Clawing at the Corral

Nightmare, Arizona #6

by Beth Dolgner

Horses, Homicide, and Hope in Nightmare, Arizona

Olivia Kendrick has déjà vu. The star of Nightmare’s popular Wild West Stunt Show is found dead after a heated argument, and it looks like an animal attack. Olivia knows better, though. The scene is eerily similar to the first murder she ever investigated in Nightmare. 

There’s a young new stunt rider eager to take over the starring role, but he’s not the only one with a motive for murder. As clues mount about money problems, old grudges, and unbridled ambition, the suspect list only gets longer. 

To make things worse, someone from Olivia’s past unexpectedly shows up in Nightmare, and he’s one of the suspects. The newcomer throws Olivia’s boss, Damien Shackleford, into a psychic crisis. Can Olivia help him control his power before someone gets hurt?

Clawing at the Corral is book six in the Nightmare, Arizona paranormal cozy mystery series. This lighthearted series is about starting over, found family, and solving murders in a quirky old mining town with a secret supernatural community.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Audiobook, Magic, Fiction

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2024

About the author

Beth Dolgner writes paranormal fiction and non-fiction. Her interest in things that go bump in the night really took off on a trip to Savannah, Georgia, so it's fitting that the Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter Series of paranormal romance novels takes place in that spooky city. Beth's young adult novels, the steampunk Manifest and the urban fantasy A Talent for Death, also have paranormal elements. Her non-fiction work includes Georgia Spirits and Specters and Everyday Voodoo.

Since Georgia is obviously on her mind, you might think Beth lives there. Well, she did, but these days she and her husband live in Berlin, Germany, with their three cats. Beth misses those mild Georgia winters and proper iced tea, but there's no reason her characters can't enjoy those things.

Beth also enjoys giving presentations on Victorian death and mourning traditions as well as Victorian Spiritualism. She has been a volunteer at an historic cemetery, a ghost tour guide and a paranormal investigator. Right now she's chronicling the best spooky spots around Europe.

Beth is online at www.BethDolgner.com.

Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter Series
Ghost of a Threat,
Ghost of a Whisper
Ghost of a Memory
Ghost of a Hope

Manifest
Georgia Spirits and Specters,
Everyday Voodoo

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and all of the characters that it brings with it. They bring so much to the town and I love coming back each book.

You never know who will show up or what will happen when Nightmare AZ comes alive. I love Olivia as a character. She has so much more cool than I could ever have when it comes to people that have wronged her in the worst way. She was way nicer than I could have even been.

I can't help but root for her and Damian because they would make a great couple. They already make a great team, because of how well their powers work together. I think they were meant for each other. They are just struggling to admit it to themselves and each other.

I couldn't have been more surprised by who came back and more frustrated that she didn't say something to stick up for herself. But I'm glad that Damian did.

I am beyond surprised to learn what Baxter was and am so intrigued to see where the journey takes us to him!

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ex comes back to haunt Olivia. Damien is not jealous, nope, he just hates the sight of Mark🤣🤣
Clues about Damien’s father are revealed in this book as well as how to possibly locate him.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so very much and flying through the series. Awesome characters, fun mysteries and very much a comfort listen.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another entertaining mystery in what is turning out to be a delightful series, that I just can't get enough of. I love the originality of the series, having super natural's run a haunted house in a human town means the author can have fun with her writing and imagination and boy does she. This is book six in the series and I would highly recommend you read all the books in the series, not just because there is a long running mystery of what happened to the owner but because you get to know the characters so much better that way. The characters are a big part of why the series is so good and entertaining. They each have there own quirks or talents that they bring to the table, even if it's just running around as a wolf or sneaky up on people each has there part to play. The mystery is also good with a lot going on to keep you guessing. It was fun learning more about Olivia's ex husband but even more we finally learn what super natural creature the missing founder is. I can't wait for the next book to find out more.
Olivia loves working with her friends at Nightmare’s haunted house and she has made the town her home after her husband left her homeless, broke and divorced. So the last thing she was expecting was for him to turn up in Nightmare. He is the manger for new star of the Wild West Stunt Show but Olivia isn't the only person not pleased to see him, the original star of the show doesn't want to give up his spotlight. When the original star is found dead with claw marks on his body, Olivia can't help but get involved. Especially as her ex is one of the suspects. Can she find the killer or will spending with her ex make her a killer?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much, I just get wrapped up in it, I devour the book in one sitting. Clawing at the Corral brought in some unexpected visitors and revealed an epic secret. I loved it!
Beth Dolgner's writing is excellent, she knows how to tell a story and hook her audience. The way the plot plays out is fantastic and the characters are all likeable and 6 books in I feel like I'm part of the group!
I loved the twists and turns in this novel, I loved how Olivia was thrown and how she worked her way through it. After the reveal of some thing important to the storyline (not spilling, no spoilers) I can't wait for book 7

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Tantor and voluntarily reviewed it.

It's always a joy to return to Nightmare and spend some more time in this town with the familiar characters. Olivia gets involved in another mystery, her ex is back in town and she and Damien are still trying to get more control over their powers. So plenty going on in this book. I had a lot of fun listening to this book and the narrator is a good fit for this series.

The mystery in this one gripped me a bit less. For some reason I just wasn't as invested in the mystery this time. I did like how the mystery got resolved. I liked how Olivia figured it out and the reveal made sense. The mystery has some parallels with the first book as both murders seem like animals attacks, which was interesting. The mystery involves Olivia's ex, just like a lot of other books involving exes I couldn't fathom why Olivia ever was married to him, but I liked how facing her ex again gave Olivia more closure.

I really liked the progress Olivia and Damien make with their pwoers. They're really working on their powers and growing more confident with them, this book has them making quite some progress which was great. I also liked the progress they made with finding Baxter. It's fun how finding Baxter is this overarching plot line throughout the series.

As usual I love reading about these characters. There are so many likable and interesting characters and I enjoyed reading about Olivia and the characters. the found family theme is so well done and I love how Olivia really has found her home here in Nightmare.

To summarize: I love this series and it was fun to return to Nightmare for another mystery. The mystery in this book didn't grip me as much, but I still enjoyed the book. I liked the reveal to the mystery and how everything fell on it's place as well as how Olivia figured things out. I really liked seeing Olivia and Damien work on their powers in this book and they uncover an important clue related to finding Baxter, which is the overarching plot line that continues throughout the series. I really like reading about this town and these characters and had a fun time listening to this book.

[Barbara Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta Love That Damien!

"Clawing at the Corral" is Book 6 of the Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mystery series, written most spectacularly by Beth Dolgner. I normally stay away from series that deal with vampires and werewolves, but this is one series that I actually love that includes not only vampires and werewolves, but a funny wendygos, 3 different age witches that seem part of each other (like the Holy Trinity is three different individual entities, but are combined into one equivalent force - the 3 witches are Maida, Madge, and Morgan - ages 10, 20 something, and 70 something or ageless), a loveable ugly-looking chupacabra, a cute fairy, a beautiful green siren, a banshee, a gargoyle, and a beautifully handsome man named Damien whose eyes glow a bright emerald green when he's angry, as well as a cast of other characters, such as Mama, Benny, and Lucy (a 10 year old girl who is psychic and can see ghosts). Then there are the not so likeable characters, such as Olivia's ex-husband, the murdered victims, and the murderers. This series has it all.

This episode is about a murdered, past his prime Wild West performer. He has made a few enemies, and revelations are made about his past flaws and mistakes. There are several likely suspects, including Olivia's ex-husband Mark, who shows up in Nightmare with a young, up-and-coming rodeo stunt rider, causing Olivia to want to prove that, even though she's divorced from this scheming louse of a husband, he is not the one who murdered the previous stunt rider. Can Olivia prove his innocence of the murder?

This episode is also about Damien and Olivia practicing control over their magical skills. Olivia is a conjurer. Damien has anger issues that cause brochures, books, rocks, and just about anything not nailed down to go flying in the air. One book hits Olivia's arm and gives her a bruise. He's not angry with Olivia, but is jealous and angry with her ex-husband, and when things go flying, Olivia is in the wrong place. Olivia, being a conjurer, takes hold of Damien's arm or hand and in her mind whispers that Damien will calm down. And it works, but she is in physical contact with him at these times. Can she figure out a way to conjure his calmness when she's across the room from him?

When Olivia first arrived in Nightmare, Baxter, the owner of the Haunted House Sanctuary, had disappeared three months earlier. This is why his son, Damien, came to take over the sanctuary. However, Olivia, even though she had never met him, unknowingly conjured up a Help Wanted note in Baxter's handwriting that was dated after his disappearance, heard Baxter whispering to her at Baxter's old mine on more than one occasion, and in this episode heard Damien's mother, Lucille, a great psychic, who disappeared 40 years ago when Damien was a toddler, whispered to Olivia about finding Baxter. Olivia tells Damien, and because some of the books in Damien's office fly around, falling in an open position with a bookmark or note, the two of them figure out what kind of creature Baxter is. Now that they know what he is, can they find him and save him, and bring him safely home?

This is a fascinating series that should be read in chronological order. I gave this book, as well as every book in this series, 5 big fat stars. I received an ARC via BookMojo and BookFunnel, and this is my totally voluntary and honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the star of Nightmare’s popular Wild West Stunt Show is found dead, seemingly from an animal attack, Olivia feels like it’s her first experience with murder all over again (when a person was murdered by making it look like a wolf). She’s pretty sure it isn’t an animal, but decides to investigate, as usual, to figure out what happened. Especially since her ex-husband has shown up in Nightmare and is managing the new stunt rider, as well as making a pest of himself. There are a number of people that have a motive to get rid of Billy Curtis, the aging star, and Olivia will have to find a way to eliminate the innocent to finally get to the culprit. Olivia and Damien have been working on controlling his abilities, and Mark seems to set Damien off for some reason (jealousy perhaps?) but Olivia is able to help him calm down before he hurts anyone. We finally get some answers regarding both Damien’s parents, and Olivia is able to finally figure out that she’s really at home in Nightmare and it is where she belongs. I’m really enjoying this series, and look forward to reading the rest of the Nightmare, Arizona books.

[Adriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m happy we’re getting close to figuring out what happened to Baxter, but let’s get a move on!

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still going strong as my favorite cozy mystery series 😆

[Kathleen J Sunseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clawing at the Coral

I love these books! The story line is good and the character are great. I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable cozy mystery set in the town of Nightmare, AZ. The quirky cast of supernatural characters has yet another murder to solve. So much fun- I am definitely going to miss these characters when I finish book 10.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author had t have run writing this 6th book in the series because I surely had so much fun reading it. Olivia has left her ex-husband far away as she started a new life in Nightmare, AZ. She loved the town, the friend creatures at her job at the haunted house and is very comfortable with her new life. BUT she is shocked when her ex-husband, Mark, shows up at her job. Apparently, the rodeo is on in town and Billie, lead actor, a loud mouthed stunt rider a big star in his own mind, who's time seems to have come when her ex-husband tells Olivia he is the new star's manager and she should come to a show. She and her friend go and find Billie is not as good as the new star. But when Billie ends up dead, did and the death is similar to the one she previously helped solve, she got curious under the guise of clearing her exes name. The police feels it was an animal that got in the stall and attacked him since he was clawed. Her boss, Damien does not like Mark at all and every time he comes near Olivia his magic goes crazy and things fly at Mark. Olivia is helping Damien learn how to control his impulses so his magic doesn't go crazy. So with the help of her friends from the haunted house and Damien, she investigates. WOW! So many threads, so many suspects. Who killed Billie? And is Olivia and Damien getting closer? With some laughs along the way, we have a wonderful mystery to solve! I not only highly recommend this book, but I highly recommend the whole series. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that Olivia is happily living in Nightmare with a job, friends, power and an interesting relationship with Damien, things quickly change – her ex is in town (boy am I glad he’s not a regular – he immediately struck me as a slimy creep). Mark is managing the new star in the stunt riding show that has been around for years.
Then, surprise, a body is found in the corral at the show, with similar injuries to the first body she found.
This book has a good mystery as Olivia wants to investigate to make sure her ex isn’t involved in the murder. But there are other suspects, including the new star’s ex wife – lots of exes around it seems.
She also has to help Damien with his powers, he seems to lose control whenever Mark shows up.
There is a fair amount about her previous relationship but it is not the main focus of the book. The character interactions are the highlight. And the chupacabra, Filipe, is adorable as usual.
An enjoyable, quick, fun read. So far I am loving this series and would definitely recommend it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The past doesn't stay buried. Actually, sometimes it does. Unless, you know, you live in Nightmare. And you know some ghosts. And you have friends who can see hidden things.

Anywho. Things don't stay buried in Nightmare. And Olivia's past? Yeah, things are crawling up in that regard, too. Fortunately, Olivia has her friends at her back. Given that her past is irritating and doesn't know how to read a room, this is SUPER important.

So on top of Olivia and crew trying to figure out who killed the aging stunt show star, she's also working on helping Damien control his abilities. Well, she's helping him try to trigger his abilities so he can then control them. On the up side, Olivia's past is an EXCELLENT trigger for Damien's ire. Which gives both Damien and Olivia a chance to work on said control.

Olivia does her thing, she and Damien draw closer, and the Sanctuary crew give their unending support. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are introduced to the Wild West Stunt Show when the new star – Trent - arrives in town. Unfortunately, Trent’s manager also arrives and he is Olivia’s ex Mark. A new horse trainer also arrives and she has her own secrets. We are learning more and more about the folks in town and who is and isn’t a paranormal. Olivia is forming very strong friendships with some very lovely people of the town. Baxter, Damien’s dad still remains a mystery, as does what Damien’s powers may be. Olivia and Damien are growing closer and the appearance of Mark is making Damien’s powers act up. We learn more about the players when the original star of the Wild West Stunt Show is found dead with animal markings on his body – very similar to the marking found on the first body Olivia found when she arrived. Olivia and Damien are learning more about his parents and the meaning of “the ashes are my own”. Nice twist!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get so excited when I see I have a new book in this series, and this time wasn’t an exception. I just love this town and its residents, and they are coming to be just like family when I get to see them again. In this latest, poor Olivia has an unexpected, and not really welcome, blast from the past, and the past and a murder collide making poor Olivia once again try to solve a murder. This murder was hard to figure out, and I didn’t know who it was until the end. We also finally, finally get to discover what Damien’s dad is…and maybe…well, read this and find out. I just love this series so much with its great writing, wonderful characters, and its sense of family. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Kendrick is settling well into her new life, friends, and magical power in Nightmare Arizona. The last thing she needs is the appearance of her ex, Mark, showing up and spoiling her new found happiness. He is manager of the new trick rider at the Wild West show and when the current star rider shows up dead he becomes a person of interest in the murder. Although she no longer has any feelings for Mark, she also doesn't want to see an innocent person accused falsely. Add to the complications is Damien's extreme reaction to Mark's presence and the ongoing search for Baxter and there is constant action in this story. I enjoyed this story and the mysteries in it. Well written and adding new characters make this a fine series to follow.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! I received an ARC copy of this book but am happily leaving this review.
Nightmare is a fabulous town that has a haunted house open to the public but is manned by actual paranormal characters, it's a fabulous idea, I'd love to be able to visit or become friends with some of the characters, they're fantastic.
Olivia has another mystery to solve when one of the local cowboy show is found dead in mysterious circumstances, but the complication in this one is her ex. Her relationship with Damien, the owner of the Sanctuary, is also doing well and I'd love to see how it develops. Can't wait for the next book.
If you like cosy mysteries with some paranormal activity then you'll love this I'm sure, I highly recommend it.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clawing at the Corral is book #6 in the Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series by Beth Dolgner.

Wow! Wow! Wow! There was so much going on in this book! There is a murder that is very similar to the one Olivia stumbled on when she came to Nightmare. Then she had to deal with someone from her past unexpectedly showing up. Damien’s control over his powers are challenged. The victim isn’t well liked so there are plenty of suspects. I really enjoyed how it all came together and the new information the crew learned. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I love seeing how the characters have grown since the beginning.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nooooooo, I am up todate and book 7 isn't out until September, it's only July.
I've really enjoyed this book. Damien is learning to control his abilities, Olivia is making progress with hers and a new werewolf shows up as Olivia investigates the death of someone she had not even met. Her ex is tied up with it all and desperately wants her back, but Olivia knows that her new life is her life now and the past is done with. She can look forward confidently to new murders and to the hints that Damien's mother gives as they work out what Baxter is as a supernatural and can then look in to how to find him.
It's a great story and the romance between Olivia and Damien takes a small step forward as well. Even Zach gets a love interest.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was as entertained by this story as much as the others in the series. The unusual characters and their interrelationships contributed a lot to my enjoyment of the series. I admired the complexity of the mystery and how the author always kept me guessing as to whom committed the murder. I was glad that Olivia was given the opportunity to resolve her past, so that she can address her future with a clear conscious. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I enjoyed Petrea Burchard's narration as her performance gave different voices to the various characters. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun addition to the series! Olivia’s past comes back to haunt her literally!! I cracked up at the fact that even the ghosts are in the know. I’m loving how Olivia and Damien’s magic is developing, and it’s been fun to watch them slowly improve and work together more seamlessly. The mystery kept me hooked, and I really enjoyed learning more about Baxter and getting to see more of Lucy in this one. I enjoyed the narration, Petrea Burchard does a good job bringing the story to life. While some character voices worked better for me than others, overall she captured the tone and personalities well. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

A very special thanks to Tantor Audio for the gifted copy.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book in a series I really like especially since it has what people would call monsters but that get along really well even with Olivia, the main human character.

There's a wild west type of show going on in the town with two guys sort of sharing the lead but not for long since one of them gets murdered. Standard Operating Procedure for books of this nature.

What makes it at lot worse for Olivia is that her ex-husband, who ruined her financially and then divorced her, shows up and you can tell pretty quick he's a rather slimy character.

Then there's a second werewolf, a girl ghost and a really major revelation for Damien. The books continue to be really, really well done.

[Payal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still don't understand how so many people are dying in this tiny town and not once is FBI thinking, hey let's check it out...

That being said, it was fun enough. However, I am starting to feel like a lot of these are rinse and repeat. I know that there's a romance coming between Damian and Olivia but its book 6 and they have just started holding hands to help with magic. I tire of waiting for that.

At least Zach was interested in the new horse trainer and was actually showing outward interest. Not everyone is as dense as the FMC & MMC.

And we find out that Baxtor is likely a Phoenix, which I suspected in the beginning when we found out his fav saying is, my ashes are my own.

Not sure if i will keep going. Maybe after a little break.

[Cindy Reifel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia and Damien are finally starting to develop a good relationship, when the rodeo comes back to town. Problem is that Olivia's ex-husband follows them in. Damien is having real problems controlling his newly found powers, and those powers go crazy when Olivia's ex starts making comments about missing her and getting her to come back to him. Olivia is now trying to solve another murder, which is even more complicated by the possibility of her ex being the killer!
I just love all of the characters in this series, and feel like I'm coming home again with each successive book!
A very entertaining read!

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Olivia and her friends are getting along swimmingly, until her ex-husband comes to town and suddenly there is a murder at the corral.
She’s still trying to help Damien with his abilities and the mystery of his missing father too.

Lots of things happen in this book, the most important of which concern Damien and his father.
Olivia also comes to some important realizations too.
An enjoyable addition to this paranormal cosy mystery series, it’s always fun to return to Nightmare and visit with the quirky characters in the Haunted House there (Felipe is probably my favourite though).

[Kathi Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story from Ms. Dolgner!!!

I fell in love with Nightmare from the first book! The characters are interesting and make me want to get to know them. Each book has its own mystery, but the underlying mystery behind what Damien is and what happened to his father is well woven into each book and makes me count the days to the next one! I'll admit I never did suspect the person who actually committed the murder! Way to keep the reader guessing!!! Now to wait until September 1st for the next book....

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I'm already on book six! I've been reading this series back-to-back, and I'm LOVING it! This last book was amazing. In addition to another great mystery, the overall series storyline progressed well, once again, and we're getting closer to finding out what happened to Baxter, while also watching Olivia's relationships with her new found family in Nightmare grow and deepen, including the one with Damian. Okay, enough said because I have book seven to throw myself into and I don't want to wait anymore. (It's been ten minutes!)

[dawn bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving all these characters!!!

Absolutely have fallen in love with every character in these books! Ms. Dolgner is able to give us a masterful on-going mystery, layered with another mystery in each story, then layered with the personal background stories of each character, and topped off with kindness and inclusiveness them of all!!! I can never wait for a new book in this series to be released, as it always feels like visiting old friends!