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Norwegian Forest Café #9
Christmas Claws
Can Annie the Norwegian Forest Cat save the town’s Christmas Play?
It’s almost Christmas in Gold Leaf Valley, but Father Mike is in despair. The person playing Mrs. Claus in his play has pulled out at the last minute.
With only three days until opening night, he doesn’t know what to do – until cupcake baker Lauren and her cousin Zoe, suggest Annie play Mrs. Claus!
The cast love the idea, and opening night is a huge success - until a backstage crew member is murdered.
Mitch, Lauren’s boyfriend and police detective, sets out to find the killer. But Zoe grows impatient, especially when Jay’s brother accuses them of murder!
Zoe persuades Lauren to join her in some sleuthing. With Mitch busy with the case and hanging out with his friend Chris, who is temporary roommates with him, Lauren has some free time for once. And of course Annie accompanies them on their adventure.
Lauren’s new cupcake is a festive gingerbread creation, and Zoe is busy making her new holiday mugs.
But when they encounter the killer in the twilight, can they escape in the nick of time? Or will this be their last Christmas?
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
Paws and Punishment – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 5
Kitty Cats and Crime – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 6
Catnaps and Clues - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 7
Pedigrees and Poison – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 8
All available in ebook format and paperback. The first four books are available in audiobook format as well.
It’s almost Christmas in Gold Leaf Valley, but Father Mike is in despair. The person playing Mrs. Claus in his play has pulled out at the last minute.
With only three days until opening night, he doesn’t know what to do – until cupcake baker Lauren and her cousin Zoe, suggest Annie play Mrs. Claus!
The cast love the idea, and opening night is a huge success - until a backstage crew member is murdered.
Mitch, Lauren’s boyfriend and police detective, sets out to find the killer. But Zoe grows impatient, especially when Jay’s brother accuses them of murder!
Zoe persuades Lauren to join her in some sleuthing. With Mitch busy with the case and hanging out with his friend Chris, who is temporary roommates with him, Lauren has some free time for once. And of course Annie accompanies them on their adventure.
Lauren’s new cupcake is a festive gingerbread creation, and Zoe is busy making her new holiday mugs.
But when they encounter the killer in the twilight, can they escape in the nick of time? Or will this be their last Christmas?
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
Paws and Punishment – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 5
Kitty Cats and Crime – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 6
Catnaps and Clues - A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 7
Pedigrees and Poison – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 8
All available in ebook format and paperback. The first four books are available in audiobook format as well.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2020
110 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Jinty James
51 books181 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 34 reviews
December 30, 2020
t is the Christmas season in Gold Leaf
Valley. The Crenshaw cousins, Lauren
and Zoe are involved with Father Mike’s
Christmas play.
When the role of Mrs Claus becomes
open, Annie, the silver-gray Norwegian
Forest Cat gets the role. Annie is a well
known part of the community as Annie
chooses seats for the customers at the
Crenshaw’s Cat Café.
Two brothers are helping as the stage
crew. Then one brother is murdered.
An array of intriguing, colorful,some
quirky and all well created characters.
The story is well paced, well written,
humorous, Christmas themed with a
touch of romance.
This is book # 9 in the Norwegian Forest
Cat Cafe Mystery series. It can be read
as a stand alone as the author presents
the reader with the past and present
effortlessly.
I volunteered to read Christmas Claws.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Valley. The Crenshaw cousins, Lauren
and Zoe are involved with Father Mike’s
Christmas play.
When the role of Mrs Claus becomes
open, Annie, the silver-gray Norwegian
Forest Cat gets the role. Annie is a well
known part of the community as Annie
chooses seats for the customers at the
Crenshaw’s Cat Café.
Two brothers are helping as the stage
crew. Then one brother is murdered.
An array of intriguing, colorful,some
quirky and all well created characters.
The story is well paced, well written,
humorous, Christmas themed with a
touch of romance.
This is book # 9 in the Norwegian Forest
Cat Cafe Mystery series. It can be read
as a stand alone as the author presents
the reader with the past and present
effortlessly.
I volunteered to read Christmas Claws.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
December 30, 2023
I'll wait until I'm on a computer to tell you how awful this was and that cat was worst character
Well this must be the 2nd worse book i have read this year. The writing was awful and im sorry but how can a cat direct customers in a cafe to their table. Maybe i will stay off the free cozy mysteries next year and read the actual 1000 books in my kobo.
Well this must be the 2nd worse book i have read this year. The writing was awful and im sorry but how can a cat direct customers in a cafe to their table. Maybe i will stay off the free cozy mysteries next year and read the actual 1000 books in my kobo.
February 2, 2024
This book was okay. The murder didn't happen till halfway through the book, and there really was only one possible killer. The character of Zoe was really annoying - I don't know how old she's meant to be, but she behaved as if she was 12.
November 17, 2020
The Christmas play is in need of a Mrs Claus when Annie is chosen to step in, much to everyone's delight. When Lauren and Zoe go to the church the day after the play to clean up, they find the body of Jay, one of two brothers who are new to town and were helping backstage. Kyle, the second shows up soon after. Zoe is once again eager to investigate while Lauren follows her cousin's lead.
This is a very enjoyable series and this book is a prime example of why. I love the cafe and Annie and Jinty keeps the series fresh. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept hooked until the end. I read it in one sitting, completing the book in a couple hours. The book's well-written with wonderful characters. The relationships are well-done and we see Lauren and Mitch take some strides forward in their romance. I always look forward to Annie's antics and am eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
This is a very enjoyable series and this book is a prime example of why. I love the cafe and Annie and Jinty keeps the series fresh. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept hooked until the end. I read it in one sitting, completing the book in a couple hours. The book's well-written with wonderful characters. The relationships are well-done and we see Lauren and Mitch take some strides forward in their romance. I always look forward to Annie's antics and am eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
March 21, 2025
Christmas is around the corner and the town of Gold Leaf Valley is looking forward to the annual play produced by the local pastor. But the set is troubled - first when an actor quits the play, and then when a backstage worker is killed. Lauren, Zoe and Annie will be forced to examine their close-knit community to find a murderer.
I enjoyed this mystery with its Christmas setting and the warmth of a community coming together to celebrate. The characters have kept their flavour over the series and this story feels like a hug welcoming the reader back into their lives.
While being a cat lover isn't necessary to enjoy this series, it definitely helps. This ninth entry in the Norwegian Forest Cafe series builds on the cafe, the culinary offerings and, of course, Annie the cafe's mainstay.
I enjoyed this mystery with its Christmas setting and the warmth of a community coming together to celebrate. The characters have kept their flavour over the series and this story feels like a hug welcoming the reader back into their lives.
While being a cat lover isn't necessary to enjoy this series, it definitely helps. This ninth entry in the Norwegian Forest Cafe series builds on the cafe, the culinary offerings and, of course, Annie the cafe's mainstay.
May 13, 2024
Christmas Claws (A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery,Book 9) by Jinty James is a cute cozy mystery. (I just love the author's name; it has such a musical jingle to it!)
I was a bit disappointed with Christmas Claws. I know it's a cozy mystery. I know cozy mysteries are short. I know it's a Christmas story. But there wasn't much sleuthing in this book. It mostly focused on Lauren's & Zoe's cupcake cafe and the Christmas play (where the deceased was discovered) ... and the big reveal. I just found this story lacking in depth and mystery. Thankfully my first book I read of Jinty James was much better and more engaging the reader, so I'm sure I'll read more Jinty James cozy mysteries. Annie is a hoot!
I was a bit disappointed with Christmas Claws. I know it's a cozy mystery. I know cozy mysteries are short. I know it's a Christmas story. But there wasn't much sleuthing in this book. It mostly focused on Lauren's & Zoe's cupcake cafe and the Christmas play (where the deceased was discovered) ... and the big reveal. I just found this story lacking in depth and mystery. Thankfully my first book I read of Jinty James was much better and more engaging the reader, so I'm sure I'll read more Jinty James cozy mysteries. Annie is a hoot!
November 22, 2020
Christmas Claws is Book 9 in Jinty James Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery series and I have to say that this latest book is my favorite one to date. Annie, my favorite book cat gets to save the save the Christmas play when she steps in to play Mrs. Claus when the actor has to leave the play unexpectedly. She is a hit with all ages on the night of the play, playing her part to perfection.
There is of course another murder and mystery for Lauren and Zoe to solve before Christmas day and not without some danger thrown in this time, along with some romance and the most beautiful Christmas surprise for the town at the end that had me shedding happy tears. I loved this cozy mystery!
There is of course another murder and mystery for Lauren and Zoe to solve before Christmas day and not without some danger thrown in this time, along with some romance and the most beautiful Christmas surprise for the town at the end that had me shedding happy tears. I loved this cozy mystery!
October 11, 2024
Christmas Claws(Norwegian Forest Cat Café #9) — Jinty James (15 chapters) July 5, 2024
I got away from reading this series when I decided to finish another series and then two outstanding summer-read books came along. I am back to reading this series and hope not to get didtracted again.
These are ebook reads, however… so the jury is out on how long this will last. I am still a few books behind my reading goal for the year, so let’s get to it.
The books in this series are always short and entertaining. This one involves the cousins, Anne, and the boyfriends and the upcoming holiday event.
Five stars.
I got away from reading this series when I decided to finish another series and then two outstanding summer-read books came along. I am back to reading this series and hope not to get didtracted again.
These are ebook reads, however… so the jury is out on how long this will last. I am still a few books behind my reading goal for the year, so let’s get to it.
The books in this series are always short and entertaining. This one involves the cousins, Anne, and the boyfriends and the upcoming holiday event.
Five stars.
December 20, 2024
Christmas Claws by Jinty James is a holiday themes cozy mystery featuring the famous Norwegian Forest Cat, Annie. It is full of familiar characters and the mystery will keep you guessing whodunit til the very end. In addition to the cozy murder, there are parts that will have you smiling at the antics of Annie! I won't reiterate the plot, you can read the synopsis for yourself. This is a lovable series that will update you on Annie's humans, Lauren and her cousin Zoe and their romantic interests! This story has something for everyone especially at this time of the year - or any other time. Enjoy.
November 17, 2020
Father Mike wrote a Christmas play. At the last minute, the person playing Mrs. Claus backs out. Annie plays Mrs. Claus in the play and it is a sell-out! When they go to clean up a few days later, Lauren and Zoe find one of the stagehands dead! He did owe some people money, but would they kill for it? They won't get their money if he is dead! Who would do such a thing at Christmas time? You will need to read the book to find out. I found the idea of Annie playing Mrs. Claus quite humorous!!! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
November 18, 2020
I throughly enjoyed Santa Paws.
If you have read the previous books in this series you’ll love that it dives straight into the lives of Lauren, Zoe & Annie. With all the favourite characters & customers at the Norwegian Forest Cat Café.
This time the girls help out at the local Christmas show but then things spiral when a body is found.
Sometimes I forgot that Annie is actually a cat and not a human. My favourite bit was when Lauren tried to explain “adult relationships” to her fur baby 😊
If you have read the previous books in this series you’ll love that it dives straight into the lives of Lauren, Zoe & Annie. With all the favourite characters & customers at the Norwegian Forest Cat Café.
This time the girls help out at the local Christmas show but then things spiral when a body is found.
Sometimes I forgot that Annie is actually a cat and not a human. My favourite bit was when Lauren tried to explain “adult relationships” to her fur baby 😊
March 3, 2025
Same old, same old
Annie's acting debut is charming and quirky. Lauren needing Annie's approval to have an overnight guest leaves quirky and lands in bizarre territory. Annie is a cat! Lauren is spineless, and Zoe is an overgrown child; Nancy Drew and her friends were more mature (and the author was savvy enough to quickly replace Helen, the series' version of Zoe!). The mystery seems an afterthought, but the surprise in the end is cute.
Annie's acting debut is charming and quirky. Lauren needing Annie's approval to have an overnight guest leaves quirky and lands in bizarre territory. Annie is a cat! Lauren is spineless, and Zoe is an overgrown child; Nancy Drew and her friends were more mature (and the author was savvy enough to quickly replace Helen, the series' version of Zoe!). The mystery seems an afterthought, but the surprise in the end is cute.
November 17, 2020
I found this book to be a perfect Christmas cozy. The author did a wonderful job with a new twist on a Christmas tradition, a Christmas play. The book was fun and left me with a cozy feeling Christmas feeling. I think even readers that don’t celebrate Christmas will still enjoy this book. Definitely a 5 star Christmas cozy. I received the book in advance but these are my honest opinions.
November 18, 2020
Absolutely wonderful!
Book number 9 in this series, and I’ve loved every book, this one the most! I think that’s because it had that Christmas feel that I so love. Cat Annie is just the cutest. I loved diving into a new adventure with her and hoomans Lauren and Zoe. It’s always a feeling of coming home, that warm cozy feeling!
Book number 9 in this series, and I’ve loved every book, this one the most! I think that’s because it had that Christmas feel that I so love. Cat Annie is just the cutest. I loved diving into a new adventure with her and hoomans Lauren and Zoe. It’s always a feeling of coming home, that warm cozy feeling!
January 3, 2021
When can you feel good about a murder? When Jinty James is the author!
This Christmas themed murder mystery left me with the feeling of never being too old for Santa Claus.
I'm not giving away the plot but it is quite the emotional and fun to read type.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas to all readers and authors!
This Christmas themed murder mystery left me with the feeling of never being too old for Santa Claus.
I'm not giving away the plot but it is quite the emotional and fun to read type.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas to all readers and authors!
December 1, 2022
2022 Christmas Read #9
I wasn't going to continue with this series but when I saw that there was a Christmas-themed one I had to read it! I'm still not a huge fan of this series but it was nice to be reintroduced to the characters, especially Annie.
Also I think Lauren and Mitch win the literary award for the slowest-burn romance in existence.
I wasn't going to continue with this series but when I saw that there was a Christmas-themed one I had to read it! I'm still not a huge fan of this series but it was nice to be reintroduced to the characters, especially Annie.
Also I think Lauren and Mitch win the literary award for the slowest-burn romance in existence.
January 2, 2025
A sweet cozy Christmas mystery. Zoe is a little much for me sometimes and I wish she had more manners and social awareness. The reveal at the end seems abrupt, and I wasn't super impressed with it as a mystery reveal. But the story is pretty well written, the characters are cute and even though this is the first book I read in the series, I didn't feel like I was lost or missing anything.
May 2, 2025
Zoe always cracks me up with how bold she is when she questions people and this book was no exception. She had a great line in the showdown too! Thanks to her quick thinking, she, Lauren and Annie were able to get to safety so they could spend Christmas Day with their sweeties and Annie. A really magical Christmas tale!
November 17, 2020
Christmas at the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe where Annie reigns supreme as everyone’s favorite cat, escorting them to their tables. She is quite the scene stealer as you will read. There is a murder, of course, but also a surprise ending you will just have to readier yourself. So enjoy.
December 3, 2020
Super cute!
Annie, Lauren and the gang save Christmas and solve a mystery. How does Annie stay so cute and clever? She is one cool cat. I love the characters in this series and look forward to reading the next.
Annie, Lauren and the gang save Christmas and solve a mystery. How does Annie stay so cute and clever? She is one cool cat. I love the characters in this series and look forward to reading the next.
January 21, 2021
I totally enjoyed this Annie mystery!
It was so good from page to page I finished
it in one sitting. Annie is so intelligent and
sweet that I love reading these mysteries.
This was a fantastic Christmas mystery
and I got a little teary eyed at the ending.
Phenomenal series!!!!
It was so good from page to page I finished
it in one sitting. Annie is so intelligent and
sweet that I love reading these mysteries.
This was a fantastic Christmas mystery
and I got a little teary eyed at the ending.
Phenomenal series!!!!
December 5, 2021
The writing style was not exactly to my taste, but I really liked the characters and the small town community grew on me. Also I’m now a big fan of Annie the Norwegian Forest Cat. A good, simple cozy mystery with very wholesome romance.
December 9, 2021
A cute little series about a Norwegian Forest Cat and her "Mom" and the characters in a small town. Just the kind of read I like! Nothing hard to read, just fun. This is number 9 in the Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery series. Now I'll have to start at the beginning!
March 30, 2025
Annie is a Norwegian forest cat ( look them up) who ends up playing Mrs. Clause in Father Mike's Christmas play. Her owner Zoe and her cousin Lauren end up searching for a murderer when one of the cast is found dead. Do t
November 20, 2020
Another beautiful story.
Thank you Jinty, I love cats stories, I will be sad when the last book comes. Please keep writing more lovely books.😢
Thank you Jinty, I love cats stories, I will be sad when the last book comes. Please keep writing more lovely books.😢
December 5, 2020
Absolutely wonder, I especially loved reading about Annie and the Christmas play and just adored
that very special ending. Thank you Jinty James.
that very special ending. Thank you Jinty James.
February 1, 2021
Enjoyable; this series is an easy quick read. Very light cozy mystery.
November 2, 2021
cheesy ending
Loved the book. It was a cozy and quick read. The ending on Christmas was a little too much, though
Loved the book. It was a cozy and quick read. The ending on Christmas was a little too much, though
December 31, 2024
A cute Christmas story involving a cat playing Mrs. Claus in a small town Christmas play.
January 8, 2025
A little too cozy for my taste. I haven't read any of the other books in this series so maybe that contributed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews