Holly Miller first appeared in Murder, She Barked and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Holly.

What is your name?
Holly Miller.

How old are you?
Almost thirty.

What is your profession?
Innkeeper! I love saying that. I used to be a fundraiser in Washington, DC. But now I live in the family inn and run it with my grandmother.

Do you have a significant other?
I am very happy to say that my childhood crush, Holmes Richardson, is moving back to Wagtail. I’m hoping that he will be my significant other.

What is his name and profession?
Holmes is an architect. He lived in Chicago for many years.

Any children?
No. We’re still in the boyfriend/girlfriend stage at this point.

Do you have any sibling(s)?
Do I have siblings? I think I’ve lost count. My parents are divorced and both of them started new families. So I have a bunch of much younger half-siblings.

Do your parents live near you?
Thankfully, no. My mom is in California and my dad lives in Florida.

Who is your best friend?
Gosh, that’s tough. When Holmes is back, he’ll probably get that distinction. But I have become close friends with employees of the inn, like Zelda York and Shelley Dixon. And of course, I can’t omit my grandmother, whom I call Oma, German for grandma.

Cats, dogs or other pets?
Yes, yes, yes! My Jack Russell Terrier, Trixie, has a nose for trouble. More specifically, a nose for corpses. She’s always getting me involved in murder because she’s the first to find the bodies! My calico kitty, Twinkletoes, is her partner in crime detection. I have never met such a nosy cat in my life. There is nothing she won’t stick her nose into and that includes guest rooms and suitcases!

What town do you live in?
We live in Wagtail, Virginia, which is located on Wagtail Mountain. In the late 1700s, Wagtail was a popular destination because of the mineral springs. Thomas Jefferson even came here! But as the centuries passed and interest in the springs waned, the citizens of Wagtail decided to go to the cats and dogs. Literally! Wagtail is all about our furry family members and has become the premier destination for those who want to vacation with their pets. Dogs and cats aren’t just welcome, they’re pampered in Wagtail.

House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I own half of the Sugar Maple Inn. Oma carved out a wonderful apartment for me on the top floor of the inn. I have a view of the lake and the mountains on one side, and a view of the town of Wagtail on the other side.

What is your favorite spot in your house?
I’m very partial to the inn library. It’s small and connects the main part of the inn to the cat wing. There’s a cozy window seat for curling up with a good book, and a fireplace that we keep blazing in the winter.

Favorite meal? Favorite dessert?
All of them? I’m so spoiled! It’s a good thing I walk a lot. Did I mention that Wagtail is a car-free zone? Everyone walks or uses golf carts to get around. I do love breakfast at the inn. We have to serve lovely indulgent meals for our guests, so I often partake of pancakes with locally grown blackberries, or French toast, or eggs Benedict. If I had to choose only one dessert, I would have to say chocolate mousse.

Favorite hobby?
Hobby? I’m busy all the time. But I do love to read!

Favorite color?
Periwinkle blue.

Favorite author?
Agatha Christie, of course!

Favorite vacation spot?
Since I live on a lake in the mountains, I like to get away to the beach. Any beach, as long as I can walk on sand, and eat hushpuppies and crabs.

Favorite sports team?
Definitely the Washington Redskins.

Movies or Broadway?
I love plays, but I don’t get to Broadway often, so I’ll go with movies.

Are you a morning or a night person?
I’m a middle of the day person! My schedule shifts depending on the guests of the inn. Sometimes I have to get up early to accommodate them and sometimes they keep me up late.

Amateur sleuth or professional?
Sleuth? That’s cute. I don’t think anyone has ever called me that. Definitely amateur. Wagtail is small so we only have one police officer assigned to us. He’s a great guy. My Oma happens to be the mayor, so when something major is afoot, he has to keep her informed. Oma relies on me to help him out with whatever he needs.

Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Trixie and Twinkletoes usually get me involved, but when Officer Dave (he’s really a Sergeant now but everyone still calls him Officer Dave) needs help, he can rely on me. He doesn’t expect me to do any police work, of course. He calls in other police for that. But since I live in the inn, I have easier access to guests and can keep an eye on their behavior. People clam up when the cops are around. But it seems like the people who work at the inn must blend into the background because we see and overhear a lot of interesting things.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
After a thoroughly indulgent breakfast, I walk through the entire inn to make sure everything is functioning (no burned out lightbulbs, etc.) and everything is in order. After that, it depends on the day. If we’re having a lot of people check in or check out, I’ll help Zelda with that. But if we’re hosting a wedding or luncheon or special event, then that’s my focus. Oma is often busy with her responsibilities as mayor, so on those days, I fill in for her. There are bills to pay and things to order, and well, you get the idea. But there are also days when we’re slow and I get to amble around Wagtail and enjoy the fun!

You can read more about Holly, Twinkletoes, and Trixie in The Dog Who Knew Too Much, the sixth book in the “Paws & Claws” cozy mystery series, released November 26, 2019.

When a famous pooch comes to Wagtail for some downtime, inn owner Holly Miller learns that murder never rests in this all-new Paws & Claws mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.

America’s favorite dog comes to pet-friendly Wagtail for some rest and relaxation, but Holly quickly discovers that this perfect pup is a total scamp who takes every opportunity to run off and misbehave. During an outdoor treasure-hunting game, the star dog and Trixie, Holly’s beloved Jack Russell terrier, stumble across a dead body.

Holly has more than murder to worry about, though, when a man shows up after reading an article featuring Trixie in a magazine and claims that he is the dog’s rightful owner. Holly will need to prove that she is her pup’s only parent and catch a killer to restore peace to her pet-loving happy place.

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About the author
Krista also writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries and the Pen & Ink Mysteries. Like her characters, Krista has a soft spot for cats, dogs, and sweets. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with dogs, cats, and a hidden stash of chocolate.

To learn more about Krista, visit her website at kristadavis.com.

All comments are welcomed.