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Norwegian Forest Café #5
Paws and Punishment: A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery - Book 5
Murder at the hair salon!
Can cat café owner Lauren, her cousin Zoe, and Annie, the gorgeous Norwegian Forest Cat, discover who the killer is?
When Zoe gives her cousin Lauren a disastrous “trim”, they run to the new hairdresser in town, who manages to fix Lauren’s hair. While they’re there, an angry customer storms into the salon, complaining about her perm.
A few days later, Lauren and Zoe are shocked to discover the angry customer strangled right in front of the salon!
Who is a suspect? Brooke, the new hair stylist? The victim’s best friend? Or the victim’s ex-husband who is just recovering from their bitter divorce?
Meanwhile, Zoe’s fledgling romance with Chris is going well, and she’s talking about double dating with Lauren and Mitch.
When Lauren catches a cold, Zoe runs the café on her own – with help from Annie. After Lauren recovers, the trio start sleuthing …
But when they find a clue, the killer catches them in the act! Is it too late for Lauren, Zoe, and Annie? Or can Annie show them a way to escape in time?
This is a humorous, clean, cat cozy mystery with female amateur sleuths, cupcake talk – and Annie, the Norwegian Forest Cat!
You may also enjoy:
Purrs and Peril – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 1
Meow Means Murder - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 2
Whiskers and Warrants - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 3
Two Tailed Trouble – A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery – Book 4
All available in ebook format and paperback.
Can cat café owner Lauren, her cousin Zoe, and Annie, the gorgeous Norwegian Forest Cat, discover who the killer is?
When Zoe gives her cousin Lauren a disastrous “trim”, they run to the new hairdresser in town, who manages to fix Lauren’s hair. While they’re there, an angry customer storms into the salon, complaining about her perm.
A few days later, Lauren and Zoe are shocked to discover the angry customer strangled right in front of the salon!
Who is a suspect? Brooke, the new hair stylist? The victim’s best friend? Or the victim’s ex-husband who is just recovering from their bitter divorce?
Meanwhile, Zoe’s fledgling romance with Chris is going well, and she’s talking about double dating with Lauren and Mitch.
When Lauren catches a cold, Zoe runs the café on her own – with help from Annie. After Lauren recovers, the trio start sleuthing …
But when they find a clue, the killer catches them in the act! Is it too late for Lauren, Zoe, and Annie? Or can Annie show them a way to escape in time?
This is a humorous, clean, cat cozy mystery with female amateur sleuths, cupcake talk – and Annie, the Norwegian Forest Cat!
You may also enjoy:
Purrs and Peril – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 1
Meow Means Murder - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 2
Whiskers and Warrants - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 3
Two Tailed Trouble – A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery – Book 4
All available in ebook format and paperback.
199 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2020
About the author
Jinty James
51 books188 followersJinty James grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven mysteries, as well as all the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books. Later on, she graduated to mysteries written by Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Peters, and many other authors. It was her dream to one day write her own cozy mystery, and now she has, with plans for many more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 16, 2026
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Zoe is giving Lauren a haircut, when...oops! Good thing there's a new hari dresser in town. There's some unpleasantness, and a body is found in front of the shop the next morning. Lauren and Zoe investigate.
Not bad, but the two ladies are more worried about going to Sacramento than solving the mystery.
Zoe is giving Lauren a haircut, when...oops! Good thing there's a new hari dresser in town. There's some unpleasantness, and a body is found in front of the shop the next morning. Lauren and Zoe investigate.
Not bad, but the two ladies are more worried about going to Sacramento than solving the mystery.
February 6, 2020
The Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series is such a cute one! I continue to like each book just as much as the ones that came before. Annie is still the best part of the series, but there are other great characters as well.
In this installment, Lauren, Zoe, and Annie try to solve the murder of a disagreeable woman. They are up to their usual antics while investigating. There are several new characters in the book, and I'd enjoy seeing some of them return in future books.
The books in this series are all very short, novella length ones. If you want to read something you can sit down and finish very quickly, the books in this series are a great choice! This one was very fun and entertaining.
In this installment, Lauren, Zoe, and Annie try to solve the murder of a disagreeable woman. They are up to their usual antics while investigating. There are several new characters in the book, and I'd enjoy seeing some of them return in future books.
The books in this series are all very short, novella length ones. If you want to read something you can sit down and finish very quickly, the books in this series are a great choice! This one was very fun and entertaining.
November 25, 2021
Fast reading, light hearted cozy.
March 29, 2025
this is one of the longer books in this series but most of the extra parts didn't really seem to add to the story - mostly Lauren's cold although it was nice to see Zoe get some respect. a good story. Annie is lovable as always; I'd really like to meet her.
April 11, 2025
I’d been missing sweet Annie kitty so I picked up this series again. It was great visiting Gold Leaf Valley with Annie, Lauren and Zoe plus their friends. Zoe made me chuckle at how she dropped yet another craft endeavor in favor of one that was sure gonna take lots more space, lol. I love how Annie communicates with everyone and even got to show someone a table when she was on a video chat with Zoe while Lauren was home with a cold.
The girls figured out the killer but managed to still get in their crosshairs. Thanks to sweet Annie though, they managed to outsmart the killer. Zoe had a good line too during the showdown, she cracks me up sometimes.
The girls figured out the killer but managed to still get in their crosshairs. Thanks to sweet Annie though, they managed to outsmart the killer. Zoe had a good line too during the showdown, she cracks me up sometimes.
January 8, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend immersed in the world a coffee, cake & murder. This is the fifth book in the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe series and I dived straight back in as the characters are warm & welcoming. This time the girls get more than they bargained for when the visit a new hair salon.
You don’t have to have read the books prior to Paws & Punishment but I can honestly recommend them too.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
You don’t have to have read the books prior to Paws & Punishment but I can honestly recommend them too.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
January 20, 2022
Deteriorating Quality (Spoiler Alerts)
The series started out cute with only minor flaws. I'll admit I'm a bit of a perfectionist & feel that dialog should match the setting & settings should make sense. The 2 main characters are "California Girls" & yet as the series has continued, they & many of their Northern California neighbors use numerous words that are particularly British in character. Then the location of their fictional town makes no sense. The town is stated to be an hour out of Sacramento & there are references to going "up" to that city. Yet they hike in "nearby" Tahoe National Park, which is on the border with Nevada while Sacramento is not far from the Pacific coast. The geography makes no sense & real place names are thrown in willy nilly. Then the plots are too formulaic. How many times are 2 women in their twenties supposed to confront killers intent on murdering them before they wise up? I'm willing to take simple characters in stride at the beginning of a series, but there should be some character development after 5 books. Not in this series. I understand suspension of disbelief in fiction, but this series has found & exceeded my limit. I won't read any more books by this author. Bottom line: write about a setting you know in a vocabulary appropriate to the setting and with characters who grow & change over time.
The series started out cute with only minor flaws. I'll admit I'm a bit of a perfectionist & feel that dialog should match the setting & settings should make sense. The 2 main characters are "California Girls" & yet as the series has continued, they & many of their Northern California neighbors use numerous words that are particularly British in character. Then the location of their fictional town makes no sense. The town is stated to be an hour out of Sacramento & there are references to going "up" to that city. Yet they hike in "nearby" Tahoe National Park, which is on the border with Nevada while Sacramento is not far from the Pacific coast. The geography makes no sense & real place names are thrown in willy nilly. Then the plots are too formulaic. How many times are 2 women in their twenties supposed to confront killers intent on murdering them before they wise up? I'm willing to take simple characters in stride at the beginning of a series, but there should be some character development after 5 books. Not in this series. I understand suspension of disbelief in fiction, but this series has found & exceeded my limit. I won't read any more books by this author. Bottom line: write about a setting you know in a vocabulary appropriate to the setting and with characters who grow & change over time.
September 9, 2026
Paws and Punishment is a lighthearted, cozy mystery that blends small-town charm, feline antics, and a classic murder investigation. As part of the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Mysteries series, it was a quick but fun read for fans of animal-themed whodunits.
Lauren Crenshaw and her cousin Zoe run a cozy cat café in the quaint town of Gold Leaf Valley. Life is centered around pastries, coffee, and their sweet Norwegian Forest Cat, Annie. Things take a dark turn when a local resident is found dead under suspicious circumstances. When suspicion falls on someone close to the community, Lauren and Zoe, guided by Annie’s surprisingly perceptive instincts, take it upon themselves to find the real killer.
"Paws and Punishment" was a sweet cozy mystery tailored specifically for cat lovers and readers seeking a low-stress whodunit. While it sticks closely to established genre formulas, its cozy café backdrop and delightful feline companion make it a satisfying story to read.
Lauren Crenshaw and her cousin Zoe run a cozy cat café in the quaint town of Gold Leaf Valley. Life is centered around pastries, coffee, and their sweet Norwegian Forest Cat, Annie. Things take a dark turn when a local resident is found dead under suspicious circumstances. When suspicion falls on someone close to the community, Lauren and Zoe, guided by Annie’s surprisingly perceptive instincts, take it upon themselves to find the real killer.
"Paws and Punishment" was a sweet cozy mystery tailored specifically for cat lovers and readers seeking a low-stress whodunit. While it sticks closely to established genre formulas, its cozy café backdrop and delightful feline companion make it a satisfying story to read.
January 10, 2020
Lauren and Zoe along with Annie, the Norwegian Forest Cat mascot of Lauren's cafe are pulled into another murder investigation. A local woman's body was found in front of the beauty salon having been strangled with a hair dryer. Neither Lauren nor Zoe believe that the new owner of the salon is guilty so they look into things. Turns out that the woman had a few enemies as she wasn't a very nice person.
I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I honestly loved it. It was a fairly short but fun read. I read it in one sitting and was drawn in from the beginning. It's good to be back in Gold Leaf Valley and with the sleuthing team of Lauren and Zoe. The book is well-written with great characters you'll love to get to know. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I honestly loved it. It was a fairly short but fun read. I read it in one sitting and was drawn in from the beginning. It's good to be back in Gold Leaf Valley and with the sleuthing team of Lauren and Zoe. The book is well-written with great characters you'll love to get to know. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
January 13, 2020
Annie is a photo bomber extraordinaire
A good read. Maybe the mystery was up to the usual standard (the culprit really was a bit too obvious) but the lives of the two girls and Annie made up for it. When a woman's body is found in front of the hairdressers, the new owner comes under suspicion. Especially as the dead woman had complained about her perm (even though it was her fault it went wrong) and had been strangled with the cord of a hairdryer.
Add in a bad cold, a spot of breaking in, lies about an alibi, a new romance and the revelations about the dead woman's character. Trying to steal husband's amongst other things. Will the two work out who and why? How will the new romance go and when does Annie become a photo bomber?
A good read. Maybe the mystery was up to the usual standard (the culprit really was a bit too obvious) but the lives of the two girls and Annie made up for it. When a woman's body is found in front of the hairdressers, the new owner comes under suspicion. Especially as the dead woman had complained about her perm (even though it was her fault it went wrong) and had been strangled with the cord of a hairdryer.
Add in a bad cold, a spot of breaking in, lies about an alibi, a new romance and the revelations about the dead woman's character. Trying to steal husband's amongst other things. Will the two work out who and why? How will the new romance go and when does Annie become a photo bomber?
January 10, 2020
The Crenshaw cousins, Lauren and Zoe
live in Gold Leaf Valley where Lauren
inherited her grandmother’s café and
her house.
Annie, the silver-gray Norwegian Forest
cat lives with the cousins. Annie seats
customers in the Cat Café.
There is a new beauty salon in town.
When the cousins are there, a woman
comes raging into it complaining about
her perm.
Then the cousins find the raging woman
dead in the doorway of the beauty salon
with the cord of a hair dryer. Who was the
culprit? While all clues seem to point to
the new salon owner, the cousins believe
her innocent.
When Lauren gets sick, Annie helps Zoe
run the Café. Plus Annie discovers the clue
to the real murderer.
Come along to Gold Leaf Valley where you
will meet some well defined, relatable, vivid
characters mixed with interesting, colorful
supporting characters.
This is a well written, humorous and
entertaining story with a touch of romance.
This is book # 5 in the A Norwegian Forest
Cat Café Mystery series. It can be read as
a stand alone as the author mixes the past
and present smoothly with her skilled writing.
A Highly Recommended Read!!
I volunteered to read the ARC of Paws and
Punishment. Thanks to the author for the
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and
my own.
live in Gold Leaf Valley where Lauren
inherited her grandmother’s café and
her house.
Annie, the silver-gray Norwegian Forest
cat lives with the cousins. Annie seats
customers in the Cat Café.
There is a new beauty salon in town.
When the cousins are there, a woman
comes raging into it complaining about
her perm.
Then the cousins find the raging woman
dead in the doorway of the beauty salon
with the cord of a hair dryer. Who was the
culprit? While all clues seem to point to
the new salon owner, the cousins believe
her innocent.
When Lauren gets sick, Annie helps Zoe
run the Café. Plus Annie discovers the clue
to the real murderer.
Come along to Gold Leaf Valley where you
will meet some well defined, relatable, vivid
characters mixed with interesting, colorful
supporting characters.
This is a well written, humorous and
entertaining story with a touch of romance.
This is book # 5 in the A Norwegian Forest
Cat Café Mystery series. It can be read as
a stand alone as the author mixes the past
and present smoothly with her skilled writing.
A Highly Recommended Read!!
I volunteered to read the ARC of Paws and
Punishment. Thanks to the author for the
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and
my own.
October 11, 2024
Paws and Punishment (Norwegian Forest Cat Café #5) — Jinty James (12 chapters + Epilogue) May 7, 2024
When a new hair style moves in, Lauren and Zoe are thrilled that they might now have to travel to Sacramento anymore for a trim. She seems like a nice person. And calm, even when a grouchy patron returns wanting a refund for a lousy styling. When that same person is found dead out in front of the story, Lauren and Zoe work hard to find the killer… until Lauren comes down with a nasty cold.
Zoe’s pledging relationship with Chris takes off, and Annie comes to the rescue when the killer attempts to silence the girls.
This was a packed but quick read. Loved it!
Five stars.
When a new hair style moves in, Lauren and Zoe are thrilled that they might now have to travel to Sacramento anymore for a trim. She seems like a nice person. And calm, even when a grouchy patron returns wanting a refund for a lousy styling. When that same person is found dead out in front of the story, Lauren and Zoe work hard to find the killer… until Lauren comes down with a nasty cold.
Zoe’s pledging relationship with Chris takes off, and Annie comes to the rescue when the killer attempts to silence the girls.
This was a packed but quick read. Loved it!
Five stars.
August 11, 2026
Aww, a quite loving, kindhearted, and emotionally sweet story. I admired and enjoyed the relationship between our main characters, Lauren and Zoe. Also, I love how this extremely impressive author shows growth and development in each individual, using their positive strength to uplift each other.
Furthermore, I adored Annie, our quite brilliant and adorable Norwegian Cat. She brings such radiant happiness, exciting vibes, and tons of lively energies to an already fascinating mysterious light story.
I truly appreciate and love reading this humorous series, and I'm excitedly recommended this extraordinary talented author books to everyone. Her stories will always make you smile while reading them.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Furthermore, I adored Annie, our quite brilliant and adorable Norwegian Cat. She brings such radiant happiness, exciting vibes, and tons of lively energies to an already fascinating mysterious light story.
I truly appreciate and love reading this humorous series, and I'm excitedly recommended this extraordinary talented author books to everyone. Her stories will always make you smile while reading them.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
September 17, 2026
Lovely! This series just gets better!
This series is so much fun! The books get better as their number in the series gets higher. This one was so good with a murder committed by blowdryer and lavender cupcakes! Once again, it was sad to see one of Ms. James’ books end. The friendship between the cousins and the “romance” with the guys they date are so lifelike and positive. This is a great series and a wonderful story. Even the murderer seems like able. This is a must read for fans of the Norwegian Cat series.
This series is so much fun! The books get better as their number in the series gets higher. This one was so good with a murder committed by blowdryer and lavender cupcakes! Once again, it was sad to see one of Ms. James’ books end. The friendship between the cousins and the “romance” with the guys they date are so lifelike and positive. This is a great series and a wonderful story. Even the murderer seems like able. This is a must read for fans of the Norwegian Cat series.
January 11, 2020
Go, Annie!!!
I just love love love Annie! And this book was so warm. So nice to read cuddled up on the couch with my own cats beside me. Not a long read, but perfect for those couple of hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Whenever I can visit with the Norwegian Forest Cat Café it feels like a warm hug, it feels I’m meeting up with old friends, it feels like home. Well-written, great character development, and a super cat! And with a good mystery, that I didn’t guess right!
I just love love love Annie! And this book was so warm. So nice to read cuddled up on the couch with my own cats beside me. Not a long read, but perfect for those couple of hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Whenever I can visit with the Norwegian Forest Cat Café it feels like a warm hug, it feels I’m meeting up with old friends, it feels like home. Well-written, great character development, and a super cat! And with a good mystery, that I didn’t guess right!
September 6, 2026
Cute story for any age group.
Lauren owns a small bakery,
Her cousin Zoe helps run the cafe.
Annie, Lauren’s cat helps them solve mystery’s that tend to happen when they are around.
Murder with a hair dryer has them looking into the matter despite Lauren’s detective boyfriend Mitch advising them to stay out of trouble.
Fun characters in a small town and a cat that seems to understand what is being said and has a good intuition about people.
She even takes them to the table she selects for the customers at the cafe.
Easy to read.
Lauren owns a small bakery,
Her cousin Zoe helps run the cafe.
Annie, Lauren’s cat helps them solve mystery’s that tend to happen when they are around.
Murder with a hair dryer has them looking into the matter despite Lauren’s detective boyfriend Mitch advising them to stay out of trouble.
Fun characters in a small town and a cat that seems to understand what is being said and has a good intuition about people.
She even takes them to the table she selects for the customers at the cafe.
Easy to read.
February 1, 2020
Extremely enjoyable as always!
Totally loved this new mystery in the series.
Always find Annie and her humans very
entertaining and the story lines are always
so interesting. These are such great little
mysteries that I usually finish them in one
sitting since they're so hard to put down.
Can't wait for more of Annie's adventures!!
Totally loved this new mystery in the series.
Always find Annie and her humans very
entertaining and the story lines are always
so interesting. These are such great little
mysteries that I usually finish them in one
sitting since they're so hard to put down.
Can't wait for more of Annie's adventures!!
January 16, 2025
A thoroughly undemanding cozy
Well, it's business as usual at the cafe; Zoe makes questionable choices, Lauren enables the foolishness, and Annie "brrps" and "brrts" her way through it all. Oh, wait, there's an illness to change things up. At least give us a recipe to brighten things!
Well, it's business as usual at the cafe; Zoe makes questionable choices, Lauren enables the foolishness, and Annie "brrps" and "brrts" her way through it all. Oh, wait, there's an illness to change things up. At least give us a recipe to brighten things!
January 11, 2020
So cute!
I love this series! I wish I lived in it. I would visit the cafe all the time. I LOVE Annie and AJ. Just what I needed at this time of year. The main characters are great. I am glad it is not the same formula each time.
I love this series! I wish I lived in it. I would visit the cafe all the time. I LOVE Annie and AJ. Just what I needed at this time of year. The main characters are great. I am glad it is not the same formula each time.
January 28, 2020
Another delightful light cozy mystery read, with Lauren, Zoe and Annie, the Norwegian Forest Cat. Featuring delicious cup cakes, Danish pastries and coffee as well as a puzzling murder it all adds up to a quick enjoyable read.
August 29, 2022
I love these cute little books. Lauren and Zoe are cousins running a cat cafe with Annie the cat. And they are always stumbling into a murder that happened in town. Cute books with Annie and the locals that come to the cafe.
December 11, 2025
Cut book. This is the fifth in the series. It is a fun book. Light reading. Characters are good, but Annie is the best. The murder mystery is a little more in-depth in this book, but it's still an easy read. Some good humor. Lauren's sick during some of the book. Highly recommend.
September 1, 2026
Immature
Everything about this book, in my opinion, is very immature! The story line, the writing, and the characters all seem to be the result of a young, first time author. I was very disappointed.
Everything about this book, in my opinion, is very immature! The story line, the writing, and the characters all seem to be the result of a young, first time author. I was very disappointed.
September 4, 2026
a silly little story
I found this short story to be silly, full of cat talk, cooking talk, gossip, very trite indeed.
Thankfully I got it as a freebie, be warned don’t waste your money! It’s a waste of precious time.
I found this short story to be silly, full of cat talk, cooking talk, gossip, very trite indeed.
Thankfully I got it as a freebie, be warned don’t waste your money! It’s a waste of precious time.
July 21, 2026
Paws and Punishment
Jinty James' books are fun to read. I love the characters in the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe series, especially Annie!
Jinty James' books are fun to read. I love the characters in the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe series, especially Annie!
August 21, 2026
Not a cat lover.
I love animals but do not have pets and do not like the way some folks treat them like people. I got really tired of Brrt!
I love animals but do not have pets and do not like the way some folks treat them like people. I got really tired of Brrt!
September 3, 2026
A cute cozy mystery à la Hallmark.
August 9, 2024
Good book. Love Annie.
January 8, 2020
I enjoy this whole series. The characters are great and then there is Annie the cat who seems to understand what people say and need. Get your copy of this book and enjoy this cozy mystery. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from the publisher.
August 4, 2026
If it weren't for Annie, I'm not sure Zoe would survive at all. Lauren tries, most of the time, but unsuccessfully. It was pretty easy to figure out the culprit, but, as always, Annie made the journey worth taking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews