The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical, controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne … would like to tell her to go jump in a lake—and as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . .
It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee, and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in need. Daphne makes it back to shore—with the help of a mysterious St. Bernard—but Lauren is dragged out stone cold dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in his investigation—whether he wants her to or not . . .
Includes recipes for homemade pet treats!
“Doggone charming from start to finish!”
—Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author on Death by Chocolate Lab
more
Such a fun addition to a wonderful cozy mystery series!
This was very hard to put down
Totally believable
Characters come alive
Come and spend some time with the ladies of Sylvan Creek. Daphne, her sister Piper, and her best friend Maxie are all such fun and diverse personalities I love seeing what they are all up to. This book doesn’t disappoint and is a lot of fun. I highly recommend this series for cozy mystery fans.
Sub Topics:
Small town, pet loving; especially dogs, female small business owner
Can You Start The Series in the Middle?
You can, but each installment endears you to Daphne as a protagonist and I’d recommend starting at the beginning to get the best feel for the charm and full depth of each character.
If You Like …
Krista Davis’ Paws and Claws Mystery Series, you’ll enjoy this book.
Pawprints and Predicaments
Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery, Book #3
Bethany Blake
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical, controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne would like to tell her to go jump in a lake–and as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . .
It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee, and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in need. Daphne makes it back to shore–with the help of a mysterious St. Bernard–but Lauren is dragged out stone cold dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in his investigation–whether he wants her to or not . . .
Includes recipes for homemade pet treats!
“Doggone charming from start to finish!” –Cleo Coyle, New (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I thought all of the characters are engaging and I enjoyed spending time with them. I really like how Daphne and Moxie are such good friends and they compliment each other well. Her sister, Piper, and her mom sometimes give Daphne a hard time, but you can tell how much they love her. And Detective Jonathan Black continues to be the bane of her existence but I think she would date him if the opportunity ever presented itself.
I still continue to think that all of the animals steal the show. They all have very distinct personalities and we get to meet a new pet named Sebastian, the cheese loving rodent. I loved the way Daphne was always talking to them and asking their opinions. Socrates, her basset hound had me laughing out loud. The animals are as real to me as any of the humans.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The authors is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was visiting Sylvan Creek, watching the celebration first hand. The mystery is well plotted and fast paced. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and the mystery was not easy to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted animal cozy mystery. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in the series, I hope the author is a fast writer.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
It’s Winter in Sylvan Creek, the pet-loving, small town in the Poconos Mountains and the town is having its first Polar Bear Plunge during their Winterfest. Daphne Templeton is one of about 80 people participating as is TV producer, Lauren Savidge, who’s in town filming for a special TV show. Daphne is shoved under water during the plunge and nearly drowns so she’s rescued by local detective Jonathon Black. But she also discovers Lauren’s body which is pulled out by a mysterious Saint Bernard. Daphne is pulled into the investigation once again.
I enjoyed this book and am loving the series. I was entranced by the story and loved getting to know the characters. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
I love following the characters of Sylvan Creek! As a pet sitter I can relate to the main character, Daphne Templeton & her helpful basset hound, Socrates. I found Pawprints & Predicaments, book 3 in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery just as enjoyable as the book #1 Death by Chocolate Lab & book #2 Dial Meow for Murder. I enjoy reading the build up of characters. I am looking forward to continuing the series. If you love animals, mysteries, and wonderful characters, I recommend giving Bethany Blake’s series a read. I bet you will enjoy it.
Pawprints & Predicaments
I really enjoy this series. I wish this pet friendly town was real, so that I could visit or live there. All of the pets have such great personalities, however, Socrates the Basset Hound & Artie the Chihuahua have a special place in my heart. I just love them. There is a great supporting cast. This was a well-plotted mystery. There were a number of possible suspects & I enjoyed watching Daphne put the clues together.
Once again, another entertaining, fun filled, dog-gone good, who-dun-it! I took awhile to finish this story because I just wasn’t ready to end my visit to Sylvan Creek or my visit with Socrates, Artie, and Detective Black… and of course our protagonist, Daphne and family! I love the interactions between the characters and and the fun traditions of their town. When a visiting film crew member shows up dead at the local polar plunge, the story begins! The mystery is right under your nose the whole time and you will be kept guessing until the end, and then you’ll wonder how you didn’t catch the answer yourself (or maybe you did! – I was too involved with everything else to see what was under my own nose!). I can’t wait until the next release in this series – it can’t come soon enough!
I have to admit that I didn’t like Daphne in the 1st book of the series but I’m glad I decided to continue anyway. She has really grown and has become more responsible without losing her individual and unique personality. I love the setting, a pet town, and there are lots of unique characters that live there. The mystery was good with lots of suspects who had really good motives. So much so, that I was surprised by the killer, although looking back, there were plenty of clues and it did make sense. And I love that romance is not front and center and there is no love triangle. Just nice relationships. If I had to pick one favorite pet, it would be really difficult. The pets are all charming with such great personalities. Can’t wait to continue this series.
When television producer, Lauren Savidge, is murdered at Sylvan Creek’s Tail Wagging Winter fest polar plunge, many suspects arise. Detective Jonathan Black takes himself off the case because his ex-wife is a suspect and he warns Daphne not to get involved. The appearance of a legendary St. Bernard is curious for Daphne. She begins looking into things despite Jonathan’s warning. She tries to juggle finding a killer, preparing for an Iditarod race, and getting her new pet bakery ready to open. Can she survive long enough to catch a murderer? This was my favorite book in the series so far. I enjoyed seeing Daphne settle down a little, seeing a different side of Jonathan, and enjoyed the animals. I had no clue who the murderer was and couldn’t wait to finish the book to find out who it was. I look forward to the next book and hopefully seeing a real relationship develop between Daphne and Jonathan.
I love this story. It has all the ingredients for a great cozy mystery. It is well written with relatable characters and a mystery that remains a mystery until the very end. Add to that an unique cast of animals and a touch of romance and it becomes a five star book.
It is time for the Thirtieth Annual Sylvan Creek Tail Waggin’ Winterfest. Pet sitter and soon-to-be pet bakery owner/operator Daphne Templeton is participating in the polar bear plunge to help a local charity. The plunge becomes chaotic and Daphne finds herself struggling to stay above water but an even bigger shock is what she discovers in the water.
This book also includes some yummy recipes for pet treats. It is the third book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series but could easily be read as a stand alone. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sylvan Creek is being touted as a pet-friendly destination and there is television crew in town to film their Tail Waggin’ Winterfest. Locals are hoping the exposure will bring more tourists to the town. Petsitter Daphne Templeton is trying to get her new pet bakery open and included in the production but contractors are hard to come by due to another huge home renovation. So right now she is concentrating on Winterfest and all it entails including a polar bear plunge. Turns out this part of the festival was a bit unorganized and with over 80 people rushing into the frigid water and trying to hurry back out was a little chaotic. Especially when Daphne takes a little fall and winds up underwater tangled with another body. Daphne is rescued by industrious St. Bernard but the other person, the television producer, Lauren Savidge, was not so lucky, Her body is ice cold and she is dead. Daphne knows Detective Jonathan Black isn’t going to like it but she and her sleuthing assistant basset hound, Socrates are plunging into their own investigation.
I so enjoyed this story. Daphne has quickly become one of my favorite protagonists. I am excited about her new pet bakery even though she needed a little shove and a little push to set up her grand opening. Her mind was clearly on everything else happening that the store hit the backburner for awhile. Her friend Moxie always makes me smile, great attitude and her love for the great film actresses of yesterday. Daphne’s mother is quite a woman, pushy and demanding, but she truly loves her daughter and Daphne gets to know how to handle her better every day.
The pets again add so much to the story. They are unique and mostly lovable. One new pet addition made me squirm, definitely not my idea for a pet, but to each his own Of course, basset hound Socrates is still my favorite. Laugh out loud funny and able to turn even the worst day around.
The murder mystery is quite a tangled up mess when Detective Black’s ex-wife becomes a suspect and another detective takes over the investigation. There are plenty of suspects to weed through and eliminate as we follow each and every piece of the puzzle that gets locked into place. I love the way the author takes a reader right into the story. She makes it so easy to see everything like we are right on her character’s shoulders.
Bethany Blake has written a fun story with engaging characters, human, and animal, that captivated this reader from beginning to end. Small town life converged with an excellent mystery was so entertaining. I can’t wait to visit Sylvan Creek again soon!
It is time for the 13th annual Sylvan Creek Tail Waggin’ Winterfest! Complete with hot chocolate, ice sculptures, vendors, and a Polar Plunge. Oh, lets not forget the folklore that the ghost of a St. Bernard in the woods around the town. All is happy and upbeat until the Polar Plunge becomes the scene of a grisly murder. Lauren Savidge, a tv producer in Sylvan Creek filming the charming little town, is discovered by none other than Daphne, tangled in the weeds at the bottom of the little lake hosting the Plunge. Deader than dead, the mysterious St. Bernard dashes out of the woods and pulls Lauren out of the water before quickly disappearing hence the way he came.
Now the town is on full alert knowing there is a killer on the loose and that the fabled St. Bernard appears to, in fact, be very real.
Pawprints and Predicaments is a fantastic third book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. The cozy mystery is full of action, suspense, drama, and animals. I love Artie, the chihuahua Daphne rescued in book 1 and convinced Jonathan to adopt. He is such scene stealer. I adore how he absolutely loves clothes – especially the sweater that Daphne gets for him. Tinks is a feisty cat with a mischievous and cantankerous personality, and Socrates is quite a long suffering basset.
Daphne is a wonderful character. She is snarky, compassionate, without too many cares in the world. Some may think she’s a flake since her cell never works and she’s never on time for anything, but she’s a strong protagonist that doesn’t live by the timeline of others. She even has a PhD in philosophy but doesn’t use her degree. She’s down-to-earth, kind, and gentle. She loves her pet sitting business and continues to prosper.
My only complaint is the lack of romance. I love my cozies to have a bit of romance in them when there are a couple viable heroes present; not graphic but at least a little bit to show relationships are moving in that direction. The sparks between Daphne and Jonathan are still there in book 3 but I’m getting tired of the dance. The potential for romance in this series is high, yet I’ve felt a little let down in that department. I would like to see a bit more between Daphne and someone else. I’m leaning toward a certain detective (hint hint)…
The author does a spectacular job with the continued character development and world building. I love Sylvan Creek and how alive the author writes the town and characters (that is, unless you happen to be the latest murder victim). The book is engaging from the very beginning and kept me entertained throughout. There was never a dull moment and some of Daphne’s antics had me smiling. The author’s writing style is phenomenal. All dialogue was smooth, thought out, and conversational. The twists and turns kept me guessing all the way until the end. This book’s ending actually shocked me a bit. I had no clue who the one was responsible for the mayhem in book 3.
Blake has done it again by writing an absolutely incredible cozy mystery novel that I was unable to put down. Daphne is gearing up to open her pet great bakery just as the winter festival is due to start. She signs up to do the polar plunge but things go horrible wrong when a women turns up dead. What follows is an excellent investigation into what happened that includes not only the awesome sidekick Socrates but a new canine friend of legends as well. The characters are easy to get attached to and the writing is smooth. The animals had a tough of whimsy that made me giggle (especially the costumes). This is a must read for fans of animal cozy msyteries. I loved every minute so I give it 5/5 stars.
In Pawprints & Predicaments, Daphne Templeton certainly has her hands full with the impending opening of her pet bakery, Flour Power, and running her pet sitting service, Lucky Paws. When a murder occurs during the Polar Bear Plunge that’s kicking off the Annual Sylvan Creek Tail Waggin’ Winterfest, she needs to solve it quickly so that she can get back to business. Enter a ghostly and legendary St. Bernard, mysterious Detective Jonathan Black, and all the excitement of the Winterfest, and author Bethany Blake has gifted the reader with another wonderful cozy mystery! I really like Daphne and her upbeat, positive attitude, and especially her very philosophical relationship with her canine partner in crime, basset hound Socrates. Love this series, and I hope there will be many more books. I highly recommend Pawprints & Predicaments! 🙂