What do you think?
Rate this book
A Holly Daye Mystery #1
Masquerades and Murder
A pretty mask hides a wealth of sins …
When her perennial screw up brother is accused of murdering a local podcaster during a Halloween party, former sheriff’s deputy Holly Daye plunges into the investigation and uncovers a decades old secret along with a killer who will do anything to keep the past buried, including putting Holly six feet under.
Come on down to Sanctuary Bay, South Carolina a small Lowcountry town full of quirky Southerners running amok, an English Bulldog that sniffs out a heap of trouble, and a snarky heroine that tries to keep the crazy confined to the boundaries of Noble County.
When her perennial screw up brother is accused of murdering a local podcaster during a Halloween party, former sheriff’s deputy Holly Daye plunges into the investigation and uncovers a decades old secret along with a killer who will do anything to keep the past buried, including putting Holly six feet under.
Come on down to Sanctuary Bay, South Carolina a small Lowcountry town full of quirky Southerners running amok, an English Bulldog that sniffs out a heap of trouble, and a snarky heroine that tries to keep the crazy confined to the boundaries of Noble County.
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
422 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2022
163 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lynne
16 books391 followers*Sweet Tea & Live Oaks heavy with Spanish Moss.
*A warm breeze rustling the Spartina.
Now, add a cozy little murder & a dash of mayhem!
I live in the hauntingly beautiful Savannah, Georgia/South Carolina Low Country area. My Cozy Mysteries feature strong Southern female sleuths, a motley crew of locals, plot twists and a splash of romance all set amidst the splendor of the coastal South.
*A warm breeze rustling the Spartina.
Now, add a cozy little murder & a dash of mayhem!
I live in the hauntingly beautiful Savannah, Georgia/South Carolina Low Country area. My Cozy Mysteries feature strong Southern female sleuths, a motley crew of locals, plot twists and a splash of romance all set amidst the splendor of the coastal South.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 29, 2023
Okay Read
This was an alright read. This is the first book of A Holly Day Mystery series. In this book, a retired sheriff deputy turned party designer, Holly Daye’s screw up of a brother is a prime suspect in the murder of a podcaster. Holly Daye tries to find out who the killer is and free her brother. I thought the story was good. I did find some parts of the story dragged out. I thought the characters were good. I thought Holly Daye needed to believe in her skills as a designer or decorator. She seems to doubt her abilities. I liked everything about her except for that. The other characters were intriguing but I would have loved to have read more about them. The ending was intriguing. I am excited to read more mystery adventures with Holly Daye with Book 2. Overall, an okay read.
This was an alright read. This is the first book of A Holly Day Mystery series. In this book, a retired sheriff deputy turned party designer, Holly Daye’s screw up of a brother is a prime suspect in the murder of a podcaster. Holly Daye tries to find out who the killer is and free her brother. I thought the story was good. I did find some parts of the story dragged out. I thought the characters were good. I thought Holly Daye needed to believe in her skills as a designer or decorator. She seems to doubt her abilities. I liked everything about her except for that. The other characters were intriguing but I would have loved to have read more about them. The ending was intriguing. I am excited to read more mystery adventures with Holly Daye with Book 2. Overall, an okay read.
September 19, 2022
Holly Daye, a cop retired after a shooting injury, is still recovering 3 months later and just starting PT. In the meantime, she tries to keep the panic attacks away with her sweet, pudgy bulldog, The Colonel. Having just finished the decorating for the masked Halloween ball at the River Rat Brewery to introduce their new Witches Brew, a task her friend Connie talked her into, Holly is ready to sit down and rest her leg. She had placed a large caldron on the stage with green lights and dry ice with a pair of witch’s legs sticking out. But then screams erupt and she discovers that the fake legs have been replaced with those of the local scandal Queen and busybody, Meghan Hearn! This was a mystery inside another mystery or two, with plenty of twists! I really enjoyed watching Holly track down seemingly unrelated clues and people to try and figure out who murdered Megan, in order to get her brother off the suspect list! The Colonel, is a fun addition, as the people in town can’t seem to stop giving him treats because he’s so cute! A new author I’m looking forward to reading more from. I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout and write this review voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2022
I absolutely loved the southern charm and wit of main character Holly. After a body is found in a cauldron at the brewery, Hollys brother is accused of murder and Holly has to figure out who the murderer is before her brother is convicted. Delightful characters- including Holly’s mom, brother, and her dog The Colonel- a list of suspects/characters as different as night and day- and the setting of Sanctuary Bay South Carolina all lend a hand in the beginning of a great series.
October 3, 2022
From the beginning of this book I was drawn into the storyline. The imagery was great and my imagination could just picture the scenes as read, trying to figure out who the killer was. I’m looking forward to reading more about Holly Daye and her adventures! A great cozy mystery for the fall season.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2022
Former law officer Holly Date is still rehabilitating from the shooting that ended her career and left her with a limp and PTSD. Just getting through the day with her nosy mom and her not so bright or ambitious brother is a struggle. Taking a decorating job for the local brewery seems safe until the towns least favorite person ends up as part of the display, and quite dead. Of course the current Sheriff looks no further than Holly's brother for the culprit leaving her no choice but to get back in the crime solving game. Along with her service dog companion, the Colonel, Holly must fight her fears to save her brother from prison.
I liked this story. Holly and her internal struggles were interesting to follow. I did not care much for her mom she was a bit much, too nosy, too needy, and sort of unaware of reality. I of course adored the Colonel he was fantastic. Look forward to the next in this series to see Holly gain back her self confidence and her peace of mind.
4 stars on goodreads
I received this book free from Booksprout
and am providing a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this story. Holly and her internal struggles were interesting to follow. I did not care much for her mom she was a bit much, too nosy, too needy, and sort of unaware of reality. I of course adored the Colonel he was fantastic. Look forward to the next in this series to see Holly gain back her self confidence and her peace of mind.
4 stars on goodreads
I received this book free from Booksprout
and am providing a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2022
Who Killed Meghan Hearn ? . . .
Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Holly Daye is still recovering from a shooting injury. She helped a friend decorate the River Rat Brewery for a Halloween party and was ready to sit down and rest her leg when her cauldron decoration -- stuffed with a witch face-first with her legs sticking out -- now contains a REAL body!
The victim is the unlikable podcaster Meghan Hearn. Holly’s younger brother, Dewey Barker, gets accused of the crime, but Detective Joe Brannon dislikes Holly and ignores the information she overheard that points to a different suspect. So Holly has no choice but to investigate on her own in order to keep Dewey out of jail. Will Holly find the killer before she becomes the next victim when secrets must be kept buried at all costs? (Will she get to rub the rude, dismissive detective’s nose in it if she solves the case before he does?) Grab your copy and follow the clues to see who-dun-it!
Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Holly Daye is still recovering from a shooting injury. She helped a friend decorate the River Rat Brewery for a Halloween party and was ready to sit down and rest her leg when her cauldron decoration -- stuffed with a witch face-first with her legs sticking out -- now contains a REAL body!
The victim is the unlikable podcaster Meghan Hearn. Holly’s younger brother, Dewey Barker, gets accused of the crime, but Detective Joe Brannon dislikes Holly and ignores the information she overheard that points to a different suspect. So Holly has no choice but to investigate on her own in order to keep Dewey out of jail. Will Holly find the killer before she becomes the next victim when secrets must be kept buried at all costs? (Will she get to rub the rude, dismissive detective’s nose in it if she solves the case before he does?) Grab your copy and follow the clues to see who-dun-it!
August 30, 2023
Almost a 4 star read.....
I enjoyed this book. First time reading this author and series, and I found it cute. Loved that the heroine is a middle-aged, retired police officer..... so it's easier to believe the sleuthing lol.... Holly Marie is newly divorced, retired, shooting survivor with severe PTSD and Panic Attacks who finds herself with a new career as a decorator. When a murder takes place at the venue where Holly decorated, her down and out, immature brother gets blamed for the murder. It's up to Holly to prove his innocence.
Its very colloquial - and the author writes the character speaking in a southern drawl - which I loved. I loved the town, Sanctuary Bay - and I have a yearning for driving up from Florida to South Carolina.
What detracted me from the 4th star, was Mama and Dewey - Mama does grow on you, but cut the apron strings....
I enjoyed this book. First time reading this author and series, and I found it cute. Loved that the heroine is a middle-aged, retired police officer..... so it's easier to believe the sleuthing lol.... Holly Marie is newly divorced, retired, shooting survivor with severe PTSD and Panic Attacks who finds herself with a new career as a decorator. When a murder takes place at the venue where Holly decorated, her down and out, immature brother gets blamed for the murder. It's up to Holly to prove his innocence.
Its very colloquial - and the author writes the character speaking in a southern drawl - which I loved. I loved the town, Sanctuary Bay - and I have a yearning for driving up from Florida to South Carolina.
What detracted me from the 4th star, was Mama and Dewey - Mama does grow on you, but cut the apron strings....
November 30, 2023
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time now and was glad I finally made time for it! I enjoyed meeting Holly, Connie, Mama and yep even Holly’s crazy brother, Dewey. I absolutely couldn’t stand that obnoxious detective who was only in the business to go up the ranks. At least he wasn’t in it a whole lot but he was horrible and insulting to poor Holly. Although she did really well giving it right back, lol.
I just love The Colonel! What a sweet dog and faithful companion to Holly. He sure had the town wrapped around his little paws as far as getting treats and food from everyone. I loved Holly’s sense of humor where that and pretty much everything was concerned and definitely plan to read the next book!
I just love The Colonel! What a sweet dog and faithful companion to Holly. He sure had the town wrapped around his little paws as far as getting treats and food from everyone. I loved Holly’s sense of humor where that and pretty much everything was concerned and definitely plan to read the next book!
January 10, 2026
Cozy mystery with a bulldog
Holly was a police officer who was shot in the line of duty, where another officer was killed. She is trying to get her life back together. As she has what is probably permanent disability with her leg, she has started doing some event decorating to keep busy. She put together a Halloween party that was quite successful. Until a podcaster was found dead, head first in one of her decorative cauldrons. And her brother is the prime suspect. And the detective in charge doesn't find it necessary to detect. Can Holly find the real killer before her brother gets sent up the river?
Holly was a police officer who was shot in the line of duty, where another officer was killed. She is trying to get her life back together. As she has what is probably permanent disability with her leg, she has started doing some event decorating to keep busy. She put together a Halloween party that was quite successful. Until a podcaster was found dead, head first in one of her decorative cauldrons. And her brother is the prime suspect. And the detective in charge doesn't find it necessary to detect. Can Holly find the real killer before her brother gets sent up the river?
October 2, 2022
It is written well and all the characters are well developed and mostly likable. The setting is beautiful and I loved the Halloween start. My only dislikes were the extremely long chapters. I was expecting cozy easy reading and almost all of the chapters are 30 to 40 minute reads. The other was all the unfinished dialogue. Every conversation end with -".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 2, 2022
Good solid story
My only problem is the many errors in either typing or grammar. But, that being said, this murder mystery is one of the better ones. Different, with a middle aged ex cop instead of a young woman. The clues are goid and yet the suspects give problems of deciding who the culprit might turn out to be. The ending is interesting and so is the lead in to the next book. Goid jo!
My only problem is the many errors in either typing or grammar. But, that being said, this murder mystery is one of the better ones. Different, with a middle aged ex cop instead of a young woman. The clues are goid and yet the suspects give problems of deciding who the culprit might turn out to be. The ending is interesting and so is the lead in to the next book. Goid jo!
January 3, 2023
Holly Daye is finally starting to get enough bookings to begin to think of the decorating and special events planning as a new career
too bad someone was found in her first major display, and a dangerously incompetent detective is trying to frame her brother Dewey for the deed.
Holly is once again on the case, as some elements draw her closer to unraveling some of the details related to her own life changing shooting
too bad someone was found in her first major display, and a dangerously incompetent detective is trying to frame her brother Dewey for the deed.
Holly is once again on the case, as some elements draw her closer to unraveling some of the details related to her own life changing shooting
August 26, 2023
No longer a deputy sheriff, Holly Daye still gets involved in tracking down a killer. Her investigation is hampered by physical pain plus PTSD from the gunshot injury that sent her into retirement. Good thing she has a loyal dog to keep her functional. Many suspects, with lots of clues and red herrings, and I had no idea whodunnit until the final reveal.
September 29, 2022
A good mystery , not too easy to guess the bad guy or lady, great friends and pets and of course " the family".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2022
Overall, this was a pretty good mystery. I like the characters, and the mystery was fun to guess what would happen.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 31, 2022
Entertaining
This is a mystery within a mystery. An obnoxious podcaster is murdered at a Halloween party. There are too many suspects and too many possible motives. Does the murder have something to do with a recently discovered body? Was blackmail a factor?
This is a mystery within a mystery. An obnoxious podcaster is murdered at a Halloween party. There are too many suspects and too many possible motives. Does the murder have something to do with a recently discovered body? Was blackmail a factor?
April 14, 2023
Beautifully perfect description of the low country! The victims demise is something I have never read about before and thought that was a great addition! There is humor throughout! If you love a good ole’ southern mama with southern traditions you will enjoy the book!
May 21, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Holly is a hoot, grumpy and funny. I love that her pup goes everywhere and everyone loves him. Once a cop always a cop, I don’t think that would ever go away, she has good skills.
It was a good story and I look forward to reading future books in this series.
It was a good story and I look forward to reading future books in this series.
May 23, 2023
Masquerades and Murder
Great start off to a new series! Better as I was progressing throughout the story. Plenty of twists and turns to keep my interest going. Look forward to read the next one in the series.
Great start off to a new series! Better as I was progressing throughout the story. Plenty of twists and turns to keep my interest going. Look forward to read the next one in the series.
September 9, 2023
Small town retired deputy with ptsd investigates
Small town deputy is drawn into investigating a murder when her brother is the main suspect of a bumbling detective. Contains intrigue humor and a bit of romance.
Small town deputy is drawn into investigating a murder when her brother is the main suspect of a bumbling detective. Contains intrigue humor and a bit of romance.
September 19, 2024
Good Book
I loved this book. It was full of interesting people and of course you can't forget The Colonel. There were enough clues to keep you solving the mystery right along with Holly.
I loved this book. It was full of interesting people and of course you can't forget The Colonel. There were enough clues to keep you solving the mystery right along with Holly.
October 18, 2022
Felt like a vacation in the Lowcountry! Funny characters, a cute dog, and a tricky mystery to solve. Can't wait for the next book!
January 3, 2023
Masquerades and Murder
Holly investigates a murder to help clear her brother as he is accused of murdering a young woman but Holly found the murderer
Holly investigates a murder to help clear her brother as he is accused of murdering a young woman but Holly found the murderer
June 9, 2023
Who killed Megan Hearn and why??? AND Shiela??? Thank you, Colonel, for your help!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
October 11, 2023
Haven’t started this book, but I read the Hounds and Heists prequel so I’m looking forward to this book by Rachel Lynne
Read
November 25, 2023The death in this book was related to Holly's decorations. Truly terrible and Holly worried about whether or not her business would survive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2024
How Enjoyable!
I really enjoyed this book! I did think Holly seemed a little clueless at times. 🤔 This was worth reading 📚 . I want to read another Holly Daye book.
I really enjoyed this book! I did think Holly seemed a little clueless at times. 🤔 This was worth reading 📚 . I want to read another Holly Daye book.
September 16, 2024
Who killed Megan Hearn and why??? AND who killed Sheila Peavey??? Blackmail??? An earing??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews