The Dog Across the Lake

Paws & Claws Mystery #9

by Krista Davis

Holly and Trixie meet a strange new dog in Wagtail that leads them right into murder. . . .

Holly Miller is looking forward to finally taking a few days to relax. Enjoying an early morning on her terrace, she spots an unfamiliar reddish-gold pooch across the lake. She’s intrigued, but never expects to find the very same dog smiling at her in bed when she wakes up the next morning! Trixie and Twinkletoes appear to accept this cute stranger, but Holly doesn’t know to whom he belongs.

Oma thinks the dog looks familiar, and it turns out the wayward pooch belongs to Holly’s cousin Josh. Holly knew her cousin well as a child, but she hasn’t seen him in over a decade. He’s camping with his girlfriend across the lake. Holly returns the cute dog to Josh’s campsite twice, but the second time, Josh and his girlfriend are nowhere to be found. Instead, a guest of the Sugar Maple Inn is dead in their tent. Now it's up to Holly and Trixie to suss out a sneaky killer.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Animals, Fiction, Cats

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 9, 2024

About the author

Krista Davis lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she writes mysteries. She lived in Northern Virginia for many years and resided for a time in Old Town Alexandria where her Domestic Diva Mysteries take place.

Krista also writes the Paws and Claws Mysteries, which debuted with MURDER, SHE BARKED. Her Pen & Ink Mysteries featured covers that can be colored! Read the book and have fun coloring the cover.

WEBSITE: https://www.kristadavis.com

NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/3Wi0jcR

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAu...

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite cozy mystery series. I’d love to live in Wagtail! Very entertaining! I love the town where pets are welcome everywhere! I love the main characters! I love the pets! I love every book written in the Paws and Claws Mystery series! If you love animals (especially, dogs and cats), and cozy mysteries, this is the series for you! And, a great mystery that made it hard to guess whodunnit!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

The good people of Wagtail and her family are getting ready to celebrate Mayor Liesel Miller's (Oma's) birthday. Family is coming into town to surprise her and a couple of events have been planned. Holly is looking forward to it all but her attention right now is on the strange dog smiling at her as she wakes up. How did this dog get in her room? Where did he belong? Is he the dog she noticed across the lake?

Small world, the dog belongs to her cousin Josh. They haven't seen each other since they were children. In town to surprise Oma for her birthday, he and his girlfriend are camping across the lake.  After Holly takes the dog back, she wakes up to him smiling at her again the next day. At least now she knows where he belongs. She still doesn't understand how he is getting to the inn and into her room but again takes him back to Josh. Only Josh isn't at his campsite and neither is his girlfriend. Instead, she finds Fred Burton, a guest from her inn in their tent, and he is dead.

____

This is truly one of my favorite series. If Wagtail and the Sugar Maple Inn were real, I would either move there or vacation there as often as possible. The inn really caters to their guests, human and animal, from the food to the lodgings. Plus the town has great shops and restaurants and pets are welcome in almost every establishment.

Ms. Davis's core cast of characters are so genuine and welcoming not only to humans but cats, dogs, and other pets too. They have huge hearts, creative ideas, and are just plain fun. They all grow from one book to the next in realistic ways. Holly loves the inn, Oma loves the inn and the town, and Gingersnap, Twinkletoes, and Trixie are just perfect pets. This time Holly's father, half-sister, aunt, and cousin arrive for Oma's celebration and play major parts in the story. We also meet Josh's dog Radar.

Ms. Davis has written a complicated mystery. The inn is overflowing with guests and family members but it is cousin Josh and his girlfriend, Dana, that appear to be in the middle of everything. Holly can't believe Josh could kill someone but he does nothing to prove his innocence. Secrets, lies, twists, turns, and another murder keep the pages turning rapidly. A missing item appears to be the key to everything. I loved tagging along with Holly and Officer Dave and they ferret through all the clues. A surprising twist reveals part of the mystery. It felt good to know that I was kind of on the right track. There is an exciting reveal and showdown but the story doesn't end there. There is still one dangling thread . . .

The Dog Across the Lake was a Perfect Escape. Loveable characters, a fantastic mystery, and a wonderful setting come together to test us armchair sleuths and keep us totally entertained. Each visit to Wagtail ends much too soon. I am beyond excited for my next virtual vacation to visit Holly and the Sugar Maple Inn.

I highly recommend every book in this series. They can all be read on their own but to really enjoy Wagtail and all that happens there you will want to read them all.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and want so desperately to visit Wagtail. I love the characters and the addition of the extended family in this one was a great way to meet the rest of them, although Holly’s half-brother, Mike, is mentioned twice and then disappears so you don’t get to know him yet (maybe in subsequent books). The mystery was fascinating and the twists and turns had me guessing the whole time. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery. Kept me guessing until the end.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh.

This was much better once I dumped the audiobook [that was ABSOLUTELY not working for me], but it was still not my favorite, which was disappointing as I have truly loved this series. I feel like Holly has lost her mind, THE BEN needs to go away and never come back [he truly gives me the ICK; NO means NO buddy], Holly's dad needs to learn to respect his GROWN DAUGHTER'S decisions *AND* we, the readers do not need, want, or LIKE repetition. At all. UGH.

That said, the mystery was good [though I seriously tired of Josh V E R Y quickly], and I was surprised at the reveal. I loved Trixie and Twinkletoes even more in this book and the addition of Radar [IYKYK] was really fantastic as well. I loved the surprise for Oma and again, even with massive allergies, I'd really love to spend time in Wagtail a the hotel [but maybe without a murder? ;-) ]

I will read the next one, but I will probably skip the audiobook [UGH].

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I might be falling away from this series (which makes me sad as this was my comfort series). I just don't think I click with any of the characters. I ADORE the setting - the pet friendly town where animals go everywhere and get gourmet meals, is just the epitome of cozy. The furry friends and what kept brining me back, and thinking of what a lovely place the inn sounds like. But, the actions of the characters just rings strange to me. I could not figure out anyone's reasoning for doing anything (Holly's flip flopping attitude about she will the cops / not help them / oh wait we're helping again; her dad's weird insistence that she marry someone she isn't dating and hasn't seen in years, the characters that show up with weak reasoning that everyone just accepts). No one really seems to like anyone else. Though the story is intriguing, the actions of the characters just felt off to me. I will say I was surprised by the reveal and the ending, which is what kept my interest through the end. I also feel like there is no growth from the MCs through the series and I am hoping for a little more (sometimes I feel like I hardly know them even after 9 books).

Note; I listened to the audiobook and think it's very well done.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spring is springing in Wagtail and Holly and Mr. Huckle have been enjoying watching nature bloom and grow across the lake from Holly's window. When Holly wakes up to an unfamiliar dog in her bed she and Mr. Huckle think it looks like a dog they saw across the lake. Oma recognizes the dog as Radar, her grandson Josh's social media star companion. Holly is trying to surprise Oma with a family birthday party and she thinks Josh is in town for the big event but why isn't he staying at the inn with Holly's family? When Holly goes to return the dog, she discovers her cousin Josh and his girlfriend camping across the lake. They decline an invite to stay at the inn or somewhere else and Josh's girlfriend seems unfriendly and wary. Then Holly's dad arrives with his children and no wife, and thoughts of Josh and his girlfriend flee from Holly's mind. There's also an unexpected guest, Carole Hobson, a much younger woman, has shown up to surprise Holly's dad. Who is she? Is she his new girlfriend? If so, he doesn't look happy to see her and what happened to his wife? When Radar shows up in Holly's apartment again and she takes him back to the campsite, Trixie howls her special mournful howl and much to Holly's dismay, Trixie's latest dead body belongs to an inn guest sleeping in Josh's tent. What happened to Josh and Dana? They they kill this man? So begins a cat and mouse game of trying to find Josh. Officer Dave breaks his leg in the process and a Sergeant Hayward claims to be on the case and seems to want to convict Josh, Dana AND Holly of murder! Holly and the pets have to help Officer Dave solve this one to keep the nasty Sergeant out of Wagtail. It won't be easy because Oma and her daughter, Margaret, Josh's mom, are trying their hardest to protect Josh. Holly wants to believe her cousin is innocent but she isn't entirely sure. If only he would stop running and talk to her. Can they solve this one before something else happens? Will Oma have the birthday she deserves?

Another incredible tail ... er TALE from Wagtail! There are several suspects and I didn't guess who the murderer was until close to the end. I only guessed that that person would know something none of the other suspects would know but I was only partially right. I figured the rest out quickly though. There were lots of twists and turns in this adventure and two sad deaths. As always the cozy details are so well done I want to live in Wagtail! Apparently all the readers do as the book is dedicated to all the readers who wish they lived in Wagtail! I want to move into the Sugar Maple Inn and adopt a dog or two.

Holly is a sensible cozy mystery heroine. She doesn't go off on harebrained schemes or try to work against the police. She doesn't gossip and reports everything to Dave. When it comes time to catch a killer, she tries to do it safely. Anything bad that happens is not her fault. I really feel bad for her in this one. She's trying to give Oma a break and a surprise birthday party but various family members, namely cousin Josh, keep complicating the surprise. Her dad doesn't treat her like an adult and The Ben is back in town. She's also trying to excel at customer service, making sure the inn doesn't get a bad reputation. It's a tough balancing act. At least she has Holmes to support her and make her happy and of course her darling fur children. Trixie is such a good girl. She's stopped running off and has learned how to get Holly's attention. She helps the other dogs and brings them to Holly because she knows Holly is a good human. Trixie loves Holly but I'm sure Holly wishes trouble didn't love Trixie! If I were Holly, I would have run away from the first murder scene in this book and let someone else discover it! Sorry Trixie! Twinkletoes is charming and adorable too and even has a moment to shine. Radar is a good dog but he doesn't show any exemplary qualities except maybe to teleport across a lake?

I really like Holmes and Holly together. He helps lighten her up. He's easygoing and good natured. Holmes understands Trixie's special talent and doesn't stand in Holly's way. He always supports her and tries to help any way he can. In this book he's busy designing a dream home for cat-lover Judy Davis and her husband. Holmes is much better than the Ben. Ben has loosened up a bit. It's obviously he's lonely and understands the good life is passing by down in Wagtail but doesn't yet know how to let go of everything he's ever known and worked for. I think he'd learn to love cats at least and relax a bit. Maybe he can come vacation in Wagtail more often.

Holly's dad, Sam, is way out of line. He doesn't have much of a relationship with Holly. She's grown and he has another family and lives far away. He doesn't seem to like or appreciate Wagtail or understand the life Holly has built there. She's happy and loves life in Wagtail. Why can't he see that? Holly is an adult. He shouldn't be interfering in her life, let alone her love life. If his wife really decided he was an "old bore", I can see why he likes Ben but why would he want Holly stuck with a man like himself? Sam is 0-2 on lasting marriages so he shouldn't be giving his 2 cents. He can pal around with Ben if he genuinely enjoys Ben's company but he should butt out of Holly's life. His daughter, Lucy, is very sweet. She's in her teens and the youngest of Oma's grandchildren. The older young adults have paired up and ditched her. She latches on to Holly (who is an admirable role model for a little sister). I would think that even if Sam hated Wagtail, he would have sent his younger children to visit his mother every summer to help at the inn! They need to get to know Oma and Holly too. Holly has such lousy parents. At least her mom has come around. I don't like all the flirting Nell is doing and don't think Holly's parents should get back together. They don't know each other as mature adults and don't have anything in common except Holly.

Oma is a loving matriarch. She's also the Wagtail mayor so she understands the need to follow the law but she wants to protect her grandson at the same time. I think she does a great job helping Josh within the boundaries of the law but it's tough for her. Her daughter, Margaret, is high strung and overly emotional. She's too attached to her son and sometimes emotionally manipulative. Josh seems like a nice guy. He's too naïve and trusting. ANIMALS are better than people. Easier to deal with, even the rescues. Josh is so sweet. He's gone from rescuing strange animals to strange people. Dana is definitely strange. She's not the camping type but seems to want to camp. I think she's on the run or hiding from maybe the law. If I were Josh I probably would have believed her story at first but done some Googling on her husband to at least know what he looked like so I knew who to avoid! How do you know who your stalker is if you don't know what they look like? Some of Dana's story doesn't ring true to me. She claims one thing is true but then won't go to the police for help. Now she's in Wagtail and Holly offers help more than once and Dana won't take it. I think that's suspicious. Then when Dana does accept help, briefly, she makes a snide comment that tells me she's totally lying about her background. She comes across then as a spoiled little princess and maybe she's on the run from Daddy. Maybe he's in the mob or something. That would explain why she's trying to avoid the police.

Who is Frank Burton? He checks into the inn, wants to go night fishing - alone and then is murdered! Is he the person Dana is on the run from? Did Josh and Dana kill him? Or maybe someone killed Frank thinking he was Josh. He seemed nice enough until Holly discovers something scary. Did someone follow Frank just to kill him? Is there a connection to Josh and his girlfriend?

Zelda is still looking for love and possibly in the wrong places. Nate, the flower delivery guy, seems suspicious to me. Zelda doesn't see the expensive watch Holly notices or question why he has the time to help her set up for an event he isn't invited to. She accepts a date without knowing anything about him. Shelley, too, is looking for love. She's tired of waiting for Dave to ask her out. Both women seem nice and have lively, open personalities but I don't think they're going about finding significant others in the right way.

Another guest Brendan Hayward is from Snowball and visiting to help his parents pack and move. Holmes knows Brendan slightly from their youth and what he remembers is Brendan's dad was not very kind to Brendan. Brendan seems to have gotten over it or at least loves his mom enough to want to visit and respond to her endless phone calls. What a dutiful son! Carole Hobson sounds like a real Floridian. I think she's older than she appears. She dressed youthfully but Holly notes Carole's face is tight. Maybe Carole is Holly's age and that's old to her. She comes onto Sam way too strong. She's a creepy stalker and totally a gold digger. Maybe she should go out with the Ben. The final new guests are Paul and Ted Mellor, brothers, who have come to Wagtail for unknown reasons. They don't want anyone to know they're there, especially not their mother. Another two people on the run? What is going on in Wagtail?

I just love this series so much and I am so mad Barnes & Noble (where I almost never shop) refuses to carry mass market paperbacks. I'll be heartbroken if my favorite cozies come to an end. Krista Davis has promised at least one more in a different format so hopefully the series can continue and the library can buy them.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Dog Across the Lake (Paws and Claws Mystery #9)" by Krista Davis has a bit more action than most of the other books in this series. It's Oma's birthday and all the family is showing up at the inn to celebrate. Holly's dad and half-sister arrived with a surprise tag along (for Holly and for them). Holly's cousin is back as well, and he brought the drama.

I won't go into too much detail because I feel it's all spoilers if I do. In this one it's more of figure out who to trust. I do how that the outcome seriously humbled a particular character. They were just too over the top and I really don't want them becoming a regular character in this series.

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awe, Wagtail. What a fun adventure to come back to with a great group of characters and a fun mystery to solve.

[Bridget Vollmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. One of my favorite cozies.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read with interesting characters and a good mystery.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I enjoy this series very much and this one kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Holly is a sweet character and when the family comes together to celebrate her Oma's birthday, things go bad, fast, and it's up to Holly to get things done.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dog Across the Lake

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ Holly Miller is looking forward to finally taking a few days to relax. Enjoying an early morning on her terrace, she spots an unfamiliar reddish-gold pooch across the lake. She’s intrigued, but never expects to find the very same dog smiling at her in bed when she wakes up the next morning! Trixie and Twinkletoes appear to accept this cute stranger, but Holly doesn’t know to whom he belongs.”

The latest in this series that just came out this past week did not disappoint! The characters are developing so much more and new characters from the family being added is awesome, I can’t for some to hopefully come back to the inn. The mystery in this book had me guessing until the end, lots of red herrings, which I love. I hope there is more to come from Wagtail because I can’t wait and wish I could go live in the inn.

[Jessica Wilhoite · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are always so much fun!

I really enjoyed how Holly's entire family came together in this story and how, of course, some got into trouble, but it was a heartwarming tale for sure; I can't wait to see where the next book takes us!

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story. I wish I could actually visit this town.

[Emma Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book enjoyed it so much! Plot twist at the end for me! I would rate this book 5/5 stars⭐️

[Ruth Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good to catch up with Holly and friends to help solve a mystery.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute peek into a series with a fun setting—lots of cats & dogs!! Thank goodness the author thoughtfully provided list of characters in the front of the book—as well as the family tree, which was a tad complicated! Ha!
Plot was somewhat convoluted & implausible but kept me reading to make sure dogs were all okay in the end! (Spoiler: they were 🐕‍🦺💕)

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final score: 3.5. No problem jumping into book 9 without having read any of the previous. Characters were normal and believable, setting was interesting too- an animal friendly bed and breakfast in the mountains of Virginia. There was a little too much focus on the food being served and what the animals were eating, but it otherwise proved to be a page turner. However, there were no clues as to who the killer was, and I don’t see a way that anyone could solve it before the reveal. All the animals behaved themselves and got along, and no dogs barked without reason. Maybe this book should be considered fantasy. Add to this that the last two chapters felt like they were written in 15 minutes, and the novel loses its charm quickly. The monologue and climax happened on a page turn, and the ending rushed and slammed to a halt- very unsatisfying and disconcerting.
I’d possibly read another from this series, but it wouldn’t be at the top of my list.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoyed returning to Wagtail and spending time with some of my favorites characters, two legged and four! Everyone is coming for Oma's birthday and it's going to be fun. We get to really meet Holly's Dad and half siblings as well as her Aunt and cousin. Holly's not sure her cousin who traveled everywhere will make it until she finds his dog, in her bed, and tracks Josh to a campsite where he is staying with a young lady he says he is hiding from an abusive husband. When she goes back the next day to return the pup again she finds a dead body and no sign of her cousin and thus begins a wild ride with lots of twists and turns and many unexpected happenings. Hop on a golf cart and join the fun in Wagtail and enjoy Oma's birthday!

[Chaitra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Ben more than most people who read this series and I really wanted him in the books but he's used here just to make Holly look like she has no spine. There were so many interruptions when she tries to tell her dad that she's dating Holmes - that missed communication crap doesn't work even when it's in a meet-cute. Here it makes Holly a doormat. She does eventually put a stop to it, but the jerkface dad just ignores her anyway. I also really hated the Josh storyline.

The only part I liked was her half-sister Lucy adopting the dog Lucy.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE is the ninth book in the Paws & Claws Mysteries by Krista Davis. This is one of my favorite series! You can always count on each book to be filled with kindness, adorable dogs and cats, a charming pet-friendly mountain village, and an intriguing mystery to solve alongside protagonist, Holly Miller. In this newest book, friends and family are gathering in Wagtail and the Sugar Maple Inn (which Holly runs with her grandmother, Oma) to surprise Oma with a birthday celebration. I think one of my favorite things about this story (aside from the crafty plot) is we get to see Holly’s family and extended family all in one place. It gives the reader the opportunity to get to really know them as they respond to a crisis. I especially admired Holly’s relationship with her half-siblings and where you might expect angst, there is only acceptance and kindheartedness. I found I wanted to immerse myself in all the social gatherings and spend time with Holly, her family, her friends, and pets, Trixie, Gingersnap, Twinkletoes, and Radar.

But, of course, a murderer has to go spoil the happy gathering which puts Holly’s cousin, Josh, and his girlfriend, Dana, at the top of the police suspect list. Oh my goodness, so many twists and turns, secrets and lies, in this cleverly crafted story. It kept me on my toes and kept me glued to the pages to find out what happened next. Since Holly hadn’t seen Josh since childhood, all sorts of doubts about his innocence come into play. You hate to think the worst of family… yet, sometimes they can change. This added a layer of emotion to the story, which added to the appeal. I also liked how Holly and Officer Dave work together to solve the mystery and worked together to save the town from a new bumbling law enforcement officer, intent on taking over. As the clues fell into place, the suspense mounted and an edge-of-your seat reveal had my heart racing until I’d read the very last page!

Running and living at Sugar Maple Inn means lots and lots of delicious foods are prepared by their chef for people and pets alike. There are several recipes at the back of the book, including one for pets.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dog Across the Lake by Krista Davis takes us back to Wagtail, Virginia where the town is getting ready to celebrate Oma’s (Liesel Miller who is the mayor of Wagtail) birthday. I look forward to my visits to Wagtail each year. It is a charming town where cats and dogs are welcome along with their owners (of course). The story contains good writing along with developed characters. Holly Miller, the protagonist, has grown over the course of the series. It is easy to see that Wagtail is where she belongs, and that Holly is meant to run the Sugar Maple Inn. It is obvious how much Holly loves the inn. All the regular characters are back along with a couple of visitors. Holly’s father, cousin, and aunt are in town for Oma’s birthday dinner. Trixie and Twinkletoes are as wonderful as ever and they have a new friend. I appreciate that the author includes a cast of characters especially since the cast has grown with the series. The mystery has Holly fretting about her cousin, Josh. Josh’s mother is worried (a regular nervous Nelly) and wants Holly to unravel the thorny puzzle. Holly asks questions, observes people, looks for clues, and just “happens” to overhear conversations. There are clues for the readers that will help them identify the guilty party. I pinpointed the killer quite a while before Holly. There is a secondary mystery that Holly solves as well. While The Dog Across the Lake is the ninth A Paws and Claws Mystery, it can be read as a standalone. It will take a new reader a beat to get the characters straight but that is where the cast of characters comes in handy. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story. Friendship, family, and a love of animals if prevalent throughout. I was sorry when my visit to Wagtail came to an end. The Dog Across the Lake is a delightful tale with a roving Radar, a victim in a tent, a questionable girlfriend, a birthday bash, a mournful howl, a laid-up officer, and visiting siblings.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oma's birthday is coming up and family is coming from all over the world to visit and wish her well. When a dog belonging to Holly's cousin, Josh, shows up in her bed one morning she knows her long-lost relative has come back. But where is he? That's a question you'll ask many times throughout the book!

My favorite cozy mystery series all have one thing in common, they create a wonderful little escapist world where everything is super cozy - even as people are being bumped off. In that way, this series is probably my very favorite. I love the mountains, the woods, being on the water, and most of all, I LOVE my dogs. Imagine a place that has all of these things, a place where everyone caters to our dogs just as much as (or maybe even more than) we do? That's Wagtail. I've been known to drag my husband to places where my favorite series are set and I would love more than anything to be able to drag him to Wagtail. But alas, it's fictional.

This mystery was very well-crafted. I did struggle a bit to keep the characters straight and I will freely admit that when the killer is outed, my response was "Who?" Then I had to regroup to remind myself of who the killer was in the broader scheme of the story (though who they actually were, I had never caught that). But not always knowing who was who didn't necessarily take away from the story for me because I love the setting and the regular characters so much.

This series is definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries with pets and for anyone who enjoys the mountains.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Read this review and others at Cozy Cove Books.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Oma's birthday and Holly is looking forward to some time to relax. As she's sitting on her terrace, she spots a dog across the lake with unusual coloring. When she wakes up the next morning, she's surprised to find the same dog in bed with her. At breakfast, Oma recognizes the dog as Josh's, Holly's cousin whom she hasn't seen in years. She returns the dog across the lake finding Josh and his girlfriend camping. But the dog comes back again, so Holly takes him back once again and finds the body of an inn guest rather than her cousin. Now Holly and her dog, Trixie, must help find a killer to clear Josh's name.

I've really enjoyed this series, which has become a favorite, and this book's a prime example of why. I absolutely love Wagtail and wish it was a real place where I could live. The book's well-written with wonderful characters and a fast-paced plot. Once I started reading, I was captivated and didn't want to put it down. The mystery was very intriguing and fun to solve with multiple twists and turns that'll keep you guessing. There are surprises throughout and not just for Oma's birthday. This was a tantalizing tale that kept me hooked and left me eager for more from the series. I highly recommend both book and series which I think is best read in order although each book does contain its own mystery so you could read then on their own. But by reading in order, you really get a feel for the characters and the wonderful town of Wagtail.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Paws and Claws series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series! I've been a firm fan of the gang from Wagtail, VA since book one! If Wagtail were a real place, I am sure I would be booking a trip to visit with my fuzzy side-kick GusGus to see the town, meet the people, and hang out with Oma, Holly & Trixie. An entire touristy town that is 100% pet friendly -- we would love it!!

This time, Holly spots an unfamiliar dog on the other side of the lake. The next day she wakes up to a surprise -- the unknown dog is in her room! Turns out, the wayward pooch belongs to her cousin that she hasn't seen in years. She returns the dog to him...twice. But on the second trip to her cousin's campsite, he and his girlfriend are gone. Inside the tent......a dead body!

Never a dull moment in Wagtail, eh?

Loved this newest story! This series never fails to make me smile. I love the animals -- Trixie and Twinkletoes are awesome! All the characters are quirky and fun. The Inn sounds like a great place to stay. The stories are filled with the right mix of humor, background theme, and amateur sleuthing. And, the cover art is colorful, cute and engaging as usual!

Great cozy mystery! Can't wait for the next book in this series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Miller is looking forward to having a few days to relax when she notices a dog across the lake and then awakes to it staring her in the face smiling the following morning.

She is intrigued and her Grandma is having a special birthday, for which orders have been given for there to be NO PRESENTS!!! Holly therefore decides to take a little boat ride across the lake to return the dog and discovers her cousin Josh, with a girlfriend, she has never met before on the island.

A Frank Burton then arrives at the hotel, and checks in and asks Holly about renting a boat to go out to do some night fishing however the following morning as Holly is returning the dog to her cousin again, she discovers Frank Burton in her cousins tent, dead!!

Holly finds out that the girlfriend of Josh's is under an assumed name, and feels that she is in fact being chased by her husband.

All investigations by Holly, Constable Dave and Holly's boyfriend Holmes, turn out that Josh's girlfriend is not married, her true name and through discussion with another visitor to Wagtail, that she has stolen a flashdrive that belongs to the new visitor, Nate!

A very good read.

[TransparentFilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it is for the best that I have finally caught up with the Paws & Claws series. I was enjoying them immensely until the last book. I had more issues with this book. There are getting to be way too many family members! Is that possible? I'm not a fan of Aunt Birdie but I am also finding that Holly's parents are in that same camp. Don't get me started on Josh.
I was confused as the book began trying to keep the names of the two new families that Holly's parents basically abandoned her for when she was young. I didn't have to flip back for long though because all but one half-sister disappeared from the rest of the story. The other set of grandparents apparently joined them in oblivion.
This is an issue with her Diva series as well. There are so many regulars!
The story was okay, I guessed from a line earlier who the killer was and just waited for everyone else to catch up. I said it in the last review and I will repeat it, a whole lot of people left this town many years ago. A few are making their way back, but it doesn't seem as quaint to me as it once did. A break from the series is just what I need.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Paws and Claws series is one of the best cozy mystery collections I’ve found in a while. I love the charming characters, the small town, and the books continue to be fun and exciting. This one in particular had a suspenseful and exciting plot that kept me flying through the pages. My one critique at this point in the series is that we’re still dealing with “The Ben” the ex boyfriend who refuses to stop pursuing Holly as a main plot point. I can see how his being a lawyer helps remind the family and readers of the legal ramifications of the story but the fact that he continues to be so selfish and insistent really put a sour taste in my mouth after having been through that story line with him. Her father’s attitude absolutely did not help matters and despite his slight attempt at trying to accept her life at the end of the book, I didn’t warm to her father as a character either. I really hope that ex- relationship finally fades and her connection with Holmes evolves as the books continue. Other than that another great romp in Wagtail.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krista Davis always writes an entertaining mystery and I am excited to read each new book that she writes. I love the town of Wagtail and all of the descriptions of the pets and their humans that are staying at the inn with Holly and Oma and their wonderful staff. I wish that this was a real place that I could visit. The town sounds so charming with all of the stores and restaurants. In this latest installment Oma's birthday is approaching and several family members will be coming to town to celebrate with her. When a murder takes place and someone close to Holly is on the suspect list, she must investigate to help clear their name. This book was another wonderful mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I would highly recommend any book written by this author. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.