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Whales and Tails #19

The Catnap Before Christmas

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Madrona Island - Where cats are king and mystery meets magic.

It's two weeks before Christmas on magical Madrona Island, and as they have for the past few years, Cait and Cody are busy getting the kids from Saint Pat's ready for the Christmas Pageant and planning a huge Christmas Eve blowout at Mr. Parsons mansion. Things are busy but going well for the happy couple until a Grinch comes to town and begins vandalizing Christmas decorations. What seemed on the surface to be nothing more than a nuisance, becomes serious business when Santa is killed during the explosion that causes the Santa House in the park to burn to the ground.

Cait, Cody, and the rest of the gang, set their sights on tracking down the killer with the help of Jingles, the new cat in town. As they delve into the mystery they find that when it comes to Christmas and the emotions the holiday can conjure, anything is possible.

Meanwhile, Cait and Cody are babysitting Cody's nephew until his father returns from an overseas deployment, Maggie and Michael are in town, and Cait is forced to say goodbye to the cabin she has lived in for the past decade after the remodel on the new home she is to share with Cody is has come to completion.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2019

588 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Kathi Daley

327 books1,782 followers
Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).



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5 stars
548 (59%)
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250 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Nola Arganbright.
1,592 reviews32 followers
November 11, 2019
Touching

A holiday cozy mystery that touched me in many ways. There have been a rash of incidents aimed at the Christmas season including the death of the town's Santa. The clues are hard to decipher.
The most special character of the book is a young autistic boy who is able to help save many lives even though he is non speaking. This has been a year of learning about autism spectrum for me I was touched that the author included a good representation. The character is fiction as are some of his abilities but he added so much to the story.
Profile Image for Sandy Bartles.
1,395 reviews37 followers
October 15, 2019
Another excellent book in the Whales and Tails series. The story caught me from the very beginning right to the surprise ending. Cait and Cody are busy moving into their new place and preparing for the holidays when Jingles shows up to help Cait solve a murder. I love it when these mysterious cats show up in these books. I believe I love Jingles best of all!
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,469 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2020
Another lovely visit to Madrona Island with Cait and the islands cats. Is there a Grinch on Madrona Island or is there something more sinister going on at Christmas? I was completely captivated from the first page to the last.
Profile Image for Mary Brown.
1,299 reviews74 followers
October 24, 2019
The Catnap Before Christmas
Whales and Tails, Book #19
Kathi Daley
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Madrona Island - Where cats are king and mystery meets magic.

It's two weeks before Christmas on magical Madrona Island, and as they have for the past few years, Cait and Cody are busy getting the kids from Saint Pat's ready for the Christmas Pageant and planning a huge Christmas Eve blowout at Mr. Parsons mansion. Things are busy but going well for the happy couple until a Grinch comes to town and begins vandalizing Christmas decorations. What seemed on the surface to be nothing more than a nuisance, becomes serious business when Santa is killed during the explosion that causes the Santa House in the park to burn to the ground.

Cait, Cody, and the rest of the gang, set their sights on tracking down the killer with the help of Jingles, the new cat in town. As they delve into the mystery they find that when it comes to Christmas and the emotions the holiday can conjure, anything is possible.

Meanwhile, Cait and Cody are babysitting Cody's nephew until his father returns from an overseas deployment, Maggie and Michael are in town, and Cait is forced to say goodbye to the cabin she has lived in for the past decade after the remodel on the new home she is to share with Cody has come to completion. (Goodreads)

Review:

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place on Madrona Island. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved.

The characters are well rounded and well developed. It is always great to spend time with Cait and her family and friends. They are like one big happy family. I could understand Cait’s mixed feelings about all of the changes in her life, I do not like change either. I love the magical elements in this book, not just the cat, Jingles, and a very special young man. I thought this added a whole new level to the book.

I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. I am looking forward to the next release.





Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews43 followers
October 15, 2019
The Catnap Before Christmas is the nineteenth book in Kathi Daley’s awesome Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery series. The well-written storyline flows smoothly, and the red herrings and the twists and turns kept me engaged and guessing. This is a fun and clean read, and the affable characters are well developed. There’s an emphasis on caring and compassion, not only for family and friends but for the entire community as well. I highly recommend all Ms. Daley’s books to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery.

Caitlin “Cait” Hart and Cody West have settled into married life, the renovations are completed at Mr. Parsons’ mansion, and they’re moving in, but Cait is having trouble letting go of the little cabin she loves. Cait’s exhausted, not only is she working at her coffee shop/bookstore, helping the children’s choir prepare for the Christmas Pageant, and planning a large Christmas Eve get-together at Mr. Parsons, but she and Cody are taking care of his infant nephew, Sammy, while his parents are deployed. She falls asleep under the Christmas tree at the church, and when she awakes, concerned members of the children’s choir and a longhaired, black-and-white cat are there. Sadly, the Santa House in the park explodes and burns to the ground, and Tom Miller, the island’s Santa, perishes. Then some of the island’s Christmas decorations are vandalized, and a boat is set on fire. The cat, who is named Jingles, was sent by Tansy, the keeper of the island’s magical cats, and had appeared as cats often did to help Cait solve the mysteries. Cait, Cody, and the Scooby Gang, as they call themselves, work hard to not only find the person or persons who are responsible for the vandalism but to also track down the killer.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,209 reviews61 followers
December 4, 2019
The Catnap Before Christmas earns 5/5 Grinches...Entertaining Fun!

Kathi Daley paints the perfect, if not very scary, “Grinch” image of a thin man with no face in the drawings of a young autistic boy. The murder/vandalism mystery is an intriguing page-turner with various incidents raising the disturbing question: who hates the holidays so much as to sabotage so many iconic celebrations...targeting Santas? First, Santa’s House burned down, a small explosion, and Tom Miller, having played Santa for decades, is found dead. But was he the intended target or is it a “Grinch-like” incident gone terribly wrong? Other iconic displays are vandalized, making it imperative this mystery be solved before another innocence bystander becomes a victim. But can Cait’s cat sidekick, Jingles, the herald of a mystery, often murder, sort through all the clues, more vandalism, more danger, and drawings by a young autistic boy? He just might...with Cait’s help. The ultimate ending seemed plausible early, but there were enough red herrings and misdirection to make it very entertaining. I was totally engaged with the young autistic boy and the assistance his drawings provided. My thoughts swirled between whether he would end up a witness or have a unique prophetic sense. I always enjoy the first-person narrative in my stories; I can feel it is my own “I” in the drama. It is also compelling to once again get involved in the lives of a wonderful set of reoccurring and new characters that I’ve invested my time in over the nineteen books. This series is a favorite, and I highly recommend cozy fans join in!
Profile Image for Robin Leslie Coxon.
171 reviews51 followers
November 5, 2019
Kathi Daley is the Queen of holiday cozy mysteries. The holiday season of Christmas is soon approaching and someone has decided they are not happy. Cait and Cody are finally making the move from the little cabin to Mr. Parson's house. They are also caring for baby Cody while his parents were overseas and has Cait questioning is she is ready for a baby to join their family. When the Santa House is set on fire the Scooby Gang gathered to attempt to solve who is the person attempting to ruin Christmas. Along with the help of a little long-haired black and white kitten named Jingles who was a Tansy cat. A Tansy cat just appears to help when a murder/mystery occurs and provides clues to helps solve the problem. With the help of a young boy who has Autism and Jingles, Cait is able to put the puzzle pieces together to attempt to get the answers.
Kathi Daley has provided a wonderfully written book that displays an individual with Autism in a positive nature. She also shows a parent's stress they face dealing with a child who doesn't speak orally but through his drawings. Ms. Daley also provides an insight into how individuals with Autism can provide help in many ways and how animals can benefit them as a support animal.
Profile Image for Taryn.
1,114 reviews32 followers
October 26, 2019
It's a few weeks before Christmas and Cait is beyond tired and still has so much to do. She has been helping Cody take care of his nephew, the baby's parents are both over seas and look to them for help. She is starting to wonder if she'll be a good mother or if she'll ever want kids herself, she didn't realize just how hard caring for a baby could be. The two are again heading up the Christmas program at the church, while there working with the kids Cait learns that someone has burnt down the Santa House with Santa inside. Why would someone want to kill the man playing Santa or does someone just hate Christmas. It begins to feel that way when several businesses are vandalized and mistletoe is left behind. Cait starts trying to put the puzzle pieces together to see how it all connects but nothing seems to match up. With Jingles the cat showing up to help she hopes that he can lead her in the right direction before something else bad happens to the town. Follow along as Cait, Jingles, and the crew gather together to search for a killer and bring some merriment back to Christmas that someone seems intent on taking away.
377 reviews4 followers
October 16, 2019
Catnap before Christmas

Poor Cait. In the middle of remodeling the house they will be moving into, directing the children’s play at church, getting her little cabin ready for her sister to take over and babysitting for parents in the service, she’s hot with a tansy cat and murder, Christmas Scrooge, vandalism mystery. My!! Are they connected? Separate? Truly weird. Good luck!
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
October 16, 2019
Christmas grinch

The Scooby gang is hot on the case of who killed a man playing Santa. Was the man the intended target or just an innocent bystander. Vandalism is rampant, Cait has a new cat helper, and only a nonverbal autistic boy seems to know what is going on. The gang is trying hard to save Christmas.
Profile Image for Lynne Moody.
452 reviews152 followers
October 23, 2019
Some real surprises this time around. The characters were so interested and intriguing. The storyline kept me reading and wanting more . I could not even figure out who the guilty party was. This one will keep you guess for sure.
319 reviews
August 1, 2020
Best book ever

I loved this series. Kathi Daley is the best writer. I can't wait till her next book in this series is out.
Profile Image for Celest.
721 reviews9 followers
February 25, 2022
Not only a Cat Sleuth, but a Child

I loved this story, it was a little different than most of the mysteries in this series. It would be great if the new characters in this one could be permanent, like Willow and Alex from a couple of books ago. I really enjoy the way Kathi Daley develops her characters so that we get attached to them. I never had a clue who the bad guy was in this one, but trying to figure it out is always fun. Now I'm on to the next book in the series, number 20.
32 reviews11 followers
July 21, 2021
I love that the story is set in a coffee shop/bookstore and it i Christmas time..It has put me in the mood for the upcoming holidays.Poor Santa gets knocked off.It appears there is a grinch ruining Christmas.I love that a cat is involved and seems to know what is going to happen before it does and leads Cait to stop things.
123 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2023
Jingles ring the bells; Wiley draws clues

The Santa House was blown up with Tom inside; he died. Someone had an issue with Santa and it was necessary to find who it was before others were hurt. Cait and the sleuthing crew meet and names are added to the murder board. Very good book. Heartwarming.
4,417 reviews43 followers
August 2, 2021
Who would kill Santa and Why??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,428 reviews12 followers
March 22, 2022
A brilliant cozy mystery series, which has made my kindle subscription all the better value!

Cozy mystery set on Madrona island with magical cats and a good cast of characters who I've come to love throughout the series.

This is a long running series which is best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

Kathi Daley is a brilliant storyteller, if your like this series, try one of her others, they're all as good.
28 reviews
February 15, 2020
🙂

I like cozy mysteries. They are comfy. This is that. Cats and Babies and food and Christmas. And a murder mystery. Great way to spend my cold Saturday.
420 reviews7 followers
January 27, 2020
This was a great holiday story with a mystery to solve and new beginnings.
72 reviews
October 21, 2019
The Catnap Before Christmas is the 19th book in the Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery series. Kathi Daley writes yet another magnificent installment in this cozy mystery series, filled with all the elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, romance, humor, love, friends and family, and a sense of community.

This story takes place on Madrona Island, an island near Washington state, two weeks before Christmas. Caitlin Hart West, the owner of the bookstore/coffee shop Coffee Cat Books with her best friend, Tara O’Brian, is exhausted from her busy life which now includes taking care of a baby whose parents are overseas in the military. While at the church for Christmas program practice, Cait learns there was an explosion at the Santa House which killed Santa. Then overnight, a big tree in the park that served as the island’s Christmas tree is cut down, reindeer decorations are shot down, and the manger scene in front of the church is vandalized. Despite numerous distractions that occupy her time, Cait works with her deputy brother-in-law, her friends and family, and the magical cat, Jingles, to uncover the murderer.

Ms. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read. I look forward to reading the next chapter in Cait’s and Cody’s life.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
October 17, 2019
Another explosive winner comes together from Kathi Daley. The Hart family is very busy and lives are changing. Cait and Cody are in the final stages of moving into the larger home next to Cait's beloved cabin. Her sister Cassie is next in line to live there. Cody and Cait are caring for a young child temporarily and figuring out how much time and attention they need, and juggling and balancing of schedules. Everyone is gearing up for Christmas with church activities and a huge community dinner as well as gift shopping.
When vandals seem to target holiday displays and, worst of all, the Santa house is destroyed, Finn and his family try to figure out if the target was Santa or the man portraying him.
A magical cat shows up, this time being central to discovering clues, along with a young boy with his own inexplicable talents. I really enjoyed meeting Jingles and Wiley and hope his mother also finds the friendship and support she needs.
Without giving it away, another HUGE change occurs, which is quite emotional for Cait and Tara.
Wonderful characters, a beautiful sense of community, and an exciting search to protect people and the Christmas spirit while solving a murder.
62 reviews3 followers
October 22, 2019
Spoiler Free Review:
This is the nineteenth in the Wales and Tales Series. Set on a fictional Island off the Coast of Washington that is a part of a real island chain. This series follows Cait and Cody and their friends as they track down the bad guys and figure out the mysteries. They are always aided by a mysterious cat and this book is no different though this time they also get some help from another unusual source.
Kathi's books are clean reads with interesting plots and plot twists and an ever present sense of humanity. These books are suitable for all ages. Her writing style is clean and easy to read. She is a natural storyteller. She weaves together the main plot (which is always complete at the end of the book-no cliff hangers) and her long term plot which in this case it the talented cats as well as quite a few backstory plots which provide depth and color to the stories.
I found her books back when she was first starting and can say that my wife an I have never been disappointed in a book and look forward to the new releases.
Profile Image for Tasha Mcclellan.
38 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2020
Meet Jingles

First, there's the fire at the Santa House. Then there's the tree cut down, the reindeer shot down, and Baby Jesus stolen from the nativity scene in town. Can Caitlin figure out what's going on before disaster strikes close to home?
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
October 17, 2019
The Catnap Before Christmas ( Whales and Tails Mystery #19 )
By: Kathi Daley
The Catnap Before Christmas is book nineteen in Whales and Tails Mystery Series . This is one of my favorite in this series . Wow, there is action on top of action. I was caught at the start and did not want to put it down. I was not disappointed. The story takes place two weeks before Christmas and everyone is busy. This story involves not only the family , but the whole community. Vandalizing, explosives, fires, Santa, and mysteries. The Scooby gang has their hands full with this one. What about the mystery cat, will it be able to help Cait out in this one? I love these mystery cats. This is a good clean cozy mystery and the author keeps you guessing till the end.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,864 reviews
October 18, 2019
Cait, Cody, and the gang are once again delving into a murder mystery when Santa is killed after a bomb blows up the Santa House in the park. At the same time someone is vandalizing things having to do with Christmas and they need to decide if everything is related or if more than person is responsible. Cait and Cody also have the children's play at the church and Cait has to say goodbye to her beloved cabin since the restoration is done at their new home.

I love this series and this book was no exception. Kathi keeps the series fresh from book to book. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and kept enthralled until the end. The characters are well-rounded and easy to get to know. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
Profile Image for Jane Firebaugh.
Author 7 books99 followers
October 19, 2019
Wonderful new addition to the Whales and Tales Mystery series!

There is always something going on on Madrona Island, and Cait, Cody and the gang usually manage to stumble into the middle of it all. Right now, it is a murder.

Is someone out to get Santa, trying to wreck everyone's Christmas, or is it something more personal?

Even aided by a magical cat named Jingles and an unexpected young acquaintance of his, Cait, Cody, Tara and company are running a race against time and a very dangerous opponent.

Can they figure out who is behind the murder and the prankish happenings before someone else pays the ultimate price?

You won't want to miss reading this one. I can't wait for the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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