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Sun Harbor #1
Murder at Sunrise
A quirky community center, two irresistible rescue animals, and a body in the yoga studio…
When big-city Alice Monroe inherits her aunt’s beloved community center in Sun Harbor, Maine, she expects a quick sign the papers, sell the place, and escape back to her beige Boston life. Instead, she’s adopted by a scruffy mutt named Clyde and Winky, a one-eyed cat with attitude—and lands smack in the middle of a murder investigation.
The town’s most disliked woman is found dead in the yoga studio, and Alice—already the outsider—becomes both witness and amateur sleuth. Teaming up with Sunrise’s devoted manager, a band of quirky locals, and the frustratingly handsome Police Chief Noah Hawthorne, Alice uncovers a tangle of blackmail, betrayals, and a real estate developer who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
As Alice gets pulled deeper into small-town life (and the affections of her new four-legged friends), she starts to wonder if Sun Harbor might be the fresh start she never knew she needed. But first, she’ll have to find a killer—before her new beginning becomes a dead end.
Murder at Sunrise is a warm, witty, and twisty cozy mystery—perfect for fans of animal sidekicks, small-town secrets, and starting over.
When big-city Alice Monroe inherits her aunt’s beloved community center in Sun Harbor, Maine, she expects a quick sign the papers, sell the place, and escape back to her beige Boston life. Instead, she’s adopted by a scruffy mutt named Clyde and Winky, a one-eyed cat with attitude—and lands smack in the middle of a murder investigation.
The town’s most disliked woman is found dead in the yoga studio, and Alice—already the outsider—becomes both witness and amateur sleuth. Teaming up with Sunrise’s devoted manager, a band of quirky locals, and the frustratingly handsome Police Chief Noah Hawthorne, Alice uncovers a tangle of blackmail, betrayals, and a real estate developer who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
As Alice gets pulled deeper into small-town life (and the affections of her new four-legged friends), she starts to wonder if Sun Harbor might be the fresh start she never knew she needed. But first, she’ll have to find a killer—before her new beginning becomes a dead end.
Murder at Sunrise is a warm, witty, and twisty cozy mystery—perfect for fans of animal sidekicks, small-town secrets, and starting over.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 17, 2025
Alice feels her life is a disaster but never thought of leaving her steady but boring job in Boston. So, when she inherited a community center in a small town in Maine her plan was to make a weekend trip to Sun Harbor, sign some papers and list the center for sale. However, a murder changed everything.
The cute cover first caught my eye, but the story delivered so much more than I expected. I loved the diverse cast of characters and the way they supported one another throughout. On top of that, the community center concept felt inspiring—something that would benefit towns everywhere.
The cute cover first caught my eye, but the story delivered so much more than I expected. I loved the diverse cast of characters and the way they supported one another throughout. On top of that, the community center concept felt inspiring—something that would benefit towns everywhere.
February 23, 2026
I really enjoyed meeting Alice and her new friends in Sun Harbor. I knew she’d make the right decision eventually, but it was a little nail-biting at times, especially after a murder took place in the yoga studio and someone was really after Alice to sell the place. I can definitely see a world where maybe Alice and the nice police chief could be a couple.
During the Christmas festivities at the end of the book something happened that makes me wanna read that next book right now. Can’t wait to see how Alice handles that problem!
During the Christmas festivities at the end of the book something happened that makes me wanna read that next book right now. Can’t wait to see how Alice handles that problem!
June 20, 2026
Murder at Sunrise
Holly Finch, has such an imagination to write such a entertaining story. She puts an unbelievable group of characters together to create a small town, and community center that touches so many lives at their point of need. I haven't even mentioned the stray dog and one eyed cat. You will come to love both of them. Maggie the Aunt who died after creating the Sun Harbor Community Center, had seen the need to leave it to her Great Nice. Wait did I mention the murder, oh you will learn about it as you read. Enjoy reading I sure did. Tell someone about it!
Holly Finch, has such an imagination to write such a entertaining story. She puts an unbelievable group of characters together to create a small town, and community center that touches so many lives at their point of need. I haven't even mentioned the stray dog and one eyed cat. You will come to love both of them. Maggie the Aunt who died after creating the Sun Harbor Community Center, had seen the need to leave it to her Great Nice. Wait did I mention the murder, oh you will learn about it as you read. Enjoy reading I sure did. Tell someone about it!
December 18, 2025
Intriguing Mystery by Holly Finch
A great story of a life changing event with a little murder. The characters were very well written and realistic. The ending was fantastic, don't miss this exciting story.
A great story of a life changing event with a little murder. The characters were very well written and realistic. The ending was fantastic, don't miss this exciting story.
June 18, 2026
Murder at sunrise by holly finch is such a fun novella!!! It entertained me while keeping me glued to the pages!! Moves along at a nice pace- incredible character development and a fun storyline !!
June 20, 2026
Heartwarming
Wonderful! Character development was special, the plot quite interesting, and the setting warm and seasonal. Enjoy this book in front of a warm fireplace.
Wonderful! Character development was special, the plot quite interesting, and the setting warm and seasonal. Enjoy this book in front of a warm fireplace.
July 11, 2026
I really liked the sound of this book, however I have 2 main gripes with it. Firstly we have Alice. She isn’t a very endearing protagonist. She seems more of a thundercloud of a character. A pessimist who is still wallowing in her own gloomy emotions, and when suddenly surrounded with happy upbeat characters, she does not come off as all that likeable. Secondly, this is not a case solved by the end book. It’s more of a serialised format, where you just have a breakthrough moment, followed by a cliffhanger… and that’s it. Frustrating.
Update: turns out that it wasn’t the end of the book. Ran into the same issue in bk 2 and realised that it was a freaking promotion for the authors mailing list - in the middle of the book! So I went back and sure enough, the story continues after in both books. Who does that? 🤬 Honestly 🤦🏻♀️
On a positive note, I did like what I saw of the community centre that’s at the heart of the contention. Enjoyed the brief look we got of the secondary characters, plus the adorable Clyde and Winky. So I will be picking up the next book. I just hope that we get a bit of levity in Alice, cause she definitely brings the mood down at present.
3 stars
Update: turns out that it wasn’t the end of the book. Ran into the same issue in bk 2 and realised that it was a freaking promotion for the authors mailing list - in the middle of the book! So I went back and sure enough, the story continues after in both books. Who does that? 🤬 Honestly 🤦🏻♀️
On a positive note, I did like what I saw of the community centre that’s at the heart of the contention. Enjoyed the brief look we got of the secondary characters, plus the adorable Clyde and Winky. So I will be picking up the next book. I just hope that we get a bit of levity in Alice, cause she definitely brings the mood down at present.
3 stars
June 19, 2026
Alice, accountant, who works in Boston, inherits a community center in Sun Harbor, Maine from her Aunt Maggie. Before she meets with Atty Pritchard, she thought she would sell it.
However, after being there less than 2 weeks she decides to stay and run it.
She discovers Venessa ( a mean woman who blackmailed and stole from people) KILLED in the Yoga studio, around 6:30;
Patricia Hartwell, real estate, offered 2 million for the center, to tear it down, She is the KILLER;
Employees - Nina - 20 years and Stephanie;
Noah Hawthorne - police chief;
Derek - strength training, Sienna - yoga leader;
Carol;
Brad - ex fiance comes at the end and said he made a mistake........
However, after being there less than 2 weeks she decides to stay and run it.
She discovers Venessa ( a mean woman who blackmailed and stole from people) KILLED in the Yoga studio, around 6:30;
Patricia Hartwell, real estate, offered 2 million for the center, to tear it down, She is the KILLER;
Employees - Nina - 20 years and Stephanie;
Noah Hawthorne - police chief;
Derek - strength training, Sienna - yoga leader;
Carol;
Brad - ex fiance comes at the end and said he made a mistake........
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
This was ok…. She seems to lie a lot 🤣🤣. Pretty much a cut and dry murder case. There were parts that I thought were over described. A lot of repeating statements. Not a bad book …. Just ok IMO. Happy Reading :)
July 23, 2026
What a fun book, enjoyed getting to know Alice, Nina and the crew at the Sunrise, along with Clyde and Winky, such good writing made you feel you were actually there with everyone, a brilliant start to a series, I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
July 30, 2026
a cute read
This is a charming book that is easy to read. The characters are believable and varied. It is well written and inviting the reader into the lives of those characters.
This is a charming book that is easy to read. The characters are believable and varied. It is well written and inviting the reader into the lives of those characters.
December 17, 2025
Alice feels her life is a disaster but never thought of leaving her steady but boring job in Boston. So, when she inherited a community center in a small town in Maine her plan was to make a weekend trip to Sun Harbor, sign some papers and list the center for sale. However, a murder changed everything.
The cute cover first caught my eye, but the story delivered so much more than I expected. I loved the diverse cast of characters and the way they supported one another throughout. On top of that, the community center concept felt inspiring—something that would benefit towns everywhere.
The cute cover first caught my eye, but the story delivered so much more than I expected. I loved the diverse cast of characters and the way they supported one another throughout. On top of that, the community center concept felt inspiring—something that would benefit towns everywhere.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews