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Cottage on Gooseberry Bay #3

Gooseberry Christmas

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USA Today Bestselling author Kathi Daley brings you a heartwarming mystery series about finding answers and fostering hope while building friendships and embracing the magic of life by the sea and small town holidays.

Ainsley Holloway had come to Gooseberry Bay to find answers about her past. She’d come to find an explanation for the dreams that haunted her after the death of the cop who’d both rescued and raised her. And she’d come to identify the family she couldn’t remember but knew in her heart she’d once belonged to.

Ainsley hoped that by finding these answers, she’d also find healing. She hoped that once she’d resurrected the memories buried deep in her mind, she’d find peace.

The Cottage at Gooseberry Bay is a series about, not only finding answers, but finding hope.
It’s a series about family and friendship.
It’s a series about shared holidays, festivals, and celebrations.
It’s a series about shared heartbreak and hardship.
And it’s a series about the bond that can be forged amongst strangers when tragedy binds two or more individuals with a common goal.

In book 3 in the series, Ainsley decides to set aside her search for answers to her past and enjoy her first Gooseberry Christmas by volunteering along with the rest of the gang for the Christmas Festival on the boardwalk. Normally Ainsley didn’t bother much with Christmas and all its trappings but this year she is excited to join in as most of the locals are prone to do. Of course it does put a bit of a damper on the festivities when a body is found in the tree lot where the gang had offered to help out, but that doesn’t stop Ainsley from making the most of the season in spite of the crazy investigation she can’t help but get pulled into.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2020

672 people are currently reading
329 people want to read

About the author

Kathi Daley

328 books1,782 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
1,205 (58%)
4 stars
591 (28%)
3 stars
205 (10%)
2 stars
38 (1%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
Profile Image for Julie .
4,252 reviews38k followers
December 23, 2025
A murder at a Christmas tree farm plunges Ainsley and the gang into detective mode when one of their friends becomes the prime suspect.

Meanwhile, Ainsley continues to search for answers about her past with Adam.

Another solid installment in this series. For a murder mystery, there are plenty of festive trappings. The mystery is good and kept me guessing, with plenty of suspects to choose from.

Interesting developments in Ainsley’s personal search piqued my interest, and I’m looking forward to seeing how all this will turn out.

Overall, so far this is a terrific, clean series without agendas that, so far, sticks with the classic cozy elements, delivers good ‘whodunit’ mysteries, and terrific characters… and of course a couple of dogs, too. (How can I forget to mention them!)

4 stars
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,464 reviews1 follower
November 19, 2020
Gooseberry Christmas by Kathi Daley is a clean well-crafted cozy mystery that pulled me into the story from the first page. It was so good to be back in Gooseberry Bay with Ainsley and her friends. Ms. Daley writes characters and small towns that I love spending time with throughout the story. A few deft twists, several suspects and a clever plot kept me turning the pages.
Profile Image for Mary Brown.
1,298 reviews74 followers
November 22, 2020
Gooseberry Christmas
Cottage On Gooseberry Bay, Book #3
Kathi Daley
5 Stars

Synopsis:

USA Today Bestselling author Kathi Daley brings you a heartwarming mystery series about finding answers and fostering hope while building friendships and embracing the magic of life by the sea and small town holidays.

Ainsley Holloway had come to Gooseberry Bay to find answers about her past. She’d come to find an explanation for the dreams that haunted her after the death of the cop who’d both rescued and raised her. And she’d come to identify the family she couldn’t remember but knew in her heart she’d once belonged to.

Ainsley hoped that by finding these answers, she’d also find healing. She hoped that once she’d resurrected the memories buried deep in her mind, she’d find peace.

The Cottage at Gooseberry Bay is a series about, not only finding answers, but finding hope.
It’s a series about family and friendship.
It’s a series about shared holidays, festivals, and celebrations.
It’s a series about shared heartbreak and hardship.
And it’s a series about the bond that can be forged amongst strangers when tragedy binds two or more individuals with a common goal.

In book 3 in the series, Ainsley decides to set aside her search for answers to her past and enjoy her first Gooseberry Christmas by volunteering along with the rest of the gang for the Christmas Festival on the boardwalk. Normally Ainsley didn’t bother much with Christmas and all its trappings but this year she is excited to join in as most of the locals are prone to do. Of course it does put a bit of a damper on the festivities when a body is found in the tree lot where the gang had offered to help out, but that doesn’t stop Ainsley from making the most of the season in spite of the crazy investigation she can’t help but get pulled into. (Goodreads)

Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Ainsley, Parker, Jemma and Josie are smart independent women who know how to get things done. When a body is discovered in the Christmas tree lot, they know they have to try to help solve the mystery. And Ainsley has not given up on her journey to figure out who she is and why she was found in a burning building when she was a young child. She gets help with that from Adam, who is willing to do some searching on his own. There might be a romance brewing with Ainsley and Adam, we will have to wait and see.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing, and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the beginning. The mystery of the dead body was intriguing and held my interest throughout the entire book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to find out what the next book will bring.


Profile Image for Mystereity Reviews.
778 reviews50 followers
November 22, 2020
This was a great holiday read and I'm loving how this series is coming along. Ainsley and her friends team up again, this time to clear a friend after he's seen running from the scene of a murder. The victim had no shortage of people who'd want him dead, both due to his professional life as a successful realtor and his personal life of chasing women. Ainsley bowed out of helping much with this one, saying she "wasn't a local, so it was better that the locals do the sleuthing..." which didn't make sense to me. I mean, how are you going to know the locals if you don't go out and learn about the locals? It was a flimsy excuse so she could spend more time with Adam, which she did; ballroom dance lessons, cozy lunches in Adam's palatial apartment (within the mansion, no less) and volunteering at the Christmas tree farm. But we did get to learn more about Adam and his work, and I appreciated the glimpse into his life.

As with the last book, the main plot of the murdered man at the Christmas tree lot was not your usual cozy plot, and that's what I love about this author's books. How they tracked down the true culprit from just a few clues shows how resourceful and adept they are at putting the pieces together. Enjoyable!
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,955 reviews42 followers
May 31, 2021
Non è che questo libro sia trascendentale, ma come tutti quelli di questa autrice che ho letto è "confortante", nel senso che leggerlo offre un momento di calma, nonostante sia un cozy mystery. Un comford book. Ci vuole ogni tanto...
Profile Image for Sandy Bartles.
1,395 reviews37 followers
November 20, 2020
Ainsley Holloway is enjoying the holiday season in Gooseberry Bay, while at the same time she is still researching her past. When she stumbles upon a body at the Christmas tree lot, she adds the solving of that case to her list of things to do. The friendship between her and the gang is pretty solid. I enjoy their relationships and all the animals. It is certainly a place where I would love to live!
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,209 reviews61 followers
November 24, 2020
Gooseberry Christmas earns 5/5 Trimmed Trees...Clever and Engaging!

Kathi Daley has added an engaging third installment to her four-book Cottage on Gooseberry Bay series building on the intriguing details into Ainsley Holloway’s mysterious past. The man she called “Dad” and who had raised her since rescuing her on Christmas Eve from a burning warehouse when she was three years old seems to have kept from her key details into her life. After his death, Ainsley found a photo with a woman and two children posed on the porch of a house; her curiosity, along with some vivid memories resurfacing, has led her to Gooseberry Bay, Washington. As Christmas nears and the little hamlet is decorating and gearing up for various annual festivities, a disturbing threat or an ominous warning from an unknown sender adds an air of peril. Undaunted Ainsley marches on with help from the owners of the house, Adam and Archie Winchester. Ainsley has become an integral part of the community, building friendships and enjoying the “is it or isn’t it” dating with Adam Winchester, so she’s eager to join in volunteering at the Christmas tree lot, but arriving early turns deadly. The man for whom she’d be working is not answering her “Hello?” It’s no wonder since Bradford, a retired real-estate broker, well-known womanizer, and heavy drinker, is found murdered! And Ainsley finds her niche once again using her private investigator skill set. Disgruntled drinking buddy? Business rivals? Woman scorned? Hidden family relations? All are intriguing avenues for the “Peninsula Gang” to explore, and their involvement is made imperative when one of their own is arrested. The murder mystery upstages her personal mystery with engaging avenues of interest, suspects, motives, and a satisfying “justice served” conclusion. For my taste, too many of the clues, alibis, informal interviews, and follow-up occur off the page, but the friends always catch up and brainstorm over the phone or gathering for a meal. Along with an engaging mystery or two making this quite a page turner, Kathi shares the holidays with her usual flair from a selling trees to decorating trees to watching trees lit up in the center of town and topped off with the Winter Ball. But it’s not done yet!
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews43 followers
November 17, 2020
Gooseberry Christmas is the third Kathi Daley’s Cottage on Gooseberry Bay series. This book is a fun and clean read, with a strong emphasis on friends, family, caring, and compassion. The complex mysteries in this installment encompass the main character’s past and the current-day murder of a man. The amiable characters are well developed, and the well-plotted storyline flows smoothly. The intriguing mysteries and red herrings will keep readers engaged and guessing. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading well-crafted cozies.

After Ainsley Holloway’s dad passed away, she found his diary and a photograph of a woman with two young children, and, for reasons she can’t explain, she felt a connection to the people and started doubting her past. In her search for the truth about her past, Ansley and her two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Kai and Kallie, moved from Georgia to Washington State, rented a cottage in Gooseberry Bay, began making new friends, and settling into the community. Ainsley finds herself quite taken with her new community and decides to volunteer at several of the Christmas events. Her first volunteer assignment is at a Christmas tree lot, where a local man is murdered, and one of her friends becomes the prime suspect. Ainsley and her friends work hard to solve the murder and help Ainsley delve into her past while still finding time to enjoy the Christmas season and festivities.
595 reviews15 followers
October 9, 2022
I enjoyed this book very much, as I have the series so far. Ainsley is trying to enjoy the Christmas holiday with her new friends when a body is found and a friend is suspected.
I love the characters and their interactions, this is a place I would love to live. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I also love that Ms. Daley always has a secondary ongoing mystery that is about Ainsley's past. I will continue on with this series.
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
November 18, 2020
Another Fantastic Book

This was another fantastic book filled with suspense,twists and turns.
The storyline keeps getting better and I am anxiously awaiting for the underlying mystery to be solved.
Now I have to wait a few months for the next book. Bummers!!
This book and series are highly recommended.
Profile Image for Harmony.
417 reviews7 followers
April 15, 2021
This book was not on par with the other books in this series. This book is missing the charm of the prior two. There is too much internal monologue, pages and pages of Ainsley rambling to herself. The dogs (my favorite part of this series) are barely present in this book. There was very little sleuthing, the mystery completely solves itself. There was almost no movement on the overarching mystery other than to confirm my suspicion that she's related to Adam somehow.

SIGH.

I found this book incredibly boring with no focus or direction. What I enjoyed in the two previous books was the friendships Ainsley was creating in this town. They were conspicuously absent in this story. In the previous books, Ainsley mentions that she has dinner every night with her friends. In this book, they're all too busy and she spends several days alone reading a book and lazing around. Yes, pages and pages of her doing absolutely nothing *zzzzz*.

I enjoy cozies with a touch of romance, this series has zero romance. However, I didn't miss that because of the friendships. Take away the friendships? I'm not even sure why I'm reading this anymore.

DISAPPOINTED

Also, why is the author writing Ainsley as if she's a 75 year old woman? She's freaking 28 years old! She writes her and the others as if they're senior citizens. It's starting to annoy me while also boring me to tears.

I don't understand the author's thought process in not clearing up the ambiguity between Ainsley and Adam. Adam is a character that Ainsley is romantically interested in. I suspected in book 1 that they could be related, this possibility was confirmed in this book. The ICK factor here is off the charts, I won't be reading further in this series till this is clarified. Yeah, I'm not here for a kissing cousins story. Even if it turns out that they are not related, at this point they think they could be and any developing feelings would be with the assumption that they are related. It's really not right to yank the readers around like this.
Profile Image for Lynne Moody.
452 reviews152 followers
November 25, 2020
The characters are very interesting and cleverly written. The storyline has alot of twists and turns with every page , which I truly love. Can't wait till the next book in this series.
72 reviews
November 20, 2020
Gooseberry Christmas is the third book in the fantastic new Cottage on Gooseberry Bay cozy mystery series by Kathi Daley. Like all of her books, this book is filled with elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, love, romance, friends and family, and a sense of community. This story takes place in the charming, tourist town of Gooseberry Bay, Washington. The town is filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. Residents are excited about the upcoming tree lighting ceremony and other festive events in the Christmas Festival. Ainsley and friends work to identify the killer of the owner of the local tree farm, along with uncovering answers to the mystery of Ainsley’s past. I enjoy the character development and the introduction of new characters. I love the way Ms. Daley writes in a continuing saga fashion with hints and clues to stories in the future. I love that not all questions are resolved in each book. As always, Mrs. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,861 reviews
November 17, 2020
Ainsley Holloway came to Gooseberry Bay in search of answers about her childhood but along the way, she's made some good friends. With Christmas on the way, Ainsley has put her personal mystery on the back burner for a while in order to enjoy the holiday season. When a friend is arrested for murder, Ainsley and the others immediately start delving into the case in order to find the real killer.

I love Kathi Daley's books and this series is becoming a favorite. This book drew me in from the beginning and kept me hooked until the end leaving me eager for more. The story let's you get to know the characters as you cheer them on and follow along with their ups and downs and fall into the story. I can hardly wait for the next book and highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,665 reviews103 followers
December 27, 2020
Ainsley once again found herself investigating a murder with her new crew of friends. I always love how they all just pitch in and take up a part of the investigation that they know they'd excel at, like Jemma with her online skills. As the police basically got nowhere, Christmas was getting closer, the Winter Ball happened. It was described just as magically as I'd imagined it would be. I can tell as I'm reading these books that Ainsley might be getting interested in Adam Winchester.

The murder that happened was more low-key and well-explained at the end as Ainsley talked to her friend Keni in New York. At times, I felt like Christmas took a back seat in this book, but the feeling at the end was still very peaceful and I could just imagine all the friends gathering at Josie and Jemma's later that day.
2,012 reviews
December 4, 2020
Book 3 of this series and Ainsley is not pushing as much on her search for answers about her past but instead, planning to enjoy her first Gooseberry Bay Christmas. She gets involved in volunteering with the rest of the gang for the holiday festival on the boardwalk. this year she is excited to join in and enjoy Christmas with all of its trappings.

However, the discovery of a body at the Christmas tree lot does put a bit of a damper on the season. Ainsley gets pulled into the investigation and is a major help in solving the mystery. She still manages to enjoy the festivities, the annual Christmas Ball, and especially the host of the ball. It's looking more and more like she might just settle into Gooseberry Bay.


Profile Image for Sue Rae Buck.
345 reviews14 followers
February 3, 2021
In the third book Cottage on Gooseberry Bay, Gooseberry Christmas Ainsley is trying to enjoy all the Christmas wonders that Gooseberry has to offer by volunteering for the Christmas Festival. Her first volunteer job is working the Christmas tree lot Only the owner is dead with knife in his back. Ainsley decides to put her investigating skills to work and solve this mystery and still working on her own mystery of her past. Adam and Ainsley are getting very close Is there a romantic future for them?

Kathi Daley is a wonderful writer. I've read mostly everything that she has written! I believe that Kathi Daley brings each character to life. If there is such a place called Gooseberry, I would love to live there.
Profile Image for Debbie.
373 reviews8 followers
March 6, 2021
I am enjoying Ainsley's backstory/mystery a lot, and I like the concept of the book.
The mini mysteries within each book are very enjoyable as well.
What I am disappointed in is the too similar parallels with the Zoe Donovan series by the same author. I was okay with Ainsley being romantically interested in the rich Adam, similar to Zoe and the rich Zak, but hey, that was fine. What put me off was that in this book, Adam's dream is to open a school for underprivileged genius kids... EXACTLY like Zak and Zoe in the Zoe Donovan series. 🙄 Nice concept, sure, but couldn't Adam have an equally charitable dream?
I will keep reading because I'm interested in Ainsley's backstory, but I'm less than pleased with the direction Adam's story is taking.
Profile Image for Loretta TheMoodyRedhead.
1,058 reviews4 followers
December 7, 2021
Main mystery to solve: The death of a local tomcat, Bradford.
Others: Ainsley spending more time with Adam and feelings beginning to develop for him.
Ainsley discovering more about her personal life and finding that there lies the possibility discovering the truth may put her in danger.
Ainsley is thinking about making Gooseberry Bay her permanent home.

I like this series because I feel connected to the characters and the town. Even the animals written in have their own personalities. I kind of wish the books were longer, but I also like quick reads.

It’s also nice because Daley really describes the Christmas town very nicely. All the ornaments and lights make me feel I am there!

Next book is the 4th of 9 in the Cottage on Gooseberry Bay: “Kiss ‘N Tell”
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
November 17, 2020
What could be better than to visit a favorite place (real or fictional) around the holidays?
What could be worse than to show up for your first day on a job (paid or volunteer) than to find the boss dead?
Well, having one of your new best friends accused of the murder, for start.
And having seen this friend leave the scene of the crime!

Another exciting episode in Ainsley's search to find the truth of her own past.
Now she must find the truth about a man's death before her new friend is sent to prison for the crime.
Between following clues about the murder and secrets townsfolk are keeping, Ainsley makes some progress towards learning her own true identity.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
November 20, 2020
Gooseberry Christmas ( Cottage on Gooseberry Bay #3 )
By: Kathi Daley
Gooseberry Christmas is book three in the series Cottage on Gooseberry Bay. The story is good and clean mystery. I was hooked at the start and did not want tout it down. The story is about finding hope , family, and friends. A Christmas festival and Ainsley decides to put aside her search to her past and enjoy Christmas in Gooseberry. A dead body , yes, and a friend is a suspect. Ainsley can’t help but get involved. Can she help?
Profile Image for Kristin.
223 reviews
December 27, 2023
great details and murder mystery

The way this author writes includes detailed and descriptions that make every scene vivid and, since this was very Christmassy, cozy. The murder mystery keeps me reading. There are a few times when the sentence structure confused me and I had to read it a few times, plus sometimes a scene has a confusing detail that makes me go back and reread, but this series has been enjoyable and since I still don’t know the main character’s story, I’ll keep reading!
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
November 18, 2020
Warnings, clues and murder.

Ainsley gets a message warning her to back off on her quest to find out the truth about her past. Adam is helping her find clues about who was around the summer of 1995. The man running the towns Christmas tree lot is found murdered and her new friend Jackson seems to be the main suspect. So Ainsley and the peninsula gang has their work cut out for them.
Profile Image for Jane Firebaugh.
Author 7 books99 followers
November 19, 2020
I loved this new book in the series. Besides getting new information on the continuing mystery of Ainsley's background, there is a murder in the tiny village and Ainsley finds herself, along with her friends, once again involved in trying to solve the mystery.

Meanwhile there seems to be a bit of romance in Ainsley's life, as well as thoughts of settling in and embarking on a particular career in her new town.

Highly recommended.
377 reviews4 followers
November 20, 2020
Gooseberry Bay Christmas

Ainsley is settling down in Gooseberry. She has wonderful friends and Christmas is coming up. She is loving the community and wants to become more involved so volunteers to help with the Christmas tree lot and other areas. Unfortunately murder doesn’t seem to care what season it us. Also her personal mystery takes a new turn. Should she continue her search? Or will it out her sister, if alive, in danger?
1,033 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2020
Ainsley and Adam progress with her mystery and a little romance

Christmas activities are beginning on the boardwalk and Ainsley volunteers to work in the tree lot, hoping to spend time with Adam. She finds a body and the group begins sleuthing. Gooseberry Bay is full of great people who have welcomed her and made her feel at home and she is starting to think she wants to settle there. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Beckey Scott.
85 reviews
December 27, 2020
A Murder for Christmas?

The entire community is busy preparing for Christmas. Well everyone except the dead body. When Ainsley's friend is arrested for the murder, she and her friends know they must work to prove his innocence. Ainsley also continues to search for the key to her past. While the search is frustrating, having a reason to spend more time with Adam is exciting. Will the Christmas Season bring the answer to both mysteries?
1 review
January 1, 2021
Gooseberry Bay

Book was slow, I skipped through many pages without missing any of the storyline. Too many plots running at the same time. The only plot that was wrapped up, did so at the end of the book, in about a paragraph, a bit anticlimactic. The bigger more interesting storyline was never really fleshed out enough, and we were left flat. I will not bother to look for the next book.
Profile Image for Amy.
389 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2022
Cute cute and cozy Christmastime!

Another enjoyable, cozy mystery on Gooseberry Bay.
This time Ainsley and her friends try to solve a murder, in order to help save their friend who is being accused.
Everything is set during the beautifully described Christmas season, including craft booths, breakfast diners and the enchanting Christmas ball.
This author has a way with words that makes me want to be there to view the beauty and taste the amazing food that is described!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews

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