The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail

The Dog Sitter Detective #4

by Antony Johnston

It's almost Christmas, and Gwinny Tuffel's thoughts are on what she'll buy for DCI Birch (retired) and whether she can adopt another furry friend. But sorting through her late father's papers leads her into his mysterious past, pointing to an enigmatic liaison now living in a Somerset commune. Gwinny and Birch find themselves unexpectedly snowed in with a group of retired spies, along with an energetic Cocker Spaniel, and embroiled in a murder case. Will they uncover the culprit and escape in time for Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Crime

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

** Sign up for Antony's newsletter at http://ajwriter.substack.com **

Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.

The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.

Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.

His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.

An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.

Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail, by Antony Johnston, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. DCI Birch is retired, his friend Gwinny and himself spend some time with spies. This was a pleasant holiday cozy mystery.

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm · Rating 4 out of 5]

English first, Dutch next!

‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’ is a warm, festive whodunnit and the fourth installment in ‘The Dog Sitter Detective’ series.

Gwinny Tuffel is busy trying to find the perfect Christmas gift and is considering adopting a dog. While sorting through her late father’s belongings, she discovers he had a mysterious past. This trail leads her and her friend Birch to a house full of retired spies. After a pleasant evening with the residents, they decide to stay overnight. During the night, someone is murdered, and heavy snowfall traps them inside. Gwinny, Birch, and their two dogs set out to find the culprit, hoping to solve the case before Christmas.

Antony Johnston’s writing style is accessible and highly enjoyable. His prose flows smoothly, encouraging readers to keep turning the pages. The dialogue and underlying tone are laced with delightful British wit and self-deprecation. Despite the murder at the heart of the story, the atmosphere remains light, and Johnston keeps readers engaged with clever twists and turns. ‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’ is not about gruesome details but about unraveling the mystery, with clues revealed step by step until everything comes together in a satisfying conclusion.

Gwinny is a well-rounded character whose emotions are portrayed with great authenticity. Johnston shows how she copes with her father’s death and how she shapes her new life. The interactions between her and her dog are warm and relatable. The supporting characters, the retired spies, each have distinct personalities that add vibrancy to the story.

‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’ is a charming, humorous cozy mystery that’s perfect for the cold winter months. A story full of British atmosphere, intrigue, and warmth, ideal for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, and Ross Montgomery.

Thank you to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for providing the ARC of ‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’.


***Dutch***

‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’ is een whodunnit in een warme kerstsfeer en vormt het vierde deel in de ‘The Dog Sitter Detective’-serie.

Gwinny Tuffel is druk met het bedenken van een kerstcadeau en overweegt om een hondje te adopteren. Tijdens het uitzoeken van de spullen van haar overleden vader ontdekt ze dat hij een mysterieus verleden had. Dat spoor leidt haar en haar vriend Birch naar een huis vol gepensioneerde spionnen. Na een gezellige avond met de bewoners besluiten ze een nachtje te blijven logeren. In die nacht wordt iemand vermoord en raken ze ingesneeuwd. Gwinny, Birch en hun twee honden gaan op zoek naar de dader in de hoop dat ze de zaak voor kerst kunnen oplossen.

De schrijfstijl van Antony Johnston is toegankelijk en prettig om te lezen. Hij gebruikt soepel lopende zinnen die uitnodigen om steeds nog een hoofdstuk verder te gaan. In de dialogen en de ondertoon klinkt een heerlijke Britse zelfspot door. Ondanks dat het verhaal om een moord draait, blijft de spanning luchtig en weet Johnston met verrassende plotwendingen de aandacht vast te houden. ‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’ draait niet om gruwelijke details, maar om het ontrafelen van het mysterie. Stap voor stap worden er nieuwe aanwijzingen gegeven tot alles in het slotstuk samenkomt.

Gwinny is een gelaagd personage waarvan de menselijke emoties overtuigend worden beschreven. Johnston laat zien hoe ze omgaat met het verlies van haar vader en hoe haar nieuwe leven zich vormgeeft. Ook de interacties tussen haar en haar hond zijn warm en herkenbaar. De bijpersonages, de ex-spionnen, hebben elk een eigen karakter en voegen levendigheid toe aan het verhaal.

‘The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail’ is een charmante, humorvolle cozy mystery die perfect past bij de koude winterdagen. Een boek vol Britse sfeer, intrige en warmte, geschikt voor fans van Agatha Christie, Richard Osman en Ross Montgomery.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail is a pleasure to read! It has mystery, humor, spy games, romance, treason, deceit and lies and beautiful k9's. Although part of a series this book can be read as stand alone. The story revolves around six people who worked for MI5 and MI6, now retired and living together. Gwinny is clearing her father's house and finds a file on a German man and as she had no idea how that ties with her father she decides to investigate with the help of her partner, Birch which will eventually lead them to meet Roy and his friends, and to Roy's demise. Gwinny will keep on going forward and backwards every time she finds a new lead but she'll eventually discover who among the five remaining friends is the killer. The story has a good plot and is written with humor and flair.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Olivia Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs and solving crimes. Yeah it’s for me. Where do I sign up?

Pippa’s bond with every pup she cares for becomes a real highlight, because as a dog lover that was immediately what I was drawn to! Oh the way she reads their quirks, comforts them, and even relies on them while sleuthing feels genuinely heartwarming. The mystery is gentle and fun, but it’s the canine chaos, loyalty, and charm that make the book shine. If you adore dogs and crave a cozy Christmas mystery, this one feels made for you.

I’ll be checking out the first three soon, as I loved this. Didn’t feel I missed out though by not reading them prior to this novel.

[Rebs ✿ · Rating 2 out of 5]

*1.5

I love Nicolette as a narrator, always have. However this book lacked a gripping plot and it was a chore to finish.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has absolutely no business being as charming as it is. Like, hello? I cracked this open expecting some light cozy chaos with a dash of dog hair and a sprinkle of snow... and instead I got Cold War secrets, a possibly haunted filing cabinet, and a murder mystery in a commune full of ex-spies like someone spiked my hot cocoa with John le Carré. And you know what? I’m not mad. I’m just confused about how I got here. Book four? Why am I emotionally attached to a retired police officer named Birch and a spaniel who chases pheasants like it’s her full-time job?

We meet Gwinny Tuffel, a former actress turned accidental dog sitter slash amateur sleuth, right as she’s knee-deep in her dead dad’s dusty old paperwork and contemplating Christmas presents. As one does. She stumbles on a folder that says, in essence, congrats, your dad might’ve been up to some spycraft nonsense, and suddenly she's on a trip to Somerset with Birch (her dry-witted, completely crushable retired DCI boyfriend) and their two very opinionated dogs. You know, festive things.

Naturally, they arrive at a remote farmhouse that screams “MI6 group therapy gone rogue,” just in time to get snowed in. A body shows up in the attic (Merry Christmas, I guess?), and suddenly we’re neck-deep in an old-school whodunit with no cell reception, minimal mince pies, and a bunch of pensioners with espionage in their bones. The vibes are very Clue meets countryside murder podcast, but with more knitting and passive-aggressive cocoa offers.

Gwinny is such a fascinating mess. She’s the kind of middle-aged heroine we need more of, smart, stubborn, endearingly awkward when emotions get involved. She has zero chill and maximum main character energy, like if Jessica Fletcher had a dramatic monologue prepared at all times and also maybe a lingering fear of being irrelevant. Her relationship with Birch is the emotional comfort food of the story, solid, steady, slightly snarky. They’re not all over each other, but there’s deep affection under all the deadpan exchanges, and it absolutely works.

The mystery itself is paced like a slow-burn log fire. You’re here for a cozy night in, not a thriller-induced panic attack. That said, it does take a while to get going. You’re nearly a third in before the actual murder drops, but the buildup, all spy backstory, cryptic conversations, and dog hijinks, gives the payoff some real flavor. And honestly, the payoff is satisfying. The resolution actually surprised me, which is rare. It’s not flashy, but it’s smart, and I respect that.

Speaking of dogs, Pixie the Cocker Spaniel deserves a raise. That dog is chaos incarnate. A blur of ears, energy, and unexpected emotional support. The way Gwinny bonds with her while also wondering if she’s completely out of her depth? Relatable content. And Birch’s Labrador, Ronnie, is basically the canine equivalent of Birch himself, calm, observant, and silently judging you. Iconic.

If you want a mystery that’s more warm than wild, more “suspicious casserole” than “graphic violence,” and features a woman solving crimes with the power of theatre kid determination and dog treats, The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail is your cozy jam. Just read it with a glass of wine and a blanket. Solid 3.5 stars for the snowbound spy murder, the theatrical midlife spiral, and the excellent use of dog-based sleuthing.

Whodunity Award: For Trapping Me in a Murder Mystery With Retired Spies, Two Dogs, and More Red Herrings Than a 1970s KGB File Room

And huge thanks to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for the Christmas coziness and canine chaos, but stayed for the retired spies, emotional side quests, and one very theatrical amateur detective who’s now living rent-free in my head. Consider me fully converted to the Church of Gwinny Tuffel.

[TheReadingRetriever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4/5 paws! 🐾

Thank you to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful, cozy escape! The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail was the perfect palate cleanser after all my dark October reading, and I absolutely loved it.

The Story:
Gwinny is a 60-something actress trying to reignite her career after taking time off. She's balancing a new relationship with her ex-cop boyfriend Birch (and his adorable dog Ronnie), an important audition, and sorting through her recently deceased father's belongings. When she discovers a mysterious contact in a long-forgotten folder, Birch tracks him down and they decide to visit his house in the English countryside - along with a last-minute foster dog named Spiggy. Naturally, this all happens right before Christmas, and naturally, there's a mystery to solve.

What Makes This Work:
- Cozy comfort perfection: Like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a hot cuppa
- Double the dog antics: Ronnie and Spiggy are scene-stealers and excellent detectives!
- Surprisingly layered: Somehow blends cozy mystery, feminism, Cold War-era spy intrigue, murder mystery, and holiday cheer seamlessly
- Atmospheric holiday setting: The opening chapters transported me back to my own London holiday trip almost 20 years ago. I could see all the festive decor and feel the seasonal magic
- Perfect standalone entry point: This is book 4, but I got my bearings quickly. Works as both standalone and series introduction
- Charming protagonist: Gwinny is delightful - resourceful, relatable, and refreshingly in her 60s

Minor Notes:
While I loved the cozy vibe, readers expecting intense thriller pacing might find it leisurely. But that's exactly what makes it perfect holiday reading!

Perfect for:
Anyone looking for a cozy mystery to curl up with during the holidays, fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, dog lovers, or readers who enjoy gentle mysteries with heart.

My reading companion Tucker gives his official seal of approval - Ronnie and Spiggy deserve ALL the treats for their detective work! 🐾

Overall, a refreshing, festive cozy mystery that's pure comfort reading that kept me guessing right up until the end.

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has no right to be as compelling as it is! I honestly don't know what I expected coming into this book but I have to say this over-delivers.

Gwinny is a part-time actress re-building her career after a 10 year break which saw her caring for her ailing father, she supplements her income through dog-sitting but times are lean right now. Her partner Birch is a retired Met police officer, who - along with his faithful hound Ronnie - supports her in all her endeavors. While clearing her father's house, Gwinny stumbles across a mysterious file which includes notes from her father, the phone number for a 'liaison,' and a strange code. Gwinny knew her father used to do 'little favours' for the Foreign Office, but the file leads her to believe that his life and work were far more complex than she ever knew; and in working to resolve the found file, she and Birch are drawn into a web of lies and intrigue they never could have predicted.

There are plenty of comment-worthy elements to this book. First and possibly most delightfully, I loved the fact that all of the characters are around or over the age of 60. This is so rare, and it was done really well. There are some pretty meaty topics covered in this book - sexism, dementia, PTSD, assisted dying to name a few - and they're all handled subtly enough not to be grating or preachy, while also being sensitively done. Most of the characters are pretty ambiguous which I liked, not necessarily likeable but equally not actually unlikeable either as the damage and trauma they've experienced is made clear.

The plot of this story was very well thought out and well told; the breadcrumbs given to you as a reader are enough to allow you to theorise and work out much of the motive and who the culprit is without making it all too obvious and ruining the mystery. The setting is a clever touch, and of course the addition of the dogs makes the whole thing feel much more cozy and wholesome.

Really enjoyable read, good for anyone who likes a gentle murder mystery or a spy thriller.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Alex Sarll]

A few quiet references to the "little favours" Gwinny Tuffel's late father Henry used to do for the Foreign Office have paved the way for this fourth case, in which, still clearing out the accumulated clutter of a lifetime, she finds a folder that puts her in touch with one of his old contacts. Which leads, as these things will, to getting snowed in at a retirement community for old spies in the Somerset countryside. The vision of this old-new house, its comradeship and courtyard and old friends, is an appealing one, not unlike the old age in which I always tell myself my friends and I will finally clear our RPG backlogs together, though admittedly the secrets, tensions and murder which subsequently come to light do take the shine off a little. Unlike the last cosy mystery I read, I didn't work out whodunnit way before the investigators, though I was well ahead on part of the how. I also enjoyed the little nods to various classics of Cold War espionage, plus one to my all-time favourite detective novel. But as usual with a mystery, what really grabs me is the stuff for which the crime serves as a skeleton, stops from sagging into litfic, and here that's the sorrows of time, the ageing and decay, diminishment and grief, and old wounds that still won't mend. Ultimately, this is enough to humanise even the most irascible of the veterans, who begins as something close to a literal cartoon (he's an angry Scot called Willie who looks after the grounds!) but is gradually revealed to be...well, I won't say too much, but something a lot more moving. Also, there are of course Very Good Dogs, albeit not in the sense of actually behaving themselves or anything, given they're a spaniel/Labrador double act.

(Netgalley ARC, which normally means I'd get it read ahead of publication, and doubly so when it's by a mate. But even these imperatives must take a back seat to anything Christmassy only being acceptable from December 1st)

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her dad’s death, Ginny Tuffel, once actress now dog sitter, while going through his papers, finds a folder, clearly very old, caught behind a file drawer. There’s an unfamiliar name, number and a strange list of what looks like code. This eventually leads her and retired DCI Alan Birch, accompanied by Birch’s black lab and a rambunctious rescue cocker spaniel, to an isolated commune populated by a group of ex-cold war spies. Almost as soon as they arrive, a blizzard snows them in, a murder occurs, and it is up to Gwinny and Birch to investigate.

The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail by Anthony Johnston, has all the elements of cozy Christmas mystery with an isolated winter setting, quirky characters, a resourceful and likeable female amateur detective protagonist, a pair of perky pups, a limited number of suspects, and a locked room mystery. But, that the isolated setting is several linked houses, the quirky characters are ex-Cold War spies who are likely to close ranks if pushed and the amateur detective is an outsider adds a new and interesting layer to the tale.

This is the first book I have read in the series but I felt it worked well as a standalone. It does start off a bit slowly and it is about 30% into the tale before the murder finally occurs but, fortunately, there’s enough going on leading up to it that I never lost interest. Definitely a fun read and I look forward to reading more in this series in the future.

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley nd Allison & Busby in exchange for n honest review

[Mel Aras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas time, murder mysteries, and dogs are right up my alley, and they were in this book, and I liked the book too.

Although it is the fourth book in this series, this is the first book I have read, and I had no problems knowing the main characters. Antony Johnston reintroduces the main characters at the beginning of the book in clever ways that I did not have any issues with learning who they were.

The murder mystery of the book starts later on, but there is an interesting spy mystery before it as well. I quite enjoyed the mystery aspects of the book. I am a bit unsure about how the murder mystery unfolded, but it was not something that I disliked; I am just unsure.

I loved the references and passages with the dogs. As a massive fan of dogs and someone with a spaniel, although it's a Cavalier King Charles, I felt very happy to see them. I think dogs brought charm to the story.

I would suggest reading this book in one day or so. I think because I took multiple days, some parts of the book felt a little boring or unnecessary when I returned to it. I have a feeling the story would feel more united in one reading.

Overall, I quite liked the book. I did not know about this series before, but now I will definitely read the rest of this series. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes spy mysteries, murder mysteries, dogs, and Christmas.

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Allison & Busby, and Antony Johnston for this advanced reader's copy.

[Acantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fun to read, a true delight.

I've not read any of the previous books, but I found it really easy to pick up and follow along where everyone was. It helped that there were so few character's, that allowed the author to really spend some time fleshing them out. So often these books have a bewildering amount of side characters, but by setting the scene in a snowed in building, not only do you have your classic trapped murder mystery, but you can really focus on the people and their motives.

I also really enjoyed the fact that it took a surprisingly long time in the book for a murder to actually happen. This again, really gave the author time to set the scene and introduce all the characters. It's strange - I didn't really like any of the suspects, but at the same time I didn't want any of them to be the killer. The writer has done a fantastic job of writing some broken and scarred by life characters. One thing is for sure, I'm not going to trust the elderly any time soon!

I enjoyed the call backs to the golden era of spies, the cold war and all the drama around that, and thought the murder mystery well plotted and laid out. I was able to work out the killer because the clues were there, and it was satisfying.

Based off this, I've love to go back and read the previous ones in this series, as this was really entertaining.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book immediately after the last and found it to be even better than I expected. The story begins with a long pending discovery that has been hanging in the background ever since the beginning.

Within the piles of stuff Gwinny’s father left behind, she finds an interesting folder. On contacting a random number written in it she is connected to a cryptic call that would immediately be obvious to a historical fiction reader but it takes our protagonist some time to figure it out.

There are parts of this story that were evident while others were a little tough to get to without help. This was at an even better ratio than the last book making it an enjoyable read. With such genres, the reveal should be a surprise without being too impossible for the reader to have fleetingly considered – Or that could just be what I think works.

I’m not going into the plot which is tight and spaced within a few days and filled with retirees who had very eventful lives once upon a time. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes the genre. I don’t know how much not knowing about the past adventures would play a part here, but I’m always a fan of reading a series in order.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★

Gwinny Tuffel’s life is turned upside down when she discovers a strange file among her late father’s belongings. Intrigued, she begins a small personal investigation that leads her to Somerset and a group of retired spies. Hoping to learn more about her beloved father’s past, she travels there with her boyfriend, retired DCI Birch, and their two furry companions. An unexpected snowstorm turns what was meant to be a simple day trip into an overnight stay. When they wake the next morning, their host has vanished. Strangely, no one besides Gwinny and the former DCI seems concerned, and the supposed spies are decidedly unhelpful.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately Gwinny began to get on my nerves fairly quickly. As a reader, I find it frustrating when an amateur sleuth repeatedly ignores obvious clues, only to solve what appears to be an almost unsolvable crime in the end. I also found her personality overbearing, with a tendency to overstep boundaries throughout the story.

This is part of a series, but each book can be read as a standalone, which is a definite plus. While the premise is interesting and the setting has potential, this installment did not quite work for me.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Midsomer Murders got snowed in with a pack of retired spies, a spirited Cocker Spaniel, and a dog sitting sleuth who can’t help stumbling into trouble… well, here’s your answer, wrapped in tinsel and sprinkled with chaos.

Gwinny Tuffel is back! Delightfully nosy, accidentally brilliant, and fully prepared to balance crime solving with Christmas shopping.

What she didn’t prepare for? Her late father’s past smacking her in the face and dragging her (and poor DCI Birch, retired but never actually “off duty”) into a commune in Somerset.

Cue:
❄ A snowstorm
🐕‍🦺 A hyperactive Cocker Spaniel
🕵️‍♂️ A suspiciously lively group of former spies
🔪 And of course… an inconvenient murder

This was such an entertaining holiday mystery! Warm, witty, lightly bonkers, and full of charm. The kind of book you read with a warm drink and a smug grin because you know Gwinny is about to do something wonderfully chaotic.

A cosy crime delight with canine sidekicks, snowy secrets, and a perfectly Christmassy atmosphere.

Exactly the kind of book you want to curl up with in December. 🎄✨

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former actress Gwinny Tuffel is working as a dog walker and attempting to come back to acting because of financial need after caring for her father in his final illness. Retired DCI Birch and a pair of nosy dogs accompany her to visit with some of her dad's old cronies who turn out to be a group of quirky former cold war intelligence agents. The day they visit becomes a snowstorm and they need to spend the night. In the morning one member is found to be missing. Later, the body is found and has been garroted. Now things begin to escalate, get even more interesting (and even more odd), and the fun really begins!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Allison & Busby via NetGalley.
#TheDogSitterDetectivesChristmasTail @antonyjohnston #DogSitterDetectiveBk4 Avail 11/20/2025 @Allisonandbusby ****review @bookbub #goodreads #thestorygraph #NetGalley #Librarything
#cozymystery @barnesandnoble @waterstones @booksamillion #series @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @kobo #murder #pageturner #banter #witty #wryhumor #caninecozycrime

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up expecting a festive cozy mystery, but while The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail is set at Christmastime, the holiday atmosphere is pretty minimal.

Yes, it takes place in December, and there are a few mentions of decorations and gift shopping, but the story itself doesn’t lean into the Christmas spirit. Take those references out, and it would read much the same. This is first and foremost a solid murder mystery, not a holiday-forward read.

That said, the mystery kept me engaged. The setup—being snowed in with retired spies, a lively Cocker Spaniel, and a murder to solve—was entertaining, and I ended up reading it in one day. The pacing worked, and the plot held my attention throughout.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a winter setting, this will likely satisfy. If you’re hoping for strong Christmas vibes, though, this one may leave you wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Laurel Kristick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this cozy mystery set among a group of retired spies. Gwinny, an older actress who supplements her living with dog walking gigs, is drawn into a mystery by an odd file found among her recently deceased father's papers. The file leads to her an old spy, who is living with other retired spies in a remote house. Invited to visit them, Gwinny and her boyfriend, retired police officer Birch, and their adorable dogs are stranded by an unexpected snow storm. The discovery of a body draws them into a mystery - Cold War-era espionage that cast a long shadow and led to murder.

This is the 4th book of the series but can easily be read as a stand alone. Gwinny & Birch are great as an older couple, and the elderly spies are engaging. The dogs (Birch's Labrador and Gwinny's foster cocker spaniel) almost steal the show.

I appreciate the author & publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Scilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwinny is still cleaning out her fathers things in the house he left her. It's almost Christmas, but she finds an interesting file which had fallen into an otherwise empty drawer. There is a note that says to speak to Roy Singleton with a phone number beside it. The phone number is very old, and she gets a restaurant which hangs up. However, she asks Birch, her currant man of interest who is a retired policeman if he could find the number for Roy Singleton. He finds it and she calls. Roy invites her to come see him and Gwinny with her new rescue dog Spiggy and Birch with his dog Ronnie. They first go to Gwinny's interview in Bath, and then to Roy's house which is actually six appartments housing 6 ex spys. After they have dinner with the spys, they are invited to spend the night. There is a big snowstorm during the night, and in the morning Roy is missing. Roy and Arther have been writing books in the Max Spitfire series which describe a lot of their own spying activities. Each time Gwinny walks under a particula hatch in the ceiling, Spiggy barks. Gwinny finally goes up a ladder to look, and she finds Roy's body. The snow is still too bad to call the police. They move the body out to the ice house.

It is very exciting from here as the killer must be present in the house since the storm has not allowed anyone else into the compound. However, I don't want to give away the exciting ending to the book. I thank Netgalley and Allison & Busby for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another splendid outing for Gwinny and her boyfriend, ex Met DCI Birch.

I am loving this series and was delighted to be offered an early copy of Gwinny’s Christmas outing. Thank you to the publisher.

When sorting out some files in her late father’s study, Gwinny stumbles across a file. An intriguing file as her father had never mentioned the man named in it. Now Gwinnie is about as curious as they come, so it didn’t take long for her to convince Birch to join her on a visit to one of her father’s acquaintances who might be able to shed some light on the file.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Dog Sitter Detective book without a murder, and an unplanned stopover finds Gwinnie cut off in bad weather in a house with a murder to solve. With Birch and two dogs along for the ride, we are guaranteed an addictive page-turner.

The perfect read for today’s snowy weather!

Superb characters and plenty of laugh out loud moments makes this series a top cosy crime read. Get it on your list!

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

A canine cosy crime mystery, The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail (2025) by Antony Johnston, features the sleuthing team of Gwinny Tuffel and retired DCI Birch. Clearing out her father's attic, Gwinny comes across a 1972 file of a Dieter Gerber. The investigation leads to a group of former MI6 spies living in Somerset. Gwinny and Birch get snowed in, and then their host is found dead. This is a snowed-in murder mystery, with dogs only a minor part of the slow-building story. As a cosy crime tale, its protagonists are somewhat humdrum, making for a somewhat tedious read with an ordinary two and a half stars rating. This is a standalone review, given no knowledge of the earlier stories, with thanks to Allison & Busby and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwinny is a retired actress, working as a dog sitter, and trying to re-start her career as an actress. She’s also busy clearing out her father’s house (he was a hoarder), when she comes across an old, mysterious file. Calling the number she contacts an elderly man and colleague of her father. On her way to an audition, she calls in on the old man only to learn he lives in a quad of houses with other retired spies. A snowstorm traps them in the quad and Gwinny discovers one of the housemates murdered. Being an intelligent and curious lady, she begins to investigate.
This is not your typical cozy mystery but a cozy mystery, rambunctious dogs, set in the holidays, and a dash of Cold War spy era added to the mixture and it makes a terrific read!
Thanks to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwinny is getting in the Christmas mood as she tries to think of a gift for DCI Alan Birch (a retied police office). Whilst she is getting to grips with her late father's hoarding of files, etc. As she is doing this task, she finds a file from an earlier decade and a time she knew nothing about her father's extra curricular activities. This leads Gwinny Birth, Ronnie and a recent doggy addition called Spiggy on a path where secrets and lies tie them to a mysterious group of spies living at the Quad in Somerset. Just afterward their arrival, they are snowed in. Gwinny and Birch attempt to solve a few puzzles and riddles to the clues they uncover. It was engrossing, entertaining, full of action, plenty of twists and turns with a few red herrings and a unputdownable read with a real locked room vibe!

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby Publishing for the eARC.
Gwinny Tuffel, after looking after her ailing father, is ready to resume her career as an actress (and of course taking care of needy dogs). But going through her father's effects she finds some curious papers that she decides to follow up on, which ends up into a very curious and intricate case for her. At the same time she's talked into sheltering a spaniel who needs help and of course she can't say no. With her ex-policeman partner and his dog in tow all 4 arrive at a strange venue with ex-spies and end up with a murder, as well as being snowed in. But Gwinny solves the case of course!
This is such a sweet cozy, with quirky characters, lovely dogs and a real head scratcher to solve. I really enjoyed it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Gwinny Tuffel sorts through her late father’s papers she discovers a nysterious link to the spy world.As a consequence, Gwinny and Birch find themselves unexpectedly snowed in with a group of retired spies, and embroiled in a murder mystery
Thank you to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary.
This is a locked-room mystery, but unfortunately, the author doesn’t bring anything new to the table with this classic setup. The pacing slows down in the middle, but picks up again toward the end.
The book is greatly enhanced by the delightful dogs and the charming Gwinny and Birch. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s novels who enjoy stories where pensioners reveal exciting pasts.

[M.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail is the second book in the series I've read.

I find the writing to be so easy to read, and Gwinny is a fun character. (I read the book in 2 sittings).

This mystery takes a little while to come together, (and for a while, I was chuckling along at some of the revelations Gwinny was making with a bit of a feeling of deva vu) and then the solution seems to be undeniable. But is it?

Very much a locked-room mystery, thanks to being snowed in, Gwinny determines to found out the truth before the snow can thaw and the police can arrive.

A very enjoyable, quick read. Did I guess 'who dun it?' I did not!

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Gwinny discovers an unexpected mystery in her father's past, it leads her ( along with retired Inspector Birch) to a group of elderly ex-spies, and an unexpected whodunnit.

Snowed in with the retirees, in a locked room cosy mystery, an entertaining piece of storytelling unfolds, with the stars of the show being Gwinny's dogs, this book in the series featuring one of my favourite breeds, the cocker spaniel!

Well worth checking out if you like canines and cosy mysteries, this one gets an easy 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[zoe Hitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwinny and Birch are back .
Gwinny finds a strange file in her late father’s belongings ( which she is still trying to sort out after his death.)
There’s a number on the file after ringing it , she finds herself on the way to Somerset .
Along with Birch and two canines for company she finds herself embroiled in espionage and murder .
A snow storm hits and the pair are going to have to sit it out in Somerset , and will they be able to find the culprit before another murder takes place?
I preferred the other books in the series but this still made an interesting read .
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwinny is packing up her fathers things when she stumbles over a note saying to contact Roy Singleton and a phone number. She’s ends up on a trip with Birch a retired policeman and her crazy foster spaniel. They are stuck in a house with many ex spy’s and when someone ends up dead the detective skills must kick in. This was a great read, I really like Gwinny and she’s a great character and sleuth. The dog makes the book funny, but his nose helps. It’s a well written series and light reading. 4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nearing Christmas and somehow Gwinny has ended up fostering a boisterous Cocker Spaniel.. She discovers an old file whilst sorting her late father's paperwork and contacts one of the people mentioned. When she has to go to Bath for an audition, she and Birch end up visiting the person with the dogs and end up staying there. To everyone's horror their host has disappeared during the night and due to Gwinny's dogged hunt, he is eventually found murdered. Unable to leave due to being snowed in, it's up to Gwinny and Birch to find out the truth with help from their four legged friends.