Another fun story in this pet-themed cozy series. Of course Daphne is in the thick of things when she yet again discovers a body during the holiday season and the evidence is pointing to her good friend Moxie. There are some fun and quirky characters like Daphne and Moxie, and some not so nice characters like the victim. I am also not a fan of Daphne's mom. The pace is quick and lively and there were a few red herrings which kept me guessing. And it was nice to see Daphne and Detective Black reconnect. I am so looking forward to more in this wonderful pets-a-plenty mystery series.

3.5 Stars

This was a fun holiday-themed cozy. I am not usually huge of pet-themed books, but this one wasn’t too bad in that regard. I haven’t read any of the previous books, so I was a bit lost with who all the characters were and their past connections. However the further I got into the book the less confused I was. The mystery aspect was well done and kept me guessing until the end. I thought there was an awful lot of “romance” angst both with Daphne and Moxie. Hopefully, though Daphne and Jonathan will be a solid couple going forward, and Mike and Moxie can work things out. Last, we get a few recipes (gear towards pets) which is always a nice touch.

Cece was a bully in high school and it looks like she's going to be a bully now that she's back in Sylvan Creek. Except she's dead. Yep, dead and unfortunately, Daphne's friend Moxie is the prime suspect! This is classic cozy territory elevated by the animals (let's face it- who can resist a dog named Socrates, among others). This is Christmas themed and occasionally wanders a bit into the too-too category but it's also quite delightful. Daphne's relationship with Jonathan continues to befuddle. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You can easily read this as a standalone. The mystery isn't too complicated and there are some chuckles!

There are so many things I love about this series and this installment that I don't know where to start. Once again readers are quickly immersed into Sylvan Creek, the quaint small town that adores its pets. This time, the town is in the middle of their Christmas preparations which include a rather unique play and a Bark the Halls Ball. Unfortunately, once again Daphne has discovered a dead body beneath a park tree and it just happens to be a visitor from the past who was working on opening a famous name retail pet store. There are plenty of suspects but first on the list just happens to be Daphne's best friend, Moxie.

I love so many of the characters from Sylvan Creek. Moxie is offbeat and unique, Daphne is a real animal lover who is always taking in dogs and cats, Daphne's high-strung vet sister is even growing on me. And while there are some hints of romance in this one, I find myself actually wanting some of the couples to move faster because they are just so darn perfect for each other!

And finally there are the pets. Moxie has a pet rat and although I'd never own one, he sounds so cute and adorable. Of course Daphne has Socrates, her wise Basset and still pet sits regularly for her favorite Detectives dogs, Axel and Artie. And this time around we get to meet Snowdrop - the spoiled poodle of the deceased whom Daphne ends up caring for. And let me tell you, Snowdrop steals Socrates' heart! We also meet a sneaky little pug named Tiny Tim, who runs around town in a Bah Hum-Pug! sweater the whole book.

So if you like a good mystery (and one which I didn't figure out), wonderful pets, great characters and a fun cozy town, you can't go wrong with Blake's setting.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a fantastic cozy mystery. Daphne will make you laugh and possibly make you feel a little sorry for her (she's always finding dead bodies). This book is very well written, entertaining, and fun to read. The characters are a hoot. You will definitely enjoy this book, which is part of a series. Enjoy!

Pet sitter Daphne Templeton loves the holidays in Sylvan Creek, Pennsylvania. And nothing gets her into the spirit more than the town’s annual Bark the Halls Ball. The whole community will be there to wag their tails, especially this year’s special guest—Celeste “CeeCee” French, founder of a national chain of pet care franchises, who is returning home to announce plans for a bright new flagship store.

But not everyone’s celebrating CeeCee’s homecoming. Daphne’s friend Moxie Bloom, owner of Spa and Paw, a unique salon for people and their pets, has plenty to growl about. So, when CeeCee is found face down under Sylvan Creek's town Christmas tree, stabbed with a distinctive pair of professional-grade pet shears, suspicion lands squarely on Moxie. Despite Daphne’s promises to Detective Jonathan Black, she quickly reprises her role as an amateur sleuth. Ably assisted by her basset hound sidekick, Socrates, she must hurry to prove her friend’s innocence before a killer barks again.

--

Series: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery - Book 4
Author: Bethany Blake
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Pet/Business
Publisher: Kensington Books

The Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series is a fun, happy set of books that any cozy lover will cherish. A Midwinter’s Tail is no exception. This is a fast-paced, enjoyable read in a wonderful pet-friendly town with tons of memorable moments and plenty of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing.

Daphne is a great character who is very much like many small-town shopkeepers. She is always trying to keep her head above water, and always wanting to help her fellow business neighbor. Unfortunately, she keeps having to find killers to help, and that lands her in trouble much of the time. Daphne loves and cares for her neighbors and friends and no matter what the cost to her personally, she will find a way to solve a murder to protect them.

The characters in this story are truly dedicated to animals and their businesses. They are very robust, lifelike and pleasant. Even the murderer is not a horrible person, just one that has some issues that just about anyone could understand but still doesn’t excuse murder. However, the victim is not someone anyone would like and has no redeeming value.

A Midwinter’s Tail is a page-turner. The writing is smooth without being too formulaic. The characters are believable, the location perfect and the murder unique. The dog treat recipes in the back are worth getting the book by themselves. This book can stand on its own without the need for a lot of background information. I highly recommend this series and this individual book to anyone who loves pets, and a wonderful who-done-it.

ARC Provided by NetGalley

This holiday mystery introduces some intriguing new characters, both human and canine. Old wounds are reopened and fresh corpses are found. A perfect book for a cold blustery day.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

A MIDWINTER’S TAIL, the fourth book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series by Bethany Blake has an adorable cover that invites the reader in and with the very first pages, the holiday spirit continues with the festive atmosphere and special foods. But don’t be lulled into a comfortable sense of wellbeing because murder is right around the corner. Tender-hearted petsitter and pet bakery owner, Daphne Templeton, finds herself in the middle of another mystery and it’s up to her to prove her best friend, Moxie’s innocence. Daphne is such a well-developed character that brings humor to each scene. She is incredibly intelligent, having earned a PhD in Philosophy, yet the craziest incidents seem to always happen to her that had me laughing out loud. I also adore the characters of the animals that surround Daphne. They are every bit as developed as the human characters… each pet displays individual mannerisms, attitudes, and expressions that captured my imagination. I’ll have to admit that Daphne’s Basset hound, Socrates, is my favorite and steals most of the scenes he’s in… but his little Chihuahua pal, Artie, is a close second.

The town of Sylvan Creek revolves around pets and I greatly enjoyed all the pet-themed store names and events that the author creates, such as the Bark the Halls Ball. Ms. Blake weaves a tight plot with the town’s holiday festivities as the backdrop. With numerous people disliking Daphne and Moxie’s high school nemesis (both from years before and currently) there are plenty of viable suspects when the woman is murdered. There are also heart-warming subplots that add to the holiday good cheer and leaves the reader with a delightful feeling of satisfaction.

A Midwinter's Tail is the fourth installment in the Lucy Paws Petsitting Mystery series set in the small town of Sylvan Creek, PA featuring pet sitter/pet bakery owner, Daphne Templeton. It's Christmas season and everyone is looking forward to celebrating the towns festivities that include the annual Bark the Halls Ball.

The Bijoux theater is showing It's a Wonderful Life, and Daphne and best friend Moxie Bloom have arrived with their arms full of food donations. At the conclusion of the movie they are approached by Celeste "CeeCee" French, whom Moxie had been desperately hoping to avoid. In high school Celeste had broken up Moxie and boyfriend Mike Cavanaugh by claiming that Mike had cheated on Moxie at the Senior Ball, and Moxie has never recovered from her broken heart. To add insult to injury, Celeste announces that she will be building the flagship store for her franchise French's Poodles & More in Sylvan Creek. The new store has the potential to destroy Moxie's business, Spa and Paw as well as Daphne's Flour Power bakery.

Receiving an unexpected call from hunky detective Jonathan Black to meet at the town green, Daphne is wondering what is on his mind. A romp with their dogs ends in the discovery of CeeCee dead under the town Christmas tree and it's no surprise when Moxie becomes the prime suspect.

Determined to clear her friend's name and against the wishes of Johnathan and newspaper reporter Gabriel Graham, Daphne sets out with the help of her faithful sidekick, the delightful basset hound Socrates to track down a killer. Her investigation soon reveals that not only do several other high school classmates have it in for CeeCee but it seems that perhaps the members of her corporation weren't too happy with her either.

A delightful romp from page one filled with well-developed characters. The author delivers another fast paced mystery that transports the reader right into the heart of the Christmas season in Sylvan Creek. I will admit that I am totally in love with Socrates - I can't wait for each new addition to this series just so I can spend time with the philosophical pup.

I received an advanced copy of A Midwinter's Tail from NetGalley via Kensington Books. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

The fourth installment of the Lucky Paws Petting series finds that is winter as the town preparing for the Christmas events. One of the most important is The Deck the Hall ball for pets and their owners. Daphne Templeton and her BFF, Moxie Bloom are at a kick-off event when an old high school nemesis appears and announce she is building her flagship pet supplies to the area. to the area. This means that all the pet business as in the area will surface. Daph's relationship with Detective Jonathan Black is heating up. One night while walking the find the body of CeeCee French under the town's Christmas tree. Daphne ends up with all the dogs including CeeCee spoil pet poodle. Socrates fall in love with Snowdrop. Moxie is the main suspect in the killing. Daphne decided to help clear Moxie. Can she find the answer before Moxie ends off in prison? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES. Pet treat recipes are included.

Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

I was thrilled to be back in Sylvan Creek, PA with my favorite pet sitter and resident philosopher, Daphne Templeton. I adore her and her charming interactions with her fur people. The mystery was intense and the surrounding characters were again excellent in this latest installment of A Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. With Moxie in jeopardy Daphne can't sit still in trying to save her best friend from arrest for the murder of a former nemesis. Throw in romantic complications and you have a perfect little gem of a story. I sincerely look forward to more, and would give it 10 stars if I could!

Another fun installment in the Lucky Paws Petsitting series. I love this series and was so happy to be able to get my hands on A Midwinter's Tail early. I enjoyed catching up with Daphne and the gang and seeing who got into trouble this time around. I wasn't disappointed. Lots of cozy holiday vibes. Lots of love for animals. I have lots of love for that cute little pug on the cover! So cute. I'm looking forward to the next book!

A wonderful holiday murder mystery that everyone should read. The characters are great and the story is very well written. I can't wait to read more from this author. Bravo.

Adored this book. Loved the mystery and the many suspects, loved the evolution of the characters. Very excited to read about the further adventures of Daphne and her crew!

A fun holiday murder mystery. When a bully from the past shows up in town, Daphne must step in and help her friend Moxie, who is on the top of the suspect list. A good cozy mystery, that is a good story to curl up with on a cold winter day. Overall I liked the story, the animals and the characters. At times though I could hear the author's voice instead of the characters, which distracted me a bit. This is also the first I've read in the series, so the references didn't have as much meaning for me. Still though, I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it. Recommend you read others in the series first, but still a good story.

If you are looking for a fun, fast paced cozy mystery, filled with holiday cheer, mystery, murder and mayhem, then A Midwinter's Tail is the book for you.
Daphne Templeton is a great character, who loves her pets and family, and doesn't hesitate to get involved in police investigations if the need arises.

When an old high school bully makes a sudden appearance in Sylvan Lake, it causes some residents to relive harsh events that drastically changed their lives.

When someone decides to take matters into their own hands, it leaves Daphne's best friend, Moxie, at the top of the suspect list. With the help of a mischievous pug, Daphne sets her sights on clearing Moxie's name.
Fans of this series will be delighted with this addition, as it brings humor, romance and mystery into play.

I really wanted the book to go on and was sad when I had reached the last page.
I am looking forward to reading more in this terrific series by Bethany Blake.

I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I have read every one of the Petsitting Mysteries, and I have to say that they are one of my favorite themed series going. Daphne is a wonderful sleuth, who doesn't leave any stone unturned, even if she trips over them first. Her quirky personality, combined with her love for the animals under her care, make this one of the better pet themed cozy series going. Her on again off again romance situation is frustrating but also one of the tantalizing parts of the series; will they or won't they? I am personally in camp YES!

This mystery is really well thought out and goes back many years, but it also hints at things to come for the characters involved. I can't wait to read more and find out what happens next in Daphne's crazy life. Five stars!

This one those book that you don't want to end. When I saw on my kindle I was at 80% I felt sad.
It's heartwarming, makes you feel good and it's lovely.
I was happy to meet again the cast of characters, Socrates the philosophical dog above all, and read about the changes in their life and the evolution in their relationships.
The mystery was very good and it was full of twists and turns. I cannot say it kept me guessing till the end but I was curious to understand why and how.
I hope there'll be a new instalment soon, please don't make me wait another year.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC