Grinch. Inside, Holly finds the body of Dale Thackleberry. Holly is asked to put her sleuthing skills to work and track down the killer. Can Holly uncover the culprit before Christmas? Is there a chance for Holly and Holmes? There is if Holmes’ grandmother, Rose and Holly’s grandmother, Oma have anything to say about it.
Not a Creature was Purring was just delightful. It has lovely, well-developed characters and a gorgeous setting. Who would not want to live in Wagtail? A place that welcomes people and fur babies. Ms. Davis brings her characters and town to life with her descriptions. I found the story to be well written and have a nice, steady pace. My attention was grabbed right away, and it was held until the very last page (something I rarely say about a book). It has two mysteries, Christmas spirit, secret Santa elves, a Christkindl Market, adorable dogs and cats, a couple of quirky characters, plenty of drama, a dash of humor and a touch of romance. I found the murder mystery to be complex with a unique murder weapon. There is misdirection, a couple of twists and several possible suspects (including Aunt Birdie). I believe many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity. I am giving Not a Creature was Purring 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). While Not a Creature was Purring is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone. There are human and pet recipes at the end of the book. Personally, I find A Paws and Claws Mystery series delightful and have yet to miss each new installment. Not a Creature was Purring is an entertaining cozy mystery that will put you in the Christmas spirit.
We’re going to Wagtail for Christmas! What could be more magical?
Not a Creature Was Purring is the fifth book in the Paws and Claws Mystery Series by Krista Davis. Holly Miller can’t wait to spend Christmas at home in Wagtail. Everything is going well until her friend and crush, Holmes Richardson brings his fiancee home for Christmas, and she is staying at the Sugar Maple Inn! And when murder strikes the town yet again, Holly knows she must push personal issues aside and help find out what really happened.
Sit down and prepare yourself for a Christmas gift courtesy of Krista Davis because this book is a hit! Here are my top reasons to read Not a Creature Was Purring.
Wagtail is Such a Great Place!
Wagtail is a town that caters to individuals experiencing life with their pets. Krista Davis always paints the most wonderful pictures of this town and has all of us wishing it was a real place we could go on our next vacation. Add that this book takes place during the Christmas season on top of that and it’s just downright magical.
Characters That Come Alive
I love the cast of characters in this book. Our protagonist, Holly, has a strong relationship with her grandmother (Oma), who she co-owns the Sugar Maple Inn with. Oma and Holly make a strong foundation and there are so many other supporting characters that enhance this story. I also love how the four legged characters take on life of their own and have important roles to play in the book.
The Food
I always enjoy hearing what is on the menu at the Sugar Maple Inn and this book is no exception. From the Cranberry Breakfast Rolls to the Gingerbread Pancakes, this book will be sure to leave you hungry. But don’t worry. Krista includes recipes for both humans and pets in the back of the book.
For a Magical Holiday Mystery …
Pick up a copy of Not a Creature Was Purring today. I have yet to read an installment of this series I do not adore and I can’t wait to see where Holly’s adventures take her next.
https://cozyexperience.com/not-creature-purring-krista-davis/
Fluff, but diverting. Great for a relaxing read before diving again into more intense works.
Love this series
well written – I enjoyed very much
Christmastime in Wagtail is a wonderful time and place for a celebration. The town of Wagtail, Virgina is a pet-friendly destination where people are encouraged to bring their pets with them on vacation. This year the town is celebrating the holidays with a Christkindl Market. There are kiosks set up all around the town green. Visitors can purchase decorations, food, and pet items such as clothes. The Sugar Maple Inn joins in and sponsor’s one of the kiosks in which not only are they selling items from the Sugar Maple Inn but they have a line of Holiday Pet Clothes from The Thackleberry Clothing Line. The Thackleberrys family has decided to spend their Christmas at the Sugar Maple Inn. Once the family arrives Holly finds out they are there to celebrate not only Christmas but the engagement of Norma Jeane to Holmes Richardson. Holmes is Holly’s childhood best friend which she secretly loves (well secret to Holmes). The Thackleberry’s family is a little on the crazy side. There are a few good souls but the majority are loud snobby and vain individuals that are very self-absorbed. One of the good souls is the family patriarch Dale, who seems to be at the end of his rope with the family’s antics. Not long after they arrive Dale goes missing; only to be found later by Holly and Trixie (Holly’s Jack Russell Terrier) stabbed to death. Holly is trying to hold everything together at the inn, be supportive to Holmes and his engagement, as well as help, find out who the murder is but she is having a really had time with her own feeling about this family.
This is book number 5 in the Paws and Claws Mystery series. I really love this series and could not wait to read this book. I was not disappointed. I really love the setting, I wish Wagtail was a real place that I could on vacation and take my own fur babies. Sugar Maple Inn sound like a wonderful place to stay and Wagtail sounds gorgeous and picturesque. The characters are very well developed, I feel like I’m reading about old friends. The pets Twinkletoes, Gingersnap, and Trixie remind me of my own pets. The relationships between the human characters keep evolving and become more complex as the series evolves. Mrs. Davis does a fabulous job weaving together the murder mystery and the mystery of the love triangle. She provides plenty of suspects with enough twists and turns for the reader to enjoy trying to solve the murder. She also does an excellent job not dragging out the love triangle; this secondary plot in the story is very well paced to go along with the murder mystery. As bonus recipes for both pet and humans are included.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmas cozy mysteries and animal cozy lovers alike. I was provided with a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Love characters and turns and twists in who “did it”.