Book Review: Murder Most Howl by Krista Davis

Holly Miller is delighted her grandmother has finally left the Sugar Maple Inn to take a well-deserved vacation. It means Holly’s in charge, but running the inn might be more challenging than she realized. Wagtail’s throwing a weekend-long murder mystery game to draw in tourists during the slow season, the inn has a full house, and a blizzard is on the way.

Trouble is unleashed the night the game begins, when the storm blows in and the lights go out. It gets worse the following morning when Holly’s Jack Russell terrier, Trixie, discovers a body—one that’s actually dead. Now Holly, her calico kitten Twinkletoes, and Trixie must play by the rules and find one dirty dog...[summary via Amazon]

THEME: Culinary Cozy set within a Hotel, the "Sugar Maple Inn"

CRIME:   Norm, a local wealthy businessman, is found dead. In the small town of Wagtail, Norm has ranked up a long line of enemies. Which one wanted him dead?

DENOUEMENT: Oh I really enjoyed this one. It was a mystery within a mystery. Holly and local pub owner, Val, have organized "Murder Most Howl", a mystery-themed weekend, where participants have to find clues and solve the fictional crime. However, it seems that life is imitating art when a real dead body is found. Now Holly is trying to find a real murderer! I loved the final denouement. When the victim is as disliked as Norm was, it was interesting to try and narrow down the suspects.

FURRY SIDEKICK: Take your pick! Trixie, Holly's dog, and Twinkletoes, her cat, steal the limelight a little. However, in Wagtail there are furry friends aplenty and I love getting to know each of them.

ROMANCE: It seems Holly isn't over her crush on Holmes, who is engaged to another. He was her first kiss, and oh boy! I'm really hoping there is more for them in the future. Ex-boyfriend, Ben, comes to visit again, but it looks like they are just friends. I'm really hoping for more in the romance department in the next book!

MY VERDICT: I loved this one! Wagtail is such a fun place to visit! This is definitely a Gilmore Girls meets cozy mystery, and it's fast becoming one of my favourite series!