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Cottage on Gooseberry Bay #20
Christmas Bells
The bells are back—and so is the mystery.
With Christmas just around the corner, Ainsley and the rest of the Gooseberry Bay crew are embracing the holiday season by volunteering at the local tree lot. But during a snowy late-night shift, a strange and unexpected sound cuts through the winter air—church bells, long silent, ringing out across the bay.
The haunting chime sparks a chilling memory for Jemma and the tragic story of a pastor’s daughter who disappeared on Christmas Eve a decade ago. Her only trace—a jacket left behind in the belltower—left the town shaken. The bells fell silent that night… and hadn’t rung since.
Now, ten years later, with a new pastor at the helm and the bells ringing once more, something has been set in motion pulling Ainsley and the gang into a chilling mystery rooted in the past and echoing through the holiday season.
With Christmas just around the corner, Ainsley and the rest of the Gooseberry Bay crew are embracing the holiday season by volunteering at the local tree lot. But during a snowy late-night shift, a strange and unexpected sound cuts through the winter air—church bells, long silent, ringing out across the bay.
The haunting chime sparks a chilling memory for Jemma and the tragic story of a pastor’s daughter who disappeared on Christmas Eve a decade ago. Her only trace—a jacket left behind in the belltower—left the town shaken. The bells fell silent that night… and hadn’t rung since.
Now, ten years later, with a new pastor at the helm and the bells ringing once more, something has been set in motion pulling Ainsley and the gang into a chilling mystery rooted in the past and echoing through the holiday season.
- GenresMystery
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2025
197 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Daley
327 books1,784 followersKathi 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).
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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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 10, 2025
Book 20 of the Cottage in Gooseberry Bay, I remember reading book 1 and thinking I'd love the series, and I have. I cannot help but download books by this author and read them as soon as possible, finding them hard to put down, this was no exception.
Ainsley and her friends are volunteering at the Christmas Tree lot on the Boardwalk when they hear bells ringing from the Church. Having never heard them before in the 5 years she has lived there, Ainsley was surprised. When she heard the sad tale of why she hadn't heard them, she decided to use her skills as a Private Investigator to try and solve the 10 year old disappearance of Charity Forrester.
Charity was the 16 year old daughter of the Pastor's housekeeper, she went missing on Christmas Eve 10 years previously. The Pastor declared the bells remain silent until she was found. After he retired, the new Pastor resurrected the ringing of the bells.
Ainsley, Parker and their friends all work together to solve this disappearance.
This year, Ainsley is spending the festive season with Adam in her cottage, which she is very excited about.
I loved this book, a really feel good story for the festive season and one I read in 2 sittings as I found it really hard to put down.
The books in this series are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.
If you liked this book, try any of Kathi Daley's other series, they're all equally as good. All cosy mysteries with great characters in them.
Ainsley and her friends are volunteering at the Christmas Tree lot on the Boardwalk when they hear bells ringing from the Church. Having never heard them before in the 5 years she has lived there, Ainsley was surprised. When she heard the sad tale of why she hadn't heard them, she decided to use her skills as a Private Investigator to try and solve the 10 year old disappearance of Charity Forrester.
Charity was the 16 year old daughter of the Pastor's housekeeper, she went missing on Christmas Eve 10 years previously. The Pastor declared the bells remain silent until she was found. After he retired, the new Pastor resurrected the ringing of the bells.
Ainsley, Parker and their friends all work together to solve this disappearance.
This year, Ainsley is spending the festive season with Adam in her cottage, which she is very excited about.
I loved this book, a really feel good story for the festive season and one I read in 2 sittings as I found it really hard to put down.
The books in this series are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.
If you liked this book, try any of Kathi Daley's other series, they're all equally as good. All cosy mysteries with great characters in them.
December 14, 2025
I love Kathi Daley’s series. In Book #20, it’s a couple of weeks before Christmas and a lot is happening in Gooseberry Bay. The church bells that haven’t rung in 10 years after the disappearance of a 16 year old girl suddenly are ringing, as a new Pastor has moved to town and taken over the church. So begins a new mystery to be solved as Ainsley and the Peninsula crew work to find some answers. And, Ainsley and Adam are spending more time together too in her cottage, discussing plans for Christmas and their future. Lovely book to read for the holiday that will leave you smiling.
December 16, 2025
Christmas Bells
I love this series by Kathi Daley. I've read pretty much all her books to date. She has an excellent writing style and an imagination to go with it.
Cozy mysteries have become my favorite. I've read all kinds of mysteries, romance, paranormal, and historical. I this particular version Ainsley helps a girl find her unknown sister and tries to figure out the puzzle of a girl who disappeared 10 years previously. Such a poignant book with great writer.
Highly recommend all of this authors series
I love this series by Kathi Daley. I've read pretty much all her books to date. She has an excellent writing style and an imagination to go with it.
Cozy mysteries have become my favorite. I've read all kinds of mysteries, romance, paranormal, and historical. I this particular version Ainsley helps a girl find her unknown sister and tries to figure out the puzzle of a girl who disappeared 10 years previously. Such a poignant book with great writer.
Highly recommend all of this authors series
January 17, 2026
Another great book from Kathi Daley. The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay.
This book had the Cottage on Gooseberry folks looking forward to and then celebrating Christmas. The mystery of what happened to a young lady who went missing 10 years was woven throughout the book. As the story got to Christmas the main character (Ainsley, private investigator) gets engaged to her significant other. The story of the missing woman had a good ending. The characters are amazing and I really enjoy this series.
This book had the Cottage on Gooseberry folks looking forward to and then celebrating Christmas. The mystery of what happened to a young lady who went missing 10 years was woven throughout the book. As the story got to Christmas the main character (Ainsley, private investigator) gets engaged to her significant other. The story of the missing woman had a good ending. The characters are amazing and I really enjoy this series.
December 11, 2025
Good Christmas book
As always there were two story lines in this latest book in the series. A recent story about separated twins and a ten year old cold case. I am not sure how I felt about the ending of the second story. It was interesting but gave me doubts about how I wanted it to end.
As always there were two story lines in this latest book in the series. A recent story about separated twins and a ten year old cold case. I am not sure how I felt about the ending of the second story. It was interesting but gave me doubts about how I wanted it to end.
December 30, 2025
Finally!!!
Interesting, intriguing, romantic, loving...okay, I ran out of words to use without giving anything away!! The mystery did not go the way I thought it would but...okay. Twists and turns and thoughts left for future tales to tell. Thank you, Kathi, for another reunion with my friends on the peninsula!!!
Interesting, intriguing, romantic, loving...okay, I ran out of words to use without giving anything away!! The mystery did not go the way I thought it would but...okay. Twists and turns and thoughts left for future tales to tell. Thank you, Kathi, for another reunion with my friends on the peninsula!!!
January 1, 2026
This is the last book of the series and the first book in the series I have read. I felt it was simplistic in its story and its writing. It was an easy read and feel it could be a read for an older teen or young adult. I guess I would describe it as tame, which is not bad, but I enjoy a bit more depth in a read.
December 11, 2025
Great series
I love how the characters evolve throughout the books. There is always a mystery or two, and those involved in solving the mystery are capable. Ainsley is a PI, Parker is a crime reporter, and Avery works for the FBI. Loved the ending!
I love how the characters evolve throughout the books. There is always a mystery or two, and those involved in solving the mystery are capable. Ainsley is a PI, Parker is a crime reporter, and Avery works for the FBI. Loved the ending!
December 12, 2025
A very good book
I honestly enjoyed the latest book in this series. It was well worth reading. I truely enjoyed how almost everything was tied up with a big red bow in the end. Left a big smile on my face. Perfect for a Cmas read.
I honestly enjoyed the latest book in this series. It was well worth reading. I truely enjoyed how almost everything was tied up with a big red bow in the end. Left a big smile on my face. Perfect for a Cmas read.
December 12, 2025
Ready for More!
I so enjoyed this book. Ainsley continues to use her life experiences to help others, and so as not to include a “spoiler “ I’ll just say everything wraps up satisfactorily.
I so enjoyed this book. Ainsley continues to use her life experiences to help others, and so as not to include a “spoiler “ I’ll just say everything wraps up satisfactorily.
December 17, 2025
Two mysteries with a lovely holiday ending
As this series continues, mysteries get solved, friendships deepen, relationships grow. As always characterizations are as important as solving the mysteries that come to the folks on the peninsula in Gooseberry Bay.
As this series continues, mysteries get solved, friendships deepen, relationships grow. As always characterizations are as important as solving the mysteries that come to the folks on the peninsula in Gooseberry Bay.
January 8, 2026
The bells are ringing but for who
The mystery of the bells is a good one. But the Winter Ball also has alot of meaning this time too. So is the mystery solved? But more important did she get a ring and did she say yes?
The mystery of the bells is a good one. But the Winter Ball also has alot of meaning this time too. So is the mystery solved? But more important did she get a ring and did she say yes?
January 28, 2026
A Must Read
Finially, a very happy ending!! This whole series has been great. The author has several things going on at once and ties them all together to create a fabulous story. Can't wait for the next one!!
Finially, a very happy ending!! This whole series has been great. The author has several things going on at once and ties them all together to create a fabulous story. Can't wait for the next one!!
December 10, 2025
Wonderful heartwarming characters
I love all the characters in this series and all of Kathi's series. Love where this series is going. I feel like all characters are real.
I love all the characters in this series and all of Kathi's series. Love where this series is going. I feel like all characters are real.
December 13, 2025
Love this series.
December 31, 2025
another sweet cozy
I love the Peninsula crew in Gooseberry Bay. They work together so well. I particularly love the ending of this one. I can’t wait to see what develops.
I love the Peninsula crew in Gooseberry Bay. They work together so well. I particularly love the ending of this one. I can’t wait to see what develops.
January 15, 2026
love this series
These books never disappoint! Each one is a new mystery to solve with old friends! Looking forward to the next one!
These books never disappoint! Each one is a new mystery to solve with old friends! Looking forward to the next one!
January 16, 2026
Great book
I love this series and all of the characters and the animals. More mysteries to solve and what a great ending.
I love this series and all of the characters and the animals. More mysteries to solve and what a great ending.
December 13, 2025
Wow, it's about time! Can't wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews