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Writer's Retreat Mystery #7
Seventh Chapter
Some say it was the spirt of one of the pirates that haunt the island that killed him. Others say the death was the result of greed and revenge. All that was known for certain, was that death did not come peacefully for the last inhabitant of a now deserted island. The lighthouse on Skull Island is a mysterious place steeped in legend and folklore. The lighthouse which had stood tall for over a century was abandoned when the last lighthouse keeper died under mysterious circumstances. When a friend of George's, a fellow author, disappears while researching the history and legend surrounding the now dilapidated structure, the Mystery Mastermind group pull together to find the missing writer and solve the mystery of the death of the lighthouse keeper once and for all.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2018
545 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Daley
330 books1,785 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 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 24, 2019
Seventh Chapter by Kathi Daley did not disappoint. I've enjoyed every one of the books in this series and this one was probably the most intricate of all of them. The smoothly paced plot with more than one mystery to be resolved kept me turning the pages.
September 4, 2018
4 stelle e mezza
Altra bella e veloce storia da leggere. Sarei leggermente più contenta se l'autrice riuscisse ad allungare i suoi lavori, perché ultimamente mi sembrano più racconti lunghi che veri e propri libri.
Altra bella e veloce storia da leggere. Sarei leggermente più contenta se l'autrice riuscisse ad allungare i suoi lavori, perché ultimamente mi sembrano più racconti lunghi che veri e propri libri.
August 23, 2018
In this next book of the series the author takes you on a wonderful and mysterious adventure. The lighthouse on Skull Island has always been surrounded by intrigue. There are some who say that it is haunted by the ghost of a pirate that was killed on the island. When the friend of one of the writer's group goes missing everyone wants to jump in and help George figure out what happened. The man had been researching the island and it's many stories when he disappeared. Why did he go missing and is he still alive? The group hopes to find out what happened to the man and also solve the mysterious death of the last lighthouse keeper. Follow along as they dive right in to asking questions, looking for clues, and trying to solve another mystery along with the new one that has befallen them. Daley truly knows how to deliver a wonderful read. She fills the pages with a fantastic mystery that you can't wait to figure out and leaves you wanting more in the end. I always look forward to what the characters will be getting into next and she never disappoints.
August 14, 2018
I had to sit and read this in one seating. I was drawn into the holiday aspect and the relationships deepening as well as the mystery.
What started out as a missing writer, well, a man who had been doing research and hadn't been heard from for several days, became a murder investigation when his body washed up on shore.
With a major fund raising festival taking over the island, local law enforcement is stretched thin. Since the writers have been helpful in previous investigations, they, also being part of the newspaper and knowing the victim, are welcomed into following up with interviews.
Everything ties together with the local election and island history and loyalty.
Another winning tale spun by Kathi Daley. With her fascinating characters and the warm friendships and sense of community she creates this is a 5 star addition to an intriguing and fascinating series. Each mystery is very different.
What started out as a missing writer, well, a man who had been doing research and hadn't been heard from for several days, became a murder investigation when his body washed up on shore.
With a major fund raising festival taking over the island, local law enforcement is stretched thin. Since the writers have been helpful in previous investigations, they, also being part of the newspaper and knowing the victim, are welcomed into following up with interviews.
Everything ties together with the local election and island history and loyalty.
Another winning tale spun by Kathi Daley. With her fascinating characters and the warm friendships and sense of community she creates this is a 5 star addition to an intriguing and fascinating series. Each mystery is very different.
August 21, 2018
This was an outstanding book. It has so many twists and turns that I couldn't stop reading it. The characters were unique and totally had me reading the book in one sitting. I believe this is the best one in the series yet ! It keeps getting better and better a must-read.
August 14, 2018
Seventh Chapter is the seventh book in Kathi Daley’s awesome Writer’s Retreat Southern Mystery series. Ms. Daley’s writing style flows smoothly at a steady pace, the characters are well rounded and affable, and the mystery is well plotted. Ms. Daley has provided readers with a clean read, filled with caring and compassionate characters who warm the reader’s heart, an intriguing mystery to solve, plus a touch of sweet romance. There are lots of twists and turns and suspects to keep the reader engaged and guessing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading well-crafted cozy mysteries.
Jack Jones is covering the latest in a rash of intentionally set fires for the newspaper and Jill Hanford is attending a town meeting where the four candidates who are competing for two open seats on the island council are being introduced. Things are going well in their personal relationship and Jack wants to take things to the next level, but Jill is somewhat hesitant. Jill, who never had a pet before, is enjoying spending time with Kizzy, the dog she and Jack share. George Baxter has asked the Mystery Mastermind Group to look into the disappearance of his friend and fellow author, Bosley Newman. The group usually looks into cold cases, but they agree to try to locate Bosley even though he’s only been missing a few days. Bosley was working on a historical novel based on the history of the lighthouses along the East Coast and was staying at the writers’ retreat on Gull Island while researching the deserted lighthouse on Skull Island where the last lighthouse keeper had died under mysterious circumstances. Bosley had told George that he’d uncovered a secret that might affect some Gull Island residents, but he hadn’t shared his discovery with George yet. Unfortunately, a body washed up on the nearby shore that’s identified as Bosley whose death wasn’t an accident. Deputy Rick Savage, who the group has worked with before, asks Jack and Jill to help interview people who had contact with the victim since his arrival on the island. While retracing Bosley’s steps, the group discovers that strange things occurred on Skull Island during the years between 1893, when a hurricane destroyed most of the island, and 1924, when the last lighthouse keeper died.
Jack Jones is covering the latest in a rash of intentionally set fires for the newspaper and Jill Hanford is attending a town meeting where the four candidates who are competing for two open seats on the island council are being introduced. Things are going well in their personal relationship and Jack wants to take things to the next level, but Jill is somewhat hesitant. Jill, who never had a pet before, is enjoying spending time with Kizzy, the dog she and Jack share. George Baxter has asked the Mystery Mastermind Group to look into the disappearance of his friend and fellow author, Bosley Newman. The group usually looks into cold cases, but they agree to try to locate Bosley even though he’s only been missing a few days. Bosley was working on a historical novel based on the history of the lighthouses along the East Coast and was staying at the writers’ retreat on Gull Island while researching the deserted lighthouse on Skull Island where the last lighthouse keeper had died under mysterious circumstances. Bosley had told George that he’d uncovered a secret that might affect some Gull Island residents, but he hadn’t shared his discovery with George yet. Unfortunately, a body washed up on the nearby shore that’s identified as Bosley whose death wasn’t an accident. Deputy Rick Savage, who the group has worked with before, asks Jack and Jill to help interview people who had contact with the victim since his arrival on the island. While retracing Bosley’s steps, the group discovers that strange things occurred on Skull Island during the years between 1893, when a hurricane destroyed most of the island, and 1924, when the last lighthouse keeper died.
August 21, 2018
“Seventh Chapter” earns 5+/5 Cold Case Closures…Engaging Fun!
“He’s missing.” George Baxter, writer and permanent resident of the Gull Island writer’s retreat, is deeply worried about the disappearance of Bosley Newman, his friend and fellow author. He presents to the other members of the Mastermind Mystery group details about the research that Bosley had been conducting surrounding the lighthouse on Skull Island and an “amazing secret” that could be problematic for current Gull Island residents. The group is intrigued by the possible century-old cold case issue surrounding the death of the lighthouse keeper under “mysterious circumstances,” but it is the immediacy of the author’s disappearance that gets everyone involved.
This seventh book in Kathi Daley’s Writer’s Retreat Mystery series has topped the previous six books as the best in the series. It is easy to start here, but the other books are highly recommended as well, so newbies should not pass them up. This series traditionally involves cold cases of varying time frames, but in this story a century-old cold case directly relates to current events and people. Kathi Daley’s style always provides a realistic and clever story with an engaging first-person narrative from Jill Hanford, writer and manager of the resort. It offers an excellent description of various settings, background, and character connection. A unique inclusion for readers to reference is the excellent and informative lists of characters and descriptions: Writers’ Retreat Residents, Townsfolk, and The Cast. However, Daley doesn't rely on just the narrative by including entertaining and informative banter which illustrates the tone and personality of those involved. The reveal unfolds methodically through various informal interrogations, reviewing research, and just happening on clues, but it's all realistic. The action is there, too, because someone is always in peril when the truth is ready to rear its head. Again, another entertaining and engaging story from Kathi Daley!
“He’s missing.” George Baxter, writer and permanent resident of the Gull Island writer’s retreat, is deeply worried about the disappearance of Bosley Newman, his friend and fellow author. He presents to the other members of the Mastermind Mystery group details about the research that Bosley had been conducting surrounding the lighthouse on Skull Island and an “amazing secret” that could be problematic for current Gull Island residents. The group is intrigued by the possible century-old cold case issue surrounding the death of the lighthouse keeper under “mysterious circumstances,” but it is the immediacy of the author’s disappearance that gets everyone involved.
This seventh book in Kathi Daley’s Writer’s Retreat Mystery series has topped the previous six books as the best in the series. It is easy to start here, but the other books are highly recommended as well, so newbies should not pass them up. This series traditionally involves cold cases of varying time frames, but in this story a century-old cold case directly relates to current events and people. Kathi Daley’s style always provides a realistic and clever story with an engaging first-person narrative from Jill Hanford, writer and manager of the resort. It offers an excellent description of various settings, background, and character connection. A unique inclusion for readers to reference is the excellent and informative lists of characters and descriptions: Writers’ Retreat Residents, Townsfolk, and The Cast. However, Daley doesn't rely on just the narrative by including entertaining and informative banter which illustrates the tone and personality of those involved. The reveal unfolds methodically through various informal interrogations, reviewing research, and just happening on clues, but it's all realistic. The action is there, too, because someone is always in peril when the truth is ready to rear its head. Again, another entertaining and engaging story from Kathi Daley!
August 17, 2018
When a friend of a member of the Writers Retreat on Gull Island disappears while doing research for the seventh chapter of his book about the island, Jill Hanford, Jack Jones and the other group members, along with Deputy Rick Savage, the island's law enforcement officer, put their heads together to find out what happened to him.
It isn't long before they realize that there may be old skeletons in the island's closet that a few prominent people might rather not come to light.
Can they figure out which person has the most to lose and whether they were willing to commit the ultimate crime in order to hide a century old secret before more tragedy strikes?
If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery with lovable characters, you won't want to miss this one!
It isn't long before they realize that there may be old skeletons in the island's closet that a few prominent people might rather not come to light.
Can they figure out which person has the most to lose and whether they were willing to commit the ultimate crime in order to hide a century old secret before more tragedy strikes?
If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery with lovable characters, you won't want to miss this one!
August 19, 2018
This is Book 7 in A Writer’s Retreat Mystery series. In this book the Writer’s Retreat is trying to find out what happened to a good friend of George’s. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
August 17, 2018
Another winner by Kathi Daley
In this seventh book in the Writer's Retreat series the gang is back but instead of looking at a cold case they have a recent missing person to investigate. A writer who was staying at the retreat has disappeared while investigating Skull Island and certain events that took place there almost 100 years ago. Shortly into their investigation, the writer's body is washed ashore and now the gang has a murder to investigate. Before too long another body of a prominent member of Gull Island is also discover ed making the gang believe the two murders are connected. Driving deeper into Skull Island, the gang finds out that some of the activities that occurred there could be embarrassing for some of the members of the town council of these activities came out in the open. Did one of the members of the council murder the author to keep things quiet? Will the Writer's gang be able to solve the murders or will the murderer get away with it? This is another great mystery book by Kathi Daley in this delightful series. Set on beautiful Gull Island and set during Halloween this book has many exciting moments and continues to feature a stellar cast of familiar characters that enhance this awesome series. I highly recommend this series and this book to all mystery lovers.
In this seventh book in the Writer's Retreat series the gang is back but instead of looking at a cold case they have a recent missing person to investigate. A writer who was staying at the retreat has disappeared while investigating Skull Island and certain events that took place there almost 100 years ago. Shortly into their investigation, the writer's body is washed ashore and now the gang has a murder to investigate. Before too long another body of a prominent member of Gull Island is also discover ed making the gang believe the two murders are connected. Driving deeper into Skull Island, the gang finds out that some of the activities that occurred there could be embarrassing for some of the members of the town council of these activities came out in the open. Did one of the members of the council murder the author to keep things quiet? Will the Writer's gang be able to solve the murders or will the murderer get away with it? This is another great mystery book by Kathi Daley in this delightful series. Set on beautiful Gull Island and set during Halloween this book has many exciting moments and continues to feature a stellar cast of familiar characters that enhance this awesome series. I highly recommend this series and this book to all mystery lovers.
April 5, 2021
fun and interesting book! Bosley is a historical writer staying at the retreat while he works on a piece about lighthouses around the country. While researching the lighthouse on nearby Skull Island, Bosley apparently comes across something scandalous. After Bosley doesn’t show up for a meeting with George, George becomes worried and asks the other writers for help. Bosley washes up on the shore shortly after and it is clear someone murdered him. Another man, Billy Waller, who was a descendent of the men who supposedly founded Gull Island, is found dead after his car was run off the road. The group tries to figure out if the two murders are connected and what exactly Bosley found regarding Skull Island that got him killed. An intriguing book with a fascinating tale behind Skull Island. I loved the Halloween events that were included while the group investigated. I enjoy the cases the writers group works on investigating. Whether the cases are more recent with a tie to the past or more of a cold case, these stories are always so enjoyable and intriguing. I would love to see thus series go on for a long time as long as there are intriguing cases. I look forward to reading the next book!
August 11, 2023
Editing and the English Language -- However, worth a read!
I have to say I find it somewhat insulting to an authors readers when editing is really so poor and actually insulting to said readers. Then I remember most of the readers are millennial and snowflakes who have been heavily indoctrinated and not educated!
However, these authors owe it to their readers to educate themselves and learn sentence structure; spelling; true meaning of words, nouns from pronouns; verbs from adverbs; when a word does not need to have an s added to it to pluralize it as the word itself is both the singular and the plural. Using a viable version of spell check would help as well, along with a viable thesaurus!
These stories are interesting, however cringe worthy as to the less than stellar knowledge and use of the English language.
However, the above aside, these short stories are entertaining and worth a quick read on a lazy afternoon with a cup of tea, hot chocolate, iced tea or whatever floats your boat!
I have to say I find it somewhat insulting to an authors readers when editing is really so poor and actually insulting to said readers. Then I remember most of the readers are millennial and snowflakes who have been heavily indoctrinated and not educated!
However, these authors owe it to their readers to educate themselves and learn sentence structure; spelling; true meaning of words, nouns from pronouns; verbs from adverbs; when a word does not need to have an s added to it to pluralize it as the word itself is both the singular and the plural. Using a viable version of spell check would help as well, along with a viable thesaurus!
These stories are interesting, however cringe worthy as to the less than stellar knowledge and use of the English language.
However, the above aside, these short stories are entertaining and worth a quick read on a lazy afternoon with a cup of tea, hot chocolate, iced tea or whatever floats your boat!
January 5, 2022
This is a book in a series of cozy mystery books set in and around Gull Island at the Writers Retreat, a former holiday resort which has been renovated into a place where writers can come and live permanently or rent a cabin in order to write their latest masterpiece. The writers get themselves embroiled in solving old and recent murders.
This particular story centres on the murder of a writer who was staying at the retreat, what did he find out which led to his murder? Were the founding fathers of the Island involved?
Kathi Daley writes great cozy mystery series, if toy like this book, check out her other series, I've read several of them and they're equally as good. As with all her books, although each book is a standalone story, the same main characters appear, so the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
This particular story centres on the murder of a writer who was staying at the retreat, what did he find out which led to his murder? Were the founding fathers of the Island involved?
Kathi Daley writes great cozy mystery series, if toy like this book, check out her other series, I've read several of them and they're equally as good. As with all her books, although each book is a standalone story, the same main characters appear, so the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
August 14, 2018
Kindle Copy for Review
This time the group gets involved with pirates as ghosts haunts Skull Island. Is it real or just imagination fueled by stories of the past that might have happened or not? That an unhappy pirate was murdered that haunts the island.
When one of George’s writer friends disappears while researching the mysterious death of the previous lighthouse keeper, the group finds themselves digging into the past. What will they discover might just be a shock and clear up the mystery of the past.
Nothing is dull in the area as a rash of fires hit the small town and a slightly contentious political race added to the mix. A quick paced read.
This time the group gets involved with pirates as ghosts haunts Skull Island. Is it real or just imagination fueled by stories of the past that might have happened or not? That an unhappy pirate was murdered that haunts the island.
When one of George’s writer friends disappears while researching the mysterious death of the previous lighthouse keeper, the group finds themselves digging into the past. What will they discover might just be a shock and clear up the mystery of the past.
Nothing is dull in the area as a rash of fires hit the small town and a slightly contentious political race added to the mix. A quick paced read.
August 21, 2018
Secrets, mystery, murder, community connections - this story is full of all that plus lots more. The group is at it again to solve two murders and in the process discovers a secret that revolves around the community and could possible hurt some innocent people. While the group is sleuthing, there is a community Halloween event going on with lots of community involvement and spirit. Add in getting to see the next installment of the main characters and their next step in relationships and you find yourself with an awesome story that you will become totally immersed in and love. Kathi Daley certainly knows how to weave a story.
August 27, 2018
"Seventh Chapter" is book seven in A Writer's Retreat Mystery series. I love the way the relationships between the characters are developing, the very "real' ambiance to the atmosphere of the Halloween celebrations, and the interesting take on local politics and founding fathers. With this as a background, the writer's group starts out to find a missing writer, and ends up visiting an island with a very scary history, and solving two separate murders. (Along the way, Jack and Jill become permanent roommates, which makes canine Kizzy very happy!) Great pace, believable storyliine, and a very satisfying read!
July 21, 2021
Did I miss something?
I love Kathi Daley's books with more than one mystery happening at once. And in this series the way the whole Writers group gets involved to help solve the mysteries is always exciting. Jill taking the lead with Jack's help and of course, Rick, who is actually in charge. I did enjoy this adventure, but seemed to have missed the blow by blow at the end giving me all of the details. I know the jist of what happened, but somehow felt rushed. Or maybe a reread of the end to see what I missed. I've been reading for hours, lol
I love Kathi Daley's books with more than one mystery happening at once. And in this series the way the whole Writers group gets involved to help solve the mysteries is always exciting. Jill taking the lead with Jack's help and of course, Rick, who is actually in charge. I did enjoy this adventure, but seemed to have missed the blow by blow at the end giving me all of the details. I know the jist of what happened, but somehow felt rushed. Or maybe a reread of the end to see what I missed. I've been reading for hours, lol
August 16, 2018
Seventh chapter Kathi Daley
A horrible secret, the murder of a stranger, the murder of a neighbor, arsonist, and gangs.... good heavens what has happened to our sweet little writers retreat? Follow the winding trail and make a stop at the spook house while you try to unravel this latest Writers Retreat Mystery from Kathi Daley. Excellent writer. Great books.
A horrible secret, the murder of a stranger, the murder of a neighbor, arsonist, and gangs.... good heavens what has happened to our sweet little writers retreat? Follow the winding trail and make a stop at the spook house while you try to unravel this latest Writers Retreat Mystery from Kathi Daley. Excellent writer. Great books.
August 28, 2018
An excellent read! The entire series so far has had a "cold case" tone to it which I really enjoy. This story was a bit different in that the death was present day, although the cause for it was an old secret, thus having all the elements of a cold case solve. Very well-written as usual from this author.
August 17, 2018
Great continuation in a great series....this series flows well and always has more info about the characters to learn. And each mystery is solved by each character finding out information and each helping in the solving. Hope this series continues for many more "chapters".
August 18, 2018
History can be murder
The Masterminds tackle two mysterious deaths that appear to be related to a deserted island. Like all of Kathi Daley's series', you immediately feel a part of the group, and find yourself looking for clues. This one keeps you guessing until the end.
The Masterminds tackle two mysterious deaths that appear to be related to a deserted island. Like all of Kathi Daley's series', you immediately feel a part of the group, and find yourself looking for clues. This one keeps you guessing until the end.
August 22, 2018
Great read
I love all of Kathi Daley's books and this one is no exception if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read
I love all of Kathi Daley's books and this one is no exception if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read
August 22, 2018
Hundred year old murders
Why would anyone, today, care about a massacre that happened over a hundred years ago? Well, someone did, and decided to make sure nobody else ever knew the truth. To learn why, you must read this addicting seventh story in this awesome series.
Why would anyone, today, care about a massacre that happened over a hundred years ago? Well, someone did, and decided to make sure nobody else ever knew the truth. To learn why, you must read this addicting seventh story in this awesome series.
August 23, 2018
Atrocities in the name of science.
One of the new writers is missing and it seems to be linked to a decades old secret he discovered. All will be investigated by the writers retreat while they deal with Halloween festivities taking place all over town.
One of the new writers is missing and it seems to be linked to a decades old secret he discovered. All will be investigated by the writers retreat while they deal with Halloween festivities taking place all over town.
August 25, 2018
Seventh Chapter is book seven in the Writer's Retreat Mystery series. Once again, we are pulled into a mystery that keeps us hooked from start to finish. I really enjoyed this one. I definitely recommend it.
August 29, 2018
Another good book in this series.
I always enjoy learning more about the island and the writers . I did the story ended abruptly and would have liked more information about Skull Island and the people there.
I always enjoy learning more about the island and the writers . I did the story ended abruptly and would have liked more information about Skull Island and the people there.
September 6, 2018
I have really enjoyed reading Kathi Daley and decided to give this series a shot. I wasn't sure of the premise but it works and keeps things interesting! The series is well written and keeps you guessing to figure out who did it! I did a binge read on all 7 books and really enjoyed the series and look forward to the next one!
October 14, 2018
Good cozy mystery
Good mystery with surprise ending. The killer was hard to figure out until near the end. I wish the main character was a little stronger and not so afraid of everything.
Good mystery with surprise ending. The killer was hard to figure out until near the end. I wish the main character was a little stronger and not so afraid of everything.
January 12, 2021
Interesting plot
I have really found this series interesting. Each character is interesting in their own way. Each story keeps my interest and has enough twists to keep me guessing. I always look forward to the next book.
I have really found this series interesting. Each character is interesting in their own way. Each story keeps my interest and has enough twists to keep me guessing. I always look forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews