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The Inn at Holiday Bay #39
Detours in Destiny
Spring is giving way to summer in the charming coastal town of Holiday Bay, Maine, where blooming gardens seem to offer the promise of sun-soaked beaches and long, carefree days in the sun. But as the season shifts, so does the mood—because in Holiday Bay, even the brightest days can hide the darkest secrets.
The highlight of early summer is the much-anticipated three-day cookoff hosted by beloved chef Georgia Carter Peyton. After the chaos of her last event, Georgia is determined to deliver a flawless competition—and for a while, it seems she just might succeed. That is, until one of the contestants is found dead.
All eyes turn to the obvious suspect, a hot-headed local who was seen arguing with the victim just hours before the murder and who even took a swing at Abby when she tried to break things up. With motive and opportunity firmly in place, there appears to be a clear path to close the case, but Abby isn’t convinced it’s that simple.
With Colt tied up with his new job and Mackey out of town visiting Tyler, Abby finds herself with something rare—free time. And she isn’t about to waste it. Trusting her instincts, she begins digging into things on her own.
Meanwhile, four men in their seventies arrive in Holiday Bay as part of a yearlong “Detour in Destiny” tour. Bound by a pact to revisit roads not taken, the longtime friends are determined to explore the lives they might have lived.
The highlight of early summer is the much-anticipated three-day cookoff hosted by beloved chef Georgia Carter Peyton. After the chaos of her last event, Georgia is determined to deliver a flawless competition—and for a while, it seems she just might succeed. That is, until one of the contestants is found dead.
All eyes turn to the obvious suspect, a hot-headed local who was seen arguing with the victim just hours before the murder and who even took a swing at Abby when she tried to break things up. With motive and opportunity firmly in place, there appears to be a clear path to close the case, but Abby isn’t convinced it’s that simple.
With Colt tied up with his new job and Mackey out of town visiting Tyler, Abby finds herself with something rare—free time. And she isn’t about to waste it. Trusting her instincts, she begins digging into things on her own.
Meanwhile, four men in their seventies arrive in Holiday Bay as part of a yearlong “Detour in Destiny” tour. Bound by a pact to revisit roads not taken, the longtime friends are determined to explore the lives they might have lived.
- GenresMystery
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Kathi Daley
554 books1,790 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 15, 2026
This is a long running cosy mystery series by Kathi Daley, and I love it. Easy to read books, no cliff hangers and characters who appear in each book.
Set in Holiday Bay, Maine; Abby bought a deserted Inn sight unseen, after a personal tradegy when she lost her family, and she needed a new start. Over the years, several people have come and they've stayed, working at the Inn and they have become her 'Inn family'. Now settled with her fiancee, Detective Colt Wilder living with her and together building a house on the property, she is a valued member of the community.
Abby tends to get herself involved in the crimes and murders which occur in the area, and she's been instrumental in solving some of them.
In this book, Georgia (Abby's business partner and Inn manager) is filming a cooking contest for her cooking show in the town. She's the Inn chef and hosts a cooking show at the Inn. When one of the contestants is found dead, Abby helps Alex, the towns Police Chief and Colt, piece together the clues and find the murderer.
Each book is a standalone story, but the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.
I really enjoy the books in this series, and if you liked this book, try other series by the same author. Some of the other series I've enjoyed are Rescue Alaska; Tess and Tilly; The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay; Rescue on Gooseberry Bay; Resort at Castaway Bay, and many more. There are spin off series from this book, also set in Holiday Bay. The Bookstore at Holiday Bay; The Bakeshop at Holiday Bay and The Bistro at Holiday Bay. Some books also feature characters from other series too.
Set in Holiday Bay, Maine; Abby bought a deserted Inn sight unseen, after a personal tradegy when she lost her family, and she needed a new start. Over the years, several people have come and they've stayed, working at the Inn and they have become her 'Inn family'. Now settled with her fiancee, Detective Colt Wilder living with her and together building a house on the property, she is a valued member of the community.
Abby tends to get herself involved in the crimes and murders which occur in the area, and she's been instrumental in solving some of them.
In this book, Georgia (Abby's business partner and Inn manager) is filming a cooking contest for her cooking show in the town. She's the Inn chef and hosts a cooking show at the Inn. When one of the contestants is found dead, Abby helps Alex, the towns Police Chief and Colt, piece together the clues and find the murderer.
Each book is a standalone story, but the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.
I really enjoy the books in this series, and if you liked this book, try other series by the same author. Some of the other series I've enjoyed are Rescue Alaska; Tess and Tilly; The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay; Rescue on Gooseberry Bay; Resort at Castaway Bay, and many more. There are spin off series from this book, also set in Holiday Bay. The Bookstore at Holiday Bay; The Bakeshop at Holiday Bay and The Bistro at Holiday Bay. Some books also feature characters from other series too.
May 24, 2026
This was an entertaining mystery in the author's usual style of telling the story through the discussions of the various main characters.
Amazon synopsis:
Spring is giving way to summer in the charming coastal town of Holiday Bay, Maine, where blooming gardens seem to offer the promise of sun-soaked beaches and long, carefree days in the sun. But as the season shifts, so does the mood—because in Holiday Bay, even the brightest days can hide the darkest secrets.
The highlight of early summer is the much-anticipated three-day cookoff hosted by beloved chef Georgia Carter Peyton. After the chaos of her last event, Georgia is determined to deliver a flawless competition—and for a while, it seems she just might succeed. That is, until one of the contestants is found dead.
All eyes turn to the obvious suspect, a hot-headed local who was seen arguing with the victim just hours before the murder and who even took a swing at Abby when she tried to break things up. With motive and opportunity firmly in place, there appears to be a clear path to close the case, but Abby isn’t convinced it’s that simple.
With Colt tied up with his new job and Mackey out of town visiting Tyler, Abby finds herself with something rare—free time. And she isn’t about to waste it. Trusting her instincts, she begins digging into things on her own.
Meanwhile, four men in their seventies arrive in Holiday Bay as part of a yearlong “Detour in Destiny” tour. Bound by a pact to revisit roads not taken, the longtime friends are determined to explore the lives they might have lived.
Amazon synopsis:
Spring is giving way to summer in the charming coastal town of Holiday Bay, Maine, where blooming gardens seem to offer the promise of sun-soaked beaches and long, carefree days in the sun. But as the season shifts, so does the mood—because in Holiday Bay, even the brightest days can hide the darkest secrets.
The highlight of early summer is the much-anticipated three-day cookoff hosted by beloved chef Georgia Carter Peyton. After the chaos of her last event, Georgia is determined to deliver a flawless competition—and for a while, it seems she just might succeed. That is, until one of the contestants is found dead.
All eyes turn to the obvious suspect, a hot-headed local who was seen arguing with the victim just hours before the murder and who even took a swing at Abby when she tried to break things up. With motive and opportunity firmly in place, there appears to be a clear path to close the case, but Abby isn’t convinced it’s that simple.
With Colt tied up with his new job and Mackey out of town visiting Tyler, Abby finds herself with something rare—free time. And she isn’t about to waste it. Trusting her instincts, she begins digging into things on her own.
Meanwhile, four men in their seventies arrive in Holiday Bay as part of a yearlong “Detour in Destiny” tour. Bound by a pact to revisit roads not taken, the longtime friends are determined to explore the lives they might have lived.
May 31, 2026
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Abby Sullivan and some of their close friends are the amateur sleuths and are a great help to the officers in figuring out. The victim in this one is Rose who Abby tries to break up in an argument in the parking lot of the week-end bake off and gets hit in the face. Follow them as they try to find out who done it. I didn't figure it out til almost the very end. A GREAT COZY MYSTERY READ.
May 16, 2026
Page turner
Another great story in the Holiday Inn series. Georgia is working at a cooking contest, Abby tries to break up a fight between two women and gets hit when the intended victim of the punch ducks. Then, a contestant in the contest doesn't show up, and Georgia asks Abby to check on her. Read the book in one evening and look forward to more in the series.
Another great story in the Holiday Inn series. Georgia is working at a cooking contest, Abby tries to break up a fight between two women and gets hit when the intended victim of the punch ducks. Then, a contestant in the contest doesn't show up, and Georgia asks Abby to check on her. Read the book in one evening and look forward to more in the series.
May 21, 2026
I love this series
A cook off as part of Georgia's cooking show and her cookbook is taking place and of course there's a death to be investigated. Abby has some interesting guests at the inn who were all looking for missing people. In the end, both good and bad outcomes happened but happy endings are involved. Absolutely love this series and recommend to anyone that asks.
A cook off as part of Georgia's cooking show and her cookbook is taking place and of course there's a death to be investigated. Abby has some interesting guests at the inn who were all looking for missing people. In the end, both good and bad outcomes happened but happy endings are involved. Absolutely love this series and recommend to anyone that asks.
May 12, 2026
Kept me guessing
Another chapter in the lives of Holiday Bay characters that I’ve come to know and think of as friends, this one certainly kept me guessing until the last few pages. I have enjoyed this series, and I am looking forward to the next book already.
Another chapter in the lives of Holiday Bay characters that I’ve come to know and think of as friends, this one certainly kept me guessing until the last few pages. I have enjoyed this series, and I am looking forward to the next book already.
May 15, 2026
Another good mystery from Kathi Daley in the Holiday Bay series. I love the characters that have come together from different places to live in Holiday Bay & the characters that come to stay at the hotel. Love this series! Can’t wait for the next one!
May 16, 2026
The Inn at Holiday Bay: Detours in Destiny
This is the perfect title for this book,and sums up all the adventures. I love how the author can weave values, hope ,joy and the reality that not all of
I've comes up rosy.
This is the perfect title for this book,and sums up all the adventures. I love how the author can weave values, hope ,joy and the reality that not all of
I've comes up rosy.
May 17, 2026
Twists and turns are a part of every murder but this book had so many.
The plot was exciting. Poor Willetia guilty of having made bad choices and bad luck almost put her in jail. The ending became quite a surprise.
The plot was exciting. Poor Willetia guilty of having made bad choices and bad luck almost put her in jail. The ending became quite a surprise.
May 12, 2026
Another good story for the characters in Holiday Bay. The guests at The Inn this time had interesting stories involving missing people from their pasts. And of course a murder to be solved!
May 14, 2026
Another Great Book
I love the characters in this series and the friendships that have developed. The original of all the series and my favorite.
I love the characters in this series and the friendships that have developed. The original of all the series and my favorite.
May 17, 2026
enjoyed the latest episode, looking forward to the next...
May 19, 2026
Newest book in the fantastic The Inn at Holiday Bay series.
May 20, 2026
My review for Detours in Destiny
I absolutely loved it! I love all the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
I absolutely loved it! I love all the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
May 17, 2026
I enjoyed this chapter, can't wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews