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Mystic Notch #4

Paws and Effect

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*** Don't Miss Book #4 In The USA Today Bestselling Mystic Notch Series! ***

Three hundred years ago, accused witch Hester Warren buried a magical box in Mystic Notch. The secret contents within have the power to bring disaster to the town and when the box is dug up at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Mystic Notch Historical Museum, Hester's ghost and that of her cat make an appearance to warn the humans and enlist their help to ensure the box doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Too bad the only one listening is Pandora, the cat.

Pandora soon finds herself on a treacherous path, battling humans and cats alike where secrets are revealed and alliances which previously seemed impossible are made. But when one cat makes the ultimate sacrifice for the good of Mystic Notch, Pandora realizes things are not what they seem and is forced to make a decision that could put her own life at risk.


** This Mystic Notch adventure is a little shorter than the others and almost entirely from (the cat) Pandora's point of view! It's a standalone mystery, but it will be a lot more fun for you if you read at least one of the previous Mystic Notch books first as there are some secrets revealed about the characters and you'll enjoy it more if you already know them.

151 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2015

1357 people are currently reading
950 people want to read

About the author

Leighann Dobbs

135 books1,862 followers
USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.

Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.

Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.

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5 stars
1,315 (49%)
4 stars
851 (32%)
3 stars
409 (15%)
2 stars
65 (2%)
1 star
18 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
Profile Image for Suzanne.
362 reviews8 followers
March 24, 2018
Purrfectly delightful story.

A story told from the viewpoint of cats, or any animal for that matter, can either be a silly and ridiculous voice of the book or it can be dry and boring.
This was neither.
Somehow Ms. Dobbs has captured what only a writer who converses on a constant basis with her furry family can do. Give them a normal human personality and voice.
In this book Willa takes a back seat to her boyfriend Striker, and we get to learn a little more about him.
But the real star of the book is Pandora and the rest of the Mystic Notch cats.

I thought I had read this book before and what a wonderful surprise to find out that I didn't read it.
So I could read while waiting for the newest addition to the series to be delivered to my Kindle.
And as if the magic of Mystic Notch was in the air, I finished this book to have the newest, Whisker of a Doubt appear.
Profile Image for ShannaBanana✨.
548 reviews40 followers
July 10, 2022
I love that this was told by Pandora’s view this time! I was completely surprised by Striker as well. Looks like he can see and talk to ghosts too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews319 followers
December 24, 2018
That was cute! Paws and Effect takes a different turn and this time the story is told from Pandora and the other town cat's viewpoint. It was a fast read but a fun little adventure as the kitties try to save the day.

The Gist: New construction in town digs up an old box that belonged to a woman accused of witchcraft years and years earlier. And that box holds something that could destroy the town if it lands in the wrong hands. Something the town cats must prevent!

Pandora is adorable. I enjoy her. She's young and sassy. Always ready to jump into action even if it gets her in trouble sometimes. She's got a big heart and is learning to love her new human (Willa) and get her trained right proper on how to treat a kitty. lol

There were a couple series revelations I wasn't expecting so that was fun, too. And the mystery was action packed and held some danger for our feline friends as they worked to save the day.

It was a fun twist and nice getting to know the kitties of the series a little better.
Profile Image for Jeanne Foguth.
Author 15 books16 followers
July 12, 2017
When "something shiny and silver that lay half-buried in the dirt", Willa and her cat, Pandora, are propelled into a new Mystic Notch mystery. The secret contents of the box have the power to bring disaster to the town. Hester's ghost and that of her cat make an appearance to warn the humans and enlist their help to ensure the box doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Alas, Pandora, who is the main point of view character of this book, is the only one paying attention.

If you love cats and cozy mysteries, I think you'll like this book.
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
2,776 reviews19 followers
September 16, 2022
Very interesting

Lots of interesting developments in this one. I can't imagine what adventures are next. Looking forward to book five. I am sure it will be great also.
145 reviews
April 9, 2019
Great Ending for the series

This last story is brief but good. Pandora has her own mystery to deal with. It's funny because she zeros in on a suspect in the same manner as Willa, her owner or human according to Pandora. Of course it's the wrong suspect. I really enjoyed reading this series. It definitely makes me look at cats differently.
Profile Image for Laurie Garrison .
727 reviews173 followers
September 12, 2015
2 1/2

While I love the fact that this book was in Pandora's POV, I was left with too many unanswered questions to totally fall in love with the book. Full review to come.
Profile Image for moxieBK.
1,763 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2019
Paws and Effect (Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery #4) [Kindle Unlimited]— Leighann Dobbs (Prologue + 18 chapters) July 15-16, 2019

The story begins of a young woman from 1656 running through the woods with her cat, Obsidian, by her side. she drops to the ground and starts burying a metal chest with a lizard engraved on it. She runs back to her home only to be caught by two sinister men.

Jump to present day and Willa, Gus, and Striker are witnessing Mayor Rebecca getting ready to break ground on a new Historical Society building. Her shovel hits something solid and the long-ago buried chest is revealed....along with some bones!

Striker is the one that sees the ghost this time and Willa is beginning to think his distractness is because he no longer loves her.

Pandora and the cats fell evil stirring in the air due to the uncovering of the metal chest. What does it all mean?

Another winner from this author. Great plot, dialog, and a few twists to keep the reader engaged and entertained.

Four stars.
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews58 followers
April 17, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, Leighann Dobbs writes under Leighann Dobbs, Annie Dobbs and (soon) L.A. Dobbs but her real name {not sure if she writes under that one} is Lee Dobbins, Hazel Martin Mysteries only one I found for this type with her, she has not made sure that terms used match the British terms as well as in other areas for that period of architecture and assorted styles.

The Notch Cozy Mystery Series {5 out as of this writing} and the Blackbore Sisters Cozy Mysteries are not on Kindle Unlimited which as said before about 1 & 7 {the only ones given free, sure would not have bought them} and ditto for Ghostly Paws which is 1 of 5 at this time but did get others free over time.

While some of her other books are Kindle Unlimited none of the Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries are which doesn't matter to me as read #1 and #7 and was way underwhelmed. Leighann Dobbs writes under Leighann Dobbs, Annie Dobbs and (soon) L.A. Dobbs but her real name {not sure if she writes under that one} is Lee Dobbins, Hazel Martin Mysteries only one I found for this type with her, she has not made sure that terms used match the British terms as well as in other areas for that period of architecture and assorted styles. By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad. As for these, it's not that the situations couldn't happen, it's in the telling of the story, with unlikable unbelievable characters and situations, again.

Yet another goodreads won't hide it don't want to see the badly proofed badly plotted poor excuse for bad soft core porn crap. The 'historical' ones are like that and so are the some of the non cozy mysteries and some of the sorta but not really mysteries because can't write, etc ad nauseum. The most any of them got was 2 changed to 1 for crap cozy, some get a 1 which means basically crappy soft porn 'romance' etc.

3 in Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series so far which are on kindle unlimited, 3 in the Moosamuck Island Mysteries , 5 in the Mystic Notch Cozy Mysteries so far {not ku}, Blackmore Sisters has 7 {not ku}, Hazel Martin Mysteries only has 1 so far, Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery series 12 so far is on ku. Others.including Scandals and Spies Book series so far 4 which are basically romance soft core porn dreck but hey you can get them on ku. Witches of Hawthorne Grove 1 so far,Cevonne Bride of Oklahoma, Unexpected Series 4 so far ku.

The Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad. As for these, it's not that the situations couldn't happen, it's in the telling of the story, with unlikable unbelievable characters and situations, again.

Copy/paste fill in the blank seems to be pretty much what she is doing in her books, which wouldn't be half as bad if the plots and ploys and actions were believable at all.Just change the name for a book and maybe change the series list under, and you are right back to copy paste same old same old.

NOTE: I specifically mentioned certain of the 'books'/series were achieving soft core crap status, and specifically said which ones those were, reference AGAIN the above quoted review, and did not specifically mention the blackmore ones as that, BUT and had not mentioned that had went back and rated all no talent no plot cardboard charactered 'stories' listed above as 1 as well. I will change the original review to reflect that, but it is still a 1, and MY review of the crap stands.
1,700 reviews35 followers
November 13, 2018
An entertaining story where the cats of Mystic Notch once again have to band together to save the town from the forces of evil. This time in the form of an extract from a lily that in now extinct, but was buried by a local witch just before being burned at the stake in the mid 17th century. This particular extract supposedly amplifies energy, whether for good or bad.


This is a fun story that has a myriad of twists, and contains some humor and a solid plot line. My only complaint was was it was shorter than most books I like to read.
Profile Image for Rosa Cline.
988 reviews28 followers
January 18, 2021
Series just keeps getting better...

In this book it’s written a bit different than the others. More from pandora the cat’s point of view. It explains a little of the past and things that were mentioned in the other books. It wasn’t as good as the others but still good. I would recommend all these books thus far to any age friend. As far as reading this one as a stand alone book...um,yes I think you could and not be lost. But reading the other books really help you understand much better what’s going on. So glad there are more books in this series
327 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2022
Entertainment

As a mystery, it's a pretty entertaining story. I would like these tales better if the cat and owner were more of a team. Having Pandora always sneaking out on Willa is a bit disappointing. I like Willa and don't like her being left out of what her cat is into. But that is just me. The intelligent cats thing is part of the back story of each story. It's sort of cute that the cats are taking care of their humans but I would like Willa not to seem oblivious.
Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books82 followers
April 11, 2018
"Cozy Mystery"

At a ground breaking ceremony, a box buried 300 years earlier is dug up. Witch Hester Warren had buried the box in Mystic Notch. Secrets and power are released and Hester's ghost and her cat, Pandora, need to assure that the contents do not get into the wrong hands. Pandora is the main character and she tells this tale from her point of view. Totally entertaining and fun to read.
Profile Image for Gina Lorax.
86 reviews13 followers
March 26, 2020
This book was mostly written from Pandora’s point of view. To me, it came across as teenage angst and was difficult to read without shaking my head, rolling my eyes, or just putting it down and walking away in annoyance.

Up until now, Pandora has been portrayed as a knowledgeable, sometimes quick to the defensive side, but not annoyingly so.

My least favorite of the series. Oh and the new thing about, Striker? Seriously? Really? Good grief that was convenient.
Profile Image for Ruth McDaniel.
263 reviews3 followers
July 9, 2022
Mystic Notch in danger????

This Mystic Notch story was almost completely cat focused. The town of Mystic Notch discovers a buried silver box with something very dangerous inside it. The cats of MN manage to get hold of it and perform a very important task that might just end in tragedy or salvation for the town. This was very well written and so awesome to see all the cats come together in this adventure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kat Green.
1,147 reviews19 followers
January 8, 2023
A fun, quick, read about Mystic Notch. Hester, one of the original founders of Mystic Notch who was burned at the stake, comes back and haunts Willa and Pandora, along with her ghost cat, in an effort to get them to solve the mystery of who’s stolen a magical box Hester buried for protection, right before she was tried and burned. Willa tries to solve the mystery of the box and what’s inside while Pandora enlists the help of a group of special, magical cats to help the humans save the town. 😊
498 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2018
Very short, more of a novella, which seemed to be aimed at a young reader. Reminded me of a moralistic Aesop fable. I was disappointed as this is a favorite series of mine. The story line was great and the cats are wonderful. You can see Pandora's growth and realize that Otis is a teacher not just a curmudgeon.
Profile Image for Anonyma'am.
58 reviews
October 25, 2018
I really can't add anything to the other reviews. I liked that Pandora was the focus instead of Willa.
Willa annoys me a little. I felt miffed that a Talent manifests in major character in this book when there hadn't been any hints of it in previous books.

But I'll keep reading the series for the cats and ghosts...
63 reviews
January 9, 2019
Interesting.Fun ,

Could have had better pacing. Have read all of the Mystic Notch. Did not have the fun laugh out loud moments Willa's books had. hopefully setting up Striker & Willa to get together. And them & the cats working together Then this book makes sense as part of the set up. Fun stories for light hearted reading.
202 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2018
What Fun!

This book in the series was told by Pandora, the magical cat. So much fun! The cats, especially Pandora, Otis and Hope saved the day. And we found out something significant about Striker. Can't wait for Willa to find out. Hopefully in the next book which is next on my agenda.
Profile Image for Donna.
108 reviews5 followers
March 14, 2019
Except for one historical inaccuracy, witches were not burned in New England, they were hanged, this was a fun read. Told from the point of view of Pandora the cat, it was a new take on the magic of mystic cove. A box with a magic elixir is dug up and forces of evil want it to destroy Mystic Notch . It’s up to the cats to save the town.
270 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2019
This book features Pandora, Willa's cat. 300 years ago the witch hunters were in Mystic Notch and Hester Warren was caught and hanged. But before they could hang her, she hid a box with something in it that could destroy life as the humans know it. Can Pandora and her cat friends stop the impending disaster?
179 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2021
Another win for the cats

This book follows the others in the tight writing and continued exploration of the characters and their skills and personalities. Questions to be answered: Will Striker and Willa discover they both see and hear ghosts? Will Pandora succeed in reaching Willa telepathically?
233 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2021
Meow! Meow! The cats of Mystic Notch in pursuit!

How cool is that? Nearly an entire book of Pandora, and her mystic cats in charge of bringing down the bad guys. Absolutely loved it. Nice to know that there's a whole other side to Striker as well. Great read for all cat and mystery lovers.
Profile Image for lorraine stewart.
20 reviews
July 10, 2022
It's different.

The first three books seemed to be following a formula. The fourth one shifted the point of view to Pandora, the cat. Also a different person sees the ghost and the ending is more of a supernatural nature. I think people who liked the first books will like this one more because of these differences.
Profile Image for Christina.
1,155 reviews47 followers
July 26, 2022
This was a really cool read. At first, I was confused. It's from a cat's point of view and omg it was a really interesting perspective. Makes me wonder what my cats are always up to. I couldn't put it down and ended up finishing it in only a few hours after starting. Even took it into a restaurant with me since I was so invested in getting to the ending.
107 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2024
love this series!

Reviewing for my mother. A light, fun, engaging quick read. Perfect to intertwine with reading longer, more heavily themed mysteries with complex plots. I love both styles and everything in between, and this author and this series in particular is one of my absolute favorites that I look forward to with enthusiasm! Highly recommend!
33 reviews
June 10, 2017
Pandora is one special cat!

This entire story is told by Pandora, the bookstore cat. She has some special talents and tells a good tale. It was fun, and if you are a cat lover you will enjoy reading Paws and Effect.
Profile Image for Lisa Tollard.
144 reviews4 followers
December 31, 2017
LOVED IT!

Returning to Mystic Notch for yet another Mystery, this time the book was written entirely from the Cats POV. Though characters are fictional this author has done a brilliant job of bringing them to life!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews

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