Bookstore owner Willa Chance has no idea that things in Mystic Notch are about to take a turn for the worse. When a string of robberies escalates to murder, Willa is baffled by the behavior of her sister, the county sheriff. Normally the gung-ho lawwoman would be all over the case, but she seems more interested in doing her nails and picking out jazz music instead. Willa has no choice but to … instead.
Willa has no choice but to take it upon herself to investigate. After all, her sister’s reputation is at stake, and a killer is running loose around town. Plus she has a secret weapon—she can see ghosts. Talking to the spirit of a murder victim usually helps solve the case, but not this time. This ghost seems reluctant to help Willa out. Even her boyfriend, neighboring county sheriff Eddie Striker, can’t get the spirit of the victim to give them a straight answer.
But things are even worse than they seem. Pandora and the cats of Mystic Notch know the real reason behind the crime goes a lot deeper than robbery or even murder. Someone has evil plans for Mystic Notch, and the cats need Willa’s help to stop them.
With Gus out of commission and the cats struggling to stop the town’s most notorious feline from gaining the upper hand, the future of Mystic Notch is in jeopardy. It’s going to take a lot of magic to set things right—are Willa and Pandora up for the task?
more
Great bunch of characters and love the cats.
Willa becomes concerned when a series of break-ins begin to occur in the area of bookstore, especially since nothing is taken. What is the purpose? But that all changes when store owner Jack is found murdered. Is it all related? Or are they separate mysteries? I enjoy this series but am wondering how long before Willa realizes her magical powers to the fullest. Hopefully soon.
I love Leighann Dobbs. I have all her Lexy Baker series, Mystic Notch series, Blackmor Sisters series and Silver Hollow series. Always watching for new books from these to come out. Glenda
“Wrong Side of the Claw” earns 5/5 Ghostly Conundrums…Exciting Entertainment!
Stupendous Seven! My first introduction to Leighann Dobbs was with her delightful twelve-book Lexy Baker Cozy (don’t miss it), so how did I miss her Mystic Notch series? It’s clever, humorous, and with just the right amount of magic! Willa and the other business owners of Mystic Notch have been on edge because a rash of break-ins. The so-called thieves haven’t really taken anything and suspiciously her sister/sheriff Gus isn’t really dedicated to the investigation devoid of her “by the book” attitude. Pandora knows something sinister is afoot in Mystic Notch worried that once again Fluff and his human Felicity may be looking for the hidden ingredients to break the “pleasantry” charm cast on the town three centuries ago. But when things escalate to murder, and Gus seems in no hurry to find answers, Willa is compelled to get involved. Well, she has to, the victim’s ghost just showed up, confused about details and having difficulty focusing. Talking to ghosts can still be quite the challenge.
Meow-velous! I enjoyed the first-person narrative from Willa’s perspective, but it’s Pandora that fascinated me the most. We know Willa is unaware of all that happens in the town, although strange things occur that make her suspicious. I hadn’t read the previous six books, so it took a bit to sort out background, character connections, and the mystique behind Mystic Notch, but once I did I was totally engaged in the story. Leighann’s well-written style includes a clever mystery, unique mystic components, vivid descriptions, and wonderful, well-developed characters. The cats, all breeds, ages, and temperaments, were delightful characters. Leighann did a wonderful job of describing each one in its uniqueness and creating dialogue to best fit each personality making them as human as the…humans. Absolute fun!
Enjoying the series.
Leighann Dobbs is my go to author when I want to read but want it light and fun. They are always easy to read and entertaining. I have read most of her books, and as my daughter would say, they are candy, nothing too serious and fun to read.
There have been break-ins at the shops in Mystic Notch. However, nothing has been taken. Now Jack McDougall, owner of the sports card store, has been killed with his own gun. Willa Chance, a former journalist, has returned to Mystic Notch when her grandmother died and left her Last Chance Books. Willa’s daily visitors Bing Thorndike, a retired magician; Josiah Barrows, the retired postmaster and octogenarian twins Hattie and Cordelia Deering have their own opinions of what is happening in town. However, Willa feels someone is looking for the ingredients to reverse the Pleasantry Charm that was cast nearly 300 years ago by an accused witch, Hester Warren. Her main suspects are Felicity Bates and her large white Persian male cat who wears a pink leash, Fluff, and Sarah Delaney, owner of the antique shop. Augusta (Gus), Willa’s sister, the local sheriff, appears to have been “hexed” by someone. Her attitude is not her normal self. All she wants to do is play and sing jazz at the Blue Moon. Willa has enlisted the assistance of her boyfriend, Eddie Striker, the sheriff in the neighboring county of Dixford Pass. Unknown to Willa is the help she is receiving from her cat Pandora and the band of local cats that meet in Elspeth’s barn — Inkspot, the leader, Otis, Kelly, Tigger, Truffles, Snowball, Sasha, Elvira and Hope. Willa’s friend, Pepper St. Onge, brings her magical tea and scones to the bookstore every day in an effort to talk over aspects of the case.
Other suspects are Duane and Anne Crosby, owners of the ice cream store. Anne had been having an affair with Jack. Willa also suspects Mrs. Quimby, the owner of A Good Yarn.
Can Willa get Gus to drink the “tea” Elspeth has mixed for her to reverse the hex and save Mystic Notch in time?
Another great book by Leighann Dobbs. A must read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those with cats.
Mystic Notch has been experiencing a series of unusual break-ins…unusual because so far nothing seems to have been taken. But the town is definitely edgy because of this, and that includes Willa of the Last Chance Books and her cat, Pandora. But when one of the shop owners is murdered, everyone wonders whether there is a connection with the break-ins. However, Willa’s sister, Gus, town sheriff, doesn’t appear to be taking this seriously which is definitely out of character. She doesn’t even seem to mind that Willa is asking questions, something that normally sends her through the roof, with jail threats to Willa. So apparently it is up to Willa (with the unknown help of Pandora and her own gang of town cats) to solve this mystery. This is always a fun mystery series and interesting characters. The stars of this series are definitely the anthropomorphic cats, who are imbued with not only intelligence but a sense of duty and loyalty to the town. Their concern about the break-ins is is there is a more magical reason…searching for ingredients to destroy the protective pleasantry charm. And of course, keeping track of the nefarious deeds of Felicity and her despicable pet cat, Fluff. In addition to the cats, I enjoy the interaction between Willa and Stryker, and their own interactions with the ghosts of the recently deceased. I am looking forward to more adventures with this group. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
Wrong Side of the Claw is Book 7 in the AMAZING Mystic Notch Cozy Series.
This cozy is fun, well written with the characters that I have come to adore, and of course the cats!
Pandora is the star of the show, if you ask me.
There are some break-ins going on in Mystic Notch and Gus has no interest in investigating. She is acting quite strange considering she is usually so straight laced. Willa takes it into her own hands to investigate. This of course means that Pandora and is group of kitties are on the case. The fate of Mystic Notch and all of its humans rest in their hands.
Another fantastic book from this author. From the well crafted story to the characters and mystery, this is one that you do not want to miss.
Dobbs did it again.
Yet again, she delivers a wonderful cozy full of fun and surprises. And full of cat wisdom, of course! I adore Pandora! This book made me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I just love Mystic Notch. Love the quirkiness of the people. Love Willa. But Pandora is the undisputed star.
These recent break-ins are worrisome. And why is Gus acting so strange? So out-of-character? Acting all friendly and laid-back? What is going on? When Gus won’t investigate, Willa sees no other option than to fill in for her sister. She isn’t quite ready to believe in more than ghosts. But she’s getting there, slowly but surely!
Pandora has to save the day. Because the humans have no idea of the danger they are up against.