Just brilliant! Funny and wonderful, a fast paced, delightful read. I really enjoyed this book. Five well deserved stars. Highly recommended to everyone.

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.

A Twist in the Tail by Leighann Dobbs is the first book in The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series, and it's off to a good start. Josie Waters hastily purchased a Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, from Millie Sullivan, an old family friend. Nero and Marlowe, the resident cats who came with the mansion, and are delightful. When a man is found dead in the off limited part of the house, the mystery begins. I found this book delightful, and look forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend this book for cozy mystery lovers.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

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.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to see a new series from Leighann Dobbs. I've read and enjoyed all her books so far so I knew this one was going to be a treat. I was right - how can you go wrong with the story being told from the point of view of two cats - Marlowe and Nero. They are the resident cats at the Oyster Cover Guesthouse. Josie Waters recently bought the semi-falling apart mansion from her mother's friend Millie Sullivan and inherited the two spunky felines in the process.

What she was not expecting was that during her very first group of guests there will be a murder. Naturally Josie, her mother and Millie set out to solve the crime. Unknown to them, they are being guided to the clues and answers by Marlowe and Nero.

Such an absolutely delightful book. This is when it would be lovely to have the option of more than 5 stars. I hope there will be many more in the series. A fun and fresh mystery with cats as the main characters. There are also great recipes at the end of the book - bonus!!!

A Twist in the Tail is a sweet and sassy cozy mystery that will have you purring with delight. Crime solving kitty’s help solve the murder of a thoroughly repugnant individual. There are no shortage of suspects but it takes a feline mind to figure it out. Fun, fun, fun.

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.

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.

“A Twist in the Tail” by Leighann Dobbs is a great start to a new series and is everything you want in a cozy. I have been a fan of this author for years when I read her Mystic Notch books which also featured cats!

‘Talk about inconvenient. Not only did I have a dilapidated mansion and no money to repair it with, two cats I had no idea how to care for and a room full of cranky guests waiting for their breakfast, I also had a dead body on my hands.’

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. But Josie was desperate to flee Ohio and in particular her ex-husband, a chef who loved his job so much he left her for it. And anyway, how hard can running a guesthouse be?

The truth is, Oyster Cove Guesthouse is a mouldering money pit with falling-in roof and a cohort of regular guests who are as mischievous as a litter of kittens. And Millie keeps dropping by to dispense unasked-for advice. And Josie might have made a mistake in promising to adopt Oyster Cove’s two resident cats Nero and Marlowe, and treat them in the manner to which they’ve become accustomed. 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.

The protagonist Josie is a likable main character, with quirky supporting characters Millie, her mother and Nero & Marlowe. I wasn’t sure if I liked the book at first but a few chapters in I got use to how it is written from different prospective, Josie’s, cats etc. Cats having conversations who wouldn’t love that.

There were twists and turns and a well-paced story. I enjoyed this book and recommend to my friends and any fan of Leighann Dobbs.

I requested and received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley and Bookouture. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

I'm not sure if I liked this book or not. I liked parts of it and didn't like other parts, particularly the parts where the cats were having their own conversations. It cut back on the amount of investigating going on. #AtwistInTheTail #NetGalley

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.

A Twist in the Tail by Leighann Dobbs is a fun little tale featuring Josie who has taken over the Oyster Cove Guest House. A dilapidated mansion full of cranky guests, two inherited cats and a dead body. It’s well written and quite easy to zip through. Perfect for fans of both cats and crime! Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Josie has bought an old guesthouse in her home town and is trying to get it up and running in full force. There are the usual colourful characters of (almost octagenarians) her mother and best friend. There are the friendly and not-so-friendly hometown characters making her life harder. Then, there are the cats. The cats are a predominant factor in this 'tail'. They are the main crime solvers, the comic relief as well the ruling force of their town, even if no human knows this fact. The chapters alternate between Josie working her way through her list of suspects and the cats being one step ahead of her with the very same list. 

I liked the mystery, and the only reason I did not enjoy it as much as most people would is that I guessed the ending. This made me a silent spectator watching the obvious unfold. It was still fun and I liked the characters enough to want to visit them at their next escapade.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the setting and I particularly liked the cats. This story is extremely well written and the storyline kept me guessing! I highly recommend this book and look forward to more in this series.

A Twist in the Tail is a charming cozy with a solid, well-moving plot. Josie is a very likable heroine facing more than her share of obstacles as she takes over running her crumbling-mansion-turned-bed-and-breakfast, and the last thing she needs is to find one of her guests dead--but of course, she does. Her investigation is filled with a wide array of red herrings, and the book manages to give a lovely taste of New England fishing-town atmosphere. I personally could have done without the chapters written from the cats' perspectives, but I can also see how that might be very charming to lots of readers. If you like your cozies with a side of kitty, you'll love this book.

This is the first book in a new series from one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to read it. I have to admit, I wasn't hooked in the first chapter but I kept with it and I am glad I did. If you don't like talking animals, this isn't the book for you, but I hope you give it a chance. The mystery was interesting and had me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to the next adventure in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse series!

This is a light cozy mystery that will definitely appeal to those who live cozies with cats.
While it had some good parts to it, it just didn’t click with me.

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 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.

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.