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Resort at Castaway Bay #5
Resort at Castaway Bay: Prove or Perish
Sydney Whitmore, a forensic psychologist, moves to Shipwreck Island and renews her relationship with Ezra Reinhold, a reclusive billionaire who enjoys poking around in cold cases and has the means to hire the best people to find the answers no one else has been able to.
In book 4 in the series, Arden Haynsworth has been kidnapped after being sentenced to death for her part in the death of the kidnapper's daughter Daisy. Arden insists she’s innocent of the crime she’s been accused of and is certain she was set up to take the fall. She’s been allotted five days’ worth of food, water, and air to prove it. If she can prove that she really is innocent of the murder, she'll be set free. If she can’t prove her innocence, she’ll die. The biggest problem is that she’s locked in this room and therefore unable to investigate. She’s offered the chance to be linked via live video feed to anyone she chooses. She chooses Ezra. With only five days to prove the woman’s innocence or watch her perish, the team jumps into action.
Meanwhile, it's Christmas on Shipwreck Island and everyone in Syd's life has gone just a bit Christmas Crazy. Aunt Charley is baking up a storm, Emily is knee deep in preparations for the annual Christmas by the Sea event, Estelle and Esther have parts in the school play, and Logan is helping Ryder with the annual boat parade.
In book 4 in the series, Arden Haynsworth has been kidnapped after being sentenced to death for her part in the death of the kidnapper's daughter Daisy. Arden insists she’s innocent of the crime she’s been accused of and is certain she was set up to take the fall. She’s been allotted five days’ worth of food, water, and air to prove it. If she can prove that she really is innocent of the murder, she'll be set free. If she can’t prove her innocence, she’ll die. The biggest problem is that she’s locked in this room and therefore unable to investigate. She’s offered the chance to be linked via live video feed to anyone she chooses. She chooses Ezra. With only five days to prove the woman’s innocence or watch her perish, the team jumps into action.
Meanwhile, it's Christmas on Shipwreck Island and everyone in Syd's life has gone just a bit Christmas Crazy. Aunt Charley is baking up a storm, Emily is knee deep in preparations for the annual Christmas by the Sea event, Estelle and Esther have parts in the school play, and Logan is helping Ryder with the annual boat parade.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
164 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2022
245 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Daley
357 books1,792 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 33 reviews
June 16, 2022
Kathi Daley's latest book from Castaway Bay on Shipwreck Island featuring FBI agent Syd Whitmore.
It's Christmas season and the resort Syd's family run is busy so she's helping out where she can. She's involved in an FBI case which is coming to a close when Ezra, a man who has assembled a select team of people who deal with complex cases which may require them to step outside of the law to solve them, calls with a job.
Syd is drawn into a strange case involving a dead teenager and kidnapping. Since the case is time critical she's called off the Island and spends time back in San Francisco, her base before she returned to Shipwreck Island. Will they solve the case in time for her to spend Christmas with her family and those she loves?
The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
I really enjoy reading books by this author, this is only one of the series by this prolific author of cozy mysteries. If you like this one, try one of her others - Inn at Holiday Bay (where we met Syd initially), Cottage on Gooseberry Bay or any of her others, they're all really good and hard to put down.
It's Christmas season and the resort Syd's family run is busy so she's helping out where she can. She's involved in an FBI case which is coming to a close when Ezra, a man who has assembled a select team of people who deal with complex cases which may require them to step outside of the law to solve them, calls with a job.
Syd is drawn into a strange case involving a dead teenager and kidnapping. Since the case is time critical she's called off the Island and spends time back in San Francisco, her base before she returned to Shipwreck Island. Will they solve the case in time for her to spend Christmas with her family and those she loves?
The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
I really enjoy reading books by this author, this is only one of the series by this prolific author of cozy mysteries. If you like this one, try one of her others - Inn at Holiday Bay (where we met Syd initially), Cottage on Gooseberry Bay or any of her others, they're all really good and hard to put down.
June 19, 2022
Ms. Daley has penned another winner in the Resort at Castaway Bay cozy series. I love this setting and always enjoy visiting Shipwreck Island and the residents that are part of Sydney's home life. This was different from the typical cozy mystery as this was about more than just finding out "who done it" but more about finding answers about a cold case and finding a kidnap victim. From the first page to the last I was completely engrossed in the story; and I didn't stop reading until I reached the end.
June 14, 2022
Prove or Perish is the fifth book in Kathi Daley’s Resort at Castaway Bay series. The intriguing mystery is well plotted and complex, with no shortage of twists and red herrings to keep readers engaged and guessing. The West Coast setting is charming, and the well-developed characters are three-dimensional, compassionate, and caring. Ms. Daley’s descriptive writing made me feel like I was right in the midst of the activities and sharing the characters’ tragedies and joys. Christy Turner provides a lifestyle blog with photographs of beautiful festive nutcrackers. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading well-crafted cozies.
After suffering the consequences of an error in judgment in her job as an FBI forensic psychologist Sydney Whitmore came home to Shipwreck Island for an extended vacation but decided to move home permanently. Sidney is currently working part-time for Colin Black of the FBI and Ezra Reinhold, a reclusive billionaire who has put together a top-of-the-line team of experts who enjoy solving cold cases. Aunt Charlie raised Sydney and her sisters, Emily and Rory, when their parents were killed in an automobile accident. Emily, her two young daughters, and Rory live at Jack’s Hideaway with Aunt Charley and Charley’s father-in-law, Hank Hamilton. Besides helping at the resort, Emily writes a lifestyle blog and volunteers for community events. Rory’s a veterinary technician who often brings animals in need of extra attention home with her. Logan Alexander, who grew up at the resort, decided to return to the island to care for his father, Liam, and has taken over Henry Collins’ medical practice.
Shortly after Colin Black briefs Sydney and her FBI team members on a case, she receives a text summoning her to Ezra Reinhold’s compound, where he advises his team that they have been hired to look into the same case. A grieving father, Riggs Maynard, has kidnapped one of his bank’s employees, Arden Haynsworth, who he believes murdered his sixteen-year-old daughter, Daisy. Arden swears that she’s innocent, and Riggs has hired Ezra on her behalf to prove her innocence. Ezra’s team is given five days to prove Arden’s innocence. Ezra’s team immediately begins trying to prove she’s innocent or find and save her before Riggs follows through on his threat to kill her.
After suffering the consequences of an error in judgment in her job as an FBI forensic psychologist Sydney Whitmore came home to Shipwreck Island for an extended vacation but decided to move home permanently. Sidney is currently working part-time for Colin Black of the FBI and Ezra Reinhold, a reclusive billionaire who has put together a top-of-the-line team of experts who enjoy solving cold cases. Aunt Charlie raised Sydney and her sisters, Emily and Rory, when their parents were killed in an automobile accident. Emily, her two young daughters, and Rory live at Jack’s Hideaway with Aunt Charley and Charley’s father-in-law, Hank Hamilton. Besides helping at the resort, Emily writes a lifestyle blog and volunteers for community events. Rory’s a veterinary technician who often brings animals in need of extra attention home with her. Logan Alexander, who grew up at the resort, decided to return to the island to care for his father, Liam, and has taken over Henry Collins’ medical practice.
Shortly after Colin Black briefs Sydney and her FBI team members on a case, she receives a text summoning her to Ezra Reinhold’s compound, where he advises his team that they have been hired to look into the same case. A grieving father, Riggs Maynard, has kidnapped one of his bank’s employees, Arden Haynsworth, who he believes murdered his sixteen-year-old daughter, Daisy. Arden swears that she’s innocent, and Riggs has hired Ezra on her behalf to prove her innocence. Ezra’s team is given five days to prove Arden’s innocence. Ezra’s team immediately begins trying to prove she’s innocent or find and save her before Riggs follows through on his threat to kill her.
January 12, 2023
The suspense was great in this book, but it was anything but a Christmas story. The theme with vampires was better suited to a Halloween story and some details were gruesome and didn't qualify as a cozy mystery.
January 10, 2023
Syd is on another case with Ezra's team although Colin's team is up on the case. Arden, an employee of the bank owned by Daisy's father, has been kidnapped. Daisy was murdered and her father believes Arden to be the murderer. Ezra's team has five days to find her before she is killed. There is a question as to whether or not to prove her innocence or find the person guilty of the murder. Which should Ezra's team do--prove her innocence, rescue her, or find the murderer?
I liked this story. I will admit I would have enjoyed it more had I read the earlier books in the series to know the backstories referenced in this book. It can be read as a standalone though. I liked the characters. They are an eclectic group of characters. The story was good. I was going along with the group to figure out Arden's innocence or guilt. I am no detective, so I needed the explanations as the story went along. The mystery and its solution were logical.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series as well as any new books that come out.
I liked this story. I will admit I would have enjoyed it more had I read the earlier books in the series to know the backstories referenced in this book. It can be read as a standalone though. I liked the characters. They are an eclectic group of characters. The story was good. I was going along with the group to figure out Arden's innocence or guilt. I am no detective, so I needed the explanations as the story went along. The mystery and its solution were logical.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series as well as any new books that come out.
July 14, 2022
Arden Haynsworth has been kidnapped by the man who believes she killed his daughter. She's locked in a room with five days' worth of air, food, and water and has that time to prove her innocence or she'll die. She's allowed to choose a "champion" and her choice is Ezra and the team. Syd and the others investigate the girl's death and look for the location where Arden's being held. Can they find the answers in time?
Kathi Daley is one of my top favorite cozy mystery authors, and this series is a prime example of why. This book's well-written and the characters are well-rounded while the plot is fast-paced and well-thought-out. The exciting story drew me in and kept me hooked. The mystery and suspense will keep you on your toes. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
Kathi Daley is one of my top favorite cozy mystery authors, and this series is a prime example of why. This book's well-written and the characters are well-rounded while the plot is fast-paced and well-thought-out. The exciting story drew me in and kept me hooked. The mystery and suspense will keep you on your toes. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
March 8, 2023
Cozy thriller
A young girl is found murdered in a park and her father goes out and kidnaps the suspected killer because the police haven't arrested her yet. The father decides he is going to kill her but he agreed to give her five days to prove her innocence with the help of Ezra and his gang of workers. As they try to solve the murder, and find where the kidnapped woman is being held, the crew runs into some strange characters who believe they are vampires. The hours are ticking down on the clock and the crew is racing to recover the kidnapped woman before she is murdered too. Will they get there on time and will they solve the case? Great storyline, great action and a race to the climax. Excellent series by Kathi Daley who is definitely one of my favorite mystery writers.
A young girl is found murdered in a park and her father goes out and kidnaps the suspected killer because the police haven't arrested her yet. The father decides he is going to kill her but he agreed to give her five days to prove her innocence with the help of Ezra and his gang of workers. As they try to solve the murder, and find where the kidnapped woman is being held, the crew runs into some strange characters who believe they are vampires. The hours are ticking down on the clock and the crew is racing to recover the kidnapped woman before she is murdered too. Will they get there on time and will they solve the case? Great storyline, great action and a race to the climax. Excellent series by Kathi Daley who is definitely one of my favorite mystery writers.
May 18, 2022
Reclusive billionaire Ezra Reinhold only takes on the toughest and most time sensitive cases.
He has established a team of geniuses and experts to work on these cases.
Sydney Whitmore is semi retired, or so she wants to believe. She has joined her family on Shipwreck Island and is looking forward to a holiday with family and friends.
A call comes in that can not be ignored. A woman is kidnapped by a grieving father. If the team can not prove her innocence or find her and save her before the clock runs out, will the man actually kill her? They can not take that chance. Failure is not an option.
Tense and with nonstop movement keep readers glued to the page.
He has established a team of geniuses and experts to work on these cases.
Sydney Whitmore is semi retired, or so she wants to believe. She has joined her family on Shipwreck Island and is looking forward to a holiday with family and friends.
A call comes in that can not be ignored. A woman is kidnapped by a grieving father. If the team can not prove her innocence or find her and save her before the clock runs out, will the man actually kill her? They can not take that chance. Failure is not an option.
Tense and with nonstop movement keep readers glued to the page.
June 21, 2022
Enjoyable series
Syd's life continues at the resort, with Ezra's group, and as part time with the FBI. A dead girl, her missing bank manager father and a bank employee all lead Ezra's group into a strange case. Each book is stand alone, but I enjoy reading a series such as this starting with book 1, and I encourage you to do so as you will meet all of Ezra's team and learn their backgrounds.
Syd's life continues at the resort, with Ezra's group, and as part time with the FBI. A dead girl, her missing bank manager father and a bank employee all lead Ezra's group into a strange case. Each book is stand alone, but I enjoy reading a series such as this starting with book 1, and I encourage you to do so as you will meet all of Ezra's team and learn their backgrounds.
June 21, 2022
wanna-be
As much as I love the series, I think this one was the best yet. For a reader like me when you mix the supernatural with a mystery and characters that you like, it’s heaven. I revisited people that I enjoy spending time with and investigate new and intriguing mysteries. I find out how the animals they’re fostering are doing. And I find out what animal cell foster next. Can anything be better.
As much as I love the series, I think this one was the best yet. For a reader like me when you mix the supernatural with a mystery and characters that you like, it’s heaven. I revisited people that I enjoy spending time with and investigate new and intriguing mysteries. I find out how the animals they’re fostering are doing. And I find out what animal cell foster next. Can anything be better.
September 27, 2022
So great
This series is so good. I started this series with book one not sure whether I would like it , but I love them . I thought the book was so good , suspenseful, exciting, and very interesting. I really love the characters and I love the way Kathi Daley makes me feel as if I am there with each page.
This series is so good. I started this series with book one not sure whether I would like it , but I love them . I thought the book was so good , suspenseful, exciting, and very interesting. I really love the characters and I love the way Kathi Daley makes me feel as if I am there with each page.
December 18, 2022
Another Intriguing Mystery by Kathi Daley
This was an exciting mystery that kept me reading until the end. In true Kathi Daley style this book has a lot of surprises and intrigue. Murder, kidnapping, Vampires, Werewolves, what? So much fun. Syd and the others have their work cut out for them to solve this mystery before it's too late.
This was an exciting mystery that kept me reading until the end. In true Kathi Daley style this book has a lot of surprises and intrigue. Murder, kidnapping, Vampires, Werewolves, what? So much fun. Syd and the others have their work cut out for them to solve this mystery before it's too late.
August 16, 2023
Definitely a different plot
I had read at least one of the first set but it had been a while ago. This made me have to try to remember the different characters. I finally just didn't try and followed the dialogue. I liked the plot and so enjoyed the read was glad it was more like what I usually read and not so cozy.
I had read at least one of the first set but it had been a while ago. This made me have to try to remember the different characters. I finally just didn't try and followed the dialogue. I liked the plot and so enjoyed the read was glad it was more like what I usually read and not so cozy.
October 12, 2023
Live or die!
Syd, Kelly, Octavia and Hadley are on the count down to save a woman being held hostage by a murder victims father. Ezra has been contacted to prove her innocent in five days or she dies.
This has been a very fast moving series that has keep me looking forward to the next book in the series.
Syd, Kelly, Octavia and Hadley are on the count down to save a woman being held hostage by a murder victims father. Ezra has been contacted to prove her innocent in five days or she dies.
This has been a very fast moving series that has keep me looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 16, 2022
An exciting investigation
Once again the author has created a story that you simply can't out down from beginning to end. There is a lot going on between a time sensitive kidnapping and an unsolved murder. Really enjoyable series.
Once again the author has created a story that you simply can't out down from beginning to end. There is a lot going on between a time sensitive kidnapping and an unsolved murder. Really enjoyable series.
June 18, 2022
A hostage situation
Syd has both the FBI and Ezra working on the same case. Lots of situations that leave the reader on edge. A story I wanted to see through the end so it kept me up late.
Syd has both the FBI and Ezra working on the same case. Lots of situations that leave the reader on edge. A story I wanted to see through the end so it kept me up late.
July 9, 2022
Resort at Castaway Bay' Prove or Perish
This was a really good read in this series. I was getting bored with the writing in the last2 books but the author really stepped up her storytelling.
This was a really good read in this series. I was getting bored with the writing in the last2 books but the author really stepped up her storytelling.
July 15, 2022
Prove it Perish
As always I couldn't wait to read this book. The story line was outstanding, I never would have guessed what was coming next. It's a very enjoyable read and now I want to read the next series with so the same people involved.
Again I loved this book.Jean
As always I couldn't wait to read this book. The story line was outstanding, I never would have guessed what was coming next. It's a very enjoyable read and now I want to read the next series with so the same people involved.
Again I loved this book.Jean
August 8, 2022
Awesome!
Love this series! This book was extremely interesting! The descriptions were detailed and involved. The case was tense and had some disturbing participants, but was extremely interesting. Looking forward to the next one!
Love this series! This book was extremely interesting! The descriptions were detailed and involved. The case was tense and had some disturbing participants, but was extremely interesting. Looking forward to the next one!
October 26, 2022
Darker than her other series.
Waaay too much yada yada yada. TMI about the creepy vampires. Not much really happens. There wasn't anyone to care about except the old lady and the dog.
Waaay too much yada yada yada. TMI about the creepy vampires. Not much really happens. There wasn't anyone to care about except the old lady and the dog.
December 16, 2023
A real sense of urgency
This was the first book in this series that I have read. There are some really great characters and a storyline that really keeps you on edge. I will definitely be reading more in this series.
This was the first book in this series that I have read. There are some really great characters and a storyline that really keeps you on edge. I will definitely be reading more in this series.
August 14, 2025
home for the holidays
With a kidnapper who may have kidnapped a murderer. Lots of Christmas events on the island. But the real focus here is the five day hunt for the kidnap victims, trapped in a room with food and water for five days.
With a kidnapper who may have kidnapped a murderer. Lots of Christmas events on the island. But the real focus here is the five day hunt for the kidnap victims, trapped in a room with food and water for five days.
June 15, 2022
interesting mystery, good read...
June 16, 2022
resort
I liked every thing about this book, it kept interested enough that when i had to put down I wanted to get back at I soon as could
I liked every thing about this book, it kept interested enough that when i had to put down I wanted to get back at I soon as could
June 17, 2022
Who killed Daisy Maynard and why??? Syd is on the case – AND in the water, isn’t she??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
June 18, 2022
Terrific mystery, as always.
June 23, 2022
Another great adventure in Castaway Bay series
Another crime to solve ; Kathi Daley involves you every step of the way! Enjoyable characters you feel you know.
Another crime to solve ; Kathi Daley involves you every step of the way! Enjoyable characters you feel you know.
October 13, 2022
another great story
Love this series and the suspense it brings. Also it is shorter so I read it and then get to the next story.
Love this series and the suspense it brings. Also it is shorter so I read it and then get to the next story.
May 13, 2023
Syd joins Ezra and his group to determine whether a kidnapped victim is a murderer or not; all while they are searching for her. Christmas activities are under way and all want to be together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews