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Ainsley Holloway had come to Gooseberry Bay to find answers about her past. She’d come to find an explanation for the dreams that haunted her after the death of the cop who’d both rescued and raised her. And she’d come to identify the family she couldn’t remember but knew in her heart she’d once belonged to.

Ainsley hoped that by finding these answers, she’d also find healing. She hoped that once she’d resurrected the memories buried deep in her mind, she’d find peace.

In book 14 in the series, it's Christmas in Gooseberry Bay and the peninsula gang has come together to make it the best one yet. Ainsley has decided to jump headfirst into yuletide preparations and is looking forward to some time to relax and enjoy the season until she finds a baby on her doorstep with a note to keep her safe until her mother can return for her.

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2023

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About the author

Kathi Daley

980 books1,791 followers
Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).



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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Jane Firebaugh.
Author 8 books99 followers
December 23, 2023
Finding a baby on her doorstep was not the holiday intro Ainsley had anticipated, but getting involved in a mystery was the perfect way for her and her group of friends to help someone else to have a good Christmas.

Great mystery and the most wonderful characters. I simply love this series and this book is the perfect new addition.
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,065 reviews44 followers
November 28, 2023
The Christmas Baby is the fourteenth book in Kathi Daley’s Cottage on Gooseberry Bay series. This is an entertaining and clean series with a strong emphasis on family, friends, community, and caring. The setting is charming, and the three-dimensional characters are well-developed. The complex mysteries in this installment encompass the search for a biological mother and a woman who believes she witnessed a kidnapping twenty years ago. The intriguing mysteries, twists, and red herrings will keep readers engaged and guessing. Ms. Daley’s descriptive writing draws the reader in, making them feel like they’re taking part in the action. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading well-crafted, cozy mysteries.

After Ainsley Holloway’s adoptive father passed away, she found a photograph of a woman with two young children. For reasons Ainsley couldn’t explain, she felt connected to the people in the photograph and started doubting her past. In her search for the truth about her past, Ainsley and her two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Kai and Kallie, moved from Georgia to Washington State and rented a cozy cottage in Gooseberry Bay. Ainsley, who originally planned to stay for only a month or two, quickly made friends, settled into the community, and opened Ainsley Holloway Investigations.

In this installment, Ainsley, the peninsula gang, and many of Ainsley’s other friends are excited about the upcoming holiday season. Everyone is volunteering for shifts at various events and the Christmas tree lot, not to mention looking forward to attending Adam and Archie Winchester’s annual Winter Ball. Winchester Academy is on winter break, but several students have chosen to spend the holidays on campus. A lovely young woman, Bex Cosgrove, who runs a dog and cat rescue, leased the space next to Ainsley’s office with plans to open a pet adoption center. While volunteering at the Christmas tree lot, Ainsley meets a young mother, Rose Hubner, and her infant daughter, Zoe, and senses that Rose could use some assistance. After handing Rose her business card, including her home address, and telling her to call if she needed anything, the last thing Ainsley expected to find was Zoe nestled in her car seat on her front porch with a handwritten request that she keep the baby safe.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,472 reviews13 followers
December 1, 2023
I absolutely love this series of cosy mysteries by Kathi Daley. Actually, all the cosy mystery series she writes are equally as good. This series is set in Gooseberry Bay, with Ainsley, a private investigator, along with her 2 dogs, Kallie and Kai.

Ainsley moved to Gooseberry Bay in search of her sister after they'd been separated as children and went into care. She has since found her sister and a family as well.

It's Christmas and Ainsley, with some of the friends she's made, volunteer their time in the Christmas tree lot. One evening, Ainsley meets a young mum, Rose, and her baby daughter Zoe; they are looking at the tree lights, and she's convinced Rose needs help, so she gives her her business card.

Ainsley's 2 dogs become agitated in the early hours; when she investigates, she finds Zoe wrapped up well in her car seat on her porch; there's also a note from Rose. When a body is found, Ainsley and her friends pull out the stops to find out what happened.

The books are all standalone stories, but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

If you liked this book, try some of Kathi Daleys' other series, especially Inn at Holiday Bay, Resort at Castaway Bay and Bookshop at Holiday Bay.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,908 reviews
April 13, 2024
Ainsley Holloway moved to Gooseberry Bay in search of answers to her past and found her future. After finding the answers she was looking for, Ainsley decided to stay in the area where she found a sense of community and a family of friends. In this book, it's Christmas and Ainsley finds a baby on her porch. She goes all in with help from her friends to help the baby and her mom.

I've really enjoyed this series and this book's no exception. It's a quick, fun read that was well-written with wonderful characters. It was a heartwarming tale with an intriguing mystery. I was hooked on this fascinating story from beginning to end and am looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series.
Profile Image for Cindy.
868 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2023
Great series

This is a great series, but I do recommend starting with the first book. Each book has a mystery and a conclusion, no cliffhangers. Ainsley is volunteering at the Christmas tree lot when she meets a young woman and her baby. She senses that the woman might be in trouble at home, so she gives her her PI business card and writes her home address on the back. That night, the baby shows up on Ainsley's doorstep with a note. Read the book to find out what happens and why.
890 reviews5 followers
December 28, 2023
Who knew that meeting a woman and her baby at the tree lot would get so complicated. Rose and her baby Zoe met Ainsley at the tree lot where they were admiring a small tree but as they talked Ainsley got the impression that Rose might need protection from her husband and from there things got really complicated. Ainsley digs in and investigates a murder while trying to protect Rose and the baby. Love how the whole crew gets involved in the investigation and digs in to get an answer, Really good read.
717 reviews11 followers
January 1, 2025
It's Christmas in Gooseberry Bay and the peninsula gang has come together to make it the best one yet. Ainsley has decided to jump headfirst into yuletide preparations and is looking forward to some time to relax and enjoy the season until she finds a baby on her doorstep with a note to keep her safe until her mother can return for her.

I enjoyed hanging out with Ainsley and her friends. The mystery was interesting, and I did not guess the killer right away. I enjoyed the Christmas theme as well.
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,530 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2023
Another lovely visit to Gooseberry Bay with Ainsley, Jemma, Josie and Parker. The mystery was really quite complicated, and I never had any concrete suspicions of any of the suspects. All of the characters have been well developed now and it's always fun to visit with the "peninsula gang". Family, friendships, Christmas magic and a touch of romance made this a sweet story even as they all strived to solve the murder mystery.
Profile Image for Tarri.
627 reviews6 followers
February 13, 2024
Great mystery

Things are changing at Gooseberry Bay. Couples are getting together, some are breaking up, and someone leaves a baby on the doorstep. While trying to solve the mystery of who murdered the baby's father, the group is also trying to find Remi's friend who disappeared at a carnival when they were 15.

This installment of the Gooseberry Bay friends is jam packed with mystery and really enjoyable to read.
90 reviews
December 1, 2023
Great new book

This book in my mind was exceptional the one I enjoyed as that book was sister spy. This had Ainsley second guessing some of the things she was doing, as well as standing on her beliefs. She's a great person, friend, PI, & sister! I love this series, so MS Daley please hurry the next book that's an awfully long wait!
126 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2024
Heart warming story evokes emotions.

Ainsley has the opportunity to meet Rose who has a daughter named Zoe. Rose unexpectedly leaves Zoe at Ainsley's which prompts Ainsley to investigate. Touching story includes romantic moments and fun with friends during the holidays. Well written and leaves one wanting more.
377 reviews7 followers
December 6, 2023
Another good story

These books are always interesting. While there is always a murder it is not the whole story. There are parties, secondary stories and lots of character developments. I have enjoyed every book in this series.
993 reviews3 followers
December 8, 2023
Cottage at Goosenberry Bay: The Christmas Baby

Such a good story in the series. The author has seemingly added more depth to her storyline. Characters are changing as they should with some.leaving.and.some.expanding.
442 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2023
Christmas on the bay

It's Christmas on Gooseberry Bay and of course there is a mystery to solve. Ainsley gets a new neighbor at the office and a mystery person shows up and leaves a baby. Time to find out who killed the husband and why. All is solved before Christmas.
6 reviews
December 19, 2023
Always a great read from Kathi Daley

The characters are so real. The story flows at a steady rate. A reader is not bogged down in exorbitant details and lose interest in the story. I am always waiting for next book in the series.
97 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2023
good, easy read

Good book to read around Christmas. Easy to read , although there are many characters. There were also times I thought I should have read and earlier book in the series to get a better picture of the relationships. All in all this was enjoyable reading.
576 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2024
Cottage on Gooseberry Bay: The Christmas Baby

Sweet cozy mystery that touches on issues of spousal abuse. Keeps you guessing till the end on the murder, the ransacked and the personal lives of the main characters.
Profile Image for Beckey Scott.
85 reviews
March 3, 2024
A Murder and a Runaway Mom

Rose just wanted to show her daughter the Christmas tree lights. But the events that followed were beyond imagination. As usual all the friends of the bay come together to help. Another Gooseberry Bay winner!
183 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2024
Great holiday cozy mystery

Ainsley and friends are faced with a murder and a mystery surrounding a mother and child. As they prepare for the holidays, they also try to solve these mysteries.
Profile Image for JANE VAN HORN.
2,152 reviews12 followers
November 30, 2023
Great book

This is another great book in the Cottage on Gooseberry Bay series by Kathi Daley. I can't wait for the next book.
1,034 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2023
Heartwarming story and it's about time things progress between two people.
1 review
December 8, 2023
great story

Kept me reading to find out what happened. Easy read and I totally enjoyed it. Recommend it as an enjoyable read
Profile Image for D.
1,315 reviews16 followers
December 13, 2023
Ainsley's kindness to a stranger--leads to her caring for the stranger's baby, Zoe. Who killed the baby's father--Gilroy Hubner? The answer to this case has quite a twist.
298 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2023
God as Always!

I am still immensely enjoying this series and highly recommend them to all. Ms. Daley is a very good author. These are clean, very interesting mysteries.
Profile Image for Janet Epperson.
589 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2023
Another of my favorite series by Kathi Daley. Ready for the romance with Adam & Ainsley to move forward .
Profile Image for Susan.
1,702 reviews
January 1, 2024
loved the book, great series, really enjoy it...
1,415 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2024
Who killed Gilroy Hubner and why??? Self-Defense??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
32 reviews
April 27, 2024
Little Different

This one kept your attention but wasn’t as near exciting as the ones in the past have been. Kind of got lost at times!
13 reviews
May 26, 2024
great read as always

Loved the development of the characters and their lives. I look forward to reading the next one in book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews