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The Inn at Holiday Bay #6
Pilgrim in the Parlor
A heartwarming cozy mystery series about losing everything, taking a chance, and starting again.
After suffering a personal tragedy Abby Sullivan buys a huge old seaside mansion she has never even seen, packs up her life in San Francisco, and moves to Holiday Bay Maine, where she is adopted, quite against her will, by a huge Maine Coon Cat named Rufus, a drifter with her own tragic past named Georgia, and a giant dog with an inferiority complex named Ramos. What Abby thought she needed was alone time to heal. What she ended up with was, an inn she never knew she wanted, a cat she couldn't seem to convince to leave, and a new family she'd never be able to live without.
In book 6 in the series Abby and Georgia are readying the inn for the Thanksgiving Holiday, when tragedy strikes and one of the guests turns up dead.
Meanwhile, a new group of guests have checked in, each with their own story to tell. Jeremy and Annabelle have moved into the basement apartment, Abby takes a walk down memory lane, Velma has a decision to make, and Georgia must come to grips with her own fear and doubt relating to her relationship with Tanner.
After suffering a personal tragedy Abby Sullivan buys a huge old seaside mansion she has never even seen, packs up her life in San Francisco, and moves to Holiday Bay Maine, where she is adopted, quite against her will, by a huge Maine Coon Cat named Rufus, a drifter with her own tragic past named Georgia, and a giant dog with an inferiority complex named Ramos. What Abby thought she needed was alone time to heal. What she ended up with was, an inn she never knew she wanted, a cat she couldn't seem to convince to leave, and a new family she'd never be able to live without.
In book 6 in the series Abby and Georgia are readying the inn for the Thanksgiving Holiday, when tragedy strikes and one of the guests turns up dead.
Meanwhile, a new group of guests have checked in, each with their own story to tell. Jeremy and Annabelle have moved into the basement apartment, Abby takes a walk down memory lane, Velma has a decision to make, and Georgia must come to grips with her own fear and doubt relating to her relationship with Tanner.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2019
1755 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Daley
321 books1,791 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 143 reviews
December 4, 2019
A good, quick, easy read
January 5, 2020
Ms. Daley has another wonderful series that includes mystery, family and friends that grabs my attention from the first page. I enjoy reading about Abby and Georgia as they make their guests feel welcome in their small town of Holiday Bay. Abby has to solve this mystery on her own as Colt is out of town when Jeremy finds the dead body of a guest in the parlor. There's several twists and a few red herrings that kept me guessing until the reveal.
April 4, 2021
A pilgrim statue is the murder weapon in this Thanksgiving-themed episode of The Inn at Holiday Bay. When one of her guests is bludgeoned to death in the parlor, writer-turned-innkeeper Abby Sullivan can't help investigate alongside her police chief friend Colt Wilder.
The mystery in this book is interesting, and kept me guessing until the very end. The characters are still as fun and compelling as they always have been, and reading about their changing lives gives a lot of depth to the series.
The mystery in this book is interesting, and kept me guessing until the very end. The characters are still as fun and compelling as they always have been, and reading about their changing lives gives a lot of depth to the series.
October 27, 2019
Pilgrims in the Parlor earns 5/5 Antique Statues...Engaging Entertainment!
Wow! Kathi Daley has taken all the entertaining twists and turns and set them loose in Holiday Bay starting in one direction (greed), then moving in another (betrayal), then another (retribution), then... It sure kept me turning the page to the final “Oh, I didn’t see that coming” ending! Assistant Manager Jeremy Slater, the Inn’s newest member, made a very disturbing discovery...a body lying on the parlor floor, bludgeoned, an antique pilgrim statue nearby. He was sure he’d locked up the Inn the night before as usual, and only a few people have a key to enter the back door after hours. The victim, Milton Standoff, was set to direct the town’s annual Thanksgiving pageant, and everyone comments on his arrogance, self-importance, and argumentative behavior seems to implicate a whole town of suspects! Chief Wilder is temporarily out of town, but his team seems in the dark about the crime since outsider Officer James just happened to be in the area to catch the case, but it’s a stranger seen with the victim, another thought to be stalking him, and a man in a black suit, arriving in a black SUV, flashing an official-looking badge that proves, “Something odd was going on.”
Typical in Kathi Daley’s engaging writing style, she has an investigation incorporating both official and unofficial questioning, secrets and connections revealed, and various scenarios evaluated, but continues to explore the ins and outs of managing the Inn, navigate various friendships, revisit issues with Abby’s past, and provide hints about local festivities. But her style always puts the characters at the center. This first-person narrative focuses on Abby’s perspective, her thoughts and feelings as she regains a zest for life, renews her writing career, and while dealing with another tragic anniversary, continues to enjoy the love and support of her new friends; friends whose reactions to unusual circumstances are realistic and connections not forced, so reading about them has a ring of truth. As for the visiting characters, good and bad, they, too, are written with reasonable personalities, emotions, and motivations. The mystery is engaging, twisty, turny, and satisfying, but it’s always the characters that keep me coming back to the Inn at Holiday Bay.
Wow! Kathi Daley has taken all the entertaining twists and turns and set them loose in Holiday Bay starting in one direction (greed), then moving in another (betrayal), then another (retribution), then... It sure kept me turning the page to the final “Oh, I didn’t see that coming” ending! Assistant Manager Jeremy Slater, the Inn’s newest member, made a very disturbing discovery...a body lying on the parlor floor, bludgeoned, an antique pilgrim statue nearby. He was sure he’d locked up the Inn the night before as usual, and only a few people have a key to enter the back door after hours. The victim, Milton Standoff, was set to direct the town’s annual Thanksgiving pageant, and everyone comments on his arrogance, self-importance, and argumentative behavior seems to implicate a whole town of suspects! Chief Wilder is temporarily out of town, but his team seems in the dark about the crime since outsider Officer James just happened to be in the area to catch the case, but it’s a stranger seen with the victim, another thought to be stalking him, and a man in a black suit, arriving in a black SUV, flashing an official-looking badge that proves, “Something odd was going on.”
Typical in Kathi Daley’s engaging writing style, she has an investigation incorporating both official and unofficial questioning, secrets and connections revealed, and various scenarios evaluated, but continues to explore the ins and outs of managing the Inn, navigate various friendships, revisit issues with Abby’s past, and provide hints about local festivities. But her style always puts the characters at the center. This first-person narrative focuses on Abby’s perspective, her thoughts and feelings as she regains a zest for life, renews her writing career, and while dealing with another tragic anniversary, continues to enjoy the love and support of her new friends; friends whose reactions to unusual circumstances are realistic and connections not forced, so reading about them has a ring of truth. As for the visiting characters, good and bad, they, too, are written with reasonable personalities, emotions, and motivations. The mystery is engaging, twisty, turny, and satisfying, but it’s always the characters that keep me coming back to the Inn at Holiday Bay.
October 12, 2019
It's nearing the holiday of Thanksgiving in Holiday and plans are made to celebrate with a special dinner including family, friends and the people who have reserved rooms at the inn. Jeremy Slater, Abby's and Georgia's new employee stumbles on the dead body of Milton Standoff.while he is unlocking the doors of the inn, opening the curtains and starting fires in the three wood-burning fireplaces. Standoff has been hired to direct the Thanksgiving Pageant. Unfortunately Police Chief Colt Wilder is out of area and Abby is leery of Officer James since he is not familiar with the people who work and live within the inn. Officer James is from the regional office Abby explains to the officer the demeanor of Milton Standoff who seems to rub people the wrong way. He felt his information was all that was necessary.
Officer James continue to interview the remaining employees as well the residents. Each resident provided their alibi for the time period in question. Georgia and Abby decide to clean out Standoff's room. A loose board catches the Georgia's eye. When they remove the board a velvet bag with what is believed to be diamonds within it. Abby wishes that Colt was there to handle this. She calls him and he tells her to take them to the station for Peaches to lock up. The wheels of motion are started.
As it gets closer to time of the Pageant and the first snow is falling. Pieces are starting to come together. Will Abby unwrap the story of who is the guilty party and what the diamonds are important.
Officer James continue to interview the remaining employees as well the residents. Each resident provided their alibi for the time period in question. Georgia and Abby decide to clean out Standoff's room. A loose board catches the Georgia's eye. When they remove the board a velvet bag with what is believed to be diamonds within it. Abby wishes that Colt was there to handle this. She calls him and he tells her to take them to the station for Peaches to lock up. The wheels of motion are started.
As it gets closer to time of the Pageant and the first snow is falling. Pieces are starting to come together. Will Abby unwrap the story of who is the guilty party and what the diamonds are important.
October 9, 2019
The unexpected death of a guest at her Inn has Abby worried, she can't see any of her guests as being the culprit nor any of her employees. It doesn't help matters that chief of Police and friend Colt Wilder is out of town and Abby has to deal with someone she doesn't know. The dead man, Milton Standoff, is in town to direct the town's annual Thanksgiving pageant and doesn't seem to have made any fans since he arrived. He has been nothing but a know it all which has rubbed everyone the wrong way and makes the suspect list long, even though he's not from Holiday Bay. Abby didn't care for the man but can't just let his death continue to go unsolved, she has an Inn to worry about. Follow along as Abby works around the man sent to investigate and looks into Milton's death in her own. Can she put all the clues left behind and come up with a killer or will the case go unsolved? This was a great whodunit that kept me guessing the whole way through and it was truly a surprise in the end!!!
August 31, 2020
I was excited when I first found this series because it seemed like something I would thoroughly enjoy and because there were already ten books in the series. I love a good binge read.
I have, however, grown more disenchanted with each book and now, after the fifth one, I have decided it's time to stop wasting my time and move on.
The characters are one-dimensional and stale. The murders are also flat, seeming unimportant to the daily trivia going on in the lives of the characters but, as I've said, those lives are poorly portrayed, leaving me thinking "Who cares?" more than not.
A perfect example of how disconnected things are? Abby goes on and on about how much she misses her sister, Annie, and how much she wants to reconnect with her. When Annie finally shows up at the Inn, however, we get a couple of sentences and then Annie disappears once again.
The bottom line, for me, is simple. Even after five books, I don't care about the characters. And when even the kidnapping of the main character left me unaffected, I knew it was time to move on.
I have, however, grown more disenchanted with each book and now, after the fifth one, I have decided it's time to stop wasting my time and move on.
The characters are one-dimensional and stale. The murders are also flat, seeming unimportant to the daily trivia going on in the lives of the characters but, as I've said, those lives are poorly portrayed, leaving me thinking "Who cares?" more than not.
A perfect example of how disconnected things are? Abby goes on and on about how much she misses her sister, Annie, and how much she wants to reconnect with her. When Annie finally shows up at the Inn, however, we get a couple of sentences and then Annie disappears once again.
The bottom line, for me, is simple. Even after five books, I don't care about the characters. And when even the kidnapping of the main character left me unaffected, I knew it was time to move on.
August 17, 2020
I love this series and all its characters.
Abby and Georgia are gearing up for the holidays when a guest in found dead, and the people at the Inn are all under suspicion.
Abby wants answers and is suspicious of the Officer in charge of the investigation while the local sheriff is out of town. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I can't wait to revisit these characters in the next book.
Abby and Georgia are gearing up for the holidays when a guest in found dead, and the people at the Inn are all under suspicion.
Abby wants answers and is suspicious of the Officer in charge of the investigation while the local sheriff is out of town. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I can't wait to revisit these characters in the next book.
March 15, 2023
Death by pilgrim
Murder at the Inn caused by a pilgrim statue bonked on the head. This book spends time searching for the culprit even tho the victim was not very well liked. Abby also has her annual moment to grieve the death of her husband and son. Fortunately for her she has found a new family of friends who have come to love her and vice versa.
Murder at the Inn caused by a pilgrim statue bonked on the head. This book spends time searching for the culprit even tho the victim was not very well liked. Abby also has her annual moment to grieve the death of her husband and son. Fortunately for her she has found a new family of friends who have come to love her and vice versa.
December 28, 2023
This series is a real joy to read. I love the main characters, the interaction, the plot. Very good at being tricky till near the end.
November 25, 2019
Altra veloce e piacevole lettura. Questa è una delle serie a cui mi rivolgo quando voglio leggere qualcosa "cozy"...
October 1, 2019
Pilgrim in the Pantry is the sixth book in Kathi Daley’s The Inn at Holiday Bay series. The storyline flows smoothly, and the book is a clean and easy read. The setting is charming, and the well-developed characters are affable, compassionate, and caring. The mystery is well-plotted and complex, with lots of twists and turns and no shortage of potential suspects to keep the reader engaged and guessing. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries.
Abby Sullivan’s life dramatically changed when she lost her husband and their infant son in a tragic accident two years ago, but in the year she’s lived in Holiday Bay, Maine, she’s made a new life for herself and is beginning to feel like she’s found a home and a family. Georgia Carter and her dog, Ramos, live with Abby, Rufus, the Maine Coon, and Molly, a terrier mix, in a cottage located on the property. Abby’s inn has been receiving guests for three months, and Georgia, who is a talented cook and baker, skillfully manages the inn. Abby recently hired Jeremy Slater to help Georgia with the day-to-day operations of the inn. He and his young niece, Annabelle, have settled into the inn’s basement apartment. While doing his morning choirs, Jeremy discovers the body of one of their guests, Milton Standoff, in the parlor. With her friend, Police Chief Colt Wilder, out of town dealing with a family issue, Abby and Georgia are left to deal with Officer James, who works out of the regional office. Officer James is convinced one of the inn’s guests or an employee committed the murder, but Abby and Georgia disagree. Mr. Standoff was an actor who performed bit parts in movies, and in town to be the guest director of the annual Thanksgiving pageant. Since he was arrogant and had a way of pushing everyone’s buttons, no one is too upset he’s gone, making the suspect pool quite large. Abby, who is dealing with the emotional anniversary of her family’s death, knows she should be writing, but feels compelled to dig around and find answers about who bludgeoned one of the inn’s guests with her antique pilgrim statue.
Abby Sullivan’s life dramatically changed when she lost her husband and their infant son in a tragic accident two years ago, but in the year she’s lived in Holiday Bay, Maine, she’s made a new life for herself and is beginning to feel like she’s found a home and a family. Georgia Carter and her dog, Ramos, live with Abby, Rufus, the Maine Coon, and Molly, a terrier mix, in a cottage located on the property. Abby’s inn has been receiving guests for three months, and Georgia, who is a talented cook and baker, skillfully manages the inn. Abby recently hired Jeremy Slater to help Georgia with the day-to-day operations of the inn. He and his young niece, Annabelle, have settled into the inn’s basement apartment. While doing his morning choirs, Jeremy discovers the body of one of their guests, Milton Standoff, in the parlor. With her friend, Police Chief Colt Wilder, out of town dealing with a family issue, Abby and Georgia are left to deal with Officer James, who works out of the regional office. Officer James is convinced one of the inn’s guests or an employee committed the murder, but Abby and Georgia disagree. Mr. Standoff was an actor who performed bit parts in movies, and in town to be the guest director of the annual Thanksgiving pageant. Since he was arrogant and had a way of pushing everyone’s buttons, no one is too upset he’s gone, making the suspect pool quite large. Abby, who is dealing with the emotional anniversary of her family’s death, knows she should be writing, but feels compelled to dig around and find answers about who bludgeoned one of the inn’s guests with her antique pilgrim statue.
October 4, 2019
This latest Inn at Holiday Bay book takes place over about three weeks. It begins with Jeremy finding a body in the parlor just before Thanksgiving. Finding the killer leads us on a merry chase. I just enjoyed reading about the scenery, the snow and the hunt tor Christmas trees. I loved that the whole book wasn’t built on just hunting for a killer, but the other things involved with the holiday. I can’t wait to read the next book to see what surprises the author might have in store for us!
October 9, 2019
What a great interesting read. The characters were intriguing and full of uniqueness. The storyline was definitely something that reading until the very end. Definitely don't want to miss this one.
January 4, 2021
Another Excellent Cozy fron Kathi
Another great read from Kathi Daley's series, The Inn at Holiday Bay. This one was a bit different though, because there was an actual murder in the Inn! Abby is in full detective mode, as she tries to seek out the person who killed one of her guests in the inn's living room. Oh, there are so many suspects, for the man who was murdered, was not a likeable guy, and, of course, there are many theories. The one theory is the one that's hard to imagine because he has been a guest at the inn for awhile.
As always, the death of her husband and son, is always in the forefront of her mind, especially since it had been a year since their untimely death. A box had been delivered to her, and on the anniversary of their deaths, she decides yo open it, and finds another mystery. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it's a secret from her husband's path that she really wants to look into.
As always, her friends, who are now her family, are there to support her every step of the way. I admire Abby for her strength to move forward, and the love she has found in the town of Holiday Bay.
Another great read from Kathi Daley's series, The Inn at Holiday Bay. This one was a bit different though, because there was an actual murder in the Inn! Abby is in full detective mode, as she tries to seek out the person who killed one of her guests in the inn's living room. Oh, there are so many suspects, for the man who was murdered, was not a likeable guy, and, of course, there are many theories. The one theory is the one that's hard to imagine because he has been a guest at the inn for awhile.
As always, the death of her husband and son, is always in the forefront of her mind, especially since it had been a year since their untimely death. A box had been delivered to her, and on the anniversary of their deaths, she decides yo open it, and finds another mystery. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it's a secret from her husband's path that she really wants to look into.
As always, her friends, who are now her family, are there to support her every step of the way. I admire Abby for her strength to move forward, and the love she has found in the town of Holiday Bay.
July 4, 2021
Milton Standoff's dead body was discovered by Jeremy as he was going about his daily duties of opening the Inn at Holiday Bay. Milton was a guest there. He was an obnoxious know-it-all. Everyone would be happier if he just went away. But who would kill him, and why? Milton was in town to direct production of the annual Thanksgiving play. He had made enemies within the theatre group as well as a few of the local business people. Yet, he was hit in the head with a heavy pilgrim statue in the Inn's parlor while all the doors and windows were locked. How could someone from the outside have gotten in?
Abby Sullivan marks the two-year anniversary of the terrible day when her husband and baby son were killed in a car accident. It is still difficult for her to think back and remember all she lost. However, the new life she has created gives her happiness as well as a reason to go on. The final sentence in this book says: "I really hadn't been sure I would enjoy having strangers underfoot all the time, but the reality was that every guest who'd checked into the inn a stranger, had checked out a friend."
Abby Sullivan marks the two-year anniversary of the terrible day when her husband and baby son were killed in a car accident. It is still difficult for her to think back and remember all she lost. However, the new life she has created gives her happiness as well as a reason to go on. The final sentence in this book says: "I really hadn't been sure I would enjoy having strangers underfoot all the time, but the reality was that every guest who'd checked into the inn a stranger, had checked out a friend."
December 28, 2021
Excellent book!!!!
I love this series, because it shows women you can get through a very devastating situation with your strength inside and a very good friend that listens
Abby and Georgia have a special friendship as they opened the Inn at Holiday Bay. With Jeremy as co-manager of maintaining the grounds/ chef.
They had an incident in their parlor after the pageant rehearsal, with the nasty director brought in by the committee. No one liked the guy because he was a jerk and knew nothing about the town and people in it.
At the Inn people went out of their way to avoid being around him.
Will he sure did rub someone the wrong way.
And Colt was out of town so Abby and Georgia had to figure things out and had to deal with a jerk of a cop that thought he could do things without help and he also didn't know the town and the people in it.
As Abby starts putting pieces together she had called Colt to get his opinion.
You will love this book once you read for details.
I love this series, because it shows women you can get through a very devastating situation with your strength inside and a very good friend that listens
Abby and Georgia have a special friendship as they opened the Inn at Holiday Bay. With Jeremy as co-manager of maintaining the grounds/ chef.
They had an incident in their parlor after the pageant rehearsal, with the nasty director brought in by the committee. No one liked the guy because he was a jerk and knew nothing about the town and people in it.
At the Inn people went out of their way to avoid being around him.
Will he sure did rub someone the wrong way.
And Colt was out of town so Abby and Georgia had to figure things out and had to deal with a jerk of a cop that thought he could do things without help and he also didn't know the town and the people in it.
As Abby starts putting pieces together she had called Colt to get his opinion.
You will love this book once you read for details.
July 12, 2021
A bit dull in places
This time the body's in the parlour if the inn and is found by Jeremy as he does his morning rounds. Milton Standoff was staying at the inn for a month while he directed the play for Thanksgiving.
An unpopular man who was a second rate actor himself he's managed to make several enemies in a short span of time. There's Caroline, who he dated to obtain the position, Shawna, who he chased a little relentlessly even though she wasn't interested, Gaylord, who he frustrates with his arrogant insistence that he knows more about history than the esteemed professor, Emma, who usually runs the production, Walter the lead actor.. the list goes on and that's without the shady characters who he was meeting up with or the ineffective officer James and the mysterious Agent Smith..
Feels like something was missing at the end..
This time the body's in the parlour if the inn and is found by Jeremy as he does his morning rounds. Milton Standoff was staying at the inn for a month while he directed the play for Thanksgiving.
An unpopular man who was a second rate actor himself he's managed to make several enemies in a short span of time. There's Caroline, who he dated to obtain the position, Shawna, who he chased a little relentlessly even though she wasn't interested, Gaylord, who he frustrates with his arrogant insistence that he knows more about history than the esteemed professor, Emma, who usually runs the production, Walter the lead actor.. the list goes on and that's without the shady characters who he was meeting up with or the ineffective officer James and the mysterious Agent Smith..
Feels like something was missing at the end..
November 14, 2023
"The Inn at Holiday Bay: Pilgrim in the Parlor" by Kathi Daley is the 6th book in the series but was fairly standalone. Sure there were some times a bit more past info would have been nice but it wasn't necessary. It had a bit of a Thanksgiving theme. They talked about Thanksgiving plans.
The mystery felt like it was dragged on a bit, despite being a quicker book. There were multiple times when it was narrated that they thought they had a clue that would break the case, but then it didn't. In the end I wasn't really sure of anyone as a suspect a d felt that several people were set up but almost no one with enough to feel it was them.
If you like a quick holiday cozy mystery, this will do. Not overly involved but decent characters. Worth the read despite it feeling it dragged on a bit.
The mystery felt like it was dragged on a bit, despite being a quicker book. There were multiple times when it was narrated that they thought they had a clue that would break the case, but then it didn't. In the end I wasn't really sure of anyone as a suspect a d felt that several people were set up but almost no one with enough to feel it was them.
If you like a quick holiday cozy mystery, this will do. Not overly involved but decent characters. Worth the read despite it feeling it dragged on a bit.
May 21, 2025
I am definitely not connecting with the characters in this one. The mysteries are ok, but the solutions and investigations are lacking a bit. The detective who came in initially was a real focus of the story for a while but just never mentioned again after Colt came back. I was thinking he was part of the mystery based on the early focus. Other things kept being presented as relevant and then never mentioned again. Her actual obsession with the info she finds in the box was really unreasonable and just dropped. I don't think I'm going further with the series, it's just not clicking for me. Maybe much later.
March 23, 2020
Complex Holiday Cozy
This was one of the best books in this Series. The murder of a very unpopular actor who was in town to direct the local play, led to a lot of confusion as to why he was killed and who did it. I enjoyed the complicated plot which was resolved satisfactorily.
There were fewer of the regular characters involved in this story. I enjoyed getting to know more about other people who live and work in Holiday Bay.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
This was one of the best books in this Series. The murder of a very unpopular actor who was in town to direct the local play, led to a lot of confusion as to why he was killed and who did it. I enjoyed the complicated plot which was resolved satisfactorily.
There were fewer of the regular characters involved in this story. I enjoyed getting to know more about other people who live and work in Holiday Bay.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
November 21, 2021
That was a close one for Abby. She was left for dead when the killer thought Abby knew something about who the suspect was. I’m glad she’s ok, because without her there’d be no more books for this series!
New friends were made and new love happened. Lots of mysteries going on to figure out including the pilgrim in the parlor’s answers. Abby annoyed me a bit when she got to the point she was being overly nosy. That nosiness is exactly what I hate in other mystery reads.
Next book is The 7th of 18 in The Inn at Holiday Bay: “The Inn at Holiday Bay: Note in the Nutcracker.
New friends were made and new love happened. Lots of mysteries going on to figure out including the pilgrim in the parlor’s answers. Abby annoyed me a bit when she got to the point she was being overly nosy. That nosiness is exactly what I hate in other mystery reads.
Next book is The 7th of 18 in The Inn at Holiday Bay: “The Inn at Holiday Bay: Note in the Nutcracker.
December 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this series start and then it just kind of...these people annoy me. Nothing really goes wrong for them, they're in a too good to be true community and Abby grew irritating. Especially in this one,
November 22, 2023
Classic cozy
4.5 stars
Jumping right into the action with our victim, it reminded me a bit of Clue. The crime took place in the parlor with a Pilgrim statue just doesn’t get more Clue than that. It just continued to give me those vibes throughout the story as Abby went about questioning the suspects. Though unlike Clue, there was more exploring motives. There were a couple twists and turns along the way. I was deeply intrigued and invested all the way through. I just really enjoyed the whole vibe of the story overall.
4.5 stars
Jumping right into the action with our victim, it reminded me a bit of Clue. The crime took place in the parlor with a Pilgrim statue just doesn’t get more Clue than that. It just continued to give me those vibes throughout the story as Abby went about questioning the suspects. Though unlike Clue, there was more exploring motives. There were a couple twists and turns along the way. I was deeply intrigued and invested all the way through. I just really enjoyed the whole vibe of the story overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
I'm really enjoying this series. My sister's reading the series too so when we talk about each book the characters really feel like family. Kathi Daley's also got the Bakeshop at Holiday Bay series which runs parallel to this series and is also really great. I always know when I pick up a Kathi Daley cozy mystery it's going to be filled with wonderful characters, intriguing stories that take place in an idyllic location that just seems to have a lot of murders. They really are good! Happy Reading!
November 19, 2025
I got this book for free, so I thought I'd give it a chance. I love holiday themed books and, arguably, I guess you could say that this one was somewhat seasonally themed. It wasn't heavily themed, though, which made it a little less to my liking (since that's what I wanted). Overall, it was well-written. It wasn't one of my favorites, but that has to do with my particular tastes and not at all with the book itself. You should definitely give the series a try, if you're interested in cozy mysteries!
January 6, 2026
Entertaining murder mystery with over a dozen strong suspects!
The author is a great storyteller. The plot is so twisted, going in so many directions, that you have a great time trying to figure out who did it while glimpseing into all of the characters lives. The characters are vivid, some very likeable, others very easy to dislike. Abby the owner of the Inn is the lead character and you fall in love with her, she is so real. Trying to figure out why Standoff was killed is the biggest question. Who knew there could be so many reasons to want someone dead. I really enjoyed this book! I give it 5 stars +.
The author is a great storyteller. The plot is so twisted, going in so many directions, that you have a great time trying to figure out who did it while glimpseing into all of the characters lives. The characters are vivid, some very likeable, others very easy to dislike. Abby the owner of the Inn is the lead character and you fall in love with her, she is so real. Trying to figure out why Standoff was killed is the biggest question. Who knew there could be so many reasons to want someone dead. I really enjoyed this book! I give it 5 stars +.
November 11, 2021
I'm still continuing on with this series, although the books seem to be getting shorter and less substantial. I've been timing my reading of them to the holiday seasons so here is the November/Thanksgiving one. An actor who was directing the town's Thanksgiving pageant is discovered murdered in the B&B's parlor and the murder weapon was a heavy Pilgrim figurine off the mantle. It's a pretty simple, straightforward mystery with a list of suspects and red herrings but if you pay attention from the beginning, you may be able to figure it out. A quick and pleasing read and by now I've become somewhat invested in the characters so I'm sure I'll press on to the next one.
November 11, 2021
I enjoyed this one! The story moved along at a nice pace. The characters were many but they didn't get lost in the story. They each had a story line that was easy to follow. You have to not be a stickler for police procedure because it isn't followed in the book. This is my favorite of her writings so far. A quick little read to put you in the holiday mood with a little murder on the side.
May 13, 2024
Abby and Georgia are getting the inn ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately, one of the guests turns up dead and the inn becomes the focus of an investigation.
The story was fun, and I really enjoyed the Thanksgiving theme. The killer was not one I guessed right away so the mystery of figuring it out added to my enjoyment. I enjoyed how the relationships progressed in the story, the touch of romance and the new characters that have been added. This is a really good series.
The story was fun, and I really enjoyed the Thanksgiving theme. The killer was not one I guessed right away so the mystery of figuring it out added to my enjoyment. I enjoyed how the relationships progressed in the story, the touch of romance and the new characters that have been added. This is a really good series.
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