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It is the week before Christmas and the Dolphin Bay Resort where Lani works is packed with holiday visitors. There is a strange flu working its way through the staff at the resort so those who are left have been asked to work double shifts. Lani works as a lifeguard by day and a Santa's Helper at night. Things go from bad to worse when Lani finds Santa dead in the alley behind the loading dock during the big Step into Christmas event the resort is sponsoring. As it turns out Santa is really one of the seniors who participates in the same Monday afternoon bingo game as Lani and her neighbor Elva, so Elva convinces Lani to investigate along with Luke and the senior sleuthing gang we saw in book 2 in the series.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2016

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About the author

Kathi Daley

321 books1,791 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
254 (55%)
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132 (28%)
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65 (14%)
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8 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Langford.
1,608 reviews14 followers
December 19, 2016
Let author Kathi Daley's "Murder at Christmas" embrace you in it's warm Hawaiian Christmas cozy aura. Yes, the story opens with the murder of a jolly Santa Claus who's a friend of Lani and Kekoa's at Dolphin Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. Naturally, his friends are upset and Lani's sleuthing skills come in handy as she searches for answers to his untimely death. There's more than meets the eye as Ms. Daley skillfully hides the killer until she's ready to reveal the identity. Love is flourishing between Lani and Luke--her handsome, wealthy horse rancher as they participate in holiday traditions and plan new ones of their own. Always a hard-to-put-down book--Kathi Daley writes another winner for cozy fans.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book courtesy of the author.
Profile Image for Meg.
612 reviews
December 30, 2018
This is the last book I'll be reading for 2018, and I'm glad I chose a quick, easy read set in sunny Hawaii. Love all the characters, major and minor, and have earmarked the next in the series for next year.

Speaking of which, it's hard to believe another year is upon us!. Happy 2019 to all my fellow readers!
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews43 followers
December 4, 2016
Murder at Christmas is the fourth book in Kathi Daley’s Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series and it is a fun an easy read. The characters are well developed, delightful, realistic, and likeable, and the storyline is well plotted. I love Ms. Daley’s writing style and she has once again succeeded in writing a wonderfully crafted whodunit, mixed with a sweet romance, which held my interest throughout the entire story and kept me guessing until the final reveal. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy well-crafted cozies.

Lani Pope is a water safety officer at the Dolphin Bay Resort on the island of Oahu, Hawaii but because the many of the employees have come down with the flu, she’s working double shifts and is filling in as Santa’s Helper at the resort’s Step into Christmas party. The original Santa called in sick and Lani arranged for Sam Riverton, a member of the senior group her friend, Elva, belongs to to be the substitute Santa. When Sam is late arriving at the party, Lani sets out to find him. She’s successful in her search, but sadly, discovers that he’s been murdered behind the loading dock. When the senior group members who are attending the party as Sam’s guests learn what happened, they are determined to help with the investigation. Since the group has helped Lani and her boyfriend, Luke Austin, with investigations in the past, they know there’s no way to stop the senior group but worry about their safety. Lani’s brother, Jason, is a detective for the Honolulu Police Department and while he doesn’t want Lani involved and in harm’s way, he agrees Lani and Luke should watch over the seniors and keep him informed of anything they discover.
72 reviews
December 12, 2016
Kailani (Lani) Pope, a water safety officer for the Dolphin Bay Resort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, has had to work extra shifts because half of the resort’s employees have come down with the flu. She was working as Santa’s helper for the Step into Christmas event when she found Santa dead. He had been hit on the back of the head in the alley near the loading dock behind the hotel. The victim was Sam Riverton, a friendly, well-liked man who volunteered his time helping with the school reading program and at the soup kitchen operated by the church. Since Lani had recruited Sam to fill in for the regular Santa, who was ill, she felt compelled, along with her boyfriend, Luke, and the “senior sleuth mystery brigade” from the senior center to assist the local police department with the investigation.

Twists, turns, and red herrings fill this fun, cozy mystery story. As always, Mrs. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable read.
595 reviews15 followers
August 15, 2017
I loved this book, when it opens with Santa found dead you know that you are in for an interesting read. When it turns out to be one of the seniors they want answers. They join Lani and Luke in the search for the murderer.
I love Ms. Daley's characters, she always keeps them real and believable, people that you would love to spend time with and leaves you waiting for the next one so that you can revisit. I admit that I figured why but I definitely didn't have the who, Ms. Daley's takes you on a journey of twists and turns that keeps you second guessing yourself and she ties it up with a great ending. I will definitely continue on with this series.
Profile Image for Sandy Bartles.
1,395 reviews38 followers
December 5, 2016
This is another exciting Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery! Christmas is coming and the flu has hit many of the employees at the Dolphin Bay Resort. Those who aren't sick are having to work double shifts. On top of that, Lani is asked to help solve the murder of a friend. With all that is going on, the author was able to keep us on track and very interested to learn what was going to happen next. I love reading about Lani and Luke and their friends. I can't wait for the time we read more about Lani's family. This is an excellent series and hope it continues on for a long time!
Profile Image for Karen.
Author 27 books164 followers
December 11, 2017
An enjoyable story. I hadn't read any of the earlier ones so had a little problem with the characters. The solution needed a few more clues, I thought.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
December 5, 2016
Murder At Christmas ( Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery-Book 4 )
By: Kathi Daley
Murder At Christmas is book four in Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Series by Kathi Daley. Daley has did it again, she has written another cozy mystery winner. Her stories captures you at the start and holds onto you till the end. She does not disappoint me. The story is written well and easy to follow. Everyone is gearing up of Christmas at the Dolphin Bay Resort where Lani works. There is a very bad case of the flu going around and Lani has to find a substitute for Santa. Sam, a senior, was to play Santa ,but someone killed him before he could. Now who would want to kill Santa? The seniors are upset and wants to help Lani and Luke find the killer. Between finding who killed Sam, Santa, and a jewelry thief at the resort , Lani and Luke is having a hard time finishing their Christmas and finding time to themselves. I loved this Christmas cozy mystery with some romance. The author kept me guessing about the mysteries till the end.
Profile Image for Marissa.
3,583 reviews47 followers
December 5, 2016
Kindle Copy for Review

As Christmas is approaching Lani finds herself overwork as the flu bug hits the resort where she works. Even Santa has been hit with the flu, so she asks one of the seniors who she volunteers to last minute fill in. But things go awry when he is missing and Lani finds his murdered body.

Not really wanting to investigate, she and Luke find themselves in the investigation as the senior gang of sleuths seeks justice for their friend. In order to protect them from serious possible injuries they question the possible suspects trying to keep them from harm.

Mix in between their sleuthing they try to spread Christmas spirit. Once again, we are engage by the story and the characters.
Profile Image for Taryn.
1,114 reviews32 followers
December 14, 2016
Ho Ho Dead

When Santa turns up dead it's up to Lani to help solve his murder, while also keeping the seniors group out of harm's way. Will she have the time, with work, wanting to spend time with Luke, and Christmas fast approaching? Jump in and find out!!! I love the special relationship that Lani and Luke have with the local seniors group and you will to. It's not just a great mystery but also a story of family and friendship. What a wonderful addition to this fun cozy mystery series.
661 reviews17 followers
December 10, 2016
It's Christmas in Hawaii! But, the flu bug has hit a lot of employees at the Dolphin Bay Resort, so those who are able to are working extra shifts. The person who was to play Santa is ill. So, Lani recommends a senior friend for the job. Unfortunately, this friend is murdered at the resort. Lani, Luke and the senior gang work on trying to figure out who the murderer was.

I enjoyed this book- plenty of twists and turns. I am looking forward to the next book in this series!


1,063 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2016
Great read

I love kathi Daley. All of her books pull you into another place no matter which one you read you will love all the characters I can't wait for the next book
Profile Image for RM(Alwaysdaddygirl).
456 reviews64 followers
April 27, 2017
I enjoy the fourth book of Kailani Pope. I liked learning about Christmas in the tradition of Hawaii. It was also interesting of how true Southern ladies decorate. I love the recipes at the end.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,209 reviews60 followers
December 6, 2016
“Murder at Christmas” earns 5/5 Santa Hats and an Umbrella-ed Egg Nog!

We start with warm tropical breezes, umbrella-ed drinks, festive vacationers, and…a dead Santa. Kailani Pope, the Water Safety Officer at the Dolphin Bay Resort, is filling in as a holiday elf, grass skirt and all, and on her way to the Step into Christmas party, stumbles upon Sam Riverton bludgeoned in the alley. She is not a novice to murder victims, they’ve popped up before, and most of her family are in law enforcement and she hopes one day to do the same, but Sam was a nice man. It was a disturbing sight: a red suit, a red hat, a pool of red blood.

The resort staff has been hit with bouts of the flu. Everyone is filling in where needed, and Sam Riverton agreed to be the substitute Santa Claus, the original person slated for the job also had come down with the ‘bug.’ The seniors—quirky sixty/seventy-somethings, close friends to the victim, and guests at the Step into Christmas party—decide they’d proven themselves useful in a previous case and therefore owe it to Sam to help solve his murder.

Lani, her boyfriend Luke, and the seniors join together to explore alibis for a suspect list covering squabbling neighbors, sibling rivalries, ex-wives, and lots of senior center ‘hook ups.’ Along with planning a Christmas Eve party fit for King Kamehameha, they find a rash of robberies, missing security footage, a secret the victim doesn’t want revealed, shadows on tape, and a seemingly good-natured prank.

Although this is the fourth book in the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series, it is the first for the Christmas season, and I promise, just as exciting. I loved the eccentric ‘seniors’ snipping at each other, the evolving romance between Lani and Luke, and the clever way Kathi engages all of our senses and emotions. She sends us around the island interrogating suspects and joining WSO Lani on a desperate search for a missing child. It’s not a long story, but engaging and fun, with the right amount of ‘Oh, my!’ We are also treated with more delectables to add to our personal Kathi Daley cookbook with recipes fit for a Christmas Day brunch: French Toast, Cranberry Mellow Salad, along with cookies and cakes!
Profile Image for Doward Wilson.
752 reviews18 followers
December 22, 2016
Meet Kailani Pope, a water safety officer, at the ritzy and pricey, Dolphin Bay Resort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Coming from a large family of cops, it's her dream to become one, but being height challenged is slowing her dream down. When her senior citizen friend Sam is killed while filling in as an emergency replacement for a sick Santa at the resort, Lani, her group of senior sleuths and her boyfriend go to work to find the murderer. With fun and endearing characters and a tropical setting, this series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. It is like being on a unique vacation adventure with each new book because the murders are well conceived and this one is especially twisted. I enjoy the character mix of youth and seniors working together and giving me a lot of laughs on the way.
Profile Image for Penny Marks.
363 reviews13 followers
December 29, 2016
Such a great series! I love all of Kathi Daley's series but have to say this one is becoming a quick favorite.
Who would want to kill Santa especially at Christmas??? Kailani Pope, Luke her boyfriend, and the senior gang is on the case. Unfortunately Santa is part of the regular senior gang which makes this even more personal.
Perfect blend of mystery, humor, and friendship is part of this great series. You won't want to put this book down and maybe even find a beach to put your feet in while reading.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,857 reviews
May 27, 2019
Just before Christmas at the Dolphin Bay Resort and they're expecting Santa at the party but he seems to be running late so Lani goes looking for him. When she finds his body she's prepared to leave solving the mystery to her brother and the police but the seniors have another plan.

Well written with great characters, the fourth book in the Sand and Sea series is a wonderful read. I highly recommend this series. it
729 reviews7 followers
May 6, 2017
Great Christmas Story

This is a great book with lots of Christmas cheer and the murder of Santa Claus. I mean if you're going to write a Christmas mystery who better to have murdered than the big man himself.
Profile Image for Raelene Cowley.
131 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2017
Christmas in Hawaii?

Really have enjoyed this series from Hawaii. I swear Kathi must have been a deceive once. She can really keep you guessing on "who done it" in her books. I wonder if a good detective can figure out who the culprit is! Excellent!!
~Raelene~
1,033 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2021
Lani and Luke

The group that live in the condos where Lani and Kekoa live are a family. They are very nice and look out for each other. Lani has finally allowed herself to commit to Luke.
31 reviews
March 2, 2024
Murder at Christmas ( a sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery)

Fun read.
Great cast of characters.
Mystery is not an easy solve, like the authors descriptions of places and things in Hawaii.
The only downside is they sometimes feel to short, wanting to continue the story.
4,417 reviews43 followers
March 3, 2019
“Santa was dead”. And, where is *****? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
167 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2019
Good

I am on vacation and enjoying this author. I have been reading one book after another. So relaxing and entertaining
974 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2020
Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #4

Definitely enjoyed reading this book in the series. The characters and storylines are interesting and worth getting to know each.
Profile Image for D.
1,298 reviews16 followers
October 25, 2020
A Santa substitute is killed. As he is a friend to the seniors, they are insisting being part of the investigation. Shredder and Luke are conspiring to keep Lani safe and in the dark.
Profile Image for Lisa.
623 reviews28 followers
February 17, 2024
Lani and Luke take on volunteer jobs as they search for who killed Santa. The senior sleuthing gang joins to help as they also help to plan a Christmas get together.
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews58 followers
March 14, 2017
Kindle Unlimited liked it but didn't love it hence 4 stars. Wasn't anything stupid such as typos or anything like that, just didn't love this.

Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 1)
Murder at Sunrise (A Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 2)
Murder at the Witching Hour (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #3)
Murder at Christmas (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #4)

Zoe Donovan, Whales and Tails, Sand and Sea, others, check out amazon page
Profile Image for Mary Brown.
1,298 reviews74 followers
December 9, 2016
Murder At Christmas
Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery, Book #4
Kathi Daley
5 Stars

Synopsis:

It is the week before Christmas and the Dolphin Bay Resort where Lani works is packed with holiday visitors. There is a strange flu working its way through the staff at the resort so those who are left have been asked to work double shifts. Lani works as a lifeguard by day and a Santa's Helper at night. Things go from bad to worse when Lani finds Santa dead in the alley behind the loading dock during the big Step into Christmas event the resort is sponsoring. As it turns out Santa is really one of the seniors who participates in the same Monday afternoon bingo game as Lani and her neighbor Elva, so Elva convinces Lani to investigate along with Luke and the senior sleuthing gang we saw in book 2 in the series. (Goodreads)


Review:

As is typical for this author, the characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Lani and Luke are really good people and I enjoyed getting to spend more time with them. We did not get to spend much time with her condo family, but we did get to spend a lot of time with the “senior sleuths” and I enjoyed that they were back.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action take place around me and listening in on conversations. I felt like I could hear the waves and see the beach while I was reading, and that made the book stand out for me.

The mystery was carried on well throughout the entire book. There were enough suspects to consider, clues to sift through,and enough twists and turns that I did not figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This book, this series, and all of the series written by this author are top notch cozy mysteries.






Profile Image for K.A. Davis.
Author 4 books494 followers
December 9, 2016
Kathi Daley paints a vivid picture with her words, drawing you in. There is one scene in particular that stayed with me long after I finished MURDER AT CHRISTMAS, where Lani rescues a boy who almost drowns. A parent’s (or grandparent’s) worst nightmare and I appreciate the valuable lesson the author includes in her story. I enjoyed the easy friendship Lani also has with the senior citizens, including them in both her sleuthing and in her social life. It says a lot about a person when they are comfortable not only around their own age group but also with the elderly. There are moments of humor that her senior friends provide yet they also add wisdom and insight to help Lani solve the crime. The relationship she has with Luke is sweet as it blossoms and he is very supportive of Lani and the decisions she makes. One thing that strikes me with all of Kathi’s series is that the characters are such nice people and good role models both as friends and with their romantic relationships. Even though the book is fairly short, the mystery is well plotted with plenty of suspects and a nice conclusion. It held my attention and I knew I would stay up to finish the book to see how it ended. Set at Christmas time, Kathi provides plenty of tropical holiday ambiance along with seasonal recipes at the back of the book, all of which sound delicious!
I received a copy and willingly provided a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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