Murder on the Santa Claws Express

The No.2 Feline Detective Agency #12

by Mandy Morton

Hettie and Tilly are invited to host a Christmas Eve murder mystery aboard the Santa Claws Express. No sooner has the train left the station at Mogbury-on-the-Tilt than our two feline detectives are caught up in a murderous family feud between the Shuttles and the Stokers. Is the ghost of Hornby Stoker haunting the line? Are there enough sausage rolls in the Biscuit Jar Buffet? Who will hit the buffers at Hissingford Holt? And will Hettie and Tilly’s Christmas be derailed? Join our tabby heroes as they plough their way through red herrings, hot chestnuts and snowbound platforms in a hunt for a festive fiend who will stop at nothing.

Genres: Christmas

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2023

About the author

Mandy Morton began her professional life as a musician. Her songwriting formed the basis of six albums during the 1970s and early 1980s, when she toured extensively with her band. More recently, she has worked as a freelance arts journalist for national and local radio, specialising in making music and theatre documentary. She is the co-author of a non-fiction theatre book, In Good Company, and lives with her partner in Cambridge and Cornwall, where there is always a place for an ageing long-haired tabby cat. The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency is her first novel, and begins a series of books inspired by her first cat, Hettie.

Reviews

[Caley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a cat lover but it turns out I just love cats; not books with feline characters

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's coming up to Christmas and Hetty and Tilly are buying presents for each other. Hetty is a bit puzzlled as Tilly keeps disappearing for several hours at a time. The Butter sisters are busy upstairs typing away at something. What on earth is going on?
This novella is a bit different to the others but it's still good, well thought through and no loose ends. The puns are still there as is the humour. Looking forward to reading the next one.

[Kristine Booksandstuff123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Murder on the Santa Claws Express' by Mandy Morton.
Hettie and Tilly are invited to host a Christmas Eve murder mystery aboard the Santa Claws Express. No sooner has the train left the station at Mogbury-on-the-Tilt than our two feline detectives are caught up in a murderous family feud between the Shuttles and the Stokers. Is the ghost of Hornby Stoker haunting the line? Are there enough sausage rolls in the Biscuit Jar Buffet? Who will hit the buffers at Hissingford Holt? And will Hettie and Tilly's Christmas be derailed? Join our tabby heroes as they plough their way through red herrings, hot chestnuts and snowbound platforms in a hunt for a festive fiend who will stop at nothing.
I loved this book, finished it in 1 sitting. These books are amazing. If you're a fan of cozy crimes and cats read them. If i want a crime solved I'd definitely call on Hettie and Tilly to solve it.

[Vix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute little Christmas novella and I loved how it all played out.

The story was whimsical as usual and it was nice catching up with Hettie and Tilly again. It was also good to get more back story about how they first met. I was trying to solve the mystery along with them and I did get it, though slightly later than Hettie, but before Tilly.

I'm glad there was the family tree diagram at the start, as I definitely needed to refer back to keep track. I felt it was missing a little bit of the extra charm (especially around the cat habits and food) that previous books had, but I think this is purely down to the length of the book.

Overall, if you love cats and mystery, this is for you - with the added bonus of Christmas. Can't wait for what's next in the series!

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5

A really enjoyable novella featuring Hettie and Tilly of the No.2 Feline Detective Agency.
Thankfully I had a physical copy of the story so that I was able to refer to the family tree at several times during the read, just to keep the various characters relationships in line.
As usual the punning names and places were very good, the real murder mystery deaths seemed more violent than in the novels and the plot was just convoluted enough to make you think.
Difficult to rate as it would probably be a 4 usually but the enjoyment factor tipped it into a 5 for me (even if that could be called generous)

Overall very entertaining and a definite recommendation for anyone who has enjoyed the novels.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmas Eve and Hetty and Tilly are boarding the Santa Claws Express as special guests on a murder/mystery evening. Hetty isn't too keen, but when a real body is found she soon gets on board and gets her claws into the investigation.
This is a novella rather than full length, but has the same humour and lightness of the rest of the series.
A must for anyone who loves cats and anyone who just likes reading about them.

[Diane Hallock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books!!!

Hettie and Tillie are my heros!!! They give me hours of reading happiness and I love all their adventures. I cannot wait for the next one. Love, love, love them!!!

[Christine& David. Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

What can I say? A Christmas murder mystery, a train and colourful characters! A tribute to Agatha Crispy at her finest. Betty and Tilly are.on cracking form. Just the story for a.cold winter afternoon or even.Christmas eve.

[Lost Vegas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery is a little short (I read this because I love the series, though typically never read short stories) but the relationship between Tilly and Hettie is absolutely everything you want to read. Beauty and love and perfection.

[Jan Duthie · Rating 2 out of 5]

People who love cats will love this but personally I’ve always had dogs. Cat detectives well it’s a different twist but the plot was a little too obvious. It’s part of a series which I don’t think I’ll follow.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book is entertaining and easy to read through but for a Christmas book a mis the Christmas part a little. it is predictable but to the and there is a plottwist. in my opinion the end was a Little disappointed.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read in this series

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5! Cute & cosy mystery read 🐱

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting the back ground on how Hetty and Tilly met was a such treat. Love these books and never fail to cheer me on a really bad day.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Jilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun little book!

[Richard Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable novella from this talented author. Love this cosy feline mystery with a great concept.

[Emilie Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

super cute fun easy christmas read. murder mysteries are actually not really my thing but this was super fun

[Jay Urquhart-pettifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice little book and story

[Kiri Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but probs would've forgotten the plot by tomorrow

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! A bit shorter than the usual but still packs a lot in. A tiny bit of background story on how Tilly and Hettie met had me a little teary and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Hettie and Tilly's Detective skills are put to the test during a Murder Mystery Event held on Christmas Eve aboard the Santa Claws Express.

[Gemma Stockham · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐈Short novella that I picked up as a freebie from #thebookparty in my goodie bag.

🐈Hettie and Tilly are 2 feline detectives who are invited to a murder mystery party on the Santa Claws Express.

🐈A quirky caper that was a little confusing with so many characters for such a short story, but was harmless fun.

🐈It is not hugely memorable, but it is a quick read.

🐈🐈🐈/5