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The Inn at Holiday Bay #34

Answers in the Ashes

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A case of arson, a long road to recovery, and a new beginning built up from the ashes.After suffering a personal tragedy Abby Sullivan buys seaside mansion, packs up her life in San Francisco, and moves to Holiday Bay, 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.

Was it faulty wiring, or was it arson?

In book 34 in the series, Colt is living with Abby while he mends, and while the couple are enjoying the time they spend together, they both know that there are some hard truths that eventually will need to be dealt with. Georgia and Tanner are having growing pains as they prepare in their own way for the birth of their first child, and Alex is up to her ears in clues, confessions, and leads that go nowhere, when she tries to uncover the truth about the rash of arson fires that seem to be all tangled up with a food truck murder.

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2025

486 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Kathi Daley

354 books1,788 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
642 (70%)
4 stars
204 (22%)
3 stars
66 (7%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
672 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2025
Love all of the series set in Holiday Bay

Another great story from Kathi Daley set in Holiday Bay. I love how she seamlessly moved new characters in and out of town. I wish there was a real Inn at Holiday Bay to stay in.
276 reviews
July 1, 2025
Entertaining and Enjoyable!

Having read all of the books in this delightful series and most of the ones from the spin-off Holiday Bay stories, these cozy novels are like going home for a visit to reconnect with family and friends. Small town charm, close knit friends, speciality shops, food and especially fun. And always with a side of mystery just to spice things up. A minor quibble (very minor) is that there are a lot of names to remember and keep straight, especially as new characters are being added with every book as the town evolves. It's like going to your family reunion and trying to remember all of the cousins, new babies and significant others you haven't seen, well, since the last family get together. But if you just relax and enjoy the company and the stories, names don't matter quite so much. At least that's how I traverse through until the end without having to constantly go back and figure out who's who.

The next installment should be very interesting as Colt continues his rehab, while dealing with possibly a new career and the changes in the lives of his niece and nephew of which he has custody. Also waiting for the arrival of a new little Angel and coming to terms with the loss of one. Just what this series is all about...family, friends, love, loss, grief and joy. All in a delightful setting. Kudos to the author. 🎉🎉👏👏🌟🌟📚💞
1,011 reviews8 followers
August 10, 2025
Colt is in a wheelchair and doing physical therapy due to injuries he suffered in the previous book when he saved Georgia from her stalker kidnapper. To make things easier he is living with Abby in her cottage. Colt's nephew, Tyler decides that he is happy living with relatives in LA and asks permission to stay and attend high school with his cousin. A guest at the Inn who is an event planner likes the small town atmosphere. She would really like to move to Holiday Bay. After a disastrous pancake breakfast fundraiser it becomes obvious that the city needs to hire one person to be in charge of all their festivals instead of relying on volunteers to do the job. One of the food trucks involved in a weekend event burns while sitting in the local park. The owner's body is discovered among the ashes. Colt helps with the investigation even though he is currently on medical leave. Lots of changes coming.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,415 reviews12 followers
June 26, 2025
As with all the books Kathi Daley writes, this one is no exception. It's a really good read. This series follows Abby Sullivan as she continues to run The Inn at Holiday Bay with Georgia and the team who have become family.

In this book, Colt continues to heal from his injuries but is getting frustrated at not being able to do more. There's a murder in Holiday Bay when the owner of one of the food trucks is found dead in his burnt out truck. Tyler, Colt's nephew, drops a bombshell on Colt. There's a new face in Holiday Bay, will she stay?

I love reading these books. Easily read in a few hours they're great cosy mysteries. Whilst each book is a standalone story, the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.
Profile Image for Kate.
623 reviews4 followers
June 26, 2025
can’t wait for the next one

Hallmark movies in print.
A box of chocolates without the calories.
A town where most people want the best for each other.
Release dates are put in my planner as they are announced. Download them the day they are released. And usually read immediately, as this one was. Occasionally I will save it ir (for up to a week) for a special day or a weekend trip.

Right now I have only read the books in the several Holiday Bay series. Might branch out to other series when these don’t come fast enough
396 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2025
Really good

I have read every book in the series. This one as usual didn’t disappoint. I hope Colt eventually heals and can go back to his job as Police Chief, he is so good at it. Colt’s niece should be very happy living in the Inn and her grandmother will have to deal with it. I liked to see Abby helping Colt and supporting him. They make a lovely couple. I can’t wait for the next one.
1,987 reviews
June 29, 2025
This was an interesting mystery. It was also good to get updates on most of the characters in this series.

Amazon synopsis:
n book 34 in the series, Colt is living with Abby while he mends, and while the couple are enjoying the time they spend together, they both know that there are some hard truths that eventually will need to be dealt with. Georgia and Tanner are having growing pains as they prepare in their own way for the birth of their first child, and Alex is up to her ears in clues, confessions, and leads that go nowhere, when she tries to uncover the truth about the rash of arson fires that seem to be all tangled up with a food truck murder.
Profile Image for Cindy.
776 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2025
Enjoyable series

Colt is recovering at Abby's place. Georgia is pregnant. A fire starts at one of the food trucks after an event, and the owner is found dead in the truck. An event planner is a guest in one of inn's cottages, and she may end up staying in Holiday Bay, expanding the inn's family.
363 reviews7 followers
July 8, 2025
Good book

Another good book in the Inn series. The storylines are always interesting but I like the interactions of the characters. Abby, Georgia, Mylie Haven and all the others that make up the extended Inn family'. Although there is always a death in the town, it seems to be an almost laid back atmosphere.
410 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2025
Love as always

I will always recommend Kathi's books to anyone who asks. She has been a favorite of mine for years and I always feel like I'm visiting friends when I read her books. Abby, Georgia and company get wrapped up with a death and a couple of fires. Things are great and the gang solved everything in time for Georgia to do her book signing.
473 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2025
Food trucks are supposed to be fun not deadly

So much for the food trucks in this time not being a part of a murder scenario. But not just the good food too, some of the workers also get into a bad way. But at least the book signing goes really well. And some of the family drama also is working better for Cole.
488 reviews
June 25, 2025
The Inn at Holiday Bay: Answers in the ashes

Love this series and it didn't disappoint. Things are changing as Colt recovers from his injuries on the job. Lots of changes in the group as a murder is investigated. New character introduced.
890 reviews6 followers
June 27, 2025
A food truck competition turns ugly and one of the food truck owners is found dead in his food truck after someone set fire to it. With Colt still in rehab eeryone is working hard to solve this rime and the killer is finally found. Great read.
70 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2025
Great series! Abby loses her family & then moves across the country and gathers a wonderful “family” from friends & employees. I love the way they all work together. Love all the Holiday Bay series!!!
123 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2025
Delightful story bringing in new characters

Paisley came to Holiday Bay to plan a wedding for her best friend. She pulled it off and is considering moving to Holiday Bay. Other happenings...well, just read the book to find out how Colt is healing and how Georgia is feeling.
Profile Image for Joanie Hinton.
729 reviews27 followers
June 25, 2025
Another good story in this on going cozy series. It just keeps moving along and adding new, likable characters.
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1,296 reviews17 followers
June 28, 2025
Abby is nursing Cole

With Cole's family on trips, he is staying at the Inn with Abby. Georgia is pregnant with a little girl. A new character, Piper, will be part of a new series.
35 reviews
June 28, 2025
Kathi Daley series are some of the best

I love how when you wait for the next book in this series, another of her series carries the character stories forward. Read these series.
122 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2025
Everyone should enjoy this book!

I could not put it down! I finished it in a few hours! It is compelling I am sorry I have to wait months for the next book!
114 reviews4 followers
July 1, 2025
Disappointing

Compared to the first 15 books, this book is too wordy and not enjoyable. Difficult to pick up and finish reading
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,161 reviews
July 3, 2025
My review for Answers in the Ashes

I absolutely loved it! So much happens! This is a must read series! I’m looking forward to the new series in the Holiday Bay series!
Profile Image for Stephen Levesque.
2,794 reviews
July 14, 2025
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
103 reviews
July 18, 2025
I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series. Character development is soo good and the mystery plot very well thought out. Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Lisa.
617 reviews25 followers
July 25, 2025
Georgia & Tanner are anticipating a baby. They find out it’s a girl. Colt is healing after being shot. They draw another and her talents into their little town and family.
81 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2025
Another great beach read by Kathi Daley. I really enjoy this series.
1 review
September 10, 2025
resent

The book is good but I resent having to review it to get it off my unread list. I didn’t like book reports in school and I don’t like them now. I just want to read
704 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2025
Answer in the Ashes

This was a tear jerker. Having had a miscarriage myself years ago ago I could understand the feeling and pain that go with that type of sadness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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