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The Inn at Holiday Bay #28

Message in the Manuscript

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A heartwarming cozy mystery series about losing everything, taking a chance, and starting again.

After suffering a personal tragedy Abby Sullivan buys a huge old seaside mansion she has never even seen, packs up her life in San Francisco, and moves to Holiday Bay Maine, where she is adopted, quite against her will, by a huge Maine Coon Cat named Rufus, a drifter with her own tragic past named Georgia, and a giant dog with an inferiority complex named Ramos. What Abby thought she needed was alone time to heal. What she ended up with was, an inn she never knew she wanted, a cat she couldn't seem to convince to leave, and a new family she'd never be able to live without.

In book 28 in the series, Abby finally has a moment to sit down with the manuscripts her friend Gayla left to her in her will and realizes that the murder Gayla wrote about in her stories might actually be a fictional accounting of the real unsolved murder that were still baffling police a decade after it was a front page story in the local news. The murder occurred when Abby was still living in San Francisco and it seems likely that Gayla had been witnessed to this high profile murder the way Roxy, the protagonist in her book, had been witness to a very similar murder in the story, but the more times Abby reads the script, the more certain she is that a fictional accounting of a very real experience might be exactly what she's looking at.

Meanwhile, Mylie and Jeremy are settling in as new parents, Georgia is still trying to come to grips with the ins and outs of the decision she made at Danny's welcome to the family party, and Abby makes a proposition to Bailey that could very well change both of their lives.

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2024

321 people are currently reading
116 people want to read

About the author

Kathi Daley

353 books1,782 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
877 (70%)
4 stars
246 (19%)
3 stars
98 (7%)
2 stars
18 (1%)
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8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Lynn Hayward-Bisbee.
196 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2024
You know, after 28 books in this series, I think I have finally grown tired of it. I've stuck with it for so long because I felt invested in the characters. I had read the other series that grew out of this one, but stopped reading them as well as they all follow the same line of writing, of course, as this series.

One of my biggest complaints is the repetition. One character will tell somebody something. Then, in the next chapter that character will tell another character exactly the same information as you just learned in the previous chapter. It's like whole conversations continually repeated as if I, the reader, can't remember what I just read. I grew so tired of that in the other series that I stopped reading. But, then I thought I'd continue on with this one as it was the first one I started and I'd read until there was some resolution with the characters. But, alas, it seems as if it will go on forever.

I don't care if Abby and Colt never get married, but at least make a decision. Either get married, break off the relationship, live together. . .something. This constant decision by Abby of "Colt and I are happy with how things are" smacks of "the lady doth protest too much." Georgia and Tanner. Same thing. Thought they were finally getting married, but, no, that's going to be strung along as well.

The plots are getting just a little too outrageous. This is supposed to be a small New England town and although most cozy mysteries are set in little towns where murders happen almost on a daily basis, this one exceeds that by a country mile. The whole plot with Bailey and her background is just simply ridiculous.

And ending the book abruptly with no resolution? Yup. Really tired of that.

Kathi Daley had good ideas and good cozy mysteries, but I think all these spin offs and the series going on and on and on is growing just a little tired. At least it is for me.
1,971 reviews
July 17, 2024
So...I hate cliffhanger endings! An unfinished storyline, even with non-main characters, that is alluded to in the final pages but not wrapped up is a cliffhanger! Authors - if I liked your book I will read the next one - don't insult my intelligence with a cliffhanger! Arghh!


Amazon synopsis:
Abby finally has a moment to sit down with the manuscripts her friend Gayla left to her in her will and realizes that the murder Gayla wrote about in her stories might actually be a fictional account of an unsolved murder.

Meanwhile, Mylie and Jeremy are settling in as new parents, Georgia is still trying to come to grips with the ins and outs of the decision she made at Danny's welcome to the family party, and Abby makes a proposition to Bailey that could very well change both of their lives.
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews45 followers
July 16, 2024
Message in the Manuscript is the twenty-eighth book in Kathi Daley’s heartwarming Inn at Holiday Bay series. The setting is charming, and the well-developed characters are three-dimensional, compassionate, and caring. The well-plotted storyline flows smoothly, and multiple twists and red herrings in the complex mystery keep the reader engaged. Whenever I pick up one of Ms. Daley’s books, I know I’m in for a treat, and I’ve never been disappointed. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy well-crafted, cozy mysteries.

After losing her husband and their infant son in a tragic accident, Abby Sullivan bought a huge old house in the charming town of Holiday Bay, Maine, without even seeing it. Once the house was renovated, she opened the Inn at Holiday Bay and found a home and a family. Abby lives in a cottage on the property with her Maine Coon, Rufus, and her terrier mix, Molly, and the inn’s newest employee, Bailey, who has moved into the second bedroom. Georgia Carter, who has also overcome obstacles in her lifetime, is the inn’s talented cook/baker and manager, who stars in a cable cooking show. Georgia and her Newfoundland dog, Ramos, recently moved back into Tanner Peyton’s home, and the couple are currently planning their wedding. Jeremy and Mylie Slater and Jeremy’s young niece, Annabelle, recently welcomed Jeremy and Mylie’s first child, Danny, into their home. Colt’s niece and nephew, who are now full-time residents of Holiday Bay, are spending the last few days of their summer vacation with their grandparents.

In this installment, the town and inn are preparing to celebrate Holiday Bay’s Founder’s Day. Cass and Ada Stockton are staying at the inn while they try to track down their missing granddaughter, Shawna. Police Chief Cold Wilder and his team are trying to make sense of a domestic disturbance call they received. Meanwhile, Abby is working with a previous guest and forensic psychologist, Sydney Whitmore, to sort through the manuscripts Abby’s deceased friend, Gayla Woodford, penned that Abby suspects might be a fictional accounting of an actual high-profile cold case her friend may have witnessed.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,410 reviews12 followers
August 25, 2024
I really enjoy reading the cosy mysteries that Kathi Daley writes. Each series is as good as the others.

This series is set at The Inn at Holiday Bay. There are also two other series set in Holiday Bay, one set around the Bistro, the other set around the Bookshop in the town.

The Inn is owned by Abby Sullivan. She renovated the old property when she moved several years previously after suffering a tradegy, when her husband and baby Son were killed. She's an author but has helped solve many murders and mysteries that occur around the Inn and the town. She's in a relationship with local Police Chief Colt Wilder.

In this book, the Inn has several guests, including an older couple who are trying to find their granddaughter who has run away. The last known location of her was in Holiday Bay.

Another issue are some manuscripts left to Abby by a friend, whilst they've been written as fiction, Abby realises they may actually be the recounting of a real murder. She's not sure what to do, but when a former guest of the Inn, FBI agent Syd Whitmore (from The Resort at Castaway Bay series), visits, Abby decides to ask her for help.

Abby also has the problem of a new member of staff, Bailey. She's a young girl who's pregnant. She hasn't been willing to share her history with Abby, but Abby knows something isn't right. The Inn's staff are all 'family' so Abby is determined to help this young girl, as she's helped the other people who have started as staff members, but have very quickly become family.

Whilst each book is a standalone mystery, the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series ....
Profile Image for Candy Daulton.
22 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2024
Message in the Manuscript review

This was sort of an intense cozy mystery for me. The main story in the Message in the Manuscript talked about a woman that was murdered and a friend of Abby's knew of the murder and included it in her manuscripts that she wrote to look like parts of a book that actually gave clues to the murder.
Abby was also dealing with a runaway young pregnant girl who ended up in Holiday Bay. She was apparently a test tube baby, and was not treated well by the mother who used her as a research project. The girl was scared he mother would find her and take her baby to be a test subject. Abby kept her at the inn, the Holiday Bay Inn family got her furniture for the baby and helped set her up to stay there after the baby is born...Ah, but we must wait for the next book to see whether the girl abandons the baby and runs, or stays and makes Holiday Inn her home with Abby.
It was a great read and I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes cozy mysteries. As it is part of a series I recommend starting at the beginning for continuity of the story line! I really really enjoy Kathi Daley's cozy mystery books and her many different series she has. You won't be disappointed in any of them!
Profile Image for Joanie Hinton.
721 reviews27 followers
July 16, 2024
Abby and Georgia are getting ready for the town's Founders Day Celebration. One of the couples who checks into their inn is looking for their granddaughter who left with some of her friends from Las Vegas to go on a trip. After loosing contact from her they hired a private detective who said the last ping of the girls cell phone was Holiday Bay. No one in town has seen her. There was evidence in a home where the owners were out of town that squatters had been there; maybe the granddaughter? A girl in a hospital in the next town has some answers. Abby is helping a young girl who is two months away from giving birth but won't give her last name or much information, but Abby is determined to assist her. When she does find out information, it is very troubling. And the manuscript that Abby received from a dead friend a few weeks ago seems to have information about a decades old murder in the San Francisco/Oakland area. Lots to keep you reading...
1,009 reviews8 followers
November 22, 2024
Georgia and Tanner try to make wedding plans, but every time they come up with a possible date some other event takes place at the same time. However they have decided to keep it small inviting only close friends and family. Abby's fellow author, Gayla, now deceased, left her manuscripts in process to Abby. After reading one of them Abby decides Gayla had witnessed first hand some things that were evidence in an actual kidnapping and murder case which she wrote about in a fictional account. An older couple checks into the inn while searching for their missing granddaughter. Bailey tells Abby she wants to have her baby delivered at home by a midwife so she can avoid going to the hospital. Bailey begins to open up a bit about her past and reveals some details regarding the situation she is running from. Abby knows she must continue to do everything she can to make sure Bailey feels safe so she won't take off before the baby comes.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,839 reviews
July 29, 2024
Abby Sullivan relocated to Holiday Bay, Maine after suffering a tragedy in her life. Now she has a very successful inn and a new family. Abby now has a chance she inherited from a friend and, upon reading them, realizes that they seem to be based on a real-life, unsolved crime. Mylie and Jeremy are settling into life as new parents while Georgia is still working out plans for a recent decision she made. Abby also proposes a plan to Bailey.

I love Kathi's books and this one's no exception. The book was well-written while the characters are well-rounded and believable. I was drawn into this captivating story and kept hooked from start to finish. This was a quick, fun read that I really enjoyed. The sense of family and friendship in this story is great and the mysteries within are intriguing. I'm eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series.
181 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2024
Good book.

This book was written as part of The Inn at Holiday Bay” series, I have read all the books in the series and love the characters and the stories. I enjoyed the book although it didn’t stir the depth of feelings that the other stories (books) did. Not certain what was missing as it solved a mystery and brought out possible conclusions to a different murder. I will continue to look for Kathy Daley books as most are amazing

357 reviews7 followers
July 18, 2024
Interesting book

I always enjoy the books about Abby and Georgia and the Inn. There are usually a few mysteries going on. Between the police department, the Inn and their association with a FBI agent things were hopping. The issues with Bailey is still not resolved and gave the four star rating because the books just ended so abruptly. I hope the next book results in a good ending to her story.
Profile Image for Cindy.
764 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2024
Lots going on

There are several things going on in this book in the series - a pregnant girl who refuses to tell anyone her last name, a very strange background story to her, a manuscript that supposedly leads to a murder victim, grandparents looking for their granddaughter, and a housebreaking petty theft gang. What bothers me, and hence the 3 stars, is that there seems to be more and more cliffhangers in these series.
384 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2024
Lovely

I like these books a lot, I have read all the series. I hope Colt and Abbie find a way to be together once the children come home. The story of the manuscript Abbie received is excellent. The case they solved involving Shawna and her friends was really interesting and I loved Colt as always found a way to make things better for the girls. Now, the Bailey story, I don’t know, it’s a bit far fetched and complicated. I wasn’t drawn to it. The rest of the book was great.
926 reviews5 followers
October 7, 2024
I love this series and this one was really good. Abbey is the amateur sleuth and does a great job. There is so many things going on in this book. Georgia moving in with Tanner, Bailey having a baby and moving the cottage with Abbey. Grandparents staying at the Inn in search of their granddaughter . Abbey trying to find a message in a manuscript that her friend Gayle leaves her and with the help of Syd, they solve this old mystery. A VERY GOOD READ.
942 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2024
I've never given a Inn at Holiday Bay a 4 star that I can remember, but I had to this time. I hated the ending. I hate when a story ends the way this one did. I want a solid ending, not one like this. Yes I understand you want me to keep reading, and I will, always, but this ending was just pure mean. Otherwise, it was a good book. Loved the manuscript mystery and how Syd helped solve it.
123 reviews
July 24, 2024
Suspense and an abrupt ending

Kathi Daley is an amazing writer. Her stories are well written with characters who obviously care about each other and plots that hold your attention. Nice that Kathi brought Syd back on this story. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
409 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2024
Wow

We learn so much more about Bailey and I have to admit it's frightening. Hopefully, she choses to stay with Abby and the family at the Inn. Also with the help of Sydney, Abby helps figure out that the manuscripts that she received from her friend gave details about a high profile murder. Can't wait to see where this all leads.
14 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2024
This was not my favorite in this series. I enjoy the cozy mysteries for the murder mystery part but also for the corresponding quirky characters. This one was a little more intense with the characters and dealt with more serious issues. The murder was a cold case and not a current mystery. There was little guessing on the whodunnit and the main story seemed to be more about a pregnant teenager.
533 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2024
Slow Going

This was not my favorite book in the series. I had a hard time getting into the story and found it a bit tedious. As always, a couple of mysteries are going on at the same time. Neither one had great appeal to this reader. Normally, this is a good series, but this one just did not hit the mark.kmj
130 reviews
December 8, 2024
Much More Than You Bargained For

Kathi Daley does it again as she adds onto the Inn at Holiday Bay stories. This story has so many moving parts with characters that from the beginning been part of the series to new characters. So there is a mystery within a mystery within mysteries. It’s brilliant. Take the time to read the series with each book they get better and better.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,152 reviews
July 23, 2024
My review for Message in the Manuscript

I absolutely loved it! Another excellent story about my favorite Inn. I love all the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Phyllis.
17 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2024
This Ended Too Soon.

This is a good story on multiple levels. One of the problems with the cozy mysteries is that they are short. Sadly, this is a profit issue: short books with open endings motivate readers to buy the next book in the series as soon as possible.
483 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2024
The Inn at Holiday Bay:Message in the Manuscript

3 different stories, two of runways under differ circumstances and one a group of manuscript s willed to Abby that seem to have truth of a long unso!bed murder. It does end with a little teaser for the next chapter.
161 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2024
Worth the wait

I have enjoyed all the books in this series, but this is definitely one of the best. I have been waiting for it to come out and now I’m waiting for the next one. And they are worth the wait.
298 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2024
So Good!

And what an ending! I love this series and all the characters in these wonderful mysteries. They are easy to get attached to. I highly recommend all the series by Latin Daley.
Profile Image for Linda Still.
263 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2024
Afraid, I'm done with this series. Nothing is happening with the characters and the writing is getting repetitious to the extreme. Move the players around and resolve issues without constantly repeating everything. Two stars is generous.
Profile Image for Kate.
622 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2024
the year progresses

Tanner and Georgia inch towards a wedding celebration.
Colt is on the verge of being a full time Dad
Bailey is still mysterious about her past.
Grandparents are in search of a mussing granddaughter.
A small murder happens. And is solved, all in a few chapters
795 reviews8 followers
January 1, 2025
First Book In 2025

What a great book to start off. 2025! I love a good mystery, Message in the Manuscript was definitely a good page turner and it’s wasn’t until the end I figured it out. I highly recommend The Inn at Holiday Bay series.
Profile Image for Judith.
688 reviews
March 8, 2025
Good story

This was a good story, and I enjoy the characters, but there is just too much mundane talking and filler. I, also, dislike how the author closes out her book. This is one reason I never pay full price for her books. I wait till I have built up a credit.
447 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2025
What message can you find?

This has more than one major theme working through out this story. But only one is given a nice amount of information to solve it. The other that's sort of solved will wait on other things. And the most heart felt one with the last stray is not going really well....
Profile Image for Becky.
75 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2025
I enjoyed the pace of this one. Found out a lot of background on one of the characters and I believe some of the main characters found out some things about themselves. I enjoy the characters in these books - including the new ones. It does make me wonder what is in store for Abby and Colt.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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