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Wisteria Witches #12.5

Critter Calamity

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Someone is trying to ruin Christmas. Two of the town’s annual traditions have gone sideways so far. Now it’s starting to get personal for Zara Riddle, a witch who’s just trying to enjoy the season with her family.

In a small town full of supernaturals, it’s going to be tricky to figure out who or what has been causing such a calamity.

Zara has a list of suspects in mind, and the one at the top of the list happens to live under her own roof.

Can the Riddle family’s first Christmas in Wisteria be saved?

CRITTER CALAMITY is a short story, and may be read as a stand-alone. The events in the story take place at Christmas, between Wisteria Witches Mysteries books 12 and 13.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2021

99 people are currently reading
186 people want to read

About the author

Angela Pepper

60 books592 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Angela Pepper lives with her family in the rainy Pacific Northwest, surrounded by spoiled kitties, deer, raccoons, and the biggest woodpeckers you've ever seen.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,986 reviews39 followers
December 16, 2021
Christmas in Wisteria is as crazy and fun as you could imagine and even more.

There are some strange happenings in town which are disturbing the traditional town's celebrations and Zara is determined to get to the bottom of them. Which proves to be a little more challenging than she thought as there are too many critters in her life :P

But while doing it she finds herself discovering some new interesting facts about one of her coven's members and sharing some rare bonding moments with her undead mom :)

A perfect listen for this time of the year... or for whenever you are in need of a good laugh.

As always Tiffany Williams' narration is perfect ♥
Profile Image for Holly Stone.
911 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2022
this is a new series, and Angela Pepper doesn't disappoint. Critter Calamity is an in between short story about Christmas in Wisteria. Zarabella is a Witch, her Mother is a Vampire, her daughter is a fox shifter and there are animals galore in her home Marzipants a budgie, Ribbons a wyvern who likes to cause mischief, and Boa a talking cat whose only word so far is Ham Lol. This is such a cute story and well worth a read.
Profile Image for Callie Pey.
Author 10 books193 followers
July 16, 2024
Cute story and a great hook into the rest of the series. I definitely am going to look into the rest of them now. Who doesn't love wyverns? <3
Profile Image for Mary Lou Hoffman.
1,954 reviews35 followers
October 1, 2022
CRITTER CALAMITY is the thirteenth book in the Wisteria Witches series. This is a paranormal mystery short story with magic and supernatural creatures in a quaint small town.

This is a perfect Christmas gift to those of us who are long-time readers of the Wisteria Witches series. However, it can also be a great introduction for new readers – just know that you will have spoilers before you go back and read the previous hijinks.

Of the critters that inhabit Zara’s home, my favorite has to be Boa (the cat). Now, every time I want to make lunch, I find myself imitating Tiffany William’s voice as Boa. “Haaam.”

I love the Wisteria Witches series. This story is no exception – plenty of snark, family, sweetness, funny, and a dose of mystery in a clean read. This time we get to enjoy a bit of Christmas.

Narration: Tiffany Williams is always wonderful, and she is THE voice for these beloved characters.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: CRITTER CALAMITY
Series: Wisteria Witches #12.5
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ due to vocabulary
Listenability: OK for all ears
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy)
Profile Image for Jim Marsh.
197 reviews11 followers
December 16, 2021
Wintertime Wonder with Wyverns!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a free review.

First of all, if you have yet had the pleasure of listening to Wisteria Witches before you can jump in with no prior knowledge. Yes, wacky supernatural hijinks filled with humor, heart and hominess about - however the mystery is self contained and you can get a feel for the characters, the setting and some of the antics you can expect in Wisteria. There are of course spoilers for the first 12 books.


Longtime readers of the Wisteria Witches series are also in for a treat. A Short story set between books 12 and the upcoming 13th volume. It helps refresh on where everyone is and what the Riddle women has been through over the course of less than a year. The mystery is cute, low stakes and at times pretty funny. Angela Pepper always crafts an enjoyable tale. I only wish there were more - but that is the nature of short stories.

Tiffany Williams is always fantastic - here she jumps from character voice to character voice and brings our tale to life.

Great jumping on point or a short treat to hold you over for book 13.
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
5,259 reviews43 followers
December 21, 2021
Critter Calamity: A Wisteria Witches Mysteries Christmas Short Story (Book 12.5) was another great read by Angela Pepper. It seems as though someone is trying to ruin Christmas. Two of the town's annual traditions have gone awry. Since the small town is full of supernaturals, it's going to be hard to figure out who is trying to ruin Christmas. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
Profile Image for Paula Dyches.
855 reviews17 followers
January 6, 2022
Fun, Quick Magical Christmas Adventure

At under two hours this is perfect for those car trips to visit family for the Christmas and New Years Holidays. There's no murder in this but it a fun mystery of discovering a possible Christmas grinch wreaking havoc on Wysteria. This is a clean, fun, snarky read and the narrator does a fantastic job as always.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Dani.
69 reviews
May 1, 2022
A Cute Short

This short story was a cute, quick, and funny read. I love Zara and all her snarkiness and the shenanigans that comes with her, especially Ribbons. I think he is hands down one of my favorite characters, so getting the interaction between them is always awesome, and this book was no exception. If you love the little wyvern as much as I do, then you will love this little story!
Profile Image for Curly's  Ramblings.
2,036 reviews6 followers
December 16, 2021
Audiobook review: Cute short Christmas mystery involving the Wisteria Witches! The story can be enjoyed on its own or in story order. The characters are likable and entertaining. The narrator did a great job with providing unique voices for each character and appropriate tone inflections for each scene. I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
111 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2022
A Wisteria Witches Christmas

Zara tries hard to be a good witch, particularly before Christmas. If you are already a fan of Zara and her family and friends in Wisteria, you know she needs to work on her people skills, but she is making progress. There is plenty of fun for readers who enjoy a nice Christmas mystery.
Profile Image for ✨ Ramille ✨.
30 reviews
November 18, 2024
What a cute little Christmas story in one of my favorite fictional universes! I loved the little sleepover, and I hope to see more Zara/Zirconia bonding in the future; the realization Zara made about her interactions with her mother has so much potential. Hoping to see more Junior in the future, too!
Profile Image for Deedra.
3,932 reviews40 followers
January 21, 2022
audible:A Christmas special with the Riddles! When the town Christmas tree is lit,it is a disaster,a familiar disaster. Tiffany Williams is again,an excellent narrator. A really good read! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Safari.
311 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2022
Oooh I love a good Christmas story

And this one delivers in every way. Funny, family coming together, a little mystique, more funny. Some sweet happy tear inducing scenes and happy together after.
534 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2024
Supernatural cozy mystery

Zara and Zoey are looking forward to their first Christmas in Wisteria and they have a full house but things seem to be going wrong. There are weird things happening around town and Zara is determined to find out who is to blame.
35 reviews
April 14, 2022
Always fun stories

Zara always seems to find trouble and solve mysteries in a fun goofy way! She's a really fun character in this series!
38 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2022
Cute read

Nice addition to the series! Very fun way to introduce the new character. If you like Wisteria Witches, you'll love the latest mystery.
Profile Image for Sophie.
277 reviews5 followers
November 23, 2022
Enjoyable and quick Christmas read. I listened to the audiobook and really liked the story and it’s craziness.
1,055 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2023
The kid did it

It's hard to be a single parent. It's Christmas in Wisteria and accidents keep happening. The eggnog explodes, the Christmas tree catches fire, and food disappears.
Profile Image for Sharon.
103 reviews
Read
July 9, 2024
Loved this cute little extra! It fits into the story well and you get to have some extra information on the characters. Loved it!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
291 reviews
May 7, 2025
I can’t say it enough this series is one of the best I have read. This one made me laugh out loud.
Profile Image for Gail Kane.
51 reviews
October 14, 2025
cute short story, its can be a stand alobe but it is an adorable boom!
Profile Image for Mary.
31 reviews
August 11, 2024
short but sweet

I thought this story was fun and it explained a few things in book 13. I just found this short story after reading all 16 of her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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