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Bistro at Holiday Bay #1
Opera and Old Lace
Shelby Morris came to Holiday Bay after receiving a huge inheritance from a woman she'd never met which she'd been destined to share with two half-sisters she'd never knew existed. It took some time for the three very different siblings to settle the estate in a manner that was agreeable to all of them, but in the end, it was decided that Shelby would stay and take care of things.
Shelby was at loose ends once she'd settled the estate since she'd been working long hours her entire life and wasn't used to so much down time. When she found out a hangout down by the commercial fishing dock was for sale, she decided to take a chance and invest in her future.
The Bistro, which consists of a restaurant, bar, rooftop patio, and live music platform, was exactly the sort of thing Shelby needed to find her footing in Holiday Bay. She knows she'll need help, so she enlists the help of new chef and frequent guest to The Inn at Holiday Bay, Amy Hogan, as well as parttime waitress and longtime local Nikki Peyton. Together with the staff and regular customers that appeared to have come with the place, Shelby is certain she'll be able to create something special.
In book 1 in the series, Shelby decides to clean out the second floor of the building which had been used by the previous owner as a storage area. While clearing out the large dusty space she finds a stack of boxes with so much dust on them that she is certain that they'd been there for decades. Shelby opens to boxes and finds items left behind from the owner of the garment factory that had utilized the space half a century ago. During the course of sifting through the old treasures, Shelby finds a journal that appeared to have been left behind by a man who lived in the area in the nineteen sixties and seventies.
Upon examination, Shelby determines that the journal features pages and pages of code, which she suspects, if decoded, will reveal a secret message. The man who left the journal is long dead, so Shelby enlists the help of her staff, customers, local friends, and the ex-cop turned PI who uses a booth in the bar to meet customers, to help her solve the mystery.
Join Shelby, Amy, Nikki, and a lineup of new as well as familiar characters, as they try to solve what, to that point, had been the cold case of the century.
Shelby was at loose ends once she'd settled the estate since she'd been working long hours her entire life and wasn't used to so much down time. When she found out a hangout down by the commercial fishing dock was for sale, she decided to take a chance and invest in her future.
The Bistro, which consists of a restaurant, bar, rooftop patio, and live music platform, was exactly the sort of thing Shelby needed to find her footing in Holiday Bay. She knows she'll need help, so she enlists the help of new chef and frequent guest to The Inn at Holiday Bay, Amy Hogan, as well as parttime waitress and longtime local Nikki Peyton. Together with the staff and regular customers that appeared to have come with the place, Shelby is certain she'll be able to create something special.
In book 1 in the series, Shelby decides to clean out the second floor of the building which had been used by the previous owner as a storage area. While clearing out the large dusty space she finds a stack of boxes with so much dust on them that she is certain that they'd been there for decades. Shelby opens to boxes and finds items left behind from the owner of the garment factory that had utilized the space half a century ago. During the course of sifting through the old treasures, Shelby finds a journal that appeared to have been left behind by a man who lived in the area in the nineteen sixties and seventies.
Upon examination, Shelby determines that the journal features pages and pages of code, which she suspects, if decoded, will reveal a secret message. The man who left the journal is long dead, so Shelby enlists the help of her staff, customers, local friends, and the ex-cop turned PI who uses a booth in the bar to meet customers, to help her solve the mystery.
Join Shelby, Amy, Nikki, and a lineup of new as well as familiar characters, as they try to solve what, to that point, had been the cold case of the century.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2022
About the author
Kathi Daley
329 books1,804 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 67 reviews
February 19, 2023
One of my pet peeves is when authors end a book without a real ending. This one just abruptly cut off. The story was not all that interesting and then it just stopped without anything really happening. The writing was fine which got it a 2nd star.
July 28, 2022
When a new Kathi Daley book pops up in my book notifications I drop whatever I am reading and jump right in! I read this in an afternoon and truly enjoyed it! Some familiar characters and some new ones - all good. My only complaint is that the book ended rather abruptly and without finishing the storyline. At 184 pages I am thinking that the author decided to stop and get it published. The rest of the story is scheduled to come out in October. I'm not impressed with this tactic and took off a star for it.
Amazon synopsis:
Shelby Morris came to Holiday Bay after receiving a huge inheritance from a woman she'd never met which she'd been destined to share with two half-sisters she'd never knew existed. It took some time for the three very different siblings to settle the estate in a manner that was agreeable to all of them, but in the end, it was decided that Shelby would stay and take care of things.
Shelby was at loose ends once she'd settled the estate since she'd been working long hours her entire life and wasn't used to so much downtime. When she found out a hangout down by the commercial fishing dock was for sale, she decided to take a chance and invest in her future.
The Bistro, which consists of a restaurant, bar, rooftop patio, and live music platform, was exactly the sort of thing Shelby needed to find her footing in Holiday Bay. She knows she'll need help, so she enlists the help of new chef and frequent guest to The Inn at Holiday Bay, Amy Hogan, as well as parttime waitress and longtime local Nikki Peyton. Together with the staff and regular customers that appeared to have come with the place, Shelby is certain she'll be able to create something special.
In book 1 in the series, Shelby decides to clean out the second floor of the building which had been used by the previous owner as a storage area. While clearing out the large dusty space she finds a stack of boxes with so much dust on them that she is certain that they'd been there for decades. Shelby opens to boxes and finds items left behind from the owner of the garment factory that had utilized the space half a century ago. During the course of sifting through the old treasures, Shelby finds a journal that appeared to have been left behind by a man who lived in the area in the nineteen sixties and seventies.
Upon examination, Shelby determines that the journal features pages and pages of code, which she suspects, if decoded, will reveal a secret message. The man who left the journal is long dead, so Shelby enlists the help of her staff, customers, local friends, and the ex-cop turned PI who uses a booth in the bar to meet customers, to help her solve the mystery.
Join Shelby, Amy, Nikki, and a lineup of new as well as familiar characters, as they try to solve what, to that point, had been the cold case of the century.
Amazon synopsis:
Shelby Morris came to Holiday Bay after receiving a huge inheritance from a woman she'd never met which she'd been destined to share with two half-sisters she'd never knew existed. It took some time for the three very different siblings to settle the estate in a manner that was agreeable to all of them, but in the end, it was decided that Shelby would stay and take care of things.
Shelby was at loose ends once she'd settled the estate since she'd been working long hours her entire life and wasn't used to so much downtime. When she found out a hangout down by the commercial fishing dock was for sale, she decided to take a chance and invest in her future.
The Bistro, which consists of a restaurant, bar, rooftop patio, and live music platform, was exactly the sort of thing Shelby needed to find her footing in Holiday Bay. She knows she'll need help, so she enlists the help of new chef and frequent guest to The Inn at Holiday Bay, Amy Hogan, as well as parttime waitress and longtime local Nikki Peyton. Together with the staff and regular customers that appeared to have come with the place, Shelby is certain she'll be able to create something special.
In book 1 in the series, Shelby decides to clean out the second floor of the building which had been used by the previous owner as a storage area. While clearing out the large dusty space she finds a stack of boxes with so much dust on them that she is certain that they'd been there for decades. Shelby opens to boxes and finds items left behind from the owner of the garment factory that had utilized the space half a century ago. During the course of sifting through the old treasures, Shelby finds a journal that appeared to have been left behind by a man who lived in the area in the nineteen sixties and seventies.
Upon examination, Shelby determines that the journal features pages and pages of code, which she suspects, if decoded, will reveal a secret message. The man who left the journal is long dead, so Shelby enlists the help of her staff, customers, local friends, and the ex-cop turned PI who uses a booth in the bar to meet customers, to help her solve the mystery.
Join Shelby, Amy, Nikki, and a lineup of new as well as familiar characters, as they try to solve what, to that point, had been the cold case of the century.
July 29, 2022
This is a debut book of Ms. Daley's spin-off from her Inn at Holiday Bay series and I thought it was a good introduction into this new setting. Ms. Daley gave readers the opportunity to meet and get to know new characters as well as visit with the characters from the Inn at Holiday Bay books. The plot moves swiftly, the characters are developing and the mystery is interesting because it involves the past and possible murders that reach as far as Boston. I always enjoy how Ms. Daley weaves personal stories within the mystery so that I feel like I have the opportunity to get to know the characters at a more personal level. This was an enjoyable afternoon read.
July 26, 2022
Opera and Old Lace is the debut book in Kathi Daley’s Bistro at Holiday Bay series. This series is a spin-off from Ms. Daley’s Inn at Holiday Bay series, so there are quite a few familiar characters as well as new ones. The well-plotted storyline flows smoothly, the setting is charming, and the well-developed characters are three-dimensional, compassionate, and caring. There isn’t an active murder investigation in this installment, but there is an intriguing and complex mystery to be solved. Whenever I start reading one of Ms. Daley’s books, I know I’m in for a treat, and I’ve never been disappointed. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries.
Shelby Morris recently learned that she had two half-sisters, Sage Wilson and Sierra Danielson, and that the grandmother they didn’t know existed had passed away, leaving them cash, personal property, and a mansion and grounds worth millions of dollars. The sisters decided Shelby would move to Holiday Bay, Maine, to live in and care for the mansion and grounds. When Shelby Morris and her friend and talented chef, Amy Hogan, discovered a local bar and restaurant, the Bistro at Holiday Bay, was for sale, the two friends decided to go into business together. Shelby is considering remodeling the building and begins clearing out the second floor of the building housing the Bistro, which is filled from floor to ceiling with equipment, supplies, miscellaneous items, and boxes upon boxes left by previous owners of the property. Shelby and the Bistro’s cat, Hennessy, who came with the building, find a handwritten journal dating back to the nineteen sixties and seventies that she believes belonged to a man with ties to the building and possibly to the mob. As Shelby, friends, and staff members read the journal, they determine that it contains pages of code, which they attempt to decode.
Shelby Morris recently learned that she had two half-sisters, Sage Wilson and Sierra Danielson, and that the grandmother they didn’t know existed had passed away, leaving them cash, personal property, and a mansion and grounds worth millions of dollars. The sisters decided Shelby would move to Holiday Bay, Maine, to live in and care for the mansion and grounds. When Shelby Morris and her friend and talented chef, Amy Hogan, discovered a local bar and restaurant, the Bistro at Holiday Bay, was for sale, the two friends decided to go into business together. Shelby is considering remodeling the building and begins clearing out the second floor of the building housing the Bistro, which is filled from floor to ceiling with equipment, supplies, miscellaneous items, and boxes upon boxes left by previous owners of the property. Shelby and the Bistro’s cat, Hennessy, who came with the building, find a handwritten journal dating back to the nineteen sixties and seventies that she believes belonged to a man with ties to the building and possibly to the mob. As Shelby, friends, and staff members read the journal, they determine that it contains pages of code, which they attempt to decode.
August 29, 2022
I have to say I'm disappointed in this new series. Having two mysteries in the same town wasn't a great idea. This book spent too much time talking about building renovations and the mystery that was solved was decades old. I'll try the second book in the hopes that the story line picks up but if not I'll move on to something else.
July 28, 2022
I have loved the Inn at Holiday Bay series and was excited to read the spin off.
While I will try the next book, I found the main character to be rather annoying.
The idea of a lost high school love is uninspired.
I found the story to be hard to follow.
And the very idea of the child meeting her biological father seems to have no place in the story. And is rather depressing.
I hope that the author drops the whole Sean story and focuses on making the story more interesting.
While I will try the next book, I found the main character to be rather annoying.
The idea of a lost high school love is uninspired.
I found the story to be hard to follow.
And the very idea of the child meeting her biological father seems to have no place in the story. And is rather depressing.
I hope that the author drops the whole Sean story and focuses on making the story more interesting.
December 23, 2022
Not thinking I'll be following this new series. What's with the Old Lace other than finding some?
The story was slow and uninteresting and ended abruptly without concluding the characters stories.
I'll stick with the Holiday Bay series, though the last one I read was not up to snuff, possibly because she spun off this new series?
The story was slow and uninteresting and ended abruptly without concluding the characters stories.
I'll stick with the Holiday Bay series, though the last one I read was not up to snuff, possibly because she spun off this new series?
August 12, 2022
New family
Enjoyable. Liked the mobster thread. Looking forward to the relationships between the characters to be developed more. The Renos on the bistro will be fun to follow.
Enjoyable. Liked the mobster thread. Looking forward to the relationships between the characters to be developed more. The Renos on the bistro will be fun to follow.
April 13, 2023
Yeah, um, nope……..gotta say this left a bad impression. I know the environment of Holiday Bay well (read most of the Inn books) and pretty much all the characters. But getting to know Shelby better, she’s an a$$ (sorry, not sorry).
Her reaction to Kennedy’s situation is just a big NO (and given how much Shelby still holds things against her mother and sperm donor and grandmother, I can’t believe she’d make any kind of case toward letting Addy’s sperm donor (and be honest, that’s what he was (by choice) except now that Addy’s exceptional, he wants credit) have any kind of access. Shelby should also recognize that Kennedy’s being manipulated by her slick and clever older brother who stayed in friends with the man (25 yo) who impregnated his teenage sister and then abandoned her.
Shelby’s lackadaisical approach to her new business venture is also unappealing - taking off on a road trip on a very busy day to look into a mystery/crime that’s already 50+ years old? Why her business partner says nothing is a mystery (except that Amy’s just a cardboard cutout here; she doesn’t even get to name her kitten when they both agreed she would (tbh Georgia in the Inn series is a much more rounded character who has the same “role”).
Worse still is Shelby wanting to be lead in her own Hallmark movie - the “man of my dreams is my HS sweetheart but I was too busy/stupid/successful/etc to pay attention but he loves me forever and ever and ever💕💕💕💕” type movie.
I know some complained there is very little story here but just because the bodies aren’t dropping, doesn’t mean there’s not a tale to tell. It does end rather abruptly (as several mentioned). It would have been nice to get the actual story of Tito or Edith’s knowledge or even a completely decoded diary. We did weed through a lot of, well, weeds to get to the end. A little reward would have been appropriate.
And purely on a technical note, a lot of rehashing information. Not from the other series, that would be understandable. But of the same info presented several chapters earlier, as if the author recognized people wouldn’t read this in one sitting and have to be reminded, in detail, about the building history or planned renovations or even the story of Sean.
I won’t be heading back to the Bistro, even if I visit the Inn again.
Her reaction to Kennedy’s situation is just a big NO (and given how much Shelby still holds things against her mother and sperm donor and grandmother, I can’t believe she’d make any kind of case toward letting Addy’s sperm donor (and be honest, that’s what he was (by choice) except now that Addy’s exceptional, he wants credit) have any kind of access. Shelby should also recognize that Kennedy’s being manipulated by her slick and clever older brother who stayed in friends with the man (25 yo) who impregnated his teenage sister and then abandoned her.
Shelby’s lackadaisical approach to her new business venture is also unappealing - taking off on a road trip on a very busy day to look into a mystery/crime that’s already 50+ years old? Why her business partner says nothing is a mystery (except that Amy’s just a cardboard cutout here; she doesn’t even get to name her kitten when they both agreed she would (tbh Georgia in the Inn series is a much more rounded character who has the same “role”).
Worse still is Shelby wanting to be lead in her own Hallmark movie - the “man of my dreams is my HS sweetheart but I was too busy/stupid/successful/etc to pay attention but he loves me forever and ever and ever💕💕💕💕” type movie.
I know some complained there is very little story here but just because the bodies aren’t dropping, doesn’t mean there’s not a tale to tell. It does end rather abruptly (as several mentioned). It would have been nice to get the actual story of Tito or Edith’s knowledge or even a completely decoded diary. We did weed through a lot of, well, weeds to get to the end. A little reward would have been appropriate.
And purely on a technical note, a lot of rehashing information. Not from the other series, that would be understandable. But of the same info presented several chapters earlier, as if the author recognized people wouldn’t read this in one sitting and have to be reminded, in detail, about the building history or planned renovations or even the story of Sean.
I won’t be heading back to the Bistro, even if I visit the Inn again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2022
Shelby Morris came to Holiday Bay after receiving an inheritance from a grandmother she never knew at which time she met two half-sisters for the first time. Shelby settled down in Holiday Bay and bought a local hot spot, the Bistro. When cleaning out storage on the second floor, Shelby comes across an old journal written in code, so she and others set out to solve the old mystery.
This is the first book in a new series, and I really enjoyed it. It's a spinoff of Kathi's popular Inn at Holdiay Bay series and promises to be just as good. The book's well-written with wonderful characters, many of whom we already know, and an intriguing storyline. I was drawn into the captivating read and kept hooked from beginning to end. The old mystery is very interesting, and I loved the way they set out to solve it. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
This is the first book in a new series, and I really enjoyed it. It's a spinoff of Kathi's popular Inn at Holdiay Bay series and promises to be just as good. The book's well-written with wonderful characters, many of whom we already know, and an intriguing storyline. I was drawn into the captivating read and kept hooked from beginning to end. The old mystery is very interesting, and I loved the way they set out to solve it. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
September 13, 2022
Slow Going
The Holiday Bay series is one of my favorites so when this spin off book series came about, I jumped at the opportunity. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in that this book was very hard to get into. It took me several days to finally get to a point that the book got interesting which was almost 3/4 of the way through. Too much detail about the bistro. The same formula of several mysteries going on at the same time works well for the original Holiday Bay stories, but I did not think it worked as well for this set of characters. Too many characters (names of workers in the bar/restaurant) introduced and I could not keep all straight and not all names had prominence in this firs book of this new series. Maybe the series will develop in the next book but this one did not really grab me.
The Holiday Bay series is one of my favorites so when this spin off book series came about, I jumped at the opportunity. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in that this book was very hard to get into. It took me several days to finally get to a point that the book got interesting which was almost 3/4 of the way through. Too much detail about the bistro. The same formula of several mysteries going on at the same time works well for the original Holiday Bay stories, but I did not think it worked as well for this set of characters. Too many characters (names of workers in the bar/restaurant) introduced and I could not keep all straight and not all names had prominence in this firs book of this new series. Maybe the series will develop in the next book but this one did not really grab me.
November 7, 2024
This is a cosy that brings together Characters who seem like Friends
This cozy is exactly what you need for bunches of characters, of totally different types and a changing of life for a few of them and all regulars in an old fashioned bistro that still catered to the workers and families who lived in a town that is becoming a summer tourist spot. While the fishing is beginning to suffer from the warming oceans this book is not about changing weather, but about people and how we chose to change or live life in special times that take them away from the norm. I loved the characters and they were all friends ii want to find out more about how their lives change and grow, waiting to read more about them.
This cozy is exactly what you need for bunches of characters, of totally different types and a changing of life for a few of them and all regulars in an old fashioned bistro that still catered to the workers and families who lived in a town that is becoming a summer tourist spot. While the fishing is beginning to suffer from the warming oceans this book is not about changing weather, but about people and how we chose to change or live life in special times that take them away from the norm. I loved the characters and they were all friends ii want to find out more about how their lives change and grow, waiting to read more about them.
July 31, 2022
Enjoyable.
I've read and enjoyed the Inn at Holiday Bay series since the beginning and this new Bistro series is a nice addition. I liked the characters and the author's style of writing - almost like a journal that relates both the mundane and the extraordinary events of daily life. There is no murder here, at least any recent murder, but there is a "murder puzzle" of sorts that several of the characters work towards solving. And, as in the Inn at Holiday Bay series, there are always personal problems that need to be worked out, just as in real life. I enjoyed this book and I do plan to continue reading just as soon as the next one becomes available.
I've read and enjoyed the Inn at Holiday Bay series since the beginning and this new Bistro series is a nice addition. I liked the characters and the author's style of writing - almost like a journal that relates both the mundane and the extraordinary events of daily life. There is no murder here, at least any recent murder, but there is a "murder puzzle" of sorts that several of the characters work towards solving. And, as in the Inn at Holiday Bay series, there are always personal problems that need to be worked out, just as in real life. I enjoyed this book and I do plan to continue reading just as soon as the next one becomes available.
July 28, 2022
Beginning of new series
This is the beginning of a new series, spun off of the Inn at Holiday Bay. Shelby is one of 3 half-sisters who came to Holiday Bay when a grandmother they never knew passed away. Shelby now lives in the mansion her grandmother owned and recently bought the Bistro bar and restaurant. There is a mystery involved and lots of work to be done with the Bistro. Characters from the Holiday Bay series make appearances and I look forward to the next book in this series.
This is the beginning of a new series, spun off of the Inn at Holiday Bay. Shelby is one of 3 half-sisters who came to Holiday Bay when a grandmother they never knew passed away. Shelby now lives in the mansion her grandmother owned and recently bought the Bistro bar and restaurant. There is a mystery involved and lots of work to be done with the Bistro. Characters from the Holiday Bay series make appearances and I look forward to the next book in this series.
July 29, 2022
This is a wonderful new series, based on her series The Inn at Holiday Bay. Although some of the characters are the same, it really is unique in itself, and introduces new characters as well. I am sure we will see these new characters in The Inn and others from The Inn in this series as well. The author does a great job combining the two stories yet staying unique to each. I can't wait to see how the Bistro changes over time, and watch the main character, Shelby, grow into her new role as a business owner and develop her own set of friends!
July 29, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable first book in the new series
I've read a lot of Kathi Daley's books; my favourite series is the Inn at Holiday Bay and several of the characters from that series appear here but in their logical roles and places. This is very much a new series with its own set of core characters to get to know. Having fun my own business for over 10 years, it's interesting watching Shelby wrestle with the inevitable quirks of having taken over an established business that needs a bit of "finesse-ing" to help it run more smoothly. Looking forward to the next one.
I've read a lot of Kathi Daley's books; my favourite series is the Inn at Holiday Bay and several of the characters from that series appear here but in their logical roles and places. This is very much a new series with its own set of core characters to get to know. Having fun my own business for over 10 years, it's interesting watching Shelby wrestle with the inevitable quirks of having taken over an established business that needs a bit of "finesse-ing" to help it run more smoothly. Looking forward to the next one.
September 18, 2022
An intriguing start to a new spinoff series from “The Inn at Holiday Bay”. I was interested in Shelby and her sisters when they were first introduced in the series mentioned above. This first book was a great introduction into the characters that will be the focal point of this series but also had the cameos of some of our favorites from The Inn series. As always, the author has done a great job of building and deepening these characters while providing and intriguing mystery to catch our attention. Loved it!!!
June 24, 2023
I am a huge fan of Kathi Daley! I have read alot of her books! Almost all of them! All her different series are great books to read! I liked this book alot. I'm already reading the next one in the series. I think this series has alot of different directions Kathi can go with future books. I like all the characters. Shelby and all her employees each bring something different to the books. I highly recommend this series and ALL of her other ones!!! I'm not a very good reviewer but I know what I like!
July 26, 2022
Shelby Morris has bought The Bistro bar and restaurant from Dory who wants to move closer to her children and grandchildren. While cleaning out the storage room of The Bistro, Shelby finds a journal written in Italian and number codes that appears to be from the late 60's to mid 70's. With the help of her staff they decode the journal and make a frightening story and have to involve the police and the FBI.
August 4, 2022
Excellent new mystery series
Excellent start to a new mystery series by Kathi Daley. Set in beautiful Holiday Bay, Maine Shelby has opened a bistro and while going thru an old journal discovers a mystery from years ago. With the help of her co-workers and friends, they are able to put the puzzle together and come up with some startling answers. I love this new series and highly recommend it to cozy mystery lovers.
Excellent start to a new mystery series by Kathi Daley. Set in beautiful Holiday Bay, Maine Shelby has opened a bistro and while going thru an old journal discovers a mystery from years ago. With the help of her co-workers and friends, they are able to put the puzzle together and come up with some startling answers. I love this new series and highly recommend it to cozy mystery lovers.
August 12, 2022
Undecided
This new series needed a little more editing. I found myself distracted by the overuse of 'utilising' in the first several chapters. What is wrong with 'using'? The overall storyline was interesting. If someone new to this author chooses this as their first dip into her books it will be a bit difficult to get a hold of the characters as they move in from a long running saga of the area, as no background was given initially. I like this author and look forward to the next book.
This new series needed a little more editing. I found myself distracted by the overuse of 'utilising' in the first several chapters. What is wrong with 'using'? The overall storyline was interesting. If someone new to this author chooses this as their first dip into her books it will be a bit difficult to get a hold of the characters as they move in from a long running saga of the area, as no background was given initially. I like this author and look forward to the next book.
December 20, 2022
Good book!!!!
I like the start of this series, it has other people from the Inn at Holiday Bay unit which is cool to know what they do away from the Inn.
Shelby has a great start at the Bistro with great employees.
The mystery she found in the boxes she found in the storage room she is cleaning out is so cool. Now her next chapter in her life will take off with a new renovation!!
Now get this book a find out Shelby's start at the Bistro!!!!
I like the start of this series, it has other people from the Inn at Holiday Bay unit which is cool to know what they do away from the Inn.
Shelby has a great start at the Bistro with great employees.
The mystery she found in the boxes she found in the storage room she is cleaning out is so cool. Now her next chapter in her life will take off with a new renovation!!
Now get this book a find out Shelby's start at the Bistro!!!!
July 30, 2022
Enjoy going back to an old familiar place with a new focus on the Bistro, love the different mysteries that have popped up, will they solve the mystery of the journal, will old romances reignite. Where does it go from here? So many intriguing questions and an exciting journey to find the answers. Love this book and looking forward to the next one.
August 14, 2022
Great book to began Bistro Bay series,
This book carries over some Holiday Bay characters but brings a less known character into a new situation which will add a lot to both series. Centering if relationships and friendship with the usual touch of mystery this looks like another great scared to enjoy.
This book carries over some Holiday Bay characters but brings a less known character into a new situation which will add a lot to both series. Centering if relationships and friendship with the usual touch of mystery this looks like another great scared to enjoy.
September 24, 2022
Not her best
I have read all the other books set in Holiday Bay. I like the way the mysteries are about lost jewels or past mysteries and not always killing off townspeople. But this book left me bored. I don't care about the characters. And the book just stopped, with lots of loose ends hanging.
Not impressed
I have read all the other books set in Holiday Bay. I like the way the mysteries are about lost jewels or past mysteries and not always killing off townspeople. But this book left me bored. I don't care about the characters. And the book just stopped, with lots of loose ends hanging.
Not impressed
October 4, 2022
This is the first book of this new series and is a takeoff from The Inn at Holiday Bay series. Partners Shelby Morris and Amy Hogan purchase the Bistro when the owner wishes to retire. We learn more about the main characters lives. Drama for an employee over custody. A journal has several characters into code breaking to solve the mystery.
November 30, 2022
I really enjoy the mysteries that Kathi writes as it seems that they are so natural for her. She is an author that when the pen hits the paper or her fingers hit the keyboard it turns into a great story no matter which of her books that you pick. This one really was a good one nighter and so fun to read. Kathi hit a home run with this!
January 9, 2023
Short, with a bit of a cliffhanger, this is obviously meant to be only a prequel to the next in the series. Also it's a spin-off series from the Inn at Holiday Bay series by the same author. Some of the characters carry over and the writing is good so this seems it can as enjoyable as the other. I still wish there was more.
July 20, 2023
Bistro at Holiday Bay: Opera and Old Lace
This was a pretty good story with a little mystery thrown in. I think after about 10 of KD's books, I'm finally getting use to her writing style. If you're looking for action, these are not the books for you. These, to me, are quietly pleasant to read and clean.
This was a pretty good story with a little mystery thrown in. I think after about 10 of KD's books, I'm finally getting use to her writing style. If you're looking for action, these are not the books for you. These, to me, are quietly pleasant to read and clean.
December 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this start to a new series. Shelby is an interesting main character and I can't wait to see what the Bistro will look like both for the Haunted House and with the rooftop dining area. I liked the small town feel and the story line.
The side characters all helped flesh out the story and I want to know more about each of them and more about Shelby.
A great fast read.
The side characters all helped flesh out the story and I want to know more about each of them and more about Shelby.
A great fast read.
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