The Catnap Before Christmas
Whales and Tails, Book #19
Kathi Daley
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Madrona Island – Where cats are king and mystery meets magic.
It’s two weeks before Christmas on magical Madrona Island, and as they have for the past few years, Cait and Cody are busy getting the kids from Saint Pat’s ready for the Christmas Pageant and planning a huge Christmas Eve blowout at Mr. Parsons mansion. Things are busy but going well for the happy couple until a Grinch comes to town and begins vandalizing Christmas decorations. What seemed on the surface to be nothing more than a nuisance, becomes serious business when Santa is killed during the explosion that causes the Santa House in the park to burn to the ground.
Cait, Cody, and the rest of the gang, set their sights on tracking down the killer with the help of Jingles, the new cat in town. As they delve into the mystery they find that when it comes to Christmas and the emotions the holiday can conjure, anything is possible.
Meanwhile, Cait and Cody are babysitting Cody’s nephew until his father returns from an overseas deployment, Maggie and Michael are in town, and Cait is forced to say goodbye to the cabin she has lived in for the past decade after the remodel on the new home she is to share with Cody has come to completion. (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place on Madrona Island. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. It is always great to spend time with Cait and her family and friends. They are like one big happy family. I could understand Cait’s mixed feelings about all of the changes in her life, I do not like change either. I love the magical elements in this book, not just the cat, Jingles, and a very special young man. I thought this added a whole new level to the book.
I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. I am looking forward to the next release.
mjbreviewers 