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The Oyster Cove Guesthouse #1
Un cadavre dans les pattes
Josie Waters ne pensait pas que sa nouvelle vie lui causerait autant de soucis : à peine ses premiers clients arrivés dans la maison d’hôtes qu’elle vient de racheter, et déjà la voilà avec un cadavre sur les bras. Et ce n’est pas la police locale, peu habituée aux scènes de crime dans cette petite ville du Maine, au bord de la mer, qui résoudra le mystère. Josie commence donc sa propre enquête.
Qui a tué Charles Prescott, le critique gastronomique à la réputation difficile ?
Stella, la propriétaire d’une maison d’hôtes concurrente ? Barbara, l’inspectrice en bâtiment, bien déterminée à protéger le charme d’Oyster Cove ? Tony, un restaurateur du coin, dont les empreintes ont été retrouvées sous les fenêtres de la victime ? Ou alors serait-ce un des autres hôtes, qui chacun semble cacher un secret ?
Les suspects ne manquent pas. Heureusement pour Josie, elle possède à son insu des alliés de taille : Nero et Marlowe, les deux chats de la maison d’hôtes, qui sont de véritables détectives sur pattes…
Qui a tué Charles Prescott, le critique gastronomique à la réputation difficile ?
Stella, la propriétaire d’une maison d’hôtes concurrente ? Barbara, l’inspectrice en bâtiment, bien déterminée à protéger le charme d’Oyster Cove ? Tony, un restaurateur du coin, dont les empreintes ont été retrouvées sous les fenêtres de la victime ? Ou alors serait-ce un des autres hôtes, qui chacun semble cacher un secret ?
Les suspects ne manquent pas. Heureusement pour Josie, elle possède à son insu des alliés de taille : Nero et Marlowe, les deux chats de la maison d’hôtes, qui sont de véritables détectives sur pattes…
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2019
1935 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Leighann Dobbs
135 books1,862 followersUSA 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
May 27, 2019
This book is a lot of fun. We have recently divorced Josie who takes over a crumbling guest house in Oyster Cove, Maine. The house comes with two cats, resident sleuths Nero and Marlowe. Things start off well enough for Josie and her feline friends, then one morning she finds the body of one of her guests in an abandoned wing. With all the clues seeming to point to Josie, can Nero and Marlowe save their new servant before she is arrested for murder?
I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book. I loved the banter between the cats, as they try to convey their messages to their 'stupid' new owner. Add to the mix dying seagulls, jealous chefs and a hunky maintenance man, here we have all the ingredients for a lively cosy mystery. I can't wait for the rest of the series! Recommended for all lovers of whodunnits.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book. I loved the banter between the cats, as they try to convey their messages to their 'stupid' new owner. Add to the mix dying seagulls, jealous chefs and a hunky maintenance man, here we have all the ingredients for a lively cosy mystery. I can't wait for the rest of the series! Recommended for all lovers of whodunnits.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2019
A Twist in the Tail by Leighann Dobbs is the first book in the The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series. This series is a cozy mystery with a bit of a twist as the title suggests in the fact that along with the main character, Josie Waters, and her point of view readers also get some sleuthing kitties who get to share their voices. As with most cozies though the story does have a completely contained mystery solved within each book.
In A Twist in the Tail we meet Josie Waters who had wanted to completely start over in life after her divorce and get away from her ex-husband. Moving from Ohio to Maine Josie purchased the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, a Victorian mansion turned into a bed and breakfast.
Josie didn’t realize the B&B would be and need as much work as it did and was struggling enough to get it up and running. Josie had also agreed to adopt the two residents kitties, Nero and Marlowe, and found the duo thought they owned the place. As if everything else going on wasn’t enough Josie ends up with a murder on her hands and needs to solve it before she’s suspect number one.
A Twist in the Tail was a solid start to this new cozy series. I’m always such a sucker for cute critters that I really enjoyed the cat antics as they help their clueless human solve a crime. Then on the flip side it’s also quite funny as Josie tries to figure out the animal antics, who hasn’t been there asking a pet just what the heck do you want? In the end I’d give this first book 3 1/2 stars and look forward to getting to know the characters better.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In A Twist in the Tail we meet Josie Waters who had wanted to completely start over in life after her divorce and get away from her ex-husband. Moving from Ohio to Maine Josie purchased the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, a Victorian mansion turned into a bed and breakfast.
Josie didn’t realize the B&B would be and need as much work as it did and was struggling enough to get it up and running. Josie had also agreed to adopt the two residents kitties, Nero and Marlowe, and found the duo thought they owned the place. As if everything else going on wasn’t enough Josie ends up with a murder on her hands and needs to solve it before she’s suspect number one.
A Twist in the Tail was a solid start to this new cozy series. I’m always such a sucker for cute critters that I really enjoyed the cat antics as they help their clueless human solve a crime. Then on the flip side it’s also quite funny as Josie tries to figure out the animal antics, who hasn’t been there asking a pet just what the heck do you want? In the end I’d give this first book 3 1/2 stars and look forward to getting to know the characters better.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 15, 2020
I love a good cozy mystery and A Twist in the Tail by Leighann Dobbs is just so much fun. I enjoyed it so much that I am already reading book 2 which is available (along with book 3) on Kindle Unlimited.
I laughed out loud so many times during this book and it was truly a joy to read. There is a light mystery with a surprising ending that I didn't have figured out, plus you get to have a cat's point of view! I loved Nero and Marlowe almost (or maybe more if we're being really honest) as much as I loved Josie, her mom, and Millie. There are so many likable characters and really only a couple that I didn't like. After all the thrillers and unlikable characters I've been reading lately, A Twist in the Tail was a nice little break that I had a lot of fun reading. It is also incredibly short at just over 200 pages so it only took a couple of hours to read which I didn't mind one bit.
If you are looking for a light, escape read that will make you laugh I highly recommend checking this one out. A Twist in the Tail is book 1 in The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series and ends on a tiny bit of a cliffhanger. Nothing major, but it definitely had me itching to read the next book right away and continue the fun of this series.
Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I laughed out loud so many times during this book and it was truly a joy to read. There is a light mystery with a surprising ending that I didn't have figured out, plus you get to have a cat's point of view! I loved Nero and Marlowe almost (or maybe more if we're being really honest) as much as I loved Josie, her mom, and Millie. There are so many likable characters and really only a couple that I didn't like. After all the thrillers and unlikable characters I've been reading lately, A Twist in the Tail was a nice little break that I had a lot of fun reading. It is also incredibly short at just over 200 pages so it only took a couple of hours to read which I didn't mind one bit.
If you are looking for a light, escape read that will make you laugh I highly recommend checking this one out. A Twist in the Tail is book 1 in The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series and ends on a tiny bit of a cliffhanger. Nothing major, but it definitely had me itching to read the next book right away and continue the fun of this series.
Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
May 16, 2019
Josie Waters was feeling slightly stressed as she contemplated the easiest item to produce for breakfast for her guests at the Oyster Cove Guesthouse. She’d purchased the guesthouse from Millie Sullivan, a friend of the family - especially of her mother - and they had moved to the nearby retirement home. But Josie didn’t mind when Millie and her Mum visited – Millie was a great cook and took over often. The guesthouse was in dire need of renovations and she’d also inherited Nero and Marlowe, the resident cats. Not that she knew much about cats – she had no idea they were about to train her…
When one of her guests ended up dead – at the bottom of old stairs no less – Josie was horrified it was deemed murder, and then the sheriff declared her a suspect. Immediately she decided to find the culprit herself. How many suspects could there be in the small town of Oyster Cove?
A Twist in the Tail is the first in The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series by Leighann Dobbs and a fun and entertaining romp with a group of investigative cats, some ditzy humans and plenty of obscure clues to keep the reader guessing. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When one of her guests ended up dead – at the bottom of old stairs no less – Josie was horrified it was deemed murder, and then the sheriff declared her a suspect. Immediately she decided to find the culprit herself. How many suspects could there be in the small town of Oyster Cove?
A Twist in the Tail is the first in The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series by Leighann Dobbs and a fun and entertaining romp with a group of investigative cats, some ditzy humans and plenty of obscure clues to keep the reader guessing. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2019
Take, Josie, a middle-aged divorcee who has moved back home and sunk all of her money into a guesthouse which has some guests, but is in need of substantial repairs in order to use it to it’s full potential. Add two cats, Nero and Marlowe, who talk to each other about helping solve the murder of a guest that has just occured; Josie’s mother and her friend, the former owner of the guesthouse; toss in a hunky guy who may later become a love interest for Josie; put in a pinch of a building inspector who seems to have it in for Josie and of course, stir it all up with the murder of a guest and you have the start of a new Leighann Dobbs cozy mystery series, The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series features Josie who has just returned to her hometown on the coast of Maine after finally realizing she needed to divorce her husband and start all over again.
Money is tight and Josie is struggling to figure out how to get everything done that needs to be taken care of, especially as the building inspector, Barbara Littlefield, seems to revel in making Josie’s life more difficult. Throughout the book, Nero and Marlowe talk about clues, meet with a group of their cat friends who discuss the murder and look for clues among themselves, and try to steer Josie toward important information she needs to share the murder. For her part, Josie is trying to solve the murder on her own as she worries that the guesthouse, which is functioning on a shoestring budget, will not be able to survive if she doesn’t find the killer. Her mother and the former guesthouse owner, Millie, drop in from time to time to discuss murder and for Millie to bake something for Josie to serve at breakfast to her guests.
Because this is a cozy, not much time is spent on the specifics of the murder short of giving information on how the victim dies. There is also some exposition that seems to be a setup for future novels in the series. This includes a push-pull attraction between Josie and Mike, a former high school crush for Josie who broke her heart by taking someone else to the prom, some competition between Josie and Stella, the girl Mike chose to take to the prom who now owns a bed and breakfast in the town and who keeps showing up at Josie’s place.
The sheriff in town seems to latch on to Josie as the prime suspect early on in his investigation. Josie’s mother and friend Millie step in to do some investigation as well as taking time for Millie to sweet-talk the sheriff into not arresting Josie. All of these various problems lead to Josie feeling somewhat desperate to solve the murder so she can get on with her life. Meanwhile, Nero and Marlowe are frustrated with their new human who doesn’t seem to understand the hints they are giving her and who doesn’t seem to understand they are the superior intellectual beings who are the real caretakers for the guesthouse.
As other series by Leighann Dobbs, this one will appeal to that segment of readers who love cozy mysteries that are strong on featuring cats who talk to one another in English which is understandable to the reader. Josie has to stumble along and try to understand what they are telling her in the same way most of us have to try and understand the animals with whom we share our lives and homes. As the series continues it is likely the relationship between Josie and Mike will change, although in what way is not clear from how this particular book ends.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutoure for providing me with an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you like cats and cozy mysteries, this is probably a series you will enjoy. The plot is well thought out and the clues are well placed for the reader to try and solve the mystery along with or ahead of Josie. It was easy to solve for me, and if you are an experienced reader it is likely it will be for you also, but that won’t necessarily negatively impact your enjoyment of the book.
Money is tight and Josie is struggling to figure out how to get everything done that needs to be taken care of, especially as the building inspector, Barbara Littlefield, seems to revel in making Josie’s life more difficult. Throughout the book, Nero and Marlowe talk about clues, meet with a group of their cat friends who discuss the murder and look for clues among themselves, and try to steer Josie toward important information she needs to share the murder. For her part, Josie is trying to solve the murder on her own as she worries that the guesthouse, which is functioning on a shoestring budget, will not be able to survive if she doesn’t find the killer. Her mother and the former guesthouse owner, Millie, drop in from time to time to discuss murder and for Millie to bake something for Josie to serve at breakfast to her guests.
Because this is a cozy, not much time is spent on the specifics of the murder short of giving information on how the victim dies. There is also some exposition that seems to be a setup for future novels in the series. This includes a push-pull attraction between Josie and Mike, a former high school crush for Josie who broke her heart by taking someone else to the prom, some competition between Josie and Stella, the girl Mike chose to take to the prom who now owns a bed and breakfast in the town and who keeps showing up at Josie’s place.
The sheriff in town seems to latch on to Josie as the prime suspect early on in his investigation. Josie’s mother and friend Millie step in to do some investigation as well as taking time for Millie to sweet-talk the sheriff into not arresting Josie. All of these various problems lead to Josie feeling somewhat desperate to solve the murder so she can get on with her life. Meanwhile, Nero and Marlowe are frustrated with their new human who doesn’t seem to understand the hints they are giving her and who doesn’t seem to understand they are the superior intellectual beings who are the real caretakers for the guesthouse.
As other series by Leighann Dobbs, this one will appeal to that segment of readers who love cozy mysteries that are strong on featuring cats who talk to one another in English which is understandable to the reader. Josie has to stumble along and try to understand what they are telling her in the same way most of us have to try and understand the animals with whom we share our lives and homes. As the series continues it is likely the relationship between Josie and Mike will change, although in what way is not clear from how this particular book ends.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutoure for providing me with an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you like cats and cozy mysteries, this is probably a series you will enjoy. The plot is well thought out and the clues are well placed for the reader to try and solve the mystery along with or ahead of Josie. It was easy to solve for me, and if you are an experienced reader it is likely it will be for you also, but that won’t necessarily negatively impact your enjoyment of the book.
October 13, 2021
After her divorce, Josie Stovenfield moved back to her hometown and bought a Bed & Breakfast overlooking the coast. The mansion needs a lot of work. Josie has opened only one wing to guests, hoping to eventually raise the money to restore the rest of the rooms. Her business has only been open a few weeks when Josie discovers the body of one of her tenants laying in the area at the base of a broken staircase. The local sheriff is investigating the murder. Josie seems to be his number one suspect. With the help of the resident cats, Amateur Sleuths Nero and Marlowe, Josie decides she needs to find the killer to clear her own name.
I picked up this book because I needed to read a book with a "furry sleuth" for a challenge. This is just not the kind of book I enjoy. Some of the chapters were from Josie's point-of-view. The problem is we knew nothing about her until nearly the second chapter. We didn't even know her name. Then there were the chapters concerning the cat’s investigation. They talked among themselves about how they found a clue and had to figure out how to alert the human. These chapters threw me out of the story and any momentum that the mystery had gained.
It took me nearly a week to finish this book. I've been traveling and having a hard time reading, so that probably impacted my enjoyment of the book. I know everytime I started reading, my eyes drifted shut. It seems that other people thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
I picked up this book because I needed to read a book with a "furry sleuth" for a challenge. This is just not the kind of book I enjoy. Some of the chapters were from Josie's point-of-view. The problem is we knew nothing about her until nearly the second chapter. We didn't even know her name. Then there were the chapters concerning the cat’s investigation. They talked among themselves about how they found a clue and had to figure out how to alert the human. These chapters threw me out of the story and any momentum that the mystery had gained.
It took me nearly a week to finish this book. I've been traveling and having a hard time reading, so that probably impacted my enjoyment of the book. I know everytime I started reading, my eyes drifted shut. It seems that other people thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
July 30, 2019
When Josie Waters purchased a mansion in Maine, the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, she didn't know that murder - and two nosy and bossy cats - would be part of the deal. Add in an odd assortment of guests and Josie certainly has her hands full.
Josie thought she made a very wise, if not impulsive, decision to buy the guesthouse. Having dealt with a divorce and with her daughter having moved away for work, the distraction should definitely be in her favor. Josie thought the worst of her problems would be is that she is hardly any sort of cook, and coming up with good meals for house guests being the biggest problem she might have to cope with.
Things were nothing like she imagined. For starters, the mansion is falling apart and she begins bleeding money almost immediately. Then she is dealing with more than the two cats that were part of the deal, she must also contend with a litter of kittens. Josie bought the house from her mother's friend, Millie, and Millie has 1,001 reasons for always dropping in.
Imagine Josie's shock when her first house guest ends up dead?! Despite the police investigation into the matter - Josie, her mother - and Millie - oh, and Nero and Marlowe, the resident cats - all decide to solve the murder.
What a fun story! The cats talk to one another, find and plant clues, and do whatever they can to point Josie in the right direction. All I could think of when reading this book was the movie Homeward Bound, where the animals talked. With that image in mind, I was truly able to enjoy this story.
A Twist in the Tail is the first book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse series. This delightful story was a quick read and lovers of cozy mysteries will be glad if they add this to their queue. The next book is A Whisker in the Dark, to be followed by A Purrfect Alibi.
Josie thought she made a very wise, if not impulsive, decision to buy the guesthouse. Having dealt with a divorce and with her daughter having moved away for work, the distraction should definitely be in her favor. Josie thought the worst of her problems would be is that she is hardly any sort of cook, and coming up with good meals for house guests being the biggest problem she might have to cope with.
Things were nothing like she imagined. For starters, the mansion is falling apart and she begins bleeding money almost immediately. Then she is dealing with more than the two cats that were part of the deal, she must also contend with a litter of kittens. Josie bought the house from her mother's friend, Millie, and Millie has 1,001 reasons for always dropping in.
Imagine Josie's shock when her first house guest ends up dead?! Despite the police investigation into the matter - Josie, her mother - and Millie - oh, and Nero and Marlowe, the resident cats - all decide to solve the murder.
What a fun story! The cats talk to one another, find and plant clues, and do whatever they can to point Josie in the right direction. All I could think of when reading this book was the movie Homeward Bound, where the animals talked. With that image in mind, I was truly able to enjoy this story.
A Twist in the Tail is the first book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse series. This delightful story was a quick read and lovers of cozy mysteries will be glad if they add this to their queue. The next book is A Whisker in the Dark, to be followed by A Purrfect Alibi.
May 21, 2019
Rating:
5 stars
Trigger:
None!
Short review:
Well this is not non-fiction, deep thinking kind of literature but sometimes a book's worth is measured based on how good of friend it was, in difficult times. Last week, I was on verge of depression and this book cheered me up. Purpose solved - reader happy, you get all the stars.
This wasn't the first crime the cats has solved. Of course, the humans didn't realise the cats' involvement. Nero often thought it would be so much easier if humans would just be more aware. The humans' lack of cat-communication skills made the cats' job that much harder because they has to practically hit the humans over the head with clues to make them think it was their idea.
I think this summarizes the book nicely. It was first time I read a cozy murder mystery where the crime was solved by cats. It was really clever and at times hilarious as well.
I think there are tons of books might have same thing but this was my first book which has combined my love of felines and cozy murder mystery and combination was a hit!
Review in image/gif:
Recommended:
Yes
Aftermath: (possible spoilers)
If you like murder mysteries, you should definitely give this a try...don't take it to seriously and have fun and gobbel like comfort food on rainy days...
I received this book from netgalley but I think the entire series is going to be available on kindle-unlimited since the author has most of her books available in KU.
5 stars
Trigger:
None!
Short review:
Well this is not non-fiction, deep thinking kind of literature but sometimes a book's worth is measured based on how good of friend it was, in difficult times. Last week, I was on verge of depression and this book cheered me up. Purpose solved - reader happy, you get all the stars.
This wasn't the first crime the cats has solved. Of course, the humans didn't realise the cats' involvement. Nero often thought it would be so much easier if humans would just be more aware. The humans' lack of cat-communication skills made the cats' job that much harder because they has to practically hit the humans over the head with clues to make them think it was their idea.
I think this summarizes the book nicely. It was first time I read a cozy murder mystery where the crime was solved by cats. It was really clever and at times hilarious as well.
I think there are tons of books might have same thing but this was my first book which has combined my love of felines and cozy murder mystery and combination was a hit!
Review in image/gif:
Recommended:
Yes
Aftermath: (possible spoilers)
If you like murder mysteries, you should definitely give this a try...don't take it to seriously and have fun and gobbel like comfort food on rainy days...
I received this book from netgalley but I think the entire series is going to be available on kindle-unlimited since the author has most of her books available in KU.
May 18, 2019
It has been a while since I read a cozy mystery book and after finishing it, I am always reminded why I like them so much.
There is a crime of course, but also very often are they full of humour and the main character is an amateur sleuth who is always much more clever than the police. In this new series the sleuth gets (a lot of) help from some furry friends.
Some people might say : ‘It’s only a cat’ or ‘It’s only a dog’, but true animal lovers know that they are a lot more than that. They are very intelligent and know what they want. They can look at you and melt your heart and you are like wax in their paws.
But not only that. They have the ability to keep on giving you signs until you understand them and if you have that unique connection with your pet, you have no probiem communicating with them, no words needed.
So, if you have a new pet, do whatever you can to understand him. You never know what he is capable of and don’t forget that you will have a friend for life who will stand by you whenever you need him.
If you are looking for a relaxing book, stop looking because you have found it. 4 stars.
Thank you, Leighann Dobbs, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpess.com
There is a crime of course, but also very often are they full of humour and the main character is an amateur sleuth who is always much more clever than the police. In this new series the sleuth gets (a lot of) help from some furry friends.
Some people might say : ‘It’s only a cat’ or ‘It’s only a dog’, but true animal lovers know that they are a lot more than that. They are very intelligent and know what they want. They can look at you and melt your heart and you are like wax in their paws.
But not only that. They have the ability to keep on giving you signs until you understand them and if you have that unique connection with your pet, you have no probiem communicating with them, no words needed.
So, if you have a new pet, do whatever you can to understand him. You never know what he is capable of and don’t forget that you will have a friend for life who will stand by you whenever you need him.
If you are looking for a relaxing book, stop looking because you have found it. 4 stars.
Thank you, Leighann Dobbs, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpess.com
May 15, 2019
I don’t generally read cosy mysteries as I generally find them cheesy, annoying and unfunny, but I was seduced by the cats on the cover and mention of feline detectives. I hadn’t read anything by this author before but note she has a large back-catalogue of mystery and romance series, so presume she must be popular, and this was just the wrong book for me.
40 something Josie has returned to her New England home town after her divorce and bought a run down guest house from Millie, her mother’s best friend. The business came with two cats, who fancy themselves as detectives, a selection of recipes and a hunky handyman. When one of the guests, a rude restaurant critic, is found dead, Josie finds herself under suspicion from the elderly sheriff, so must team up with her friends to find the real killer.
I’m sure if you like this sort of thing, you’ll gobble it up. It just wasn’t my sense of humour (and I actually found some of the antics offensive rather than amusing - like Millie’s plan to get out of a restaurant bill by complaining about the food - when is that ever ok?), and the way murder is trivialised (common to all cosies as far as I can tell) annoyed me. The killer was pretty obvious too.
What I did like were the cat focused chapters as Nero and Marlowe discuss how to train their human and use classic kitty behaviours to get attention, like pushing things off shelves and yowling for no apparent reason. For someone who apparently loves cats I was alarmed to read about them eating garlic (toxic) and dairy (bad for most cats) but I’m probably taking it too seriously.
Overall, a silly easy read with all the standard elements of the genre. The conclusion: No more cosies for me, no matter how many cats they feature!
My thanks to NetGalley to Bookouture and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. A Twist in the Tail is published today.
40 something Josie has returned to her New England home town after her divorce and bought a run down guest house from Millie, her mother’s best friend. The business came with two cats, who fancy themselves as detectives, a selection of recipes and a hunky handyman. When one of the guests, a rude restaurant critic, is found dead, Josie finds herself under suspicion from the elderly sheriff, so must team up with her friends to find the real killer.
I’m sure if you like this sort of thing, you’ll gobble it up. It just wasn’t my sense of humour (and I actually found some of the antics offensive rather than amusing - like Millie’s plan to get out of a restaurant bill by complaining about the food - when is that ever ok?), and the way murder is trivialised (common to all cosies as far as I can tell) annoyed me. The killer was pretty obvious too.
What I did like were the cat focused chapters as Nero and Marlowe discuss how to train their human and use classic kitty behaviours to get attention, like pushing things off shelves and yowling for no apparent reason. For someone who apparently loves cats I was alarmed to read about them eating garlic (toxic) and dairy (bad for most cats) but I’m probably taking it too seriously.
Overall, a silly easy read with all the standard elements of the genre. The conclusion: No more cosies for me, no matter how many cats they feature!
My thanks to NetGalley to Bookouture and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. A Twist in the Tail is published today.
June 2, 2019
Josie Waters is beyond busy now that she is the new owner of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse. She purchased it from a close friend of the family. The guesthouse needs a bit of work, but things really take a nasty turn when one of her first guests is found dead. All fingers point towards Josie as being the culprit.
The guesthouse comes complete with two cats named Nero and Marlowe. They aren’t so sure they like Josie but they don’t think she’s a killer and they intend to prove her innocence. They turn towards a group of neighborhood cats to help them in the investigation. Meanwhile, Josie conducts her own investigation.
I loved this one right from the start. Yes, it helps that I love cats and there are a bunch of them in this one. The cats talk but only to each other, not the humans. It’s quite funny seeing them trying to get their message across to their human.
It’s a light-hearted, fast-paced read that gave me hours of fun. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The guesthouse comes complete with two cats named Nero and Marlowe. They aren’t so sure they like Josie but they don’t think she’s a killer and they intend to prove her innocence. They turn towards a group of neighborhood cats to help them in the investigation. Meanwhile, Josie conducts her own investigation.
I loved this one right from the start. Yes, it helps that I love cats and there are a bunch of them in this one. The cats talk but only to each other, not the humans. It’s quite funny seeing them trying to get their message across to their human.
It’s a light-hearted, fast-paced read that gave me hours of fun. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 4, 2019
The first book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse is a light and an entering read. This a good book to curl up before a fire to read for relaxation.
Josie Waters has used her savings to purchase the Guesthouse from an elderly family friend. It came with residents cats, Nero and Marlowe. The house needs a lot of work and a portion has been shut up for safety reasons. The cats alert Josie to a dead body in the closeup section of the house. The person was a good critic and it is thought the villain is someone who didn't like a review.
Nero and Marlowe have the run of the town and meet the cats of the area. The cats talk with each other and share clues to the murder. The cats all have different personalities some that bother me. The story is fix-rated with the seagulls dropping things on the visitors of the bed and breakfast establishment. Josie sets a sting to catch the murderer, will she succeed.
I recommend this book.
Delicious sounding recipes included.
Disclosure: Thanks to Bookouture Books for a copy through NetGalley.The opinions expressed are my own.
Josie Waters has used her savings to purchase the Guesthouse from an elderly family friend. It came with residents cats, Nero and Marlowe. The house needs a lot of work and a portion has been shut up for safety reasons. The cats alert Josie to a dead body in the closeup section of the house. The person was a good critic and it is thought the villain is someone who didn't like a review.
Nero and Marlowe have the run of the town and meet the cats of the area. The cats talk with each other and share clues to the murder. The cats all have different personalities some that bother me. The story is fix-rated with the seagulls dropping things on the visitors of the bed and breakfast establishment. Josie sets a sting to catch the murderer, will she succeed.
I recommend this book.
Delicious sounding recipes included.
Disclosure: Thanks to Bookouture Books for a copy through NetGalley.The opinions expressed are my own.
May 4, 2019
As she prepares breakfast for guests at her newly purchased Oyster Cove Guesthouse, Josie Waters is interrupted by building inspector Barbara Littlefield who spots the door to the dilapidated west wing is open – and it shouldn’t be. Josie, surprised the door is not locked, accompanies Barbara to check it out. They find Charles Prescott, a guest, dead at the bottom of the stairs.
And so, begins a new cozy series with an interesting set of twists. The primary human characters are Josie Waters, new owner/operator of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, her mom and her mom’s best friend, Millie, who sold her the guesthouse. Millie’s nephew Mike is the handyman helping renovate the guesthouse to the satisfaction of building inspector Barbara Littlefield. Sheriff Seth Chamberlain gets involved when the investigation finds Prescott is a murder victim.
But the most interesting characters, skillfully created by Leighann Dobbs, are the cats. Yes, cats. And these cats are there to protect Josie and the guesthouse. Nero, a black and white tuxedo cat, boasts taking care of the guesthouse for decades. Marlowe, his younger protégé and a tortoiseshell, is still learning her responsibilities. While Nero and Marlowe are the primary feline characters, several others – Poe, Stubbs, Boots, Harry and Juliette – help the two when they’re investigating. Throughout the book, the cats try to point Josie in the right direction since they know more than she does.
Josie, her mother and Millie begin looking for suspects – and find a few. Tina, a guest, is seen coming out of Prescott’s room late one night and is having an affair with another suspect, Tony, the chef and owner of Marinara Mariner for whom Prescott wrote a scathing review. Other suspects include Stella, owner of the competing Smuggler’s Bay Inn and a couple who are Josie’s guests, Ron and Iona Weatherby. Seems the couple picked up a package at the post office addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Wesson which puts their identity in question. And, a distraction that pops up often is the problem with sea gulls – they are dying off and no one knows how or why.
Ms. Dobbs crafts a good mystery. Even more captivating are the personalities of Nero and Marlowe that she creates. Ms. Dobbs wields a magic touch when it comes to storytelling. A Twist in the Tail is an enchanting read for cozy fans who enjoy feline fun.
And so, begins a new cozy series with an interesting set of twists. The primary human characters are Josie Waters, new owner/operator of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, her mom and her mom’s best friend, Millie, who sold her the guesthouse. Millie’s nephew Mike is the handyman helping renovate the guesthouse to the satisfaction of building inspector Barbara Littlefield. Sheriff Seth Chamberlain gets involved when the investigation finds Prescott is a murder victim.
But the most interesting characters, skillfully created by Leighann Dobbs, are the cats. Yes, cats. And these cats are there to protect Josie and the guesthouse. Nero, a black and white tuxedo cat, boasts taking care of the guesthouse for decades. Marlowe, his younger protégé and a tortoiseshell, is still learning her responsibilities. While Nero and Marlowe are the primary feline characters, several others – Poe, Stubbs, Boots, Harry and Juliette – help the two when they’re investigating. Throughout the book, the cats try to point Josie in the right direction since they know more than she does.
Josie, her mother and Millie begin looking for suspects – and find a few. Tina, a guest, is seen coming out of Prescott’s room late one night and is having an affair with another suspect, Tony, the chef and owner of Marinara Mariner for whom Prescott wrote a scathing review. Other suspects include Stella, owner of the competing Smuggler’s Bay Inn and a couple who are Josie’s guests, Ron and Iona Weatherby. Seems the couple picked up a package at the post office addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Wesson which puts their identity in question. And, a distraction that pops up often is the problem with sea gulls – they are dying off and no one knows how or why.
Ms. Dobbs crafts a good mystery. Even more captivating are the personalities of Nero and Marlowe that she creates. Ms. Dobbs wields a magic touch when it comes to storytelling. A Twist in the Tail is an enchanting read for cozy fans who enjoy feline fun.
May 9, 2019
I loved A Twist in the Tail - it's everything I want in a cozy - a likable main character, funny and quirky supporting characters, a mystery that keeps you guessing and of course, cats!
When Josie Waters leaves her old life behind to buy a family friend's B&B in Oyster Cove, Maine, she had no idea she'd be the caretaker for two smart felines - Nero and Marlowe - and have a murder to solve all while renovating and running a guesthouse. Josie's not alone, her Mom and former guesthouse owner Millie (two senior sleuths you'll love), an old flame and a pair of special cats are on board to help her solve the mystery.
I loved the cats and their "conversations". If you're a Mystic Notch fan, you'll love Nero & Marlowe! The humor, in the book, made me grin and I instantly liked Josie and her friends. Particularly, her Mom and Millie. Josie was relatable and her reactions to the "goings on" at the guesthouse were priceless. She manages to get into trouble but finds her feline friends are there to help her out!
Another winner from Leighann Dobbs!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of the book.
When Josie Waters leaves her old life behind to buy a family friend's B&B in Oyster Cove, Maine, she had no idea she'd be the caretaker for two smart felines - Nero and Marlowe - and have a murder to solve all while renovating and running a guesthouse. Josie's not alone, her Mom and former guesthouse owner Millie (two senior sleuths you'll love), an old flame and a pair of special cats are on board to help her solve the mystery.
I loved the cats and their "conversations". If you're a Mystic Notch fan, you'll love Nero & Marlowe! The humor, in the book, made me grin and I instantly liked Josie and her friends. Particularly, her Mom and Millie. Josie was relatable and her reactions to the "goings on" at the guesthouse were priceless. She manages to get into trouble but finds her feline friends are there to help her out!
Another winner from Leighann Dobbs!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of the book.
May 20, 2019
Set on the Maine Coast, the Oyster Cove Guesthouse came with much more than Josie, newly divorced and back in town, ever expected. From the renovations that are desperately needed, to two cats, Nero and Marlowe are in residence. When you add in the fact that her mother and Millie, the former owner of the guesthouse are currently wreaking havoc and getting into every sort of adventure (and crime) in town, she’s also got a nonagenarian maid in Flora, who seems never to clean but Josie just can’t seem to let her go. And, while Josie knows good food and was married to a reasonably well-known chef, her culinary prowess is basic at best, perhaps a bit optimistic for her hopes for the guesthouse under her watch. But, there are other things to worry about now, as one of the guests is found murdered in her basement by a rather overzealous code enforcement officer after the cats alerted them to the body. It doesn’t help that the victim is (or was) a well known and perpetually snarky food critic, and a piece of what may have been a ‘bad review’ was found in his room by the police.
Told in two major points of view, we have Josie’s struggles with the B & B, her mother’s increasing involvement in potentially dangerous situations with her best friend Millie, and simply getting the work done and paid for on the Guesthouse building proper. Then we have the conversations between Nero and Marlowe, as Nero tries to educate the ‘youngster’ in all things sleuthing. Nero, for his part is an intriguing character, having existed and lived in the Guesthouse for far more years than a cat should, with Marlowe still being ‘kittenish’ at near ten. There’s a peculiar magic in the ‘cat convos’ that point to clues and possibilities as well as a very strong sense to anyone that has had cat companions that they are judging EVERY move you make. For these two certainly have that in spades. When you add in Millie and Josie’s mother, the return of her grade school nemesis and brother’s best friend Mike as her handyman, and the finger inevitably pointing at her as the culprit, as it seems clear from a rather cursory search by the police that suspects are few on the ground, and the story takes several interesting side-trips with the cats and people on the way to finding the real murderer.
First books are often an incredible balance of introducing and outlining characters while providing those twists that make them intriguing and to be sure you want to read more. Bearing that in mind, Dobbs gives GREAT intro, and adds so many layers to the more ‘standard’ pet involved mystery that I’m totally hooked. The cats as characters are as fully developed and nuanced as humans, and are easy to visualize. Introducing Josie, her Mum and her best friend Millie, as well as the other characters around the inn are wonderfully presented and developed with care: and each encounter adds yet another layer and level to the building up of a picture one can take of this small coastal town. While the mystery itself was fairly simple to solve, it was the characters that helped to make this a wonderful story with enough tease of more to come. A wonderful installment to this series that promises to be a fun set of feel-good cozies.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Told in two major points of view, we have Josie’s struggles with the B & B, her mother’s increasing involvement in potentially dangerous situations with her best friend Millie, and simply getting the work done and paid for on the Guesthouse building proper. Then we have the conversations between Nero and Marlowe, as Nero tries to educate the ‘youngster’ in all things sleuthing. Nero, for his part is an intriguing character, having existed and lived in the Guesthouse for far more years than a cat should, with Marlowe still being ‘kittenish’ at near ten. There’s a peculiar magic in the ‘cat convos’ that point to clues and possibilities as well as a very strong sense to anyone that has had cat companions that they are judging EVERY move you make. For these two certainly have that in spades. When you add in Millie and Josie’s mother, the return of her grade school nemesis and brother’s best friend Mike as her handyman, and the finger inevitably pointing at her as the culprit, as it seems clear from a rather cursory search by the police that suspects are few on the ground, and the story takes several interesting side-trips with the cats and people on the way to finding the real murderer.
First books are often an incredible balance of introducing and outlining characters while providing those twists that make them intriguing and to be sure you want to read more. Bearing that in mind, Dobbs gives GREAT intro, and adds so many layers to the more ‘standard’ pet involved mystery that I’m totally hooked. The cats as characters are as fully developed and nuanced as humans, and are easy to visualize. Introducing Josie, her Mum and her best friend Millie, as well as the other characters around the inn are wonderfully presented and developed with care: and each encounter adds yet another layer and level to the building up of a picture one can take of this small coastal town. While the mystery itself was fairly simple to solve, it was the characters that helped to make this a wonderful story with enough tease of more to come. A wonderful installment to this series that promises to be a fun set of feel-good cozies.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
May 24, 2019
Josie Waters is recently divorced and has moved from Ohio back to Maine. Why move to Maine? To run the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, a B&B she bought. A decision that might not have been fully cooked when she acted upon it. She's barely making enough money to cover the repairs the place needs, the building inspector is always finding something wrong, the former owner, Millie, and Josie's mom pop in as if Millie still owns the place, and there are two demanding cats, Nero and Marlowe, that came with the Guesthouse. Could things get worse? Of course they can, and do, when one of the guest is found dead in a closed off section of the house! Josie is the sheriff's top (and seems to be only) suspect. Lucky for Josie the sheriff seems to be sweet on Millie or she would've been in jail and not free to figure out who the real killer is. She also gets help from Nero and Marlowe, who are crime solving cats and do their best to help Josie find clues and point her in the right direction.
We're introduced to several of the townspeople besides the sheriff, and there are more cats than just Nero and Marlowe. Did I mention there's a hunky handyman working on the Guesthouse, and although Josie denies it I'm pretty sure she's attracted to him. I found the dialogue between the cats as they try to figure out how to get human's to pay attention to them pretty funny. Marlowe is a calico and reminds me of my calico baby, Pandora, who protects us and our home from all kinds of things we may not see but she does and they send her racing from window to window.
I liked the character of Josie--she makes some snarky comments in her head, my favorite one was about Stella who owns the restaurant near the Guesthouse--it seems Josie and Stella went to school together and don't really get along. Stella looked up at the sky as if that's where she kept her memory--apparently we hadn't called her an airhead in high school for nothing.
This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Leighann Dobbs. The author is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors (I think I own almost every series she's written), and several have cats in them, which is a plus for me since I'm a cat lover. If you enjoy the author's Mystic Notch mysteries you'll enjoy this new Oyster Cove series. I like that the author included recipes served at the Guesthouse at the end of the book
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are mine alone.
We're introduced to several of the townspeople besides the sheriff, and there are more cats than just Nero and Marlowe. Did I mention there's a hunky handyman working on the Guesthouse, and although Josie denies it I'm pretty sure she's attracted to him. I found the dialogue between the cats as they try to figure out how to get human's to pay attention to them pretty funny. Marlowe is a calico and reminds me of my calico baby, Pandora, who protects us and our home from all kinds of things we may not see but she does and they send her racing from window to window.
I liked the character of Josie--she makes some snarky comments in her head, my favorite one was about Stella who owns the restaurant near the Guesthouse--it seems Josie and Stella went to school together and don't really get along. Stella looked up at the sky as if that's where she kept her memory--apparently we hadn't called her an airhead in high school for nothing.
This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Leighann Dobbs. The author is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors (I think I own almost every series she's written), and several have cats in them, which is a plus for me since I'm a cat lover. If you enjoy the author's Mystic Notch mysteries you'll enjoy this new Oyster Cove series. I like that the author included recipes served at the Guesthouse at the end of the book
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are mine alone.
May 31, 2019
Leighann Dobbs has been an author vaguely on my radar for a while, I have assorted of her previous books sitting on my kindle waiting for me, but I'm ashamed I'd never quite got around to reading one until now.
And I'm so glad I have finally given her a chance, as I really enjoyed A Twist in the Tail, and the residents of Oyster Cove.
I am always partial to a cosy mystery, and this is an excellent example of one, it kept me guessing from start to finish, I really hadn't worked out much, apart from what the words on the ripped up note may be, but the actual murderer was beyond my guess work.
I found it a really quick read and it was really enjoyable. The setting of a massive guest house in Maine, is a fabulous setting for this series, as it has plenty of nooks and crannies for potential secrets, and hiding.
However without a doubt the real stars of the book are not the humans, but rather Nero and Marlowe and their band of cat friends - for these are no ordinary cats, they are mystery solving ones. They can't talk to humans, but they are able to eventually get their humans to notice and get the hints to the clues which match with what the cats have been discovering, which in turn gets the humans thinking differently.
I loved the conversations between Marlowe and Nero, but what frustrated me was that it clearly wasn't their first mystery, nor was it the first time that Josie's mum and best friend have dropped into crime scenes and helped the local detective solve crimes in the past. However its these veiled references that made me wonder whether this was really book 1 of a series, or rather a republished edition of something from the authors vast back catalogue and not the first book either - or failing that whether the characters had been used elsewhere before. Was rather unsettling, but apart from that I loved the book.
I'm already eager to read book 2, and to find out how all their mystery solving skills develop. I have a feeling this is a series that I am going to greatly enjoy.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
And I'm so glad I have finally given her a chance, as I really enjoyed A Twist in the Tail, and the residents of Oyster Cove.
I am always partial to a cosy mystery, and this is an excellent example of one, it kept me guessing from start to finish, I really hadn't worked out much, apart from what the words on the ripped up note may be, but the actual murderer was beyond my guess work.
I found it a really quick read and it was really enjoyable. The setting of a massive guest house in Maine, is a fabulous setting for this series, as it has plenty of nooks and crannies for potential secrets, and hiding.
However without a doubt the real stars of the book are not the humans, but rather Nero and Marlowe and their band of cat friends - for these are no ordinary cats, they are mystery solving ones. They can't talk to humans, but they are able to eventually get their humans to notice and get the hints to the clues which match with what the cats have been discovering, which in turn gets the humans thinking differently.
I loved the conversations between Marlowe and Nero, but what frustrated me was that it clearly wasn't their first mystery, nor was it the first time that Josie's mum and best friend have dropped into crime scenes and helped the local detective solve crimes in the past. However its these veiled references that made me wonder whether this was really book 1 of a series, or rather a republished edition of something from the authors vast back catalogue and not the first book either - or failing that whether the characters had been used elsewhere before. Was rather unsettling, but apart from that I loved the book.
I'm already eager to read book 2, and to find out how all their mystery solving skills develop. I have a feeling this is a series that I am going to greatly enjoy.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 25, 2019
3.5 stars, 0 heat
A Twist in the Tail was an enjoyable start to a new series. Feisty felines, a murder at the inn, a handful of curious characters. It was a good time.
The Gist: Josie's just bought an inn and she's hosting her first guests! It's going well other than the fact her maid won't clean, the guy who jilted her at prom is her handyman, there's a building inspector who just won't get off her back, she's got two felines who are causing all kinds of mischief and, well, one of her guests is murdered good and dead. lol
I liked Josie. Goodness does she have her hands full! But she doesn't let it get her down. She just plugs ahead and adds "find the killer" to her to do list. lol She's a little older--with a full grown child--so that was neat to see. A little touch of potential romance down the line though it's just the tiniest of hints.
The mystery was okay. I figured it out about halfway through but it was still fun going along with Josie and her mom and the previous owner of the inn as they hunt clues and go after suspects.
Overall, A Twist in the Tail was pretty entertaining. I'll read more from Oyster Cove Guesthouse for sure.
A Twist in the Tail was an enjoyable start to a new series. Feisty felines, a murder at the inn, a handful of curious characters. It was a good time.
The Gist: Josie's just bought an inn and she's hosting her first guests! It's going well other than the fact her maid won't clean, the guy who jilted her at prom is her handyman, there's a building inspector who just won't get off her back, she's got two felines who are causing all kinds of mischief and, well, one of her guests is murdered good and dead. lol
I liked Josie. Goodness does she have her hands full! But she doesn't let it get her down. She just plugs ahead and adds "find the killer" to her to do list. lol She's a little older--with a full grown child--so that was neat to see. A little touch of potential romance down the line though it's just the tiniest of hints.
The mystery was okay. I figured it out about halfway through but it was still fun going along with Josie and her mom and the previous owner of the inn as they hunt clues and go after suspects.
Overall, A Twist in the Tail was pretty entertaining. I'll read more from Oyster Cove Guesthouse for sure.
April 21, 2019
A Twist In The Tail is the first in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse cosy mystery series and what a perfect way to introduce this quirky bunch of characters!
Josie has moved back to Oyster Cove after the break up of her marriage, buying the Oyster Cove guesthouse and throwing herself into the renovation of the dilapidated mansion. If that wasn’t enough, she has to deal with fussy guest, a building inspector who fines her for every minor infraction and the resident cats Nemo and Marlowe who are determined to get under foot.
Then one the guests is found dead but is it an accident or murder?
When suspicion falls on Josie, with the help of her mum and her mum’s best friend Millie, they set out to clear her name. Meanwhile, the resident cats are on the scent too, determined to her their human out. Will they solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?
This was an absolute joy to read! It’s the perfect blend of mystery and fun with crime solving cats thrown into the mix. Yes, you read that right crime solving cats.
Now this is first book I’ve read that has animals as one of the main characters in the book since I was a child, I know it might put some people off but they are done so well, with humour that will have you laughing your socks off!
I loved all the characters, but my favourites were Josie’s mum Rose and Millie the former owner of the guesthouse and her mum’s best friend, who are out to prove that even though they’re retired it won’t stop them from investigating.
I also liked the fact that even though there are so many personalities in the story, the mystery wasn’t overshadowed and it really had me guessing who the culprit was until the very end.
The ending leaves it open with a hint of another puzzling mystery for the cats and their human Josie to solve and I for one cannot wait for the next one!
A twist in the tail is a must for animal lovers and cosy mystery fans!
Josie has moved back to Oyster Cove after the break up of her marriage, buying the Oyster Cove guesthouse and throwing herself into the renovation of the dilapidated mansion. If that wasn’t enough, she has to deal with fussy guest, a building inspector who fines her for every minor infraction and the resident cats Nemo and Marlowe who are determined to get under foot.
Then one the guests is found dead but is it an accident or murder?
When suspicion falls on Josie, with the help of her mum and her mum’s best friend Millie, they set out to clear her name. Meanwhile, the resident cats are on the scent too, determined to her their human out. Will they solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?
This was an absolute joy to read! It’s the perfect blend of mystery and fun with crime solving cats thrown into the mix. Yes, you read that right crime solving cats.
Now this is first book I’ve read that has animals as one of the main characters in the book since I was a child, I know it might put some people off but they are done so well, with humour that will have you laughing your socks off!
I loved all the characters, but my favourites were Josie’s mum Rose and Millie the former owner of the guesthouse and her mum’s best friend, who are out to prove that even though they’re retired it won’t stop them from investigating.
I also liked the fact that even though there are so many personalities in the story, the mystery wasn’t overshadowed and it really had me guessing who the culprit was until the very end.
The ending leaves it open with a hint of another puzzling mystery for the cats and their human Josie to solve and I for one cannot wait for the next one!
A twist in the tail is a must for animal lovers and cosy mystery fans!
April 24, 2019
Running the Oyster Cove Guesthouse has turned out to be a little more demanding for Josie Waters than she had imagined. Saddled with two cats that came with the guesthouse, she has to maintain its food reputation without her ex-husband culinary prowess and the local inspector who keeps writing her warnings about finding her cats in the kitchen and a corpse on the premises. Intriguing new series with cats who help solve mysteries. Found the characters pleasant although the mystery a little too easily solved. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest .
April 17, 2019
Josie Waters purchased an old Victorian mansion that had been turned into a mini hotel/inn, the Oyster Cove Guesthouse on the Maine coast, from elderly family friend Millie Sullivan. It was a work in progress, and had a lot of restoration and remodeling to do. Especially in the west wing that had been closed off for no telling how many decades.
On the first weekend, one of the guest body is found at the bottom of the stairs in the closed off west wing. It turns out that it wasn't just a guest going where he didn't belong. He had been murdered there. And now Josie has to investigate, as the Septuagenarian sheriff is under the impression that she is the most likely suspect.
She is aided in her quest by her elderly mom and her mom's best friend Millie Sullivan. Along with two residence cats that came with the property, and a handful of their friends.
This is another fun addition to the repertoire to Leighann Dobbs vast collection of stories. If you are a fan of her Mystic Notch series. You will find a few similarities. Mainly, a set of felines that are superior to the humans that they are trying to train, in order to help them find clues and solve a crime that has taken place. Although in this series there are no supernatural elements.
On the first weekend, one of the guest body is found at the bottom of the stairs in the closed off west wing. It turns out that it wasn't just a guest going where he didn't belong. He had been murdered there. And now Josie has to investigate, as the Septuagenarian sheriff is under the impression that she is the most likely suspect.
She is aided in her quest by her elderly mom and her mom's best friend Millie Sullivan. Along with two residence cats that came with the property, and a handful of their friends.
This is another fun addition to the repertoire to Leighann Dobbs vast collection of stories. If you are a fan of her Mystic Notch series. You will find a few similarities. Mainly, a set of felines that are superior to the humans that they are trying to train, in order to help them find clues and solve a crime that has taken place. Although in this series there are no supernatural elements.
October 10, 2019
Josie Waters has to admit she may have acted a bit hastily when she agreed to purchase the Oyster Cove Guesthouse – a charmingly gabled Victorian mansion on the breathtaking Maine coast – from elderly family friend Millie Sullivan. Anyway, how hard can running a guesthouse be?
The truth is, Oyster Cove Guesthouse is a mouldering money pit with a cohort of regular guests who are as mischievous as a litter of kittens. And Josie might have made a mistake in promising to adopt Oyster Cove’s two resident cats Nero and Marlowe. Josie has never had a cat before… let alone two feisty felines who think they own the place.
Ok, it’s not going well. At least it can’t get any worse, Josie thinks. Until her first guest ends up dead.
This was a charming read. While it's nothing amazing, it did keep me turning the pages. I've only read a few cozy mysteries, a genre that I have a hard time taking seriously, but I think that's probably the point. This series in particular features a couple of feline detectives who usually find the clues before the humans. I thought it was fun, especially the chapters from the point of view of the cats. Though not really believable, it was entertaining and that's pretty much the nature of cozy mysteries. It was amusing to see how the cats would get the human's attention so that they could lead them to the clues they found. I was happy that it wasn't blatantly obvious who the killer was. There were a lot of red herrings thrown in there to keep me guessing for a while.
One small issue I had with the book was that it seemed to keep confusing the building inspector with a health inspector. They are two very different things and one person doesn't normally do both of those jobs. But maybe in a small town like this they've got someone qualified in both fields, who knows. Other than that, this was a quick, fun read that I recommend if you like cozy mysteries. If you aren't sure what a cozy mystery is, think Hallmark channel mysteries, and that pretty much sums it up. I'll probably pick up the next book in this series the next time I want something light to read.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
The truth is, Oyster Cove Guesthouse is a mouldering money pit with a cohort of regular guests who are as mischievous as a litter of kittens. And Josie might have made a mistake in promising to adopt Oyster Cove’s two resident cats Nero and Marlowe. Josie has never had a cat before… let alone two feisty felines who think they own the place.
Ok, it’s not going well. At least it can’t get any worse, Josie thinks. Until her first guest ends up dead.
This was a charming read. While it's nothing amazing, it did keep me turning the pages. I've only read a few cozy mysteries, a genre that I have a hard time taking seriously, but I think that's probably the point. This series in particular features a couple of feline detectives who usually find the clues before the humans. I thought it was fun, especially the chapters from the point of view of the cats. Though not really believable, it was entertaining and that's pretty much the nature of cozy mysteries. It was amusing to see how the cats would get the human's attention so that they could lead them to the clues they found. I was happy that it wasn't blatantly obvious who the killer was. There were a lot of red herrings thrown in there to keep me guessing for a while.
One small issue I had with the book was that it seemed to keep confusing the building inspector with a health inspector. They are two very different things and one person doesn't normally do both of those jobs. But maybe in a small town like this they've got someone qualified in both fields, who knows. Other than that, this was a quick, fun read that I recommend if you like cozy mysteries. If you aren't sure what a cozy mystery is, think Hallmark channel mysteries, and that pretty much sums it up. I'll probably pick up the next book in this series the next time I want something light to read.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
April 22, 2019
This was soooooo good!
The tone is set immediately, with the first sentence: “I should have known by the unsettling tone of the cats’ meows that disaster was looming.” My first thought was: this is going to be good! And yes, it was soooooo good!
Josie has bought a guesthouse and with that come two cats. And oh, the cats! The book is partly from Josie’s POV AND partly from Nero-the-cat’s POV! That was such fun!
I loved that part of this story is told from Nero’s POV. LOVED! Josie doesn’t treat him and his younger protégé as the superior beings they are. He doesn’t have much faith in Josie’s ability to keep the guesthouse running smoothly and her ability to solve the murder. So he and his student Marlowe investigate the murder and actually solve the crime! With the help of their cat friends. Nero is the mentor, Marlowe is the student. He’s teaching her how to look for clues. Marlowe catches on quick, but to make the humans understand? That’s quite the task!!! Those silly humans need all the help they can get. Too bad the humans think THEY solved it. Pssssh.
No doubt about it: this was one of THE best cozies out there. Such fun, full of (cat) humor. I can honestly say I was totally stunned at whodunit. I had my cards on the wrong suspect and I love being wrong in a murder mystery! I loved everything about this book, but I especially loved the cats. Nero and Marlowe have captured my heart!
Quote from Nero’s POV: “At least Marlowe was trainable. Josie on the other hand… well, Nero was a little worried about whether or not she would ever come up to speed.” LOL!
The tone is set immediately, with the first sentence: “I should have known by the unsettling tone of the cats’ meows that disaster was looming.” My first thought was: this is going to be good! And yes, it was soooooo good!
Josie has bought a guesthouse and with that come two cats. And oh, the cats! The book is partly from Josie’s POV AND partly from Nero-the-cat’s POV! That was such fun!
I loved that part of this story is told from Nero’s POV. LOVED! Josie doesn’t treat him and his younger protégé as the superior beings they are. He doesn’t have much faith in Josie’s ability to keep the guesthouse running smoothly and her ability to solve the murder. So he and his student Marlowe investigate the murder and actually solve the crime! With the help of their cat friends. Nero is the mentor, Marlowe is the student. He’s teaching her how to look for clues. Marlowe catches on quick, but to make the humans understand? That’s quite the task!!! Those silly humans need all the help they can get. Too bad the humans think THEY solved it. Pssssh.
No doubt about it: this was one of THE best cozies out there. Such fun, full of (cat) humor. I can honestly say I was totally stunned at whodunit. I had my cards on the wrong suspect and I love being wrong in a murder mystery! I loved everything about this book, but I especially loved the cats. Nero and Marlowe have captured my heart!
Quote from Nero’s POV: “At least Marlowe was trainable. Josie on the other hand… well, Nero was a little worried about whether or not she would ever come up to speed.” LOL!
June 3, 2019
A fun first in series! I enjoyed the B&B setting and thought the author did a great job with incorporating the cats' thoughts and dialogue into the story. It definitely reminded me of The Cat Who series which gave me a taste of cozy mysteries so long ago. I definitely would like to read more books in this series!
May 17, 2019
A Twist in the Tail is a lighthearted, engaging tale. Josie Waters is recently divorced from her chef hubby and has returned to her hometown where she can keep an eye on her mother plus start over. She has purchased the Oyster Cove Guesthouse which needs massive amounts of renovations (a beautiful yet rundown Victorian). I like that the protagonist is in her 40s and starting a new chapter of her life. The chapters alternate between the human and the cat’s point-of-views. The cat chapters are entertaining and will have you chuckling. Marlowe and Nero are not certain about the new human in their lives. They are working on training her, but they have a long road ahead of them. Josie fails to understand them, and she actually believes she owns the felines (she has not been around cats before this as we can tell). Josie’s mother, Rose and Minnie Sullivan have a police scanner app on their cell phones and usually arrive at crime scenes before Sheriff Seth Chamberlain (who should have retired years ago). Mike Sullivan, Millie’s nephew, is doing the renovations on the guesthouse. He broke Josie’s heart back in high school and Josie would rather avoid Mike especially since the old attraction is still present between them. It does not help that Stella Dumont, her high school nemesis, seems intent on flirting with Mike and keeps popping up in her kitchen. Now Josie has a dead guest which can ruin her new business venture before it begins. It does not help that Sheriff Chamberlain considers Josie his prime suspect and Barbara Littlefield, the town building inspector, has issued another fine. Josie must investigate the murder to clear her name and save the guesthouse from ruin. Millie and Rose are determined to help along with Marlowe and Nero (want to guess which pair are the better sleuths). The mystery was straightforward with the murder occurring in first chapter. There are good clues to aid readers in solving the crime before the reveal. There are multiple suspects, misdirection and plenty of action. Avid cozy mystery readers will have no problem solving this whodunit. I would have liked less repetition of case details and speculation. There are recipes at the end of the book. There is a hint at what will happen in A Whisker in the Dark. A Twist in the Tail is a humorous cozy mystery with sleuthing cats, meddling seniors, a handsome handyman, a clueless sheriff, scintillating secrets, and one new guesthouse owner who is in over her head.
January 1, 2020
What a fun read!!
Josie Walters buys a family friend’s Bed
and Breakfast in Oyster Cove, Maine. She
has divorced her husband and is starting
her life all over again.
The Oyster Cove Guesthouse is in need of
a lot of restorations which is being done as
Josie can afford to have the work done.
What Josie didn’t realize was that the property
came with two cats: Nero, a large black and
white tuxedo cat and a tortie named Marlowe.
These two cats are essential in finding clues
when a murder occurs in the Oyster Cove
Guesthouse. The cats provide clues to the
Sheriff and Josie to catch the culprit responsible
for the murder.
The two cats confer with the town cats consisting
of: Poe is the largest cat who is solid gray, Stubbs
has a short tail and is orange striped, Boots is a
black cat with white paws, Harry is a fluffy Maine
Coon while Juliette is a gray cat with a white
diamond on her forehead who lives in the rectory
of St Michael’s Church.
Along with the cats working on solving the murder,
Josie, Millie (the former owner) plus Josie’s mother
all get involved.
A well written plot with a creative cast of characters.
In a good adventure.
There is humor plus a hint of romance in the air.
Josie Walters buys a family friend’s Bed
and Breakfast in Oyster Cove, Maine. She
has divorced her husband and is starting
her life all over again.
The Oyster Cove Guesthouse is in need of
a lot of restorations which is being done as
Josie can afford to have the work done.
What Josie didn’t realize was that the property
came with two cats: Nero, a large black and
white tuxedo cat and a tortie named Marlowe.
These two cats are essential in finding clues
when a murder occurs in the Oyster Cove
Guesthouse. The cats provide clues to the
Sheriff and Josie to catch the culprit responsible
for the murder.
The two cats confer with the town cats consisting
of: Poe is the largest cat who is solid gray, Stubbs
has a short tail and is orange striped, Boots is a
black cat with white paws, Harry is a fluffy Maine
Coon while Juliette is a gray cat with a white
diamond on her forehead who lives in the rectory
of St Michael’s Church.
Along with the cats working on solving the murder,
Josie, Millie (the former owner) plus Josie’s mother
all get involved.
A well written plot with a creative cast of characters.
In a good adventure.
There is humor plus a hint of romance in the air.
June 4, 2019
Josie buys a guesthouse from a family friend, Millie, and she inherits a couple of kitties, Nero and Marlowe, to go with it. She doesn't know much about cats or cat communication, but the cats are trying to teach her!
A guest is found dead and despite seeming to be the prime suspect by the police, Josie along with her mum and Millie, try to find out who the killer actually is, with some help from the cats and their friends.
This book was clearly written by someone who understands cats because there were a lot of descriptions of body language and traits that other cat people would also understand (I am one of those people so it was quite enjoyable for me).
There are some red herrings in the story and it is a cosy mystery which makes a nice change since I am usually reading gritty thrillers although I did find myself thinking that even though Josie seems to be a nice person, she is a bit clueless about a lot of things e.g. running a guesthouse, cooking etc etc! Just have to suspend belief a little bit, I guess.
A fun, light read which cat lovers in particular should enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
A guest is found dead and despite seeming to be the prime suspect by the police, Josie along with her mum and Millie, try to find out who the killer actually is, with some help from the cats and their friends.
This book was clearly written by someone who understands cats because there were a lot of descriptions of body language and traits that other cat people would also understand (I am one of those people so it was quite enjoyable for me).
There are some red herrings in the story and it is a cosy mystery which makes a nice change since I am usually reading gritty thrillers although I did find myself thinking that even though Josie seems to be a nice person, she is a bit clueless about a lot of things e.g. running a guesthouse, cooking etc etc! Just have to suspend belief a little bit, I guess.
A fun, light read which cat lovers in particular should enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
May 4, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.
A while back now I read the majority of Leighann's other series, and really enjoyed it. I was so happy to see a new series, and especially as it stays with cats solving mysteries (my favorite cozy genre) This one introduced some really great characters that I hope stay on for the rest of the series. There is a hint of romance too, but not an overwhelming one, and I really want to see if anything develops there.
I think this has some great potential, and as always from this author it is a well written, fun and quirky mystery. I simply HAD to dive right in and find out more, and even then my suspicions weren't 100% correct. Highly recommended series/author. Four stars!
A while back now I read the majority of Leighann's other series, and really enjoyed it. I was so happy to see a new series, and especially as it stays with cats solving mysteries (my favorite cozy genre) This one introduced some really great characters that I hope stay on for the rest of the series. There is a hint of romance too, but not an overwhelming one, and I really want to see if anything develops there.
I think this has some great potential, and as always from this author it is a well written, fun and quirky mystery. I simply HAD to dive right in and find out more, and even then my suspicions weren't 100% correct. Highly recommended series/author. Four stars!
December 1, 2020
What a way to get rid of a guest!
Josie Waters has plunked down all her money on the purchase of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse in Oyster Cove, Maine after her divorce from the renowned chef Clive Stone field.
The only problem with the purchase of the old Victorian Mansion is it comes a irritating high school friend, the slightly off best friend of her mother, her mother and two cats who rule the roost.
And don't forget the dead body at the bottom of the staircase.
While Josie is high on the Chief's suspect list, Josie decides she has to find out who and why the crabby guest was killed.
There are motives galore and only the cats know for sure.
This book has strong characters with a little humor that I always look forward to in Leighann Dobbs writing.
The added bonus is the recipes from the guesthouse.
I made a couple and you won't be disappointed.
Josie Waters has plunked down all her money on the purchase of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse in Oyster Cove, Maine after her divorce from the renowned chef Clive Stone field.
The only problem with the purchase of the old Victorian Mansion is it comes a irritating high school friend, the slightly off best friend of her mother, her mother and two cats who rule the roost.
And don't forget the dead body at the bottom of the staircase.
While Josie is high on the Chief's suspect list, Josie decides she has to find out who and why the crabby guest was killed.
There are motives galore and only the cats know for sure.
This book has strong characters with a little humor that I always look forward to in Leighann Dobbs writing.
The added bonus is the recipes from the guesthouse.
I made a couple and you won't be disappointed.
September 30, 2020
Well this was cute. A cozy mystery where the cats who live in a guesthouse help solve a murder and other mysteries in the area. The cats spoke to each other, not the humans, so the best part of this was the language barrier between the species. The cats are of course, the smarter of the two, but trying to clue the humans in to what they need to know make up the best parts of the story. The humans were a bit paper cut-out characters, but that is the way with a lot of cozy mysteries I have read. No one really stands out, but I was entertained nonetheless.
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